#BudgetBrides: How Much Should You Spend On Your Pre-Wedding Outfits? *With Ideas & Options!

Not the outfits for your pre wedding shoots, but for your pre wedding functions, like say the Roka or Engagement, Mehendi, Haldi or Chura Ceremony, Welcome Brunch and Sangeet? Yep, there are loads of pre wedding functions these days, and if you're a budget bride, then spending a bomb on every outfit can get a little too much. So here we tell you how much should you ideally be spending on each pre wedding bridal outfit with some good ideas as well, and if you can manage a good outfit in lesser than that? Well, kudos to you!

Image via Weddings by Gayatri  and Make-up by Afsha Rangila★ 4.9

Engagement or Roka: Between Rs 20-30K

This might be first big function you attend as a bride-to-be, and in many cases, possibly the first time you'll be meeting the immediate or extended fam. So you need to really bring your B-game to this one! (Save A-game for the wedding :P). Try not to pinch pennies for this one, and spend more than your other pre wedding outfits on your engagement or roka outfit. The best part is, you can wear a whole range of silhouettes for this one- from gowns to lehengas and even anarkalis or some other kind of fusion outfit! Even a saree works for this one, but try and keep it young! That's the whole point.

Here are some ideas you could consider!

This pink one shoulder embroidered cape lehenga by Monika Nidhii for Rs 28,000, or this ice blue lehenga with cape sleeves by Pooja Peshoria for Rs 30,900. You could even consider something like this pink and beige embroidered saree for Rs 33,500 by Dheeru & Nikita.

Buy online here, here and here.

WMG Tip: Pastels work especially well for a function like this one!

Brunch Outfit: Around 10K-15K

Now a brunch is something new we are seeing, basically a small morning or evening function to welcome the guests, especially if it is a destination wedding. You could easily get away with an outfit in about a price range of 10k for this one, but the trick is to keep it casual- you want to keep it classy without screaming bride! A gown, jumpsuit or a fusion outfit is a great pick for this function.

Here are some ideas you could consider!

This Resham embroidered tunic and dhoti skirt set by Preeti S Kapoor for Rs 15,150 or this ombre jumpsuit by Mandira Virk for Rs 10,500 or this silver gown with gold motifs by Nimrita Lalwani for Rs 10,750.

Buy it online here, here and here.

WMG Tip: Reuse one of your older outfits for this- just remember to keep it breezy, 'cz that's the look you're going for!

Haldi: Under Rs 5K

The haldi and Chura that sometimes happens with it is a smaller function where only your side of the immediate family might be present. So take it easy for this one!

WMG Tip: Since your Haldi outfit will most likely get ruined in the process, you can opt to get a simple suit or maxi dress stitched or take a plain yellow saree (buy or get one from your mom) and get a nice border on it and a matching or contrasting blouse- basically DIY an outfit for it, which will turn out to be super economical. Here are some ideas!

Image via Nitin Arora Photography★ 4.7  and Gauri & Anshuman (Delhi) 

Alternatively, if you are willing to splurge a little, then you could get something like this mustard maxi dress by Pable for Rs 7,200 or this Ochre one shoulder kurta by Masaba for Rs 9,999.

Buy it online here and here.

Mehendi: Between Rs 10K-20K

A bridal mehendi outfit has to be nice, but that doesn't mean you have to spend a lot on it! There are so many new designers out there who have refreshing stuff that's super affordable, and the good part is, you can go as Indian or fusion with your look! Bright colours look super happy on the Mehendi, so try and stick to a colour and outfit that really stands out!

Here are some ideas you could consider!

This ice blue embroidered jumpsuit by Esha Koul for Rs 20,150 or this off shoulder draped top and satin skirt by Anjali Bhaskar for Rs 17,325 (on discount). Another option is this embroidered orange lehenga set by Nazaakat by Samara Singh for Rs 21,500.

Buy it here, here and here.

WMG Tip: DIY your own mehendi outfit- mixing and matching a nice readymade crop top and skirt or getting it stitched with some pretty Benarasi fabric! Or a plain suit with a gorgeous Benarasi dupatta! 

Sangeet or Cocktail: Between Rs 20-40K

Classy is the key for your Sangeet or Cocktail outfit. You can go for an Indian, western or fusion look for this one- everything works! Make sure the work on it is classy though! And you can get some amazing outfits from mid-level designers that look great!

Here are some ideas you could consider!

This blue Anarkali gown for Rs 37,500 by Dheeru & Nikita, or this grey one shoulder gown by Bhumika Sharma for Rs 37,000. Another great option is this wine cape, share and bustier set by Sana Barreja for Rs 28,000. 

Buy it online here, here and here.

WMG Tip: A dark and stark colour which has a rich look to it usually works very well for the Sangeet or Cocktail!

ALSO READ: Budget Brides: DIY Mehendi Outfits That You Can Pull Off To Perfection!