Jewellery is a compulsory part of Asian wedding traditions. In fact, a bride does not look like a bride if she is not wearing traditional gold jewellery. Particularly in subcontinent (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), a bride is adorned with heavy gold jewellery sets that complement the bridal dress and give the bride an ethereal look.
Every trend that is in vogue in Asian countries is religiously followed by Asian residents in UK. Therefore, UK Asian weddings are highly influenced by trends in native countries. In past, there was a trend of matching jewellery with the bridal dress, but with changing times the trend has also changed; these days, contrast colours are preferred by brides to highlight the grace of their dress and outlook.
2016 has brought serious innovations in the world of Asian jewellery, principally Indian jewellery. Gold still dominates the market, though. Traditional, funky, over-the-top, every kind of jewellery is in trend in the current Asian fashion trends. In fact, Asian bridal jewellery these days presents a blend of modern and traditional—contemporary designs with sprinkles of simplicity as well. Let’s have a look on what 2016 has to offer to would-be brides:
Crown-Style Tikkas
Gone are the days of classic maang tikka style; you can now grab your necklace and wear it on your head as a crown-style tikka!
Crown-style tikkas are rapidly gaining popularity among contemporary Asian brides. These maang tikkas are styled like a crown around your head with a heavy tikka hanging on the forehead. This head accessory is coming in various styles: simple gold designs set with heavy stones, floral tikka on the forehead supported with elegant diamond straps around the head, and tilted crown headset with heavy floral designs on the forehead. Asian brides in UK are rapidly taking up this creative trend in Indian jewellery.
Oversized Necklaces
Delicate necklace gives an elegant and subtle look to the bride, but no less are the contemporary style oversized necklaces for Asian brides which are super-huge statement pieces. In this context, multi-stranded necklaces—particularly, double-downs—are being chosen by most of the brides. These necklaces also come in single pieces, but in that case they are super large cast in heavy gold. These extra chunky necklaces, sometimes, begin from the neck coming all the way down to wrap around the shoulders. Pearls and stones are heavily used in these designs.
Asymmetrical, Partial-Wrap Necklaces
Asymmetrical necklaces are a magnificent addition in 2016 Asian wedding jewellery trends. These necklaces partially wrap around the neck with the heavily designed part hanging prominently on one side. Such necklaces are mostly coming in peacock designs: the peacock’s neck wraps around your neck while the beautiful rainbow feathers hang down on the front imparting sparkle and unique beauty to the bridal dress.
Tassel Earrings
Jhumkas and earrings have been revised and there is a shift towards traditional tassel earrings. However, designs have been dramatically altered. There are big funky studs on the ears with light pearl strands hanging from them; floral designs with heavy stone embellishments are also seen, while the traditional tassel earrings in multiple coluors are also quite in vogue.
Diamonds
Although gold is still the commonly used material in bridal jewellery, diamonds also seem to befriend Asian brides this year. Delicate designs embellished with emeralds and rubies covered with diamonds are highly in trend. Diamond rings and bracelets seem to gain dominance over gold while anklets are also accentuated with tiny diamonds to give a glamorous and larger-than-life outlook on the most special day for the bride.
