Kavya Maran’s wedding wardrobe is making a case for understated luxury, and I’m taking notes. For her wedding celebrations with music composer Anirudh Ravichander in Greece, the entrepreneur wore two very different outfits by designer Tarun Tahiliani. Both had something in common: soft colours, intricate detailing and silhouettes that looked elegant without feeling excessively flashy.
Her wedding-day look featured a blush-pink lehenga with tone-on-tone 3D floral embroidery, sequins and delicate beadwork. For another ceremony, she switched to a champagne-toned embellished corset-style blouse with a fluid, dusty mocha-brown skirt.
Of course, these were designer creations. But the aesthetic doesn’t have to come with a designer price tag. If you’re attending a wedding, engagement or cocktail celebration this season, you can borrow a few styling ideas from Kavya’s looks without trying to replicate either outfit piece for piece.
Here’s how I’d recreate the understated luxury aesthetic with more accessible festive fashion finds.
1. Start with blush pink and other muted pastel shades
The first thing I noticed about Kavya’s wedding outfit was its colour. Instead of a bright bridal pink or a heavily contrasting palette, she chose a soft blush shade that allowed the embroidery to stand out.
This is an easy styling trick to borrow. Look for lehengas, kurta sets and sarees in blush pink, dusty rose, powder blue, champagne, ivory or muted sage green. These shades can look especially elegant when the embellishment is in a similar colour rather than a contrasting one.
A pastel embroidered kurta set is also a practical alternative to buying a new lehenga for every wedding function. Pair it with delicate earrings, a neat hairstyle and metallic footwear for a polished daytime look.
What to shop for: Pastel pink embroidered kurta sets, soft-toned lehengas and blush-coloured festive sarees.
2. Choose floral embroidery over excessive embellishment
Kavya’s lehenga featured tone-on-tone 3D floral embroidery, which gave the outfit texture without relying entirely on sparkle. The sequins and beads added a subtle finish rather than overpowering the floral detailing.
You can recreate this effect by looking for thread embroidery, floral appliqué, tonal sequin work or delicate bead detailing. The trick is to choose one dominant detail and let it take centre stage.
For instance, a pastel lehenga with floral embroidery can look more refined than an outfit with several competing embellishment styles. Similarly, a simple kurta with embroidered sleeves or a detailed neckline can feel occasion-ready with the right accessories.
What to shop for: Floral embroidered lehengas, thread-work kurta sets and subtle sequin-embellished ethnic wear.
3. Try a corset top with a flowy skirt for a contemporary wedding look
Kavya’s second outfit offered a completely different interpretation of understated luxury. She wore a sleeveless, high-neck corset-style blouse with silver and rose-gold embroidery, paired with a dusty mocha-brown sheer skirt featuring fluid, layered panels.
I particularly like this combination for someone who wants to move beyond the usual lehenga silhouette. A fitted corset-style top with a flowy skirt creates an interesting contrast between structure and movement.
You don’t necessarily need a coordinated designer set. Try pairing an embellished champagne, beige or gold-toned top with a plain brown, taupe or mocha maxi skirt. Add statement earrings and let the outfit do the rest.
For a more comfortable version, choose a skirt with a soft waistband and a top that offers enough support for hours of wear.
What to shop for: Embroidered corset tops, champagne-toned festive blouses and fluid brown maxi skirts.
4. Make ivory and beige your festive neutrals
Pastels aren’t the only way to achieve an understated look. Ivory, beige, cream and champagne are equally versatile, especially when the outfit has interesting texture or detailing.
If you’re investing in a piece you want to rewear, an ivory embroidered kurta set or a chikankari ensemble is a useful wardrobe addition. You can style it with pearl jewellery for a softer look or antique-gold accessories when the occasion calls for something more festive.
The advantage of these neutrals is that you can change the overall appearance of the outfit through accessories, footwear and dupatta styling.
What to shop for: Ivory chikankari sets, beige embroidered kurtas and cream festive separates.
5. Keep jewellery elegant, not excessive
Kavya’s wedding-day look featured a dual-row diamond necklace, drop earrings, bangles and rings. For her second outfit, the styling continued the contemporary, occasion-ready mood.
You don’t need a heavy jewellery set to achieve a similar finish. A delicate choker, pearl drops, a slim bracelet or understated kundan earrings can complement an embellished outfit without making it look crowded.
My rule would be to choose jewellery based on the neckline. A high-neck blouse can work beautifully with statement earrings, while a deeper neckline gives you room to experiment with a delicate necklace.
If your outfit already has heavy embroidery or beadwork, keep the jewellery simpler. It makes the overall look feel more considered.
What to shop for: Pearl earrings, delicate chokers, minimal kundan jewellery and slim metallic bracelets.
How to recreate Kavya Maran’s wedding aesthetic
|
Kavya’s styling detail |
Affordable alternative |
How to style it |
| Blush-pink floral lehenga | Pastel embroidered kurta set | Add delicate earrings and metallic footwear |
| Tone-on-tone 3D embroidery | Floral thread-work or subtle sequin detailing | Keep accessories understated |
| Champagne corset blouse | Embellished corset-style top | Pair with a fluid maxi skirt |
| Dusty mocha skirt | Brown or taupe flared skirt | Choose a soft, movement-friendly fabric |
| Diamond statement jewellery | Pearl or minimal kundan jewellery | Let one accessory stand out |
Similar blush pink lehengas:
Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
