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The New Age Bride
 kate lesage
As humanity blunders into the "New Age” and the new year of 2012, it seems as though every aspect of society and its institutions are being questioned. Religion, politics, and even marriage do not define or represent the beliefs of the average world citizen. With many of the old paradigms falling away, it will be interesting to see the traditions that we will hang onto and why.
Marriage is an institution that has taken a blow the last few years with the highest divorce rates ever, and yet weddings abound as young and old continue to join into Holy Matrimony. Sometimes fashion can give us unexpected glimpses into history and wedding gowns especially give insight into the wedding ceremony. Bridal gowns as we know them did not really appear until after the middle ages. Royal families all over Europe intermarried to keep their lineage and riches intact. Before the white wedding dress emerged as status quo in the western world it was considered the color for mourning until Queen Victoria made the trend stick.
Not only were bridal gowns a symbol of the wealth of combined kingdoms, but the bride herself, her poise and grace, gave great hope of rebirth within the dynasties. Bridal gowns back in the day were heavy, pompous objects carrying jewels and gold thread across the family divide. Even if today families still merge together in a corporate-like manner, the numbers of young lovers that tackle the barriers of gender, race and creed have grown exponentially since the days of Romeo and Juliet.
So as we move into the future and the institute of marriage goes through the throes of a global transition, let us look to the "New Age Bride". What does she say about the future of our society? Will the reality show of pomp and dire circumstance continue or will love prevail once again as a sacred union?
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