While being a bride comes with many perks, choosing the right wedding dress is the most important task that needs to be just perfect for your big day. While some brides choose to remain true to their roots by following the classic red lehenga, others choose pastels as a personal choice or perhaps even as a form of self-expression. But not all wedding trends are bound to stay, right? If you’re a 2025 bride caught between crimson and pastels, brace yourself because ivory has also entered the chat, and the right choice just got messier.
In recent times, wedding traditions across the subcontinent have been embracing fresh norms that aren’t just here to stay, they’re here to slay. From decor and cuisine to photography, every aspect of the D-Day is being redefined by trends that follow minimalism and single-color palettes, among many others. Amid this evolution, bridal lehengas have gracefully followed suit. Now, every lehenga needs to be the next game-changer or viral thing.
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Ayesha Shakeel, a 2025 bride, recalls seeing brides in red throughout her childhood, like many others saw growing up. Inspired by that impression, she always dreamed of wearing red on her big day. For her, no trend could compete with the timeless elegance of the classic hue.
Looking back, the grand entrance of the pastel lehenga was when Bollywood Actress Anushka Sharma was seen donning a pastel pink Sabyasachi Lehenga for her intimate wedding to Indian Cricketer Virat Kohli, in Italy. Claiming the title of the trendsetter, it has been in motion since 2017.
Sheema Kola, a 2016 bride, opted for a pastel pink lehenga for her wedding. Coming from a region in India where red is not the traditional norm, she was free to choose any color she liked, and for her, it was pastel pink.
You can never go wrong with the iconic red, be it a lehenga, sari, or a dress. Celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor, and Sonam Kapoor, among many, chose the traditional route, wearing the classic red from Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra, and Anuradha Vakil, respectively.
Rabia Ruhi, who tied the knot in 2023, also chose a red lehenga, as she believed it was the only way to capture the “true bridal look” she had always envisioned.
Ivory lehengas are making a buzz lately as brides explore their color options. Falling in neither of the color palettes, ivory is here to make a statement. With its soft, dignified look, it’s a fresh choice for brides who want to keep things chic and elegant. Paired with contrast colored jewelry and a soft glam, it soon became a look that will remain timeless.
Pastel colored wedding wear in the bridal industry became distinct less than a decade ago. Ayesha explains how her style consists of simple elegance, but she also loves a pop of color for special occasions. The balance helped put her look together. Bridal stores, from high-end to average-priced, all primarily featured various tones of red. This shift from monotonous to colorful yet sophisticated pieces has indeed revolutionized the clothing industry for bridal wear by providing countless choices that help you get out of the box without compromising on elegance and tradition.
Sheema further expresses how it was an easy choice for her with color, and she immediately knew which one she wanted without experiencing any societal or familial pressure.
While it is interesting to see the celebrities’ choice for their ceremonies, it is also worthwhile to note the designers’ picks and their journey with their customers in the whole outfit coming together. The combination of the designer’s signature and the bride’s preference results in a stunning ensemble that perfectly blends tradition with individuality.
Lastly, Ruhi shares;
“The key is to follow your heart and choose what feels and looks best on you. Don’t rely too much on online trends, as they may not suit you in real life. Also, consider your wedding setup and overall vibe when deciding between colors.”
Whether you choose the old school red or defy the rules on your wedding day, with something bold, the most important thing is that your outfit reflects you. It’s your moment, your story, and your style should speak just as loudly as your vows.