The world is becoming more globalized and cultures are changing, even as they intermix – but one thing that is not changing is the beautiful, timeless nature of a saree. Many people term Indian clothes as elegant, graceful and timeless, which is well deserved as that is the reason they continue to be popular even after existing for hundreds of years.

The best part of the saree has to be how varied it is – there are no overlaps between two or more parts of the country, with each region manifesting its own takes on the beloved saree. Among the most popular ones, even in Bollywood cinematic productions, are the sarees from West Bengal, which are both popular as casual wear and formal or occasional wear. 

In this article, we look at the top ones that you can wear if you are going for a wedding, such as when you do not want to wear the usual Banarasi or Kanjeevaram saree – and believe us, there is an entire list, which goes to show how beautiful these picks are. You can find most of this variety of Bengali sarees online.

Bengal Sarees To Wear At A Wedding

Korial

This is among the most famous Bengali sarees out there, if not the most famous. It is easy to distinguish, thanks to the base colour being crisp white, and its red borders – giving you a look of timelessness and simplicity that other sarees might not have.

Its simplicity makes it quite popular among married women as well, and they love wearing it during Durga Puja celebrations too. The best way to complete the look is using a red Bindi, especially a big one, and tying your hair in a casual bun. 

Garad

This has quite a strong similarity to the Korial saree, and many non-Bengalis or novice saree wearers can confuse the two – but, unlike the Korial, they have borders that are in lighter shades of red. In addition, the motifs are mostly of flowers, which give it a feminine and appealing appearance.

Tussar

This originates from the town of Malda, as this is the primary source of the Tussar variety of silk. The material is quite distinct in its texture, as it comes from the mulberry hives and is made into a variety of silk sarees from Bengal.

There are other saree forms that come from Tussar silk as well, such as Baluchari sarees. The main motif designs that can feature include Patta and Butti, which also happen to be among the most popular.

Murshidabad silk

This is a work of art, which makes it among the least surprising when considering what Bengali saree to wear for a wedding. It will work well for you if you are an art lover, as it prominently displays plenty of very beautiful pictures, all hand-painted, all over the border and pallu.

In fact, some of the most luxurious silk sarees are made in this region, and the Murshidabad saree is proof of that – it even has significant mentions even in historical 18th Century scrolls. These sarees are also quite versatile, working well as wear even for casual events and bigger functions.

Dhakai Jamdani 

These originated from the town of Dhaka, in Bangladesh – but before the partition, it was counted as a part of the Bengal clan, which is why they also feature on this list. They are also quite famous and popular in Bengal, even today. An interesting fact is that the word ‘Jamdani’ refers to the design or print style that is unique to the saree.

Today, you will find them mostly being made from cotton and having plenty of hand-crafted designs, with a very luxurious and soft feel. They are a must-wear for any major event, such as weddings and parties.

Baluchari

Going back to the Murshidabad area and to a village known as Baluchari, this is the origin of these sarees. Also called Baluchori saree, it is a highly prized possession among women, especially those that love the handmade nine-yard silk sarees. The format is using traditional silk, and branding geometric or floral designs on the body of the saree.

The saree is about five yards long and has plenty of floral designs that run throughout its body. They always give a very stylish appearance and portray scenes from Indian mythology, which include the Mahabharata and Ramayana. It can also have plenty of other motifs as well, which include handwork such as small pictures of humans, marriage ceremonies, vegetation or animals, and so on. Due to this, women that wear the saree usually avoid pleating the pallu – it results in ruining the look itself, unlike with other saree types.

Tant

These are made from cotton, making them a very lightweight and dependable fabric that you can use when attending a wedding in the hot months of the year. It is among the wardrobe staples that every Bengali woman needs to have in her wardrobe.

The origin of the saree is in a similar way to the Korial and Garad sarees, as they can have a similar design. The only difference it has with them is that the use of cotton makes it stiff and crisp, while the other two are more free-flowing.

It comes in many colours, but the most common ones are red and white. These also have a meaning – they represent the Goddess Durga. Therefore, it is common to spot them during Durga Puja festivals as well.

What are the distinguishing features of Bengali sarees?

There are certain markers that set them out as different, which include:

• The typical method used to weave the fabric is traditional, using handlooms
• The thread work is among the most intricate, mostly featuring scenes in Indian mythology
• Come in a wide range of colours, though the most popular colour is off-white
• They are semi-transparent and very lightweight

Other facts include:

• The Tant saree is 6 yards long
• The Baluchari sarees are 5 yards in length, and their width is 42 inches
• Many Bengali sarees will be woven in purple, white or purple
• The sarees are designed for specific draping methods specific to West Bengal

Final thoughts

If you are searching for a beautiful, comfortable Bengali saree that you can wear the next time you head to a wedding, we hope that this list gives you some ideas on what to explore. Each saree will give you a different feel, and you might find yourself preferring a certain type of saree in the end.

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Shrutika Potwar

Author, WeddingBazaar

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