Style Guide for Every Occasion

It’s that time of the year again when love is in the air and wedding bells are ringing. If it’s your partner in crime, your best friend tying the knot this season, you sure are brimming with excitement too! As the keeper of all your secrets gets set to step into this new chapter of life, it is time for you to join in the journey and dress your best for each of the special occasions leading up to the big day. From the engagement and Mehendi ceremonies to the grand wedding and reception dinners, get ready to adorn outfits that take inspiration from latest trends that are yet timeless.

Indian weddings are known for their vibrant colours and rich traditions. Each ceremony that leads up to the big day has its own significance and attire plays a crucial role in reflecting the celebratory mood. Here’s a glimpse into some of the important ceremonies and recommendations on what to wear for each, being part of the bridesmaid squad.

Engagement

The engagement or Sagai ceremony marks the official beginning of the bride and groom’s journey together. This pre-wedding ritual is a joyous occasion where the families of the engaged couple come together to formally announce the marriage. While your best friend gets set for this new beginning emotionally, don’t forget to cheer her up and be by her side throughout.

What could be a better way to celebrate your best friend’s engagement than by attending the ceremony all dressed up in a beautiful Silk saree. A Silk saree is always a popular choice with its traditional touch and luxurious drape. Feel free to experiment with the saree colour or try out trendy blouse styles as you party the night away with loved ones.

On this day, you’ll also need to do a lot of running around for your BFF so a lightweight Georgette or Organza saree can be the perfect fit as well. Taneira’s range of Georgette and Organza sarees are adorned with minimal embellishments or embroidery, and the sheer fabric is sure to make you look radiant on the day.

Haldi

Haldi, as the name suggests, is a traditional pre-wedding ritual where the bride and groom are lovingly smeared with haldi and lots of love. In the Indian culture, the Haldi ceremony is also believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the couple as they begin this new journey together. While some families have separate events for the bride and the groom, some enjoy celebrating it together with both the families getting together for this auspicious ritual.

The colour yellow is often associated with the ritual of haldi and it is considered auspicious for all guests to dress up in yellow too. This vibrant, playful yet significant ritual calls for light sarees with a minimal festive touch. Taneira’s range of yellow Chiffon sarees come with fine detailing ideal for the occasion. They’re flowy and lightweight, designed with love, keeping in mind the latest fashion trends.

For Haldi, you can also opt for a soft, lightweight and festive Maheshwari or Chanderi saree. These traditional Indian sarees are known for their lightweight, comfortable fabric and vibrant designs that offer many picture-perfect moments.

Mehendi

Among the most colourful celebrations that lead up to the wedding, the Mehendi night is all about love, laughter and tons of pictures. The ceremony involves applying henna or mehendi on the hands and feet of the bride, bridesmaids and other members of the family. As part of the traditions, the first stroke of henna applied on the bride’s hands should come from the groom’s mother and vice versa. The application of henna is considered very auspicious, and once done, it provides many wonderful photo opportunities especially with all the bridesmaids.

For the perfect shots for your best friend’s Mehendi, we recommend an assortment of green sarees. Most weddings have green as the theme for mehendi as it goes well with the ritual. From Crepe and Chiffon to the more formal Tissue, you can pick what you like from Taneira’s exclusive range of sarees for the mehendi ritual.

Be it the bold floral prints of the Crepe sarees, the soft drape and delicate appearance of Chiffon sarees or the subtle shimmer of the Tissue sarees, you’re sure to make a statement as you adorn one for your best friend’s mehendi function. Since you may have to be with the bride throughout as she waits for her hands to dry, and also because you’d be getting the henna done too, comfort is key on this day. All three fabrics – Crepe, Chiffon and Tissue – offer ease of movement and are comfortable to wear throughout the festivities.

Sangeet

Get set to dance the night away as the most enjoyable of all wedding functions is here. The Sangeet night comes alive with twinkling lights, vibrant floral arrangements, innovative cocktails and delicious food. As family and friends gather, laughter and chatter fill the air. The Sangeet function is a mosaic of emotions, with the dance floor being the highlight of the night. The beats of the dhol take over and the couple’s friends and family prepare dance performances that you’re sure to remember for a long time to come.

For the Sangeet, opt for a saree that has a festive and elegant appeal. Chiffon, Tissue, Georgette and Banarasi are excellent choices for this night. These fabrics drape well and often come in vibrant colours, adding to the celebratory vibe. Choose a saree adorned with intricate embroidery and sequins or pick from a classic woven Banarasi saree. Don’t shy away from experimenting with bright colours like red, royal blue, yellow, parrot green and more for the colourful Sangeet night.

Taneira’s collection of sarees for Sangeet offers a wide range of printed sarees in various fabrics. Complete your Sangeet look as you dress up in one of these stylish printed sarees that are truly an amalgamation of tradition and modernity. Accessorise them in unique ways and you’re all set to be the best dressed bridesmaid ever!

Wedding

The wedding ceremony holds profound significance as this is the day when the sacred and joyous union of two souls takes place. This day marks not just the union of two souls, but two families. Thus, on this occasion, wearing a beautiful traditional saree is the perfect choice. The celebration involves everything from the arrival of the groom with the baraat and the magnificent bridal entry to the exchange of jaimalas, pooja with pheras and finally the vidai. The big day and the wedding ceremony hold deep cultural, social and emotional importance for everyone, creating lasting memories.

Banarasi sarees are known for their opulence and intricate zari work, making them a classic choice for wearing on the main wedding day of loved ones. These sarees crafted from fine Silk, are complete with elaborate patterns made with gold or silver threads. The luxurious drape makes these sarees suitable for formal events like weddings. On the other hand, Kanjivaram sarees are much loved for their rich colours, traditional Silk look and bold, contrasting zari borders. The pallu of a Kanjeevaram saree is often heavily embellished with zari designs. When draped, the pallu becomes a focal point, creating a striking and memorable look.

Taneira’s brings forth a collection of traditional wedding sarees that are reflective of the rich Indian heritage and craftsmanship. Wearing one to your best friend's wedding adds a touch of tradition and cultural pride to the celebration.

Reception

Often held immediately or the next day after the wedding, the reception serves as a culmination to the wedding festivities. It brings together loved ones to celebrate the union of the newlyweds, marking the joyful beginning of their journey. This is also when the newlyweds are formally introduced as partners for the first time and welcomed by the family with lots of love, best wishes and gifts. The wedding cake, the couple’s first dance and a toast to the couple follow.

For this day, you can choose between a very traditional look with a Banarasi or Kanjivaram, or can go for a more contemporary Organza or Tissue ensemble. While Banarasi and Kanjivarams look regal with their elaborate zari work and luxurious Silk drape, Organza and Tissue sarees are popular for their slight sheen, airy fabric and contemporary drapes.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to selecting the colour for the reception saree, but you can always try dark, bold colours for a night function and light, breezy options for a day function.

Styling Tips for Your Best Friend’s Wedding

Here are some tips to help you look fabulous on your best friend’s wedding:

• Check for the colour themes for all occasions and choose an outfit which goes well with the occasion.

• Depending on how formal an occasion is, experiment with prints and patterns on the saree you select.

• Don’t hesitate to try out new and unique blouse styles for your best friend’s wedding functions.

• Choose a hairstyle that complements the neckline of your blouse. You can try a long side braid for the sangeet, open hair for the wedding and even a messy bun for the reception.

• Don’t forget to style your outfit with accessories of your choice. Simple earrings for Haldi, oxidised jewellery for Sangeet And traditional gold jewellery for wedding/reception are some popular choices.

As your best friend steps into this new and exciting chapter of her life, there's no better way to celebrate than by dressing up in a manner that reflects the joy, love and significance of the occasion. Choose from a wide range of wedding sarees for every occasion at www.taneira.com or visit a Taneira store in your city today.