Those Bold, Beautiful Bridal Sarees

Bridal sarees are to Hindu women as the billowy white dress is to the Western bride. But if you think Hindu brides are wearing bridal sarees that are just like the ones their grandmothers wore, think again. Bridal sarees have not only become more opulent, they have also become more adventurous and stylish. Forget outdated. Forget conservative. Bridal sarees and their accompanying sherwanis are anything but. After all, few occasions are as important as one’s wedding so why would any bride scrimp on her wedding gown?

The kanchepurum saree, considered the finest in kerala, is the bridal saree of choice of most Hindu women. There are other options, though. You see, the only rule in contemporary bridal fashion is to be breathtaking. Hindu brides take this to heart by choosing bridal sarees that are as diverse as they are interesting. From silk to georgettes and crapes, the modern bride will never run out of dressing options.

Make no mistake about it, however. Bridal sarees may not look as structurally impressive as the bulky, billowy Western wedding gown but it is no less opulent or elaborate. In fact, for a cloth whose sole function is to drape, so much hard work goes into its making. Think intricate patchwork, painstaking beadwork, complex embroidery, cut work, and zardosi. Think sequins, stones, and resham that run from neckline to hem, from bust to sleeves.

The sheer amount of handwork that goes into each bridal saree is nothing short of staggering. If the beauty of the Western bridal gown lies in the cut and the fabric, the beauty of the bridal saree lies in its exquisite fusion of the painfully plain and richly detailed. The fabric used in bridal sarees is plain to the point of austerity. In contrast, the embellishments glitter, shimmer, and bedazzle.

Sometimes, it’s actually harder to tell who is more beautiful - the bride or her bridal saree.