Dummy

August 2019, INR 300/- By

Winter Put
Bridal Lehenga Your Best
Trends
Foot
Colour, Cut & Couture Forward

Delicious Wear Shoes to
Wedding Cakes Suit You Mood

Bake it and Eat it too Be
Beautiful
Honeymoon
Essentials Inside
Out
Be Ready for What,
Wear, When Bridal
Makeup
A Dreamy
Budget Trends
Wedding 2019

Plan a The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 1
Destination
Per Your
Bank Balance!

Outfits: Chamee & Palak
Makeup: Aditi Dutta Blinginmypocket
Decor: Floral Art by Srishti
Photographer: The Photo Diary by Monisha

2 | The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in

Outfits (Left to Right): Doree, KALKI, JADE by Monica and Karishma
Makeup: Aditi Dutta Blinginmypocket
Photographer: The Photo Diary by Monisha

The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 3

HeadFrom the Marketing & Brand In the year 2015, 10 people huddled together in a small
room, working hard to help couples achieve the wed-
ding of their dreams within their budget. I can’t help but
feel proud when I say that Weddingz.in is now present in
30 cities in India with over 1,500+ employees and 700+
Weddingz venues. Right from helping 2000 couples plan
their wedding every month to providing ideas and inspi-
ration to over 1.8 million brides-to-be on social media, the
entire journey has been enthralling! From bridal couture
to decor, this magazine contains everything under the
wedding sun. The sole focus of this magazine lies in aiding
the winter 2019 bride with fashion, decor and food trends.
She just has to turn the pages to find an expert’s advice
on destination wedding and honeymoon planning! If you
look closely, the cover of our magazine is in sync with the
theme. We have carefully selected lehenga colours and
makeup keeping the winter bride in mind. Millennial pink,
lavender, powder blue and peach outfits with intricate
sequins and zardosi work describe a contemporary bride
perfectly.

With more and more couples taking the lead in planning
their own wedding, we see this magazine as a Bible to help
them do so. We plan to launch an issue twice a year for
the peak summer and winter wedding seasons, and may
foray into a quarterly issue going forward. Our team of ed-
itors and writers have done extensive research to jot down
the information in this magazine. I also extend my heartfelt
gratitude to all the industry experts who have happily
shared their knowledge with us and helped us curate the
best content for our readers!

Lastly, to all our readers, please remember that - A wed-
ding is a celebration of love, make sure you enjoy every
bit of it!

Best,

Ruchita Choudhary

Head of Marketing & Brand

4 | The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in

EditorFrom the As I pen down my thoughts, it is a bright, sunny day
outside and the leaves sway to a gentle breeze
– a much-needed respite from the grey gloomy
days typical of the Mumbai monsoons. When we start-
ed working on the very first print edition of The Wedding
Trunk – a winter wedding planning guide, things were a
bit helter-skelter or as I like to term it an ‘organised cha-
os’. But today, my mood reflects the lovely weather out-
side as everything we worked together for, has fallen
in place. Agreed, it has been quite a rollercoaster ride
what with all the sweat, tears, anxious late-night calls,
frustrations and more… As we put our best feet (the team,
collectively) forward, I really hope you enjoy the maga-
zine as much as we did!

Happy Reading!

Nikita Banerjee Bhagat

Senior Editor

WritersAbout the

Self-proclaimed perfectionist, nerdy, With a deep amber liquid in one
and fun-loving. A passionate writer, hand and a pen in another, she
who is a combination of classy and can weave words faster than you
sassy. can blink.

Ashita Ahuja Sayeeli Rawood

Content Writer Content Writer

A twenty-something ray of sunshine A sommelier, a social media strate-
who turns into Mogambo when gist and a fashion blogger, this one
you mispronounce her name. Can has too many feathers in her cap!
be found talking to herself if not She is also an eye roll expert.
shopping, often with cookie crumbs
around her desk. Namrata Yadav

Neharika Advani Content Writer

Content Writer The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 5

Founder, CEO COVER SHOOT
Sandeep Lodha Shoot Coordinators
Isha Gehlot
Head of Marketing Namrata Yadav
Ruchita Choudhary
Outfits
Senior Designer KALKI
Sayani Mukherjee Gupta JADE by Monica and
Karishma
Senior Editor – Content Doree
Nikita Banerjee Bhagat Chamee & Palak

Contributing Writers Venue
Ashita Ahuja The Retreat, Madh Island,
Namrata Yadav Mumbai
Neharika Advani
Nikita Banerjee Bhagat Makeup Artist
Sayeeli Rawool Aditi Dutta, Blinginmypocket

Social Media Manager Jewels
Namrata Yadav Jhoomer

Marketing Team Décor
Kanika Agrawal Floral Art by Srishti
Mureen Babykutty
Siddha Nalawade Props
Isha Gehlot Jhanvi - Karigari

Photographer
The Photo Diary by Monisha

Models
Arohi Thatte
Vaidika Senjaliya
Resham Sahani

6 | The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in

Table ofContents

Bridal Lehengas Mehendi

10 Winter Bridal Lehenga Trends - Cut, Colour 82 Bridal Mehendi Trends for 2019 Brides
& Couture
88 Tips & Tricks to Darken your Bridal Mehendi
16 5 Lehengas for your Mehendi Ceremony -
Dress to Impress Weddingz Venues

20 Be the Belle of your Ball – Dazzling Outfits 92 Destination Wedding Locations in India which will NOT
for your Sangeet burn a hole in your pocket

22 Minimal Brides: How these Brides Proved 96 Tips to Select the Right Wedding Venue
‘Less is More’
Decor
26 Decoding the oh-so-Important Bridal Trousseau
30 How to Preserve your Wedding Lehenga 98 Winter Weddings 2019 Decor Handbook
102 Mandaps: An Integral Part of Indian Weddings

Groomswear Food

34 Groomswear: What to Wear and How to Wear 108 Wedding Cake Trends 2019 - All the Cake
you Can Eat!

Makeup 112 Tips to Pick the Right Food Menu for your
Wedding
42 Bridal Makeup Trends - Tips from the Top-notch
Makeup Experts!

46 How to Choose the Right Makeup for your Honeymoon
Skin Type
114 Budget Honeymoon Locations: Abroad &
India

Hairstyle 119 Love in Adventureland – 7 Honeymoon
Locations for Adventurous Couples
50 Bridal Hairstyle 2019: Tips & Tricks for your
Bridal Hairdo 122 Ready for your Honeymoon? Pack these
Essentials!

Jewellery

56 Bridal Jewellery Trends 2019 - What & How to Miscellaneous
Buy your Jewels
126 Trending Wedding Invite Ideas
62 The Flower Princess Bride - Bridal Floral
Jewellery Trends 130 Memorable Wedding Favours that yours
Guests will Cherish

66 Wearable Jewellery Ideas for Brides &
Bridesmaids
Skincare
Footwear
132 The Simple Yet Effective Pre - Bridal Diet
70 High Heel Confidential - The Bridal Footwear 134 DIY Skincare Masks
Trends 2019
136 Complete Wedding Planning Checklist
Photography 140 Weddingz Venues

76 Offbeat Pre-wedding Shoot Ideas

The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 7

India’s Largest Wedding
Company

Image source: Infinite Memories

Weddingz.in provides a hassle-free wedding planning experience with all required venue and
vendor services under one umbrella.

30+ 25,000+ 700+ 10 Lakh+

Cities in India Events Executed till Date Weddingz Venues Website Visitors per month

99% 2,000+ 1.4M 500K

Happy Customers* Wedding Vendors & Artists Followers on Instagram Followers on Facebook

*Customers who have given us ratings of 3,4 and 5

8 | The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in

Why book a Weddingz
Venue?

Guarantee of a Great Event

Our Venue Managers ensure all committments (food, de-
cor, etc) are delivered via pre-event & event day checks

One - Stop Shop Image source: Priyanca Rao Photography
Book curated & trusted vendors (photographers, makeup
artists, mehendi artists, etc) under one roof

100% Transparency
No hidden costs 100% documentation

Event services provided

Venues & Caterers Photographers
Decoraters

Makeup DJs/ Invitations Image source: Wedding Tales
Artist Live Bands & many more...

India’s No. 1

Wedding Planning App

DOWNLOAD
NOW!

The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 9

Winter
Bridal Lehenga Trends –

Colour, Cut & Couture

Written by Nikita Banerjee Bhagat

Imag1e 0sou| rTchee: WJAedDdEingbTyruMnkobnyiWcaed&diKngazr.inishma

“Laal nahi pehnegi? Dulhan kaise lagegi? Dulhan toh laal hee pehenti hai… suhaag ka rang laal
hota hai! – This was my 79-year-old grandmother’s reaction when I first discussed the idea of my
wedding lehenga with my mom. The inquisitive old lady, who normally is hard of hearing, was quick
to catch onto the details. It was my wedding after all! I wanted to wear a turquoise blue number with
dull gold embroidery. But with all the fuss and my mother taking the wrong side, I opted for a red
base lehenga. The final result was fabulous but I would have loved to wear what I wanted first”

- Anahita Mehta, real bride

Image source: Chamee and Palak

Sounds familiar? It is often assumed that a bride looks colour scheme. So, as winter is an excellent time for shaa-
best in red or in the many shades of this colour. Af- di-byaahs (chilly mornings = no sweating), read more to
ter all, the colour of ‘suhaag’ is (no brownie points know what colours (not red), you as a bride-to-be can pick!
for guessing) RED. It has long been a tradition for brides
to pick red over any other colour. Agreed, it is a stunning When we got down to writing this article, we did a bit of dig-
colour but so are other colours! Especially, if you decode ging – we spoke to the experts in the field and jotted down
colour palettes as per seasons, each one dictates a new their inputs.

The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 11

Winter
Colours for
the Bridal
Lehenga

While we have discussed the quintessential lehenga co- Image source: Papa Don’t Preach
lour enough, brides have a whole spectrum of shades to
choose from when it comes to their bridal lehenga. Lehenga Selection Tips

Chamee and Palak, Founders of the eponymous brand, Hourglass: Full-ghera or fish-cut, short choli, net dupat-
say and I quote, “The dusty, deep hues are back! The organza ta, heavy embroidery on all or any parts of the lehenga.
and timeless silks have once again taken over wedding couture. The only body type that can wear any and every kind
When it comes to the dupatta, drape it in a unique style. It will of silhouette
make a huge difference! End of the day, remember to be true to
yourself.” Inverted triangle: Wear a lehenga with wide flair with
a lot of detailing at the bottom. Avoid cholis with a lot
Nishit Gupta, Director of KALKI says, “While the traditional of embellishment as they will most likely give off a top-
reds are sought after, the pastels are gaining popularity at a heavy look. It will balance the body’s shape as in this
fast pace. It is refreshing to see our brides in colours other than body type, the shoulders are wider than the hip line
red! The pastels are all the rage now. Colours like mint, powder
blue, blush pink are ruling the day weddings. Vibrant hues like Apple-shaped: Longer length cholis with a different
orange, rust, citrus and purple are slowly garnering a lot of at- hemline cut. High waist lehenga with flare
tention.”
Pear-shaped: Wearing a blouse with detailing and vol-
The winter season offers so much more. While pastels are ume. Take advantage of your defined waist by wearing
often the go-to picks, at JADE by Monica Shah and Karish- low waist lehenga or draping bridal saree just below the
ma Swali, the creative duo urge brides to think of hypnotic navel.
colours too. They say, and I quote, “Brides need not complete-
ly eradicate red but, they can opt for colours like indigo, blue, Rectangle shape: Choose a wide, full skirt in a stiff fab-
black, silver, vivacious violet, pearly whites, pinks, classic indi- ric like Raw Silk to add volume at the bottom. Pair with a
go, glitzy gold, noir black and then some more.” blouse that is low and plunging to create the illusion of
curves.
Adding a quirky flavour to the gamut of colour choices,
Shubhika Davda, Head Designer & Creative Director at
Papa Don’t Preach, says, “For winter, I am feeling lilacs, in
fact, all shades of lilac! And for the mehendi ceremony, there’s
going to be a lot of neon - lime greens and pop pinks!” And we
couldn’t agree more!

12 | The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in

Choosing
the Right Cut

Let’s look at trending cuts and silhouettes - Image source: Kalki
Image source: Papa Don’t Preach
In recent times, we have seen brides wear a belt over
their lehenga, which looks really elegant. Apart from the
aesthetics, it is a very practical decision too. “It helps
your dupatta stay in place, and we know how big a relief
that is,” says Nishit Gupta at KALKI.

Moreover, brides can add feathers to their lehenga
to elevate the design, and it brings a refreshing twist
to even the simplest bridal outfits. Further, floral and
panelled lehengas, cape sleeves and crystal tassels
are something every bride can bookmark this season.
“Another trend that was really big is the ruffled dupatta that
brides started carrying on their big day. Off-shoulder cuts,
waist cut-outs, plunging necklines, floor-sweeping trails
are trending, and the 2019 brides should take notes!”

At JADE by Monica & Karishma, they prefer silhouettes
that are fitted on the top and flared at the bottom. Tai-
lored jackets are a big YES and give the entire bridal
ensemble a contemporary twist. Plus, “drapes and wrap
tops are a must-have this wedding season to add that oomph
of drama for the modern contemporary brides and brides-
maids this wedding season.”

Papa Don’t Preach’s Shubhika Davda says, “I love
highlighting the tiny waists that we Indians are blessed
with, so any high waisted skirts and lehengas with standout
belts and belt bags have my heart.”

She adds, “The length of the blouse or choli is crucial - for
some torso lengths are longer than the others so, getting the
length right is imperative. Wide and open necklines and big
skirts that flatter our Indian hips are the best investment for
any shape and size.”

The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 13

Image source: JADE by Monica & Karishma

Fabric - the Soul
of the Lehenga

While brides get sucked into style, cuts and colours, they of-
ten overlook a critical point – the lehenga fabric.

Mr Gupta, from KALKI, says, “Brocades, raw silk and velvets
are popular fabrics amongst winter brides. Fabrics like crepe,
organza also look rich and are even quite complementary in
winters. It is important to know about various embellishments
and embroidery that go with your lehenga fabric. Embroider-
ies like gota patti, heavy gold embroideries on velvet are sure to
make you look every bit royal. ”

Ms Shah and Ms Swali of JADE by Monica & Karishma add,
“We work with fabrics like silks, organza, and tulle to match
the lush hedonism the season calls for. Silk works great as it’s a
luxurious fabric which gives the ensemble a great texture and
fall, whereas organza and tulle are great as they are very light-
weight and breezy and completely transform the way a silhou-
ette looks and falls on the body.”

To make things more fun, “Brides can try textured and layered
Tulle ruffles as they are just so much fun! I love the lightness and
transparency of Tulle in lehengas, it really allows the embroi-
dery to stand out and be a star.” – Shubhika Davda adds.

Drape that Dupatta!

And last but not least, let’s not forget the dupatta! The dupat-
ta of your lehenga is very important else the entire look will
remain incomplete. To style your dupatta, you can try a
Pakistani drape where you need to pin in your dupatta on
one shoulder and wrap it around your other hand, from the
back. A dupatta can be styled in several ways like draped
around, flowing free on one arm, a wrapper around, worn
as a cape, wrapped around both shoulders, pleated, etc.
Pre-stitched, studded dupattas work too. Double dupattas
are also a lovely trend.

14 | The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in

Image source: Papa Don’t Preach

The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 15

Image source: Papa Don’t Preach

5 Lehengas for
Your Mehendi Ceremony -

Dress to Impress

Written by Nikita Banerjee Bhagat

Imag1e 6sou| rTchee: WSteudddiinogKTerullnyk bPyhWoetodgdrinagpz.hiny

“Mehendi Adorns the Hands and Life takes on a New Colour.”
- Anonymous

Image source: Delhi Velvet;
Bride: Karishma Yadav Bhalla

True, isn’t it? Mehendi is an integral part of Indian wed- Please Note:
dings. And it is one of the most fun events, marking
the beginning of your wedding festivities! This func- Whatever you plan to wear, as the centre of at-
tion mostly involves hobnobbing with the guests, sipping on tention, you will be required to sit still for at least
mimosas, throwing in a few thumkas and jhatkas as you, the 4-6 hours to get mehendi done. So, remember:
bride, sit pretty and get your hands and feet painted with
henna. A super-heavy lehenga choli is a big NO.

An informal function, the mehendi ceremony has a fun vibe, This is a function where you can experiment with your look.
setting a vibrant mood for the upcoming celebrations. So,
with ‘fun’ being the keyword, let’s look at some outfits apt for Experiment with your floral jewellery or get gotta jewellery.
the mehendi ceremony:
The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 17

1. Hello Sunshine!

A fun ceremony demands a fun outfit, don’t you think?
Take a cue from this happy bride as she stuns in her
yellow embroidered lehenga-choli with a floral printed
blue chunari. With a floral maang tikka and haath phool,
her jadau and emerald set add a certain delicate charm
to her overall look.

Image source: The Love Light Studio

2. Rainbow
Princess

Image source: Caroline White Be the bright star that you should be! Why stick to one co-
lour when you can wear a beautiful rainbow? Twirl and
3. The Gypsy swirl to express your happiness just like this lovely bride!
Princess
Bride: Aakansha Gupta

If ever there was a beauteous gypsy, this bride would be
her! Wearing a riot of colours with a ruffled hem as a
lehenga, her mirrored blouse gives her with a very edgy
look.

18 | The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in

The Woodland

4. Nymph

Just like the colour, this lehenga is apt for a freshly-mint-
ed bride to be! The gorgeous detailed birds of paradise
embroidery with mirror work at the hem and the tasselled
off-shoulder blouse are straight out of a fairy tale.

Image source: Artcapture Production

Image source: Reels and Frames

5. The Marigold
Bride

There are no hard and fast rules where your mehendi
outfit is concerned, after all, it is your own mehendi!
A short, knee-length Anarkali in cream with gota
work paired with red flared palazzo pants make a fine
ensemble.

Have a fair idea of what to wear for
your mehendi ceremony? We’ll let you
in a secret - wear what you like and

just enjoy your day!

The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 19

Be the Belle of your
Ball - Dazzling Outfits

for Your Sangeet

Written by Nikita Banerjee Bhagat

Image source: Bhumi & Simran Photography

It’s time to rise and shine! No, not early in the morning And as the boss lady, you need to bring your A-game
but to rise like the queen you are and shine like the on, i.e., be the best dressed in the crowd! So, while you
brightest star in the room. After all, it is your very own get ready to browse through a plethora of outfits, we
sangeet ceremony! The sangeet, unlike the mehendi bring you some we really liked…
where everything was fun and flirty, is a ceremony where
you need to showcase some serious dancing skills. After These outfits will move to your whims and fancies, and
weeks of rehearsing the steps and hearing the songs on be the wind beneath your wings instead of weighing
loop, it is your one chance to show the ladkewale who’s you down!
the boss (on the dance floor and beyond).

20 | The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in

This stunning cobalt
blue lehenga Jayanti
Reddy ensemble is
a sure-fire way to
announce the princess
bride’s arrival!

Pastel pink lehenga
with heavy silver
embellishments, paired
with an off-shoulder
blouse with fringed
details and ruffled
dupatta is fit for a
queen!

Image source: Hitched & Clicked Image source: Bhumi & Simran Photography

Be the phoolon ki Mallika like this stunning bride who shines like a star in
this rose gold-coloured wonder by designer Jay Makhija.

This bride wore Sulakshana Monga
mauve saree with a ruffled skirt - a
choice that upped the bride’s style
ante!

Bride: Diksha; Image source: Plush Affairs Image source: Memorie
Lehenga: Falguni & Shane Peacock The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 21

Minimal Brides:
How these Brides Proved

‘Less is More’

Written by Neharika Advani

Imag2e 2sou| rTchee: WKendodtsinbgyTrAunMk bPy Weddingz.in

“Post our engagement ceremony, my soon-to-be-husband, who had never really commented on
what I should wear or my makeup, said that while I looked lovely, I should try and look more
like myself. I was a bit taken aback but he concluded (laughing) that he just wanted to be sure

that he was marrying the same girl!”

- Mithila S

Ancient writers often imagined women as the epito- board, and they don’t look like a walking talking jewellery
me of grace and beauty. They described women shop. I mean the ones who don’t go all OTP!
as goddesses, their bodies glistening in jewels,
draped in the finest silks as their kohl-rimmed eyes spoke Payal’s minimal bridal look
volumes. For generations, we believed and followed this is rich and elegant.
norm - typically, brides are decked with jewellery from top
to toe, donning heavy, expensive garments, expressing a
docile look. This OTT look owes a lot to culture, traditions,
and rituals.

Not to forget, the pressure of society. Tradition demands
them to dress like nothing but a queen. The benchmark be-
ing Goddess Sita and queens like Padmavati and Jodha.

Fortunately, some brides beg to differ and how! Some la-
dies abhor the idea of turning into a perfect princess aka
someone completely alien.

Luckily for us, brides now don’t want to look like anybody but Image source: Janine Licare
themselves. Imagine looking in the mirror and not even rec-
ognizing the woman gazing back at you. Brides who refuse
to bow down to stereotypes and creates their own course
are my absolute favourite! The ones who believe less is
more and stick to minimal looks. Their makeup isn’t over-

The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 23

Image source: Through the Barrel Model Heena Bhalla
Mehra’s pastel
lehenga and ligh
jewellery were quite
appreciated by
everyone.

Dr. Pratiksha
Jaysingani, a bride
who didn’t mind being
minimal!

Makeup: Bindiya Khurana

“I was always attracted to subtle looks..with less jewellery. So, I
preferred to create that look instead of getting carried away by
one too many jewellery pieces and a mish-mash of colours on my
face. Ultimately, the look felt like me. In retrospect, I still like the
look my make up artist created for me, which was exactly what I
wanted.” - Dr. Pratiksha Jaysingani, a bride who didn’t mind
being minimal!

24 | The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in

Bride Ushma Jhaveri has been a no-nonsense girl
since the start. In fact, she can count on fingers the
number of times she has applied makeup! The idea of
someone painting her face never went well with her.
She says, “Honestly, I had nothing in mind. I just wanted
to ensure that no one touches my hair. My attire was quite
simple and minimal, including jewellery, makeup, and the
sari. Everyone I worked with from the beginning - tailors,
sari shops, make up artists, I ensured that they understand
I want to look simple and elegant.” And she did look el-

Bride Ushma Jhaveri’s Bride Mannat carefully planned
simple and elegent her bridal look.
look!
Blogger Mannat carefully planned her bridal look. Her
Image source: Lucier Photography jewellery choice was just as unconventional as her pastel
Sabyasachi lehenga. She wore a teenlada haar with kun-
dan pendants held by strands of pearls. Her maang tikka
caught my attention- inspired by Mughal jewellery but with
a contemporary twist!

These brides prove that you don’t have to wear layers of
makeup or a cumbersome lehenga and jewellery on your
D-day. Just be true to yourself and go with the look that suits
you well! Even if it means wearing a lightweight lehenga or
saree with some lipstick and kajal!

Coco Chanel rightly said,
“Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.”

The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 25

Decoding
the Oh-so Important

Bridal Trousseau

Written by Nikita Banerjee Bhagat

Imag2e 6sou| rTchee: WMeodudsinagmTrPunaktbtaynWaeidkdingz.in

“Years ago, when my wedding date was fixed, the very first thing I did was to start shopping.
Big Mistake. I had no clue as to what I wanted, what to buy, what colours would suit me or
how much to buy! After my frantic shopping spree that was peppered across months to my

wedding, I had 35 sarees, 15 suits, 25 pairs of shoes and more nonsense.

Today, 8 years later, I have 20 unopened sarees that take up a lot of space, suits donated and
shoes wasted, given away. In short, don’t be impulsive when it comes to putting together your

bridal trousseau! ”

- Nisha Mukherjee, Real Bride

Picture this- you are getting married. Congratulations!
You have met the man you want to spend the rest of
your life with, and your family is in a wedding frenzy,
i.e., they are out and about planning the tiny details (per
your instructions) of your dream wedding.

While they do all the leg work, you, on the other hand, have 1Question the
to start putting your bridal trousseau together. And believe List!
it or not, a bridal trousseau is much, much more than your
wedding lehenga, sangeet, mehendi and cocktail party
outfits! In the real world where we have to wade through a
sea of cars, struggle at work and deal with daily drudgery,
a bridal trousseau is like a treasure chest that will cater to
your every need - first as a bride, then as a newlywed and
more.

The list is endless, really! It is not as simple as walking into a Start by asking yourself questions, yes, believe us this works!
multi-designer store and walking out with a wedding lehen- Next, pen down your thoughts in the form of a list. Decide
ga, which by the way is a task in itself. So imagine how tough what colours you are looking at, what you really enjoying
and time-consuming is the process of putting together a wearing - sarees, suits, indo-western outfits, heavy or light
truckload of outfits! embroidery, and so on. Also, list the designer names, labels,
stores, etc. you wish to explore.
Like planning a wedding, putting together a bridal trous-
seau requires ironing out the smallest of details. So where Treat this list as your bible - read, consult and tick off points
does one really start? daily!

The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 27

2Organize 4Be Flexible

This task calls for being a ‘ninja’. Activate your fellow nin- Yes, all of us have imagined our dream wedding in
jas, aka best friend, girlfriends, mom, sister, etc. Once your advance, right? We may have also dreamt about
list is ready, plan your shopping trip. Shop in an organised our wedding lehenga/gown. In reality, things are dif-
manner. Cover a good number of stores, designers in a ferent. You may find the colour but the work may be
day. First see everything that is on display, then discuss and different or it may not be in your budget. There is no
shop. harm in trying something absolutely new too. Think of
neutral metal work so that it matches with all types of
P.S. Do consider your body type, height, complexion jewellery. Be flexible as it will give you more options.
and of course, budget!
5Accessories, Jewellery
3Watch What & Bags
You Buy!
Do not go overboard, please! Buy the right acces-
Shaadi ho rahi hai, dukaan nahi kharidna hai! Typical di- sories that match your outfits. Think antique polish,
alogue? Yeah. It is very true too. If you end up buying ev- polki or gemstones. While buying accessories, keep
erything you like, you will regret it and how! For clarification, a good mix - ethnic and contemporary. For real jew-
decide what you need to buy. As a bride of today, your ellery, consult your mom, please. She will also let you
trousseau needs to cater to your every need - bridal wear, know the budget. Think wearable jewellery too. Buy a
sarees, suits, western wear, party wear, lingerie, honey- good mix of gold, diamonds, pearls, polki, etc.
moon essentials, shoes for every occasion, makeup, comfy
jeans, tees, nightclothes and so much more. Hence, refer Where bags are concerned, buy clutches, potli bags
the list and buy how much you need. and handbags - pick versatile ones so that they match
all your outfits. Keep the number below 8, ideally.

Traditionally amassed in a “hope chest”, the modern
trousseau comprises clothes, accessories, jewellery, lingerie,
toiletries, and makeup, as well as bed linen and bath towels,

depending on the bride’s choice.

Image source: Divine Mantra
28 | The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in

Buy your wedding shoes in advance and practice walking
around in it. Wear it for a while too. You don’t want shoe bites

or other wounds, do you?

6Shoes at least a month in advance. Buy your sarees, petticoats,
give the blouses and suits for stitching, go for fitting ses-
You may want to wear sky-high heels but remember, you sions, makeup trials, etc. Plan and get all of this done in time.
have to stand for long hours and even bend down for
‘pairy pona’. In short, stilettos or really high heels may 9Spread out
not do the trick. Wear comfortable wedges or flats if you
like. It is your wedding, and you need to be super com- Pro tip: Do not buy your lehengas or sarees all in one day
fortable through it all. from one store! If you happen to do so, you may lose out
on options. Once big investments are made, it is difficult (al-
7Lingerie and most nearly impossible) to reverse them. Also, if you decide
Sleepwear to splurge in one day, you may end up buying multiple ex-
pensive outfits that have no relevance or use. So it is best
These are essential, and you cannot compromise on to spread out your shopping. Take along a friend who has
them! Buy good quality ones, especially lingerie. Buy a lot of patience!
more of the regular stuff for daily needs. For the special,
naughty ones, you can order them online. For sleep- 10How to Pack?
wear, invest in good material and comfortable ones. This again is important. Invest in good travel bags, large
Look up the right brands. ones. Either hire a professional trousseau packer or get
saree bags. Enrol the family members to help pack all the
8Avoid last-minute details. Make a table of contents if required. This will help
Shopping you keep track of what is wear.

Believe me, last minute shopping expeditions are tough. Ideally, pack your honeymoon bag separately.
There are so many things happening around you that it
will be messy! Try and wrap up your wedding shopping

The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 29

How to Preserve Your

Wedding Lehenga

Written by Nikita Banerjee Bhagat

“Post my wedding, thanks to the fatigue and chaos, my mother packed my lehenga in a box and sent it over to me
once I came back from my honeymoon. I wore the lehenga for my first karva chauth too. Everything seemed fine.
But about six months later when I checked on the lehenga… it was all entangled! It smelled of damp and there
were silverfish on it! I wanted to shout, yell, stomp my feet. But I called my mom and she was like laundry mein

diya tha kya? Did you pack it exactly as I had sent it back? Clearly not.”

- Radhika Kumar

Sounds familiar? Many beautiful, expensive lehen- be stored with a lot of love and care.
gas, sarees and outfits that were made to order or
scouted with much love, sweat and blood meet a Yes, the lehenga is going to take up a lot of space, but it
similar fate, all thanks to carelessness or lack of aware- needs some tender love and care else the delicate fab-
ness for proper storage. Let’s face it, post the big day ric – silk, net or satin, even velvet will be ruined! So, to end
where the bridal lehenga is the most essential garment, your dilemma on how to store and care for your lehen-
it loses its imminence. It is meant to be stored away, to be ga, we spoke to Mudita Vohra Behl, owner of Samara, a
revisited once in a while if and only if there’s a close rel- bespoke boutique for all customised clothing needs in
ative or your own sibling’s wedding. More often than not, Mumbai. Read her tips -
the lehenga is forgotten like a relic. But this relic needs to

30 | The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in

1. Get the Right Storage 4.ABiurgYsoautrBLaeyh)enga (Keep

First of all, retain the bag or box the lehenga came in. If Perhaps the most crucial point, Ms Behl reiterates, by
they could fit the lehenga in it before, you can do so post saying, “It’s best to keep the outfit in a muslin cloth in a cool
your wedding. and dry place away from moisture.”

2.Check it Inside Out Remember to air the lehenga at least once a year. Also,
add put in tiny cotton pouches with either naphthalene
Check your lehenga thoroughly. After the wedding, the balls or cloves to keep moths and other bugs at bay.
bride, groom and the family are all tired. Thinking about
properly storing the lehenga is hardly on top of anyone’s
list.
“Because we have spent a good amount on buying the lehen-
ga, it is suggested that one should at least try to preserve it
well,” says Mudita.

Therefore, however annoying it may be, you need to
check if any of the trimmings have off or if the embroidery
needs retouching. If it has, then reach out to your design-
er or boutique owner asap.

She further adds, “Designers will be happy to help and For those who want to use and
might do the retouching for free if you go immediately or soon re-use their lehenga creatively,
after your wedding. But if you wait and go after a while, you here are some mix and match ideas
will have to bear the expenses yourself. It will be your loss.” from the expert herself aka Ms. Behl

3.Dry Clean Your lehenga’s dupatta can be paired with a plain
Anarkali or an umbrella gown, even a simple lehenga
Dry cleaning is another aspect that cannot be delayed
or ignored. At the wedding, the lehenga is worn for long Your heavy choli can be used as a blouse teamed with
hours, first through the makeup session to waiting for a saree or with pleated palazzo pants.
the baraat to arrive, then the reception, followed by the
pheras. That’s a lot, and during this time, there is a lot of The lehenga skirt can be used with a solid coloured
crying and sweating. Therefore, as soon as you step out blouse or with an off-shoulder cape.
of your lehenga, hang it to dry in the room.
A front open jacket can be made over the lehenga or
Within the next couple of days, send it to the dry cleaners. attach a plain raw silk yoke turning it into an Anarkali.
“Once the touch-up is complete, sending it to the dry clean-
ers is important so that if there are any stains, food or sweat If you want to preserve your lehenga for the future
patches can be addressed at once to avoid permanent marks. and wish for your kids to see the beauty in all its
Please ask the dry cleaners to keep regular or butter paper glory, do follow these tips.
sheets in between the folds of the lehenga so that embroidery
remains untangled.” The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 31

#WzPicks - Our Bridal Wear Favourites

Image source: Bhumi and Simran Photography Image source: Plush Affairs; Bride: Prajakta Sheth

Image source: Dipak Studios; Bride: Innayat Trehan Image source: Plush Affairs
32 | The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in

The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in | 33
Bride: Medha Tyagi

34 | The Wedding Trunk by Weddingz.in