At a time when Indian weddings are only getting grander, Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s wedding offered a masterclass in wedding jewellery for men. For their Telugu ceremony at ITC Mementos, Udaipur, he wore layered gold temple pieces crafted by Shree Jewellers: a kasu mala stacked with a long haram, cuffs, bajuband, earrings and a broad oddiyanam belt cinching his dhoti. Elephant and tiger motifs, deep nakshi engraving and traditional silhouettes drawn from heritage, the unapologetic layering and head-to-toe commitment pushed the look beyond accessorising into a ceremonial ensemble.
When it comes to wedding jewellery, brides have seemingly endless options. Maang tikkas, chokers, raani haars, hath phools, paasas, kaleeras, and then some. But for men, you rarely think beyond the gold band, a string of pearls or a gemstone if you’re feeling especially adventurous. It’s worth revisiting the ivory-coded Alia–Ranbir wedding in 2022, when the groom’s single diamond stud became a national talking point. Or Ranveer Singh at Lake Como, wearing a jadau neckpiece with an animal-motif pendant layered with a ruby necklace for his wedding with Deepika Padukone.
So to say, wedding jewellery for men should no longer be an afterthought. “Grooms today are becoming far more experimental and expressive with their jewellery. They are moving beyond the traditional strings of pearls and embracing statement pieces that reflect their personality, be it with a handcrafted kalgi, gemstone buttons or heirloom brooches,” says Sunita Shekhawat, founder and CEO of Sunita Shekhawat.
Below, India’s leading jewellery designers get into some classic, other new-age and a few modular jewels for the modern-day groom.
Prateek Gilara, Creative Director, Rambhajo
Layering is the name of the game
Chokers are no longer just the bride’s territory. Grooms are now styling chokers with long necklaces and even ranihaars that elevate their look by many folds. Extra points for colourblocking. Think kanthas, whether monotone or multicoloured, in tumbles of emerald, rubies and other precious gemstones that can be paired with polki chokers.
Pull out the kamarbandhs
Jadau kamarbandhs are having a moment. Although a tad out there, when it comes to wedding jewellery for men, grooms are styling them on sherwanis to tie up the look. It is a multifunctional piece that can later be used as a necklace by both the bride and the groom.
A gem for your heart
Brooches today come in a wide range of themes, from animal motifs and floral-inspired designs to sleek geometric forms. Polki and jadau brooches featuring striking centre gemstones such as classic rubies and emeralds, as well as playful, vivid stones like lapis and tourmaline, sit really well on neutral-toned sherwanis. They also transition seamlessly into modern wardrobes, making them heirlooms worth investing in.
Tarang Arora, CEO and Creative Director, Amrapali Jewels
Arm candy
Think beyond the watch. Layer bracelets or kada sets that blend gold with gemstones. It adds a regal touch without feeling overdone.
