Our guest columnist Karen Vander of RedHotBrides.com will be sharing about the history and the joys of wearing red on your big day. Here she discusses different cultures and their take on a red wedding dress.

By Karen Vander
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A red wedding dress or bridal apparel is the norm in many cultures. And many American brides are catching up to the idea that it is an awesome color in which to speak their "I dos."

However, in America, red still has some conflicting connotations. Some Western brides and their families find it almost offensive.

Our research shows that a lot of this sentiment against red came from the powerful influential Queen Victoria back in the 1800s. Red went from being a luxury color to being associated with "loose women." In Europe, countries such as England have begun to adopt red again. In France, it used to be considered very bad luck to be married in white. Afterall, Marie Antoniate chose white, instead of the customary red, and we all know that worked out.

Other cultures, however, have always embraced red and continue to do so.

In China, the color red is considered good luck and a strong color that can keep away evil spirits. The traditional Chinese wedding dress in northern China is usually wears a wedding dress call Qi Pao which is embroidered with elaborate gold and silver designs. Brides from southern China usually wears a wedding dress call Qun Gua, Kwa or Cheongsam, also elaborately adorned with golden phoenix and dragon.

In India according to the Wikipedia, “In northern parts of India the traditional color of women’s wedding garments is red, a color symbolizing auspiciousness.”

Indian wedding dresses are also often red. In that culture, as in the Chinese culture, white is a color of mourning.

Red Indian wedding dresses are considered to be good luck and will bring the couple much happiness, also similar to beliefs of the Chinese culture. An Indian wedding dress is often called a Sari but other styles include gaghra choli, and shalwar chameez.

There is something special about the color red. Go try on a red wedding dress and see how you will like it. Give it a shot. Be the daring and bold woman you are or can be! There is nothing un-american about it. Other cultures love it.

Red is such an exciting color and more fun then white can ever be. Every bride is different. Stand out and be a red hot bride.

See the original story to enjoy the wedding dress photos that illustrate this story.

Copyrighted 2008 Karen Vander, for Redhotbrides.com

Karen Vander, who was married in red, writes about wedding dresses for RedHotBrides.com, a NY based publication dedicated to the wonders of wearing a red dress on your special day. The site is devoted to helping brides who dare to be a little different find their perfect red dress. Contact Karen directly or sign up for the Red Hot Bride Newsletter at www.RedHotBrides.com.