An estimated two billion viewers watched Kate Middleton walk up to the church at Westminster Abbey in April 2011 to tie the knot with Prince William. Her pristine wedding gown, designed by Sarah Burton, heralded the world’s ongoing affinity with the monarchy. But unbeknownst to the throngs of royal watchers, style enthusiasts and well-wishers, Princess of Wales apparently had two decoy dresses by other designers at hand in the eventuality of a leaked snapshot of her foremost bridal outfit, so she could switch.
In July 1981, Lady Diana Spencer’s designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel, too, had a spare bridal gown ready as a precautionary measure for any unforeseen circumstance like “somebody breaks in and steals the dress or there’s a fire,” Elizabeth revealed in an interview.
The millennial mindset
Royal brides aren’t the only ones to rely on the reassurance of a backup wedding ensemble. Millennial and Gen Z brides are also keeping another iteration of their wedding lehenga waiting in the wings… just in case. “Brides today are aware of the unpredictable nature of weddings. They want to ensure they have options for practicality and to express their unique style,” says Abhinav Mishra. “A backup bridal serves as a contingency plan if something goes wrong with the primary attire, like a wardrobe malfunction,” the couturier adds.
Designer Mrunalini Rao, who got married just a a year ago, absolutely advocates the idea of a safety net. “Despite being a designer, as a bride, I couldn’t fully trust anything being prepared for my wedding. The stress of everything going right on the big day was overwhelming. I had a backup option for all my events. This is when I realised what brides must go through,” Mrunalini says, recalling the sense of security she harboured because of the second outfit.
The prudent purchase
Whether a bride has always dreamed of her ensemble down to the last detail or took the plunge on an impulse, the wedding lehenga is one of the most important elements of the big day. But even after several store-hopping sprees and countless trials, the piece may not manifest as “the one” she would’ve hoped for. Between sketches, changes, making and fitting, there are plenty of components that can go awry. “Most times brides customise the outfits, and the final shade or embroidery may not match their expectations. A small mistake, like a master tailor being off by half an inch during measurements, can drastically affect the fit. We’ve had numerous brides come to us just days before their event for these reasons. These setbacks are often due to factors beyond our control,” warns Mrunalini.
Investing in a backup lehenga can buy you peace of mind in the lead up to the ceremony. “A second lehenga can be a game-changer, allowing the bride to enjoy the process and the day,” says Abhinav.
The plan B
If the bespoke experience is derailed, plan B can save the occasion. And by no means do brides buy the second outfit just to sequester it should things go smoothly. Brides are more mindful and strategic in their approach now. “They consider the overall theme of all other events to ensure the backup lehenga can be rehashed for another function,” says Mrunalini.
It’s also very common for brides to simply want to change into a second look after the wedding, and in some customs, in-between the main ceremony. An optional piece is particularly favoured for out-of-town affairs as they continue to surge in popularity. Where unexpected events are likely to happen at a grassroot level, a destination wedding comes attached with additional logistical aspects. For destination weddings in particular, some brides are taking an extra step to ensure seamlessness by investing in secondary ensembles. In other cases, when all goes as planned, these ensembles smoothly transition into cherished additions to one’s wedding wardrobe as an extra change for another function.
“Brides often repurpose unused outfits for festivities in the future. Many choose to wear it for anniversaries or family gatherings, making it a treasured piece rather than just a one-time wear,” elaborates Abhinav. There could also be an instance where a bride second guesses her original choice. Reminiscing a recent anecdote, he says, “One of our lovely brides was hesitant to invest in a backup lehenga in the first place. But on the wedding day, she decided to wear the other one as the main outfit, which turned out to be even more stunning than she imagined.”
Ground zero
Like any other outfit in the trousseau, the reinforcement piece warrants time and thought. “The starting point should be understanding the bride’s needs and preferences. While some prefer a similar piece, others might opt for something different to showcase another side of their personality. I recommend starting the process at the earliest, especially for custom creations. Off-the-rack is quicker to acquire, but it’s wise to shop in advance to ensure the bride finds something she loves and provides time for tweaks and trails,” Abhinav suggests.
When it comes to budget, it’ll pay to stick to a reasonable one that doesn’t compel the bride to compromise on quality. A backup lehenga should still feel special and reflect her personal style, without breaking the bank. In Mrunalini’s experience, “Brides aren’t always downsizing their budget. Many of them split it to accommodate two outfits.”
Whether the backup lehenga sits in the same price bracket as the primary one or not, these need to be thoughtfully crafted pieces to add versatility to one’s trousseau. Be it different styles from different designers, but the outfits need to align on the bride’s vision and the occasion.
