Your engagement ceremony might just be the most underrated star of the wedding line-up. The proposal was made for the ‘gram and the wedding with everything in between is the main event, but engagement day comes with its own cool-girl charm. It’s the moment he officially goes from boyfriend to fiancé, your families meet (maybe for the first time), and the wedding story kicks off. Call it the “soft-launch” of your shaadi season. Which means your outfit needs to reflect the whole sweet and soft vibe.
We love a power suit moment or bold, saturated colour. But there’s something about the engagement that leans into a more romantic direction. Something less statement-making and more vibey. Nothing says first flush like pastels. So while these sorbet-colours might not necessarily be groundbreaking, they’re definitely timeless for a reason, they work. We’ve got your colour code, as for the silhouette, keep with the classic theme. It’s a simple choice–sari or lehenga? Here’s the only edit you need this season to pick your team:
Team lehenga: Soft, dreamy, playful
Florals and pastels always work, but the trick is in how you wear them. You don’t want anything that competes with your wedding-day colours, just something enough to say “bride”. That’s where soft tones come in: dusty lilacs, pistachio greens, icy blues, or a blush beige with tonal embroidery. And just because you’re playing with soft colours doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with the details. Think delicate resham threadwork, scattered mirror accents, or a layer of barely-there lace over your blouse or dupatta. Even silhouettes can shift slightly, an off-the-shoulder tulle blouse with flared bell sleeves brings in a fresh take on the bridal lehenga.
Don’t want to go the floral route? Go traditional, but twist it. A pastel lehenga paired with a contrasting bandhani or paithani dupatta adds just the right amount of edge while still feeling soft. The trick is in the texture, when the colour palette is minimal, the fabrics and finish take the lead.
If you need a reference point, Shantanu Goenka’s ‘Fiori Beyond’ hits the brief. It’s everything a soft-glam engagement look should be: sheer fabrics, botanical embroidery, airy tulles, and the dreamiest blush-toned base. The traditional route always works, but if you’re leaning toward something a little more modern and playful, Kresha Bajaj’s new brainchild ‘Aurelia’ is where you want to look. It’s dreamy, detailed, and filled with pieces that feel fresh. And your florals don’t have to stop at the lehenga, give your hair a little love too. Maybe a soft cluster of fresh mogras into your bun. Even the simplest gajra can make the whole look feel thoughtful.
