The cocktail party is probably the one wedding function where you can step away from the usual bridal wardrobe. After the lehengas, embroidered saris and layers of jewellery, the evening gives you room to wear something cleaner, sharper or simply a little different.
This is where eveningwear can come into the picture. A gown, a saree, a skirt set or even a jumpsuit can work. The trick is to make sure it feels like a cocktail look, rather than another version of your wedding outfit.
Fabric can change the entire feel of an outfit. Satin and silk give gowns and dresses a smooth, fluid fall, while velvet works especially well for winter celebrations. Tissue and metallic fabrics already bring enough shine to the outfit, so they do not need heavy embroidery. Sequins, meanwhile, are an easy option if you want a little more sparkle.
For an outdoor cocktail, lighter silks, chiffon and georgette are easier to wear for a few hours. A ballroom celebration gives you more freedom to bring out velvet, crystals and heavier fabrics.
Also do think about what you have already worn. If your main wedding outfit is heavily embroidered, a simple silk or satin cocktail look can feel like a much-needed change.
There is no reason the saree needs to look traditional just because it is a saree. The fabric and blouse can completely change it.
A fluid silk saree from Tarun Tahiliani, for instance, can work beautifully with a sculpted or corseted blouse. Amit Aggarwal’s structured saree gowns offer a more modern take, while a sequinned or metallic sari can bring enough drama without adding layers of embroidery.
The blouse is where you can change things up. A halter, corset, off-shoulder or long-sleeved style can make the same saree feel like a completely different outfit. If the saree is heavily worked, keep the blouse cleaner. With a plain sari, let the blouse have more of a presence.
A pre-draped sari is also a sensible option if dancing is part of the evening. You get the look without having to keep checking whether the pleats and pallu are still in place.
A gown can feel surprisingly fresh after several days of Indianwear. It does not need to be a huge ballgown either. A column dress, draped gown, asymmetric silhouette or fitted skirt set can all work.
Take Gaurav Gupta’s sculptural gowns. The shape does most of the work, so the outfit does not need to be covered in embellishment.
If you still want embroidery, Rahul Mishra’s gowns are a good way to bring in detailed work without making the look feel like another bridal lehenga.
The cocktail is a good time to move away from the usual bridal pinks, reds and golds. Burgundy, emerald, midnight blue, chocolate brown, silver and champagne all work well for an evening celebration.
A darker base can also make embellishment feel less predictable. A midnight-blue sequinned gown, for example, can feel very different from a bright pink one with the same amount of sparkle.
The jewellery should work with the outfit, not compete with it. A heavily embellished gown may only need a pair of earrings, while a simple sari gives you room for a statement necklace, cuff or cocktail ring.
The same goes for the bag. A small metallic or jewelled clutch can finish a simple outfit, but there is no need to match every accessory to the embroidery.
And think about the shoes before the night itself. Try them with the full outfit, walk around in them and make sure you can actually dance. The cocktail is one wedding function where you are likely to be on your feet for most of the evening.