Do I Have to be a Virgin to Wear White on my Wedding Day?

[worldnews]

Is a white wedding dress symbolic of virginity? That's the big question that emerged from the bridal debate earlier this week, in which two former brides told their tales of choosing between red and white for the big day.

For Opihi, the idea of wearing a non-white dress had never crossed her mind. In fact, the idea that white = virgin was so deeply embedded that "I was horrified when my groom's Indian family told me that white was a symbol of death and only widows wore white. I was a virgin bride -- rare in even those days -- and I was distressed that I would have to wear scarlet."

White wedding gowns have long been associated with purity and innocence. "The idea of wearing white," says Kat, "was to symbolize virginity. But these days who are we kidding?"

Naughtygirl says, "I hate to be the one to say it, but in today's society I truly doubt that there are any women out there that are getting married who deserve to wear the white wedding dress." So is it inappropriate to wear white if your friends and family are well aware that you're not a virgin?
I always thought divorced women who remarry wearing white look foolish."

MsMSH suggests that pregnant, divorced and unwed mothers wear a red, black, blue or yellow dress instead.

However, the truth of the matter, says Holly, is that white actually has nothing to do with virginity. The trend emerged when Queen Victoria tied the knot in a white wedding gown -- prior to that, "most women married in what would be their 'best dress' -- usually black but also indigo, since indigo dye had to be imported from the Indies and cost money."

"A white wedding gown never meant 'virgin,'" adds Maya, "it simply meant 'rich' -- as in, 'I'm rich enough to have a dress that can never be worn again'."

For Sailornightwing, a white wedding dress has nothing to do with purity -- it's always simply meant the clean start of a new life together. She sums up what we think about the whole debacle: "Wear whatever color you want -- it's your wedding!" lemondrop.co.uk

Tell us! What does wearing a white wedding dress mean to you? Do you think it's inappropriate for women who aren't virgins to wear white on their wedding day?

[glens]

I'm certainly not a virgin and I plan to wear white on my wedding day... if I havent missed it already, have a fantastic day,
You wear what ever you want, Hon! And enjoy your day and the rest of your life with your husband. The people who get their skivvies in a twist over what color a bride wears on her wedding day aren't worth trying to please. Happy wedding and more importantly happy marriage

[sunny]

its just tradition, its not really something that is followed today or else most people who got married would not be wearing white. If your worried about it just wear like cream lol or like an eggshell instead of "white" whatever pleases you.lol

[suzen]

i was raised to believe that a white wedding dress represented virginity, and as a lil girl plan their wedding i didnt want a white dress cause everyone wore one, ppl would tell that i couldnt get married in a colored dress, (my choice was silver or gray), i found out about 6 yrs ago, that white never meant "virgin dress, it just became a fad."

[Queen Elizabeth]

I think white and cream-colored wedding dresses look pretty.Traditions are for the traditional.If you're not, than wear whatever YOU want.

[cutechicka]

Its ur wedding ur day no one can tell u u cant wear white and think about all the girls that get married in white dresses i doubt their all virgins

[olen]

I think a woman should wear whatever color and style of dress she likes on her wedding day...first marriage or not....virgin or not. It's about the bride and groom and if they want to wear pink and blue bunny costumes down the aisle..hey, more power to them
What should you wear? Whatever makes you feel comfortable and YOU. Don't wear something that doesn't represent who you are, otherwise it probably won't feel like it's your wedding. Congratulations,