When it comes to Indian weddings, the saree is an essential piece of the bridal trousseau. Known for its timeless beauty and cultural significance, the saree symbolises grace, tradition, and celebration, making it essential to select one that aligns with your personal style and the cultural significance of your special day.
This guide will help you navigate through the best types of wedding sarees in India, the right colours, draping styles, and care tips to ensure your saree remains a treasured heirloom for generations to come. So, read on!
Choosing the Perfect Wedding Saree
From opulent Kanjivaram silks to ethereal Chanderis, choosing the perfect bridal saree can be a journey through India's rich textile heritage.
1. Kanjivaram Wedding Sarees
Also known as Kanchipuram sarees, Kanjivaram silk sarees are famed for their rich texture, intricate designs, and luxurious feel. They are crafted from high-quality silk and feature wide contrasting borders with motifs inspired by temples, nature, and mythology. Worn by brides for their opulence, Kanjivaram sarees are the epitome of South Indian bridal wear. Their durability and grandeur make them a perfect heirloom to pass on to future generations.
Also read: Kanjivaram Wedding Sarees: A Legacy of Tradition and Royalty
Athiya Shetty wore a gold and pink Kanjivaram saree from Madhurya for her Muhurtham ceremony!
Explore Madhurya’s range of Kanjivaram wedding sarees
2. Banarasi Wedding Sarees
Banarasi sarees, originating from the city of Varanasi, are another popular choice for Indian brides. These sarees are woven from fine silk and adorned with intricate gold and silver zari work. The dense brocades, featuring floral and Mughal motifs, make Banarasi sarees an ideal choice for a regal bridal look. Banarasi sarees come in various colours and are versatile enough to suit pre-wedding functions or the main ceremony itself.
Also read: From Varanasi to Vogue: The Timeless Tale of Banarasi Sarees
Explore Madhurya’s range of Banarasi wedding sarees
3. Pattu Wedding Sarees
The word pattu refers to silk in South India, and pattu sarees are synonymous with luxurious bridal sarees woven with fine silk and zari. Worn for their elegance and sheen, pattu sarees for weddings are often customised with elaborate borders and traditional motifs. The most famous among these is the Kanjivaram pattu saree, which remains a favourite for brides seeking a combination of heritage and opulence.
Also read: The Silk Saree Handbook: A Guide to Selecting the Perfect Silk Saree
4. Paithani Sarees
Hailing from Maharashtra, Paithani sarees are known for their distinctive handwoven patterns and vivid colours. These sarees feature intricate designs, including peacocks, parrots, and lotus motifs, often in gold and silver threadwork. Paithani sarees are prized for their unique blend of tradition and contemporary style, making them an excellent choice for brides who want a distinctive and artistic touch.
Madhuri Dixit looks resplendent in peacock blue handloom Paithani saree from Madhurya!
Explore Madhurya’s range of Paithani sarees
5. Jamdani Sarees
For brides looking for something light yet traditional, Jamdani sarees are an excellent choice. This handwoven fabric, originating from Bengal, features delicate patterns woven into fine muslin silk. With intricate floral and geometric motifs, Jamdani sarees are perfect for daytime wedding events or pre-wedding functions. Priyanka Chopra Jonas donned a Jamdani saree for her Padma Shri award ceremony in 2016, proving its elegance and cultural depth.
Alia Bhatt looked ethereal in a white handloom Jamdani saree from Madhurya, that she donned for the promotions of her iconic film, Gangubai Kathiawadi!
Explore Madhurya’s range of Jamdani sarees here
6. Chanderi Sarees
Chanderi sarees, with their lightweight texture and delicate gold threadwork, are perfect for brides who prefer understated elegance. Known for their transparency and fine detailing, Chanderi sarees combine comfort with sophistication. Brides can choose these sarees for intimate wedding ceremonies or reception events, especially during the warmer months.
Doesn’t Samanthu Prabhu look absolutely gorgeous in our neon green handloom Chanderi silk saree?
Explore Madhurya’s range of Chanderi sarees
Selecting the Right Colour for Your Bridal Saree
The colour of your bridal saree holds great significance. It can reflect the time of the wedding, your personality, and even regional traditions. Here’s how to choose the right shade for your wedding saree:
1. Morning Weddings
For morning weddings, light and pastel shades are ideal. Colours like soft pink, peach, cream, mint green, and powder blue add a touch of freshness and sophistication. These hues look exquisite on fabrics like Chanderi and Jamdani, enhancing their delicate beauty in natural light.
Janhvi Kapoor in a light blue handloom Kanjivaram silk saree – what’s not to love?
2. Afternoon Weddings
Brides who have afternoon weddings can opt for mid-tone colours like coral, mustard yellow, olive green, and turquoise. These shades strike a balance between subtle and bold, ensuring the bride looks radiant without overwhelming the afternoon ambiance.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ yellow handloom Jamdani saree, that she wore when she received her Padma Shri award in 2016, is one of our favourites!
3. Evening Weddings
For evening or night weddings, brides can embrace deep, bold colours. Shades like rich maroon, deep purple, royal blue, and emerald green work beautifully against the backdrop of a lit-up mandap. Kanjivaram and Banarasi wedding sarees in these colours exude grandeur and are perfect for making a statement.
Pooja Hegde in a gorgeous green and pink Kanjivaram saree from Madhurya!
Draping Styles: Traditional vs. Contemporary
The way you drape your saree can significantly influence your bridal look. While the traditional styles exude heritage, contemporary drapes offer a modern twist for today’s bride.
1. Traditional Drapes
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Nivi Style (from Andhra Pradesh): The most common drape, where the saree is tucked into the waistband and pleated neatly in the front. The pallu is draped over the left shoulder, either hanging freely or pinned for ease.
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Madisar Style (Tamil Brahmin style): This drape involves wrapping the saree in a complex manner that creates a dhoti-like effect. It is often worn during traditional South Indian weddings by Tamil Brahmin brides.
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Bengali Draping Style: Known for its unique pleat-less style, the saree is draped in such a way that the pallu is brought from the back over both shoulders, giving it a regal look. Perfect for Banarasi sarees, this style adds to the bride’s elegance.
2. Contemporary Drapes
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Belted Saree: A modern twist where a belt (usually metallic or embellished) is tied around the waist over the saree, offering a chic and structured look. This style complements Kanjivaram or Banarasi sarees, adding a contemporary flair.
Styled by celebrity stylist Ami Patel, Mallika looked stunning in Madhurya’s gold Kanjivaram tissue saree, as seen on the show The Great Indian Bride on Disney+ Hotstar! -
Lehenga Style Drape: For brides who love the volume of lehengas but want to wear a saree, this style gives the best of both worlds. The saree is draped in such a way that it mimics the layered look of a lehenga.
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Nauvari/ Peshwai Style Drape: The Nauvari style of draping sarees, native to Maharashtra, is a unique and bold way to wear a saree that uses nine yards of fabric instead of the traditional six. This drape, resembling a dhoti, allows for ease of movement and was originally designed for women warriors. Today, the Nauvari style is celebrated for its regal, yet practical look, symbolising strength and grace. Perfect for festive or wedding occasions, this draping style adds a traditional, yet distinctive flair to any saree, particularly when paired with heavy silk or intricate Banarasi weaves.
Styled by celebrity stylist Ami Patel, Vedhika looked royal in Madhurya’s purple and pink Banarasi Nauvari saree, as seen on the show The Great Indian Bride on Disney+ Hotstar!
Ease of Maintenance
Wedding sarees, especially silk ones, are prized possessions that require special care to preserve their beauty for years. Here are some key tips for maintaining your bridal sarees:
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Dry Clean Only: Bridal sarees made from silk or those with heavy zari work should be dry cleaned. This ensures the delicate fabric and intricate embroidery remain intact.
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Proper Storage: Store your wedding sarees in breathable fabric covers to prevent damage from dust or pests. Avoid using plastic covers as they trap moisture. Fold your sarees with acid-free tissue paper to prevent colour transfer.
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Air Out Regularly: Silk sarees, especially heavy ones like Kanjivaram or Banarasi, should be aired out periodically to prevent moisture buildup and avoid damage to the zari work.
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Ironing: Always iron your sarees on a medium heat setting with a protective cloth on top to avoid direct contact with the fabric. This is particularly important for sarees with intricate zari borders.
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Avoid Perfume Contact: Spritz your perfume before draping the saree, as chemicals in perfumes can damage the fabric or zari.
Choosing the Right Accessories
Accessorising your wedding saree is crucial to completing your bridal look. Opt for traditional jewellery such as temple jewellery for Kanjivaram sarees, or kundan and polki for Banarasi sarees. A beautifully embroidered blouse can also enhance the saree’s appeal, adding a modern twist to a classic look.
Conclusion
The journey of selecting the perfect bridal saree is as exciting as the wedding itself! With an array of options – ranging from the opulent Kanjivaram and timeless Banarasi to ethereal Chanderi and flowy Jamdani – the choices are endless, ensuring that each bride can find something that reflects her style and heritage.
By understanding the different types of wedding sarees, choosing the right colour based on the wedding time, selecting the perfect draping style, and knowing how to maintain your saree, you can cherish these heirloom pieces for generations.
Read more: Ultimate Guide To Preserve the Grandeur of Your Kanjivaram Sarees
Embrace tradition and elegance with Madhurya's bridal sarees, where craftsmanship meets heritage!