Talking about Indian bridal outfit, the names that crop up into your mind, at the very first instance, are lehenga-choli, sari and salwar-kameez. In the present times, most of the brides, especially in North India, prefer wearing a lehenga-choli for their wedding.
The bridal lehenga is adorned with a lot of embellishments, to give it a very rich and luxurious look. In most of the cases, heavy embroidery (with silver or golden thread), stones, crystals and sequins are used to decorate the lehenga of a bride and give it a royal feel.
What Is Lehenga
Lehenga comprises of one of the traditional garments worn by Indian women. Earlier, it used to be worn by women on an everyday basis. However, these days, it is reserved for special occasions only, like wedding or a festival. The dress comprises of a lehenga (skirt), choli (blouse) and dupatta/chunni (stole). The lehenga is an ankle-length skirt, which is draped around the waist, while choli is a midriff-revealing blouse, usually with tight sleeves, shirt sleeves and low neck and back. The dupatta/chunni is just like a stole, which might be slung around the neck or hung from one of the shoulders.
The Styles
In terms of style, you have the option of four different cuts in your bridal lehenga skirt - fish cut, straight cut, A-line cut and flares. In the fish-cut style, the lehenga hugs your body till the knees and thereafter, it erupts into full-on flares. In the second style i.e. straight-cut, the lehenga falls parallel to your legs, just like a wrap-around skirt.
The A-line cut, as the name suggests, has the lehenga skirt going in an A-line i.e. the cut broadens with the increase in the length of the skirt. Finally, we have the flared lehenga, in which the skirt is has a lot of pleats around the waist. It is very heavy, but looks extremely beautiful.
The Fabrics
You will find a lot of options in a bridal lehenga, in terms of the fabrics. Amongst the most common fabrics that are used for a bridal lehenga is satin. Owing to its rich feel and flowing texture, it is quite popular amongst brides.
Another option comprises of tissue, which gives a royal appeal to the outfit. You can also go for net, with a georgette or satin base, for creating the perfect bridal lehenga. These days, crepe and georgette have also started being included in the fabric choices for a bridal lehenga. Each of the fabrics mentioned here gives a luxurious appeal to the lehenga, thus serving the purpose of the bridal look completely.
The Colors
When you talk about an Indian bridal lehenga, the first color that comes into mind is red. In fact, till some time back, this was the only color that the brides used to opt for. However, the trend changed with the passing times. These days, colors like golden copper, maroon, onion, yellow, pink and brown are also being chosen by the brides.
Along with that, dual shade lehengas, like red and yellow, green and red, yellow and pink, are also enjoying increased popularity. Many of the brides, today, do not choose red color for their lehenga, deliberately. This is because they want to look different from the rest of the brides.
Other Options
There are two other variants of a lehenga, namely lancha and sharara, which you can consider, while selecting your bridal outfit. Talking about lancha, the outfit is almost similar to a lehenga, the main difference arising in the style of the shirt (choli). In a lancha, the choli is quite long, going a few inches past the hips.
Then, you have the sharara, in which the lehenga skirt is divided vertically, with a stitch in the center. The shirt is bit longer than the conventional choli, covering the hips. While sharara is basically the traditional dress of the Muslim brides, it has now become popular in other weddings as well.
The bridal lehenga is adorned with a lot of embellishments, to give it a very rich and luxurious look. In most of the cases, heavy embroidery (with silver or golden thread), stones, crystals and sequins are used to decorate the lehenga of a bride and give it a royal feel.
What Is Lehenga
Lehenga comprises of one of the traditional garments worn by Indian women. Earlier, it used to be worn by women on an everyday basis. However, these days, it is reserved for special occasions only, like wedding or a festival. The dress comprises of a lehenga (skirt), choli (blouse) and dupatta/chunni (stole). The lehenga is an ankle-length skirt, which is draped around the waist, while choli is a midriff-revealing blouse, usually with tight sleeves, shirt sleeves and low neck and back. The dupatta/chunni is just like a stole, which might be slung around the neck or hung from one of the shoulders.
The Styles
In terms of style, you have the option of four different cuts in your bridal lehenga skirt - fish cut, straight cut, A-line cut and flares. In the fish-cut style, the lehenga hugs your body till the knees and thereafter, it erupts into full-on flares. In the second style i.e. straight-cut, the lehenga falls parallel to your legs, just like a wrap-around skirt.
The A-line cut, as the name suggests, has the lehenga skirt going in an A-line i.e. the cut broadens with the increase in the length of the skirt. Finally, we have the flared lehenga, in which the skirt is has a lot of pleats around the waist. It is very heavy, but looks extremely beautiful.
The Fabrics
You will find a lot of options in a bridal lehenga, in terms of the fabrics. Amongst the most common fabrics that are used for a bridal lehenga is satin. Owing to its rich feel and flowing texture, it is quite popular amongst brides.
Another option comprises of tissue, which gives a royal appeal to the outfit. You can also go for net, with a georgette or satin base, for creating the perfect bridal lehenga. These days, crepe and georgette have also started being included in the fabric choices for a bridal lehenga. Each of the fabrics mentioned here gives a luxurious appeal to the lehenga, thus serving the purpose of the bridal look completely.
The Colors
When you talk about an Indian bridal lehenga, the first color that comes into mind is red. In fact, till some time back, this was the only color that the brides used to opt for. However, the trend changed with the passing times. These days, colors like golden copper, maroon, onion, yellow, pink and brown are also being chosen by the brides.
Along with that, dual shade lehengas, like red and yellow, green and red, yellow and pink, are also enjoying increased popularity. Many of the brides, today, do not choose red color for their lehenga, deliberately. This is because they want to look different from the rest of the brides.
Other Options
There are two other variants of a lehenga, namely lancha and sharara, which you can consider, while selecting your bridal outfit. Talking about lancha, the outfit is almost similar to a lehenga, the main difference arising in the style of the shirt (choli). In a lancha, the choli is quite long, going a few inches past the hips.
Then, you have the sharara, in which the lehenga skirt is divided vertically, with a stitch in the center. The shirt is bit longer than the conventional choli, covering the hips. While sharara is basically the traditional dress of the Muslim brides, it has now become popular in other weddings as well.
Wedding Gowns
What comes to your mind when we say �Indian Wedding�? Bright colors, shimmery fabrics, flowing lehengas, heavy embroidery and stone work, all of them having the typical traditional touch! There was a time when sari was considered to the only dress that could be worn by an Indian woman, on her wedding.
However, with time, the traditional mindset moved from saris to lehengas and now, it is slowly, but rapidly, shifting towards an altogether new trend - gowns. Yes, you read that right! Indian brides are now increasingly moving towards the western style 'gowns', as their new wedding dress.
The entry of 'wedding gowns' in Indian wedding ceremonies is surely a new concept. It can be termed as a western influence or even the impact of globalization, which has resulted in an increased awareness about the latest trends in fashion. When it comes to looking good on the wedding day, not even the religion can be a boundary anymore.
The Indian bride wants to look good and if she feels that she will look much more beautiful in a gown, then you can be sure that she will stick to it. The result is - what was earlier seen only in Christian weddings in India is now being seen in Hindu weddings too.
The Trend
Western wedding gowns have made a thumping entry into the bridal trousseau in India. These days, the more progressive brides are opting for the sophisticated and chic look over the traditional outfit. Apart from helping them look suave, the gowns also allow them to be different than the others (since lehengas still rule the roost in India, as far as weddings are concerned).
However, the adaptation of the western gown is still not total. It is not worn during the wedding rituals; rather the brides choose to wear a gown during the cocktail party or the reception, a part of the pre and post-wedding functions.
The Colors
In India, white is considered as an inauspicious color, mainly because it is worn during mourning. Apart from this color, any other shade might be considered for a wedding gown. However, you will see most of the Indian brides going for bright colors, like red, maroon, pink, yellow, silver, golden, green, etc, for their wedding gown.
Then, there is the all-time favorite black color, which is the popular choice for the pre-wedding cocktail party. Many of the gowns also have elaborate designs and patterns embroidered on them. Top it off with Swarovski crystals and you have a winner!
The Fabrics
One of the most popular fabrics that Indian brides go for, while choosing their wedding gown, comprises of satin. The bright sheen, smooth feel and flowing look that it offers is what woos most of the brides. Then, there is the option of net and chiffon, both of which are flowing fabrics and surely make a bride look like a princess.
You can also go for silk and organza, especially if you are too slim, since both the fabrics will be able to add some weight to your lean structure. The other options for wedding gown fabrics include lace, brocade, taffeta, jacquard, crepe and even silk dupioni.
Casual Wedding Dresses
Wedding has always been a dream come true event for everybody. It is a truly special occasion, which occurs only once in a lifetime (most of the times!). Both the bride and the groom leave no stone unturned to make this moment truly memorable. The wedding dress is the focal point of bride�s attention as she dons the spotlight after the groom.
This makes her apprehensive about her looks and appearance. She makes all sorts of efforts to achieve that perfect 'princess' look. However, what remains unnoticed is that nothing can undermine the importance of natural beauty.
With right kind of approach, attitude and persona, one can look good in anything. Being yourself is of prime important on an occasion as significant as your wedding, so that you can be comfortable and at ease. This is what the casual wedding dresses offer.
With the shift in trend, more and more young ladies are opting for informal wedding dresses as they reflect the true personality and character of the wearer. Besides, there are a number of other considerations which prove that casual wedding gowns are becoming increasingly popular.
The Reason
The biggest and the more crucial reason for a shift in fashion is that, informal wedding dresses are relatively inexpensive in comparison to formal ones, thus reducing the financial liability of the marriage to some an extent. Then, informal bridal dresses prove to be appropriate for those who are planning to go for informal theme marriages as well.
It is even ideal for those who are going for austere courthouse weddings, which will be exclusive of the glamour that forms a part of the usual wedding. Informal wedding gowns are, many-a-times, also preferred by those who are getting married for the second time.
The Style
Casual wedding dresses are available in different materials, which give a very casual look, yet are extremely stylish. You can opt for cotton, linen, organza, chiffon, or even gauze for your casual dress. In such a dress, you can easily do away with the plush adornments, such as bells, pearls, sequins, embroidery, stones, crystals, etc.
Rather, you can opt to go for a simple plain dress, which accentuates your beauty. As for adding style to the dress, the options include a slit on one side of the skirt or spaghetti straps, apart from strapless and off shoulder options. For highlighting your innate charm, minimize the use of jewelry.
The Color & Accessories
Since the whole idea is to give your wedding dress a casual look, the best bet would be to go for solid colors, with simple lines and patterns. As for the hairstyle, you can leave your hair open and head uncovered or go for simple hair bands or buns.
However, do make sure that you wear matching sandals with your dress, more preferably the strappy ones, with a low heel. As for the accessories, you can wear those pearl drop ear rings or diamond pendant. Just make sure that the look that you portray complete goes with your overall personality. Rest everything will surely fall into place.
