Pakistan weddings are lively, colourful and culturally infused celebrations that balance religious rituals and South-east Asian traditions. The lavish ceremony includes a line-up of functions from Mayon (a small pre-wedding celebration hosted by the bride's family) and bridal shower to Barat (main day) and Walima (reception). These events span over a time of minimum three days to over a week. Each ritual is not only an integral part but deeply rooted in the culture of the subcontinent.
For this year's wedding season, there are various styles to choose from from bridal shoe collections and men's footwear that will complement both traditional and contemporary wedding outfits for the bride and groom.
Ethnic Footwear:
When it comes to Pakistani weddings, ethnic footwear, which consists of Peshawari Chappals, Khussas and Kohla Puri, is the number one choice for all, attendees and hosts included.
Peshawari Chappal:
Inheriting its name from the city of Peshawar, Pakistan, this handcrafted, leather footwear is a timeless staple for the native population. These open-toe sandals with their handmade soles are not just limited to one style but rather have branched out to numerous types, including the well-known Kaptaan Chappal and Quetta Style Chappal.
Khussa:
Khussa, a handcrafted traditional leather flat pump with stunning embellishments and intricate designs embodying Pakistan's artisanal heritage. The Khussa can be paired with the shalwar and kameez or a sherwani to create an ideal wedding look.
Heels:
The exquisite look for every bride is incomplete without the timeless fashion of heels. These are blended with sequins, stones and hand embroidery to make them fit for the festive season. Whether it is a saree or a long gown pairing it with heels gives a gorgeous appearance that elevates any attire.
A Contemporary Take on Traditional Footwear:
New trends are modernising the traditional wedding aesthetic, with ethnic and formal footwear being substituted with shoes that are easier on the feet so that the bride, groom and guests can enjoy their time more without worrying about hurting their feet.
The Khussa, which was previously known to be a very stiff shoe, has now been evolved with more cushioned versions coming into the footwear market.
Bedazzled heels are still a female favourite when it comes to weddings but in recent years, flats have become equally popular. Women's pumps embellished with stones and sequins along with beautiful embroidery are becoming a new stand-out wedding shoe in the market.
Flats are now a popular fashion choice among brides who prefer comfort as much as style itself. It's even more surprising to see them wearing customized bedazzled sneakers that offer a chic style in the most comforting way than ever.
Even in the men's category, the Kaptaan Chappal has been revamped into a more contemporary version, with its hand-stitched upper featuring the classic toe shape, heel buckle fastening, and cushioned soles.
Footwear for Different Wedding Events:
Wedding shoes for men and women have been specifically designed to cater every function from the Mehndi night to delightful Walima reception.
Mehndi:
Mehndi is the event celebrated before the Barat which is filled with bright colours, such as yellows, oranges and pinks. Both the bride and groom wears very traditional attire for this event and finish off their looks with ethnic footwear, such as the Kaptaan Chappal, Kohla Puri or the Khussa.
Barat:
The Barat is the main event of the whole marriage ceremony lies on this day when the bride bids farewell to her family and starts her new journey with her arrival at the groom's house. A blend of classic and contemporary looks with shades of bright and deep reds are a timeless fashion trend in Pakistan. It's up to the attire or theme of the wedding to either go for formal or ethnic looks.
The groom usually wears a sherwani on the Barat, paired up with matching Khussas, while the bride opts for heels that match her gown.
Walima:
An Islamic feast that takes place after the Nikkah symbolises the essence of happiness and love between the newlywed couple and their families. It is usually a more formal and subtle event, radiating muted and pastel hues.
Grooms pair their suits or tuxedos with formal dress shoes like Oxfords and Derbies, like the brides opt for either heels or bedazzled flats that complement their attire.
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There is an array of styles in Pakistan wedding shoes each perfectly curated and luxuriously designed to reflect the South Asian cultural heritage as well as to add glamour and excitement to the festive season that takes place every year.
Whether it's about capturing the traditional elegance or a modern luxury of the footwear, every style is a fusion of cultural elements and contemporary design making it a perfect fashion staple for every event.