Weddings are truly special occasions. The nuptial ceremony in India is a series of parties with detailed wardrobe sessions. These events allow you to go all out and adorn yourself in the most luxurious ensembles.
But the very thought of wardrobe selection can make you frown, and this dilemma does not spare even the bride! As a style enthusiast, I would vouch for wearing a saree for the occasion. Amidst the growing innovations in lehenga cholis, Anarkali suits and all sorts of contemporary wear, the Indian saree stands out like an invincible trend.
There are ample choices in the domain of the six-yard ensemble. Almost all states of India have a unique saree or weave to offer. Also, saree is a good investment, especially if you’re buying an evergreen classic like Banarasi brocade. And, with the plethora of functions and rituals, you can conveniently grace some of them in the Indian drape.
Indian Wedding Saris for Brides:
1. Panetar Sarees
Panetar is exclusively a wedding ensemble. The traditional Bridal wedding saree of the Gujarati community, it is ritually gifted by the bride’s maternal uncle.
Characterized by its color combination of red and white, these sarees have heavy gold accentuations and motifs on pure silk. A Panetar is a work of art.
Deep red is used in the Panetar Sari’s ornate border, while its body is white or off-white. Often the pallu is a golden weave embellished with rich hand-work embroideries like Zardozi, stone, and cut-dana work. A similar pattern appears on the rich border of this sari.
Panetar sarees with rich Patola weaves make priceless family heirlooms.
Panetar sarees, given their eternal charm, are sought after by women across India. A non-Gujarati bride may not wear it for her wedding, but this rich red wedding saree can be a lovely addition to her trousseau collection.
2. Kanjivaram Sarees
Often known as Southern India’s answer to the North’s evergreen Banarasi, the Kancheepuram Sarees, popularly known as Kanjivaram sari or Kanjeevaram, are traditionally woven in Tamil Nadu’s Kancheepuram region.
Woven with pure mulberry silk, these are precious saris with bold inter-play of jewel colors and metallic hues of gold and copper.
Made traditionally by the Kanchi weavers, the Kanjeevaram sarees are the typical wedding sarees, worn commonly as the bridal ensemble by brides all across India.
These awe-inspiring Indian bridal sarees are known for their intricate designs, broad, striking borders, extremely high quality and richness of the fabric.
Actress Deepika Padukone wore a red and golden Kanchipuram brocade saree for her wed-lock ceremony. With several other celebrities choosing it as their wedding outfit, the ornate South-Indian drape has taken over the entire tinsel town!
3. Banarasi Sarees
Another hot favorite in bridal wedding sarees category is the eternal, ever-glistening Banarasi. At Indian weddings, brocade is indispensable. You will find the use of brocade weave in not just bridal sarees, but also on other clothing items like Lehenga Choli, Salwar Suits, Kurtis, etc. These days, brocade accessories are also quite in trend.
The Banarasi weave is a rich, ageless tradition. Indian women deeply adore this opulent drape and its many variants like Brocade sarees, Tanchoi Sarees, Tissue, Kora Silk sarees (Organza), Jangla, etc.
Banarasi and brocade are so closely a part of the Indian culture that people across the world view them as symbols of our culture and tradition.
The creation of pure silk, handloom Banarasi silk sarees can take weeks to months, and these luxurious sarees innately carry a regal appeal.
No wonder that every Indian bride dreams of owing a gold or silver brocade Banarasi.
4. Paithani Sarees
A Paithani Saree is the traditional wedding outfit of Maharashtrian/ Marathi brides. Paithan, a town in Aurangabad, Maharashtra is home to these evergreen luxurious handloom silk sarees.
Colorful and striking borders with oblique square designs form the characteristic and most prominent detail of these traditional drapes.
Pattan or Paithani saris have intricate motifs and patterns of birds, flora, and fauna. Weavers also create designs of Ajanta caves’ sculptures and Buddhist paintings with zari yarns to differentiate Paithani sarees from other types of silks saris sold across the country.
A Paithani sari is a legacy; it is a priceless heirloom for the Maharashtrian community.
The kaleidoscopic effect Paithani sarees looks enchanting and so does the rich tapestry-like appeal of their pallus.
5. Gharchola Sarees
Gharchola sarees are another wedding staple from Gujarat and the western region of Rajasthan.
Many Gujarati brides wear Gharchola sari as a drape over their heads, along with the Panetar, on their wedding day. A Gharchola is an essential component of the traditional wedding attire in Gujarat, as it represents the gift from the groom’s family.
Typically created in the sacred colors of red and green, these sarees are superior in quality. They boast of the rich Indian culture with ornate motifs inspired by Indian art and sculptures and birds, animals, and flora.
These bright sarees are light-weight, as the base silk, despite being good quality, is not very heavy. Gharchola sarees may or may not have the Bandhani effect, but they often have a grid design on the sari body.
The rich, ornate pallus of Gharcholas make them perfect for draping them in the Seedha Pallu or Gujarati style.
6. Contemporary Sarees – Net Sarees, Designer Sarees
The world is changing and so are our choices. Over the years, the Indian brides too have changed their preferences and sensibilities. Many now prefer to go in for contemporary bridal sarees and wedding ensembles, instead of traditional saree styles.
Net sarees are one of the most loved trends in Indian wedding sarees. Net as a base material is light and versatile. It can be dyed in almost all colors and takes brilliantly to a variety of embroideries and embellishments.
Net sarees are preferred by brides who want a lot of modern elements in their wedding attire. Net is also put-together with other materials like silk, georgette, and satin to create a variety of effects in contemporary saris.
Lehenga Sarees are another trending style in the Indian bridal saree range. These sarees have an ornate patli (pleat section), and sometimes panels (Kallis) are attached to give a flattering lehenga-like effect. These sarees look very attractive and are preferred by modern brides, as these are often easier to drape and carry.
7. Pure silk/ Mysore Silk Sarees
Pure silk sarees stand out for their purity, resilience, and elegance. Mysore silk, Bangalore silk, handloom silk, tussar, and raw silk, and prominent Indian weaves like Patola sarees from Rajkot, Sambalpuri silks from Orissa, Pattu Sari from Tamil Nadu and Kasavu (white and gold sari) from Kerala are quite popular amongst brides as wedding sarees.
These sarees are available in deep, jewel tones, intricate woven designs and often have brocade or woven gold/ copper border and pallus.
Often family heirlooms, heavy South silk sarees are every bride’s dream, and thus, they find a place of pride in most wedding trousseaus.
