Bridal Costumes of India

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

Red is the predominant color of bridal customs in India. In our culture, it signifies new beginnings, passion, and prosperity. Red also represents the Hindu goddess Durga, symbolizing new beginnings and feminine power. In Indian culture, the woman is the one who leaves her house and goes 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 Indian bride usually wears a wedding sari or lehenga according to regional traditions. In Indian culture, the wedding dress of a bride comes from the groom’s side as a Shagun. While the saree is preferred as the bridal dress in South India, West and East India, traditional wear such as the mekhela sador is preferred in North-east India, and brides of the North of India prefer Lehenga, Gagra Choli, and Odni as bridal dresses.

The Kashmiri bride complements her looks with weaved sarees, which are remarkably jazzy due to their adorned work. The bride completes her wedding look with Tarang, Kalpush, Zoojhis, and matching dupatta. Their jewelry consists of heavy necklaces, bangles, payals, and a special ornament called Dejharoo, akin to a Mangalsutra in Indian culture.

Punjabi brides wear a Salwar Kameez, an extremely opulent pant suit, or lengha. The bride wears white and dark red bangles made of ivory known as ‘Chooda’. According to tradition, the bride must wear it for at least a year after her marriage. Chooda and Kaleeras are the real essentials of a Punjabi bride’s wedding day look.

The Gujarati bridal saree is called a Panetar. Gujarati brides prefer to wear the traditional cream/white and red saree for the wedding rituals. Many brides also choose Panetar style wedding lehenga choli made in white/cream and red colors. Kundan necklace, heavy Jadau earrings or Jhumkas, rings, Nathani or nose ring, armlets, hand ornaments, anklets, bangles, hair ornaments, and Maang tikka or the forehead jewelry comprise the entire array of jewels the bride adorns herself with. Gujarati brides also wear fine Bandhani sarees during their wedding ceremonies. One such glorious Bandhani saree is called a Gharchola, traditionally made in the colors of red/maroon and green with Bandhani work and metallic and thread embroidery.

Tamilian brides dignify their wedding look with a Kanchipuram Saree or Madurai Silk. A typical Tamil bride usually wears a Kanjeevaram Saree in bright colors with contrasting borders that have gold threads woven into beautiful patterns. Tamil brides are adorned with gorgeous-looking heavy gold jewelry, passed on from one generation to the next. A few prominent jewelry pieces that adorn a Tamil bride are Metti (Toe Ring), Kolusu (Anklet), Oddiyanam (HipBelt), Vanki (Armlets), Maanga Malai (Mango-shaped necklace), Nose Ring or Nose Stud, Earrings, Thalaisamaan (on the forehead), Jadanagam (decorated braid). No Tamil marriage is complete without wearing flowers on the women’s head.