The Multi-Cultural Bride
by Chamein Canton

“Everything old is new again.” Today more than ever people are celebrating history and old fashioned things; it’s just a part of the circle of life.  Memories and past traditions serve as the ties that bind us to our families.

 As a wedding planner I have seen the number of weddings with multicultural themes double in the last ten years.  Many brides (and grooms) feel it’s important to pay homage to their heritage. Here’s a little background information on different bridal traditions.

 African- Traditional African attire is loose fitting. An example of this would be a buba (loose fitting blouse) a wrap skirt and a head wrap. However many designers tailor their designs to be modern with ethnic accents. Gowns using African fabrics are adorned with cowrie shells, embroidery or beads. Traditional African fabrics include dupioni, peau de soie, satin, and jacquard. Cassandra Broomfield and Therez Fleetwood are two designers who have successfully and beautifully combined rich Afrocentric accents to modern wedding gowns. 

  Asian- Red is the traditional wedding color in Japan and China as it represents love and prosperity. However in Japan the bride wears a white Kimono for the ceremony.  Silk and satin are the most commonly used fabrics for the wedding dress and Kimono. Saeyoung of Saeyoung Vu Couture designs modern and traditional (red) bridal wear for her bride’s needs.

 Indian- India has many different beliefs and culture. Still the Sari is foundation of the bride?s wedding attire. Made of raw silk or cotton this highly colorful Sari is worn in layers and is traditionally adorned with gold accents.  Millionaire Bombay India offers traditional Indian wedding attire in different styles.

 Latino- Is well known for beautiful lace gowns. However it’s the Mantilla that garners the most attention. Made to cover the face and shoulders, this veil is as beautiful as it is dramatic. There are many facets to Latino culture depending upon the region. Brides in many Latin-American countries wear a light blue petticoat or slip beneath their gown.  In Mexico brides may wear a Quinceanera Dress.  Quinceanera is traditionally the celebration of a Mexican girl’s 15^th birthday. However the style of gown (princess) is highly favored among brides. These dresses can be found at David’s Bridal and Sydney’s Closet.

 There are numerous cultural and ethnic traditions to explore and I’ve just covered a few.  Explore your heritage to see what traditions have been handed down through time. So if you want to show off your Fighting Irish spirit, maybe you can add a four-leaf clover appliqué to your gown. If your family has a crest; integrate it onto the train or on the bodice.

If you don’t have a family crest that’s fine. Go with something that’s unique to your family. Every family is unique so ask about your grandparents wedding or look at photos from other wedding celebrations to get some ideas.  Most of all don’t forget his family traditions.

 A wedding is more than just a ceremony and a reception it’s a celebration of love and commitment. Moreover it also represents the coming together of two families as one.

 For full-figured brides finding a gown that incorporates multicultural themes may seem like a daunting task as most designers cater to smaller figures. But take heart after a lot of research I found some designers that are really worth looking into.

Additional Resources

• Artsy & World Style Plus-Size Apparel Directory

• Recommended Wedding Guides

 Chamein Canton is the ground-breaking author of the plus-size wedding guide, You Go Down That Aisle in Style!

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