#RedBenarasiBride

Yami Gautam was a picture of classic elegance as she tied the knot with Uri director Aditya Dhar last week. Simple, subtle and classic is how we would describe her look for every occasion. For one of the wedding functions, she wore this traditional red bootidaar Benarasi with a stunning border. Her choice of traditional gold necklace, jhumkas and a vermillion-covered centre-parted hair completed her look.

Deepika Padukone has been spotted wearing a Benarasi sari on multiple occasions. But the one that continues to be our fave is the one which she wore on her first wedding anniversary. A bright red Benarasi with dense floral golden thread work, matched with a red high-neck blouse. Her choice of temple jewellery and kundan choker was a total #win!

Vidya Balan’s love for saris is not a secret and her choice of a stunning red drape was not surprising at her wedding in 2012 to Siddharth Roy Kapur. Sindoor, bindi and classic temple jewellery summed up her D-day attire.

Dia Mirza’s images from her wedding to businessman Vaibhav Rekhi earlier this year have been social media faves. The beautiful embroidered red Benarasi silk sari was from Raw Mango and she opted for simple organza dupatta and statement jewellery in sync with her dewy make-up.

While her pastel pink lehnga at her Tuscan wedding was the standout look from her entire wedding album, this classic red Benarasi sari by Sabyasachi for one of her receptions made Anushka Sharma a picture of the quintessential Indian bride as she tied the knot with Virat Kohli in December 2017.

#RivetingInRed

Bollywood singer Neha Kakkar, who married Rohanpreet Singh last year, donned a complete red lehnga from Falguni Shane Peacock for her night wedding. While many netizens were quick to compare the outfit and look with that of Priyanka Chopra’s, Neha looked pretty in red with polki jewellery and chura.

Talking about brides in red, one can never forget Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s Hindu wedding day outfit in 2018. The star wore a Sabyasachi lehnga with intricate embroidered thread work in red all over it. The wow factor of the outfit also goes to the long odhni that worked as a trail too. We loved how she paired her outfit with layers of diamond jewellery.

Sonam Kapoor Ahuja made a stunning bride in a red-and-gold lehnga by textile revivalist Anuradha Vakil. The handwoven ensemble had lotus motif and was made with real gold and silver thread. She kept her jewellery game strong with Rajputana jewellery that comprised multi-stranded mathapatti, an aad necklace and jhumkas!

Bipasha Basu was one of the first B-town beauties who donned a red Sabyasachi lehnga with zari work at her wedding in 2016 to Karan Singh Grover. She ditched the Bengali Benarasi sari but stuck to the royal red colour, white-and-red chandan on her forehead, a big red bindi and a topor on her head.

EXPERT SPEAK

Joydeep Roy, founder, Coloroso

There is something about red Benarasis. Something which makes it an almost integral part of any occasion or any weddings or a evening do. Red is the colour of fire and of blood, it is the colour of passion, of desire and of unconditional love. Traditional yet nouveau — these red Benarasis are for the women who love passionately and live life lovingly. In the past few years I have seen how today’s bride or bridesmaids choose red Benarasis for any occasion. Bengalis always used to prefer red over any other colour but today non-Bengalis too... it has to be red , handmade and Benarasi weave. Everything is touched with the breathing presence of red, something that stands apart in all its might. The colour is holy and marks the beginning of the journey of togetherness

Mousami Chhetri, hairstylist

There are a lot of hairstyles for brides nowadays but a sleek bun with middle parting and heavy sindoor is my favourite. This hairstyle is very much on trend now. Be it a red or a white Benarasi, this hairstyle complements the whole look. This is one of my favourite hairstyles for the brides because it’s very simple yet so glamorous. Also someone can add red or white flower garland around the bun to give it an elegant touch. I personally prefer white flowers like jasmine which is classic and never gets out of fashion. For a more regal look one can accessorise the bun with a hairpin in vintage style

Prasenjit Biswas, make-up pro

Red Benarasi sari, big bold red bindi, winged liner, red pout, elaborate chandan work on the forehead, white topor on the head. All of these give us an image of a traditional Bengali bride. But now brides are opting for something different and that challenges me in such a positive way. I believe Bengali women are gifted with the most beautiful eyes and skin tone. I try to put my skills to emphasise the eyes, with dark kohl-ed eyes. The chandan artwork is where I believe simplicity works wonders. Simple red and white dots elevate the look to a more modern yet quintessential vibe. I have developed a taste in muting the red lips to shades that actually accentuate the skin tone. We see a lot of gold jewellery been worn by a Bengali bride so the best way to highlight every piece keeping the look intact is a clean hairdo. As for hair accessories, fresh white roses and the topor does the magic. With non-Bengalis opting for a red Benarasi sari, jewellery plays a very important role as they are mostly kundans, jadaus or diamonds. Hence the make-up has to be taken care of accordingly. I try to balance the eyes and the lips here. Not emphasising only one feature, but trying to give both a pump. Elaborate head accessories like maangtikas, mathapattis take the lead. Thus it becomes more of a regal look than just a traditional one

Dolly Jain, sari drape artist

The beautiful Benarasi sari is gorgeous and has been a fave among celebs too. When it comes to draping, I feel on the wedding day since there is a lot of sitting and rituals, it’s advisable to pin up your sari properly and not let it loose, considering there’s fire around too. That is safe and won’t damage the weave. Once can also opt for a belt like the South Indians do. For reception, I would recommend an open pallu, and flaunt the stunning intricate work of the Benarasi sari, it looks super classy sexy

JEWELLERY:

The classic Benarasi silk sari can be accessorised with both gold and diamond jewellery. If your drape has heavy gold thread work, it’s advisable you opt for vintagey jewellery, especially if you are wearing it aatpoure Bengali style. But if you are wearing it with open pallu and the sari has a mix of gold and silver thread work one can go for polki, jadau chokers and mathapattis. If you are comfortable with nath, go for it... but if you are not, we suggest not to wear it just for the sake of it because chances are it will only tingle your nose and ruin the look. For the ears, there’s nothing like a pair of long jhumkas.

Pictures: Instagram and Pinterest