The white wedding dress has long been a symbol of purity – but perhaps not as long as you may think.

The blushing bride who started the trend was none other than Queen Victoria, coming down the aisle in 1840, and its subsequent rise in popularity was less due to connotations of innocence, than connotations of the British Monarch’s wealth and prestige.

So, if traditional just isn’t doing it for you, there’s more than one reason to step into the world of coloured wedding gowns – and forgoing the big white dress on your special day comes with the added bonus of becoming a truly unforgettable bride.

With a whole spectrum of colour to choose from, you may not be sure of where to look first. Which gowns will still sing ‘here comes the bride’ regardless of whether you are dressed in white?

Here are three coloured wedding dresses to inspire the unconventional bride.

Yellow. How can we forgo mentioning one of the most iconic coloured wedding dresses in history: Elizabeth Taylor’s marigold chiffon dress that she wore to marry Richard Burton in 1964 – the longest of her eight marriages. The look was made bridal with a crown of orange blossoms weaved through her dramatic braided updo and topped off with a diamond and emerald Bulgari brooch which stood in place of an engagement ring. “The only word Elizabeth knows in Italian is Bulgari,” Burton once said of Taylor. A bride in yellow is the ray of sunshine at her wedding, with the colour symbolising energy, joy, and happiness.

Black. It may be more commonly associated with funerals, but more and more modern brides are leaning towards black dresses on their wedding day for the sophistication, distinctiveness, and mysterious appeal. Talk about the unforgettable bride, slinking down the aisle in a black wedding gown will cement you in the minds of all your guests. This showstopping black wedding dress is sold by Weddings of Canberra vendor, Affordable Bridal. You can try it on in person at their fabulous new showroom at 112/227 Flemington Road, Franklin. 

Fuchsia. When the it-girl gets married, she is wearing this colour down the aisle, as seen on several Vogue brides this past year.  The shocking pink shade is vibrant and irreverent, while firmly remaining in the realm of uber femininity, staying true to the unconventional bride on her special day. 

Whether it’s borrowed or blue, the only real rule when it comes to your bridal outfit is to wear something that feels like you. No matter what that is, you can find the vendors you require while supporting the local wedding industry at weddingsofcanberra.com.au

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