The Covid-19 situation had not deterred the marriage scene in India. People either are doing a low-profile wedding or doing a destination wedding. I am a fashion designer for 12 years and have been working with various wedding planners. We design dresses for Mehandi, Sangeet, Haldi, Cocktail, reception to Bidaai for the bride. The big challenge comes when we have to design the Trousseau (troo-sohz). Now for those who don’t know what Trousseau is, it is a Sandook or a trunk. This wedding trunk bride used to bring with her a gift for the families in it. Not only that this trunk used to have clothes which the bride will wear in the coming days. So from saree, suits, daily wear, lingerie, footwear to jewelry everything was in this trunk.
Times have changed and the wedding trousseau has become more elaborate and with different types of gifts. Traditionally this trunk is opened in front of everybody. That includes family members, friends, and even close neighbors. The jewelry is one thing but still, the star attractions are the dresses. Who gets what and the bride’s dresses are opened ceremoniously and with great enthusiasm. I have made designer dresses for the full family. It included the bride and bridegroom family, bhabhi, Bua’s, Massis, and so on. The dresses were also designed for all functions including the wedding. With international destination weddings, the trousseau has become grander.
The international destination wedding scene was dominated by Thailand for Indians. Average 250-300 weddings happen in a year.
My recommendation would be to get the dresses designed from India itself. Indian designers understand the sentiments and emotions with the dresses. Plus you are spoiled for choices with options for fabric, colors, work, styles, etc. With Mast Yatri the maximum weddings are happening in Thailand and that in Phuket. Now when weddings are happening on the beaches I have to choose the fabric and style differently. The fabric should be light-weighted, light in color, flowy in nature (Like a crepe Georgette or Satin variants). So instead of having more stone works choose Zari work. This will help you carry the dress easily on a sandy beach plus will help you bear the beach heat.
You can buy the best designer lehenga but you easily spoil it by wearing the wrong bra. Ask your designer to guide you on that as well.
You still have to decide to carry complete wedding trousseau or be selective. A wedding trousseau is a 150 – 250 set of clothes for the bride, mother, and sisters. If it’s an international destination wedding then I’ll recommend dresses to be in the range of 50 – 100. And yes, the dresses should be more for the bride as she is the “Star of the Moment”. Once you have the dresses get all of them dry-cleaned well before you start traveling. Also, try to have specific covers for the wedding gowns or dresses for the ceremonies. Normally all good design labels/brands will provide the covers for the expensive and heavily worked dresses. I on the other recommend my clients to go for special customization exclusive to them.
Degree in Fashion, 12 Year Experience
