Monsoon wedding wardrobe essentials

From the stiff winter-only affair, weddings have now spilled over to the rest of the year. True, that had traditionally been the case, but in recent times, pre-pandemic, we witnessed a surge in winter weddings. All that has changed now and monsoon weddings are the next most anticipated events in the calendar.

A monsoon wedding is not about having a rain drenched event. But God forbid that just may happen! So, be prepared.

The best thing about such an affair — a monsoon wedding that is — is the flexibility it offers. Think beyond the kachchi, the heavy makeup, the suffocating dresses — all that bling. Instead choose things that are easy on the tummy and easy on the body and thus the soul. From the wedding menu to the dresses of the bride, the groom and their entourage — everything can have a dreamy rainy air to it.

It would be silly to give up all the grandeur of a deshi wedding for the love of the rains (that however is the whole idea). Making simplicity the theme is the call of the hour. Forget about Bollywood style mehendis, or lavish holuds. It's time to return to the roots and feel really alive through a monsoon wedding!

The idea of a monsoon wedding instantly takes us to a beautiful fairy-tale image. The swishing of wind, the refreshing calmness all around, and a ceremony amongst the drizzle; no wonder some say that the phrase 'romance in the air' was invented for monsoon. However, as dreamy as it sounds, a wedding during such an unpredictable weather does come with some risks.

So here are some major wardrobe ideas to check out if you are attending weddings this monsoon.

The perfect wedding outfits

Whether you are the one getting married or attending one as a guest, the goal is to look and feel great all day. However, it becomes a little challenging when the constant battle of sun and rain creates a damp and humid weather. Water stains and sweat patches are the very last things you want on your fancy dress. You must then steer clear of heavy fabrics like katan, raw silk, georgette and velvet. While these are ideal for weddings, they can be rather stubborn when trying to wash out an accidental mud stain.

Breathable fabrics like chiffon, traditional cotton, cotton-blend silk, and muslin will give you all the comfort you need while being light and easy to carry.

If you are indeed going to be a monsoon bride or groom, go all out in your commitment! Ditch the traditional deep shades, especially if you have a daytime ceremony. Colours like lavender, mauve pink, powder blue, and different shades of green, are guaranteed to brighten up your mood and your day.

Remember, the idea is to be easy-breezy just like the weather.

Heavily embroidered dupattas are quite the hassle to carry around. Netted or organza dupattas can give the same air of elegance while keeping you at ease.

For brides, these days trending outfits often come with double dupattas, one being a little more detailed than the other. If you opt for these, then make sure that the heavier dupatta is pleated and secured to one shoulder and the length ends well above your ankle.

Makeup and Hair

Now, there is no universal formula to what amount of makeup should be done on a person.  Remember you are the piece of art and not an empty canvas to paint on. The key is to know yourself and how much you are comfortable with. That being said, beauty experts and stylists do have some suggestions for brides and guests alike:

• You must, I repeat, must, waterproof your makeup because smudged eyeliner and blotchy base are absolute deal-breakers.
• Your makeup should be able to withstand the humidity and possible oxidising. Keeping the long hours in mind, put special focus into a fresh and glowing base makeup.
• For monsoon wedding, nudes and pops are more fun choice of colours than the deep and bold ones when it comes to lipsticks.
• While shimmer and shine are all time favourites, you can choose to be the unique one by opting for a matte eye makeup with rosy pink base that will undoubtedly bring out the monsoon queen in you. 

The hair is quite possibly the most worrying part of our look, especially when we know that the humidity will catch up to it eventually. Ponytails and messy buns go well with almost all outfits and are less risky for monsoon as they promise to keep the frizz at bay.

Bridal accessories

The jewellery choice will depend largely on the type of hairstyle you are going for. A high bun accentuates your neck and chokers may be a great choice since it's trending at the moment, you can also go for statement necklace that lay flat on your collar bone with matching ear studs. Just make sure you are comfortable wearing the jewellery. Silver is back in fashion, try wearing one matching with your traditional saris. For open hairstyles, long necklaces are better with medium to long earrings.

You can also alternate by opting for a pair of gorgeous earrings and cancel the necklace altogether, or vice versa.

The most hyped head jewelleries these days are the head chains that complement literally any hairstyle. They are also incredibly lightweight and easy to carry unlike their traditional counterparts.

Wedding shoes

Juttis, whether they are plain, printed, or embellished are both trendy and versatile. Whether you are the bride or the guest, there is a perfect jutti for every outfit. The 'no heels' jutti is super comfortable and safe for parading around both indoors and outdoors.

Heels, especially stilettos, are a big no for weddings in this season. I mean, imagine the sheer horror of your heels getting stuck in wet grass after a dreamy photo session!

Block heels or wedges are a safer choice if you do decide to go for heels.

At the end of the day, you must prioritise your comfort above all else. When you feel like yourself, that smile will always make heads turn.

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Model: Suhi

Styling: Sonia Yeasmin Isha

Wardrobe: Susil Basak

Jewellery: Six Yards Story

Hair & Makeup: Sumon Rahat

Location: InterContinental Dhaka