Searching for bridal abayas is an exciting way to prepare for the celebration of one of the most memorable days of your life. If you want an elegant and modest dress, a bridal abaya may be perfect for your wedding, pre-wedding parties, nikkah, or katib-iktab. When choosing a bridal abaya dress, you want something elegant, fun, and authentic. Bridal abayas can come in many different designs, styles, and colors. Whether you prefer a white bridal abaya or a traditional abaya (tatreez styled or other embroidery styles), an abaya is a beautiful way to offer timeless beauty while honoring your culture and religion. In this blog, we will discuss how to choose a bridal abaya, what styles and colors bridal abayas come in, how to accessorize your bridal abaya, and where to find bridal abayas so you can feel confident and radiant for your special occasion day.
Why Choose a Bridal Abaya?
A bridal abaya is more than just a wedding dress; it is an homage to cultural traditions, faith, and elegance. A bridal abaya does not have to be a specific color or design; bridal abayas are garments that honor your cultural upbringing. Here are some reasons why a bridal abaya dress may be perfect for your next pre-wedding gathering or wedding.
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Versatility: Bridal abayas are versatile in design, shape, and function. For their design, bridal abayas are not exclusively white; they can be colorful and sport many embroideries, sequencing, and other embellishments. Furthermore, bridal abayas can represent cultural identity and heritage through the embellishments or embroidery featured. For example, abayas native to the Levant often show “tatreez” styled embroideries, paying homage to the natural and environmental surroundings in the Levant. Bridal abayas can also differ in shape. Abayas can either be open or closed front, contributing to its versatility. If you want a bridal abaya and additional bridal looks, you can wear an open bridal abaya and another bridal dress underneath. Otherwise, you can wear a closed bridal abaya and change into another bridal dress later in the evening. Lastly, bridal abayas are versatile in their function. Bridal abayas are for weddings and other pre-wedding events such as nikkahs, katib-iktabs, henna, and other pre-wedding events. Wedding abayas can be an excellent opportunity to introduce cultural clothing into your bridal looks if you have already chosen your wedding.
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Modesty with Elegance: Bridal abayas emanate beauty and elegance through their flowing shape and graceful appearance. They are minimalistic and flow naturally, giving them a sophisticated and elegant look. Wedding abayas are modest, usually long-sleeved, and flow to the ankles. They can differ in style and design, offering your bridal garment selection versatility. Clean-cut edges, high-quality fabric, and delicate textures enhance a wedding abaya's elegance. Be sure the fit is just right, which will optimize your look's elegance.
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Timeless Style: Bridal and white abayas are timeless, and their timelessness is deeply rooted in their cultural significance, modesty, and elegance. Wedding abayas can be passed from generation to generation to represent and honor a culture important to you and your family. Cultural traditions always outlast fashion trends; these minimalist and elegant designs are perfect for showcasing your culture.
Styles of Bridal Abayas
There are two primary styles of bridal abayas: traditional and modern abayas. Both are beautiful options that encapsulate beauty and elegance to complement your style. Depending on your preferences, you can choose to go more traditional or modern with your abaya. If you love both options, you can alternate between conventional and contemporary abaya looks for pre-wedding and wedding activities. Regardless, both options are beautiful- we will discuss the types of bridal abaya styles to help you choose your wedding abaya!
- Traditional Bridal Abayas: Traditional bridal abayas focus on classic designs, intricate embroidery, and additional embellishments. These abayas differ depending on which country or region they originate from. For example, Moroccan bridal abayas or bridal kaftans come in various colors and feature thick golden or silver embroidery in the shape of flowers, leaves, or elegant motifs. These bridal abayas are luxurious and oftentimes feature thick embellishments or crystals sewn into the embroidery. In contrast to Moroccan wedding kaftans, Levant-styled abayas differ in their embroidery type and color palette. Levant-styled abayas are typically multi-colored or red and black and feature finer cross-stitching embroideries representing naturalistic elements such as olive trees, flowers, and other environmental elements. These abayas can also feature quilting, utilizing different styles and patterned fabric into one thobe or abaya. Traditional bridal abayas tend to come with a matching belt and veil, but it is not a requirement nor a necessity. Traditional wedding abayas are often embellished with gold jewelry, no matter which country the abaya comes from.
- Modern Bridal Abayas: Modern bridal Abayas differ from traditional ones in that they do not feature intricate embellishments or embroideries. These abayas are not unique to any country in the Middle East and are versatile for many occasions. Modern wedding abayas can come in various colors, similar to traditional abayas, but these abayas feature minimalist details, contemporary cuts, textured fabric, and more modernized designs. For example, at Noureem, we sell a modern white wedding abaya with a glossy pearl fabric and a cute and subtle bow in the front. This type of abaya would be perfect to use for pre-wedding activities or day-of-wedding activities. A subset of modern bridal abayas also blends contemporary abaya trends with traditional fashion. For example, at Noureem, we sell an abaya that features tatreez-styled embroidery on a white abaya. This tatreez pattern is not exactly like the ones seen in the Levant, but more of a slight interpretation and subtle addition to our modern white abayas. Style-blended wedding abayas would make a beautiful choice for those interested in blending culture with contemporary fashion.
Choosing the Perfect Color
Because wedding and bridal abayas come in many colors, finding the one you want may be challenging. Let's help you choose the right color for your special day!
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White and Neutral Bridal Abaya: White bridal abayas are extremely popular because they blend the East and West traditions. These abayas come in pearly whites, ivories, beiges, seashells, and other variations of white you would typically see in Westernized wedding dresses. Still, they take on the style of an abaya. They can be traditional or modernized and usually come with a veil. Traditional white wedding abayas mimic Moroccan kaftans and feature thick gold or silver embroidery with embellishments. Modernized white wedding abayas tend to accentuate a sleek look with glossy fabrics or flowy chiffons.
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Bold Colors: For brides wanting to stand out, brides can look for wedding abayas that come in brighter and bolder colors, such as emerald green, royal blue, or ruby red. Traditional abayas like these feature deep colors with thick embroideries and embellishments. Typically, the veil and the belt match the color of the abaya, but this is not mandatory. A bolder modern look would feature soft pinks, blues, or greens. These abayas do not typically have a matching veil, but you can find one that matches.
Features to Look For in a Bridal Abaya Dress
When looking for a bridal abaya dress, it is essential to note the fabric, fit, and embellishments to find the one right for you! Bridal abaya shopping is not as laborsome as wedding dress shopping and can often be purchased online without extra effort. Once your abaya arrives, you can tailor it for a perfect fit or keep it as is. Ensure the fit is right and not too long or short. A wedding abaya that is too long will cause you to trip, and a wedding abaya that is too short may not capture the elegance and beauty of the look because of the weird proportions. Another thing to note when purchasing a wedding abaya is the fabric. Typically, wedding abayas come in chiffon, cotton, satin, or quilted fabrics. Wedding abayas should be very comfortable and not unnecessarily heavy or scratchy. Lastly, find a style with embellishments that fit your preferences. If you are more into modern looks, look for an abaya with sleek and flowy fabrics. If you want a more traditional look, find a cultural abaya that fits your style aesthetic. The world of abayas is limitless, and the endless variety of colors and styles should add comfort when trying to pick one.
Accessories to Complete the Look
Wedding abayas are not standalone; you must embellish and accessorize your abaya to complete the look. Gold jewelry is a very popular traditional Middle Eastern look. Accessorize your wedding abaya with gold or gold-plated jewelry if you want the conventional aesthetic. At Noureem, we offer customized gold-plated jewelry to complement any abaya look. Secondly, find heels or flats that match your abaya, and be sure they're comfortable. Shoes are not specific to a look, so find one that is comfortable and pairs well with your abaya. Lastly, add veils or hijabs that complement your abaya. Veils and hijabs do not have to be white or neutral tones. You can wear different colored veils and hijab if that complements your look better. Accessorizing is a fun way to personalize your wedding look!
Where to Shop for Bridal Abayas
At Noureem, we offer a variety of pre-wedding and wedding abayas. Whether you’re looking for something modern or something with a traditional twist, look at our website and see if anything calls to you. If you don't love it, don't worry. We have a generous return policy and prioritize customer satisfaction above all else. Feel free to look at our jewelry to add a layer of elegance and beauty to your wedding abaya look. We also offer personalized jewelry and would love to engrave your and your loved one’s name as a unique and beautiful wedding accessory. Check out our website for these options!
Conclusion
Finding the perfect bridal abaya that balances modesty, elegance, and personal style is essential for capturing your happiness on your special day. Whether you are interested in modern abayas, traditional abayas, or a blend of both, incorporating these looks in your wedding lineup is a beautiful way to pay homage to your culture or religion. Feel free to browse our collection of white abayas for weddings and personalized jewelry to find your dream bridal look today!
