Red wedding dresses are a great choice for women who want to stand out even more on their big day.
The Origin of Red Wedding Dresses
Red wedding dresses are far from being a new innovation. While it may seem unthinkable for most of the Western world, red is actually the traditional color for wedding gowns in China, India, and Vietnam. For these countries, red is a happy color and deserve to be worn on happy occasions, which is why it’s commonly worn during weddings. It’s only fairly recently that the West has caught on and began using scarlet hues on their wedding dresses.
Red Wedding Dresses vs. White Wedding Dresses
Certainly, white remains to be a favorite color choice for wedding gowns in most parts of the world, if only for the sake of tradition. However, red is rapidly gaining in popularity, as more and more women choose to shed the conventional path and opt for something more striking and contemporary.
While other cultures wear red wedding dresses to represent joy and life, the color also represents a host of other emotions, such as passion, power, romance, love, and sexuality, all of which can be found in brides, which is why it is such a great color choice for weddings.
Red wedding dresses are not for the blushing brides; it takes a certain je ne sais quoi to pull it off. If you’re the kind of girl who’s conventional, traditional, and conservative, then red wedding dresses are not for you. However, if you feel like pulling a daring move on your own wedding, a scarlet-colored dress will surely make your big day an event to remember for everyone.
Variations of Red Wedding Dresses
While red is far from being a demure color even if it isn’t used in wedding gowns, it can be pulled off in such a way that it would be dramatic without being over the top.
There are two ways that you can wear a red gown in your wedding. You can opt for a dress that’s scarlet from top to bottom and be the center of attraction (if being the bride is not enough!) However, if you’re leaning towards the conservative side but nonetheless want to wear this striking color on your big day, you can still wear the traditional white gown and have splashes of red or burgundy embroidered on your gown to create a striking effect. You can also wear a red sash that’s set against an ivory or white gown to create a beautiful contrast in colors. Beading can also be added to add a splash of color to what would have been a very conservative dress.
Red wedding dresses in themselves are quite different from each other. There are several shades of color in the red family, so a bride and her entourage can all be wearing different shades of red. Red wedding dresses also call for bolder cuts and designs than traditional wedding dresses to make the gowns even more arresting and eye-catching. Intricate embroidery, fitted corsetry, and other features may be incorporated in the design to create gorgeous dresses fit for the bride and even her attendants. Fabrics that are often used in red wedding gowns include taffeta and silk. The neckline can be made in such a way that would create an eye-catching dress without looking scandalous. For example, halter necks, sleeveless, corset tops, and one-shoulder bodices can be made tastefully so as to emphasize the bride’s beauty without scandalizing anyone. Red wedding dresses can also come in different styles, such as casual, formal, Romantic, contemporary, Victorian, Edwardian, and even Gothic.
How To Wear the Red Wedding Dress
There are numerous ways for brides to wear red wedding dresses. One popular option is to choose the seasonal route:
* Autumn. Fall is a great season to mix up rich colors to match the seasons. For example, dark red shades can be mixed with brown, orange, gold, or cream to reflect the beautiful colors of nature outdoors.
* Winter. Winter is another great time to wear red wedding dresses in dark hues. You can wear it with white to have a lovely winter-themed wedding.
* Spring or summer. While autumn and winter are seasons for dark color, spring and summer weddings are perfect for wearing bright, vibrant shades of red to create a fresh look. You can even opt to pair it with softer colors such as blue, pink, or lavender to make your wedding look fresh and fun.
Perfect Matches for Red Wedding Dresses
As the bride, you can opt to wear a red wedding dress and have the rest of the entourage wear white to create a unique contrast. Alternatively, you can also assign different shades of red for them to wear to be uniform. If you don’t want to go in either route, you can mix up other colors as well. Black and red and black and purple are good color combinations, as these create an air of royalty and elegance.
Red roses are a great choice for red-themed weddings. Alternatively, you can also use black calla lilies, particularly if your wedding has a Medieval or Gothic theme. White flowers can also create a beautiful contrast to the wedding.
Where Can You Buy Red Wedding Dresses?
Red wedding dresses can be bought ready made from boutiques. However, if you want something special, consider having yours designed and sewn especially for you. Not only will this make your dress fit you perfectly, you will also be able to get the gown that you’ve always dreamed of.
Slowly but surely, people are veering off from set ways and finding ways to come into their own and make personal choices for themselves. Whether you’re having an wedding that follows a theme that’s close to your roots or you just want to wear something striking on your big day, red wedding dresses are a great option for the ladies who want to look confident and beautiful in the most special day of their lives.