Just a few months ago, I was right where you are now: excited, nervous, and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of wedding planning. I took the reins and planned my entire wedding, from the smallest detail to the grandest gesture. While it was a whirlwind, it was also incredibly rewarding.
I’m a big believer in staying organized. I used spreadsheets and Notes to keep track of everything, from guest lists, outfit plans, and jewellery coordinations to vendor contracts. This helped me stay on top of things and avoid last-minute stress.
I’m here to share my tips and tricks to help you plan your dream wedding. Whether you’re a traditional bride or a modern one, I’ve got you covered.
Bridal Essentials Shopping List for Indian Ceremonies
Wondering, how many ceremonies are in an Indian wedding? The beauty of Indian weddings lies in their diversity and richness of traditions.
The number of ceremonies can vary greatly depending on the specific region, caste, and cultural preferences of the families involved. However, here are some common ceremonies of an Indian wedding.
Chooda Ceremony
The Chooda Ceremony is a significant pre-wedding ritual, particularly in North Indian weddings. It involves the bride’s maternal uncle gifting her a set of red and white bangles, symbolizing love, prosperity, and good luck.
These are the bridal essentials for chooda ceremony:
- Comfortable Suit
- Lingerie
- Necklace
- Necklace & Earrings
- Lens
- Skin Tint
- Eyeliner
- Mascara
- Eyebrow Pencil
- Blush
- Lipstick
- Deodorant
- Perfume
- Breath Mints
- Footwear
Roka Ceremony
This is usually the first ceremony. It symbolizes the official acceptance of the relationship between the two families and marks the beginning of the wedding preparations. The ceremony typically involves a puja, exchange of gifts, and blessings from elders.
These are the bridal essentials for your roka ceremony:
- Roka outfit
- Necklace & Earrings
- Mangtikka
- Bangles / Bracelet
- Rings
- Hair accessories
- Footwear
- Lenses
- Makeup
- Perfume
- Deodorant
- Breath Mints
TIP: Keep your hairstyle simple and secure. A style that won’t get ruined when the groom’s family places the veil on your head is ideal.
Engagement Ceremony
An engagement ceremony is a special occasion that marks the formal declaration of love and commitment between two people. It’s a time to celebrate with family and friends as the couple takes the first step towards marriage.
These are the bridal essentials for the engagement ceremony:
- Engagement Ring
- Engagement Dress
- Lingerie
- Petticoat /Underskirt/ Saree Shaper/ Can
- Necklace & Earrings
- Bracelet
- Bangles
- Maangtikka
- Bindi
- Footwear
- Anti Blister Stick (To save yourself from shoe bite)
- Lenses
- Lipstick
- Blotting Paper
- Blush
- Anti-Frizz Hair Gel Stick
- Hair Pins (To manage any last-minute blunders)
- Safety Pins
- Deodorant
- Perfume
- Breath Mints
- Clutch or Potli Bag
TIP: If you are high on comfort, pack a pair of flats.
Mehendi
The Mehendi ceremony is a fun-filled pre-wedding event where the bride’s hands and feet are adorned with intricate henna designs. It’s all about applying henna and dancing the night away, awaiting the big day.
The Mehendi ceremony is often combined with the Sangeet night, creating a double dose of fun and festivities.
These are the bridal essentials for your mehendi ceremony:
- Mehandi Outfit
- Lingerie
- Petticoat /Underskirt/ Saree Shaper/ Can
- Necklace & Earrings
- Maangtikka
- Bindi
- Footwear
- Lenses
- Lipstick
- Blotting Paper
- Blush
- Hair Pins (To manage any last-minute blunders)
- Safety Pins
- Deodorant
- Perfume
- Breath Mints
TIP: A mobile pouch with a waist clip can be a lifesaver during the Mehendi ceremony. It keeps your phone and other essentials secure and frees up your hands. The waist clip can easily be tucked in the saree or lehenga.
Haldi Ceremony
The Haldi ceremony is a vibrant and joyous pre-wedding ritual in Indian weddings. It’s a fun-filled event where family and friends gather to apply turmeric paste (haldi) to the bride and groom’s bodies.
These are the bridal essentials for your haldi ceremony:
- Haldi Outfit
- Lingerie (Opt for nude-coloured lingerie to ensure a seamless and discreet look, especially if there’s a chance of your outfit getting wet.)
- Petticoat /Underskirt/ Saree Shaper/ Can
- Necklace & Earrings
- Maangtikka
- Lens
- Haathphool
- Bracelet
- Footwear
- Deodorant
- Perfume
- Breath Mints
TIP: Keep a change of clothes ready, as you’re likely to get drenched in haldi and water during the festivities. Staying long in wet clothes can lead to discomfort and might even catch a cold, so it’s wise to have a dry outfit ready.
Bridal Essentials for Wedding Day
A bride’s wedding day outfit is a masterpiece of elegance and tradition. To ensure a flawless look, it’s essential to have the right essentials.
From the grand lehenga to the delicate jewellery, every detail matters. Things a bride needs to buy for her traditional wedding include a stunning wedding lehenga or saree adorned with intricate embroidery and embellishments. Remember, the key to a beautiful bridal look is to choose items that complement your style and the overall theme of the wedding.
Here are the things a bride needs to buy for her traditional wedding:
- Wedding Lehenga or Saree
- Lingerie
- Petticoat/Can/ Saree Shaper
- Dupatta for Veil
- Necklace Set
- Maang Tikka
- Bangles
- Chooda
- Kaleere
- Rings
- Anklets
- Nose Ring
- Clutch or Potli Bag
- Footwear
- Lens
- Bindi
- Lipstick
- Blotting Paper
- Perfume
- Deodorant
- Hairspray
- Breath Mints
- Safety Pins
- Pain Relievers
- Anti Blister Stick (To save yourself from shoe bite)
TIP: Amongst the list of things an Indian bride needs to buy, comfortable footwear is a must. Keep a pair of comfortable flats handy as a backup, just in case anything happens to your wedding heels.
This concludes the Indian Bridal Essentials list for all different ceremonies. This is as comprehensive as it can get, however, as a destination wedding bride, my list was way long.
For destination weddings, Here is all you need to know about Packing for Destination Weddings.
By understanding the various ceremonies and their associated attire, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free wedding planning process. Remember, the key to a successful wedding is to stay organized, delegate tasks, and most importantly, enjoy the journey.
