big celebration in the Indian community and the idea is to celebrate the union
in a show of extravagance, color, vibrancy and celebration. For the guest to an
Indian wedding, nothing is more exciting than the events that one dresses up for.
gowns to designer salwar suits or anarkalis, or a stunning lehenga and choli,
the choices are endless. The Most Popular Choice Of Wedding Dress Is The Ubiquitous Saree which serves to celebrate the feminine form and beauty that
charms effortlessly. But as a guest, do remember that your wedding saree should
not be less heavy than the reception attire, and more so than the Mehendi.
sangeet to the mehendi, wedding, cocktail party and reception, you can think
beyond the seductive saree. Ensure that your heavily embroidered and worked
ensembles are reserved for the wedding while lighter, yet graceful dresses are
there for the earlier events. For the sangeet, it makes sense to wear something
fun-filled and vibrant which celebrates the concept of you and embodies your
style statement. But let’s start at the beginning and see what makes for true
wedding finery capable of dazzling everyone and creating a sensation.
being a traditional song and dance wedding ceremony, it is an occasion for fun
loving friends to gather together and participate in a song, dance or act. Some
weddings even have traditional dances such as the garba and raas (Gujarati
wedding) or the dandiya. Punjabi weddings have the traditional bhangra dance
while Maharashtrian weddings involve dancing too. So, wear Indian clothes
because these do not hamper mobility and ensure that you look graceful.
Choose between a light lehenga choli or a salwar kameez. Leave red
for the bride and choose vibrant colors such as light pink, deep purple, sea
blue with silver and golden highlights.
Dress as per your age and personality; if you enjoy dancing, go
for lightweight outfits you can dance and twirl in, so that they don’t weigh
you down.
Opt for bright and bold colors such as crimson, maroon, emerald or
fuschia.
match it
- Use jewelry in new and interesting ways. You could
match a brooch with a diamond choker. Beware of too many dazzling pieces
though. After all, you don’t want to upstage the bride on her wedding day!
Try vintage lace earrings and minimum jewelry. Limit yourself to a
neckpiece and light earrings ranging from danglers to studs.
- Opt for a silver or
light gold that is subtle and understated, yet attractive at the same
time.
henna ceremony is a special event and a rites de passage for the bride. This is
a ladies only event. Wear light and comfortable outfits here too. Choose darker
shades such as peacock blue or golden brown.
- Henna stains are a big problem so choose an outfit that
offers minimum coverage yet maximum elegance. It can range from tunic tops
and long skirts to chania cholis/ghagra cholis that can be lifted to
apply the henna on the feet and ankles with ease.
- Short lehengas are another popular choice for the
mehendi ceremony. - Rather than opting for
long lehengas, use shorter ones as it is easier for the mehendi artists to
apply henna.
match it
- Opt for simple jewelry such as necklaces and earrings
that are not too heavy - Don’t go in for
bangles or anklets as this can smudge the henna; remove rings on toes and
fingers for the same reason.
parties are the perfect occasion to go in for Western wear. Choose either
flowing gowns or short numbers. Little black dresses or long stylish gowns are
the right choice.
- If you do want to dazzle in Indian wear, go for a
subtle saree in vibrant and rich hues such as earthen gold, silver and
rustic shades or bold, bright and dramatic colours depending upon your age
and style quotient.
- When it comes to
accessories, choose high heels, peep toes or stilettos. Strappy sandals or
wedge heels can also add height, grace, charm, and make heads turn at
every step you take.
match it
- For the cocktail
party, subtle is in. Choose minimalist jewelry that captures understated
elegance whether it is through a bracelet on the arm or a shiny neck
piece.
main event arrives. It’s the wedding day and you are all prepped and ready for
it. This is the day when everyone will be present, from the bride’s family to
friends and more. That is why, you must ensure to look your best, but also keep
in mind it’s the bride’s special day. Stay low, but look chic.
- Whether you opt for a salwar kameez, saree, chaniya
choli, or anarkalis in silk, chiffon, tissue or crepe. The outfit needs to
be accessorized with bangles, bindis and bright purses.
- Indian wedding wear is glittery, colourful and well
embellished with everything from zari (golden and silver thread) to
Swarowski crystals - Ethnic wardrobe musts for such events include net
sarees, lehenga sarees, blouses with pretty motifs, suits such as anarkali. - Shades can range from pastel to vibrant hues and
shades. - Designer sarees with velvet blouses are another vintage
and classic look for style that never goes out of fashion - Choose happy and festive shades such as coral, fuchsia
and deep blues. - If you have a tall, slim built, opt for anarkalis. For
a smaller frame, opt for moderate volume and anarkalis that end at your
knees - Monochrome anarkalis add height too.
- Do not choose white or black as these are associated
with mourning, not celebration in the Indian context - Choose modern hues and
intricate embroidery with finesse that suits the contours and build of
your body
match it
- A statement neckpiece will add to the allure and charm
of the dress - Enhance your appeal with beautiful earrings in gold,
silver or platinum - Choose bangles and anklets to complement your outfit
- Use bindis and
dramatic eye makeup to match the festive mood of the occasion
suits and lehengas, the possibilities are countless. Designer outfits that are
subtle yet appealing can add to the glamour quotient. Choose a theme such as
stylish and sophisticated or Bollywood style bling depending upon what you can
carry off. Remember, the trick is to stay comfortable and choose fabrics and
jewelry pieces that are easy to wear. Match your outfit with your significant
other. Matching or complementary colors can make for an outfit that is color
coordinated and stylish at the same time.
Rajat Garg is the Founder
of Shimply, one of India’s fastest growing multi-category online
bazaar for Indian made products. He earned his M.S in Electrical Engineering
from Stanford University, San Francisco and then went on to join Amazon as a
part of the Affiliate Marketing Team. By the time that Rajat left Amazon, he
was well-equipped with Scalable and less-known Digital Marketing methods and he
moved on to work with a startup in the U.S, after which he moved to India to
start SocialAppsHQ and then, Shimply with the motto, ‘India Ko Try
Karke Dekho’ changing the way people shop online and offline