832: The Wedding Industry | Skeptical Sunday

Historical Roots

Many wedding traditions we consider ancient are actually modern inventions. Michael Regilio explains that bridesmaids originally dressed similarly to the bride to confuse bandits in ancient Rome 1. The white wedding dress, often thought to symbolize virginity, is a relatively recent trend, popularized in the 1850s when white cloth became more affordable 1.

   

Diamond Myth

The diamond engagement ring is another example of a modern tradition masquerading as ancient. Michael Regilio highlights how De Beers' marketing campaign in the 1930s convinced the world that diamonds are rare and essential for engagements 2. This campaign was so successful that it created a multi-billion dollar industry, despite diamonds being far from rare 3.

   

White Dress

The notion of the 'white wedding' is another construct of the wedding industry. Michael Regilio points out that the idea of wearing white to symbolize purity is a myth created by marketers 1. Historically, most people couldn't afford white cloth, and the tradition of white wedding dresses only became widespread in the 19th century 4.