What to wear for the maenz raat, the nikah and the walima — and how to make it all work together.
A Kashmiri wedding is not a day; it is a week of evenings, and each one has its own mood, its own outfit and its own jewellery. We named ourselves after the first of those nights, so this is a subject close to us. Here is how we would dress each function, whether you are the bride, her sister, or a friend who wants to get it right.
This is the warm, close evening before the wedding: hands being painted, wanwun being sung, everyone in the room in yellows, greens and rust. Keep the jewellery joyful rather than heavy. A pair of statement jadau earrings and a light maang tikka is often enough; add a couple of jadau bangles on the hand that is not being painted. An earring and tikka set takes the guesswork out of matching.
In English you will see this night spelled several ways — Maenzraath, Maenziraat, Maenz Raat — all from the same Kashmiri words: maenz (henna) and raat (night). Our own label, Maenzraat, is named after it.
This is the fullest look of the week. A jadau choker set sits high and frames the face; a heavier tikka or a jhoomar on the side finishes the head; kadas on both wrists ground it. If the outfit is a traditional pheran or a deep-coloured lehenga, this is where jadau earns its keep — the flat, glowing stones sit beautifully against rich fabric.
One honest tip: decide the neckline before the necklace. A high, closed neckline wants a choker; an open one can carry a longer necklace set.
The walima is lighter, brighter and usually later in the evening under sharper light. This is the night for American diamond — a pendant set, a pair of AD bangles or kadas, and rings that flash when you move. It photographs superbly and it is far more comfortable for a long evening than a heavy jadau set.
Brides sometimes try to buy one set for everything. It rarely works — what looks right at the nikah looks too much at the mehndi and too traditional at the walima. A better plan is two anchors, jadau for the first two nights and AD for the last, with earrings and bangles swapped in to change the feel. Our jadau vs American diamond guide explains the difference if you are choosing between them.
Match the function, not the bride. Mehndi: earrings and bangles, nothing on the head. Nikah: earrings and one necklace, or a tikka and earrings if the neckline is high. Walima: a pendant set or AD tops and a slim bangle. You want to look finished, not competing.
Put the jewellery on last, after perfume and hairspray have dried. Wipe every piece with a soft dry cloth before it goes back in its box, and keep the box closed and dry — Srinagar winters are damp enough to dull a finish left out. The Size & Care page has the full routine.
If you would like a second opinion on a specific outfit, send a photo to +91 98027 00655 on WhatsApp. We answer honestly, even if the answer is "wear less".