How to style your bridal temple jewellery like Deepika Padukone and Vidya Balan

Once considered the domain of the south Indian bride, temple jewellery has since progressed to the mainstream spotlight. And given the intricacy of the craftsmanship, it isn’t difficult to guess why. The name hails from the ancient metal donations made to temples in the southern India, with temple dancers and devotees eventually constructing replicas of the goddesses and deities for ornamentation. Today, temple jewellery offers the modern-day bride a hint of nostalgia to carry with her into the next chapter of her life. If you’ve been looking to add a statement-making piece to your bridal look, here’s everything you need to know.

How celebrity brides have styled temple jewellery on their wedding day

If you're looking for styling tips, inspiration on how to wear these impactful pieces on your big day can be found in the wedding albums of Bollywood’s finest names. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s Konkani wedding ceremony saw the blushing bride opting for a crisp Kanjeevaram silk layered with a temple jewellery-inspired choker. A pair of jhumkas, stacked kadas, rings and an elaborate matha patti completed the vision of a quintessential south Indian bride. The 34-year-old revisited this timeless style again on the eve of her first wedding anniversary. Set against the backdrop of a bridal red sari from Sabyasachi, her temple-style rani haar makes for an instant conversation-starter that brides-to-be will want to bookmark. The classic craftsmanship of this jewellery also found a fan in Vidya Balan, who celebrated her wedding day with a traditional kasu mala layered over a longer necklace with goddess motifs on each by Gehna Jewellers.

Why temple jewellery is the go-to choice for Indian brides

Temple jewellery serves as a form of storytelling, believes Vandana Jagwani, creative director of Mahesh Notandass. She says, “Originating from the south of India, the jewellery is made in 22-karat gold. The craftsmanship is extremely detailed as it depicts gods and goddesses in the form of figurines. Precious gemstones like rubies, emeralds and pearls are also used for additional lustre. Over time, we have observed a variation of meenakari in the making of temple jewellery.” While the jewellery style evolved from the south, she affirms that brides all over now consider it as an auspicious object to wear on their wedding day. “Temple jewellery often has depictions of the Lakshmi goddess, and wearing a Lakshmi piece in the bridal outfit is considered to bring luck and prosperity in couple's new life,” she adds.

How to style temple jewellery in your bridal look

It comes as little surprise that this nostalgic style is now commanding sway over post-pandemic brides. Jagwani believes that the onset of the nationwide lockdown afforded everyone a chance to grow closer to their families and traditions. This has led to a larger back-to-our-roots sentiment as the importance of our heritage and culture impacts lifestyle choices. For the bride looking to invite temple jewellery into her wedding repertoire, the possibilities are endless, confirms Niharika Shekhawat, creative director at heritage jewellery label Sunita Shekhawat.

“Gold makes for a no-brainer for the modern bride, because this celebratory hue looks universally flattering against the Indian skin tone. A simple, elegant ensemble works well for an intimate wedding during the pandemic and will ensure that the outfit celebrates the intricacy of the jewellery in all its glory,” she says. If you’ve got your sights on an elaborate choker, she recommends pairing it with a nose ring, belt and smaller ornaments woven into the braid. For those prized pieces of temple jewellery that you’ve received as an heirloom, a contemporary update is in order. Jagwani says, “If it's a pendant, you can change the necklace and string it with either pearls or coloured stones. The polish can be refreshed and you can also choose to use only certain parts and redesign the pieces."

How to repurpose your temple jewellery after the wedding

If you’d rather not relegate your bridal jewellery to the vault after the wedding day is done, the good news is that temple jewellery motifs will make for a versatile addition to your everyday wardrobe. Jagwani advises, “An ideal way to use temple jewellery after the wedding is to mix it up. You don't have to wear the necklace, earrings, maang tikka and bangles together. Breaking up the sets and balancing it with the outfit allows more wearability after the wedding.” Shekhawat believes that opting for detachable pieces that can be separated later offer greater versatility, and Jagwani seconds the sentiment. “You could easily wear a temple jewellery motif on a light chain and a buttondown shirt, or style your temple earrings with a kurta. Another way of adding a traditional touch to a modern look is by pairing a heavy choker with a strapless gown,” she adds.

Scroll ahead to check out our gallery of temple jewellery pieces you can invest in

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