Every bride wants to find her perfect wedding gown, but for an Indian bride her choices are endless. Luckily we’ve got an exclusive interview with Anu Duggal, co-founder of Exclusively.In Weddings, a sample sale site that curates the latest and hottest fashions and accessories for Indian brides. Anu divulges some of the top trends she’s seeing and answers your fashion questions!
As a South Asian bride what are some things that I should keep in mind when searching for my bridal attire?
For South Asian brides, its very important think about what color you are looking for. Many South Asian brides in the US are more open to colors outside of the traditional red—it’s a great way to immediately add a modern and fresh twist to your wedding fashion. Also, spend time researching some of the top bridal designers (Ritu Kumar, Manish Malhotra,Payal Singhal, Shyamal & Bhumika) to make sure you have a good sense of their aesthetic and then reach out to them.
What are some of the top trends you’re seeing in bridal fashion?
The latest trend for Indian wedding attire is combining the western and Indian elements in your gown. This means gowns that incorporate embroidery and rich colors seen in most South Asian bridal gowns but with Western silhouettes and full skirts. I am also seeing the reverse where brides are wearing white or cream saris on their wedding day. No matter which version you choose, mixing cultural styles is a very popular trend that we’re noticing.
What are some ways to flaunt or hide certain features?
South Asian brides of all shapes and sizes can find a design that flatters their body type. For example, if you would like to flatter your arms, a corset top with a lehanga would work very well. If you’re the opposite and would prefer to minimize attention to your arms, net sleeves are a great option. For those not comfortable showing their stomach, a Gujarati style sari, or a lehanga with a longer choli is a stylish and practical choice. Talk to your designer about the areas that you want to showcase and others that you would rather conceal to find a perfect solution just for you.
I’m getting married in the summer/winter. What are some fashion ideas for different seasons?
It is extremely important to keep your wedding date in mind when choosing your gown. This will ensure that the material, look, and feel of your bridal outfit are right for the season you are getting married in. For summer weddings, choose a gown made of materials such as silk and georgette. For winter weddings, choose velvet accents, which is not only a popular trend now but also will add an extra layer of luxury to your bridal look.
What about the groom? How can we create a cohesive couple’s style?
Of course you and you groom are meant for each other, but the tricky park is conveying that on a fashion level. To make sure that you both have similar elements in you attire, find a sherwani for your groom that has subtle touches of your color or make sure that his scarf matches the color or fabric of your gown.
I definitely want to include my best friends in my wedding party. How should I go about choosing bridesmaid dresses for them?
The easiest option for bridesmaid attire is the sari. Once you pick a color for your bridal outfit, you can find a complimentary color for the bridesmaid sari. Since these are one-size fits all, individual sizing will only be required for blouses. These can easily be made with the correct measurements and enough notice. If you are looking for something a bit simpler but also vibrant and festive, consider choosing a bandhani for your bridesmaids.