Wild Bride

You don’t have to exchange vows with a mod-goth skull ring. But doesn’t the new age bride who is mysterious, eclectic and free spirited, deserve a trousseau as distinctive as her?

Be it a sumptuous fairytale wedding or an intimate nuptial ceremony, the emphasis on the bride is pretty much the same. On that one day (a week if it’s an extended celebration) when everything is about you, it would be a sin to look ordinary or unsurprising. Whether it’s a hiked up sari hemline (a la Sabyasachi), or swapping regular gold jewelry for intricately crafted pieces in antique silver, extend the individualism of your personality to your wedding ensemble. Go ahead and be defiant, after all, you have the rest of your life for regular styles.
Even a jean and tee girl looks for a certain amount of traditionalism in a bridal ensemble and even if not, there is the issue of pleasing everyone from elbow nudging aunts to a scrutinising mom in law. With a little thought you can have the best of both the worlds. If you have to wear a kancheevaram sari why not wear it a little differently. The heaviness of the fabric does not permit much experimentation in terms of draping, so, try stitching two saris that look good together into a lehnga and embellish with a touch of swarovski. Dare to wear a sportswear inspired racer back choli or replace the done to death ghagra with a billowy patiala style bottom.
If you are a beach bride take it up a notch with cheeky innerwear as outerwear, team a net and jersey corset with see-through detail and a sequined lehnga. Use a chiffon sari to create a Grecian style drape dress. Think beyond just silhouettes and styles and experiment with fabric. Go organic with benarasi silks or indulge in long forgotten trousseau regulars like brocade and velvet that are hot right now.
An offbeat outfit has to be complemented with quirky jewellery, hair and make up. The statement necklace is fall’s hottest bridal jewelry trend. So invest in a super sized choker and lose the earrings. Alternatively try layering necklaces of different lengths remembering to play with stones and metal tone (gold does not always have to be yellow, innovate with rose and white versions of it). Attempt the extreme with diamonds, stack oversized cuffs on the hand or try shoulder dusting chandelier earrings.
Loosely styled, tousled strands are a lot sexier than stiff updos for the hair. If you have to have a structured do, try a voluminous beehive bun. Forget bronze or blonde and go for highlights in deep wine, burnt rose or cinnamon. Give metallic eyeshadows a miss and double line your peepers with a pen liner in ubiquitous black or midnight blue. Make up artist Cory Walia’s ethnic rendition of the double lined look for Anamika Khanna is strongly recommended.