When most of us think of bridal attire, long white gowns with intricate lace detail come to mind. But across cultures worldwide, bridal wear differs significantly.
Mali brides typically don a pullover kaftan that coordinates with her husband’s dashiki and decorate it with beads and headdresses to complete their look.
Mali
Weddings represent an essential rite of passage in many cultures around the world, ushered women from their childhood innocence into adulthood through marriage and childbearing – and their outfits reflect this transitional stage.
Kenya and Tanzania brides-to-be wear stunning kitenge prints in traditional dresses known as kente, or modernized versions if desired with lace or other fabrics to achieve more modern aesthetic. Furthermore, brides often accessorize their outfit with tekua headdresses embroidered with national colors in order to honor the glory of their country.
Korea
Traditional Korean wedding gowns combine Western and Eastern elements. Constructed from silk or satin fabric with intricate embroidery designs, these attires often boast elaborate decorative accents for an unforgettable ceremony.
Ko So-young first set a bridal fashion trend when she donned an Oscar de la Renta gown and custom-made hanbok by Robedek for her marriage to soccer player Jang Dong-gun in 2010. Robedek is known for designing dresses specifically tailored towards Korean celebrities, making the event even more iconic.
Weddings mark an important transition for brides from girlhood into motherhood in many cultures worldwide, and brides everywhere have long upheld this tradition through marriage ceremonies and receptions.
Japan
Bridal gowns are more than pieces of fabric; they represent hope and love shared between two individuals.
Japanese wedding gowns combine elements from both Chinese and Western cultures, often wearing white for purity and virginity, worn over an uchikake (hadajuban).
Yumi Katsura is an icon among brides everywhere, as her bridal collections combine an avant-garde aesthetic with deep respect for nature and tradition. Her signature Yumi silhouette and love of lace has caught the attention of major names in fashion.
Tibet
Every bride is special, and her wedding attire is one of the key components to her big day. Bridal gowns reflect culture and heritage from which they hail.
In Tibet, brides traditionally wear an elegant silk gown adorned with intricate embroideries, as well as a woolen cap to keep warm against subfreezing temperatures.
Chinese brides tend to wear traditional one-piece wedding dresses known as cheongsam or qipao with long and sleek silhouettes and intricately-patterned fabric, such as dragon or phoenix patterns. She may even add these features for added flair!
Romania
From Nigeria to Romania, brides-to-be are adding personal flair to their big day by embracing their individual styles on their big day.
Romanian couture designer Celestina Agostino created these breathtaking gowns using intuitive design processes to get to know her clients – Jane Austen heroines to Hollywood icons alike are featured here – the result is simply breathtaking; when women feel confidently themselves this is what it looks like!
Palestine
Weddings in Palestine provide women the perfect opportunity to showcase their traditional attire, many featuring heavily embroidered motifs representing the bride’s heritage and culture.
Foreign travelers to Palestine in the 19th and 20th centuries often admired the beautiful embroidery worn by fellaheen (Palestinian wedding guests). If you find yourself attending one, don’t miss the chance to hear them play the zaghareet (high-pitched whistle) that’s often played as part of their ceremony.
Make sure to eat with your right hand at weddings–passing plates with the left is considered rude in this culture.
Peru
Peruvian wedding attire is vibrant and colorful, featuring colorful woven cloaks and hats adorned with tassels or reflective material. Brides may wear up to fifteen polleras (multi-layered woolen skirts), while grooms will don special wedding day ponchos made specifically for them.
Peruvian couples also take part in the Despacho ceremony, during which guests add cocoa leaves and verbally express their hopes and wishes for the couple. Their dolls are then buried as an offering to Pachamama; this tradition showcases how vital family is in Peru’s culture.
Jordan
Wedding dresses serve as a cultural hallmark. They symbolize a bride’s transition from the innocent, springtime realm of childhood into adulthood with specific symbols depicted within its design details.
Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein wed Saudi Princess Rajwa at the Royal Palace wearing an exquisite custom white Elie Saab gown that combined both of their cultures. This modern-style piece featured an asymmetrical neckline and wrap effect for an opulent yet sensual finish.
Ghana
Pistis Ghana takes great pride in crafting beautiful master pieces for its clients in Accra. Utilizing African wax fabrics and kente for bridal gowns has cemented them a place among Accra fashion houses.
Capture the essence of boho beauty in an ethereal gown that emphasizes your natural curves and features soft yet lightweight fabrics with delicate lace details for understated elegance.
Sheath gowns offer brides looking for an elegant yet sophisticated style the ideal ensemble. Choose from our selection of off-shoulder and sheer gowns.
Kenya
Wedding gowns from every culture take their inspiration from iconic white ball gowns; each dress represents something different about its culture of origin. Everything from colors and silhouettes tell a different story and are meant to reflect its wearer.
Kenyan brides traditionally don a white gown adorned with a crown signifying fertility and wealth, according to Mosomi of Nairobi who owns her own bridal line by that name. According to Kenya’s 42 tribes each boasts different traditions for bridal attire.
At a Nigerian wedding, brides may change their attire several times throughout the ceremony. Outfits could include an iro and buba made from vibrant fabrics and gele with simple or complex tying patterns.