The History of Bridal Tiara    by Cornelia O'Hara

in Relationships / Weddings    (submitted 2012-02-02)

Tiaras are believed to have come from Ancient Egypt as most of the people at the time almost worship their dead. They mostly created circlets or crowns for their mummies. Greek gods also wore ornaments or diadem that is around their head like a holo made of foliage and flowers. While the actual work "tiara" cam from Ancient Persia, which they made a tall jewel embellished tiara made for their king.

Such jewelry have always been seen and presented with authority and royalty. Crowns or headpieces were also a sign of nobility and affluence during the reign of Napoleon and wearing such tiaras was a required accessory for his court at all functions. So during that time, tiaras became more about fashion and less about power. That is why brides started finding wearing one an alluring piece of their wedding jewelry.

And then, during the 1840's, Queen Victoria changed the fashion of the whole wedding dress. Before Queen Victoria's wedding, a lot of brides have the option of choosing different colors of wedding dresses as they also signify different meanings for each color. Wedding gowns were also classified with social status standing. For instance, grey wedding gowns are made for the poor while red gowns embedded with gems are meant for the rich. With Queen Victoria's wedding, the colors and style of wedding gowns change.

Queen Victoria wore a white wedding gown and a beautiful bridal tiara on her wedding day that changed the whole wedding tradition. Soon after this, brides also followed her way, which now made the white wedding gown and bridal tiara a common wear at weddings. Bride's adapted to the bridal tiara as part of their hair jewelry, but during the WWII, the bridal tiara died down since it was not realistic to wear one during those days.

The bridal tiaras became popular again during the 1950's with the help of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's and soon the tiara was not just a crown for the rich, but it can also be worn by anyone who wants it. Manufacturers of wedding jewelry, now replaced gemstones with rhinestones, and now even created them with pearls. A lot of brides can now wear tiaras at a more affordable price.

One more note to history when it comes to bridal tiara is the tiara worn by Princess Diana. She wore the tiara made for Queen Mary in 1913 and was given to her by Queen Elizabeth for her wedding. Tiaras have really gone a long way. They started as jewelry made for the elite, but now, they are worn by almost any bride who wishes to feel a princess even for a day.

About the Author

Cornelia O'Hara writes articles on weddings, jewelry, fashion, and etiquette for Silverland Jewelry & Gifts.