The Secret of Red Wedding Dresses

Introduction

When many people in western cultures think of wedding dresses, their minds jump immediately to white wedding dresses. However, red wedding dresses are popular in many eastern cultures, such as Chinese, Indian, Pakistani and Korean.

However, some western hemispherers have adopted red wedding dresses in recent years. They are a fresh look compared to traditional white dresses, and they are great for those who want to make a statement or host a modern event. If you want something modern and unique, a red dress might work for you.

Meaning Of The Red Wedding Dresses

Red Wedding Dresses in Eastern Cultures

The Secret of Red Wedding Dresses

A typical red wedding dress doesn’t have its own name. However, wedding dresses have names in other cultures. Chinese people often wear a cheongsam, qipao, or qun kwa, and they are often red because Chinese people see red as a color of celebration and prosperity. 

Indian people wear bridal lehengas, and they sometimes wear red as a symbol of new beginnings, passion, and prosperity.

Red Wedding Dresses in Western Cultures

The red wedding dresses aren’t completely new to western culture either. Ancient Greeks wore red dresses and indigenous Americans incorporate red elements into their wedding outfits. However, in western cultures, many don’t know of these traditions and think first of the famous white dress. So wearing a red dress in the west is still often viewed as a strong, avant-garde choice for creativity and modernism. In western cultures, red wedding dresses create a picture of freshness and originality. 

The Secret of Red Wedding Dresses

They are perfect for sleek, contemporary celebrations, especially since the bright hue is so eye-catching. If you want a highly visual event with a unique and voguish flair, then the red wedding dress might be right for you.

Like eastern cultures, red also has its own symbolism in western cultures. Red is the color of love and classical romance. In one stunning design, a red wedding dress captures all the feelings associated with love and romance – happiness, comfort, connection. The list goes on.

Another side of red in western cultures is a sexier, alluring side. If you’re a soon-to-be-married westerner who doesn’t want to get lost in tradition, and you have a taste for breaking the rules, then a red wedding dress is the perfect way to show your daring sense of adventure.

Red Wedding Dresses in Photography and Videography

What’s more, red wedding dresses are highly visual choices. In an increasingly digital world, where newlyweds share online the works of their wedding videographer and photographer for all to see, weddings trend toward fresh and visually striking production and design. Red wedding dresses create unique photos and videos that will keep gorgeous memories for years to come.

The Secret of Red Wedding Dresses

If you aren’t quite ready to commit to a red dress, then you can test drive the color in your engagement photos. Red engagement dresses look stunning in simpler settings, especially in modern indoor settings like museums or other sleek, contemporary buildings.

Adding pops of red, in addition to red engagement dresses, throughout the shoot creates a theme. Wearing a red dress as part of a visual work of art can help those who are nervous about such a bold choice.

The same statements can be made regarding red wedding dresses too. They look stunning in videos filmed in modern settings, especially ones with modern and highly visual architecture. However, they also look gorgeous in simple natural settings, such as heavily wooded venues or golden meadows without too much background noise.

Is it OK in the U.S. To Wear Red for a bride?

While dresses from other cultures, such as the Chinese qipao and Indian lehenga, are reserved for people of those communities, you can still wear a red wedding dress in the same style as a white, western wedding dress.

Some people still hesitate to break western traditions by wearing red wedding dresses in western styles. In older western cultures, white dresses were chosen as symbols of purity. However, our society has shifted from those traditions, and you have much more freedom in planning and executing your vows as a tribute to you and your partner.

What's Right And What's Okay?

When it comes down to what’s “right” and what’s “okay,” there is no true, correct answer when it comes to your wedding. It is one of the most important days of your life, one that you will cherish until the end of days. You want it to reflect your truest desires as a couple, to reflect the life and love you have built and will continue to build together. Don’t let tradition weigh you down if red wedding dresses call out to you.

Ultimately, choosing your dress isn’t about old ideals of purity; it’s about what fits your style as an individual and as a couple. Make a choice that will make you feel confident and dazzling on your special day. That will surely make you an unforgettable bride.

Is It Inappropriate For A Female Wedding Guest To Wear A Red Dress?

Red typically isn’t recommended for the newlyweds’ guests. In its brightest form, it is a visually arresting and eye-catching color, so it can take attention away from the newlywed couple. Naturally, the newlyweds should be the center of attention.

However, there are alternatives to bright red dresses or outfits for guests. For example, guests can wear darker shades of red, more reminiscent of maroon or burgundy than scarlet. Guests can also opt for rust or burnt orange shades that are close to red but aren’t too bright.

Ask The Couple

Another good rule of thumb is to ask the couple if they would be okay with red. If someone in the couple already plans to wear a red wedding dress, red suit, or a red outfit, then asking can help you avoid stealing their spotlight. Some couples who opt for traditional garbs like white dresses, champagne wedding dresses, or black tuxedos will be happy to host a guest in red, even if it is a brighter shade. Asking is the best policy, and the couple will be happy to know you want to be respectful and courteous.

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