Outfits, Jewellery, Makeup...what a bride should bear in mind!
Working in the bridal industry, I come across all kinds of brides – the planning fanatics, the last minute rushers, the unconventional, the traditional , the Hi-Fashion, the DIY and so many more. It is interesting to learn the contrast in thoughts and approaches when all of them unanimously want their big day to be a memorable one - one filled with joy and celebrations, one that their families and friends will look back at with great fondness.
With every bride, there is so much that I learn from our conversations – things that they got right, things they wish they did differently, plans that went terribly south. There is enough to write a manual for potential brides. But if I were to render one advice for all the brides-to-be, that will be to ‘be unapologetically yourself’. If you would like to wear your family heirlooms, wear it with pride; if you have waited fervently for your turn to be in a bridal lehenga from Sabya’s latest collection, wear it in all its opulence; if you are someone who virtually never wears makeup, don’t end up with a face that you don’t recognize on your big day.
Getting your bridal looks right is all about tying its different elements effortlessly. Joining me on this post to share some relevant tips for brides-to-be are two of my dear friends and fellow partners at The Wedding Collective, Celia and Raaga. They share their thoughts on what to consider while picking out your bridal outfits and jewellery respectively . As you scroll through the post, you will also see stunning images of real bride-to-be, Maria in a comfortable straight silhouette dress with traditional weave from Korvai, styled with a timeless choker from CJ Artisan Boutique and just enough makeup with focus on shimmery eyes by yours truly :)
Outfits
Tie your look to your event Celia emphasises on the importance of curating a look that glides easily with the mood and the theme of the event. Even the simplest of weddings these days have at least a couple of events. Switch up your outfits from comfortable chic dresses to traditional silk sarees. If you're having a traditional ceremony with a formal reception, opt for a classic, like a saree that you can’t go wrong with! "I see this summer yellow dress with opulent ivory thread work fitting for a bridal brunch or an intimate family gathering”, she says.
Personal Style If you’re a minimalist who loves neutral earthy colours, having a bright pink and orange wedding would be a bit out of your element. Same goes if you love colour! Be mindful of the outfit colour and skin tones. Also, be careful not to choose colours that are going to wash out certain skin tones or make them look too flushed.
Fabric Before buying your bridal outfits, understand your body type and accordingly choose the fabric. Most brides worry more about the embroidery and designs on their outfits rather than focusing on the fabric itself. Choose fabrics that compliment your body type. Find out what works best for you!
Colours Choosing your colour palette really isn’t as difficult as it sounds. It’s important to just stay true to your style and figure out what visually inspires you.
Jewellery
An Investment, not just a Purchase Often brides or anyone thinking of buying a piece of jewellery for an event get confused as to how much they should spend or what kind of jewellery they should purchase . Raaga’s advice as echoed by her team is to choose quality over quantity. Think of it as an investment for your collection, your aesthetics and a value addition.
Think Heirloom The charm of jewellery that has been passed down to various generations is truly indisputable. So when you get something done for yourself, think heirloom. Vision generations coming after you wearing it; be it a ring that you want your future son to gift to the love of his life or your wedding neckpiece that your future daughter will dream of wearing on her big day, she says.
Versatility Brides are many a times hesitant to invest in their wedding jewellery thinking that they wouldn't wear the piece ever again. There prevails a usual misconception that your wedding jewellery is something that you wear just on your big day and tuck away in a locker after. The right thing to do is to curate versatile pieces for your collection. A choker that can be worn also as a bracelet; a neckpiece that is traditional yet contemporary, so that you can rock it with your saree as well as your jumpsuit.
The vintage chinoiserie choker on Maria is versatility exemplified and can easily complement any outfit and be flaunted at any age.
Build your collection over a period of time Jewellery is not something you should buy once in your lifetime i.e. for your wedding. It is a collection that you build slowly . Look to invest in even minimal pieces, something you can accessorise your everyday looks with. Try and avoid following every trend and stick to timeless designs; ensuring that you and your jewellery have an aura forever.
Explore the World of Gemstones Couture jewellery is not just about gold. It’s about the hues that are emitted by the various wondrous gemstones. There is skepticism to invest in gemstones amongst many, but gemstones are the world that unlocks the grandeur and heritage in jewellery. Maybe it be an exclusive gemstone, but invest in it , as you are the only one who will have that as your own in the whole world.
Makeup
Skincare There is only so much that a makeup artist can do on the day of your event. And his/her focus will be to play around with shades and tones that enhance your complexion and bring together the whole look. The bigger focus for a bride should be on her skincare routine in the months leading up to the wedding. Wearing sunscreen, exfoliating regularly, using a good moisturiser, hydrating from within, eating right are simple steps to radiant skin, known by all but often not practiced. Consult an aesthetician a few months prior who can help you put together a homecare routine paired with a few targeted facial treatments so that you are on track to sport a radiant healthy glow.
Choose a style of makeup that is intuitively you Every bride wants to look her very best on her wedding day. With the social media offering us glimpses of endless brides and endless trends, it gets effortful to conceive and wear a look that is intuitively you. It is important for brides to not get too caught up in that it’s their special day and end up doing more than they would normally do. You will regret not looking like your real self. I’m glad though that I am getting to work with more and more brides who are confident in their own skin, who are going easy with the concealer or holding back on dramatic eyes :)
Pictures vs. Reality Impeccable images that you see of brides on Instagram and Pinterest are often highly edited with flawless filters. Heavy coverage with extreme contouring and sculpting looks good in print but will look harsh for a day time event. Natural lighting accentuates your natural beauty; so keep it light and fresh during the day. For events in the evening, choose either your lips or your eyes as the focus and build the look around it. Irrespective the time of the event, the focus should be to even out your skin tone and conceal blemishes using minimal product thus creating a natural and timeless look.
On a closing note I’d like to say, let your creativity flow! No one has better clarity on what you want than you yourself; so trust your own style and choice. This is your special day with your partner, so make sure to keep it all about you :-)
Photography: VJ Wesley
