Wedding Attires Around the World

Weddings are special events. Many of us grew up believing so, and dreaming of having one as well. During our early years, there are those who have even imagined their dream wedding. These fantasies of ours are usually influenced by what we see and experience in our daily lives. Given this, it is highly likely that no two dream weddings are the same. Like most areas of our lives are, weddings are also affected by our tradition and culture.

We can see this in how parts of weddings differ from one another, depending on the location. This is most noticeable in wedding attires. Those who were born and raised in Provo, Utah may be drawn to luxurious wedding gowns in white. However, the same cannot be said for someone hailing from New Delhi.

Every wedding attire in every country is different, depending on the people's tradition and culture.

Cambodia

Cambodian weddings are longer than typical weddings. In the past, festivities can last up to a week, with three days being the norm. Nowadays, though, modern Cambodians have shortened weddings to a day and a night.

The bride and the groom can change attires throughout the duration of the wedding. In Cambodian culture, weddings are comprised of different ceremonies. Each ceremony usually has its own theme and color scheme, which the pair have to match with.

Still, the attire of the bride is always a silk dress called sampot. Sampots come in various shades, styles, and fabrics. Meanwhile, the groom usually wears trousers and jacket with detailings that match the color scheme.

Japan
In Japanese culture, it is believed that the color white symbolizes purity and maidenhood. The people apply this belief even in their weddings. In traditional Japanese shinto-style weddings, the bride wears a white kimono. This kimono is the shiromuku.

During reception, it is customary for brides to change into kimonos that are more colorful than the ones worn for the ceremony. In contrast to the simple white, reception kimonos often come in red and gold. They are also embellished with designs like cherry blossoms.

On the other hand, the groom wears a montsuki which is a formal black kimono. This is often paired with a haori and hakama, which are kimono jacket and pants respectively.

India
Traditional brides from India wear lehengas in their weddings. Lehengas are remarkable because they are usually colorful and decorated. They either come in the form of a one-piece gown or as an embellished ankle-length skirt for women.

It isn't uncommon for brides to wear different lehengas for the wedding ceremony and reception. Lehengas worn for weddings often come in various shades of pink and red. Both colors symbolize happiness and good luck in Indian culture. Moreover, they are often adorned with embroidery work. The most popular of which is the Gota patti.

South Korea
Similar to other nationalities, younger Koreans have opted to wear more modern wedding gowns in recent years. Still, there are many who uphold traditional wedding attires in this day and age.

For the brides, their wedding gowns come in the form of a hanbok. It is a two-piece ensemble comprised of a jeogori and chima. A jeogori is a short jacket with long sleeves that have two ribbons. When tied, they make up an otgoreum. The second half of the outfit,  known as the chima,  is a full-length, high-waisted skirt.

Given how unique our cultures and traditions are, it's not surprising that no two weddings are the same. Many of these traditional attires have been left in the past. The younger generation are starting to opt for more modern designs. Still, the elements found in traditional wedding gowns can still be seen in newer concepts.