A bride’s wedding dress ideally reflects their personality, style, and vision for their special day. In recent years, alternative colors have become increasingly popular in the bridal industry. Black wedding dresses have emerged as a bold and unconventional choice, making them an ideal option for brides seeking to break away from the norm. 

But is a black wedding dress suited for just anyone? There’s a lot of history and symbolism surrounding black dresses, which can make them quite controversial as wedding gowns.

Learn the history of black wedding dresses, the pros and cons, and what to consider if you’re thinking of walking down the aisle in one on your big day.

The History of Black Wedding Dresses

White wasn’t always the traditional color for wedding dresses. In the pre-victorian era, women wore other colors on their wedding day, especially black dresses. It was common for Spanish brides to wear a black dress on their wedding day because it symbolized their love for the groom until death. 

Additionally, wedding dresses were very expensive for anyone who wasn’t fairly rich. For this reason, black was the most preferable color due to it being less noticeable for stains. 

Pros of Wearing a Black Wedding Dress

As black wedding dresses move toward symbolizing modernity, elegance, and formality, brides are discovering the many pros of wearing one. 

Elegant and Sophisticated

Black is a timeless color that has long been associated with elegance and sophistication. The color black, represented in fashion, can symbolize power, intelligence, and luxury. The dark color also helps to hide any stains the dress might encounter throughout the night, achieving a clean-cut look despite the many activities that could stain a light-colored dress.

Unique and Non-traditional

With wedding dresses traditionally being white or ivory, opting for a black wedding dress breaks tradition, creating a bold and unconventional statement. A black wedding dress suits a bride who values her individuality, uniqueness, and confidence in standing out from a crowd.

If a bride is looking for a way to leave a lasting impression on guests, wearing a black wedding dress creates a visually striking and memorable statement. 

Flattering On Various Skin Tones

Due to the color’s versatile nature, a black dress is flattering on various skin tones. Black clothing creates a striking contrast against skin tones, enhancing the natural features of the person wearing it. Black also tends to compliment a wide range of undertones, including warm, cool, and neutral tones. A black wedding dress can beautifully complement many complexions. 

Cons of Wearing a Black Wedding Dress

While black wedding dresses can be stunning and unique, there are potential cons that might be turning some brides away from this non-traditional dress choice. 

Cultural Implications

For many cultures, black clothing has long been associated with mourning and death, and sometimes even bad luck and misfortune. Though black wedding dresses are no longer considered taboo, certain individuals might not find them fitting for a celebratory occasion. 

Photography Challenges

Though black wedding dresses have the potential to come out stunning in photos with the right background and contrast, not all wedding photographers are trained to photograph black dresses and might not know the best practices. Make sure to research photographers beforehand and look at their portfolios for reference. 

A quick tip: Black wedding dresses photograph beautifully against a white background, like snow, making them a popular choice for winter weddings. 

Accessorizing is Limited 

Access to certain styles or colors of veils, headpieces, jewelry, or any other common accessory worn on a bride’s wedding day may be limited due to most accessories designed to compliment a white or ivory-colored dress. Additionally, you’d want another contrasting color for the accessories to stand out against the black to avoid monotony, but you also don’t want the accessories taking too much attention away from the dress.

Other Black Wedding Dress Considerations

Opting for a non-traditional style of wedding dress is bold and exciting, but there are some topics to consider and plan around when going against the standard attire for a wedding. 

Theme, Venue, and Dress Code

When choosing a black wedding dress, you also want to consider the theme, venue, and the guest’s attire. It’s important to ensure that your dress still aligns with the overall theme of the wedding—whether it’s modern or vintage.

You should also consider how your black dress will complement the venue. If you’re having an outdoor wedding, you’ll need to consider how comfortable you’ll be in a black gown. The color black absorbs heat, so a wedding under the hot sun may make a black dress uncomfortable.

Lastly, it’s essential to communicate to your guests about the dress code to ensure that no one shows up wearing a black dress.

Partner’s Opinion

Getting your partner’s opinion before saying yes to a black dress is something to consider, especially since most grooms expect the bride to be wearing white. It’s essential to coordinate your partner’s outfit as well to ensure that you guys match effortlessly on your big day. You want to surprise your partner walking down the aisle, but not so much that they’re ill-prepared.

Traditional Expectations

Before deciding on the black wedding dress, it’s important to consider what your or your partner’s family might think about the non-traditional color. Do they have certain expectations in mind? If you’re a bride that values your family and friend’s input, it might be smart to discuss the color choice before deciding. 

If you’re looking to stand out and make a bold statement by wearing a black wedding dress on your big day, Savvy Bridal has plenty of options for you. We have locations in Kansas City and St. Louis with expert stylists ready to help you find the dress of your dreams. Contact us to book an appointment today.