Dear Advice Columnist,
I'm getting married soon, and I can't help but notice that brides almost always wear dresses, and not just any dresses, but ones that are clearly wedding gowns. I'm curious—why is this the case? Is there a deeper reason behind this tradition because it feels like there is a bride uniform?
Thanks,
Groom-to-Be

There are times when I do feel like the writer of an advice column. Not that I mind being asked questions that go beyond the straightforward requirements and possibilities for the ceremony. So when a groom-to-be asked me why brides all wear the same dress, I was prompted to really think about that.

Obviously, the first, and strongest reason is

The Power of Tradition

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There is no hard and fast legal requirement about what a bride wears to be married in. And yet brides typically wear wedding dresses. Even if they don't, it has required a conscious decision, and defiance of push back by everyone from close relatives to bridal store owners. Much like uniforms, wedding dresses are deeply rooted in tradition. Both have that “this is how it's always been done” vibe. The sense of being steeping in history. Some might even say they symbolise a commitment, a role the wearer is stepping into, and they also honour those who have walked this path before.

The Spotlight Effect

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Then there's the shared spotlight effect. Both wedding dresses and uniforms instantly make you the focal point, as if you’re sporting a sign that says, “Look at me! I'm important!” Whether you’re gracefully walking down the aisle or marching through a parade ground, you're guaranteed to have all eyes on you.

The Fit That Counts

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Let’s not overlook the importance of fit. One of the reasons that wedding dresses are so expensive is the meticulous tailoring involved, ensuring a perfect fit for your body. Much like a uniform.  This dedication to fit, usually found only in the couture fashion worn by the very rich, ensures you look and feel your absolute best.

You're allowed to break the mould

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Now, let's get a little cheeky. While tradition and attention-grabbing are all well and good, that groom has a point. Both wedding dresses and uniforms can be, well, a bit of a bore if everyone's wearing the same thing. So, if you'd rather wear something that screams you, that reflects your unique personality,  rather than the wedding dress "uniform" everyone expects? Go for it. There is precedence. And the bridal press is slowly catching up, so you're not alone. I've had brides in pant suits, jump suits, even a fun onesie, and wearing colours, prints, and vintage finds from op shops. It's your wedding. Do your thing.

The Right to Choose

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Here’s the punchline: the expectations of others are not rules! You are free to wear whatever you want on your wedding day because your wedding day is about celebrating your love, and what you wear should reflect who you are as individuals, and as  a couple.

After all, love is the only uniform that truly matters.

Thanks for reading!