More and more women are looking for alternatives to the age-old bridal outfit- lehenga. The reason behind this change is the fact that lehenga costs a bomb, yet most women do not prefer to wear it again. So, once the wedding gets over, it keeps lying in your almirah’s forgotten compartment.
 
Keeping in mind this shift in the choices of bridal wear, designers are making innovations to the evergreen traditional outfit for women-- saree rather than focus only on experimenting with lehenga designs.

So, if you are planning to buy bridal sarees online or from a brick-and-mortar store, read this blog to know what’s trending.

1. Sarees with Border
Bordered sarees have been among the favourites since a long time. The range includes graceful Kanjivarams, demure Banarsi or single –tone net sarees with heavy border among others. Metallic, sequinned, gota-patti and silk appliqué are the types of borders you can choose from.

2. Cape Sarees
This super unique twist to the desi saree has been catching the attention of all and sundry. The idea of cape sarees originated from cape gowns and jackets.Embroidered, opaque, sheer, net-and- sequinned are some of the types of cape types. Styles of cape include cropped, jacket and floor- touching cape.

3. Concept Sarees
Dhoti Sarees and side-slit sarees are the most prevalent types of concept sarees. The best part is that instead of draping these sarees, you can just put them on like regular shirts/kurtas etc. Prominent fashion designers, for e.g. Nikhil Thampi, Ritu Kumar, Gaurav Gupta etc have experimented with styles while designing these sarees. Right from a combination of different garments, mixing fabrics to using contrast colors, the concept of ‘concept’ sarees is set to evolve in the coming days.

4. Color-Pleated Sarees
Contrast pallu has been a common pattern in bridal sarees. This year, it’s all about the contrast-colored pleats. Chiffon is the most commonly used fabric for these sarees, thus making them easy to carry and suitable for any occasion (wedding, get-together, dates etc.).

5. Saree Gown or Lehenga Saree
So, you want to wear something as easy-to-carry as a saree and as distinctive as a lehenga (nobody wears a lehenga on casual occasions, right?). Try lehenga saree.   It is a ready-made saree that comes with zips that help adjust the fitting of the saree according to your body-measurements. Slits, layered, sequinned are some of the styles you may try.
 
6. Combination Sarees
Sarees with a combination of sheer pallu and the rest of the saree as opaque or vice-versa are in vogue. Embellishment on shoulders is also being loved by would-be brides. It could be rhinestone, tassles or embroidery on the shoulder of single-toned or dual-toned sarees.

7. Sarees with Long Trails
Have you seen those models walking with élan and holding a pallu that touches the floor? Well! That’s what sarees with long trail are, but not limited to this. To add a touch of Victorian-era regality, you may also try bridal sarees that come with long trails that sweep the floor behind the bride.