Pakistani weddings are as colorful and vibrant as their culture. To put it simply, Pakistani weddings are over the top, with a lot of traditional customs and rituals that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Bollywood movie. We have all heard about the famous red wedding dress but have you ever thought about how Pakistani bride dresses?
Yes, we are talking about the wedding outfits worn by Pakistani brides specifically from Punjab and Kashmir. If you want to know more about these wedding dresses and their intricate details, read on to find out everything there is to know about them.
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The rich tradition of Pakistani wedding dresses
We can trace the history of Pakistani wedding dresses back to the Mughal era. During this time, the brides used to wear simple white dresses or ghagra choli. However, during the British rule, the brides started wearing Red ghararas and saris since the British considered anything else to be too ‘exotic’. During the reign of the Sikh’s, the brides used to wear yellow or green color Pakistani wedding dresses since they were the traditional colors of Punjab.
The way Pakistani wedding clothes show the country's diverse culture and tradition, while being beautifully unique, is beautiful. These fancy gowns combine vibrant colours and sparkly embellishments with amazing designs and marvellous accessories.
A Pakistani wedding is a big celebration that usually includes a number of events over a period of one day. Everyone, including the bride, is expected to wear different outfits throughout the ceremony. Mehendi and Maayou are worn in greens and yellows, while red is worn at Baraat and other events in lighter shades. Make-up is beautiful but not over the top. It's relatively simple before Baraat, but no one wears a simple wedding dress.
The British tried to impose their culture on all the regions under their rule. However, the people of Punjab didn’t like the idea and continued wearing their traditional outfits. After the British left, the people of Punjab continued wearing the green color because it reminded them of their freedom. However, the people of Kashmir weren’t as lucky and had to wear the red color imposed upon them by the British. The Kashmiri people were forced to wear red wedding dresses as it was the symbol of royalty.
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Why is the red color so important?
Pakistani brides wear red wedding dresses to signify the coming together of two families. The red color signifies the end of two families and the beginning of a new one. The red color also represents fertility, love, and prosperity. The red color is also considered to be a lucky color in the Hindu religion and is a sign of good luck and prosperity.
The red color is extremely important at Pakistani weddings and is even seen as taboo to wear any other color. It is not only the bride who wears a red dress; her family members and friends also wear red accessories such as their shoes, dupattas, and scarves as they are considered to be a sign of good luck. Even the groom and his family members wear red outfits. The groom will also wear a shalwar qameez and dupatta that is usually red in color. He may also wear a red turban on his head. His family members usually wear shalwar kameez that are also red in color.
Types of Pakistani Bridal Dresses
Lenga
A lehenga choli will never go out of style. It is one of our favourite Pakistani wedding outfits. A lehenga choli makes you stand out and draws attention, while at the same time makes you feel like the princess you are as you dance.
Sharara or Gharara
Wide-legged pants that descend to the knees are known as a sharara or gharara and are required for weddings. A gharara can be worn with a peplum-style dress or a regular shirt. No matter what you wear it with, you will have a stylish and eye-catching visual impact.
The Mehndi ceremony
The Mehndi ceremony is the first ritual that is performed by the bride before her wedding. During this ceremony, the bride’s hands and legs are covered with Henna. The Henna is applied for aesthetic purposes and also signifies the coming together of two families. The Henna is applied for aesthetic purposes and also signifies the coming together of two families.
The Henna is applied for aesthetic purposes and also signifies the coming together of two families. The Henna is applied for aesthetic purposes and also signifies the coming together of two families. The Henna is applied for aesthetic purposes and also signifies the coming together of two families. The Henna is applied for aesthetic purposes and also signifies the coming together of two families.
The Walima banquet
The Walima banquet is the second ritual that is performed by the bride and groom.Â
The guests are served deliciously mouth-watering Pakistani dishes and are often entertained with live music and dance shows. The guests are served deliciously mouth-watering Pakistani dishes and are often entertained with live music and dance shows. The guests are served deliciously mouth-watering Pakistani dishes and are often entertained with live music and dance shows.
Which shade of red will the bride wear?
As we have already mentioned, wedding dresses are always red in color. There are a couple of shades of red that can be worn depending on the type of wedding dress that a bride wears. If the bride wears a shalwar kameez, she will wear a deep red or maroon red color that is also known as an Indian red.
If she wears a more traditional wedding dress, she will wear a bright red color. One common misconception is that a Pakistani bride will only wear a red wedding dress. In reality, a bride can wear any color that they want as long as it is a shade of red. A lot of brides will opt for a red colored gown but not necessarily a red colored wedding dress.
Jewelry and ornaments worn by the bride
Apart from the wedding dress, there are other jewelry pieces that are worn by brides. The most famous of these is the necklace that is known as the mehndi necklace or mehndi ka tika.
The mehndi necklace is made of flowers that are traditionally mehndi flowers. It is tied around the bride’s neck and is meant to bring good luck. Another jewelry piece that is worn by the bride is the nose ring. This is worn by every bride during their wedding. It is meant to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits or bad luck. The nose ring is usually made out of gold or silver and is worn on the left nostril.
Conclusion
There are so many things that come together to make an amazing wedding. The setting, the guests, and of course the bride and groom. Your wedding day is a special day, and it is important to feel comfortable and beautiful. You can wear whatever you like, but make sure it is something that makes you happy. Brides should feel free to wear what they want and don’t let society dictate what you should wear. At the end of the day, a wedding is a celebration of love, and what is more beautiful than that? So while you should definitely keep in mind the traditions of the day, it is also important to do what makes you happy.