“Selecting a wedding dress is more than just a fitting… it’s a process, a memory in the making.”
Right from the avant-garde Rajput inspired lehenga cholis, the opulent Mughal inspired shararas to the timeless Kanjeevarams; considered as an heirloom, a bride’s wedding ensemble speaks much more than just the fashion trends; it narrates the tales of traditional family values and customs, India’s rich cultural heritage and intricate craftsmanship.
Indian Bridal outfits have evolved in their design and craftsmanship to keep up with the changing times and trends. Today, we live in an era where luxury bridal fashion designers like Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahiliani and Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, showcase their latest collection on Instagram setting up high standards for the millennial Indian bride wishing to opt for a regal wedding.
On the other hand, there are brides who look forward to timeless heirloom pieces that are traditional and contemporary, minimal and classy, all at the same time. Designers and luxury fashion brands like Raw Mango, Sailesh Singhania, Abraham and Thakore, Raghavendra Rathore, Weaving Heritage, Anita Dongre, Anavila Mishra, Kanakavalli, Tilfi Banaras, House of Kotwara and Ekaya focus on reviving intricate embroideries and crafts by designing timeless heirloom pieces.
Right from dressing up celebrities like Isha Ambani, Priyanka Chopra, Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sonam Kapoor for their weddings to designing regal bridal ensembles for Indian films like Padmavat, Kalank and Jodha Akbar, Indian Bridal Fashion has always been immensely influenced by Indian Films.
Influenced by the Parsi Revolution, 1920 was all about lace, pearls and ivory sarees.
While you scour through Instagram and Pinterest drooling over your favourite Bollywood celebrity’s wedding snaps for some trousseau inspiration, Ciceroni lists down 2019’s biggest trends for every millennial Indian bride-to-be.
- Reviving Indian Crafts
Restoring the intricate craft of Zardosi and various craft techniques are designers and labels like Sailesh Singhania who preserved the purity of handlooms with his signature weaves through the ‘Shahaana’ collection that saw saris, anarkalis and lehenga choli sets in light shades of beige and gold with vibrant motifs. Designer labels like Anita Dongre, Abraham and Thakore, Tilfi Banaras, House of Kotwara and Umang Hutheesing have been pioneers in reviving the traditional Indian crafts through bridal ensembles with contemporary silhouettes.
Pointing out this year’s biggest bridal trends, Meera Ali of House of Kotwara said “Pastel hues like powder blue, rose and blush pink, metallic shades of silver and traditional bridal red will rule the bridal colour palette this year.” For the traditional brides who appreciate India’s rich heritage of artisanal crafts. Go for a lehenga choli that’s either handcrafted with the ancient Banarasi weave or the classic Kanjeevaram to bring a traditional twist to your millennial wedding.
- Vintage Heirloom Wedding Ensemble
Closer to home, the tradition of adding an heirloom, although not customary, gives the brides to be and their mothers an excuse to curate fine jewellery pieces and customize their old wedding ensembles to create pieces that will be treasured for generations to come. The vintage heirloom bridal outfit or jewellery will not only have a vintage appeal but will also carry a huge sentimental value. Ahmedabad based designer label Umang Hutheesing focuses on the importance of reviving the ancient craft techniques like marodi work, mochi work, aari work and zardosi by creating one of a kind statement pieces that will stay in your wardrobe for the generations to come. Weaving Heritage by Nirmal Salvi is one of the only two families in Patan weaving double ikat patola and carrying on the legacy of this GI tagged craft of Gujarat. Invest in a classic patola for your wedding ensemble.
Alternatively, reuse an heirloom wedding outfit in its original form like Kareena Kapoor Khan or incorporate your mother’s wedding saree to your bridal ensemble like Isha Ambani. There are always a lot of ways to treasure something old.
- Nature Inspired Prints
Little to more, big to small, bright colored to pastels, intricate embroidery or 3D embellishments; florals are here to stay. Lakme Fashion Week 2019 witnessed Anita Dongre’s latest collection- A Summer Reverie that was inspired from nature. The collection featured bridal lehenga cholis detailed with florals in fresh spring hues. Couturier Rohit Bal on the other hand, poured out his love for Kashmir through his ‘Guldastah’ collection that bore florals inspired by the Valley. Perfect for a luxury beach wedding, florals will be your perfect pick for a summer resort wedding.
- Bollywood Inspiration
Also making its way to the top of this year’s biggest wedding trends are the Bollywood Inspired wedding ensembles. Bollywood forever has been the source of inspiration for many Indian brides. Pour out your love for the classic kanjeevaram sarees and let Deepika Padukone’s Kanjeevaram sari from Angadi Galleria which she adorned for her Konkani ceremony inspire you. If regal look is what you are opting for, bookmark Deepika Padukone’s reel look as Rani Padmavati to look like an empress. Take cues from Anushka Sharma’s blush pink lehenga choli designed by Sabyasachi, if minimalism and pastels is what you would love for your big day.
- Colour Me Bride
The bridal colour palette this year will include sophisticated pastels like pale pink, ivory and silver along with warm Indian colours and jewel tones. This spring- summer season ,shop for refreshing colour palettes like lilac, golden yellow, rust and metallic with very ethereal and nature inspired designs and motifs.
Turn to these bridal trends while you customize your bridal ensemble and jewellery. Set a tone for your big day with floral embellishments, intricate embroideries, Indian textiles and statement details.
