Weddings in India are a grand affair celebrated with great pomp and show! A wedding ceremony is a combination of religious and cultural rituals with several ceremonies like Haldi, Mehendi, Sangeet and finally the wedding. The vibrant and elaborate celebration lasts for days steeped in tradition and customs passed down through generations.
Wedding attire is an important aspect of Indian weddings, with the bride and groom typically wearing traditional clothing - For a bride this often includes a saree or lehenga , adorned with intricate embroidery and embellishments, Grooms generally wear a sherwani, a traditional long coat, or a western suit. Undoubtedly everyone wants to look their best from the couple to their close family and friends. While Lehenga is a top choice amongst Bridezillas, over the years sarees have garnered their own sweet spot in our hearts - for their evergreen appeal and an elegant refined finesse.
An Indian staple, sarees are a traditional garment worn by women in India since time unknown. Often worn at Indian weddings, there are many different types of sarees from silk sarees, cotton sarees to chiffon and crepe. Most popular ones specifically for Indian weddings are Banarasi and Kanjivaram sarees for their luminous textured fabrics and intricate designs. They come in an array of colors, patterns, fabrics and one can choose a piece in line with the wedding theme!
Celebrity Bride inspirations who adorned a saree for their wedding
- Yami Gautam wore her mother’s self designed 33 year old wedding saree with minimal makeup and jewellery.
- Alia Bhatt wore an ivory hued, hand dyed organza saree with sequin and tilla work! The ensemble looked beautiful with a tissue veil.
- Dia Mirza opted for a classic red Banarasi saree paired with a beautiful organza dupatta.
- Deepika Padukone adorned a traditional Kanjivaram Saree in hues of rust orange for her Konkani wedding.
- Katrina Kaif wore a beautiful tulle saree in shades of pastel pink completing the look with a vintage-inspired trail.
- Patralekha also went for a stunning tulle in the traditional red colour paired with an embroidered veil.
- Mouni Roy opted for a classic red and white Banarasi temple silk saree
Top trends in sarees for Indian Weddings
The regal way with a veil
Adorning a saree with a veil is one of the latest bridal trends and definitely something worth a try! From hand embroidered tissue veils to a heavenly pearl studded veil, this wonderful trend was initiated by celebrities. Now we can see the brides going all out to add a filmy fervor to their wedding ensemble with a veil. Available in various fabrics, a veil can elevate the ensemble with its intricate designs, embellishments, handwork embroidery or even a simple golden border.
An old world charm with Banarasi and Kanjivaram sarees
Banarasi from North India and Kanjivaram from South India are indeed ethnic treasures and continue to rule the bridal fashion in diverse ways! The shimmering texture and the royal grace of the fabric makes it apt for a special event and when embellished with zari work in gold or silver threads the attire is the most appealing one out there. Making a good reason for brides to choose this as their wedding outfit. These sarees can also be draped as a lehenga and gives a stunning unique look! Plus the fabric is very strong and long lasting when stored properly, hence can be worn again or even passed down to generations.
Jewel it up
Accessories complete the look of your ensemble and these days brides are going all out to add some bling to their wedding with classic jewels. From a heavy choker Necklace, statement Earrings to charming bangles and a maang tika, all these are well paired with a saree giving it a regal look altogether. Bespoke design offerings are plenty from minimalist designs to glittering pieces of jewels.
Keep it simple but different: Unique blouse designs
Why be simple when you can be unique? This goes well with the brides today and their distinct experiments with blouse designs. From varied sleeves to plunging necklines they want everything but the usual! Bell, balloon, full and flower sleeves, a bare back blouse, off-shoulder blouse or a high neck blouse are some of the quintessential designs brides are opting for.
Colors: from pastels to red
One of the most important things is the colour of the outfit, but the fashionable bride today wants to have it differently and is open to experiment with an array of options and multiple hues. While the traditional red and gold remains a classic, silver, shades of pastel and metallic colours are taking the forefront for various fabrics.
From WeaverStory’s Collection
1. Shikargah Banarasi Saree
The opulence of a Magenta Banarasi is incomparable and this handcrafted saree in Pure Katan Silk. Radiating a captivating allure, this Magenta Handloom Pure Katan Silk Banarasi Saree from WeaverStory is a symbol of love and courage in the world of fashion. Made from Katan silk, a variant of silk renowned for its comfort and lustrous appeal, features an enchanting Shikargah print, a detailed depiction of fauna scenes, imbuing the saree with a regal charm.
2. Ikat Patola Saree
A traditional of Gujarat, this Patola saree in adorables hues of Red will add some zing to your trousseau! The beautifully done pattern all over on pure mulberry silk fabric is a key highlight of this piece and speaks of the craftsmanship of the weavers. One will look divinely pretty in this one!
3. Pure Silk Kanjivaram Saree
The classic Kanjivaram saree is an ode to heritage and culture. The heavy border with zari check elevates the look along with the elaborate work on the pallu, uniquely crafted and perfect for the elegant bride!
4. Handloom Crepe Saree
The beauty is in the details and it is so for this stunning piece is an onion pink shade! A lovely handcrafted piece in crepe fabric with the traditional Kashmiri Tilla embroidery in silver threads holds an old world charm. For the gracious and the gorgeous bride!
5. Rani Pink Banarasi Saree
A graceful menagerie of fine silken threads with intricate zari, handloom banarasi saree in rani pink shade is a must have for special occasions. The saree is made with pure katan silk, a luxurious and high-quality silk fabric that is known for its softness, durability, and natural sheen. The vibrant rani pink color of the saree adds a bold and feminine touch to the overall look.
Author - Aarushi Sharma