Queen Victoria
When she wed her true love in 1840, the young Queen Victoria chose a delicate white silk gown. Previous royal weddings had featured lavish furs and jewel-encrusted robes. Although some brides had worn white before her, the popularity of Queen Victoria’s wedding sparked many imitators. Still, white remained an impractical choice for all but the very wealthy. Colored wedding gowns persisted through the 1920s, when white was officially adopted as the wedding color of choice.
The Roaring Twenties
In most eras, wedding gowns were typically floor length, with the exception of the Roaring Twenties. As the hemline crept up above the knee, a curious wedding dress style developed that has never been repeated. The wedding dress hemline was anywhere between the knee and mid-calf length, but the veil was very long for a timeless elegance.
Wartime Brides
During World War II, it was common for couples to get married quickly before the groom was sent to war. Women often opted for a smart suit rather than a fancy wedding gown. The groom, of course, wore his dress uniform.
