4 Brides Talk Us Through Their Wedding Looks

When it came to the wedding make-up, I wanted to look like the best version of myself. I wanted that natural finish that looks great both in person and in photos – my biggest fear was looking too cakey. Each look was tailored to the event: my civil look was natural, my mehndi look was relaxed with loose waves, and for the wedding day, I had my hair in a loose bun to suit my tikka and dupatta. My friend and make-up artist, Chucki, did my hair and make-up for the mehndi and wedding day. Having known her since 2007, we only needed one bridal trial. She made the whole process so easy and perfectly captured the vision for each look.

For me, it was important that my outfits stood out but still felt like an extension of myself – I wanted to wear the outfits, not the other way around. That’s why I kept my make-up on the more minimal side. My best advice for any bride is not to stress over the little things – something will always go wrong, but just roll with it, stay true to your own style and have the time of your life.

Civil outfit: NomiFame.com
Jaggo Outfit: NeetikCouture.com
Jewellery: RedDotJewels.com
Reception: Marrime.com
MUA: @Soirella
DJ: @DJViiraj
Photographer: FlavieNelly.com

PRIYA SUGLANI 

My husband and I got married in Jodhpur, India. The city’s rich Rajasthani heritage gave our celebration a regal, traditional feel. With me being Punjabi and my husband Tamil, it was important that we thoughtfully blended elements from both our cultures. We included vibrant Punjabi pre-wedding rituals like maiyaan, choora, and jaggo, alongside a traditional Hindu Ganesh Pooja blessing. To add a modern twist, we also had a pool party and a reception after-party.

Watching everyone arrive from the veranda of the palace that morning was surreal. Walking down the aisle with my dad to ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, also brought back so many childhood memories. The reception fireworks were the perfect way to round off the celebrations. However, the absence of my mum, who I lost when I was 15, was deeply felt. South Asian weddings revolve so much around mums, from the planning to emotional support, but I made sure to keep her memory alive. At the welcoming, we displayed her photos, ensuring she was still part of the day.

Each of my nine outfits had its own vision board. I was so particular about every little detail. I wanted the looks to reflect both the significance of the ceremony and my personal style. For the welcoming, I drew inspiration from Jodhaa Akbar with a simple plain lengha paired with a heavy necklace for a regal, Mughal aesthetic. My maiyaan look was a custom phulkari-themed sari, while my choora outfit embraced traditional Punjabi bridal style with a fully custom sharara and side plait. The sangeet featured a mix-and-match ensemble, and for the mehndi and jaggo, I wore a vibrant yellow outfit with a top I designed myself. My Ganesh Pooja look honoured tradition with a red sari chosen by my mother-in-law, while the wedding ceremony featured a pastel Rimple & Harpreet lengha, and the reception closed with a dramatic Gaurav Gupta gown with flowing drapes.

Most of my outfits were bespoke made in India. Some, like my mehndi outfit from Shyamal & Bhumika, were customised with unique details, such as a textured dupatta to enhance movement. Smaller pieces, like dupattas and shoes, were purchased in the UK and packed in my late mum’s suitcase – a sentimental touch that made me feel like she was part of the journey. 

ROKEYA KHANUM WHITE

I wanted my wedding to reflect tradition and modernity, with pearl embellishments woven throughout. We celebrated with three ceremonies: a civil ceremony in Marylebone, a traditional Bangladeshi Nikaah at Syon Park and a spiritual blessing in Bordeaux. Each event felt meaningful and brought our families together. Incorporating Bangladeshi traditions was such a joy, especially as it was my husband’s idea to embrace them. He wore a sherwani, arranged entertainment and got fully involved in all the customs. My sisters and cousins added to the fun, playing traditional games like stealing the groom’s shoes, presenting him with a glass of milk and placing the mala. These moments brought back childhood memories and created a warm, lively atmosphere, blending our cultures in a way that felt so personal and meaningful to both of us.

Our wedding was a perfect blend of tradition and celebration, with four distinct looks and five unforgettable events. It began with a civil ceremony and lunch at The Ned, where we first met, followed by a Bangladeshi wedding and afterparty. In Bordeaux, we had a spiritual blessing and another afterparty, ending with a relaxed pool day at the château with our closest family and friends. One of my favourite moments was when my husband saw me in my lengha for the first time – it was very emotional. Walking down the aisle to ‘Chalte Chalte’ from Pakeezah was another highlight – I’d been listening to that song on repeat and the lyrics resonated so deeply. I’d describe our wedding as the perfect culmination of love, culture and family. After waiting so long, it felt like the beginning of a new chapter, with moments like my son’s heartfelt speech making it even more special. 

My main wedding outfit was a traditional ivory and gold lengha. It was inspired by Aishwarya Rai’s gold dress in the Jodhaa Akbar ‘Jashn-e-Bahaara’ scene. The elegant, regal aesthetic perfectly suited the occasion, and the colour palette reflected the timeless, royalist vibe of my brand, Khanums, making it all the more meaningful. I wore different outfits for each part of the celebration, blending custom pieces with carefully selected designs. For the civil ceremony, I wore a cowl bridal dress with an embellished cape from Khanums. For the Bangladeshi wedding, I sourced an outfit from Green Street in East London, where I’d always shop for traditional pieces growing up. It was later customised with Khanums’ pearl detailing to make it unique. For the spiritual blessing, I opted for a minimalist white wedding dress, which connected to my husband’s culture and felt perfect for the intimate ceremony.

I initially planned to keep my jewellery simple. But in the end, I decided to fully embrace being a Bangladeshi bride. I went all out with a traditional gold tikka, kundan necklace, layered mala, and even a pearl-embellished paranda purchased the day before the wedding. Inspired by Aishwarya Rai’s regal looks in Jodhaa Akbar, I chose opulent, intricate pieces to reflected that timeless elegance. My dupatta was a ‘wow’ moment that made me feel like a true bride. My jewellery, sourced from Green Street and Glitters in Whitechapel, held sentimental value as these areas have been a part of my life growing up. Each piece, from the naath to the detailed jhumkas, tied the look together.

My make-up looked included a sharp cat eye and a touch of glitter – drawing inspiration from Bollywood and Mughal-inspired 1980s glamour. Each event had a distinct vibe: soft, natural make-up with loose curls for the civil ceremony; a more dramatic, structured look with half-up, half-down hair for the Bangladeshi wedding; and understated make-up for the relaxed French celebration. Tanji from Tanji London, who I worked with on Khanums shoots, perfectly captured my vision. For hair, Reshma from Reshma Hair & Makeup ensured every style – from the soft curls to traditional Bangladeshi looks – was flawless and secure.

My best piece of advice would be to start planning early, stay organised, and prioritise comfort. Track everything in a spreadsheet and hire someone to capture the day – you’ll cherish those memories forever.

Photographer: SamSparksWedding.co.uk
Videographer: MattJonesWeddings.com
Florist: @SerenityFlowerStudio
Location: SyonPark.co.uk
Jewellery: @Glitters_LDN
Wedding outfits: Khanums.co