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The tradition of the wedding dress
If you are going to get married, tradition requires certain etiquette. The wedding dress is one such traditional item with different meanings through the world.
In western modern tradition, the color of western-culture wedding dresses is white. Used in this sense, 'white' or 'wedding white' includes creamy shades such as eggshell, ecru and ivory. The popularity of this color can be traced back to 1840 and the marriage of Queen Victoria. The Queen chose to wear a white gown for the event. The official wedding portrait photograph was widely published and many brides opted for a similar dress in honor of that choice.
The tradition continues today. Prior to the Victorian era a bride was married in any color except black (the color of mourning) or red (which was connected with prostitutes). The white dress came to symbolize purity of heart and the innocence of childhood. Later attribution suggested that the color white symbolized virginity which is false. However, it was originally the color that was connected to purity.
Many wedding dresses in China are colored red, the traditional color of good luck. In modern Chinese weddings, particularly in Western countries, the bride usually opts for the white Western dress or changes from a red gown to a white gown later in the day. In other eastern countries, such as Laos, it is customary for the bride to change apparel up to fifteen times within the night, each dress being a different color. Regardless, if you see a Chinese wedding in which the bride is wearing red, it does not mean she is a prostitute!
In northern parts of India the traditional color of women's wedding garments is red. It is considered a color symbolizing auspiciousness. Nowadays many women opt not to wear red, and choose other colors. South Indian weddings traditionally use white or cream colored saris. Indian brides in Western countries often wear the sari at the wedding ceremony and change into traditional Indian wear afterwards (like leghna, choli, et cetera).
Now, there are approximately 2.4 million weddings performed each year. The average wedding costs about thirty thousand dollars. The average wedding dress will cost between one and three thousand dollars. However, prices for the wedding dress range from a few hundred dollars to practically as much as you can spend. There should be at least one bridal store in your area, and within each one will be knowledgeable employees that will be able to find the dress that is not only right for you, but in your price range, whatever that may be.