Re-Weaving The Rules Of Bridal Silk Sarees
In the 100 years that we’ve been crafting wedding sarees for women, RmKV has seen generations of brides, each choosing handlooms that balance trends, social customs and individual preferences. Today’s bride is no different, and yet, she’s absolutely unique.
Selecting a bridal saree can be both exciting and daunting, and that’s even before you consider the many celebrations that lead up to the big day. Handloom Kanchipuram pure silk sarees are still favourites for engagements, muhurtham ceremonies and receptions. But, with a twist.
Red bridal sarees are customary, but modern brides are veering towards naturally-dyed silk sarees. Tissue silks are classics, but make them lightweight enough to breeze through the muhurtham in. As our recent ‘Chill Brides of RmKV’ campaign shows, women are rewriting the rules. And our latest wedding saree collection has got exactly what the bride ordered!
1. Lightweight pure silk sarees
Insta-worthy weaves are non-negotiable, but so is comfort. Hour upon hour of rituals, socialising and celebrating calls for a grand silk saree that’s heavy on glamour but not in weight. Our Lino weaves tick every box on the checklist.
An exclusive RmKV innovation, the Lino silk saree is handwoven using a patented technique that makes the silk saree 40% lighter than a typical handloom Kanchipuram silk saree, but no less stunning. One of the showstoppers of this wedding season - the gold tissue Lino silk saree - is a fine example. Handwoven with red silk threads and pure gold zari, this luminous saree features flowering vines in an array of compositions. Unlike the typical tissue silk saree, this Lino silk saree is easy to drape and even easier to carry. Of course, it can light up a room like few other bridal sarees can.
For those who seek designer sarees for weddings, the crimson Lino checked silk saree from the RmKV Design Studio is the perfect fit. The handwoven saree features a payadi (basket weave) pattern that resembles microchecks. Look closely, and you’ll notice that each alternating check features a thinner weave, making the saree lighter and more breathable. The wide border is resplendent with floral zari patterns inspired by the Taj Mahal, while the gold zari worked into the body adds a subtle sheen to the silk.
The lightweight crimson Lino checked silk saree, worn by award-winning actress Priyamani.
2. Eco-friendly handloom silk sarees
Using indigo, lac, pomegranate, marigold and more, we revived the ancient Indian tradition of dyeing silks with natural, biodegradable ingredients after 14 years of research; the resulting Naturals silk sarees are among our bestsellers, handpicked by women who value not just the skill that goes into creating these sarees, but also their impact on the environment and craft traditions. The distinctive beauty of naturally-dyed silk sarees also makes their decision easier.
Indigo was once India’s most coveted export, and a look at our Tanjore revival handloom silk saree tells you why. The natural dye has been used to colour the body an inimitable blue. A kattam design woven in pure gold zari and filled with 8,000 lotuses casts a sheen over the indigo tone, yet never overwhelms it. A large orange border with green seer highlights adds a vintage appeal to the bridal saree; woven with layer upon layer of traditional motifs, it flows seamlessly into a showstopper of a pallu.
3. Handloom silk sarees in trendy pastels
Think of Indian wedding attire, and a red bridal saree is probably the first that comes to mind. Red, associated with vitality and prosperity, is still a popular choice, but colours are becoming more varied.
Today, you’ll spot soft pastels alongside bright jewel tones, and the reasons might surprise you. Pantone’s colour of 2024 was peach fuzz, driven by millennial and GenZ consumers’ preference for softness and warmth. Cue our Paithani-inspired peach fuzz naturally-dyed silk saree, created by the RmKV Design Studio. The lighter ‘kanakambaram’ tone was created using sappan wood, while the silk threads of the muniya motifs were dipped in lac and pomegranate shells.
The Lino lavender tissue silk saree, meanwhile, has been handwoven using the patented Lino technique. Marigold flowers in pure gold zari burst into bloom on the body, held aloft by twirling vines. Airy and ethereal, the bridal saree is resplendent enough for a wedding yet unique enough to stand out in the wedding season.
4. Bridal silk sarees that tell a story
Crafted for the bride who wants it all, our 50,000 colour korvai silk saree caused a stir when it was launched 15 years ago. It’s still one of our most iconic creations and a masterpiece that can only be made by the most experienced weavers. Each square in the body’s kattam pattern features a different colour, creating a stunning kaleidoscopic effect in silk.
The Aishwarya Pookal handloom silk saree, a National Award-winning creation, is inspired by the architectural perfection of Travancore’s Padmanabhapuram Palace. The pallu, in pure gold zari, recreates the 90 unique flowers carved into the palace's wooden ceiling. It’s an elegant tribute to India’s rich tradition of craftsmanship.
Dance and music, meanwhile, were the inspirations for another iconic RmKV creation - the Chinnanchiru Kiliye handloom silk saree. The 32 Bharatanatyam poses on the saree have been fluidly captured in silk and gold zari, reaching their pinnacle on the pallu. The saree isn’t just visually striking, but sentimental as well. ‘Chinnanchiru Kiliye’ is a lullaby composed by the poet Subramanya Bharathiyar, expressing a doting parent’s affection for their daughter. The choice of poem makes this saree particularly fitting as the wedding saree for a beloved daughter.
5. Customised pure silk sarees for weddingsEvery year, we customise bridal sarees down to the last detail, shaping motifs from scratch, monogramming the weaves and creating shades you won’t see on store shelves anywhere. It’s an opportunity for brides to collaborate with our designers and weavers and create a saree that’s symbolic of the relationship the wedding celebrates.
Ultimately, that’s what the bridal saree comes down to. True, a wedding is the coming together of two people and their families. Yet, it’s also a moment of transition for the bride, closing one chapter and unveiling the next. The wedding saree is an expression of her hopes, experiences and choices. And that’s what makes finding ‘the one’ so rewarding.
