Why Do Indian Brides Wear Red? (2024)

White wedding dresses are, for the most part, standard in the Western hemisphere. But, it’s likely you’ve also seen some beautiful Indian or Chinese brides dawning glittering red skirts and veils down the aisle, too. Up until contemporary brides began toying with the idea of colorful wedding dresses, Indian brides have been wearing saffron red to their gorgeous nuptials for centuries, a custom rooted in deep history.

Whether you are an Indian bride-to-be or are just curious about the tradition, we spoke with sisters Niki and Ritika Shamdasani—designers and co-founders of Sani—about the origins of this tradition, what it means, and modern-day iterations for today's Indian brides. Read on to learn more.

The History and Meaning of the Red Bridal Lehenga

Within Indian culture, everything deemed significant has a meaningful symbol, and color is no exception to this rule. More specifically, yellow, orange, white, and green all have powerful symbols attached to them, with red being the most prominent hue. Always an auspicious color, red was first worn by Indian monks and hermits in the third millennium B.C., but wasn’t worn by brides until the Mughal Era in the early 16th century.

“Every woman we speak to has their own take on why red is significant to them because it is such a rich and meaningful symbol,” says Ritika. “In our culture, it means new beginnings, passion, and prosperity. Red also represents the Hindu goddess Durga, who symbolizes new beginnings and feminine power.”

What's more, with astrology so closely connected to the Hindu religion, red is also a symbol of Mars—the planet that rules marriage—making it a significant hue for wedding celebrations. Niki also adds, “In Indian culture, the woman is the one who is leaving her house and going to the man’s house to be with his family. It’s a far bigger change for the woman than the man, so it is appropriate that she be the one commanding the most attention and wearing a bold color like red that symbolizes new life.”

Modern-Day Indian Bridal Fashion Practices

As with most contemporary weddings, many modern-day Indian brides are choosing to veer from tradition and opt for wedding day looks that fit their personal styles. That's why Ritika has seen an increase in her clients wearing gold, especially those having interfaith marriages. “That neutral color pays homage to traditional Western white wedding gowns, but we’ve also seen a lot of baby pink and orange be especially trendy lately,” she shares.

Additionally, many brides are leaning into Indian bridal accessories, instead of opting for a fully red look. “A lot of our clients don’t wear a red lehenga, but just wear a red dupatta, jewelry, or bangles,” says Niki. “I love when brides just wear red shoes, too,” says Ritika. Meaning, the color Indian brides choose to wear today is less about tradition and more about expressing individualism.

Alternative Bridal Colors to Consider

While red lehengas embedded with heavy gold embroidery, paired with matching floor-length veils draped over the head, are traditional, the status quo is changing in favor of modern brides and originality. So, here are other colors to wear down the aisle if red doesn't suit you.

Emerald Green

Emerald green is the second most popular color for Indian brides. The country’s royalty has historically viewed this earthy shade as a symbol of fertility and growth, and it also looks great with traditional gold jewelry.

Blush Pink

Younger brides are gravitating towards lighter pastels over royal hues for a more playful look. Plus, blush pink looks beautiful when color-blocked with a red accent of roses in the hair.

Champagne

For a neutral look that pairs well with gold jewelry, champagne is a versatile shade to consider. If you want something dramatic, you can even get an ensemble that's heavily embroidered with gold or simply play up your jewelry—or both. Alternatively, “Most brides choose neutral colors or deep, royal colors for their receptions,” says Niki. “There aren’t any rules anymore, and red is definitely not the most popular reception color we see with our clients.”

Fuschia

If you don’t want to stray too far from tradition, fuschia is a perfect shade that looks universally flattering on the mixed undertones of Indian skin. It’s a fun, playful hue for the bride who wants a more dramatic look.