The Wedding in White Experience
As those of you who follow me on Facebook and Instagram know, I recently enjoyed a four day break in Noosa on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. After such a hectic, crazily busy few weeks preparing to launch my new ‘Style with Cindy’ suite, Australia’s first privately owned styling suite in the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere (proud Mumma moment!), followed by successive styling courses, it was a well-earned and much needed break.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed drinking coffee at the many cafes on the delightfully busy and visually interesting Hastings Street – so much fun people watching and looking at the beautiful styles of women of all ages, shapes and sizes – and dining at gorgeous restaurants at night, it was exactly what I needed! The few days my husband and I were there, it was busy…busy even for summer! I had forgotten that the Sunshine Coast is one of the busiest wedding destinations in Australia!
Even in its ‘busyness’, there was a relaxing and summery atmosphere. I really felt like I was on holidays! And when I’m on holidays, I love to wear white! I don’t know why but for me, it’s always my go-to colour when on holidays! Click on my social media and you’ll see for yourself!
One of the days, we happened to stroll past a wedding taking place overlooking the beach. The bride looked stunning, the groom looked so smart and handsome, and the guests looked fabulous, many of whom were wearing white. For some reason, I was reminded of a time when I was a guest at a wedding a few years ago.
Yes. That’s right. I wore white as a guest to a wedding…well, cream actually!
I guess for some of you reading this blog, you might be going through a multitude of feelings right now. Shock? Admiration? Disbelief? Agreeance? I can almost hear some of you shouting at your computer screen, ‘Noooooooooooo Cindy, Nooooooooo’.
So let’s open it up to the floor for discussion! Here are my thoughts on it…
Let’s think back to the origins of why a woman who was getting married wore the colour white.
Contrary to popular culture belief that wearing the colour white was to symbolise virtue, pureness and chasteness, this tradition actually stemmed in the Western World from Queen Victoria. When she got married, instead of her usual personal style in wearing black, she wore white. Why? Just because she liked the colour.
Royalty at the time tended to choose silver or blues or golds when getting wed. Queen Victoria chose to wear white because it represented luxury as it would have been (as we all know!) more difficult to keep clean and demonstrated the quality of life she lived in not having to do any manual work like doing the vacuuming or cleaning your eldest daughter’s hair out the drain. And as leader of the Commonwealth, she was flexing her muscles among European royalty too!
In Eastern cultures, the tradition is to wear red as it represents good luck and auspiciousness, a good omen for the longevity of the marriage. Often, brides will choose to change into more traditional heritage style dress after the wedding, depending on where they are from, and more often than not, taking into consideration their parents’ wishes and traditions. While white is chosen by many of today’s brides, more and more, contemporary women are shunning the tradition of white in favour of a wider range of colours in softer palettes. Creams, golds, blush, peach, powder blues are increasingly popular, as are the stronger, bolder colours like midnight blues, crimsons and black.
In fact, over the years, I have dressed many bridal parties and there has been an amazing diversity in the colours worn by members of the bridal parties. I’ve dress mothers of the bride and groom in full black outfits, from their hats to dresses to shoes! Black bridesmaids dresses have also been a popular choice for their timelessness and I’ve also dressed all white bridal parties! What I love about this, is that these days, anything goes!
Considering the tradition of wearing white for many brides has been interpreted as meaning pure and virginal (which in this day and age, let’s be honest, is a little archaic considering most couples live with each other for many years before they get hitched!), why then, are so many second and third time brides choosing to wear white? And should it really be frowned upon if a guest wears white?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!
With February, March and April all calendar favourites for weddings, I’ve put together some of my favourite outfits to give you some inspiration on beautiful looks to wear to a wedding, no matter if you are a guest, mother of the bride or mother of the groom!
Kaz Scott says
Hi Cindy,
Your blog (The Wedding in White Experience) is incredible timing for me, as we’re currently planning an intimate ceremony after 9 years of living together. I wholeheartedly agree with you that the idea and notion of wearing white (and being a second marriage for both of us), is an antiquated tradition, although there are many women who embrace it. However, for myself, I don’t particularly relish the idea of wearing white again for a second wedding (and it’s not because I don’t like wearing white), I simply would prefer not to follow this “age-old” tradition! So now that I’ve read your article, it’s actually reinforced my decision not to wear white, but to wear colour – I guess my only decision now is, which colour!
Cindy Newstead says
Great! Pleased to have helped you Kaz 🙂 I was at a wedding in Albania and there were some full on white dresses there worn by the guests, mine was cream and yet I copped abuse from a relative in Australia via FB. We were stunned! If nothing is stipulated by the bride, then I think it comes down to what you feel comfortable in. Hmmmmmm……good luck with what color to wear, wear what you love!!!! 🙂 Congratulations xox
margie says
Hi Cindy,
Great article. I didn’t want to wear white, but my eldest sister kept saying I had to and mum would’ve wanted me to.My mum was married in a soft pink in the 60’s which was so ahead of her time. I think if the bride is wearing white and unless she states her guests to wear white, really we should avoid it. We don’t won’t to upset the bride of course. My brother and his wife were at a very close friends wedding and she asked all the guests to wear white so she could wear an amazing black gown. This looked fabulous and all the guests actually enjoyed all being in white. I think it does come down to our personal preference, the couple in mind and how tradition plays in the “wedding we are attending.” I still think some girls out there have the dream to be in a white gown. At the end of the day, elegance and comfort for you is most important.
Cindy Newstead says
Thanks Margie! Yes anything goes these days mainly due the fact that so many Brides are trying to be different! I just love a traditional Bride and wedding, I do think if the Bride stipulates a certain dress code then guests should abide like your example of the guests in white 🙂 Beautiful. So much has changed since I got married years ago, so like most things I guess we learn to change with it! Thx Margie xox
kellie says
I’ve been invited to a “smart casual” wedding next weekend in Sydeny. There doesn’t seem to be any colour restrictions that I can find out, but unsure of what is expected in the way of outfits. Any suggestions?
Cindy Newstead says
Hi Kellie. Thanks for your comment! You can never beat a simple dress or an old favourite from the wardrobe 🙂 then match in your accessories and shoes. If you have no restrictions then I say wear something comfortable and flattering for your shape. If you do need some assistance in finding something, we do have a stylist based in Sydney who could help you 🙂 Hope that helps!