Bridal Feature: Golden Brides: What Makes Pnina Tornai Special

Marry in white, you have chosen right
Marry in grey, you will go far away,
Marry in black, you will wish yourself back,
Marry in red, you will wish yourself dead,
Marry in green, ashamed to be seen,
Marry in blue, you will always be true,
Marry in pearl, you will live in a whirl,
Marry in yellow, ashamed of your fellow,
Marry in brown, you will live in the town,
Marry in pink, you spirit will sink.

I don't remember where I first heard that poem, but it definitely wasn't right after it was written. It comes from centuries of superstitions. I did note that gold and silver are not mentioned. And why not? I kept trying to find a longer version of the poem. Then I had a "duh" moment. Back in ye olde daes, they didn't have gold and silver dyes. I remember reading stories about clothing woven entirely out of precious metals. The dresses must have been terribly heavy. If fabric was gold or silver, that's because it had metal woven in it. No wonder silver was the usual color of royal weddings.

Queen Victoria, of course, had to upset the apple cart by marrying in white, and was such a trendsetter that people in Western Culture still feel bound to that standard. When Kate Middleton (now Duchess of Cambridge) got married, I predicted that her dress would have blue in it. I was right, but it wasn't on the outside like I hoped it would be (which would have caused a stampede back to color, I'm sure). Instead, it was in the form of a blue ribbon lining woven into the interior. Rats. I was excited, however, that she chose a design with sleeves. Most sleeved wedding dresses look like the sleeves were an afterthought. Not Kate's!

Anyway, I do think that a move from white isn't a bad idea. I think it says a little something about our culture that we went from the freedom of many colors down to STRICT white. If a bride doesn't wear white, she's considered as a renegade or (ten or so years ago), a morally loose person. While some colors were perceived as negative, the vast number colors, as with other wedding prophecies were good luck or to ward off evil. All of the cultures that make up Western culture used to be more accepting and forgiving of color, and Eastern cultures actively celebrate color. White is a bad omen to them (which is hilarious, since Westerners LOVE white). So why not use more color?

This is part of the reason why I like Pnina Tornai. Color. She makes colorful wedding dresses, and most of her dresses are available in a wide range of colors. Some are made specifically to be color only. Two variations on a theme come specifically in gold. Now, be forewarned that both of these dresses cost....enough to buy a car. So don't get your heart set on any of them unless you also plan on inheriting a small fortune soon. Take a look at the rest of Pnina's wedding dresses at Kleinfeld's. And as you look at all the white and ivory, remember: this is the queen of color. And price tags.