Pooja Advani decodes destination wedding dressing

If there’s one piece of advice Pooja Advani can give you, it's how to look and dress your best, especially if you want to turn heads at a wedding that’s not yours. A former beauty editor at L’Officiel and a fashion and style coach, this diva has only one goal—to make fashion feel easy and luxury feel real. And she does it wedding after wedding, as she jetsets from palaces in Udaipur and Jaipur to the beaches of Santorini and cathedrals of Como.

Wedding guest style: “To dress in line with the brief—most invites today come with detailed mood boards, and it feels respectful (and more fun) to follow them. I’m also mindful not to overshadow the immediate family in terms of dressing. And practically speaking, I like to be self-sufficient carrying everything I might need to get ready, from accessories to fashion tape and even a steamer, so I’m not scrambling at the last minute.”

Your go-to pieces: “Given guest lists tend to overlap, I wouldn’t say I repeat outfits too often. But I do lean on certain silhouettes—pre-draped sari gowns and long jacket-churidar sets are favourites. They travel well, don’t require much ironing, and are easy to wear. When it comes to accessories, I tend to build around one strong piece—a statement necklace or earrings—and keep the rest minimal.”

Favourite designers: “I gravitate towards the classics. Tarun Tahiliani, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla and Manish Malhotra; their work is timeless and always glamorous. I also enjoy the ease and boho sensibility of Payal Singhal and Surily Goel, love the craftsmanship of Jade, and find Gaurav Gupta’s sari gowns incredibly flattering and dramatic in the best way.”

Favourite looks: “Thinking back to recent weddings, I loved the ease and feminine, playful vibe of a Shriya Som lehenga I wore for a mehendi in Jaipur. I also remember dancing the entire night in a beautifully light Tarun Tahiliani lehenga that let my jewellery take centre stage. An Anamika Khanna outfit stands out as well, the beaded cape almost felt like jewellery in itself, which meant I could keep everything else minimal while still feeling dressed up. And for a more traditional ceremony, a custom Mayyur Girotra bandhani sari felt especially timeless and personal.”

Destination wedding hacks: “Undergarments are key—they really determine how well most blouses and silhouettes sit. Destination weddings have definitely made me rely more on things like boob tape and fashion tape. A handheld steamer is invaluable when you want to skip long ironing queues. I also always carry dry shampoo (Ouai), a hair wand, and the Inde Wild Champi Sleek Stick to manage flyaways.”

Packing tips: “I pack entire looks together in cubes—from undergarments to jewellery—so nothing gets missed and getting ready is seamless. And makeup is something I plan carefully, especially for smaller events where you may not have a professional booked. I’ve also heard (and agree!) that carrying a backup outfit is wise, though I rarely manage to make space for one. I always carry a small sewing kit too, it’s saved me more than once. And one slightly unexpected item is stick-on eyeliner. I get mine from random Instagram brands and it’s perfect for when you want that extra glam but don’t have the time (or patience!) to get the symmetry right.”

Next wedding: “A Mumbai celebration and then a destination wedding in Hong Kong—really looking forward to both parts.”