colours were usually the chosen outfits for brides of all ages.


There is actually no obligation on a bride to wear white even if she is being married in church.


Pictures courtesy of www.alchemy-stitchcraft.co.uk


Dressing for


a wedding If there is one thing that can be said of a wedding, it is that it is an excuse for all concerned, to dress up to the nines, cut a dash and look really splendid into the bargain.


This is as true of the informal, civil wedding as it is of one with a religious ceremony.


Traditionally a first time bride will wear white. Actually this is not a very old tradition as they go because up till around 150 or so years ago, clothes of the latest fashion, in bright


If the bride does wear white and a veil is included in the outfit, it should be down over her face as she enters the church and approaches the altar. It is lifted for her to make her responses and she leaves the church with it flowing behind.


With her veil she may wear a tiara or wreath of flowers. Alternatively she may wear a hat in which case a small veil is permissible.


If she does wear a hat, strictly speaking she should not carry a bouquet. A white bound prayer book; silver horse-shoe suspended on a ribbon; or a frilly, white parasol may be carried instead.


It is traditional for a bride to set the style of her bridesmaids’ clothes, at one time she also paid for the dresses. These days they usually pay for their own perhaps with a little help from the bride if


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18 The Wedding - autumn 2012


circumstances permit. The same rule about flowers applies to the bridesmaids, if they wear hats, they don’t carry them.


If there are a lot of bridesmaids in a wide age range, choosing the style of dress can be a problem. What looks sweet on a little girl doesn’t necessarily suit an elegant young lady.


Bear in mind too that little girls may not be able to manage a full length dress as easily as their older sisters, so choose ankle-length instead, to prevent accidents.


Very young boys are often roped-in to accompany the bridal train. Traditionally they wear sailor suits, page boy outfits or Highland Dress.


The dress the groom adopts usually sets the style of dress for all the male guests, in theory that is. In practice, unless it is a high society wedding, if the groom wears a morning suit, only his close male relatives need follow suit.


A small point to remember, if morning dress is worn, a top hat must be carried even though it is very seldom worn.


The mothers of the bride and groom are usually very prominent in the photographic groups and of course at the top table.


It is a good idea therefore if they come to some arrangements so their outfits compliment each other.


Better by far that they compare notes beforehand so their colours do not clash or, horror of horrors, they don’t appear in the same model dress!


There are a few taboos where the colours of guests’


outfits are concerned. Black is usually only worn if the guest is in deep mourning. The rule is lapsing however and black lightened by some contrasting colour is often seen these days. Green is thought to bring the bride bad luck unless it is worn by an unmarried, older woman.


Hats for ladies these days, are optional, as are gloves. They do however add to the dressiness of the occasion. Usually female guests can let their fancy run riot in their choice of ensemble and the higher the fashion, usually, the better.


It is however never a good idea to outshine the bride. This is impossible if she is wearing white. If not however, be careful to dress slightly ‘down’ rather than ‘up’ to the occasion, for diplomacy’s sake!


All the clothes needed for a wedding whether for bride, groom or their guests, may be hired. They may also be tailor made or bought off the peg. It is a matter of finance, choice and personal preference.


It is not a reflection on anyone’s attitude to the day and in many cases, hiring can be far more sensible than buying, especially where the groom’s morning dress is concerned.


Brides too can often acquire a model gown on hire, of a quality they never could afford to buy.


If you have a wedding to attend, in whatever capacity, do consider all the options before making that final decision about what to wear.Whatever you do however,make the choice as soon as you can, because the last thing you’ll want is to have somewhere to go and nothing at all to be dressed up in!


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