This occurs without fail every wedding season. Whenever A Bollywood bride makes an appearance — be it Alia in flowing frothy waves, Deepika Khan in a saree fit for the royalty, or Kiara in a reception gown Instagram filters were made for — and ten minutes later every bridal WhatsApp group in India is circulating the same image with the same question: can we get this made?
The answer is yes. Mostly. But you have to know which element of the look is doing the heavy lifting.
Alia‘s airy, romantic lehengas lean heavily on their color and shape rather than the sheer amount of embroidery worked into the material. Pastel or ivory lehenga in georgette will drape pretty close to how a silk one will, and nowadays machine embroidery is surprisingly high-quality enough to stand up to photographs — and let’s be honest, when do you spend more time staring at your wedding outfit than in photographs? Keep your jewellery streamlined. One strong choker will elevate your look more than three sets of layered neckpieces.
Deepika’s sarees read as royal because of their drama, not delicacy. Blend silk Banarasi-print sarees offer nearly the same lushness at a fraction of the cost (they soften substantially once you wear them), and if tying your own pleats isn’t your forte (guilty), pre- draped sarees these days are much better than they used to be. Wear the majority of your budget on a heavy-upholstery kamarbandh at the waist. It’s the cheapest way to make a simple saree look intentional, not indifferent.
When it comes to Kiara’s slinky sequined reception dress, it’s surprisingly the most achievable of the three aspirational looks, given that it’s a one-and-done outfit by nature. Spend money here on renting rather than buying. Rental bridal websites now have near-exact copies of these red carpet concoctions available to you within weeks of them blowing up. (If you have to keep reminding yourself how fast this trend cycle spins, you’re not paying enough attention.) Invest your money in one standout detail rather than thinning it out across the entire gown. A pair of statement earrings or clutch will go farther than you think.
The hefty price tag on those celebrity lehengas and photoshoot pieces? That’s largely down to the fabric quality and the detail of the embroidery. The Instagram viewer doesn’t notice that extra shine in a picture. What they notice: A silhouette, a colour they love, and one special detail nailed. Invest in those three things, and you’re styling yourself, not spending.
