Lifestyle
What are the wedding essentials for the new-age bride and groom?
Updated : Apr 17, 2014, 07:42 AM IST
Today's globally exposed brides and grooms want to have fun at their weddings. Bridal fashion today is more about movement, comfort and functionality than draping yourself in a mound of sequins.
Designer Varun Bahl says, "Over-embellished and over-the-top looks should be avoided for the summer. The focus should be on enjoying the most important time of your life, and you can only do that if you're confident in the clothes you're wearing."
Let's see what our style arbiters have to say about the new summer bridal must-haves.
Destination bride
Designer Manish Malhotra says that in terms of the wedding attire, self-thread or ivory thread work to mirrors and thread chikankari embroidery are the flavour of the season. From muted bling for reception to antique less shine for the wedding day - the focus is on channelling old world charm. "Summer weddings are mostly destination weddings so fabric flow makes it interesting and colours of blush pink, coral peach, lemon and my favourite ivory and off whites are en vogue. This year deep and navy blue replaces black for men and women," says Manish.
Falguni of Shane and Falguni Peacock label says, "A summer bride should move away from the conventional colours and embrace pistachio, pink, ivory, gold with modern silhouettes. Delicate floral motifs, vintage laces amalgamated with net, chiffon and Georgette will give the perfect look to a summer bride. As for silhouettes, floor-length gowns with detailing work, lehengas with pre-stitched sarees and sarees with belts are all interesting options."
Simple and classic
Tina Tahiliani, Director Ensemble says, "With summer in full swing, ethereal dreamy fabrics, delicate designs, pretty soft hues, intricate embroideries and floral detailing are very inspiring this season. However, try and keep the accessories minimal. Usually, Indian brides prefer traditional jewellery to accentuate their bridal splendour. Kundan and pearls are the hot favourites."
"The colour of the season is coral red. Embroideries and embellishments have gone lighter with floral thread work, sequins work and light gota work. The emphasis is on the colour and silhouettes more than embroideries and embellishments. Chikankari and Kashmiri embroideries have been a huge favourite," Tina adds.
Groom with a view
"A summer groom should choose a simple outfit, keeping surface ornamentation minimal, and let the cufflinks and the brooch on the headgear do the talking. For occasions where the groom has to change into more than one outfit, he should progress from lighter to brighter colours. If hundred per cent cottons are not your thing, go for cotton-silks, crepes, Georgette with chikankari and ari threadwork, but make sure the fabric is lightweight and breathable," says Falguni.
Bride is the showstopper
"When it comes to jewellery, it's very important to choose tasteful, versatile-yet-light jewellery. A bride should always remember, that she is the showstopper, not the jewellery," says Peacock.
With brides matching their Louboutins to wedding lehengas what with the shoe brand introducing their bespoke service this month in the city, one's keen to ask if it is a feasible idea.
"Loubs making bridal shoes is a great marketing activity for the brand but can a bride really wear those five or six inch heels all day. The bride needs to be practical while choosing shoes, for instance, avoid high heels, strappy shoes as you may have ceremonies where you constantly need to take off your shoes," says Falguni.