Dear Jessica,

I am glad you like my suggestions.  I have been doing this for a long time and dress hundreds of brides each year.  I like what I do and I think that’s why it is much easier for me.

Getting to your question, a darker complexion can get away with most colors as long as you don’t go for something too bold.  Steer clear of a hot pink, bright red, bright orange or any such color.  You have the advantage of being able to carry off a pastel like a fair person never will be able to, as well as carrying off the more regular colors like a rust, blue, slightly deeper red, olive or lavender.  Pick a color that sits well with the season ... so a darker one if you are having a winter wedding and a fresher one for a summer wedding.

Dear Worried Bride,

First and foremost, do not worry so much.  The key to this is to accessorize, accessorize, accessorize.  With a lighter saree, there are a number of ways your bridesmaids can dress themselves up.  You could try having them drape a second dupatta to change the look of a traditional saree, or do nice matching up-dos with flowers for their hair. 

They can also carry small bouquets.  Remember, all the guests are going to be wearing heavy jewelry so try to go for something with flowers or drapery because that will be specific only to the bridesmaids.

Dear Monna,

There actually is no complete ratio.  How heavy a lehnga you should carry really depends on the style of the lehnga.  If a lehnga is cut properly, and is a good fit, even a heavier piece does not sit very heavy on the waist and hips since it spreads the weight all around you.  So the most important point is to get a piece that fits you well. 

The only other thing to remember when picking a lehnga is to make sure your dupatta is not too heavy.  A heavy dupatta, whether it covers your head or sits on your shoulders, can be the most uncomfortable thing.  Try to get a heavier skirt and top if you want, but a light, manageable dupatta.

Also, with consideration to your size, do not do too striking a contrast in color because it will make you look shorter.  Also, do not choose too dark a color because it will make you look more petite and your heavy outfit will eat you up completely.

Dear Sherry,

For your wedding day you should always try to choose a brighter color ... something more striking.  It should be something that will make you stand out from your guests and give off a more festive look. That being said, there is no rule that says you cannot wear this saree for your wedding.

Black and maroon sounds like a perfect combination for a Cocktail Dinner or party of that sort during your wedding celebrations. It should be an event where you would like to look more contemporary rather than traditional.

The only other thing you might want to consider is that in some religions and cultures, it is not considered appropriate for brides and the their families to wear black on the wedding day.  You might want to check with your parents and also your fiancé's parents to make sure that is not a concern.

Dear Zara,

Congratulations on your wedding! You come from my hometown of Bombay so I don't doubt you have access to all the best that is available.  As for your request, ideally I would ask you your skin color, the type of wedding and other details before making a recommendation.  However, in general, for a broader physique try and go with a slightly darker color.  Lighter colors reflect more light and hence make you look larger in size.  Darker colors, on the other hand, absorb the light and make you look slimmer.

By this I don't mean you should necessarily wear black and navy blue.  Whatever color you pick, for example orange, choose a darker, nearly rust shade.  Also, if you choose two contrasting colors, wear the darker color in the less flattering part of your body. If your hips and thighs are larger, wear a darker color bottom and if you are more bread in the shoulders and chest, wear a darker colored top.

Dear Dilshad,

You have picked a beautiful time for a wedding. Since you are fair and it will be summer, you should definitely go with a bright color. Contrasts in fabric and color are the big thing right now. Personally, I am extremely partial to colors in the pink and orange family for the wedding outfit. I recommend these because they seem more festive than maybe a turquoise or a green. For the ceremony maybe you could try a combination of a pink with mango or a red and orange. For single tones (if your ceremony is in the evening) rust is a beautiful color to go for, enhanced with a little green or red.

Try to pick an outfit that also blends different fabrics. For instance, a brocade and chiffon, or a net and silk. For functions other than your wedding (mehndi, sangeet or any others), you could go with a sea green or a turquoise, or even an eggplant color which seems to be making a comeback. I'm sure you will make a beautiful bride and wish you all the best.

Dear Kajal,

You are extremely fortunate to be able to go to India for your shopping. Where you should go really depends on a number of factors. The most important of these is where you have family or friends who know the area well. More often than not, people go to India to shop on the basis of a few ads seen in the US in local magazines. This is not how it should be done. Definitely pick a place where you know somebody who can take you around. Also, ensure that your host's taste actually fits with yours. Other than that, Bombay being a major fashion hub is probably a better choice if you are looking for big name designer wear or something extremely trendy. It is, after all, the fashion capital of India.

However, if you are looking for the more traditional look as a bride and in your trousseau (with panetars and other traditional sarees), then I would go with Gujarat because you will get as good a variety but at better prices. I also hear that Ahmedabad in particular in Gujarat is becoming more fashion savvy and has evolved a number of good designers in the past year or two. Hope you have a good shopping trip (don't forget to take your mom or someone you trust on the trip with you), and best wishes for your wedding.

Dear Vandana,

Congratulations! Wearing a lehnga on your wedding day is a good choice. As far as the cut is concerned, I normally favor a more traditional (the original flared) style of a lehnga for the ceremony. This is not only because the ceremony is the traditional part of the wedding, but also because most Indian ceremonies require the couple to sit down which will be more comfortable in such a lehnga. However, for the reception and other functions, go with the trendier cuts since they work wonderfully to give you a better silhouette and also create a great contrast to your ceremony look.

Dear Charu,

Congratulations on your wedding. August is a beautiful month. I too do not recommend buying online, simply because every outfit looks different on different body types. Unless you are buying something neutral like a saree, trying on an outfit, or at least having someone recommend an outfit to you who knows your body type as well as fashion trends, is crucial. Unfortunately I am not too familiar with the Atlanta region to know of any places that I can safely recommend. However, should you not be able to make a trip to India, you are most welcome to make one to Shehnaai in NY (a little closer to home) and I will be glad to help you find something for your wedding. Typically out of city brides need to make 2 trips in to get their outfit. The first to order and then again, if they choose to, 3 weeks before the wedding for a final fitting. Also, one of the designers we host from India will be touring around the US with their new collection this summer. I will be glad to find out if they will be in Atlanta and maybe you can go see them. Also, check out the Vendor Directory to find boutiques in your area.

Hi,
I am glad you like our outfits. We are currently in the process of getting our website together. Once uploaded, probably by mid-May, the website will make it possible for you to customize and order any of our outfits from the picture gallery on the website which will be updated every season. In the meantime, you can e-mail me your requirements and I will be glad to send you some pictures that might interest you. You are also most welcome to drop by our boutique in NY anytime.

Dear Meenal,

Whether you plan to or not, realize that there has never been a bride whose body didn’t change somewhat in the final month. Nine out of ten brides I have ever done lose approximately 4 pounds in the last week or week and half, and you probably will too. Make sure you have a final fitting no more than 2-3 weeks before the wedding. This will minimize changes for the final day. Even if your outfit is ready way before the wedding, the final fitting should be as close to the wedding as possible.

Dear Suneeta,

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Gold is normally a beautiful color. However, it is one that does not always picture very well. My greatest concern is that you are fair in complexion and gold might make you look a bit washed out, especially in the pictures. For someone with a slightly dusky complexion it might work but with fair skin, it can be a bit of a problem. Maybe you could try a brighter color like a pink or a mango or even a turquoise with gold accents in it. If you do decide to go with gold, make sure it has a lot of diamante or sequence work on it which will brighten it up a little. I wish you all the best for your wedding!