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Original poster

I need a British eye - what do you think of my Indian bridal outfit

241 replies

Vlonk · 07/05/2025 18:45

I’m getting married in July. The ceremony will take place in a church (Fiance is white Christian) followed by a reception in a country house known for its gardens. We will have a Sikh blessing at the temple the following day (I am borrowing a cousins outfit for that).

I will wear a white Saree to honour both my cultures (“white dress” plus Saree) for the church ceremony. I will then change into an Indian outfit called a lehengha. I plan to drink, dance and so lehenghas are considered easier to
manage than a sari.

So for Indian sensibilities the outfit I have fallen in love with (pic 1) is very plain and not “heavy”
enough for a bride. BUT I will be the only woman in Indian clothes. Everyone else will be in summer dresses (well maybe my mum will wear an Indian outfit).

So I have fallen in love with the colour and the fact that it is lighter and less fussy appeals somewhat. As does the price…

What do you think from an English or non Indian perspective? Would you be wowed

Just for reference the second image is more typical of Indian reception bridal wear.

I just don’t want to feel like a disco ball compared to everyone else. My hair will be very glam (luckily I’m blessed in that dept) and I think I have chosen a pretty make up look.

Indian jewellery is obviously quite extravagant so that will dress it up.

My cousins and sister think the first outfit is a complete no go.

I need a British eye - what do you think of my Indian bridal outfit
I need a British eye - what do you think of my Indian bridal outfit
OP posts:
maddiemookins16mum · 07/05/2025 19:51

Oh it’s wonderful.

ballettap · 07/05/2025 19:51

Vlonk · 07/05/2025 18:50

I’m only 5 for 4 so a lot of embroidery and material will just look silly imo

It is true the first outfit is probably what a normal guest would wear to a wedding. Close relatives would probably wear something even more extravagant

I think the outfit you've picked is absolutely stunning!

If no one else will be wearing Indian clothing then you don't need to worry anyone will wear something more extravagant than you anyway, but I think your choice is beautiful.

HamiltonHarty · 07/05/2025 19:50

I agree with you. Picture 1 is my favourite. It's lovely. Both nice

Shadowsunray · 07/05/2025 19:50

I LOVE the first outfit, it's beautiful. I would be wowed, it looks perfect to me. I don't like the second outfit, it's too much for my taste.

owlexpress · 07/05/2025 19:50

British non-indian (although not English), and I think the first outfit is beautiful. I think generally no matter what a bride wears people will think (or at least say) she looks amazing, and in this case where it's clearly a cultural choice no British person is going to be sitting thinking oh it's a bit drab! Do you know for a fact nobody else will be in lehenghas? If you have family or friends with Indian heritage?

I think regardless of your culture, your family (particularly your mum) will have something to say about your preferences! My mum is like a magpie whereas I chose a very sleek, chic understated wedding dress. It's your wedding, choose what you want.

Ablondiebutagoody · 07/05/2025 19:49

I prefer number one. Its beautiful. Go for it!

TeaIsNice · 07/05/2025 19:47

wow. go for it and ignore the critics

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 07/05/2025 19:47

The lehenga is beautiful, OP, and the saree also looks lovely. I'm white but DH is Punjabi so I've been to a lot of weddings!

I think the joy of fusing cultures is that you can pick and choose what you like from each of them, and you don't have to stick closely to the traditions of either side. If you love the slightly simpler lehenga, then absolutely go for it..it's gorgeous and I'm sure you will look amazing. Plus ultimately, it's your wedding, so as long as you and your groom are happy, nothing else matters!

ThisIsMyYearToFindMyself · 07/05/2025 19:46

@sabbii Etiquette is the grooms family should get the bridal legendary. Both look party dress and not bridal ( due to uncommon colour). Secondly is missing a lot of accessories. Ultimately it's your choice and what is comfortable

I think a more proper etiquette is don’t piss on the bride’s chips.

@Vlonk wear what you love, and don’t let anyone (including your sister) tell you otherwise.

I once attended a very traditional religious wedding. The priest (not the right word, but the Indian religious man in charge) was asked by the bride and groom what she should wear, what traditions etc she should follow, apparently she was told by him ‘it’s your wedding, wear whatever you want to’.

You’ll look amazing in either of those outfits 😍.

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 07/05/2025 19:45

I love the 2nd one, so pretty.

JumpingPumpkin · 07/05/2025 19:45

Vlonk · 07/05/2025 19:06

I’m currently getting a version of this made in India for the ceremony. I am adding very small cap sleeves and the scarf will be ever so slightly more opaque.

Only a tiny slither of my stomach will be out and it will be obscured by a heavier scarf.

Gorgeous!

BHBlue · 07/05/2025 19:45

Love both! But I think the second one is more suitable for the occasion. The first one looks like a festive sari to me

triballeader · 07/05/2025 19:42

CofE is a very broad church. Adding cap sleeves and covering your stomach would be apt for high church weddings.

Wearing something to honour your own culture and family really will be fine. honestly, my DH is a priest, if you have any concerns about if the church is high or low just ask the priest who will be at your church wedding.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 07/05/2025 19:39

I love all of them.

Numberfish · 07/05/2025 19:38

What is it about the first outfit that your cousins don’t like? It seems pretty informal for me for something as serious as your wedding. You can wear glam anytime but holy only a few times. It’s absolutely stunning though and congratulations on your marriage.

BippityBippityBoo · 07/05/2025 19:37

I’m white British and I think that outfit is beautiful. The colour, the shape, the lace, how light and yet sophisticated it is. In a different life I’d get married in that in a heartbeat.

sigh.

BunnyLake · 07/05/2025 19:36

I love it. I prefer it to the second, more extravagant ‘weddingy’ one. It’s beautiful.

I’m not Indian.

Silvers11 · 07/05/2025 19:35

TheClawDecides · 07/05/2025 19:03

It's stunning but perhaps too much flesh on show for a church.

I mean the midriff on show obviously, because lots of brides have off the shoulder dresses.

Having said that, it's your choice and I hope you enjoy the day no matter what you choose.

These dresses are not for the church. In the OP she says she will be wearing a white saree for the church ceremony. She is going to change after the ceremony and that's the dress she is asking advice on

sabbii · 07/05/2025 19:35

Vlonk · 07/05/2025 18:45

I’m getting married in July. The ceremony will take place in a church (Fiance is white Christian) followed by a reception in a country house known for its gardens. We will have a Sikh blessing at the temple the following day (I am borrowing a cousins outfit for that).

I will wear a white Saree to honour both my cultures (“white dress” plus Saree) for the church ceremony. I will then change into an Indian outfit called a lehengha. I plan to drink, dance and so lehenghas are considered easier to
manage than a sari.

So for Indian sensibilities the outfit I have fallen in love with (pic 1) is very plain and not “heavy”
enough for a bride. BUT I will be the only woman in Indian clothes. Everyone else will be in summer dresses (well maybe my mum will wear an Indian outfit).

So I have fallen in love with the colour and the fact that it is lighter and less fussy appeals somewhat. As does the price…

What do you think from an English or non Indian perspective? Would you be wowed

Just for reference the second image is more typical of Indian reception bridal wear.

I just don’t want to feel like a disco ball compared to everyone else. My hair will be very glam (luckily I’m blessed in that dept) and I think I have chosen a pretty make up look.

Indian jewellery is obviously quite extravagant so that will dress it up.

My cousins and sister think the first outfit is a complete no go.

Etiquette is the grooms family should get the bridal legendary. Both look party dress and not bridal ( due to uncommon colour). Secondly is missing a lot of accessories. Ultimately it's your choice and what is comfortable

Kattekittt · 07/05/2025 19:34

Absolutely love the first one, have an amazing day

MissFancyDay · 07/05/2025 19:28

The first one is absolutely lovely. I would find it very fancy and special for a British wedding, and you will stand out in all the best ways!

Congrats

Original poster
Vlonk · 07/05/2025 19:28

So I am doing things slightly backwards. If I were to go with this one (the reception dress I have fallen in love with) then my ceremony dress will be more glam than my reception outfit. It’s usually the other way around. But I am so enamoured with the colour (and it’s not that common - I’ve done a lot looking around. Some colours come close but not quite right). It doesn’t bother me at all.

It’s a lot more budget friendly too!

I need a British eye - what do you think of my Indian bridal outfit
OP posts:
BellissimoGecko · 07/05/2025 19:27

It’s lovely. The second dress looks so heavy! Too heavy for summer.

Parttimerconfusion · 07/05/2025 19:27

I am english and have been to a few mixed cultured weddings. The first outfit it beautiful but as you said other people would wear that as standard however I don’t know if lots of people
would know this.

It your wedding, I would say wear what you want and what you are comfortable in. If no one else is wearing Indian clothing you are going to stand out. If his family are wear Indian clothing you could look less extravagant.

Dagnabit · 07/05/2025 19:27

I think that outfit looks stunning! Beautiful colours 😍

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