Bengalis are ardent lovers of arts. They relish their cultural beauty wherever they stay, and they are deeply respectful towards their elders.

Bengali brides are extremely charming with their lovely long black hair, deep eyes and intricate features. They have a unique style of draping sarees that adds to their traditional look and gives them a complete homely touch. Bengalis have a wonderful way to pamper the bride-to-be and make her feel and look like a real-life princess. 

1.   Red Banarasi Saree

Red is the color that Bengalis love and flaunt it on every special occasion. A red Benares sari is the traditional bridal outfit of a Bengali bride.The Bengali bride might prefer a completely bright red silk saree with gold zari or buta work on it. The sarees with kantha work also look amazing on the brides. The red Benarasi saree makes her look heavenly. The bride pairs it with complimenting gold jewelry to complete the bridal look.

2.   Shankha-Pola

Shankha-Pola is basically shell and coral bangles. Bengali brides wear. Shakha, the white bangle is crafted & polished out of the conch shell, and Pola is a red coral bangle. Shakha & Pola, are an integral symbol of a married woman and holds great significance in Bengali culture. Married women wear a pair of each in both hands. Shakha, being white, vows purity, and red coral symbolizes fertility and happiness. Few women believe that Shakha Pola is a symbolism of their love for her husband and the belief in the institution of marriage. 

3.   Pati Har

Patti Har is a beautiful necklace worn by Bengali brides on their wedding. The affluent Bengali families wear this ethnic wear as bridal jewellery. . It is a pure gold necklace that is immediately noticeable for its ornate, intricate design as well as flawless precision. The broad and flat shape of the necklace makes them perfectly convenient.

4. Nath

The Nose ring is an integral part of the Bengali culture and Bengali wedding jewellery. The ‘Nath’ is worn by the bride after her nose is pierced. It is said that the bigger the ‘Nath’, the higher is the status of the bride. The Nath is a nose ring that is made of gold. The ring size reflects the financial and social status of the girl’s family.

5. Jhumko

The Traditional Bengali jewellery names for Chandelier earrings are ‘Jhumka’ or ‘Jhumko’. Bengali brides wear it on their wedding. It’s all about floral designs. Kaan bala is another pair of earrings that is invariably present in every Bong woman’s trinket box. Set in gold, it is designed in a way that it takes the shape of the ear.

6. Tikli

The Tikli is a head jewellery item made from gold and worn in line with the middle parting section of a bride’s hair.  An exemplary piece of jewellery, a forehead ornament worn by Bengali bride is studded with precious stone or gold.

7. Chik

This is the ‘choker’ that is closely fitted around the neck of the bride. The ‘chik’ usually sits pretty on the neck of the bride and is not supposed to reach the collar bone. Gold chokers are a part of bridal jewellery.

8. Chur

The chur is a gold bracelet piece of Bengali bridal jewellery. These are traditional bracelets that are made from gold and have intricate carvings and designs on them. These items are mostly available in pairs. As for the gold used in making a ‘chur’ bangle, the quantity can go up to a whopping 50 gms!

9. Ratanchur

A memoir of the Mughal times, the ‘Ratanchur’ jewellery is meant for the hands. In this traditional Bengali jewellery, the five-finger rings are attached to the wrist through individual chains. Common designs that have been used in making ‘ratanchur’ are the Sun, Moon and Lotus.

10. Topar

The Topor is the conventional headgear of the Bengali bride that is worn in Bengali weddings. It is usually white in colour, and is made from sholapith, which is the sponge wood plant or the cork tree. Topors made of Shola have significant importance in Bengali weddings as they are known to bring good luck.

11. Alta

Alta is a bright red dye or liquid color used to adorn palms and feet in simple patterns. It is very common in West Bengal. In fact, a Bengali bride is incomplete if her hands and feet are not adorned with this. It resembles blood which symbolizes prosperity and fertility. t is believed that Goddess Lakshmi in the form of the bride has entered the house. It is also considered that the deeper and richer the color of the alta, the more love and affection the bride will get from her mother-in-law to be!

12. Chondon

The most crucial thing to keep in mind when it comes to makeup is the Chondon or the white dots painted on the forehead.  This is a tradition that the bride has to apply it on her forehead.  The Chondon is the symbol of the marital status of a woman. As per Ayurveda, the bindi also has a physiological significance as it is placed on the forehead which controls the nervous system and is an acupressure point that maintains good flow of blood. The significance of the chondon in between the eyebrow, in particular, is said to retain energy in the body and enhances concentration.

13. Shree

Shree is considered as an auspicious part of every Bengali wedding. Shree is made by married women in the bride’s family from rice powder in the baron dala  It is made of flour, oil, turmeric, vermillion, colours and is then put on a plate made of brass.  It is believed that the Goddess Laxmi showers the newlywed with blessings and they have a happy life ahead.

14. Gaach-Kouto

The gaach kouto is considered to be holy and is supposed to ward off evil. It is a pot containing a red powder, called sindoor, and a silver coin, which is believed as an accessory of Goddess Lakshmi. So Gaach Kouto symbolizes to bring wealth and blessings of Maa Lakshmi. It is considered as a quinteseential assent for Bengali bride. The Bengali brides carry the blessings of Maa Lakshmi and the bond of a long-lasting relationship embedded in the decor of their married life to make it symbolic, colorful yet meaningful.

15. Beetle Leaves

The betel leaf plays a very important role in Bengali Wedding. It is considered to signify freshness and prosperity. The bride’s face is covered with betel leaves while she is carried by her brothers being seated on a piri. The bride then lowers the betel leaf with which she covers her face while going around the groom.

Bengali wedding outfits are traditional and bright. There are a lot of accessories that complete the bridal look of a bengali bride.

We @VenueMonk have encorporated some essentails for Bengali Brides.