- Indian weddings have become displays of wealth, focusing on aesthetics and heavy clothes
- Designer Tarun Tahiliani notes guests compete by wearing heavier, uncomfortable outfits
- Tahiliani advises brides to prioritise comfort and authenticity over trends and excess
Indian weddings are celebratory and always have been. Hundreds of people attend the functions, rituals span several days, and families invest in clothes and jewellery for both wearing and gifting. But over the last decade, weddings have become a grand display of wealth, driven largely by celebrities and affluent families.
More than celebrating the union of two people, weddings today often centre around aesthetics, decor, and designer outfits. People are more concerned about recreating an Instagram-perfect look than understanding what truly suits them. Ace designer Tarun Tahiliani agrees with this shift.
In a recent interaction with influencer Masoom Minawala, he spoke about how families now dress up primarily to look more appealing than their guests. He also discussed what modern Indian brides are doing right and wrong on their big day.
Tarun Tahiliani Says Indian Weddings Are Defined By Heavy Clothes
Masoom Minawala highlighted the cultural shift in how Indian weddings are perceived. Tarun Tahiliani responded, "To be honest, I don't know what they are anymore. I am completely confused and baffled."
He pointed out that Indians have accumulated wealth over the years and have begun defining themselves by wearing 'heavier and heavier clothes.' He added, "People are very worried now. 'I can't be less dressed than my guests,' is the line I hear all the time."
"And I'm like, 'Screw the guests.' If they want to be uncomfortable, why do you care?"
He also mentioned how wedding functions often go on for several hours, sometimes 7 to 8 hours. Amid rituals, eating, dancing, and games, the discomfort becomes obvious. "The worst thing I see is a bride who runs off at 10 pm and comes back in a little dress with chappals or CADs. Wear them under your lehenga," he advised.
He explained that he and his team offer clever and sustainable alternatives, "We take out the lehenga and make you a pair of palazzos to match, so everything stays cohesive." He also referenced his campaign, Love and Re-love, which educates women on repurposing their outfits.
"It has become a huge pressure on people, partly fueled by Bollywood and by big families where everything is about decor, clothes, and jewels. The experience is mostly horrible because Indian weddings are like melas (fairs)," he added.
What Indian Brides Are Doing Right And Wrong Today
Since the 80s and 90s, the world has changed dramatically, especially in fashion. Brides today take control of how they look, what they wear, and how their wedding unfolds.
"I think many brides are doing things right. They are dressing for themselves," the designer said.
"Earlier, they did whatever their mothers and grandmothers told them. But this has changed. These girls are highly educated. They consider themselves equal. They were not raised to serve another family. So, things have changed a lot. People who are free enjoy the experience much more."
Commenting humorously on impractical choices, he added, "I keep telling them, you want this long trail, but that's for a church aisle where you walk straight. You're going to set yourself on fire if you go around like that," referring to revolving jaymala stages.
But where do brides go wrong? "They watch too much and try to emulate hundreds of sources, and that takes them away from being who they are," the designer noted.
According to him, the key to being the most beautiful bride is simple. "It's not about which designer or how many jewels you wear. It's about being comfortable in your own skin and looking like yourself."
It's your big day. It should be about you. Why choose discomfort over authenticity? You can be the most beautiful bride simply by choosing yourself.