Soha-Kunal wedding: Is this the best of Indian bridal fashion?

Soha Ali Khan married Kunal Khemu this weekend in what was, by Bollywood standards, a fairly private wedding. The few pictures that have emerged of the wedding show Bollywood stars in designers like Manish Malhotra and Sabyasachi Mukherjee.

While the bride is glowing, fashion lovers this side of the border can’t help but ask — is this the best of Indian bridal fashion?

Indian Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan (L) with his wife Kareena Kapoor Khan (R) attend the wedding of Soha Ali Khan (2nd L) and Kunal Khemu (2nd R) in Mumbai on January 25, 2015. — AFP

Bridal fashion is certainly very different this side of the border. While the outfits chosen by Soha Ali Khan’s wedding party and guests show an emphasis on fabric and bold embroidery, our designers focus on silhouette, delicate embroidery and craftsmanship.

Soha Ali Khan with husband Kunal Khemu at her wedding reception.—Photo Courtesy: imagenese.com

The bride chose a plain gold choli with a gulabi pink lengha for her reception. For those of us used to elaborate bridals, this looks overly simple. Designers like Misha Lakhani or Sanam Chaudri have churned out hip, young looks that are a little more 'bridal' than this.

From Sania Maskatiya’s Ara Ornament collection to Bunto Kazmi’s timeless creations, wedding season in Pakistan saw plenty of stunning outfits this year. So we can't help but wonder: If Soha et al had shopped on this side of the border, what might they have chosen to wear?

While Kareena’s sari was suitably subtle compared to the bride’s outfit, this Misha Lakhani sari may have worked better.

Sari by Misha Lakhani (L), Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan at the wedding.— Photo Courtesy: Publicity/ Twitter

Soha Ali Khan’s mehendi outfit from Ritu Kumar was underwhelming. This Nomi Ansari ensemble would have been a good bet.

A model displays Nomi Ansari's collection (L), Soha Ali Khan wearing Ritu Kumar on her mehendi.—Photo Courtesy: Publicity/clickmaza.com

Soha’s sister Saba would have shone in either of these lengha cholis by Sania Maskatiya and Nomi Ansari

Lengha Cholis by Nomi Ansari (L), Saba Ali Khan (C) and Sania Maskatiya's outfit (R)—Photo Courtesy; Publicity/ NDTV

Amrita Arora would have looked trendier in this Misha Lakhani kaftan or this Sania Maskatiya ensemble

Misha Lakhani (L) Amrita Aurora (C) Sana Maskatiya (R)—Photo Courtesy: Publicity/highheelconfidential.com

Neha Dupia and Konkona Shen Sharma are both young women who can carry the trendiest outfits. This Sanam Chaudri outfit or this Sania Maskatiya one would be striking on either of them.

Neha Dhupia (L); an outfit by Sania Maskatiya—Photo Courtesy: Publicity/IBNlive

Sanam Chaudri's bridal collection (L) Konkona Sen (R)—Photo Courtesy: Publicity/ IBNLive

Karisma and Kareena look lovely in Manish Malhotra respectively but this stunning Elan outfit would also suit either of them

Karishma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor in Manish Malhotra (L), Elan (R)— Photo Courtesy: Publicity/missmalini.com

Other beautiful Pakistani outfits guests could have chosen to wear for a distinctive, fashionable look.

Shehla Chatoor vintage garden sari (L) and Nomi Ansari's outfit from Bridal Fashion Week (R)— Publicity Photo

Fahad Hussayn's bridal collection 2014 (L) and Juggan kazim wearing a Nida Azwer ensemble (R)— Publicity Photo

Salima Feerasta is a freelance journalist and the creative force behind style blog karachista.com. Follow her on Twitter @karachista

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