Am I being unreasonable to interfere with brides choice?

I think you did the right thing, id want to know. Its weird that her family hasnt educated her on this or she hasnt researched so maybe they aren't exactly traditional. I definitely think it was the kind thing to do, being honest with her about it.

Yeah you were being unreasonable, even if its bridal wear only they still will never outdo the bride especially when hair makeup jewellry etc is complete. I have never seen an Asian bride outdressed ever, even when other guests have worn their bridal outfits. Most likely the shopkeeper was charging them a premium but they largely make these prices up even to british asians who might not be able to speak the language. These shopkeepers also look at how your dressed and make an assumption. If the womans fiance or his family didnt warn her about this prior to her shopping trip they probably have the money to burn, especially if theyre happy to spend bridal prices on guests outfits lol.

I think it all depends on your delivery. You said you were horrified, so it may have come across as "telling her off" or trying to school her. Rather than your intention of trying to help someone out. But that's a tricky line to navigate and it sounds as though the shopkeeper getting involved escalated everything.

Really the bride should have gone shopping with someone who could guide her on the cultural norms - surely she must have some friends from Indian backgrounds or sister or cousins of the fiance. I guess it wasn't your "place" to tell her she was doing something wrong and may people don't like being told they are wrong.

I think some people haven't read all of your replies about why the shop owner asked you to leave. I can see you were trying to help and it sounds like the bride was listening to you before he asked you to leave. It was also good of you to reply in English so they could hear your side of the exchange. There is only so mich you can do. Hopefully, by saying something she might've called her fiance for clarification.

It’s fine to tell the bride that the dresses are meant for the bride, but it is overstepping and quite rude to give opinions about how the groom or his family might feel. Your intention may be good, but it is better to simply state the fact that the dresses are usually for the bride and let her decide for herself. As the saying goes, not my circus, not my monkeys.

I agree with this. All of the people saying OP was interfering, absolutely would have intervened to explain the cultural norm if a group of non-white women were all planning on buying a bride’s dress with train and veil to wear at the same wedding.

And they would have seen themselves as educating rather than interfering.

Why is it different with someone else’s culture?

A 10 second search for bridesmaids wearing white indicates YABU.

Traditions aren't laws. People form new traditions all the time Maybe this will be one of them.

It would be like the Moonies

Surely it would be the opposite of a cross cultural merging, because it would be obvious that the people doing it had no idea or regard for the culture, as they had all turned up in wedding garb and just thought 'Oh look some nice Asian stuff'

I don't think it's unreasonable to assume that not all of the wedding guests will know the bride well enough to recognize her in a wedding outfit.

But even if they did know which one she was you aren't seriously suggesting that at no wedding would it be the slightest bit confusing to see multiple "brides" walking down the aisle?

Not necessarily because you don't know which one the actual bride is, just general confusion about how odd it was?

Sounds like you were trying to protect the women being preyed upon by an unscrupulous shopkeeper, good for you! Strange she was so oblivious to cultural nuance and wilfully ignorant to someone advising her that’s she’s being fleeced. I would have loved to see their faces when they were asked to pay thousands. Also, I can definitely see the funny side of a group of women all turning up in bridal lehenga! I wouldn’t waste any time dwelling on this OP, I’d have probably said something too.

Did they call the police or the palace to check who the bride was because it is a state secret unless they in a mn prescribed dress, no other way of finding out it seems, it would cause a lifetime of confusion

Unless the invites came with a photo of the bride I can easily see how a more distant relative such as an Aunty or cousin wouldn’t know who the bride was

Are you serious?

The guests wouldn't have received invitations that stated clearly who the bride and groom would be?

The guests would automatically assume that all the women in the wedding dresses were there to get married too?

I think not.

I e been to two weddings where the women all wore white per the request of the bride. The men wore dark suits. These weddings were far from celebrity events. It's definitely a thing.

I think you did the right thing OP.

if I had been that bride to be I would be grateful for any helpful guidance especially if it could end up in gossip and confusion on the day.

Nope you were 2000000000% right to do this.

I would have been very grateful to have had your insight, the shop keeper was primarily at fault for not giving sound advice, however nothing new there where a shop wants to make money. Also family should have been less proud and accepted advice, when they realise at great expense they will feel very silly, and sadly sometimes this is the only way people learn.

You did a good thing trying to help.

Really! How many weddings have you been to, where half the women were wearing long white dresses with trains? The OP didn't think all of the women were brides.

You were not being reasonable and I would have appreciated your help. However, I suspect the family had no intention of buying all the wedding outfits but just wanted a dressing up day. I doubt the greedy shopkeeper will have profited.

I cant imagine they would have gone ahead, asian bridal dresses are not cheap as ive recently learnt, especially ones full of detail. Many women go abroad to get a good deal for a nice dress and it still works out cheaper. If they are the less expensive ones then there wouldn't much detail on them and would be dresses that other guest could get away with wearing. But buying a bridal outfit for everyone would have cost in the £1000s

OP, I think you were 100% in the right and the shopkeeper sounds like a bit of an arse, too. You tried, they were wilfully ignorant - I suppose it's now their circus. I'd try and let it pass now, and I'm sorry they were ungracious to you.

NBU to tell her, but if she wasn't open to listening to your advice, best to just walk away.

I think you were really nice to try and help her. If she's marrying an Indian man surely it would be respectful to his culture to take heed to what you've said. I would be happy for you to tell me if I was in her position. Thank you for being helpful ❤️❤️

Please sit me next to the bitchiest aunties at that wedding, because they will be on fire 😶