30+ Engagement Looks For Brides-To-Be
BY Garvita | 06 Mar, 2024 | 191291 views | 13 min read
We know that weddings are often limited to brides wearing a lehenga on their special day, but there is one pre-nuptial ceremony where you have the freedom to try out different silhouettes, styles, and outfits — engagement! Engagement dresses can be fun, modern, or traditional; you have a plethora of options to choose from! In a world where many brides are wondering what to wear, here are some quintessential modern as well as traditional engagement dresses for a bride. We spotted so many real brides wearing gorgeous attires at their engagement ceremonies and they looked stunning! If you're still contemplating your engagement outfit, then you need to bookmark this article. To make it easy for you, we have categorized the outfits for you to exude -
- Grace in a Saree
- Flare in a Lehenga
- Flamboyance in an Engagement Gown
- Traditional in a Suit
- Eccentricity in an Offbeat Engagement Outfit
- Engagement Look for South Indian Brides
Grace in a Saree
One cannot deny that sarees are the most beautiful Indian wear, we have stumbled upon! This trend may be old but it is here to stay for a long long time. Wearing sarees for engagement is definitely a timeless choice that one can make. You can either go for bright colors and fun patterns or simply opt for something minimal and classic. If not, a little customization does no harm for you to look like a diva on your engagement. Considering that so many modern brides are opting for engagement sarees, we couldn't help but put the same on this list!
Image via amit_kale_photography
Check out this pre-draped saree in the hottest color combo of 2023 – ivory and gold! This intimate engagement totally grabbed our attention for all the right reasons.
Image via armaanmalik
Floral vibes and happy times! This light floral saree is the perfect choice for simple engagement vibes. Because when it comes to making a statement, floral patterns are your forever go-to.
Image via @manishmalhotravows
This engagement saree literally blew our minds off, for its sheer beauty and uniqueness! The dusty pink hue, the long train, and the minimal details make it one of the perfect engagement dresses for a private ceremony.
Image via Zohaib Ali Photography
We remember how Anushka ditched something predictable and chose a Sabyasachi saree for her engagement. Giving us major #OutfitInspiration!! This floral saree can definitely be considered as one of your engagement dress options if you're still confused about your look. Keep it classy and sassy with a blingy blouse and a basic printed saree.
Image via Shaivee Verma Hair & Makeup
Millennial brides ensure that they stand out in terms of outfit, makeup etc al. A custom made engagement dress can never go wrong. This Mint ruffled saree is an ideal pick if you're looking for unconventional engagement dresses. Pair it with an elegant choker to look simply out and out!
Looking for timeless engagement sarees? Nothing can beat the grace and elegance of one in silk. This traditional bridal saree will give you a sense of homeliness and will look better than any engagement gown. Pair it with chunky gold jewelry or go minimal, you're bound to look classy either way!
Image via Cinnamon Pictures
Love how this bride paired a minimal Organza printed saree with a satlada haar to elevate the look. It is considered to be the most trending these days yet you can look different as it can be paired with different fabrics and styles. Adorn your hair with red roses and voila.. ready to exchange those rings!
Flare in a Lehenga
Looking for lehengas for engagement? Well, it is one such attire that can be worn at every wedding function. It suits every body type and gives flare to your look without any effort! Keep it traditional or offbeat, you can never go wrong with a lehenga. Be it any color, design, plain or simple, lehenga makes it a perfect engagement dress for a bride with so many options! Don't believe us? Let's make it easy for you! Check out these brides who wore stunning engagement lehengas. We're sure you'll love them.
Image via Mehek and Bharat
Sparkle alert! This bride added some glam to her celebrations with this dazzling Falguni Shane Peacock lehenga. The pink and silver combo? Totally stole the spotlight!
Image via Nitika and Abhishek
One in earthy hues! If you're all about keeping it chill for your engagement look, check out this bride rocking a muted-hued Tarun Tahiliani lehenga. Paired with a fuss-free ponytail and dainty jewels, this look screams elegance without going overboard.
Image via Mannat and Samrath
For her engagement, this bride chose the traditional route by wearing a mirrorwork lehenga and draping the dupatta like a saree pallu. The coral hue makes the outfit look simple and subtle. I love how she paired it with a choker set and styled her hair in a half updo.
Image via Manish Malhotra
Image via Niyati and Kunj
Oh my! These engagement lehenga styles scream modernity and class. I love how brides are opting for lighter shades, creating a girly engagement outfit. From a blouse with cape details to a lehenga skirt with foil/embellished work, these brides totally exude #ModernBride goals.
Image via Shutterdown - Lakshya Chawla
We've seen many lehengas for engagement, but not one like this one! It's fresh and enchanting, and if you're already wearing a red, pink or gold lehenga for a wedding, then how about picking a lime green engagement lehenga! Well, who says yellow is a haldi color, it can also make THE engagement bridal look. It'll be an unusual choice and will make you stand out from mainstream brides that we see on the internet.
Image via Sakshi and Raghav
The trend of brides donning glimmering lehengas is all the rage nowadays. Opting for an outfit in subtle hues adds an undeniable touch of style. Pastel tones, currently adorning every girl's wishlist, exude sheer elegance. It's no wonder why more brides are gravitating towards this palette for their pre-nuptial ceremonies! Undoubtedly, one of our favorite engagement lehengas featured on this list.
Image via Sachi and Aditya
Engagement, the ceremony of beginnings, offers the freedom to opt for a simpler and lighter outfit. Gone are the days when red dominated as the go-to wedding outfit color. Instead, consider darker or lighter shades for your engagement day, elevating your attire to newfound richness. Just like this bride, who elegantly chose a scarlet-hued lehenga with minimal embroidery and network. This choice ensures comfort and ease throughout the event, allowing you to fully enjoy the celebration without any outfit-related struggles.
Flamboyance in an Engagement Gown
Thinking engagement dresses with class, flamboyance, and drama? Then all you need is an engagement gown. Trains are trending, thanks to PeeCee's stunning white gown with a really long train. So you know the drill, get one added to your gown! If you want to stand out depending on your outfit, or one particular event, a gown is the answer to your problem! One with a dramatic silhouette ensures that you stand out from the crowd. We've curated a list of brides who wore gowns for engagement, for you to see and take a screenshot for inspiration.
Image via House On The Clouds
South Indian actress Lavanya Tripathi just set the town abuzz with her celeb-approved style, in a navy blue flared gown. That dramatic trail, minimal bling, and the effortlessly chic slicked-back bun are giving us all the feels.
Image via Rania and Sidhant
"This celebration took us back to the 1920s with a prohibition-era theme, and it was amazing to see how everyone dressed the part." - shared, the bride. Dressed to slay in a fitted gown by Shantanu & Nikhil, she effortlessly paired it with sleek, straight locks, a touch of soft-dewy makeup, and the perfect finishing touch – a dazzling diamond string!
Image via Shalki and Roshan
Wow! The structural design around the shoulders and the stunning train truly elevate this gown to extraordinary heights. The bride has impeccably styled it with a sleek bun, accentuated by elegant earrings! A subtle western influence on the outfit exudes the aura of a diva, making us want to cheer with a loud 'Woot Woot!' Feeling inspired, ladies?
Image via Shantanu & Nikhil
This is definitely one of our favorite engagement dresses from this list! We were captivated by the asymmetric structure, plunging neckline, and deep, dark color—a striking combination for an engagement gown. If you're aiming for a bold and chic look, a gown like this would be an excellent choice.
Image via Suchita and Nisarg
Who says you can't wear white for your engagement? This bride shattered the norm with total sass! The gleam of this satin ring ceremony dress truly outshines all expectations. And that one-shoulder neckline? Absolutely stunning, isn't it?
Traditional in a Suit
We don't often see brides wearing suits as engagement dresses, but these brides proved us wrong. It won't be wrong to say that they restarted a trend (that died a few years back)! If yours is an intimate event, then a sharara would be a great pick or you can go extra and twirl around in an Anarkali suit! An exquisite type of outfit that might have lost its charm but is back with a bang and all the brides out there want to add it to their trousseau. They exhibit a princess-like vibe while being traditional in nature. So would you go ahead with this mix of modern meets traditional?!
Image via Mehek and Bharat
If you're all about fun, color, and breaking the bridal mold, this multi-hued sharara is your go-to! We're crushing on how this bride kept it chill with a simple hairstyle and dainty jewels.
Image via Anureet and Harkirat
Winter vibes are in full swing! This bride nailed the cozy-chic game with a flared-sleeved velvet suit for her at-home celebration.
Image via Pardeep Singh
This engagement went really viral as soon as the pictures surfaced on the internet, mainly because the bride wore this stunning dull gold sharara and styled it in the simplest possible way. The gajra kept it as classic as it could get, and just a maangteeka did right for this bride. Whoever said you always need grandeur and magnificence for your bridal looks didn't see this coming!
Image via Recall Pictures Photography
Oh wow! Looks like it's raining shararas for engagement these days. Going light on the makeup, the outfit grabs all the attention of this bridal look. Love the effortless hairdo and the detailed embroidery that didn't look over the top at all.
Image via Gautam Khullar Photography
Anarakali Suits are a great pick if you want an elaborate yet comfortable outfit for your engagement. This bride wore one with a peach base and shimmery gold work all over. Nowhere does this outfit explain that suits are only meant for small events and cannot make an excellent engagement outfit. Kept the hair loose in soft waves and instead, chose smokey eyes for makeup to balance out.
Image via Pinterest
A classic style never fails to impress, and this bride certainly delivered with her engagement look. Simplicity at its finest. She adorned a long flared kurta, embodying the essence of simplicity. I adore how she embraced a natural aesthetic! The colors elevate the elegance of this engagement dress.
Image via Pavitra Jewellers
A mix of traditional with creative elements made this engagement dress stand out for us. Put your heart out there mixing various trends all together for the perfect outfit.
Eccentricity in an Offbeat Engagement Outfit
The list of engagement outfits would be incomplete without something offbeat! With modern brides pushing their boundaries and investing significant effort into their looks, many end up donning never-seen-before attires. Trust us; we're always awestruck by their creative minds. It takes guts to wear something that isn't mainstream and flawlessly nail the look. Here are some brides who did just that!
Image via sucheetah
Twirl into the engagement night with an enchanting jacket set! This bride owned the spotlight with her effortlessly chic ensemble — a long jacket, flared pants, and a plunge-neck blouse that had us all swooning.
Image via Rovena and Karan
This bride's saree-gown effortlessly balanced glamour and playfulness. From its soft hue to the exquisite scalloped hem, every detail beckoned for closer admiration, leaving us wanting more.
Image via Lakshya Manwani Photography
Would you dare to wear something OTT for your engagement? How about a top/blouse with drama sleeves paired with a contrasting skirt! Innovative, right? The colours of this outfit make it look absolutely different and ravishing. Plus, the patch details on the skirt look so beautiful with that twirl.
Image via Blink & Co Photography
This real bride wore a stunning cape-skirt combo for her engagement and we couldn't stop staring at her pictures! The hue and the minimal vibe - who thought it looked so beautiful? The fish cut put together into one outfit makes this bride look nothing but an angel.
Image via Zohaib Ali Photography
Plan to wear something off-beat? You really need to take notes from this bride's outfit! It had a blouse paired with pants (psstt.. with a detachable skirt) and a heavily embroidered stole. messy hairdo and waterfall earrings made it so unique.
Image via WeddingNama
Not every bride can pull off something like this! A really innovative piece of creativity and a different ring ceremony dress!
Engagement Look for South Indian Brides
Getting ready for the engagement is a big deal, especially for South Indian brides! It's all about blending tradition with a touch of modern flair. From dazzling lehengas to embellished sarees, every detail counts to make a statement. Join us as we explore offbeat engagement looks for South Indian brides!
Image via @makeupbyrevaa
What's not to love about this South Indian bride's engagement look? From her stunning silk saree, with intricate details and vibrant hues, to the modern jewels that add a touch of sparkle, this look screams elegance from every angle!
Image via One Love Films
Take a look at this bride rocking her lavender lehenga paired with a stunning necklace! Her effortless style is truly inspiring, and we can't help but admire her fashion sense. We're definitely taking notes on how to elevate our fashion game from her!
Image via @whitesage.weddings
We're in awe of this exquisite golden saree set against a soft beige base! It's truly enchanting, isn't it? This engagement look for the bride is nothing short of pure magic.
Image via Magic Motion Media
When we come across a dreamy pastel engagement look on a South Indian bride, our hearts skip a beat. We're smitten with this bride who effortlessly stuns in a gorgeous peach-hued lehenga.
Image via Priyanka and Nikhil
It's practically unheard of to compile a list of South Indian bride engagement looks without featuring a Kanjeevaram saree. But this bride dared to defy convention beautifully. Instead of opting for traditional jewels, she embraced pearls, infusing her outfit with a modern twist.
Aren't there too many engagement dresses already? And beautiful ones, we must say! So, what do you plan to wear on your engagement?
