Add some Spanish spice to your bridal style with a Spanish inspired wedding dress… Did you know that an old traditional Spanish wedding custom was for the bride to wear a black wedding gown?
Historically, it was customary for a Spanish bride to wear a black lace gown with a “mantilla” a black lace veil which for a Catholic bride meant that she was committed to her marriage till death do them part.
Over the years, Spanish brides started to favour wearing white over black on their wedding day, but the custom of the lace dress and mantilla remained. In fact, this look has become a favourite for many brides around the world.
The “mantilla,” typically made of intricate lace, became fashionable at the start of the 17th century where it was common for women in Spain to wear a veil, or mantilla, almost every day. The veil was worn over the head and shoulders, often over a high comb called a “peineta.” The practice diminished after the abdication of Queen Isabella II in 1870, and by 1900 the use of the mantilla became largely limited to formal occasions such as bullfights, Holy Week and weddings, where the veil’s elaborate elegance has transcended the passing of time and looks as stylish in ceremonies today as it did in bygone years.
For those looking for a more folkloric Spanish touch to the ceremony, the body hugging silhouette of a Flamenco dancer’s dress is also popular with many brides seeking a bridal gown rooted in romance-language cultures.
These fiesta-worthy frocks are original and creative, usually with a close-fitting style and frills on the sleeves, designed to enhance the figure of any woman, offering the perfect combination between comfort and elegance.
To the casual eye, flamenco dresses may look similar, but the styles subtly change every year with different cuts, prints, finishes and even colours. Custom-made flamenco dresses are considered an important status symbol in Spain.
A folding fan completes the look. Not only is the fan used to cool off under the Spanish sunshine, it can be used to flash code a flirtatious message, which might come in handy for those single ladies on your guest list.
The secret language of the Spanish ‘abanico’
- Open fan over the chest showing the design “Yes”
- Open fan over the chest showing the back “No”
- Open fan covering one cheek “I like you”
- Wave fan very fast: “I really like you”
- Wave fan very slowly: “I am not interested”
- Open fan covering your nose “I want to see you”
- Open fan covering your chin “I want to talk to you”
- Closed fan near the heart: “I love you”
- Open fan placed over lips: “Kiss me”
- Closefan waving; “I am thinking about it”
- Hit close fan against hand “Leave me alone”
- Open and close the fan: “I am upset”
- Open fan waving energetically on one side “Don’t come now, other people around”
Luckily, there is one universal language we all understand….LOVE.
