Making all kinds of preparations for the wedding is not an easy task. We all know that there are so many preparations that have to be taken care of before the D-day, like booking the venue, arranging for the decorations, choosing the caterer and, most important – shopping. After the wedding shopping begins, it is the bridal trousseau that takes most of the time and effort. A bridal trousseau has to comprise of everything that the bride might need, after her marriage. This is mainly because, during the initial days, a bride is usually shy and feels awkward asking her husband or in-laws for little things. So, her parents make sure that she has all necessary items, be it of everyday use or just party use, with her. In case you want to know what all should be a part of a brides wedding trousseau, the following information will come handy for matrimonal.
Jewelry Jewelry is one of the most important components of a bridal trousseau. Conventionally, yellow gold jewelry, in the form of necklaces, earrings, chains, rings, bangles, anklets, toe rings, armlet and waistbands, has been given to the bride during her wedding. However, the trend has changed now, people, these days, opt for white gold, platinum and diamond jewelry as well. Those who cant afford to buy prefer giving silver jewelry to their daughter.
Sari As far as bridal clothes are concerned, saris surely top the list in an Indian wedding. Traditional type of saris, such as Bandhani, Banarasi, Brocade, Kanjeevaram, Kota Silk, Mysore Silk or Paithani, is the most common choice for a bridal trousseau. However, one thing is for sure, the saris will have heavy work done on them, in the form of thread embroidery, zari work, zardozi work, etc, and will be in bright colors.
Salwar Kameez – In some regions of north India, salwar kameez is an integral part of the bridal trousseau. Like saris, they bridal suits also have heavy work done on them, which might include gold / silver thread embroidery, zari work, zardozi work or the use of sequins, crystals, lace, etc. Wedding suits are usually of bright in colors and even the dupatta / chunni is adorned with work.
Shoes – An Indian bride, as a part of her trousseau, must also carry lots of shoes and sandals along with her. Besides carrying sandals of usual colors, like white, black, cream, brown, silver and golden, the ones particularly matching her saris or salwar kameez should also be included. In fact, some of the brides carry a separate suitcase, which consists of just their shoes.
Handbags A handbag is one of the most important accessories for a woman. So, handbags form a part of the Indian bridal trousseau as well. The number of handbags to be carried along as well as their quality depends upon the budget of the bride’s parents. While some buy bags in the universal color, like white, black, brown, silver and golden, other might purchase a separate bag for each of the outfits in the trousseau.
Cosmetics Like all other countries in the world, cosmetics are the other important part of the bridal trousseau in India. The cosmetic kit of a bride comprises of the usual items, like moisturizers, lipsticks, nail paints, eye-shadows, mascara, eye-liners, lip-pencils, blush-on, foundation, creams, and so on. Besides that, there maybe many bride would carry another important item called bindi.
Linen As a bride is given everything new in the marriage which she uses in her day to day life, parents think that linen. It is a general belief that a bride will have to set up her new home, after getting married. This is why; linen forms an important part of the Indian bridal trousseau. It usually includes items like bed sheets, bed covers, blankets, quilts, curtains, table covers, mats, pillow covers, etc. Along with that, bath linen (towels) will also form a part of the trousseau.
Other Items Other basic items that are included in an Indian wedding trousseau include toiletries (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc), night wear, lingerie, watch, etc. The main idea behind taking these items along is to make sure that the bride does not have to ask anybody in her new home, for something, at least in the initial days after her marriage.