Is it your big day, or are you on a mission to find the perfect bridal sets for your best friend? Tight budgets and everything being expensive is the new normal in Pakistan and when it comes to choosing bridal jewellery, there's always a thought floating above the head: gold or artificial? And most people feel pressured or compelled to get gold even if it means putting their savings into it. But the question is, is it really worth it for just a day?
Here at Zeesy, we get orders from countless brides for our artificial sets, some with crystals and kundan, others with gemstones. And we have noticed an increase in the number of people choosing them over real gold. Let's talk more about this and how you can choose between the two options.
It's One Day Wear in Reality
First off, think about it, it's mostly worn for a day or two, no matter how expensive or beautiful it is. Yes, if you are a fashionista, you might get more uses from it, like twice every year but do you think it's worth it for the price? We all know bridal sets are supposed to be extravagant and big but to achieve that, multiple tolas of gold will be required and in this economy, it's not feasible for all. Many people consider it an investment but investing in plain gold, for instance, biscuits is a better choice than paying for the making and risking the purity of the pieces. On the other hand, artificial barat or valima jewellery looks so much better because you have countless options to choose from like this choker style necklace that's perfectly desi yet modern. These types of styles are really hard to find or even if you find them or get your jeweler to make them, it will cost you an arm and a leg.
The Pressure Factor (Big One in Pakistan)
In this country and many other countries, these sets hold more meaning than just bridal jewellery. For some, it's a way to flaunt their wealth, for others, it is a status symbol. Many people also see this as an investment and for others, these sets are also about valuing family opinions. And what ends up happening is the soon-to-be wife isn't really choosing for herself; she's abiding by the people's expectations and the pressure to maintain the reputation. But imitation accessories let the bride choose what she wants without any pressure. It could be to play safe with the style because it will stay with you forever or to buy options that make it clear it's made of real gold. But these real gold pieces are not only pricey, but they are also heavy, too and with women carrying multiple kgs of dresses, topping it off with heavier jewellery is not necessary. More women are choosing artificial necklaces and earrings because they are lighter but look almost identical and catch the light just as beautifully.
Do Imitation Bridal sets even look good? Budget vs Appearance
The biggest concern for most women is whether they will see a difference or whether they should experiment on such a big day. But let us assure you that these pieces are especially made for the big day, using higher quality metals and stones than your usual casual jewellery. This is why they don't look dull or have that unfinished look or even uneven edges, like ordinary pieces. And if we specifically talk about us at Zeesy, our bridal sets are our speciality, and we provide numerous options with both modern and traditional styles. To see for yourself, you can go to our website and scroll through the pictures to get an idea of the shine, details and finishing. And when you're on it, you can also compare the prices with the real gold pieces and ours. You'll mostly find options ranging from PKR 3,000 to 50,000 (with most options under 25,000), which is a fraction of the price of gold ones, and most people can afford these easily. Plus, in photos, these look almost identical to the real thing, too.
How does the Comfort Compare
Most people say to get through the burden because it's just for a day and looking like a bride is the priority. But what most of them don't understand is, of course, it's a day that many women plan for, and they think it's important for them to look their best, but so is enjoying the event and not feeling uncomfortable after just a few hours. And when it comes to photos, these are captured memories and the only way to remember the moments. But imagine going through your photos and you can see you look uncomfortable, wouldn't it make you feel regretful?
The Reality of Jewellery Security at Pakistani Weddings
It happens to all of us living in the country. We all have heard of the entire wedding van getting robbed or have experienced a similar situation. This is the reason many women have shifted to mostly only wearing imitation chains and earrings or any other accessories for attending wedding functions. But the same amount of transition is yet to happen for brides. Aren't they more at risk and the ones switching to safer options?
Wearing real gold is always a hassle. First, you have to worry about taking it from the shop to your home and looking around to make sure no one is following you. When you get past it, there's the daily stress of keeping it at home for even a couple of days, because what if someone sees it and makes you a target? And lastly, the travel stress on the wedding day, commuting safely from the salon to the venue, and then, too, you're not completely safe. Artificial jewellery removes that pressure completely. All these months of stress and constant worry can be avoided.
But “what will people say” Problem
Even if your artificial sets look good, you feel at ease, there's still something bothering you and that's the judgment from relatives and the comparison culture. Even today, some people equate real gold with actual status or a sign of a “good” family. Getting away from this type of thinking should be our goal. But many women still feel pressured to consider these things because they have seen people talking and saying things like oh why did the groom have to marry someone not equal to him in status and all these weird questions. The question you should ask yourself here is, are you buying the jewellery for yourself, or buying approval?
Conclusion
In Pakistan, gold jewellery has always been seen as the only option. It’s what mothers recommend, what families invest in, and what’s often expected from a bride. Most of which are worn only once and locked up in a locker or you end up finding that it wasn't the gold purity you ordered.
On the other hand, artificial bridal sets are becoming a practical alternative. They’re lighter, easier to carry, and honestly, you can barely tell the difference, especially in photos. The only catch is… they don’t carry the same ‘status’ value, at least not in everyone’s eyes.