2020 has seen many firsts. One of them is how weddings have done away with swanky receptions packed with hundreds of guests at five star hotels in favour of more intimate, even virtual experiences. The safety measures in times of the COVID-19 pandemic have made this a necessary choice for brides and grooms this year and possibly, for the near future as well. The big fat Indian wedding may have been the craze in the recent past which oozed extravagance, from decor to the designer lehenga. However things have changed vastly; not only with downsizing of wedding venues and guest lists but also with bridal fashion trends that the function encompasses. NDTV Swirlster spoke to Monisha Jaising, pret and couture fashion designer for her expertise on what lies ahead for the new normal of lockdown wedding style.
Lockdown Weddings: How Things Have Changed
Even the quarantine can't hold romance hostage. Weddings are still going forward, with many precautions firmly in place. Not only are numbers of attendees chopped drastically, venues have shifted to living rooms, backyards and distant spaces. "Weddings are still taking place but now, they're smaller and more intimate. Guests will be attending even from places far away and thanks to the digital space, it's now possible virtually," says Monisha.
Floral lehenga by Monisha Jaising
(Also Read: Dear Summer Brides, Here Are Expert Tips For Your Wedding Shopping)
Bridal Fashion At Quarantine Weddings
"After months of staying at home in track pants, everyone is looking forward to getting out and celebrating. One will see bold colours, jewellery and hairstyles on wedding guests. They will do their best to stand out," confirms Monisha. If that's the case for the wedding guests, we can only imagine how the bride will choose to stand out. "As far as the bride is concerned, I see the return of the ghoonghat. Statement ghoonghats will be all the rage. Not only are they traditional, they also offer a face covering which ensures safety, " she says of the key part of the bridal look and continues, "Brides will want to use more colour and cut for their garments rather than very heavy embellishment. The reason being the metal in the sequins and zari can also carry the virus up to 72 hours."
Printed saree from Monisha Jaising
Trousseau Shopping For Lockdown Brides
It goes without saying that the bridal shopping experience is going to change drastically for her wedding day. On asking Monisha for her thoughts, she agreed and added, "Gone are the days of window shopping and browsing when you visit your favourite brick and mortar store to touch and feel the garments. It's now virtual. The digital platform is going to take over more than ever before. Online selling is the new way forward." And how are fashion designers adapting to these new conditions? Monisha shared her insights and said, "Instead of opening multiple stories in cities, designers worldwide will open a one flagship store for the experience of the brand. Everything else will be digital."
Comments
(Also Read: These 7 Minimal Jewellery Sets Are Made For The Modern Bride)
