Want To Be a Desi Vintage Bride? Here Are a Few Ideas To Try!
BY Latha Sunadh | 07 Jun, 2016 | 4 min read
What's old is new again with a wedding that captures the glamour of the '20s, the rock 'n roll energy of the '50s, or the free spirited vibe of the '70s. If you want to give yourself & the wedding a vintage touch, try adding these elements to make it work.
Outfits
We had a bride who incorporated some of her family’s wedding trousseau in her wedding lehenga! She added her grandmother’s Benarasi brocade and her mother-in-law’s lehenga details into her own wedding outfits. That's one way to do it. Another WMG Bride's reception outfit was passed down from three generations and so was her jewellery. Nothing screams vintage more than that! The best way to look vintage is to recycle an old sari or lehenga to give it a modern touch.
Designers
Of course, real vintage outfits are one thing. But designers that work the old-world charm work too. So if you're looking to look old-school, then opt for designers like Sabyasachi or Anita Dongre, both known for their exquisite craftsmanship. A friend actually wore a Sabya blouse with her mother's sari - best of both worlds huh? Ekaya or Raw Mango work with Benarasi and that's great too.
Hair
Your save-the-dates and invites set the tone for the celebration, so pick something that gives your guests a little sneak peek of what's in store. Since your vintage style may be made up of mismatched details, consider highlighting one of your wedding colours or a motif you plan to use in other design elements to create a sense of consistency. These days, old school motifs are coming back - parrots, peacocks, horses, paisleys and jaali prints.
We had a bride who incorporated some of her family’s wedding trousseau in her wedding lehenga! She added her grandmother’s Benarasi brocade and her mother-in-law’s lehenga details into her own wedding outfits. That's one way to do it. Another WMG Bride's reception outfit was passed down from three generations and so was her jewellery. Nothing screams vintage more than that! The best way to look vintage is to recycle an old sari or lehenga to give it a modern touch.
Designers
Of course, real vintage outfits are one thing. But designers that work the old-world charm work too. So if you're looking to look old-school, then opt for designers like Sabyasachi or Anita Dongre, both known for their exquisite craftsmanship. A friend actually wore a Sabya blouse with her mother's sari - best of both worlds huh? Ekaya or Raw Mango work with Benarasi and that's great too.
Hair
Picture Courtesy: Simran & Divyajot’s Wedding; Dhanika Choksi Photography
Having a full bridal veil that covers your face is also a stunning vintage idea. Think what gorgeous pictures will come out of them! You can also weave a vintage-inspired hair comb through your updo. Juda pins are coming back with a bang - so use them well. Jewellery
Picture Courtesy: Simran & Divyajot’s Wedding ; Mahesh Shantaram Photography
Jewellery that comes with a story is always interesting and often special, so see if you can find any family pieces to keep telling the tales they hold. The best way to style your vintage look is to opt for heirloom or vintage jewellery. Think of that gorgeous satlada from your grandma’s wedding trousseau or your mom’s neckpiece that can double up as a matha patti! A traditional nath is also a beautiful way to incorporate old jewellery. Don't polish your old jewellery, leave it that ornate-y way to get back the vintage look. Go for temple jewellery, polki and jadau for that beautiful charm. For accessories, little batuas and jhuttis will do very well, thank you! Hair and Makeup
Picture Courtesy: Lakshya Manwani; Makeup By Hitesh
Pin curls, finger waves and retro rolled hairdos are all great examples of ways to give your hair a touch of vintage flair. Combine perfectly sculpted brows with cat-eye liner and stunning red lips for a makeup look that's a work of art. Think Nargis, Meena Kumari and Waheeda Rehman. Decor
Picture Courtesy: Watermark Event Solutions ; Devika Narain and Company
Reminiscent of an ancient scroll, have your vows hand-calligraphed onto your aisle runner like them. You can also play around with teacups, birdcages, pearls, lots of pastel shades and old world charm! For fun and quirky vintage décor, you can add elements of the old like gramophones, stack of books or maybe even a giant pendulum clock. For inspiration, you can look up movies by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, true!!! Transportation
Picture Courtesy: Pooja & Rohan's Wedding; Shweta Poddar Weddings
Step back into the 1920s with a Gatsby-esque car. Or you can arrive in a carriage to get that whole maharaja vibe! Vintage cars are now back in business, even an Ambassador painted in pink is a welcome option. Stationery
Your save-the-dates and invites set the tone for the celebration, so pick something that gives your guests a little sneak peek of what's in store. Since your vintage style may be made up of mismatched details, consider highlighting one of your wedding colours or a motif you plan to use in other design elements to create a sense of consistency. These days, old school motifs are coming back - parrots, peacocks, horses, paisleys and jaali prints.
