Every bride dreams of that perfect traditional look, one that captures elegance and heritage in every detail. And where better to find those bridal must-haves than in Delhi, India’s capital and hub of exquisite craftsmanship?
From breathtaking jewellery to rich fabrics and beautifully crafted accessories, Delhi’s bustling markets are a bride’s paradise, filled with unique pieces to complete your wedding look. Discover these seven bridal essentials, each a timeless must-have, and start your journey through Delhi’s iconic markets to find the perfect additions for your special day.
When it comes to bridal shopping, Delhi NCR is a treasure trove of vibrant markets that offer everything a bride and groom need for their special day. From exquisite lehengas to handcrafted jewellery and intricate mehendi designs, these are essentials in every bride’s list of things to buy. Let us explore the top 10 must-have wedding checklist items – traditional bridal elements and the best markets in Delhi to find them.
Bridal Lehenga – Markets in Delhi
The bridal lehenga is the most important outfit for the bride, and the markets in Delhi offer a wide range of options to suit every budget.
In 2024, lehenga styles are taking wedding and engagement functions by storm, mesmerizing brides and guests with fresh, trendsetting designs. From the soft elegance of pastel tones to the bold flair of cape dra pes, this year’s lehengas beautifully blend timeless charm with contemporary fashion. Brides and bridesmaids are embracing unique silhouettes like mermaid lehengas, A-line cuts, and ruffled accents, adding sophistication and drama to their wedding ensembles. Lehengas are redefining bridal wear – be it a lavish wedding ceremony, a chic engagement, or a glamorous pre-wedding party.
One of the popular styles this year is the side dupatta drape, offering a simple yet elegant way to showcase the lehenga, with the dupatta gracefully resting over one shoulder. For a touch of royal elegance, pairing the lehenga with a veil adds a grand and regal feel, perfect for the bride who wants to make a statement. Another chic option is draping the dupatta loosely over both arms, creating a flowing, graceful look that adds effortless charm.
For those who prefer a structured appearance, pleating the dupatta on one side gives a sleek and modern twist to the traditional attire. The half-saree dupatta drape offers a fusion of lehenga and saree, blending the best of both outfits for a unique and stylish appeal. Finally, the cape-style drape brings a contemporary edge to the lehenga, adding drama and flair to any bridal look.
These styles ensure brides and bridesmaids stand out, making a fashionable impact at weddings and engagement celebrations in 2024.
A beautifully crafted lehenga not only makes a bride look stunning but also tells a story through its fabric, embroidery, and design. In Delhi, NCR places like Chandni Chowk and South Extension are known for their rich collections of lehengas with intricate zardozi work, Banarasi silk, and timeless designs that reflect the heritage of India.
Chandni Chowk: Zardozi work, Banarasi silk
- Om Prakash Jawahar Lal (High-end): Known for their richly embroidered zardozi lehengas and heavy bridal designs. Om Parkash Jawahar Lal (OPJL), located in the heart of Delhi’s Chandni Chowk, has been crafting bridal memories since 1957. Renowned for their exquisite, hand-loomed traditional bridal wear. With a team of skilled artisans, OPJL tries to offer unique outfits, personalized fittings and good customer service.
- Dalmia Fashions by Aditya & Mohit (Mid-range): Offers designer lehengas with contemporary twists, blending tradition and modernity.
- Surya Sarees (Budget-friendly): Famous for affordable lehengas with intricate details, suitable for brides on a budget.
South Extension: Indian ethnic fashion
- Frontier Raas (High-end): A favourite for high-end bridal lehengas with rich fabrics and intricate embroidery.
- Roop Sarees (Mid-range): Known for providing elegant bridal outfits at more affordable prices.
- Meena Bazaar (Mid to high range): Established in 1970, Meena Bazaar stands as a symbol of quality, elegance, and authenticity in Indian ethnic fashion. The brand seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary designs, setting trends and inspiring with its timeless collections.
- Heritage Store: Bridal lehengas from these shops often feature heavy embroidery with gold and silver thread, making them perfect for traditional weddings. The vibrant colours, from deep reds and maroons to royal blues and greens, add a touch of opulence to the bride’s look. Whether you’re looking for a classic look or something more modern with traditional elements, these shops have something for every bride.
Bridal Jewellery – Kundan, Meenakari and Polki
No Indian bride is complete without traditional jewellery. These jewellery styles are deeply rooted in Indian culture and are known for their intricate designs and regal appeal.
With uncut gemstones set in gold, Kundan jewellery is perfect for brides looking for a vintage and royal look. Polki jewellery, on the other hand, is similar to Kundan but uses uncut diamonds, adding a luxurious sparkle to the bride’s ensemble. Temple jewellery, often made of gold, is inspired by the deities and gods of India, making it a popular choice for brides who want to pay homage to their spiritual beliefs.
Chandni Chowk – Dariba Kalan – Traditional Jewellery
The best market for traditional jewellery shopping in Delhi is Dariba Kalan in Chandni Chowk. It is well known for its work on meenakari, silverware and jadau-kundan jewellery. Dariba is closer to the Red Fort at the end of Chandni Chowk. Walk down from the Red Fort crossing, near the Gauri Shankar Temple. Here are some key shops in Dariba Kalan:
Sukhjinder via Pixahive
- Ratan Chand Jwala Nath Jewellers: RCJN Jewellers, established centuries back in 1752, stands as a distinguished showroom in the bustling Dariba Kalan area of Chandni Chowk, Delhi. Known for both traditional and contemporary jewellery, it remains a go-to destination for quality craftsmanship and exceptional service.
- Khurana Jewellery House: Known for its exquisite collection of Kundan and Polki jewellery, this shop is perfect for brides looking for regal and traditional pieces.
- Hare Ram Hare Krishna Jewellers: A well-known store for traditional gold jewellery, offering intricate designs with semi-precious stones that reflect Indian heritage.
- Ramesh Chandra & Sons Jewellers: Offers a range of gold-plated and imitation traditional jewellery, ideal for those on a budget but looking for quality designs.
Apart from Dariba Kalan, other popular markets for traditional jewellery shopping in Delhi include:
South Extension – Traditional Jewellery
- Hazoorilal Legacy: Famous for high-end gold and diamond jewellery, perfect for luxury bridal collections.
- Tanishq: Known for their diverse range of traditional designs in gold, Polki, and Kundan.
- Bhagwan Dass Jewellers: A popular store offering traditional and contemporary gold and diamond jewellery.
These markets provide a range of options from luxurious to budget-friendly, ensuring that everyone can find the perfect piece of traditional jewellery for their special occasions.
Bridal Footwear – Traditional juttis and mojaris
While the lehenga and jewellery grab the most attention, bridal footwear is equally important for completing the look. Traditional juttis and mojaris are the preferred choice for brides, as they not only look beautiful but are also comfortable for long hours of wearing. Delhi has several stores offering these shoes at different prices.
Karol Bagh – juttis and sandals
- Metro Shoes (Mid-range): Offers a wide range of traditional footwear, including juttis and sandals that pair beautifully with bridal outfits.
- Stelatoes (Budget-friendly): Known for providing affordable bridal footwear with traditional designs and embellishments.
Rajouri Garden – Trendy and traditional juttis
- Needledust (High-end): A luxury brand known for its premium handcrafted juttis, featuring intricate embroidery and beadwork, ideal for brides who want a touch of elegance.
- Jutti Choo (Mid-range): Offers trendy and traditional juttis that are comfortable and beautifully designed.
These traditional shoes come in a range of colours and designs that can easily complement any bridal outfit. Whether you’re looking for something heavily embellished or simple yet elegant, Delhi’s footwear stores have it all.
Traditional Indian bridal makeup
When it comes to makeup, traditional Indian bridal makeup focuses on enhancing the bride’s natural beauty while adding bold elements that reflect the grandeur of the occasion. The eyes are usually the focal point, with bold kohl, eyeliner, and shimmery eyeshadow playing a significant role. Khan Market is the perfect destination for brides who want to invest in high-quality makeup products.
Let’s have a look at some of the famous Bridal makeup stores in Khan Market:
- Sephora (High-end): Stocks premium makeup brands like MAC, Huda Beauty, and Fenty Beauty, offering long-lasting products perfect for a bridal look.
- MAC Store (Mid-range): Known for their bridal collections, including long-wear foundations, bold lip colours, and traditional eye makeup essentials.
- Kryolan (Budget-friendly): Famous for its professional-grade makeup at affordable prices, Kryolan is perfect for brides looking for quality without breaking the bank.
Brides often go for classic red or maroon lip shades, paired with bold kohl-rimmed eyes and highlighted cheekbones. These timeless makeup looks enhance the bride’s traditional attire and jewellery, creating a balanced yet striking appearance.
Bridal Chooda/ Bangles in Delhi
Bangles, or Chooda in some regions, are an essential part of a bride’s wedding attire. Brides often wear red and white bangles made of ivory or glass, known as Chooda, as part of their wedding rituals. Chooda sets are usually worn by North Indian brides, while bangles made of gold, silver, or glass are more common in other regions. These bangles not only hold cultural significance but also add a traditional charm to the bride’s overall look. They symbolize prosperity, happiness, and marital bliss.
- Karol Bagh and Bengali Market are popular destinations for buying traditional bridal bangles and Chooda sets. Stores like Bittu Bangles offer a wide selection of bangles in various materials and designs.
- Babu Churiwala at Lajpat Nagar and Chandni Chowk and Guddi Churi Bhandar at Paschim Vihar are other well-known local favourites offering traditional bridal bangles and chooda sets in vibrant colours at very reasonable prices.
Mehendi, or Henna – Indian weddings
Mehendi, or henna, is an age-old tradition that is an integral part of Indian weddings. The intricate designs applied on the bride’s hands and feet are believed to bring good luck and happiness.
- For traditional and detailed mehendi designs, Greater Kailash is the best place to find skilled mehendi artists.
- Artists like Veena Nagda and Raju Mehendi Wala are renowned for their expertise in creating beautiful and intricate bridal mehendi designs.
Mehendi is not only a beautiful form of body art but also a way for brides to connect with their cultural heritage. The application of mehendi is usually done in a pre-wedding ceremony, making it a fun and festive part of the wedding celebrations.
Bridal Dupatta – Phulkari, Gota patti, or Bandhani
The dupatta is a vital part of a bride’s attire, adding grace and elegance to her overall look. Traditional bridal dupattas often feature heavy embroidery like Phulkari, Gota patti, or Bandhani work, which reflects the rich textile heritage of India.
- Lajpat Nagar in Delhi is known for its beautiful bridal dupattas. Have a look at some of the famous stores located there:
- Rivaayat (High-end): Specializes in custom bridal dupattas with intricate embroideries like gota patti, phulkari, and zardozi.
- Kapil & Mmonika (Mid-range): Offers stunning bridal dupattas that can be paired with lehengas or sarees, featuring intricate detailing and high-quality fabrics.
- Another budget-friendly option would be Chandi Chowk’s Sudhir Bhai Saree Wale (Budget-friendly): Known for affordable bridal dupattas that still maintain high-quality embroidery and design.
These dupattas come in rich fabrics like silk, velvet, and chiffon, and are adorned with intricate embroidery, making them the perfect accessory to drape over the bride’s head or shoulders. The dupatta adds an extra layer of grandeur to the bridal look, while also serving a functional purpose during wedding rituals.
Because nothing says ‘happily ever after’ like a Lehenga that weighs more than you! Indian weddings are all about that extra—extra love, extra sparkle, and extra fabulousness. From blingy jewels to royal attire, every detail makes you feel like straight-up royalty. And where better to find all the bridal essentials than in Delhi’s vibrant markets?
Shop till you drop and get ready to slay in the finest threads and accessories for that unforgettable I-do moment!
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