MARCH OF THE MINIMAL BRIDE

The new-age bride embraces a pared-back approach to dressing.

- Manish Mishra

While, traditionally, the Indian bridal landscape has been synonymous with unapologetic maximalism, of late, several brides are gravitating towards a more understated aesthetic. It's not uncommon to come across brides wearing traditional, handwoven saris in indigenous textiles or mulmul lehengas worn with a delicatelyadorned dupatta. Taking a departure from heavy zardozi, gota patti, sequins, and feathers, a number of brides are cultivating a more edited, streamlined look, letting their own personality shine on their special day.

A Celebration of Individuality

Designer Payal Singhal notes that the era of the bride in OTT jewellery and the 30-kilogram lehenga is definitely over. “Today’s bride is minimal, but minimalism in this case doesn’t necessarily mean a white or pastel outfit or no embroidery. This minimalism is more a state-of-mind and in her approach. This modern bride values her individuality more than trends or expectations. She has nothing to prove to anyone, and she’s the one making the decisions about the wedding and her wardrobe,” Payal explains. For her own label, she creates pieces for the boho, carefree dresser. “The PS Bride, as I call her, may skip jewellery altogether, her hair is probably worn in open waves, and her ceremony is likely to be a barefoot beach wedding,” says Payal.