Desi weddings in a foreign land have a completely different vibe, but the expectation is always the same: dressing up your best! As an NRI guest, if your first choice is a lehenga, you’re already heading in the right direction. But finding the right lehenga requires a little more consideration. The weather, venue setting, event aesthetics, and cultural expectations all play a major role in making sure your look makes a statement while keeping you comfortable.
While Dubai heat requires soft, flowy fabrics, Toronto and London cold’s weather need something warmer. The cultural expectations differ as well; for instance, Toronto weddings call for bold hues and rich work, Dubai weddings require polished statements, and London weddings are all about subtle elegance. Making a choice might seem challenging, but it’s much simpler.
Let’s understand in depth how you can dress up in a lehenga at an Indian wedding in London, Toronto or Dubai.
What to Wear to a London Wedding: Elegant Lehenga Ideas
British weddings have a unique and elegant aesthetic. Here are a few settings of a London wedding you must understand:
Weather and Venues: Most desi weddings take place from November to March, which is a fairly cold season in London. Hence, the fabric of your lehenga and layering techniques are important deciding factors. Furthermore, most Indian weddings in the UK take place at a venue that’s partly indoors and partly outdoors, be it a hotel, banquet hall or vintage garden. In such settings, your outfit needs to be practical, comfortable, and still stylish.
Best Fabric Choices: A silk or velvet lehenga will keep you warm, but if you want to wear something more luxurious, like net, it should have several layers or a thick lining for a touch of warmth.
Favourable Color Palette and Craftsmanship: For London weddings, you can either wear jewel tones like burgundy, royal blue, forest green, and wine or pastel shades like mint green, powder blue, lavender, and baby pink. Both options photograph beautifully against the typical grey British background. Further, embroidery like thread work with sequins looks elegant.
Styling Pro Tip: To keep yourself warm, a shawl or a cape can be a perfect addition to the look. Also, for a typical British wedding look, accessorise with a sleek diamond and polki necklace and a structured clutch.
Dress Code as per Wedding Events: Daytime events call for brighter, modern silhouettes like a cape lehenga, a jacket style lehenga, or a full-sleeved top and lehenga. For cocktails, receptions, and weddings, you can opt for an embroidered silk lehenga or a brocade lehenga in deep shades.
Desi Weddings in Toronto: Bold Colors and Grand Celebrations
A desi wedding in Toronto is one of the most joyous and high-energy events on an NRI’s calendar, and the outfit needs to match the energy.
Weather and Venues: In Toronto, the practical consideration is seasonal. Banquet halls are usually well temperature-controlled for winter weddings. On the other hand, summer weddings offer greater freedom of choice due to a comfortable temperature range.
Best Fabric Choices: For winters, brocade or silk lehengas with floral or geometric print look really beautiful. The fabric itself has such visual depth that it doesn’t require extra embellishments. For summer Toronto weddings, choose light options like an organza lehenga that keeps you comfortable.
Favourable Color Palette and Craftsmanship: Bold colors and rich embellishments will match the Toronto wedding atmosphere. Crafts like mirror work and gota patti also have a strong following in Toronto.
Styling Pro Tip: Statement Kundan and polki sets will be apt for a wedding in Toronto as they will add a touch of royalty to the look.
Dress Code as per Wedding Events: For events like Haldi and Mehendi, you can wear pastel lehengas with ruffle details, cape-style lehengas, or full-sleeve blouses. For cocktail nights, weddings, and receptions, a sequined lehenga or heavily embellished lehenga sets will look apt.
Weddings in Dubai: Elegant Lehenga Styles for Warm Weather
Dubai weddings are exquisite and glamorous. Truly spectacular lehengas are best suited to rooftop venues, luxury hotels, and outdoor desert settings in Dubai.
Weather and Venues: The problem in Dubai is the heat. Even events in the evening are warm, especially if they are at an outdoor venue.
Best Fabric Choices: Chiffon lehengas are breathable and still have visual depth. Also, georgette lehengas are a great pick due to their lightweight nature.Â
Favourable Color Palette and Craftsmanship: For a Dubai wedding, choose rich and statement colors like black, wine, deep green or navy blue. However, daytime events call for pastel shades that keep you cool and look fresh in the heat. An embroidered lehenga with cutdana, zardozi, or sequins will also look regal.
Styling Pro Tip: While attending a wedding in Dubai, focus on wearing a statement jewellery piece that looks poised and catches all the attention. Complete the look with an exquisite handbag. They will all help you stand out and still match the posh vibes of the wedding.
Dress Code as per Wedding Events: Long, trailing embroidered lehengas for evening receptions and lighter organza lehengas for daytime or outdoor functions will look the best.
Wedding Tips Every NRI Should Know
The ultimate idea is to wear something you can actually move in and be comfortable in. Always remember to pick a fabric as per the venue and climate of the city. Fabrics feel different across different climates. While velvet looks festive in India, it can get very hot in Dubai, and while net is dreamy in the Indian climate, it will need extra lining in London’s cold.
While travelling, pack your lehenga in a soft garment bag, rolled and not folded. You can add tissue paper between layers to protect embroidery during the flight. When you finally arrive at the venue, use a steam iron over embellished areas to keep them safe. Hang your outfits on padded hangers to ensure they retain shape and look crisp at the event. Lastly, you must remember that different events have different aesthetics. Dress according to the occasion, the dress codes chosen by the hosts, and your role in the wedding. And most importantly, prioritize comfort and style, and you’ll be ready to put your best foot forward.
