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Bridesmaid Dresses
Bridesmaid Dresses with Ethnic Flair
Planning a wedding is both fun and challenging, but
deciding how to integrate your familys cultural
traditions into the process can add an unexpected
dimension to the experience.
There is no cookie cutter formula for planning a
wedding, despite what the etiquette books say. The
traditional version of the bride in the white gown and
the groom in the cutaway tuxedo is no longer the norm.
Couples are free to express their own unique style and
heritage through cuisine, decoration and bridal attire.
Ethnic bridesmaid dresses are one way to integrate a
little cultural flair into the wedding party. Wilsdon
African Designs, founded in 1990, is an example of one
company that is catering to the desire for culturally
inspired wedding wear.
The company provides waist wraps, custom made dashikis
(a loose fitting print or embroidered shirt for men),
buba tops (a specific style of African blouse that is
slung low on the hips), African pattern wedding gowns
and gele head wraps (a style of wrap common in many
parts of Africa which is wound around the head in
intricate patters.). The company even provides an
instructional video on how to arrange your gele
headpiece.
A bridesmaid need not follow ethnic tradition
completely. You can mix and match the contemporary and
the traditional according to your preference. For
example, a bit of traditional embroidery or choice of
pattern or fabric can enhance an otherwise conventional
bridesmaid dress. The addition of some ethnic jewelry to
a conventional dress can also add some punch.
In certain cultures, the concept of bridesmaid does not
exist as we know it in the United States. Second
generation brides are finding new and innovative ways to
marry their own cultural background with their American
upbringing. For example, in Indian weddings, the attire
for the women of the bridal party is usually not
coordinated. Traditionally, bridal party members simply
wear their best, brightest and most elaborate ensembles.
Gold embroidery, heavy jewelry and intricate brocades
are the order of the day.
For Indian weddings in the United States, brides are
increasingly dictating a selection of colors and
patterns for their bridesmaids, while still allowing
some degree of choice. Compromises of this kind are
becoming more and more common amongst second generation
couples.
There is no hard and fast rule that says you are only
allowed to draw tradition from your own ethnic heritage.
If you come across a style of dress or specific custom
that want to incorporate into your own wedding, by all
means do so. However, if you are going to incorporate
certain customs from other cultures, be sure to check
that borrowing that tradition will not be offensive to
members of that group.
Traditions and cultures continually evolve and grow,
particularly in a multi-cultural setting like the United
States. Your wedding is an opportunity to affirm and
celebrate your heritage in the most important way
possible- through love, commitment and the promise of
enduring companionship. Through joy and celebration, you
are now interlocking the traditions of both past and
present and ensuring their continuance in times to come.
About the Author
Andrea Pellettiere has been has been a freelance
writer for a number of years. She is a new
contributor to
http://bridesmaid-dresses-n-flower-girl-dresses.com.
Additional Resources for 'Bridesmaid Dresses'
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