Gorgeous Garments
A traditional Indian wedding dress consists of several parts. It's up to you how practical or how elaborate your attire will be.
Start with a sari. The sari (pronounced sah-ree) is a length of colored, highly decorated fabric. Putting on a sari involves wrapping and then pinning or tying the garment. If you've never worn traditional Indian gear, you'll want to enlist the help of a friend who has, or look online for a tutorial on this much cherished art.
Pretty Pieces
You can also go with more than one piece for your Indian wedding attire. One lovely look is the choli (koh-lee), a short shirt with either long or short sleeves. Pair this with a long skirt and you have what is known as the gaghra choli. This romantic and mystical look is becoming more popular among brides of Eastern and Western descent alike.
Another multi-piece item is the shalwar chameez. Pants and a long tunic are draped with a dupatta, or long scarf.
Decorating in Eastern Style
Whatever your choice of dress, one common thread in Indian wedding wear is the embroidery. Your budget may or may not allow for more intricate embroidered work. Go for subtle touches throughout your wedding wear, or cover an entire bodice or chameez length with gorgeous scrolls of needlework.
The Perfect Color
Red is the most common color for Indian wedding attire, but other colors can be just as stunning. Saffron yellow and deep midnight blue are great color choices. You can--and should-- try to mix several colors into your garb, or at least vary the shades of your different pieces. This adds interest and a celebratory feeling to the gown.
Finishing Touches
For a true Indian look, have your hands and feet hennaed before your wedding. This involves making a paste of powdered henna (lawsonia) plant and painting the resulting stain onto the body.
Henna decoration has many meanings, most of them personal to the bride. Whatever the design, body henna is considered a part of the entire wedding dress. Have a professional do this, or call upon a friend with artistic talent.
You will want to henna about three days before your wedding. This will allow time for the henna to oxidize, which makes the color deepen. Don't do this too far in advance, however. Henna will begin to fade within a week or two at the most.
One other accessory group not to be done without is jewelry. Go for the sparkle -- deep gold, shiny silver or burnished copper. Large hoop earrings add an authentic touch. Multiple bracelets or bangles are another great addition to your ensemble.
Invite guests to dress Eastern as well. Be sure to do your own homework on this fashion style so that you can offer help if your guests have questions. You are sure to enjoy this very special and meaningful wedding dress choice.
