A woman used to simply wear the best dress in her wardrobe. In ancient times, the traditional color of bridal gowns was red or some other bright color. However, green was avoided since it was considered unlucky. White gowns increased in popularity with Queen Victoria when she wore it for her own ceremony, breaking the tradition of royals marrying in silver. Traditionally, the bride should never make her own dress & the last stitch should not be sewn until she is leaving for the church. In early Saxon times, poorer brides wore in a plain white robe. A public statement indicating she brought nothing with her to the marriage & her husband would not be responsible for her debts.