I love brides. The chance to help fulfill their dream wedding, be a part of their excitement, their plans and their hopes, share their worries and soothe their nerves ( even while mine are going to shreds !), is something I find strangely fulfilling.

But this was an experience I had not anticipated. I always send a questionnaire to the bride-to-be before she comes to me, to give me an idea of what the events are, her colour preferences, the outfits to be made, the budget etc. This one came back to me with crystal clear instructions. Her bridal dress was to be single toned, single colour embellishments, clean cut, clean lines, no fussy dupatta or cape or ghungat (nope definitely not that !). A no fuss outfit which she could slip on and dance the night away (or as my imagination got wings, ride a bike into the night with her beloved husband!).

When she came to my studio with her mother, I was already in awe of her. She was more than everything I had imagined her to be. Not for her any “girly” nonsense. Always dressed in jeans, she seemed ready to dive into whatever task was on hand, a complete go-getter..

It was clear that she was in charge, confident, not dominating….mistake me not. From the gentleness of her gaze and her voice when talking to her mother and from our conversations, I found out that this lady had single-handedly raised her two children. It had been hard, for the children and incredibly so for the mother. The son had found a godfather who funded his education, so he went away and never really came back.

Her daughter, my dabang bride, had realised very early in her young life, that she had to take on the mantle of looking after her mother. And she did so cheerfully and with pride. As the years passed, she finished her education, took up a job and from that day on, ensured that never a worry clouded her mother’s tired eyes. There was never a tinge of regret in her or a sense of having missed out. Her joie de vivre was infectious. 

There was a glow on her mother’s face, a quiet pride in her daughter. I was deeply touched by her story.

My bride wanted a gown, a slip-on sheath. Her choice of colour was a deep red and the embroidery was to be gold. Just red and gold. Confident and bold; exactly like her. My team and I delivered a deep red one-piece gown in crepe silk with gold  embellishments. It was light and easy to slip into. No fuss, no  wasting time !

Everything about her wedding, right down to the minutest detail, was planned by this young woman. Not flashy or ostentatious, it embodied everything this beautiful bride was; elegant, dignified and lot of fun. 

Radiant and happy in her red and gold gown, the bride moved gracefully and effortlessly. The photographer, a friend, came over and whispered his compliments to me. “ You made her a dress which embodies her personality perfectly. Well done !”

And I sat back and enjoyed every moment of it. I felt honoured and blessed to have had the opportunity to dress this wonderful and inspiring young woman. 

– As narrated to Neelu Joglekar