For the Indian diaspora all around, especially in the UK where the population is both sizable and active, Bollywood has long been a cultural lighthouse. Apart from their acting skills, Bollywood stars influence popular preferences, establish standards, and inspire weddings from Mumbai to Manchester. Bollywood stars provide many Indian brides in the UK not just entertainment but also a wardrobe inspiration.
When the top women of Bollywood get married, they create the conditions for worldwide fashion trends. From beautiful lehengas to finely crafted jewellery, and even their makeup and hair choices, Bollywood celebs are bridal idols; UK women follow these trends carefully, even incorporating them into their own nuptials.
This post looks at how Bollywood stars have evolved into style guides in the Indian bridal fashion industry in the UK and how their wedding clothes inspire women as they prepare for their unique day.
Bollywood’s Cultural Influence on UK Brides
Grand events with great splendour, colour, and ingrained customs are Indian weddings. In the UK, where Indian culture is embraced somewhat extensively, Bollywood has a significant impact on weddings. Over the years, Bollywood actresses like Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, and Anushka Sharma have not only grabbed the hearts of millions but also inspired current wedding design trends.
As an expert in Indian wedding photography in the UK, I’ve experienced the deep affinity UK-based Indian brides have for Bollywood. It’s not just about imitating a look—it’s about feeling linked to their ancestry, culture, and beloved Bollywood stars. Brides-to-be expect a combination of tradition and glamour, exactly as they see on the silver screen.
For many brides, Bollywood superstars serve as sympathetic characters who, despite their famous status, embody the cultural heritage they hold dear. The way these celebs mix tradition with contemporary in their nuptials resonates strongly with Indian women in the UK, making them a go-to source for wedding inspiration.
The Lehenga: A Bollywood Masterpiece
The bridal lehenga has traditionally been the centre point of an Indian bride’s wedding dress. When a Bollywood star gets married, their lehenga choice becomes a big subject. Brides throughout the globe, including the UK, frequently seek for similar designs, seeking to reproduce that same star-studded allure on their big day.
Bollywood-Inspired Lehenga Trends in the UK:
- Pastel Shades: Before Anushka Sharma’s wedding, crimson was generally the go-to hue for Indian women. Anushka’s blush pink lehenga, created by Sabyasachi, sparked a new trend. UK brides immediately embraced pastel tones, leaning towards soft pinks, peaches, and lavender, bringing a new and contemporary touch to the classic wedding style.
- Intricate Embroidery: The meticulous workmanship seen on Bollywood brides’ lehengas, notably from designers like Sabyasachi and Manish Malhotra, has become highly sought after. UK brides are increasingly likely to opt for similarly detailed designs that exhibit beautiful hand-embroidered motifs, showing their desire for both history and elegance.
- Designer Labels: Thanks to the influence of Bollywood, high-end wedding designers like Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, and Falguni Shane Peacock have become household names in the UK bridal fashion market. Brides desire to wear exquisite styles, frequently deciding to visit speciality stores or obtain custom-made lehengas straight from India.
This push towards Bollywood-inspired wedding dress enables UK brides to mix tradition with the present, adopting lehengas that reflect their ethnic background while still following new fashion trends.
Jewellery: A Statement of Elegance
In Indian weddings, jewellery bears tremendous cultural importance, symbolising riches, family legacy, and beauty. Bollywood brides have pushed wedding jewellery to new heights, and these trends have soon found their way into the bridal fashion scene in the UK.
Jewellery Trends Inspired by Bollywood Celebrities:
- Kundan and Polki Jewellery: Bollywood superstars like Priyanka Chopra and Sonam Kapoor have worn traditional jewels, such as Kundan and Polki sets, during their weddings. These designs, famed for their rich craftsmanship and royal look, have been a popular among UK brides, who seek jewellers capable of delivering comparable handmade jewels.
- Layered Necklaces: Priyanka Chopra’s multi-layered necklace set during her wedding is a trend that has found its way to the UK. Brides increasingly choose for more than one major necklace, stacking delicate jewels for a dramatic, rich appearance that mimics Bollywood’s grandeur.
- Traditional Maang Tikka and Nath: The maang tikka, a headdress that fits on the bride’s forehead, and the nath, a traditional nose ring, have regained popularity owing to Bollywood. Brides in the UK increasingly appreciate these ancient accessories, upgrading their wedding appearance with an air of royal grandeur.
Indian brides in the UK typically pick these Bollywood-inspired jewellery items to keep a connection to their history while adding a touch of modern-day celebrity glamour.
Makeup and Hair: A Minimalist Revolution
Bollywood superstars have also inspired the way Indian women in the UK approach their wedding cosmetics and styling. Where formerly heavy, complex makeup was the standard, Bollywood actresses like Anushka Sharma and Alia Bhatt have popularised the minimalist style, placing a focus on natural beauty rather than exaggerated glamour.
Makeup and Hair Trends Influenced by Bollywood:
- Natural, Glowing Makeup: Anushka Sharma’s wedding look, with its soft, dewy finish and subtle elegance, has set the tone for bridal makeup in the UK. Brides are increasingly choosing for luminous skin, light foundation, and a more natural approach to makeup, veering away from the heavy contouring that was previously in favour.
- Bold Eyes: Even with basic makeup, Bollywood brides don’t shy away from making their eyes the highlight of their appearance. UK brides typically prefer dramatic, smokey eyes or strong eyeliner styles influenced by Bollywood divas like Deepika Padukone.
- Elegant Buns with Floral Decorations: Deepika Padukone’s South Indian wedding look, comprising a simple, elegant bun embellished with fresh flowers, has become a defining trend for Indian brides in the UK. It strikes a mix between tradition and refinement, enabling the bride’s jewels and clothing to shine out.
This minimalist approach to makeup and hair, while yet allowing for dramatic accents, has taken hold in the UK, where women are adopting similar Bollywood-influenced styles for their own weddings.
The Bollywood Effect on Indian Bridal Fashion
Bollywood’s impact on fashion goes beyond only weddings. Its effect is seen via the elaborate, on-screen wedding scenes in films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and Kal Ho Naa Ho. These film representations of weddings frequently set the scene for real-life bridal trends, as brides in the UK draw ideas from these legendary movie moments.
Not only do celebrity weddings influence fashion, but Bollywood films themselves continue to act as a cultural touchstone for women who seek to showcase their origin. Designer costumes worn in these films become the talk of the town, with stylists and wedding designers in the UK deriving inspiration from the on-screen beauty of Bollywood.
Trustworthiness: Why Bollywood is the Ultimate Guide for UK Brides
For many UK-based Indian brides, Bollywood symbolises more than simply a fashion trend—it’s a strong cultural tie. The costumes, jewels, and cosmetics shown by Bollywood stars symbolise a combination of heritage and contemporary, something that connects powerfully with Indian families living overseas.
Bollywood’s role in creating wedding trends is not only about glamour, but about portraying cultural values in a manner that seems current and relevant. The ability to mix these two features is why so many women turn to Bollywood for inspiration.
As a wedding photographer in the UK, I have experienced first-hand how significant this cultural link is for Indian women. They want to honour their traditions while simultaneously embracing modern trends, and Bollywood provides the ideal combination of the two.
Selecting the best Indian wedding photographer that can blend Bollywood celebrity wedding photos into your celebration is crucial to capture the grandeur and splendour that echoes the luxurious and star-studded attraction of Bollywood weddings. This guarantees your big day reflects the same iconic style, elegance, and timeless beauty found in celebrity weddings, generating wedding memories that seem cinematic and personal.
Conclusion
Bollywood celebs have become the ultimate style idols for Indian brides in the UK. From lehengas to jewellery, makeup, and hair, these celebs establish the trends that brides are eager to follow. The effect of Bollywood extends beyond fashion—it’s about cultural identity, tradition, and the desire to create a spectacular, star-studded wedding day.
If you’re organising your own Bollywood-inspired wedding, ensure that your big day reflects all the beauty and splendour that Bollywood delivers. Working with a photographer who knows these trends may help you create memorable wedding memories.
