In Barbados, we embrace visitors from other customs and understand your need to express your ethnicity at this very special time in your life.
The traditional, conventional Western style has affected the way of dress of many other cultures, often changing it. As a result, getting married is frequently the only occasion when you will have an opportunity to convey some or all of your background.
For many societies the ethnic clothing is more than just tradition. Sometimes it is necessary to change during the course of the ceremony. The changes of clothing often represent the adjustment in the community position of the bride and/or groom.
Other times the clothing switches express customs and practices modified from other cultures through various dealings like business, relocation, or other.
BRIEF TRADITIONAL ATTIRE GUIDE
AFRICA
Traditional African dress comprises of a cultural fabric called “Kente”. This is a special woven cloth which specifically represents the African culture. This cloth was originally created by the Ashanti and embodied the colours red, gold and green which are very symbolic to Africa as a nation, standing for its people, prosperity, lushness and overall freedom. Kente fabric can be found in other colours but if you are basing your wedding on an African theme, the original colours would better represent your specialty.
CHINA
Red plays a very strong part in weddings, symbolising happiness and good luck. A traditional Chinese wedding dress is long and made of silk, with a Dragon which represents power and Phoenix which represents eternity as it rises again from the ashes. The look is very elegant.
INDIA
Traditionally the bride and groom wear ethnic clothes although there may be changes which include western style dress for other parts of their ceremony. The bride normally wears a Sari of red and white although some brides opt to use other colours including all white. This symbolises wealth, fruitfulness and purity. The look is very opulent and glossy for both the bride and groom with plenty of embroidery, sparkling gold, silver and sheen. The groom wears a turban.
JAPAN
The traditional Japanese bride favours a Kimono but unlike China the standard colour is often white symbolising a break from family to start a new life. However over the course of the ceremony there may be several changes by both the bride and groom. The bride may at even some point wear another colour like red or conventional western wedding gown, or at some stage, wearing a dress specifically used by unmarried women to represent her transition.
KOREA
Red skirt, pantaloons and jacket. The look is not modest, choosing to incorporate plenty of colour. The outfit is completed with a red outer robe which has sleeves are traditionally rainbow in hue. This look is reminiscent of the attire worn by royalty.
MOROCCO
A very strong look with elaborate make-up and plenty of adornment. The principle colour is white in Kaftan style, heavily embellished with embroidery and/or beading. The look is finished with a fair amount of jewellery, creating a very rich and opulent vision.
SWEDEN
The couple often wear traditional community folk dress, which is very colourful, beautiful and slightly fairytale with a romantic aura. A strong old tradition is the bridal crown which is worn over the veil or precisely on the head with no other adornment. Generally the crown is very simple, made principally of leaves.
TURKEY
Ottoman wedding dresses are always traditionally very rich and colourful, made from opulent fabrics the bride surely stands out. Red is the custom colour of the bridal veil. While the dress could be of any colour which is bright, ranging from purple to pink and other, red was the established colour used by royalty.
Contact Us if you would like help incorporating cultural dress into your
Barbados Destination Wedding.
