Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
MaddestGranny · 08/05/2025 18:28

I'd also love to see the white wedding sari for the church ceremony.

As with almost all other pps, I love the lehengha you've chosen for the reception.

Wishing you joy.

theonlygirl · 08/05/2025 18:29

I'm gonna swim against the tide, I prefer the second one BUT you will look fabulous in either.

Original poster
Vlonk · 08/05/2025 18:32

GetMeOutOfHere20 · 08/05/2025 18:12

Please could I ask how the Sikh blessing works? My Sister is marrying a Sikh and they have been told they cannot have a Anand Karaj, as she is not Sikh.

Sikh gurdwaras in the UK have definitely shifted in recent years in terms of not allowing non-Sikhs to perform the anand karaj/Sikh wedding ceremony. Two of my uncles married non-Sikhs and had anand karajs in the early 2000s.

Instead we are having an Ardas which is a prayer and a sort of request to God for blessings, guidance and support. The prayer essentially blesses the couples future. There will be some hymns too. My family are also paying for a guruwara to serve langar (communal free meal) in my mum and dad’s ancestral villages.

I know it can sound unwelcoming but I had it explained to me why it’s not appropriate for non-Sikhs to participate and I have come to actually think it’s the right decision.

(in the wedding ceremony the Sikh couple walk around the holy book as a proclamation of living by its teachings. Sikhism rejects empty rituals so having a non-Sikh participate arguably undermines the meaning of the ceremony)

The Ardas has become the go to compromise for interfaih couples who still want to incorporate Sikh traditions.

OP posts:
Laura95167 · 08/05/2025 18:35

Love it. Gorgeous colours

ednakenneth · 08/05/2025 18:45

It looks beautiful. Go for it. Can't your tailor adjust it for your height?
My son does photography for Asian weddings and it will be a busy few weeks with all the celebrations. Have a great time and I wish you well for your future.
I wish you health, wealth and all the happiness in the world

WellManneredFrivolity · 08/05/2025 18:51

They both look gorgeous, go for it, it’s your wedding! Enjoy!

Mummyof2andthatsenough · 08/05/2025 19:46

I'm british indian, the dress is gorgeous and oerfect for the day! Congrats!

Wildefish · 08/05/2025 19:57

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.

Beautiful

anon666 · 08/05/2025 20:07

They are both beautiful and I doubt anyone will bat an eyelid.

If they do, their bad.

Enjoy your day. 😊

bagpuss90 · 08/05/2025 20:09

You look stunnng

CubanCactus · 08/05/2025 20:14

Absolutely beautiful 😍

Tuttersw18 · 08/05/2025 20:57

fabulous dress you'll look wonderful ❤

Tuttersw18 · 08/05/2025 20:58

fabulous dress you'll look wonderful ❤

dEdiCatEdFeliNeEntHusiAst · 08/05/2025 21:30

It's absolutely gorgeous, I love it.

Helen483 · 08/05/2025 22:00

Allseeingallknowing · 07/05/2025 18:57

The first one is the best imo.

This.
The first one is lovely and definitely dressy enough for the bride from a "British perspective"
The second one is a little OTT from my point of view (please don't take that as a criticism they're both lovely - but you did ask for a British perspective)

ThistleTits · 08/05/2025 22:14

@Vlonk it's stunning and part of your culture. In your shoes I'd be proud to wear it.

Yourcatisnotsorry · 08/05/2025 23:07

The second one is stunning. The first one has lovely colours but doesn’t seem as ‘bride’.

JandamiHash · 08/05/2025 23:31

Absolutely stunning!!

Tuttersw18 · 09/05/2025 00:41

fabulous dress you'll look wonderful ❤

707girl · 09/05/2025 01:21

My sister (white) is married to an Indian and wore a white european style wedding dress for the ceremony and then changed into a red saree with gold embroidery, mehndi, gold jewelry - including headpiece for the reception. It was spectacular and a fabulous way to show the different cultural celebrations. Whatever you decide, I am sure it will be beautiful. Don't hesitate to celebrate your own culture too - it makes for a much more interesting/fun/beautiful wedding in many ways. 💜
All the best!

miraxxx · 09/05/2025 03:49

KimberleyClark · 08/05/2025 14:52

Not being funny but you say you are wearing a white sari for the church? Isn’t white the colour of mourning in Indian culture? The dress is gorgeous though.

Edited

White is associated with mourning in hindu culture but indian christians traditionally get married in white saris. Even in India the colour is losing its association with death/widowhood with quite a few fashionable people wearing white saris. The OP is fully aware of her own culture btw.
filmygyan.co/news/from-5-times-bollywood-divas-stole-the-show-in-stunning-white-sarees/

LisaD76 · 09/05/2025 05:44

I think it’s a shame that we don’t see more people in saris now, when I was a child I lived in a very mixed Asian/ white town and had a Sikh temple opposite so saw plenty of beautiful outfits, seems to be mostly black now….. wear it, you will look stunning.

malificent7 · 09/05/2025 05:47

Stunning

Snakebite61 · 09/05/2025 07:35

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.

First outfit.

Cosyreader1 · 09/05/2025 07:43

You're the bride, you're meant to stand out and be the centre of attention! Absolutely wear it! 😊