Brides weigh in on their dream wedding dress

From practicality to personalisation, what dictates how brides choose to dress on their big day?

In season seven of Friends, we were introduced to what Ross called the “The Wedding Book”—a detailed directory that Monica started curating when she was in the fourth grade. Two decades since the episode first aired, this scene still retains its relatability because many women, much like Monica, begin meticulously piecing together a mental, if not physical, mood-board years before their big day.

While this vision varies vastly from person to person, in the past, it has frequently had one element in common—an elaborate outfit, preferably one that comes courtesy of a leading couturier. Of late, however, this is no longer necessarily the case. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way we approach many aspects of a wedding including the looks that brides tend to lean towards. Now, something from a heavyweight label is viewed as an important, not indispensable, ingredient at most nuptials and the boxes that bridal looks need to tick appear very different. To learn more about what’s shaping the preferences of brides today, we spoke to those who tied the knot recently as well as the names behind new-age labels.

Repeat value

At her wedding ceremony, which took place earlier this year, Mumbai-based beauty blogger Natasha Patel opted for a lehenga as opposed to a gara sari, which is otherwise popular within the Parsi community. Her decision to part with convention was primarily fuelled by a want for versatility. “Instead of going down the traditional route and getting one heavy sari, I wanted a versatile outfit that I could re-wear in many different ways after my wedding,” says Patel, whose Natasha Dalal-designed lehenga was defined by timeless shades and elegant embellishments. Influencer and entrepreneur Tarini Manchanda’s sartorial choices for her spontaneous wedding—the intimate affair was planned within a month—were also influenced by similar values. “I always knew that I didn’t want to be wasteful, and that meant picking clothes which I could repurpose later and wear on multiple occasions,” says Manchanda, highlighting that reusability, for her, was key.  

Something borrowed 

This growing emphasis on practicality and mindful consumption gives rises to an important question: Will brides eventually explore renting or purchasing pre-loved pieces? According to Shilpa Bhatia, founder of The Clothing Rental, people are slowly starting to see the many bonuses of borrowing outfits for their big day. “Those who live in small towns and often don’t have large budgets or couples who are funding their weddings are beginning to acknowledge the benefits of renting. They understand that a heavily embellished outfit, which is likely to be of little use later, not only adds to the already extensive list of expenses but is also difficult to maintain and store,” says Bhatia, whose rental platform stocks a variety of occasionwear—from dreamy gowns to ornate lehengas. However, it’s hard to determine how popular this form of renting will be in the future. The concept, which adapts with ease to every other area of our life, might have some trouble taking off when it comes to wedding-wear because it leaves little room for a personal touch, an essential attribute of most bridal ensembles.

Let's get personal 

When actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas tied the knot with Nick Jonas, she had the names of her parents and her husband-to-be embroidered onto the waistband of her lehenga. For quite some time now, brides have favoured outfits that carry sentimental value, and this preference is here to stay. “It was important that my outfits had some meaning. I wanted it to feel like I had been wrapped in emotions, and I also wanted it to be as authentic to myself as possible,” says Manchanda, who walked down the aisle in a red sari that brought together many meaningful elements. The one-of-a-kind outfit featured French chiffon that her mother procured from Paris over a decade ago, antique borders that belonged to her great-grandmother and mukaish handwork by artisans in Lucknow. The look was also accompanied by a delicate dupatta with d excerpts from letters that her grandparents wrote to her and love stories that she grew up hearing. 

The addition of such thoughtful details, says popular New Delhi-based designer Ridhi Mehra, is what ultimately distinguishes a bridal look from other traditional wear. “Bridal fashion isn’t just about owning an ensemble. There are emotions, stories and traditions attached to it. It’s always beautiful and heartwarming to see a bride wear a little part of what’s been in the family for generations,” she says.  

An appetite for experiments 

Apart from their ability to tell tales and serve as collectibles, personalised pieces are also preferred because they have personality and don’t adopt a generic, one-size-fits-all approach. Today, more and more brides are deviating from the handful of designers that they once viewed as the only options. Instead, they are choosing lesser-known names that cater to their current set of needs. There’s an increased awareness about the abundance of unconventional alternatives available and an unwillingness to settle. “The way that many brides shop has evolved significantly. Earlier, they would buy outfits from the city that they belonged to. Lately, however, they’re more aware of different designers, and do their research. Social media has primarily contributed to this evolution,” says bridal stylist and luxury consultant Simran Kabra.

While platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are integral to the changes we’re observing, they aren’t solely responsible for the newfound enthusiasm that brides have to explore uncharted territory. As we come out of the pandemic, our appetite for sartorial experiments and even extravagance is returning with a vengeance. Vrinda Sachdev, one half of the duo behind influencer-loved label Qbik, attests to this. “I’ve observed a major shift towards being experimental. Brides are looking for something new and fresh, something that rightfully sets them apart, not just with clothes but with jewellery, hair and make-up too,” she says, predicting that the coming wedding season is likely to be packed with bridal looks that are anything but ordinary.

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