Here's all you need to know about summer bridal essentials

With an array of destination weddings happening in summer, it’s time to bookmark the bridal must-haves. The very idea of a summer wedding springs to mind light fabrics like net, georgette and chiffon. Think classic cuts with a contemporary twist. This season, one sees an emphasis on the colour and silhouettes. All in all, fewer embellishments, but more stylised ensembles peppered with light crystal work. Today’s brides and their entourage of bridesmaids are looking at investing in pieces which have a repeat value. 

IT’S ALL ABOUT COMFORT

With more and more weddings happening at sun-kissed beach locales, brides look for comfort and ease and no longer want to be weighed under a 24 kali lehenga. Designer Monisha Jaising says, “They are looking for something that’s comfortable yet luxurious. It’s also about the bride having fun with her friends on her big day. Today, weddings are no longer being hosted in temples, but they are held everywhere — it could be on a beach, or in a church or surrounded by mountains.

Brides also like to experiment with colours — she may keep the red or haldi yellow for the traditional wedding ceremonies, but for engagements and receptions, she wants to stay away from them.”

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PASTELS 

More and more brides are embracing soothing pastels and whispering ivories. Designer Ridhi Mehra says, “Red was supposed to be the ultimate colour hue but today’s new-age bride prefers pale pink and powder blue. There was a time when bird motifs on wedding garments were a strict no, but it’s no longer the case. Ostrich feather accents are the major accents.”

THE GOWN SARI MASH-UP

Today’s strong Indian woman is the sum total of the best things about India and the rest of the world. Hence her wedding dress should live up to the personality that she is. Designer duo Sukriti & Aakriti  share, “The sari gowns are major — something strong, yet soft. Beautifully bold, yet delicate. It is more elegant than the most beautiful gown and more convenient and comfortable than the usual sari. For brides, who think even pastels are becoming quite common a choice for a wedding dress, statement colours scream their name. Going for a bold royal blue, or electric blue, or the brightest yellow, whatever makes the bride stand out, works. The aim is to look striking even in the pictures decades later. Statement colours are not easy to pull off, but Indian brides are too beautiful to fail.”