At any wedding, all eyes are on the bride. And if it’s a royal wedding, even more so. On Saturday, millions of people sat glued to their television screens as royal bride Meghan Markle walked down the aisle in a simple-yet-sophisticated haute couture gown, a bejewelled tiara and minimal make-up — a picture of understated elegance. Apart from her tiara and earrings, and later, a ring, the former actress wore no other jewellery for the occasion.
Her bridal look is in stark contrast to that of the quintessential Indian bride. As a nation, we are staunch believers of the adage “the louder the better”, and a wedding is just the occasion to go over-the-top with our outfit and make-up game.
Take, for example, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s bridal look. The actress was adorned in a richly embroidered, bright red lehenga and an ostentatious amount of jewellery as she tied the knot with her beau.
Explaining the Indian bridal ethos, stylist Esha Amiin says, “We are known to be over the top. We are rich in culture, tradition, and costume. This grandeur is incorporated into our weddings as well.”
Make-up artist Bianca Louzado believes that it is the urge to showcase one’s wealth that drives all wedding-related fashion choices. “Very often, bridal fashion is a benchmark for a person’s prosperity. But, beauty lies in simplicity. I feel that a simple, elegant bridal aesthetic is far superior to an overdone, overdressed look.”
Is today’s Indian bride finally giving up the caked-up face and oodles of fabric in favour of a more natural look and flattering silhouettes? That does seem to be the case. “I know many brides who are opting for natural, understated looks on their wedding day,” says designer Amy Billimoria. One also recalls Anushka Sharma, who opted for minimal make-up on her special day. “I personally feel that it’s important to be understated, so that your natural persona and beauty come to the fore,” adds Amy.
How to master the understated bridal look
If you’re planning your wedding outfit any time soon and want to keep it simple, Amy has some advice for you. “Hair and make-up play a very important role. Even if your outfit is classy, overdone hair and makeup can ruin your look. Keep eye and lip makeup subtle and choose a natural-looking hairdo,” she says.
Esha suggests using make-up to highlight just one or two facial features. “Focus on your eyes or lips. Highlight them with colours that complement your bridal outfit. For the rest of your face, go for a fresh, airy look,” she says.
Amy also suggests choosing an outfit that compliments your skin tone. “People make the wrong choices because they blindly follow Bollywood stars. You need to choose a colour that matches your skin tone.”
