by Karen Vander
Once Red, Forever Beautiful
My fiancé was perfectly fine with it. My mom was excited about its uniqueness. My dad was hesitant but allowed me after seeing my distinctively cute pout. But at that grand moment, as I walked down the aisle… Holy redness! I committed a sin wearing red at my own wedding!
I did wear a bold wedding dress. And it was sultry, sexy, sinfully fantastic - with everyone at the mercy of its elegance.
Jaws dropped.
Eyes popped.
The pastor jokingly smiled.
But I was beautiful. And forever beautiful in my love’s eyes.
It’s not everyday that people would witness a bride walking in a red wedding dress. A bride should always be in white – pure and simple as the conventional notion of the woman should be. But the role of the woman has dramatically changed through the years. We dominate our own spaces. We have a commanding presence. Men have learned to admire us for our strength, and for our undying dedication to the love of our lives.
And so the trends are changing. So are the wedding dress styles and trends. More women are trying to go out of the usual motifs to reflect their identities. How miserable it is to appear like a totally different person on ‘the’ day? I had this thought as I sat down with my fiancé to brainstorm for our wedding. I thought he would not agree with the idea of me wearing a red wedding dress, but I was wrong. He said, “The adorable laughter and that fiery temper you have just can’t be contained in a white dress.” My eyes just lightened up and I knew, I would be the bride I always wanted to be – the bride just perfect for him.
Bonny Essence Bridal Gown 8710
But then I could not avoid my guests getting shocked when I dawned a Bonny wedding dress in a sophisticated, tango-inspired look. My bridesmaid told me she accommodated five inquiries during the wedding alone on why I chose a passion red gown. She laughed everytime, she said. She even said I invited some guests who did not know me enough. I could not blame them. I doubt even if every woman would make the choice that I did… Or of course I could be wrong. I have seen a lot of pictures online of women appearing as red brides in the most important day of their life.
And my mom said, if she could go back to the days of her wedding preparations, she should have chosen a red wedding gown as well. I just replied, “It’s my day now Mom. Don’t go all spiteful of your white gown.” And then we laughed.
No matter how shocking my gown was to some of my guests, I know I stood out. I saw it in my love’s eyes. His stares remind me of the days when he was trying to tell me how he truly felt about me – such stares that would require a snap to break. When he spoke during our reception, he said it so perfectly, “My beautiful red bride, I promise we will have a lifetime of love, as passionate and as sexy as your lovely gown.”
Be sexy. Be yourself and what makes you most comfortable on your wedding day.
My wedding could not have been any better. And I could thank my red wedding gown for it. A friend of mine wore a red gown too in her wedding, and she even brought me with her in picking out the perfect design for her. Being strong enough for an unusual choice certainly has its bonuses. I am, and will always be, the red bride.
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