Can I wear a non-white wedding gown?

This is your wedding, so you can do as you please. Many brides before Queen Victoria used to wear a new dress - of any color - because they had to make the dresses last.

Once Queen Victoria wore white to her wedding, it started a trend in the upper classes, and well, here we are. White will make you stand out in the crowd, no matter where you have your wedding. However, if you plan to wear a non-white dress, try to make it appropriate for the venue.

If you’re having a wedding on the beach, perhaps a sea green or a blue would be good. However, you run into a problem with wearing a non-white dress: how do you stand out in the crowd without asking the guests to stay away from that color?

Yes, you can. Traditionally this was one way a woman could be truthful to her husband-to-be by signalling that she wasn't a virgin. Nowadays, it may be just a desire to be different. A brilliant crimson would look out of place in a church, and I wouldn't recommend it, but so many marry outside the church that the venue might lend itself to an exotic outfit.

On a Pacific beach, for instance, a multi-pattern dress would be acceptable. The downside is that you will mingle with the crowd of guests and onlookers, whereas wearing a long white dress, everyone will know you are the bride.