Brides dream of the dress they will wear on their wedding day.  Most brides, however, have very little choice when it comes to the color they can choose.  Certain colors are more auspicious in certain religions and very specific garb is considered true bridal wear.  Since there is little choice with respect to the color a bride can choose, CitySaheli wants our brides to know the history and traditions behind the colors and garments worn by many South Asian brides. 

Red: Hindu and Muslim brides traditionally wear red for their wedding.  Hindu brides wear a deep red and Muslim brides wear a cherry red.  The color red has deep rooted significance as it represents abundance and fertility.  Today, many brides stick to this tradition and wear red on their wedding day, while some brides wear offshoots of red, such as pink or orange.  You won’t, however, see a Hindu bride wear white, since white is the color of mourning in India.

White: Christian brides, on the other hand, do wear white.  Gujurati brides wear a white panetar and sometimes wear a red sari on top of the white sari.  White symbolizes purity and joyous celebration since early roman times.  Wearing white on your wedding day, however, only became tradition in the late 19th century.  Before that Christian brides wore any color except black or red. 

Check out some red and white bridal attire from different South Asian cultures.

Bengali bride: The benarasi sari is the most common dress for Bengali brides in both Hindu and Muslim cultures.  The distinguishing accessory worn by a Bengali bride is the white head crown.  For example, check out Aishwariya Rai in Devdas.

Gujarati bride: Gujarati brides wear a combination of red and white in their bridal dress.  The white panetar is something the bride’s family gifts, whereas the groom’s family brings the red sari, known as a garchola, to cover the bride in a red color.  A garchola is traditionally a red bandani sari with golden squares woven in it. Today, however, you will see Gujarati brides are incorporating blue, green and gold in the traditional red and white combo. 

Punjabi bride: A salwar kameez is usually worn if the bride and groom are from the Sikh religion.  Hindu Punjabi brides, however, traditionally wear a ghagra choli which can incorporate many different colors.  Shades of red usually dominate the dress and white is not used in the Punjabi bridal wear.  A Punjabi bride usually has red and white bangles on her hands known as chuda and signify her status as a married woman. 

Pakistani bride:  A salwar kameez or a ghagra choli is traditionally worn by a Pakistani bride.  Pakistani bridal fashion usually entails zardosi work and intricate detailing in the blouse and skirt. This picture is courtesy of HSY.
 

Tamil bride: Tamil brides wear Kanveejam saris that also are in the red and orange tones.  The bride is usually adorned with heavy gold jewelry.

Tamil Brahmin bride: A madisar, a nine yard sari, is worn by various South Indian cultures but predominantly by Tamil Brahmins.  The nine yard sari functions as a one piece outfit.  One fold is pulled between the legs so you can walk freely.  The style fully covers and flatters any figure.  In South India, the nine-yard madisar symbolizes the unity of the male and female principles of the universe. The sari has pleats and a pallu and the lower part looks like a dhoti.  Sridevi is pictured below in a madisar. 

So as you do your bridal shopping, remember the significance and tradition behind the color and dress you choose to wear on your wedding day!

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