Traditional wedding attire varies from nation to nation and region to region in South Asia, but there are some recurring themes to which Rafia will guide you. These wedding gowns, which are frequently extremely ornate and decorative, are intended to represent the wealth and social standing of the bride and her family. They are also intended to bless the marriage and bring it prosperity.
The saree, a long, draped garment worn around the body and paired with a blouse, is the customary wedding attire for women in India. The saree can be crafted from a variety of materials, including silk, cotton, and georgette, and it can be embellished with dexterous beadwork, intricate embroidery, and other decorations. Indian wedding sarees are frequently red, gold, or orange because these hues are regarded as auspicious and represent fertility and prosperity. The customary attire for the groom is a sherwani, a long coat-like item worn over baggy pants and a shirt. The sherwani is typically made of luxurious materials like silk or velvet and is adorned with dexterous beadwork and embroidery.
In Pakistan, the lehenga and shalwar kameez are the traditional wedding attire for women. When worn with a blouse and dupatta, the lehenga is a long, full skirt (a long scarf or shawl). The shalwar kameez, a long tunic layered over baggy pants, is frequently made of airy materials like chiffon or georgette. Pakistani wedding gowns are frequently vividly coloured and embellished with dexterous beadwork and embroidery. A Western suit or a shalwar kameez is customarily worn by the groom.
The sari, which is comparable to the Indian saree, is the customary wedding attire for women in Bangladesh. The sari is worn with a dupatta and a long-sleeved blouse. Bangladeshi wedding saris are frequently made of silk and embellished with dexterous beadwork and embroidery. Traditionally, the groom dons a sherwani or a Western suit.
The lengha, a long skirt paired with a blouse and dupatta, is the customary wedding attire for women in Nepal. Wedding lenghas in Nepal are frequently made of silk and embellished with dexterous beadwork and embroidery. The groom typically dons a Western suit or a daura suruwal, a long tunic worn over baggy pants in traditional Nepalese dress.
The saree, which is comparable to the Indian saree, is the customary wedding attire for women in Sri Lanka. Wedding sarees in Sri Lanka are frequently made of silk and decorated with elaborate embroidery and beadwork. The groom typically dons a Western suit or a sarong, a long garment worn by Sri Lankans that is wrapped around the waist and worn with a shirt.
In addition to wearing these traditional wedding gowns, South Asian brides and grooms frequently mix and match elements of Western wedding attire. A bride might opt to wear a white wedding gown with a traditional saree, for instance, or a groom might choose to wear a Western tuxedo with a sherwani.
Overall, traditional South Asian wedding attire is stunning, an essential component of the ceremony, and intended to honor the joy and importance of the union. These garments are cherished components of South Asian wedding customs and a testament to the region’s rich cultural heritage.