Finding the perfect lehenga

Planning your Indian wedding from abroad comes with unique challenges, especially when it comes to finding your bridal lehenga. Here's what I learned during my own journey.

Start Early Give yourself at least 8-9 months before your wedding date. International shipping, potential alterations, and customs clearance all take time. If you aren't buying the lehenga in the US, account for the same amount of time to research and find the right designer for you in India.

Trusted Online Retailers Several reputable Indian designers now ship internationally. Look for vendors with clear return policies and size charts. I recommend checking reviews from other NRI brides.

Sizing Considerations Indian sizing differs from Western measurements. Always provide custom measurements rather than relying on standard sizes. Include your blouse measurements, skirt length preferences, and dupatta draping style.

Budget Wisely Factor in shipping costs (typically $50-150), potential customs duties, and alteration expenses. A $800 lehenga might end up costing $1,100 after all fees. If you don't want to ship, make sure your designer is available for multiple rounds of video calls for virtual measurements, brainstorming and finalizing the look.