Reader query: Lehenga Vs Saree

One of our readers is not able to decide whether to wear a Lehenga or a Saree for her reception. The reader's family suggests to buy a Saree but her friends feel a Lehenga will look better leading our bride-to-be into a pool of confusion. I have been asked this question so many times by a number of friends/cousins that when I received this formal query, I thought of doing a post on it!

Keep your budget in mind: If you are following the blog regularly, I hope you have a budget in place for the outfit in dispute by now. If your budget is less than 15K - 20K, I suggest you go in for a saree. I feel lehenga's below 15K are tacky or over blingy (for a reception). I am sure you will find a lovely saree instead.

Often, I have heard people say that you will only reuse your lehenga once or twice. I did feel the same a few years back coz Maharashtrian weddings are a little toned down and usually girls our age are dressed in Anarkalis or simple lehengas or sarees. Although now I feel just by being a little smarter, you can make use of your Lehenga as much as you could have used your bridal saree. You can use the heavy corset of your lehenga on a simple plain skirt or use your heavily embroidered blouse on a plain saree. Similarly, you can wear your wedding lehenga with one of your Plain gold/copper/silver blouses to your favourite cousins/best friends wedding. The heavy dupatta can be teamed up with a contrast plain silk salwar kameez. Remember to have an easy hand on makeup/hair/accessories when you wear any of these heavy bridal wears.

Let me tell you that even if you buy a heavy bridal saree you wont wear that so often either.

Other options are:
A Lehenga saree - Keeps you and your family both happy.

Anarkali Lehenga - I need not explain how it can easily be reused a number of times.

So before you listen to your friends/family just take a deep breath and ask yourself what you really want and go for it! I am sure you must have day dreamed of being a bride before.. What did you wear then? Remember you are getting married only once. So while you buy an outfit for your wedding, don't only think where else would you able to wear it!