How to be a Standout Bride: A Mix of Tradition and Modern and 10 Best Bridal Lehengas

Lehengas are undoubtedly one of the most sought after bridal attires. Though a popular outfit of North India, it has gained traction in the other parts of the country as well. Most brides prefer to have lehenga in the bridal trousseau. If not the bridal outfit, at least the reception outfit.

Lehengas comes with one rule: That is to be ornately worked be it with embroidery, sequins, or stones. However, nowadays, there is also a shift from extravagant lehengas to comfort and minimalistic silhouettes. Lehengas are evolving with every season and adopting more western concepts like capes, trains, peplum blouses. Keep scrolling on the deets for what’s in store for this year.

2020 is all about playful patterns and abstract looks. Be it ruffles or feathers or monotone fabric patches or even futuristic designs, designers are adopting it all for lehengas. A perfect example is a recent collection by Shane & Falguni Peacock that has a lot of ruffles and feathers. The designer couple has always been synonymous with dazzling prints and patterns. Not to be left behind, you can find lehengas in the same trend with Manish Malhotra and Papa Don’t Preach by Shubhika. Go all the way with ruffled choli and ruffled lehenga or stay safe and adopt ruffles on either on your lehenga or choli.

Another trend to gain traction is the standout choli. Plunging neckline with dramatic sleeves is enough to set you apart even with a minimalistic lehenga. Or you can try simplicity and go with cold shoulders or off shoulders. Designers Shyamal and Bhumika have adopted the trend for their latest collection. Their collection has everything from simple bralets to backless blouses and simple satin blouses. If modest is what you are looking for, check out the peplum choli designs for your lehenga. Designers Shyamal and Bhumika, Sabyasachi and Shubhika Sharma have similar cholis in their collection.

2020 would see brides veering towards soft pastels and light hues. With red taking a step back for once, the brides are sure to love this new avatar. Look for inspiration from the latest Tarun Tahiliani collection. Another designer to advocate this pastel trend is Anita Dongre. She uses sheer chanderi fabrics in mint, soft yellows, and pastel blues for her collection.

Another trend inspired by the west is white lehengas. White lehenga with gold and silver work including strategically placed mirrors looks like a dreamy affair. Sabyasachi and Anamika Khanna have some awesome lehengas in white and ivory. Take pointers from ivory and gold chikankari lehenga by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla worn by Sonam Kapoor for her mehendi and sangeet ceremony. If white is not your thing, Sabyasachi has a beautiful grey (or is it pastel blue) lehengas. To add some pop of colour to these minimalistic hues, you could add colourful jewelry and even a second sheer dupatta in contrasting colour.

While taking inspiration from the west for your lehenga, go the extra mile and check out lehengas with capes and veils as well. Lehenga with cape cholis is ideal for your cocktail function or sangeet ceremony. Designers Rohit Misra and Manish Malhotra have some beautiful capes for the edgy brides. Veils and trains are also a part of this contemporary trend that has seeped through from the west. Most brides now desire a second sheer dupatta that covers their faces just like a veil.

Since Priyanka Chopra was seen with her stunning long train, brides could not wait to jump on to the trend and designers could not wait to accommodate them. Designers Manish Malhotra and Tarun Tahiliani know how to keep it modern and still not veer away from the tradition.

If there is one lehenga that ticks all the right boxes when it comes to trends, it is the Grey and Golden Embroidered Lehenga by Chhabra 555. The grey lehenga with subtle burnished gold embroidery and sequins is everything you would look for in a trendy yet minimalistic bridal lehenga. The lehenga features ruffled details on the choli as well as the lehenga. It also presents short bell sleeves, boat neck, padded cups, flared hem and concealed zip closure on the side. This lehenga is made of net fabric with a silk lining. It is also accompanied by a net dupatta with a taping border. The lehenga is made to measure, hence, you might have to take your measurements beforehand. Priced at a discounted rate of Rs. 8,955, this lehenga is available to buy from Myntra.

Go with contrast jewelry for a standout look and dance the night away at your sangeet ceremony with the ruffles swirling around you.

Red and maroon lehengas never go out of fashion. After all, they are the traditional bridal colours. Maroon Embroidered Velvet Lehenga Choli from Peachmode is the picture of elegance and glam. The lehenga is semi-stitched and is made of velvet fabric. It is accompanied by a matching choli of the same material and a dupatta of net fabric. Every inch of the skirt features heavy embroidery and stonework. The dupatta has a velvet lace border on all four sides with gold embroidery on the inside and the blouse is a traditional one with a sweetheart neckline and short sleeves. Buy it from Peachmode at a discounted price of Rs. 6,614.

Polki jewellery accented by emeralds works the best for maroon lehenga as it adds a beautiful contrast. Be the centre of attention and rightfully so with this graceful and beautifully embroidered bridal lehenga.

The Green Embroidered Lehenga Choli with Jacket from Panash India is elegance personified in a single garment. Priced at a discounted rate of Rs. 9,084, this semi-stitched lehenga has rich zari embroidery and gorgeous resham work, interspersed with sequins and stones. The skirt is a jacquard and net fabric double-layered pattern, lined with a poly shantoon material. It is paired with a sleeveless choli and round neck. Accompanying the choli is a jacket of net material adorned with stonework, featuring a round neck and three-quarter sleeves and embellished green net dupatta with lace borders.

Ditch the dupatta and let the jacket take center stage. Wear big earrings like chandbali and a choker for maximum impact.

While dazzling zardozi and gota patti works have its place in a lehenga, nothing equals the charm and beauty of a classic embroidered lehenga. The Turquoise Embroidered Silk Lehenga, made from Banarasi silk material is the epitome of elegance and allure in a single package. The skirt is turquoise with a maroon zari border. It is embellished with embroidery work all over. The choli is of the same material, but in cherry red colour again featuring embroidery work, sweetheart neckline, and half sleeves. It is accompanied by an orange dupatta in georgette with embroidery at the borders. Available at a heavily discounted rate of Rs.7,999, you can buy it from Mirraw.

Be the picture of simple and minimalistic beauty with the embroidered lehenga. Team this with heavy jewellery for a more charismatic look.

Why stick to a monotonic colour when you can get lehenga with contrasting colours such as this one? The Kerala Silk Embroidered Bridal Lehenga with its pink lehenga, cream choli, and pink dupatta is everyone’s dream bridal outfit. The lehenga is semi-stitched and has heavy coding embroidery with diamond and lacework. The skirt is a deep pink with green and zari border while the top is off-white with green sleeves. The dupatta is similar to that of the skirt. The skirt and choli are of Kerala silk material while the dupatta is of mono net fabric. The lehenga costs Rs. 5,678 and you can get it from Jio Fab.

Go minimalistic with jewellery and let this lehenga speak for itself. Dazzle at your wedding in this Kerala silk outfit.

Whites are a sure no-no when it comes to Indian weddings. However, the trend is catching up with the youngsters who prefer a western look with their lehenga. If you are not ready to catch up with the white on white trend, you can go for this Cream Lehenga from Manyavar. Priced at Rs. 14,999, the lehenga is the embodiment of youth and grace. The highlight of the lehenga is the gold, pink, and orange floral zardozi work that runs through the skirt and the choli. The monotonous look is brightened by the pink and orange flowers interspersed in the gold zardozi work. The orange sheer net dupatta completes the lehenga and gives it life.

When in doubt, trust floral to carry you through. Team it with heavy jewellery in contrast colours for a stunning impact.

Even though every bridal season brings in a new colour, red comes out at the top when it comes to the bridal lehenga. This Red Satin Bridal Lehenga from Fabja is as traditional and classic as it gets. The ghagra and choli feature beautiful stone, dori, thread and zari work in gold threads. The combination of red and gold gives the lehenga a regal look. While the skirt and the blouse are made of satin, the dupatta is a soft net material. Keeping in line with the lehenga, the dupatta is also embellished with gold zari embroidery. The lehenga is semi-stitched and will cost you Rs. 6,744.

Look like a princess at your wedding wearing the Traditional Red Satin Lehenga. Include a veil for added impact.

Velvet usually has a bad reputation due to its heavy nature but velvet lehengas are actually the royal ones of the lot. This Dark Green Embroidered Velvet Lehenga from Utsav Fashion is the personification of dignified beauty. The ghagra and the choli is velvet with satin lining and enhanced with resham, stone, zari, and patch border work. The choli also features short sleeves and a boat neck. The dupatta is a contrasting pink and of a soft net fabric with a patchwork border. The lehenga is readymade and you can get it at a discounted price of Rs. 12,600.

Find the right accessories for this gorgeous lehenga and you would be a stunning bridal beauty.

For those who don't care about the price and are not afraid to rock pastel colours for your wedding, this Mint Green Lehenga by Kalki Fashion is the embodiment of delicate whimsical beauty. Perfect for a day ceremony, the lehenga is a fresh breath of air in a day otherwise dominated by dark and loud colours. The skirt and the choli are raw silk featuring zari, sequins, and moti work in floral jaal and border design. The dupatta is of net fabric with embroidered buttis and the same colour as the rest of the outfit. The lehenga is made to order and costs you an astronomical Rs. 77,340.

Style it with heavy silver accessories with similar colours or contrast for a bodacious look. This lehenga is perfect for a day ceremony or for your Mehendi function.

Our final selection is for those who live abroad and want an exquisite lehenga for a ceremony. Silk is often underrated but people forget its timeless beauty. Silk lehengas usually give a stunning and understated look to the bride. This Beige Bridal Lehenga by Bridal Lehenga Store has everything that a modern bride would love in her dream outfit. The choli and ghagra are made from beige silk and is accentuated by resham thread work with zari, zardozi, and sequins. The dupatta is of sheer net fabric and is adorned the same way as the rest of the outfit. The lehenga costs you $490 or Rs. 36,554 and is available for international shipping.

Accessorize it with heavy gold jewellery with polki and emeralds. It is the jewellery that makes this lehenga a standout. Rest assured everyone’s eyes will be on the stunning bride.

The love for lehenga is intrinsically intertwined in every Indian woman’s DNA. Every bride would love at least one designer lehenga in her trousseau. Here are a few designers who are known for their gorgeous bridal attires.

Touted to be India’s most celebrated designers, Manish Malhotra has dressed quite a few famous brides. Isha Ambani, Kareena Kapoor, Urmila Matondkar, and more have chosen to be dressed by the man himself. He is known for his love for fabrics and lehengas with a modern twist just like this Flamingo Pink Embroidered Lehenga. The skirt is a grey double georgette fabric accentuated by resham embroidery. It is paired with an organza blouse featuring a deep ‘V’ neck and a near backless design. Buy it from Aashni + Co for Rs. 4,50,000.

A lehenga steeped in tradition with classic designs yet manages to stand apart and if you happen to see such a lehenga, be assured it is a Ritu Kumar creation. Having dressed celebrities like Princess Diana, Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra, and Lara Dutta amongst many others, Ritu Kumar has been in the industry since 1969. A perfect example of her selection of bridal outfits is the Red and Off White Embroidered Lehenga. The ghagra, choli and dupatta, all feature zardozi work. The traditional lehenga is priced at Rs. 1,53,990 and you can get it from her website ri.ritukumar.com.

It is every bride’s dream to wear a Sabyasachi Lehenga on her D-day. Sabyasachi Mukherjee is a renowned designer known for his modern lehengas made with traditional techniques. He has dressed some prominent figures like Isha Ambani, Anushka Sharma, Bipasha Basu, Amrita Puri, Soha Ali Khan, Oprah Winfrey, Sophie Turner, among many others. His looks are quite extravagant and are loved by brides all over the world. Just like this Hot Pink Embroidered Lehenga from Carma Online Shop. Priced at an exorbitant rate of Rs.3,95,000, the skirt features tonal detailing and embroidery, so does the choli which comes with a deep neck. The matching dupatta is embellished with scattered motifs and border.

Anita Dongre is the reigning queen of Indian bridal wear. Her designs are luxurious and give life to dying Indian techniques, integrating them with modern designs and fabrics. Aishwarya Rai, Dia Mirza, Kate Middleton, Madhuri Dixit, Shraddha Kapoor have been spotted wearing dresses from Anita Dongre before. Are you looking to be a princess at your wedding? If you are, then you might want to look at the Ilios Lehenga by Anita Dongre. The muted gold lehenga emulates understated elegance and is accentuated by gotta patti and mirror work all over. The skirt and the choli are of the cotton blend while the dupatta is nylon. The dupatta also has scattered motifs and a border.

Tarun Tahiliani is the image of modern Indian couture. His designs while traditional adopt modern trends and are widely loved by Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities. Sonam Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Shilpa Shetty, Mehr Rampal, Oprah Winfrey, Katrina Kaif have all been spotted wearing Tarun Tahiliani couture. A timeless example for his lehengas is the Kalidar Lehenga with Embroidered Peplum Blouse. Made of Italian tulle and silk georgette, the lehenga features embroidery and patchwork on the blouse. Motifs and lace border adorns the dupatta. Priced at Rs.1,20,900, you can get this lehenga it from his online store.