Desi Vibes

Wedding Season and My Wedding

Asian Pakistani Bride

It seems to be the season for weddings and with that brings wedding inspiration, outfit ideas, memories and of course photography – that’s pictures to you and me.

The big day is looming whether you’re a guest or the main protagonist, it can be the most exciting day of your life! With it comes lots of feelings; excitement, nervousness, love and sometimes pure adrenalin.

There is something exciting about the planning of the day; the venue, the flowers, cake and the biggest of all – what you are wearing! It’s every bride’s dream to wear the best dress and wedding outfit that she can find. The bridal outfit is the biggest and best chance for the bride to look her very best.

An Asian wedding can be really extravagant and its best to have a clear budget in mind. With the outfit, accessories and makeup a bride can look her very best. The difference between an English wedding and an Asian wedding is that the traditional colour to wear is red.

I will talk you through my special day, as it is a great way to also walk you through what I wore and being the “Asian Bride”!

My big day was in Pakistan and an arranged marriage. I knew of my husband (he is from my mother’s family), but didn’t personally know him and chose to go the traditional route of marrying then loving!

We had our wedding in a marque, in front of my Aunt’s house. In those days food was under jurisdiction where only two dishes were allowed. This is so that there is little money wastage, the idea is that it doesn’t put pressure on the bride’s family to spend too much on the food and wedding. So there is no difference or equality between a poor families girl and one that can afford it.

Let’s come to the main event. The typical Asian bride usually wears red, or a similar colour like maroon, but I opted to be different and went for pink. I chose not to be shocking, not going for shocking pink, but instead went for a pastel pink, or tea pink as they call it in Pakistan.

I wore a matching jewellery piece which consisted of earrings and matching necklace and my shoes also were the same colour as my outfit.

It is also traditional for a Pakistani bride to wear a length (a skirt and top with scarf), but I again opted to be different and wore a long dress with leggings, also know as an anarkali.

Asian bridal makeup is also a little different, where many brides go for a more muted and natural look. An Asian bridal look, however is more vibrant and powerful. She is there to make heads turn and literally is made to look drastically different and the belle of the ball!

I got married quite a while back when there were techniques applied that were not at all famous/iconic and unheard of. It was the first time I saw them use gold under the eye and in the corners to lift the eye. I must say Pakistani makeup artists are really good and above their game.

I would never have put an orangey red lipstick with a pink outfit, but it worked and my lips haven’t looked fuller like that in my life.

I was adorned with fabulous jewellery and henna filled hands. With my bouquet I was set to sign on the dotted line and become a wife.

The makeup abroad can be very good, as the artists in the salons are well trained over months and they know what colours and makeup suit Asian skin. It is vital to go to a reputable salon.

My eye makeup was revolutionary, because back then things like making the eyes stand out wasn’t as common or a trend as it is now.

Pakistani Bridal Eye Makeup

I can truly say that I haven’t looked as good as I ever have, than at my wedding (but I guess I am biased LOL) and that is what all brides would love and attain to.

I hope you like my pictures too and apologies for the quality, as these have been taken from photos already developed.

Asian bridal wedding jewellery

(30) Comments

  1. You look beautiful and I adore the henna, it’s something I really wish we used more of over here as it’s so lovely.

    1. Thank you so much that is a really nice compliment and yes I love Henna too! I have seen someone with a tattoo based on a Henna design, so it is definitely growing in popularity.

  2. Oh you look beautiful!! Asian weddings are so extravagant and the brides so beautiful, they always seem far more exciting than traditional English weddings!

    1. afshanesque says:

      Thank you so much Laura, yes an Asian wedding can be fun and extravagant, but I guess everyone’s big day is special! Thank you too for such a lovely compliment.

  3. I went to my friend’s wedding last month and it was wonderful seeing all the colours and how amazing everyone looked x

    1. Glad love a an Asian wedding too.

  4. I love your gorgeous pink outfit and stunning eye make-up! You looked wonderful! 🙂

    1. Thank you so much for liking my outfit, eye make-up and look!

  5. Danielle says:

    The henna is amazing. I do love an extravagant wedding.

    1. afshanesque says:

      Thank you for loving my henna, luckily it’s one that goes dark and safe for brides.

  6. I went to a Sikh wedding recently and it was beautiful, the dresses are so colourful!

    1. afshanesque says:

      Yes, hope you had fun!

  7. I love the look of Indian weddings. The brides always look so gorgeous and the weddings are super colourful!

    1. afshanesque says:

      Yes, there is a lot to organise at the wedding and it is special to chose all the clothes and make-up and see it all come to life!

  8. You look stunning on your wedding day, your make-up is absolutely amazing!

    1. afshanesque says:

      Thank you so much for the lovely compliment and loving my makeup.

  9. I actually went to an Asian wedding a few weeks ago and the bride looked beautiful. I love your choice of pink it looks gorgeous x

    1. afshanesque says:

      Thank you for loving the pink. Glad you had a great time at the wedding, they can be fun.

  10. You look stunning…very beautiful. Love the amazing henna too:) Congratulations:)x

  11. Candice Nikeia says:

    Wow you looked amazing on your wedding day! So gorgeous!

    1. Thank you for the lovely compliment!

  12. You looked lovely Mashallah Afshan! Yes, the makeup artists in Pakistan are true artisans!

    1. Thank you so much Humaira! Glad you liked my look and yes they are. 🙂

  13. You look beautiful! Was so lovely to hear about your wedding day as I’ve never been to an Asian wedding. From what I have seen though, they always look so colourful and vibrant – I love that.

    1. Thank you Sarah for loving to hear about my big day and for the wonderful compliment!

    2. Thank you Rachel for the lovely compliment!

  14. You look incredible, your make-up is stunning! xo

    1. afshanesque says:

      Thank you.

  15. I love your eye makeup! You looked beautiful!

    1. afshanesque says:

      Aww, thank you for liking it.

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