Lucy in the sky with diamonds or the story of a wedding dress
Lucy in the sky with diamonds – a favorite image of a hippie, sung by the legendary the Beatles. Nowadays, this phrase is not associated with intoxicating LSD, but with the beautiful appearance of the bride. How did he come about? When and why did brides begin to dress in such intricate, luxurious and magnificent dresses? Why is this trend still alive today?
Long since the brides wore their most beautiful dresses on the wedding day. Actually, this trend has long been kept in the estate of low-income brides. In high society, the wedding was a way to increase capital or strengthen political ties. In order to emphasize the status of the newlyweds, a magnificent feast was organized, and the bride’s attire demanded especially luxurious decorations. Such a philosophy of costume originated in the Middle Ages.
Then the color of the dress did not matter much, the essence of this farce was hidden in the number of petticoats and patterns on the dress. Often, the image of the bride was not accompanied by a veil at all, but by a fur cape or fur coat. An important factor was fashion. The dress of the enviable bride had to correspond to the trends at that time. In dark times, white wedding dresses were not popular. However, this is not surprising. As one of the chroniclers of that time testified, all the streets were tamped down with thick layers of all kinds of impurities. Thus, a white dress would change its color very soon. In the Scandinavian countries, the tradition has strengthened to dress the bride in black outfit. The heads of the brides of that time were not covered with anything. If the wedding took place in the warm spring and summer period, flowers could be woven into the brides hairstyles, a wreath served as an alternative decoration.
The well-known to contemporaries white dress, popularly called “cake” was first published on February 10th, in 1840th year. The Queen Victoria stepped down the aisle, taking the Duke Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha as husband. This wedding has changed all the centuries-old wedding traditions. The change came in not only the bride’s dress, but also the groom’s suit and festive loaf, which turned into a huge cake with cream flowers. The reforms have not bypassed the bridal bouquet and the outfits of her friends. It was Queen Victoria who initiated the new costly custom of dressing her friends in dresses of similar style. Since then, the bridal bouquet has acquired a symbolic meaning, and a boutonniere has appeared on the groom’s suit. All the royal innovations so pleased the delighted public that they are obediently inherited to this day not only by the British, but also by residents of other remote corners of the world. Victoria’s bridal fashion has not spared the inhabitants of the Far East and the inhabitants of Latin America. Nowadays, even the Japanese and Indians, deeply respecting their folk traditions, have forgotten about the heritage of their ancestors, copying the wedding in the Victorian style. So what were the marriage traditions of these nations?
In Japan, China, Vietnam and India from time immemorial, it was customary to marry in silk red vestments. It is believed that this color attracts good luck and happiness. Especially interesting wedding decorations can boast the Indians.
In these American tribes, it is customary for the bride’s dress to be made by the bride himself. The bridal outfit depends on the time of year. In the summer, a charming Indian dressed in a leather skirt and leggings made from the skin of deer. As wedding shoes serve moccasins. The charming torso remains naked. Indian women can not do without jewelry. Those are pebbles, wood and shells, strung on a cord. This creates a festive necklace or choker. Bridal makeup is created using white and red clay. It must be very beautiful!
In cool seasons, the torso is covered with a feather cape or two robes tied with a red belt. Bathrobe and hair of the bride are decorated with reed mats. It is noteworthy that in each tribal region the bridesmaid dress has its color. In the north, the wedding dress is colored black, dressed in blue in the south, and white in the east. Brides from the west have a wider choice between yellow and orange flowers.
In regions where British traditions have become widespread, diamond wedding rings have an honorable place. This element of luxury has also been introduced by Queen Victoria.
