Wedding ceremonies have one purpose, and that’s to legally and formally acknowledge the romantic union between two people in the eyes of the law and the couple’s church. There is no disputing the fact that wedding ceremonies differ from country to country and culture to culture.

A couple’s social class, racial background, religion, country and culture all play a big factor in the kind of wedding ceremony the couple will have. Although couples have the option of a simple, modern and streamlined exchange of vows, adding a dash of culture and tradition to an otherwise ordinary and bland ceremony can make the wedding day truly an affair to remember.

If you’re the type of person who believes in infusing culture and tradition into something as memorable as your coming nuptials, then it’s important to consider a traditional wedding.

Multicultural Wedding Clothing

When planning a traditional wedding, one of the most common problems couples encounter is finding the right multicultural wedding clothing. Multicultural wedding clothing is the approved and traditional wedding attire worn by people in a particular country or culture.

In India for example, brides often wear the bridal sari and the wedding lehnga-choli. Grooms dress in their best wedding Sherwani. In Scotland, brides wear the Western-style wedding dress, while grooms prefer the traditional Scottish Highland dress for such a special and formal occasion. In the Philippines, the barong tagalog is a staple when it comes to groomswear.

Whatever country or culture you hail from, there’s specific multicultural wedding attire for you.

What to Consider When Buying Multicultural Wedding Clothing

Finding the right multicultural wedding clothing is not as easy as it seems, especially if you happen to live overseas. In your hometown, it may be easier to procure traditional wedding garments, but if you live in another country, you may have to look for these multicultural wedding clothing a little further from home.

When buying your multicultural wedding clothing, you first need to consider the type of wedding ceremony you’re having. Remember, the more traditional your garb, the more suited it is for a specific wedding ceremony.

You can’t dress yourself in a full Japanese bridal kimono for a beach wedding. Aside from the heavy fabric weighing you down, you have to contend with other forces of nature, like sand sticking to your elaborate and intricately designed robes. (see The Guide to Beach Weddings)

The next thing you have to consider is whether or not this wedding investment is worth its hefty price tag. Traditional wedding attire or multicultural wedding clothing is usually more expensive than generic and non-traditional attire. It’s harder and usually a lot more expensive to buy a Hanfu wedding robe than it is to buy a simple designer wedding dress.

Decide first on whether you truly want a traditional wedding or if you will be happy with a simple and modern wedding ceremony.

Lastly, remember that you need to purchase your multicultural wedding attire months before the actual event. In the same way that a regular wedding dress or tux requires fitting and slight modifications or alterations, your multicultural wedding clothing will require attention and time prior to your wedding ceremony.

Finding Multicultural Wedding Clothing

Now, after addressing the common problem experienced by brides and grooms who are looking for traditional wedding costumes, the question remains: where do you find multicultural wedding clothing

Lucky you if you happen to live in your hometown still. You won’t have to look too far to find the perfect multicultural wedding attire. Ask your regular seamstress or bridal boutique if they carry the traditional wedding attire you’re looking for.

If you happen to live far from your land of origin, or if you’re looking for a particularly hard-to-find wedding garment, then consider placing an order in a specialty store or importing your multicultural wedding clothing. These garments are a lot more expensive than ones that you’ll have made or have purchased from a store, but the good thing is that you can be assured of the garment’s authenticity and quality.

Consider buying your multicultural wedding clothing online for greater variety and selection. One of the best features of online shopping is that you can easily find traditional wedding attire that fits your budget. Conduct price and product comparisons from different sellers before making your final decision or placing your order. (Tips on how to plan a wedding on a budget)

If you have the time and the money, we suggest that you have your multicultural wedding attire tailor made. Provide the seamstress or tailor with the exact garment design you’re after, and watch your garment rise from mere scraps of fabric to glorious wedding attire fit for royalty.

Renting vs. Buying

We included this last section in case you’re reluctant to purchase an actual traditional wedding garment. As we’ve mentioned earlier, these garments can be pretty expensive, and renting is a fabulous way to find the perfect wedding attire while saving a lot of money. Before you call the rental place, consider what you’re compromising by renting.

First, you’re compromising the perfect fit. Unless you’re particularly lucky, chances are that it will be more than just a little difficult to find a traditional costume that fits you well.

Second, you’ll have to return the garment. If you’re sentimental, then parting with your wedding attire might be harder than you originally thought it would be. Console yourself with the thought that you will at least have pictures of yourself wearing the beautiful wedding attire. On the plus side, you save a lot of money and you really won’t have to worry about dry cleaning.

We advise you to purchase your multicultural wedding clothing only if you have the budget for it. Once you purchase, be sure to preserve your wedding garment so that it may be worn again by you or your children.

Check out these videos showing different multicultural weddings around the world.

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