Table of contents for June - September 2025 in Brides Today

There’s something truly magical about weddings. They are more than just ceremonies — they are stories of love, tradition, and dreams woven together into unforgettable moments. Each detail, from the sparkle of a ring to preparing for the big day, each part of the journey tells a tale not just of two people, but of families, cultures, and shared celebrations. India is the world’s largest wedding market. As the festive season kickstarts, this issue highlights the latest in the industry for brides and grooms. A special feature brings a retrospective of one of India’s most celebrated couturiers, Shane and Falguni Peacock, whose designs have graced the most prestigious red carpets as a celebrity favourite. The couple has been styling international A-listers like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian,…

While the world of bridal fashion offers an array of looks from top designers and luxury brands, the sentiments and nostalgia associated with family heirlooms is unmatched. In a world constantly in flux, heirlooms allow us to pause, reflect and carry the past into our future with grace, elegance and meaning. For brides and grooms-to-be, embracing heirloom fashion is the perfect way to bridge the past and present with “something borrowed” that’s wrapped in history, emotion and a timeless sense of belonging. However, these garments often require subtle reinventions and tweaks to align with current aesthetics. Five top fashion design luminaries, who seek a balance between tradition and contemporaneity, share how they transform vintage pieces into modern masterpieces. AN EXTRAORDINARY HERITAGE RITU KUMAR For designer Ritu Kumar, true heirlooms are…

The mangalsutra is far more than just jewellery. Debates around patriarchy aside, it remains a traditional symbol of union that holds emotional value to the wearer. Today, however, this sentiment finds new forms of expressions in contemporary designs that exceed the boundaries of just a chain around the neck. “The classic mangalsutra will always remain significant for weddings and festive occasions, but contemporary brides and fashion-conscious women are increasingly drawn to lighter, minimal, and versatile formats,” explains Ramesh Kalyanaraman, Executive Director of Candere by Kalyan Jewellers. Picture delicate chains with chic pendants, stylish bracelets, and even rings and earrings bearing the signature black beads, along with motifs like the infinity sign, butterflies, initials, evil eyes, and florals. Mangalsutras that double as bracelets, reversible pendants, and layered ones that can be…

STRUCTURED DRAMA Corsets have firmly anchored themselves into every young bride’s wardrobe. “They work beautifully for sangeets and receptions, paired with voluminous lehengas or saris for a cocktail night,” says designer Aisha Rao. “Corsets add structure and drama, and create a more contemporary silhouette.” Besides Aisha, Tarun Tahiliani and Isha Jajodia were among the many who explored corsets through intricate embroidery, whimsical motifs, molten metallics, and jewel tones. A standout design among them was the hand-sculpted, 18-karat gold-plated corset by Roseroom by Isha Jajodia, crafted over four months and inspired by French architecture. The showstopping look made a defining case for the silhouette. COUTURE CAPES A coming-of-age alternative for the dupatta, as well as a reinterpretation of shawls, capelets have begun to enjoy a spot centre stage, delicately framing intricate…

HOW WE MET “Pratham was the boy next door who became the love of my life. It wasn’t love at first sight; it was a friendship that bloomed. Sparks started to fly between us at university, and we became the best of friends. Our bond strengthened as we shared all the phases of our lives together. We took our time (maybe too much time!) to stop being delulu about what was right in front of us. But 16 years later, when we finally acknowledged it, it felt most natural. He’s always been my safest place, and somewhere along the way, my heart quietly chose him.” THE NEXT STEP “He had this picture-perfect proposal planned in Venice — a dreamy gondola ride, rose petals showered on us from a bridge, a…

A DREAMY BRIDAL LOOK “I don’t think I’d change anything about my wedding look. I love the trends that keep coming and going, but I think every detail of my wedding look was completely thought through and reflected my personality. It was exactly what I wanted! I wanted it to be young, feminine, pretty, yet comfortable.” TIMELESSNESS OVER STATEMENT-MAKING “I’ve always believed in the concept of less is more. I’d always go for timeless minimalism because trends are impermanent, statements come and go. Years down the line, when I look back at my wedding pictures, I still want it all to feel timeless, and I am someone who always thinks.” A MEMORABLE MOMENT “For me, the most memorable fashion moment throughout the festivities was actually not from the day in…

A SEPIA-TONED SOIRÉE Designer Anavila Misra unveiled her latest collection ‘Sarmast’ in Hyderabad. The showcase was a poetic homage to the city’s timeless mystique, artistic opulence, and soulful grace. A scene straight out of a sepiatoned era, saris rubbed shoulders with Mary Janes and embroidered skirts displayed their own love language. Bright reds, sea-greens and violets enjoyed the spotlight alongside the subtle beauty of pearls. Hosted at The Leela Hyderabad, the presentation was followed by a warm and welcoming soirée, attended by the who’s who of the city. The evening also saw the first formal Indian retail debut of Anavila’s home line. FOR LUXE, LUSCIOUS LIPS Louis Vuitton has officially ventured into the luxury beauty industry with its debut collection — La Beauté — featuring 55 LV Rouge lipsticks (satin…

On a torrential monsoon afternoon in Mumbai, the city was caught in the kind of rain that turns highways into rivers. It was under this veil of relentless downpour that Ashdeen Z. Lilaowala joined a Zoom call from the backseat of a moving car. Outside, the chaos of the metropolis was slowed by the steady rhythm of water sliding down windscreens and the cautious crawl of traffic. “I’m weaving through the city,” Ashdeen’s calm voice came through the screen, “and the rain forces you to slow down, to be patient. It’s a reminder that not everything in life — and certainly not in fashion — needs to be rushed.” It is this unhurried pace that has become the hallmark of Ashdeen’s approach to bridalwear. In a world where Indian weddings,…

GUA SHA Invented in China to ease inflammation, gua sha represents their knowledge of the human body. This soft-edged, handy tool — in jade or ceramic — helps boost blood circulation, release muscle tension and, most importantly, aid lymphatic drainage. In modern use, gua sha massages in a scraping motion have gained popularity to bring about definition to one’s face, and can also be used to reduce acne and facial fat. Deramatologist Dr. Jaishree Sharad says, “Real crystal gua sha feels naturally cool to touch, is lightweight, and shows natural variations, fine lines, marbling, or mineral inclusions. Under light, it displays depth and subtle imperfections, unlike glass or plastic, which feel warmer and lighter, and look uniformly smooth.” ICE GLOBES Ice globes offer the same effects as plunging your face…

HOW WE MET “Chaitanya and I met through a dating app in New York. What started as a simple conversation on a rainy day quickly turned into something more. There was an ease to it — no big drama, just a real connection.” THE NEXT STEP “Chaitanya proposed two weeks before our formal engagement, on a cliffside near Carmel-by-the-Sea in California, one of my favourite spots. He had written a heartfelt note and tucked it into a bouquet of roses. That note stayed with me and eventually became the inspiration for my wedding veil, which was embroidered with the words, ‘In every bunch, there’s one who stands out, and you are that one.’” LEADING UP TO THE BIG DAY “We took a month-long trip across Europe and India to plan…

A CULMINATION OF THE SUN & SEA Just like a love that was meant to be, for Palak Kapadia andAarjav Jain, it was one written for the pages. As Palak shares, “Our love came crashing in like a wave — unexpected yet inevitable. It was a force that knocked us off our feet and swept us up into something greater than ourselves.” Exuding that feeling of serendipity, their haldi was rooted in symbolism. Drawing from the coasts of Southern Italy, the ceremony brought together nautical elements like rustic wooden crates and lanterns, all with an Indian twist. An ode to the ocean, the couple wore outfits in a shade of zesty lime. While the bride was dressed in a fusion Indian outfit — traditional dhoti-style draped pants with a matching…

Blending age-old craftsmanship with modern elegance, hair accessories are elevating bridal fashion to new heights. From delicate pins to dramatic braids adorned with jewels, these pieces lend a balance of subtle glamour and heirloom charm to your do — perfect for today’s bride.…

From décor to hospitality services, the spectrum of wedding to-dos is seemingly endless. Yet, it’s often the wedding feast that lingers in memory, long after the celebration. Gone are the days of lacklustre, structured buffets. Reigning supreme, instead, are ostentatious grazing tables with creative menus, presenting food styling at its best. A culmination of artistic presentation and inventive culinary curations — besides a whole lot of cheese — feasting tables offer epicurean delights that come together with theatrical practicality. Like a table washed entirely in orange — not through logos or gimmicks, but clementines, marigold-hued macarons, saffron-dusted crisps, and apricots piled high. “Guests should feast with their eyes before taking a bite; the visual experience is part of the appetite,” says Maitri Shah, Creative Director of Mai Stories, an event…

Lake Como, Italy Not only is it one of the most soughtafter, perpetually booked destinations for weddings, Lake Como is a popular choice for engagements, as well. Pick from picturesque restaurants, grand villas with magnificent lake views, or quiet, hidden alcoves framed by wisteria blooms. There are myriads of perfect backdrops to go down on one knee — classic, cinematic, and utterly romantic. Maldives Arrange a secluded, candlelit dinner on a pristine stretch of beach at sunset. Turn a floating breakfast moment into something special. Head out on a yacht to start your forever in the Indian Ocean. Or go all out with “Will you marry me?” written on the sand with rose petals or even underwater during a scuba diving expedition on a special waterproof sign. You just can’t…