Everything from style, color, and kaam has to be chosen carefully and most outfits are made to order. Recently, an American friend of mine married her long time boyfriend and she chose a simple white floor length gown with a halter neckline. She looked purely elegant and gorgeous. Her decision involved visiting a bridal dress shop trying on a few different styles, settling on the one that complimented her body type, and called it a day. I am not implying that it was not nerve racking for her or that she did not stress about the decision. But rather, she knew she was wearing white, that the cut would have to compliment her, and fit in her budget were the three most significant factors in making her decisions. Because she had researched wedding gowns, and is a decisive woman, she knew exactly what she wanted. Jewelry consisted of stylish earrings and a beautiful bracelet. A lovely pair of heals and she was ready to walk down the aisle. Her makeup was classy where she was wearing the makeup and the makeup was not wearing her. The result was a bride who exuded effortless style and class.

Now let us consider the shopping experience for a South Asian bride to be. She is going to need a minimum of five to ten outfits leading up to the wedding. This includes, but is not limited to a separate outfit for each dholak/ladies’ sangeet, the henna/mehndi ceremony (ies), and the wedding day. An Indian friend of mine had a traditional Hindu wedding where for the religious ceremony she wore a different outfit than the one she donned for the reception later in the day. Another Pakistani friend of mine wore one outfit for the Nikaah ceremony and reception, and a separate outfit for the following Walimah day. After months of agonizing indecision, both brides looked beautiful in all of their outfits.

What made their choice difficult was that they had to decide on the type, style, color, fabric, and kaam for their wedding day outfit. They had to decide between wearing a lehnga, sharara, or a gharara. Lehngas come in a variety of styles including mermaid (with or without a fishtail), A-line, or traditional. Shararas and ghararas continue to be sewn in a more traditional fashion, with slight variations. As my friends tried on a variety of types and styles of outfits, they quickly realized that not every style worked on their body type. Moreover, each chose what worked on her specific proportions from the fit to length.

Next, they had to settle on the fabric and color. Silk, georgette, crepe, net, satin, brocade, and chiffon were some of the options. Again, one should consider one’s own body type when choosing a fabric. In deciding a color, one should take into consideration their own coloring. There was a time where every South Asian bride wore red. Today’s brides are wearing everything from raspberry red to autumn green and everything in between. With an endless number of beautiful hues to choose from, my friends settled on colors that suited their complexions. After choosing their outfits, they still had to pick their jewelry, purses, and shoes. But that is a different article!

At the end, the wedding day is the day for all brides to shine, and so pick whatever makes you happy and if you do not like ghararas, shararas, or lehngas, then wear a sari or a salwar kameez suit. Just be happy and enjoy.

Links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gharara
http://www.indianwomenclothing.com/lehengas/sharara.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahenga