Refers specifically to a woman on her wedding day or just married. Often paired with 新郎 (bridegroom).
The bride's wedding dress was very beautiful.
When the bride and groom entered, loud applause erupted from the hall.
The father of the bride walked in holding his daughter's hand.
The hall fell silent as the bride entered.
A friend handed the bouquet to the bride.
新婦 is the formal term for the bride used in wedding ceremonies and announcements, while 嫁 is more casual and has broader meanings.
新婦 refers to the bride, while 新郎 refers to the bridegroom; they are the male-female counterparts at a wedding.
bride and groom
Compound of 新 (new) and 婦 (woman, wife). The kanji combination straightforwardly conveys 'new wife' or 'newlywed woman'.