Today’s brides have it tough. It is no longer just a simple selection of traditional red lehenga or sari for their big day with heirlooms for their pre-wedding festivities. With a plethora of options, and a desire to stand out and secure their attire under the “wow” category, brides now do thorough research before finalizing how and what to do with their outfits.   

What color would compliment the bride? Will the color go along with the wedding theme? Will it be lightweight enough to enjoy the gala? Can it be paired differently for versatile use? Will it be sustainable? What is my budget for the outfit? These are just a slice of the cake called wedding wear.

In the 21st century, wedding affairs have become as grand as ever. Every bride and groom wish to have a fairytale meet royalty wedding. And wedding ensembles play a huge role in determining your final outcome. So, by all means, a bride wants to look like a million bucks on d-day and wants to pick a brand she can trust her and her vision with. 

When it comes to wedding bridal costumes, a few high-end labels which pop up without a heartbeat include Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra, Rohit Bal, Anita Dongre, and Ritu Kumar. While the industry giants are sure-shot to make you feel like a princess on your big day, they certainly aren’t the only ones! 

Brides nowadays are looking for options and alternatives to these luxurious brands. They are now willing to get their bridal lehenga haute couture from undiscovered and hidden labels specializing in weddings. Mind you, these labels have a strong existing customer base and have demonstrated their authentic take on bridal wear. 

So, here are 5 alternate labels you can pick for your wedding wear- 

Ridhi Mehra

A graduate of NIFT Delhi and the University of Nottingham, Ridhi Mehra launched her label 10 years ago and there has been no looking back. Describing her couture as Timeless. Dynamic. Graceful. Contemporary. With her passion for fashion and knowledge of business, Mehra knew what she aspired for and wanted to create. 

Having featured in leading magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and Bride’s Today, and has dressed celebrities including Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor, and Sonam Kapoor, Mehra’s vision board has turned into a reality, making it a perfect choice for your wedding attire. 

Official website- https://www.ridhimehra.com/

The Little Black Bow

Finding its roots in friendship, The Little Black Bow was founded by Annora DeSouza and Boo. TLBB promotes itself as a brand focusing on textiles and designs rather than trend followers. Also, the brand employs rural women and men to handcraft your couture.  

Calling their label and creations an amalgamation of Indian craft and English aesthetics, TLBB is your go-to choice if you are looking for a vintage meets heritage look for your wedding theme. 

Official website- https://thelittleblackbow.com/

Shloka Khialani

Visualizing her dream of designing her own outfits since childhood, Shloka launched her label at the age of 25. Her label aims at creating a minimal yet modern piece of design with innovative embellishments, giving Indian wear a contemporary twist. Having worked with renowned designers in the industry just helped her make her childhood dream a reality.   

Official website- https://www.shlokakhialani.com/

Vvani by Vani Vats

An alumnus of Pearl Academy of Fashion, Vani Vats launched her Indian ethnic wear for women in 2015. Having been inclined towards hand embroideries, architecture, and handicrafts, her label focuses on intertwining antique Indian embroideries with unconventional designs. The young designer gained experience under Shantanu and Nikhil and Manish Arora before starting her venture.  

Official website- https://www.vvanivats.com/

Tamanna Punjabi Kapoor

Wanting to design her wardrobe in her youth to styling celebrities including Madhuri Dixit, Bhumi Pednekar, Nushrat Bharucha, Sharvari, Sara Ali Khan, Rakul Preet Kaur, and Kiara Advani, Tamanna knew fashion designing was her one true calling. Having launched her label in 2002 and flagship store in 2004, Tamanna Punjabi has been a prominent name in the industry for a good 18 and counting years. 

Official website- https://www.tamannapunjabikapoor.com/