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

[Vlonk]

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.

Will reply to all the lovely messages. I feel so less unsure. Thanks all x

I prefer the first too but both are stunning. You will look phenomenal

It's so elegant. You will look beautiful

Wow, it looks beautiful, and so does the ceremony dress! You will look absolutely incredible.

They are both beautiful outfits, honestly, it's YOUR wedding wear what outfit you have fallen on love with.

If you don't want anything too heavy or embroidered, I think no 1 fits the bill wonderfully

Beautiful! I think you have gorgeous taste. I'm with you on the reception dress. I am a conservative dresser and my mantra is "less is more." The colours are going to look stunning.

May you have a long, happy and loving marriage.

congratulations have a super wedding you’ll look beautiful. You have good taste

Much prefer the first one but they are both beautiful. I work in Leicester and love the cultural fusions. Wear whatever you love.

That is absolutely beautiful!!!

It’s lovely, but having your midriff on display in church would be v disrespectful, so tweak that bit

It's really a beautiful outfit. I'm British Asian (punjabi) and I know what you mean about how you'll probably get relatives that wear 'heavier' outfits than that.

But I think these days that doesn't matter, understated and sophisticated is way more of a thing and because you're having your hair and makeup done and presumably wearing heavier bridal jewellery than your relatives, you'll still look like the bride!

In the past it always was the thing that the bride had the most ridiculous heavy makeup (often totally the wrong tone of foundation) and a huge amount of embroidery/bling on the outfit but I've not seen that for years now.

I think OP is wearing a different outfit for the church

… I prefer the first too, in the second the skirt is too Disney, seen through Western eyes

Oh I see, well then just it’s lovely

No,You consider it disrespectful that’s your subjective view it’s not a universally accepted norm
Looking at responses on thread the majority are affirmative it’s a beautiful outfit
By all means dress to your own sensibilities but don’t impose your rules upon others

Both stunning! Congratulations in advance 🥳

Really lovely. I'd think it was beautiful and a lovely twist on tradition.

This has been explained many MANY times. This midriff outfit is not for the church wedding

Both are stunning. Have a wonderful wedding day

I think your preferred choice is gorgeous.

I think you are have the problem I had when I was choosing my (trad british) dress. I wanted a straight tea length dress but my mother and sister absolutely pushed the meringue as the only choice for a "proper" wedding dress. Its cultural expectations that we wear the big white dress with veil etc and heaven forbid you dont!

I agree that the second one is too much if you would be the only one in Indian dress. It would be different if you were in a room full of other people in similar outfits but it would be hard to carry off on your own.

Go with your first choice it is stunning!

Absolutely this. Go as a glitter ball if you want to!

To my eye that's more of a guest outfit not bridal. But if you love it that's the main thing.

Stunning! Congratulations

First one is absolutely gorgeous OP, and if it makes you feel comfortable and beautiful, go for it.

I've been to a couple of south Asian weddings, and the clothes, make up, jewellery, hair are just works of art and make me feel very dowdy! The last wedding I went to sounds similar to yours - the bride wore a western wedding dress for the ceremony then changed into a red lehengha in the evening. STUNNING! My daughter (5) spent the evening stalking the poor bride and loudly declaring she was the most beautiful bride she had ever seen.

Enjoy your wedding, and best wishes for the future!

I think it is lovely.