It’s not easy being a summer bride in Kolkata. But the post-Raila era is all about comfort-first bridal fashion. Whether you’re picking gorgeous south Indian silks, a humble dhakai or a daring Sabyasachi lehenga, the alternative bridal trends make it oh-so-easy to be chic for your summer wedding, without compromising on convenience.
Be it offbeat colours, sequin chiffons, summery florals or just plain old Calcutta cotton — it’s all on the table. And these Tollywood-inspired bridal looks can offer some much-needed guidance. Scroll away:
Mouni Roy
While Mouni made for a stunning Sabyasachi bride, for her wedding reception, she chose a shimmery, pastel Falguni and Shane Peacock lehenga with champagne-hued accents. This look can do wonders for a summer wedding when you need to make a statement but don’t want to pile up the bling.
Chitrangada Satarupa
The actor recently got married in a minimal and breezy red sari featuring stylised gold motifs. It’s perfect for intimate, Ralia-inspired weddings and won’t burn a hole in your pockets. Go for a handwoven Raw Mango sari or just raid your mum’s closet!
Rukmini Maitra
Toned down metallics are key to planning a summer trousseau. Something like Rukmini’s Kiran Uttam Ghosh number can work wonders for a post-bridal look, especially if you’re wary of heavy zardozi and zari work.
Raima Sen
Statement jadau can be your biggest ally if you’re looking for a pared-down look. You can still opt for a summer pastel lehenga and simply amp up the drama with some heavy-duty polki pieces. Or consider layering petite polkis which are usually repeatable.
Parno Mittra
You can never go wrong with a red dhakai. For daytime weddings, a red and gold dhakai can be a great pick, because it’s equal parts light and festive.
Arpita Chatterjee
If you’ve found the right gold choker, the rest should be a cakewalk. We love this blue bridal handwoven sari by Soumitra Mondal that features tested gold zari work. If you’re going for alternative colours, go bold!
Paoli Dam
Bridal colour blocking can be an audacious statement. Consider jewel-toned South silks instead of Benarasis, like Paoli.
Sauraseni Maitra
We love Sauraseni’s retro-inspired look that plays up some contemporary styling. The big gold neckpiece, the dramatic cat eye and the gajra play up the drama effortlessly.
Sudiptaa Chakraborty
We love how Sudiptaa styles a traditional Mitan Ghosh number with a contemporary deep-V blouse. This is a great hack if you want to add an element of quirk to a traditional or monochrome bridal sari.