Weddings have unique cultural and traditional importance in Pakistan. They are known for their religious importance and portray bride’s family emotions, personalities, and traditions. Pakistani weddings differ from usual white weddings in terms of traditions followed, wedding outfits, and guests. Typically, white weddings last for a single day, while Pakistani weddings last for days. These weddings include multiple events such as mayoon, mehndi, barat, and walima. Dresses worn at each event hold a particular cultural value. The uniqueness of these formal wedding dresses Pakistan stands by their color, cuts, embellishments, and patterns. But these days Pakistani cultural dresses have also been modified with modern cuts and designs to give them a contemporary look for modern-day brides. This blog includes all information about Pakistani wedding outfits and different styles and designs. Therefore, if you are a bride-to-be and looking for inspiration or simply want to know about Pakistani wedding culture, keep reading.

A Fusion of Modernity and Culture

Wedding dresses Pakistan is known for their connection to eastern cultural roots. But these days, when everything around is being modernized, these dresses are also subjected to a modern touch. But this modern touch has not affected the classic cultural appeal of Pakistani wedding clothes. To achieve this there should be a harmonious balance between modernity and culture. Designers’ features the classic wedding attire in their wedding dress collections but with a modern twist. These attires include lehnga choli, sharara, angrakha, garara, saree, etc. These dresses are adorned with meticulous displays of handmade embroidery, stonework, zari work, etc.

To add a modern twist to these dresses, designers usually play with the cuts and customization of these attires. For example, peplum tops, sleek cuts, and innovative designs are added to meet the expectations of modern-day brides. Similarly, the color tones for brides are changed these days. In ancient times, Pakistani brides loved to wear yellow on mehndi and red on barat, but now different color tones are added. Pastels are introduced in Pakistani fancy dresses. Similarly, typical colors for mehndi and barat are also being replaced with a huge color palette options. Let’s delve into a few wedding dress options for brides that are available in Pakistan by various brands.

Lehnga choli

Lehnga choli is the most typical option in formal wedding dresses Pakistan and is featured by nearly every other Pakistani bride. Lehnga choli, being an epitome for Pakistani weddings, comes in various forms and silhouettes. The ensemble consists of a fitted blouse known as choli and a skirt called lehnga. The choli varies from short to long depending upon the latest fashion trends and the bride's own preference. Similarly, the lehnga varies in length and volume as well. Usually it is quite voluminous to give a luxurious look to the bride. This lehnga choli is paired with a matching duppatta. Different types of embellishments are adorned on the ensemble, including zari work, gotta kinari, and mirror work. A huge range of color tones is also available by different brands. Typically red and maroon were worn, but these days brides prefer to wear pink, pastels, and even white, as these colors give a unique look to the bride.

Farshi lehnga

Farshi Lehnga is an icon of the Mughal era and offers a royal and luxurious appearance to the bride on her big day. These lehnga differ from normal lehnga in terms of their long tail. These lehngas feature different kinds of embellishments, such as tilla work, pearls and crystals, etc. The farshi lehnga is mostly chosen by the bride who wants to achieve timeless glamour with a regal glimpse. These lehngas are customized in different fabrics, such as jamawar, valvelt, silk, etc. Even these days, velvet is the favorite fabric for winter wedding dresses. A beautiful duppatta with heavy embellishments and borders is draped around the bride's head to elevate her look to new heights.

Sharara and gharars

Shararas and gharars are worn by those brides who particularly wish to remain true to their cultural roots. These ensembles have an ancient appeal. Because in ancient times these attires were mostly opted by brides and rich women. The ensemble consists of a wide-legged trouser with a huge flair, just like a lehnga, but has a tight fitting around the knee area. It is typically paired with a kurta or shirt and matching duppatta. The length of the kurta can be short or long according to the bride's taste and preference. Also, modern brides like to wear this attire in soft or pastel colors. Especially these days, it is in trend to wear sharars and ghararas to nikah events. Brides love to flaunt white shararas on their nikah event.

Wedding Duppatta—an Exquisite Jewel

Wedding duppattas hold a significant importance in the wedding dresses Pakistan and the brides look. These duppattas are adorned with beautiful embellishments and are draped around the bride's head to complete her overall look. The borders of these duppattas are heavily embroidered with zardozi and mirror work. The fabric used in these duppattas is mostly net, chiffon, or silk.

Modern take on Walima and Mehndi Ensembles

Traditional brides used to wear bright colors to every event in a wedding, but modern brides like to wear light color schemes and minimal embellishments. Olive green, orange, and pink color tones are favorites of present-day brides for mehndi events. Furthermore, for walima events, soft and pastel color tones peach and off white are preferred. These colors enhance the uniqueness and individuality of each bride.

As compared to traditional lehngas and other such ensembles, modern brides prefer modern-style gowns with traditional crafts on them. They like to experiment with cuts of these gowns. Fabric used in ancient times was mostly net and silk, but these days a range of velvet ensembles as winter dresses for weddings are available.

Final Words 

Hence, Pakistani dresses are more than outfits; they are a symbol of classic culture and heritage. These dresses are the epitome of emotions and traditions. Additionally, they capture a timeless glimpse of classic roots. Modern-day outfits hold that timeless appeal but with a contemporary style and design.