Choosing a shawl as a wedding gift

In Punjab a shawl is one of the most common gifts at a wedding: to the bride’s grandparents, the groom’s father, the elders who arrive from the village. Giving the right one is less about money than about thought.

Start with who will wear it. For older men, a plain wool lohi or a dark pashmina is almost always right. They are worn daily, over a kurta, through the winter. For older women, ivory, maroon and deep green shawls with an aari or sozni border are safe and loved. Avoid black for wedding gifts; many families still consider it inauspicious.

Then think about the season. A December wedding in Amritsar wants a warm wool or a heavier pashmina. For a March or October function, a stole is more useful than a full shawl.

If you are giving several, keep them in the same family of colour so the gifts look like a set on the day. We wrap each in muslin with a card, and can embroider initials on stoles in two days.

Finally, give yourself time. Embroidered pieces sell quickly in October and November, and custom borders take three to four weeks. A WhatsApp call with us in September makes December much easier.