The lehenga has become almost synonymous with the modern Indian bride. But not every bride wants the same skirt, blouse and dupatta combination, no matter how beautiful the embroidery is. Some would rather wear a saree. Others want something sharper, simpler or a little unexpected.
And thankfully, bridal dressing has moved beyond the lehenga.
If you already know a heavily embellished skirt is not for you, there are plenty of other ways to make a wedding look feel special. Think fluid sarees, sculptural blouses, old-world textiles and, for the bride who really wants to switch things up, a gown or maybe a pant suit. The best part? You can still look every bit the bride without wearing the outfit everyone expects you to.
Rahul Mishra’s Pichwai Concept Soft Net Saree Set is a softer take on bridal dressing. The pale green-blue look comes with a fitted, embellished blouse and a fluid, skirt-like drape, finished with delicate floral details. The sheer pallu trails behind, giving the outfit some movement without adding too much weight. It feels romantic, but not overly traditional.
For the bride who wants to skip Indian silhouettes altogether, there is always the gown. Falguni Shane Peacock’s silver creation is covered in embroidery, sequins, stones, crystals and tassels, with sheer panels through the bodice and a tulle dupatta. It has all the drama you want from a wedding outfit, but the shape feels closer to eveningwear. Think bridal, just in a completely different language.
If you still want something classic, an ivory saree is hard to beat. Anita Dongre’s Waterway Embroidered Silk Sari is made in ivory silk and finished with gota patti, beads and sequins. The embroidery takes inspiration from water, while the embellished border adds just enough detail. Wear it with a traditional blouse and jewellery and let the sari take centre stage.
Ritu Kumar’s Peach Multi Pitch Patch Saree takes a more maximalist approach. The patterned sareecomes with a matching blouse and belt, which gives the drape a more defined shape. It feels rich and traditional, but the belt makes the familiar silhouette feel a little more current. It is a good option for a bride who loves Indian textiles but wants something with a sharper finish.
Tarun Tahiliani’s Baroque Zardozi Concept Saree is for the bride who wants a little more drama. The ornate sari is paired with a structured corset-style blouse and an embellished shoulder detail, creating a sculptural shape around the body. It has the grandeur of bridalwear, but looks nothing like a standard lehenga.
Papa Don't Preach's Elvina sharara set is anything but predictable. The brick-brown peplum kurta is covered in gold embellishment, while the flared pants bring in teal, pink and ivory appliqué. An ivory dupatta finishes the look. It's colourful, detailed and much more playful than the usual bridal outfit.
Seema Gujral's pastel pink saree keeps things romantic without going overboard. Pretty floral threadwork runs across the sari, with tiny crystals adding a little sparkle. The embroidered sleeveless blouse and pearl-edged border finish the look. It's a softer take on bridal dressing, but still has plenty going on.
And who says you need a saree either? Ridhi Mehra’s Rawayat Kurta Set makes a case for the kurta and sharara. The tissue set features a long, heavily embroidered kali kurta, matching sharara and dupatta. In the deep brown-gold colourway, it has a rich, old-world feel without the volume of a lehenga. It is the kind of outfit that works for a bride who wants something elaborate, but would rather not spend her wedding day managing a giant skirt.