Renaissance Wedding Dresses

The Renaissance Period in history basically covered the 14th and 16th Century, and was actually the final centuries of the Medieval Period of history. When it comes to wedding dresses, many people see medieval and renaissance wedding dresses as being the same thing, and for a large part they are. However, the renaissance period brought about a bit more elegance and style, as it was more influenced by the Italian sense of style, than previous periods, which discounted Italian style after coming out of the Roman Empire period.

The dresses of the day were still colorful like its predecessor. Blue was still the most favored color, and brides still wore garters. They also were straighter, without much flair in the silhouette, but with plenty of style.

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But the Renaissance, for all it brought us in culture, also took away in some freedoms. For one, the dresses had to conform more, as the church started to demand that all weddings had to be performed by the ministry. Women started wearing veils more, even though they were gauzy and lacy. Garters were still being worn, but instead of taking them off in public, brides would retire to a room where, with other bridesmaids around, they’d then remove the garter, pass it out to the groom, and he’d toss it out to see who was going to be the lucky man. And “luck” was what it was all about; there was no superstition at the time that the person who caught the garter would be the next one married.

Today’s renaissance bridal gowns are a bit less traditional when it comes to modern times. Instead of brides having to wear some of the harsh fabrics of older times, there are more laces and silks and satin available for everyone. Bodices are still tight, but a little less than the Victorian era. There’s more embroidery and more intricate patterns on the dresses. Colors are also more vivid, and don’t always have a touch of blue, which would have been a sin during the renaissance.

Something else brides in that period did was wear their hair more natural, and those who couldn’t afford veils would adorn their hair in flowers. Brides today still adopt some types of flowers, but softer types of flowers such as baby’s breath. Either way, the renaissance dresses brides wear today helps give them a unique style and presence on their wedding day that changes the entire complexion of the day.

See more:
Renaissance Fashions
Traditional Renaissance Weddings
Renaissance Games & Mind Challenges