You are not the bride, yet you are one of the showstoppers because it’s your best buddy’s shaadi. How do you strike the subtle balance between being second to the bride and still playing your best cards? We spill the beans.
The mehendi motifs on Sameera’s palms smell fresh and her face is aglow after a rejuvenating fruity facial. Even as a bling tattoo is being applied on her left arm, she retouches her hairdo with the other hand. No, it’s not her wedding! She is dressing up for the most-awaited event of the year, her best friend’s wedding! Can band, baja, baraat be more fun than this? It’s sans all the sweaty moments. No heavy jewellery, no elaborate ensemble, no ritualistic obligations — bride’s best buddies are free birds who get the desired attention but at their own whims! And that’s exactly why we think all you lovely women are VIP, who not only get to share the stage presence with the bride but also take charge of being her closest aids (read bridesmaids and party organizers!!).
Getting yourself dressed up for your buddy’s wedding and all its accompanying celebrations is one of the most exciting moments of your life. But it’s also about striking a subtle balance. You are not the bride to steal the show but at the same time you are the second showstopper. How do you strike the right cord with the right style? Plan Your Wedding helps you curate the look with an interesting shopping/must-have guide.
Experiment with Cuts & Colours
The best thing about dost ki shaadi is you are free to experiment as it’s not your D-day. Whether you go for ready-to-wear shopping or for bespoke designing, you have complete liberty to choose colours, styles and silhouettes that please you. Just keep in mind not to choose the same colour and style as that of the bride for very obvious reasons! As she is your best friend, you would be among the first ones to know what her outfit looks like. Avoid the same colour or at least the same shade.
Wedding: Ranjana Roy and Akansha Roy, founder and designers of Saj, a brand specialising in Indian couture and bespoke tailoring for wedding and parties, say, “Crop top and lehenga with long sheer gown on top is a good choice for bride’s friend. In fact, silver top and lehenga with golden sheer gown, embellished with silver boota work would look perfect for wedding day.” Floor-length Anarkali with high-low hem, cigarette pants and dupatta is also a fabulous combination for your buddy’s D-day.
Reception: Concept saree or saree gown in pastels is quite a thing. Wanna give a quirky Bolly twist? Drape yourself in the Mumtaz-style saree. With ready-to-wear variety, it’s easy to drape now!
Mehendi/Sangeet: Plane lehenga or flared palazzo with full sleeved crop top would look boho chic. Another interesting idea from Ranjana and Akansha is a dhoti and small peplum top.
Bachelorette Party: Shimmers, sequins and sheers… the choice in the market gets as glitzy as you please because these are completely in vogue. If you are ready to go bold, tunics or dresses with receding hemlines and low necklines are all yours. Those who are comfortable in conventional, go for floor-length gowns. Biker gals may wanna cheer, “Jeans and top zindabad!”
Pool Party: Bold and beautiful printed, sleeveless maxis and spaghetti-strapped drape dresses are in this season.
Fun yet Ethnic Blings
Thankfully, bride’s best friends are not expected to bear the heavy heirlooms or say it only with precious metals. You can always pick a perfect blend of fun and ethnic to suit the occasion.
Wedding: Rahul Aggarwal, Director, SRS Jewells suggests, “Your jewellery should express your personality, but it should also complement your dress. Look natural and not cluttered with gems. Short-sleeved dresses should include a bracelet and halter necks should focus on hair accessories. Sweetheart or strapless dresses work best with chandelier earrings and V-necks need something to adorn their neckline, such as a pendant or a choker.”
Reception: Why not opt for something different for reception? Round and marquise-cut diamonds as well as traditional polkis can add the perfect amount of elegance to your entire ensemble.
Sangeet/Mehendi: Go for statement jewellery studded with colourful gemstones. These will perfectly complement cocktail gowns as well as lehengas.
Bachelorette Party: The quirkier the better. And then, haven’t we heard of jewellery or bling tattoos!
Pool Party: One chic and contemporary statement piece will do the magic. If you pick a neckpiece, go easy on ear jewellery.
Method in Mane Madness
Choose a hairstyle that makes you feel comfortable and look confident. You can take risks as long as there’s method in your madness. Make a shopping list of the hair accessories accordingly.
Wedding: Either go for a neatly braided look with a maang tikka or choose a dishevelled pleat.
Reception: Lacqueredor side-swept hair with accessory or vintage curls with simple and cute maang tikka
Sangeet/Mehendi: Curly updos with hair accessories thrown in or pleats with hair extensions
Bachelorette Party: Let your hair down withcostume hats!
Pool Party: Leave it open, tie a high pony tail or top bun.
Itsy-Bitsy to Top it All
While the outfits and jewellery for wedding and its festivities take the most time, money and effort out of you, remember, it’s the accessories and sundry items that complete the look and make you stand out from the rest. Do make a shopping or a must-have list of itsy-bitsy items along these lines (Items may vary according to your needs):
- Trinket for outfits – Latkans, doris, dressy buttons, trinkets or patch work to complement bespoke outfits
- Hair accessories – Tiaras, tikkas, bob pins, clips and broaches to prep you up
- Head gear – Costume hats and masks for bachelorette and pool party – it’s ok to bring out your wild and weird side with close friends!
- Makeup – Glitters, nail paints, eye shades, contacts, eyeliners, lip colours, eye lash and nail extensions – just the right amount to subtly enhance your look.
- Bling tattoos – For tattoo gals, there are a variety of foils online in gold, silver and bronze. Make a necklace or an anklet. It’s fun!
- Bag it – Sequined, shimmer or brocade sling bags and shiny clutches to tuck in your essentials. Tote bags for exclusive women’s day out shopping.
- Footwear – Barefoot sandals, jootis, stilettoes, flats – buy and keep a variety of options in place. Keep a cute pair of flip flops ready for pool party.
- Sunglasses for pool party, daytime functions and for running errands
No compulsive shopping, please! Remember, it’s your buddy’s day and you want to make the most of these special moments rather than thoughtlessly indulge in shopping bags.
The article was originally published in Plan Your Wedding magazine.
