Everything You Need to Know About Buying an Indian Wedding Dress
In terms of shops, there are loads in the UK, including both ready-to-wear and bespoke. "It almost comes down to the shopping experience, quality, variety/choice, trend and price you're looking for (although shopping in India isn't cheap anymore)," advises Sejal. "Just to add, fashion trends in Indian bridalwear and traditional dress in general are forever changing! Brides who are more conscious of this—and who want 'the latest' stuff—seem to go to India."
That said, Sejal doesn't recommend any specific shops, but there are areas that many people hit up, including Ealing Road in Wembley, Southall, Green Street and Leicester. "I bought most of my clothes and jewellery from Mumbai, Surat and Gujarat," she reveals. As for accessories for an Indian wedding, according to Sejal, "traditional Asian outfits (not sarees) come with veils you can style in different ways. Only on your wedding day would you wear it on your head."
As for jewellery? "At the end of a Hindu wedding, the husband will place a necklace called the Mangalsutra around the bride's neck to symbolise their marriage," Sejal tells me. This is made up of black beads and can be designed in gold or with diamonds. "It's the Hindu equivalent of a wedding band for the woman," she adds.
