In an age of excess where couples are hiring social media agencies to fast-track their way to virality on Instagram, weddings have become a spectacle and a race. But amidst the chase for numbers, a quiet rebellion has been brewing parallelly. One where the focus shifts to highlighting the bride and groom’s heritage, to a yearning for intimate gatherings and textile-forward attires. Think of Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth’s temple wedding at a 400-year-old structure in Wanaparthy to Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya’s closely knit nuptials at the Akkineni family’s Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad.
The resurgence of simpler and more mindful weddings is more than just a trend. It’s an instinctive return home in all aspects from fashion to decor. A few brides today are reclaiming this narrative by choosing a traditional version of minimalism, not as an obligation but as an expression of their identity.
It begins with the textiles. Kanjeevaram, Banarasi, Chanderi—woven treasures that tell stories of craft and patience, of hands that have laboured over threads for generations. Some brides wear saris their mothers once draped, their folds carrying whispers of a distant wedding and another time. Others bypass boutiques and travel directly to the weavers, seeking the authenticity of a fabric made with care.
As a wedding stylist, I have seen many brides choose saris that they hope will become heirlooms for generations to come. There are a plethora of brands and designers who also cater to this need for simpler silhouettes crafted using handlooms. Frontier Raas, a name synonymous with heritage craftsmanship, has found a place in these celebrations, offering timeless designs that complement the minimalist aesthetic.
South Indian star Keerthy Suresh recently worked with Anita Dongre for her wedding, who created a timeless sari that reflects this shift. The actor wanted a Kanjeevaram to honour her culture, and Dongre created a weave that felt both deeply personal and artistic. For the first time, the designer worked with Kanjeevaram clusters, crafting a sari where the pallu bore a poem. The bride chose colours that resonated with her identity and tradition.
