A wedding is a big ceremony that every bride wants to memorize for their whole life. And brides on every continent know that it’s all about the wedding dress. Here the editor collected 20 stunning traditional wedding dresses from around the world. Maybe you can find some inspiration here.
At a traditional wedding in Ribnovo, Bulgaria, the bride will have her face painted white and decorated with colorful sequins by her female in-laws. This custom goes back to centuries and is the highlight of the two-day ceremony.
A Pakistani bride will often choose deep reds, pinks, and purples on her wedding day. Some couples will place garlands, a symbol of love and acceptance, around each other.
Carried on a white horse covered with a scarf and a specially decorated umbrella during wedding festivities, the bride accompanies her family to the neighbor’s house of her husband-to-be.
At a traditional Turkish wedding, a bride will be tied a red maidenhood belt around her waist by her brother or uncle, before she leaves her father’s home for the wedding ceremony. The color red signifies luck, sexuality, and happiness.
Three days before the wedding, an Indonesian bride-to-be may have her nails, hands, and feet painted with birds and flowers in henna.
A Nigerian bride stands out in her brightly colored lace blouse and patterned kaftan, which is often made of imported Indian fabrics. Besides, there will be coral beads and a headdress to complete the look.
In a traditional Moroccan wedding, a bride puts on a show with three wardrobe changes. For the reception, she wears a white kaftan, or robe for an outfit that reflects her family’s region.
A traditional Iraqi bride holds the record for most wardrobe changes, and each of her seven dresses is a different color of the rainbow. Red symbolizes love and romance.
For a traditional Japanese wedding, the bride often wears a pure white kimono for the formal ceremony. A matching silk headdress hides her “horns of jealousy” and signals her intent to become an obedient wife.
Hanbok, a traditional Korean costume, has been worn by Korean brides for thousands of years. According to ancient tradition, the groom should carry his wife around the table on his back, so the bride knows that her husband is reliable.
One day before the wedding, the groom gives his bride a wedding gown, jewelry (a headdress, silver pieces that attach to her braids), or an amulet that contains a small metal statue of the Buddha.
In addition to a lucky-red sari or skirt-like lehenga, sixteen embellishments adorn the Indian bride from head to toe. This custom includes the bright-red powder applied to her hair part, ear cuffs, and chains tied around the ankles.
Indonesia has over 17,000 islands and so the weddings vary greatly by region. Most brides dress in vibrant colors with heavy embroidery.
A traditional bride in Tajikistan wears a simple white dress over a pair of trousers. She may change into corresponding gowns over the course of the ceremony, which can last days.
Traditional Eritrean wedding attire consists of dark-colored velvet crowns and robes in purple and gold. The bride matches her husband-to-be.
In Chechnya, brides wear white gowns that cover them head to toe. Metal fasteners adorn the bust, and a silver belt – an heirloom passed down from mother to daughter, hangs on her waist.
An Italian bride’s something blue is already replaced by a green dress or ornament, for they believe the color brings luck and fertility. But most brides still stick with traditional white gown.
In the highlands above Lima, Peru, traditional brides wear the red and black gowns with multiple layers of cotton and heavily embroidered petticoats.
In Mali, the bride’s pullover robe matches the color of the groom’s dashiki. While white is most common, some brides opt for lavender or purple, the colors of African royalty.
The Tuvan national costume reflects a nomadic way of life. Garments could easily be worn while riding a horse and feature bright colors and rich detail.
