Indian Jewelry in Weddings

Traditional Indian jewelry typically “goes for the gold” as gold is considered auspicious for major life events such as weddings. 

The following list captures the essential pieces of jewelry worn by brides.

Maang Tikka:

Earlier an exclusive to Hindu weddings, this small piece of jewelry that adorns the forehead adds to the beauty, sophistication, and royalty of the bridal attire. 

Nose Rings:

Indian wedding jewelry traditions are incomplete without the nose ring. The nose ring is symbolic of marriage, especially at Hindu weddings. Nose rings are not comfortable for everyone; so many brides opt out of wearing one at their wedding. 

Indian wedding nose rings may be elaborate with chains connecting to the earrings or they may be just studs that adorn the nose without looking overdone.

Earrings:

Indian bridal jewelry includes earrings matching the necklace and adding to the bride’s glow. The designs are often on the heavier side, with intricate designs and matched in contrast with the dress. Lighter shades like pastel shades look stunning with diamond jewelry while darker, richer colors like maroon and red go well with yellow gold.

Earrings are also chosen to suit the hairstyle of the bride.

Necklace:

The earliest Indian wedding jewelry traditions had necklaces made solely out of gold but now, the designs have extended to modern ones with diamonds, gemstones, pearls, and even colored glasses or enamel works. This allows choosing bridal jewelry to match the bridal attires.

Most brides choose to wear more than one necklace of different lengths and designs. This is commonly seen in South Indian wedding jewelry traditions. 

In North Indian wedding jewelry traditions, most brides go for a large statement piece to cover the skin above the neckline of the bridal dress with magnificent detailing.

Finger rings:

No bride’s fingers lay bare at her wedding. Indian wedding ring traditions are rich invariants. The bride may wear her engagement ring among other rings from her wedding jewelry set. 

The bridal designs range from simple bands to intrinsic designs with or without colored gemstones, diamonds, or colored stones.

Indian grooms also wear finger rings and engagement rings. Finger rings are a favorite part of wedding jewelry and may have personal sentimental values as well. 

It is also a common choice of jewelry given as a gift to the new bride by her friends and family.

Bangles:

There are quite some beliefs in Indian traditions invested in bangles, too. Bangles are very conspicuous and catch eyes very quickly. Indian brides have bangles in abundance, of different kinds, ranging from gold and diamond bangles to metal and glass bangles in red and green.

Indian wedding traditions in bangles consider wearing bangles as a lucky symbol for the well-being of the husband. 

Waistbands:

In Indian wedding jewelry traditions, the waistband also known as the Kamar band used to adorn the bare waist of the bride. The crafted jewel drew attention to the feminine curves. However, it had lost its popularity for a while. 

But modern brides are going back to including this traditional ornament in their bridal jewelry sets.

Anklets:

Anklets, traditionally called Payal, are beautiful ornaments of importance in Indian wedding jewelry traditions. 

The bride’s arrival is announced with the musical jingles from her anklets. Wedding anklets are also worn as simple chains around the ankles, without the tiny bells that tinkle.

Toe rings:

A popular member of south Indian bridal jewelry, toe rings are worn on the second toe of each foot and symbolize marriage. It is synonymous with the finger wedding ring worn in western cultures and is a sign of marital status. 

Apart from regular jewelry items that are worn by men and women on daily basis, special bijouterie is designed for special occasions like marriages, festivals, rituals, and dances.