5 Brides share untold stories about their wedding garments

Cunha’s powder-white ensemble was painted in sunset hues. Floral motifs were deftly interspersed with elements from the couple’s journey, and no two panels were alike—some featured wildlife, depicting their love for safaris, while others sported Jaipur motifs as an ode to their wedding destination.

Over six months, the multidisciplinary artist and her designer friend, Simone Contractor Vakil of the clothing brand Simone Handcrafted, tested materials and paints. “Simone provided 12 raw silk panels that became the blank canvas for the art. Throughout the wedding planning, even if I was on a Zoom call discussing details, I’d be painting my lehenga on the side.” Her partner loved the final result so much that she made him a matching bandhi for their wedding in January last year.

For most brides, wedding ensembles transcend mere fabric, sequins and embroidery. The outfits present an opportunity to tell deeply personal stories—of their cultural background, their love for craft and the journey behind creating a look that befits a milestone.

The weaves and folds of Jasleena Singh’s lehenga hold the story of a treasured friendship that began from before she was born. “My family has known Taara’s [designer Taara Mehta] parents since before we were born. They planned each other’s baby showers. We’ve done life together,” the New York-based medical practitioner says. When Singh decided to tie the knot in February 2025, she wanted to say ‘I do’ in her best friend’s creation.

Luckily for the bride, Mehta had envisioned the outfit a long time before she was asked to bring it to life. “We’ve done sweet sixteen parties and travelled together. When you know someone on such a deep level, you can just picture the moment,” Mehta recalls. That connection translated into a ruby-red silk lehenga with zardozi embroidery, honouring Singh’s Punjabi roots.

Other brides have also chosen to honour deep connections through their wedding ensembles. Fashion designer Nishka Lulla’s bridal look expressed her bond with her mother, Neeta. Crafted over three months, the rani-pink lehenga borrowed patches of embroidery from her designer mum’s own wedding outfit. Featuring pearl embroidery and encrusted with precious stones, it was hand-painted with Tanjore art depicting scenes from the Raas-Leela of Vrindavan. “The Tanjore art transformed it from a mere design into a tribute to my heritage. The precision made it feel animated,” she says.