My Wedding Dress Story

by Mariam
(Pakistan)

A girl's wedding is the most important day of her life. When I was about to get married, I spent a good month and half planning and ordering my wedding dress.

In Asia, wedding dresses for girls are associated with the color red.
Since ancient times, red has been symbolic with bride and it is assumed that any girl wearing red lipstick, nail polish or clothes has recently tied the knot.

Since I was a little girl, I had dreamed of wearing red on my wedding. So naturally, that was to be my base color. After visiting many bridal boutiques and designer outlets, I finally chose my dress.
It was a beautiful full length 'Gharara' which is basically a flared ankle length skirt with a short top. It is complimented by a long veil which a Muslim girl must take on her head as she walks down the aisle.

Selecting red as the major color, I added tinges of dull gold and olive green to it. The whole thing had gold motifs on it, done in a traditional artwork called ' dhabka.'

The boutique gave a time period of thirty days and I waited patiently. On the final day, I had butterflies in my stomach as I was worried that maybe it wouldn't turn out right! I had already given half money as advance and I felt that maybe it would be a waste and not up to the mark.

All my hesitation vanished when the salesman opened the box. In it, lay the most exquisite dress I had ever set my eyes on! The colors, the threadwork, the material, everything was just perfect! I tried it on in the changing room, and it was a perfect fit!!!! I was over the moon. . .

It has been eleven years since I got married and I still have my wedding dress with me. It's wrapped really nicely in cotton sheets and put away carefully in a box. Every time I open it, I am overwhelmed with nostalgia. The colors have not faded and neither have the wonderful memories associated with it.

My husband still remembers as I walked down the aisle and his mouth dropped open. Later that night, he told my mom that he had never seen a more stunning bride!

I am certain that I will pass it on to my daughter who's only six years old. She may not wear it on her wedding, but she can treasure it as a family heirloom!!!