Bridal Costumes of India

Weddings are a great way to experience the first hand experience of the culture, rituals, food habits, clothing and lifestyles of any community. In India, wedding is a celebration, where everyone is invited to bless, bride and groom on their new journey.

Red is the predominant color of bridal custom in India. In our culture, it means new beginnings, passion, and prosperity. Red also represents the Hindu goddess Durga, who symbolizes new beginnings and feminine power. In Indian culture, the woman is the one who is leaving her house and going to the man’s house to be with his family. It’s a far bigger change for the woman than the man, so it is appropriate that she be the one commanding the most attention and wearing a bold color like red that symbolizes new life.

The Bengali bride wears a Banarasi saree. Most Bengali brides prefer to wear a red Banarasi saree embellished with gold details or embroidery to match the gold jewellery. The traditional Bengali bridal look comprises of a beautiful red Banarasi saree, alta or red water colour on the hands and feet, mathapatti, necklaces, mukut and red and white bangles with gold.

The outfit of a Manipuri bride is colorful and has a distinct style which is hard to find in any other community. A traditional Manipuri bride dons a skirt called Raslila on her wedding occasion. The Chakmas brides also wear black and red sarong which is also known as Pindhan in the local language. This entire outfit is teamed up with a blouse known as Silum. The Magh brides from the Manipuri community don the Thami sarong that covers almost the entire body and is coupled with a choli or a blouse which is full sleeved. The traditional outfit of a Manipuri bride is accessorized with the basic ornaments such as bangles, nose rings, necklaces and earrings.

The Marathi bride during the wedding put on a beautiful yellow or green Paithani saree with a golden border, hair tied in a neat bun, decorated with pearl ornaments and Gajra. The Paithani saree can either be woven in Kanjeevaram silk or even Banarasi silk. Most Paithani sarees have peacock and mango motifs of the Pallu and a square block design on the border. Mundavalya is the red and white beaded string like an ornament that the bride and wears across their forehead during their wedding ceremony. Two beaded string also fall from the string on either side on the forehead. Kolhapuri Saaz is the mangalsutra of Marathi brides.

The Malayali bride wears a white saree with a golden border known as ‘kasavu saree’. The Kerala bride has started pairing her traditional white and gold saree with a shiny red silk blouse, layered gold jewellery and lots of flowers in her hair Her minimal jewelry and makeup, matching bangles and that oh-so-pretty Kamar Bandh are enough to make her look like a perfect Kerala bride.