An Indian wedding is not one occasion but many, and each asks for its own mood. The secret to dressing beautifully across the season is to let one element lead and allow everything else to support it.
Mehendi and haldi: colour and ease
Daytime ceremonies welcome marigold, saffron and soft rose. Choose a light anarkali or a co-ord in breathable silk, and keep jewellery playful: a single pair of jhumkas and stacked bangles that move with you.
Sangeet: movement first
For an evening of dancing, a lehenga with a flared kalidar skirt catches the light as you turn. Pair it with a compact potli so your hands stay free, and let mirrorwork or gota do the sparkling.
The wedding day: heritage and grandeur
This is the moment for a Banarasi saree or a richly embroidered lehenga. When the garment carries heavy zardozi, choose one statement piece of kundan, a choker or a maang tikka, rather than both.
Reception: quiet glamour
End the season in a drape gown or a pastel silk saree with a fine border. Polki studs, a slim clutch and clean, sleek hair feel modern and composed.
Whatever the occasion, the most elegant look is the one that lets you feel completely at ease in it.