Probably one of the most important components and the biggest source of stress was my outfits. I spent countless hours on Pinterest, Instagram, and…that’s about it Pinterest and Instagram, viewing absolutely beautiful outfit ideas for each occasion. And yet I could resonate with barely any designs, I felt like nothing suited my taste. I actually started to think there was something wrong with me and remember being in a daze so many times from straining my eyes and forcing myself to try to like something.
It took me longer than I care to admit to come to the realization that it was a “Western” feel and twist that I was missing from my searches. I think this fusion take is definitely worth embracing. I was born in LA and raised in Orange County, California. I have traveled so much of the US and my lifelong experiences now span coast-to-coast. But I have always stayed true to my Indian heritage and clothing has been a huge part of that, from endless days shopping for Indian clothes from the streets of Ahmedabad and Pioneer Blvd. in Artesia, CA, to customizing Indian dance performance wear for various competitions and performances. Blend this with a lifelong pursuit (and only recent success) in improving my daily (Western) fashion sense, and you get one bride-to-be very stuck between cultures. Somehow I eventually stumbled upon KYNAH, founded by Aisha Rawji to bridge the gap between India’s latest and greatest designers and what’s actually sold in America. Although I ended up buying only one outfit directly from Kynah, scouring their well-curated website and a couple visits to their LA store were enough for me to discover the designers and styles that suited me best.
I’m writing this post because I can’t be the only one who went through this ordeal. This is evidenced by this post by The Juggernaut as to why the diaspora’s Indian fashion lags years, maybe decades, from the fresh, modern, and yes sometimes Westernized looks of today’s India. And yes, we will #neverforget the Patil sisters’ travesties that absolutely did not help the cause.
Wedding Ceremony Lehenga
Designer Lehenga | Design By Shivani Insta: @designbyshivani
I went through so much with and for this outfit, and at the end of it I was thrilled with the way it turned out. I vehemently refused to wear red for majority of my initial wedding planning, however quickly realized I was definitely not going to wear green, and peach would wash me out. Still I was trying to get Shivani, who I found on Etsy, to customize this fabric to have a peach base, and after being told it would cost 3 times as much to do so, I reconsidered. When was I ever going to wear red again? Might as well feel like a real Indian bride? The sleeveless blouse fit completely wrong, and a second dupatta never arrived with the outfit. It took months to get a new unstitched piece of fabric, but I’m so happy I did because I did not realize how much better and more bridal the sleeves would look on me (thank you to my tailor in Tampa Nahida who is an assassin). As for the second magenta dupatta – we were in Aanchal and my mom randomly and shamelessly opens some cabinet in the middle of the store and starts sifting through their spare dupattas…makes a random offer for this one…and voila, I had the final piece that matched perfectly and tied the whole outfit together!
Reception Lehenga
Seema Gujral Insta: @seemagujraldesign
I think my favorite of all in terms of the way it turned out looking. However it still gives me chills how tight the armholes were A DAY before the wedding, and how we scrambled to get it to Harshi’s genius tailor who somehow worked her magic on the difficult to work with sequin fabric with just 3 hours to spare prior to the reception. A showstopper nonetheless!
Fully Customized Garba Chaniya Choli
Kalpana’s Creations Insta: @kalpanascreationsig
Gosh this outfit…some people’s most favorite. I am in awe of the painstaking work that Kalpana Auntie did by hand, but boy could I have done things with this outfit very differently! I could have styled it with a less poofy hairstyle (maybe double French braids), more simple eye makeup with a darker lip, less heavy jewelry (perhaps tassle-style), extra short chaniyo instead of extra long, the right shoes instead of having to use my reception shoes due to the chaniyo length, shorter sleeves (the long sleeves made my most active event make me sweat!). I also completely missed out on a spinning picture to demonstrate the crazy large “gher” (diameter) of the skirt. I am convinced that one day I or my future daughter will alter and style this outfit in a different way to redeem its awesomeness. The best redeeming factor was Ronak’s matching dhoti suit for that fully traditional feel.
Mehndi Outfit
HOW ABOUT NO? – MINT SHARARA PANTS & CAPE SET
Insta: @papadontpreachbyshubika
I just knew my wedding was the only time I would wear a Papa Don’t Preach by Shubika, so I needed to jump on the opportunity. It was perfect for my fusion pants theme and I especially loved the color combination. The cape came way too long and was dragging on the ground, I did not realize this until the day-of. Thank you Manju auntie for using your meticulous tailoring skills to save my mehndi at the 11th hour!
Vidhi-Pithi Outfit
Yellow Dhoti Set with Pre-Stitched Dupatta and Beaded Belt
Insta: @sonamluthria
I had originally picked out something much more dull in color although a similar style, and my mom randomly and commandingly told me to buy this one, which ended up being the right decision! The floral jewelry and headpiece was courtesy of our sweet neighbor Arvinda Auntie, and I only realized later it is impossible to find a matching set like this for sale in the states! Etsy likely has similar sets. Make sure you have non-staining yellow vico cream to do the haldi properly, mine ended up being some turmeric mixed with lotion because we didn’t have any!
Bridal Jewelry
My ceremony jewelry was picked out by my mom in India, apparently Anushka Sharma wroe the same style set for her wedding is what she tells me XD. I actually was very against wearing a nose ring but my mom convinced me and I’m so happy I did, I will never have the chance to get that look again! My mom also found the perfect shade of gold and green set for my reception outfit at a shop on Pioneer.
Rang Dil has the most reasonably-priced and the most variety of styles and colors that I could find in general, which I used for both Florida events, my mehndi, and garba. Quality for the most part is truly great but very occasionally not consistent, so don’t do what I did with my heavy garba earrings and oversized Garba choker, definitely order and try on beforehand.
All Bridal Shoes
DSW has the best sales and most variety, it’s the only place I shop for any shoes!
Mangal Sutra
Customized by my mother-in-law in India
I wanted something simple, wearable on a daily basis, and reversible with the “R” and “P,” it came out just absolutely perfect!
Bridesmaids Outfits
Customized with Nazraana NJ
Probably one of my greatest sources of frustration was finding a reliable designer for my bridesmaids outfits, and I really wanted to work within the states since I was ordering multiple pieces and wanted more control if something went wrong. Somehow after endless searching I stumbled upon a design that I finally loved and it was through Nazranaa, and I swapped the colors for those in my lehenga. They apparently did Vishal and Richa’s wedding from Family Karma! Aside from Ambika getting a half-sized dupatta for some unknown reason, the outfits turned out truly flawless.
Groomsmen Outfits
Customized with Rajoo India
Groom Sherwani, Pagri, and Shoes
Aanchal Designer Gallery on Pioneer Blvd., Artesia
I still can’t believe I found such a perfect embroidered flower sherwani for Ronak to complement my bridal lehenga so well. As for the pants…let’s not talk about that for now 🙁 😉 #IYKYK
Groom Tuxedo
Buy4LessTuxedo, Groom’s reception shoes: https://www.amazon.com/
Ronak was very happy with this tux and even happier about the money he saved. I personally would have preferred for him to wear navy but it still turned out nice!
Pre-Wedding Events:
Chamee and Palak | Some random store my parents went into on Pioneer Blvd.
Bachelorette Party
Ostrich feather top and pants: LAPOINTE and Aritzia, and two piece satin dress: Meshki Boutique
I wanted to wear red one night and white the other night for the Indian/Western contrast, but this is what ended up happening instead. I’m not mad about it!
Engagement Photo Shoot
Two piece white tribal print set: ASOS
This outfit had a way of making it seem like tribal print is back in! Shots by our talented friend Don Dau at murals around downtown St. Pete!
Bonus – Bridal Party Favors
Sani: Indian & South Asian-Inspired Fashion. Shop now. sani.co
Personalized Jewelry Boxes. Travel Case for Bridesmaids.qty. – Etsy
Heaviest Times Indian Card South Asian Desi Pakistani – Etsy
Personalized Bridesmaid Hangers Wedding Hanger Wooden – Etsy
Favors for the aunties who helped a ton for the wedding: select LIVETINTED products
The Sani pajama sets, Indian wedding-themed cards, and LIVETINTED products were the most fusion things about my choice in gifts. I know the travel jewelry cases are very useful, I think I could have chosen a style more unique, but they turned out nice. I think I could have skipped the hangers because no one ended up using or even bringing them and we got no pictures of them.
Bonus – Decorations for an Indian Fusion Bachelorette
These are the items I bought for my dear sister-in-law Nupur’s bachelorette!
Dulhan to Be Letter Balloons Indian Wedding Desi Dulhan – Etsy
Pin the Mucha on the Munda – Etsy
Pin the Bindi on the Bride – Etsy
Dulhan to Be Banner Kuwari No More Banner Indian Wedding – Etsy
Combine with streamer backdrop and balloons from Amazon (I suggest red and gold) as well as matching tanks with a bilingual phrase like “Shaadi Squad” and voila! Your Indian-themed bachelorette aesthetics are complete!
