The tradition of white wedding dresses is a relatively recent phenomenon. While brides in Europe and the U.S. have worn them for centuries, other hues (including yellow, blue, grey, and even black) were also quite popular way back when. It was only after Queen Victoria wore white to her 1840 nuptials that the white wedding dress became ubiquitous.
The cuts and styles may have changed, but the white gowns worn by most brides in the West today are not radically different from the one Queen Victoria donned almost two centuries ago.
In other parts of the world, however, traditional bridal attire is quite different. Ahead, 10 extraordinary images that celebrate the diverse wedding styles and customs of various peoples and cultures — from Tibet to Bulgaria.
India
This Hindu bride preps for her wedding while Mehndi (henna) designs are applied to her hands.
Photo: Zubin Shroff/Getty Images.
Eritrea
A bride and groom in the East African country wear traditional ceremonial wedding clothes, including dark-velvet crowns.
Photo: Finbarr O'Reilly / Reuters.
Turkey
This bride and her groom made headlines when they stopped by the polls to vote before getting married on election day.
Photo: Ayse Yildiz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Hungary
A bride dons the traditional wedding attire and headdress of the Palóc subgroup in Northern Hungary.
Photo: Alamy Stock.
Tibet
A newlywed couple poses in front of prayer flags on their wedding day.
Photo: Damir Sagolj / Reuters.
Bulgaria
In the remote southwestern town of Ribnovo, the practice of "gelena " involves covering the bride's face with paint and colourful sequins.
Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images.
Thailand
Wearing a peach-coloured dress and hijab, this Muslim bride poses for a photo on her bed, which is decorated with flowers for her wedding night.
Photo: Jonas Gratzer/LightRocket/Getty Images.
Bali
A Balinese bride poses for a portrait on her wedding day.
Photo: Ingetje Tadros/Getty Images.
Japan
This Shinto bride dons a red and white kimono, as well as the traditional paper headdress, known as a tsuno-kakushi.
Photo: Romana Chapman/Getty Images.
South Korea
A Korean couple in their brightly coloured wedding hanbok , ceremonial dress worn on formal occasions.
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