How the North-East wears wedding masks

When Aakrita Gogoi and Rohan Choudhury determined to get married regardless of the pandemic, they needed so as to add that little bit of quirk to their wedding. “I plan to place orders of masks specifically for my bridesmaids with our wedding hashtag #AaRoh,” says the bride-to-be.

While Aakrita herself and Rohan will put on silk masks, she thought it was okay for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to put on variously coloured-masks of velvet as a result of, “The latter, being machine-washable, is easier on the pocket with a difference of around ₹400 per mask (silk ones cost about ₹1,000) and therefore more feasible to order in a greater quantity. Besides, silk masks would surely make the bride and groom stand out!”

Priyanka Das, designer at the Guwahati-based Jyoti & Kashmiri, who lately obtained an identical order for the first time, says, “Customers are now asking for varied customisations with a special touch for the couple’s near and dear ones. For instance, one mask says Dulhe ka Bhai.”

In May this yr, wedding masks grew to become a section in Northeast India when a video of an Assamese bride carrying a dainty off-white silk masks with gold embroidery and dangling glass beads obtained a lot consideration on-line, garnering 1.3 million views inside 20 hours on TikTok.

Guwahati-based Nandini Borkakati who made the masks says, “The bride specifically asked for a paat-silk mask to go along with her mekhela sador,” the conventional white and gold wedding apparel in Assam.

The materials used for making wedding masks varies in line with the particular wedding apparel of the Northeastern states. So whereas paat masks are well-liked for the Assamese bride and groom, neighbouring Meghalaya witnesses a higher demand for cotton masks.

Abigail Kaizun, proprietor of the Shillong-based Kaizun Couture says, “Keeping protection and design both in mind, we use three layers of cotton along with a topmost layer of tulle for embellishments.” White and ivory-coloured masks are favoured right here too, to match the wedding robe. “We have versatile designs for the bride to choose from, in lace, pearl, and crystal beading in tandem with the detail of the attire,” provides Abigail.

Most native boutiques now present their brides and grooms with such masks as an add-on to their wedding apparel. A couple of prospects select to additionally deal with the security of the complete wedding social gathering amidst a pandemic. “I have recently received a bulk order of 200 masks in varied colours with a standard design for the entire guest list,” says Nandini.

With a vaccine nonetheless months away, most consider masks will proceed to be a staple even at weddings. “Masks are here to stay till at least for the first few months of 2021,” she says, judging by orders already obtained. “More creative, quirky masks are in order!” provides Priyanka.