Nepal’s bridal fashion is undergoing a quiet yet powerful transformation. Brides today are no longer content with simply following traditions or mimicking trends, they want couture that celebrates their heritage while reflecting their individuality. In this special edition of WOW Recommends, we spotlight five of Nepal’s most celebrated designers: Siwangi Pradhan, Manish Rai, Tenzin Tseten Bhutia, Khushboo Dangol and Sweta Acharya. Their work blends timeless craftsmanship with contemporary elegance, creating heirlooms for the modern bride.
Siwangi Pradhan
Don’t try to look like someone else. Choose what makes you feel confident and comfortable. When you feel like yourself, you’ll always look your most radiant.
For countless Nepali brides, wearing a Siwangi Pradhan creation is the ultimate dream. Known for her feminine silhouettes, meticulous embroidery and effortless fusion of tradition with modernity, Siwangi has carved her name as a designer who celebrates both heritage and individuality. Her bridal couture carries the kind of detail that is destined to be treasured, worn and passed down as an heirloom.
What bridal fashion trend will dominate Nepali weddings this season?
This season, brides will embrace earthy palettes, dual-tone lehengas and statement dupattas; pieces that feel lighter yet remain regal. But no matter how trends evolve, hand embroidery and the allure of a classic red saree or lehenga will forever be at the heart of Nepali weddings.
What inspires your bridal collections, and how do you balance heritage craftsmanship with modern aesthetics?
My inspiration is deeply rooted in Nepali heritage: our motifs, our culture, our artistry. I reinterpret these influences with modern silhouettes and styling so that today’s bride feels both anchored to tradition and fresh in her expression.
How can brides personalise their looks while honouring cultural roots?
Brides today have endless possibilities. It could be a motif that symbolises something personal, a colour with emotional meaning, or even an embroidery detail that reflects their journey. It’s these small, thoughtful touches that make the outfit truly theirs, without losing cultural essence.
What role does sustainability play in luxury bridal fashion?
Bridal couture is inherently sustainable because it is meant to be cherished and handed down. Every piece is handmade with natural fabrics and produced mindfully. It’s about creating value that extends far beyond the wedding day.
One styling tip for brides-to-be?
Don’t try to look like someone else. Choose what makes you feel confident and comfortable. When you feel like yourself, you’ll always look your most radiant.
Rapid Fire
Veil or no veil
Veil
Pastels or jewel tones
Jewel tones
Saree, lehenga, or gown?
Saree
Gold or diamonds
Diamonds
Minimalist or full glam
Minimalist, with one striking element
Classic red or experimental hues
Classic red
Day wedding or evening gala
Day weddings
Statement blouse or dupatta
Statement blouse
Embroidery or sequins
Embroidery
Dream celebrity bride to style
Gaurika Singh and Janhvi Kapoor; manifesting both!
Manish Rai
The fresh minimalist look is taking over. But no matter the shift, the classic silk saree with chaubandi will never go out of fashion.
Celebrated for blending traditional artistry with contemporary sensibilities, Manish Rai is one of the most renowned names in Nepali bridal couture. His approach is rooted in heritage but redefined for the modern bride who values subtle elegance over excess.
What bridal fashion trend do you predict will dominate Nepali weddings this season, and what elements of tradition remain timeless?
In the past, heavily embroidered sarees and lehengas dominated. Now, the fresh minimalist look is taking over. But no matter the shift, the classic silk saree with chaubandi will never go out of fashion.
What inspires your bridal collections, and how do you balance heritage craftsmanship with modern aesthetics?
At Manish Rai, we place a strong emphasis on our traditional Nepali heritage. Our cultural values and traditions play a vital role in shaping every collection, which we reinterpret for the modern bride.
How can today’s brides personalise their wedding looks while honouring cultural roots?
Every individual has a different story so each bridal look must reflect both personality and roots. Nepal’s cultural diversity, with its many ethnic groups, offers brides a wealth of options to personalise their wedding ensembles while staying true to heritage.
What role does sustainability play in luxury bridal fashion, and how are you incorporating eco-conscious practices?
Sustainability is a crucial conversation today. In bridal fashion, we can practise it by using locally made fabrics and engaging local artisans. Currently, our exclusive bridal collection features handloom fabrics crafted in Nepal, marrying tradition with responsibility.
If you could give one styling tip to brides-to-be for their big day, what would it be?
Go minimal this season.
Rapid Fire
Veil or no veil?
Veil
Pastels or jewel tones?
Pastels
Saree, lehenga, or gown?
Saree, always
Gold or diamonds?
Gold for jagya, diamonds for reception
Minimalist or full glam?
Minimalist
Classic red or experimental hues?
Classic red
Day wedding or evening gala?
Evening gala
Statement blouse or statement dupatta?
Statement dupatta
Embroidery or sequins?
A mix of both
Dream celebrity bride to style?
Malina Joshi
Khushboo Dangol
Personalisation is about conscious choices that tell your story rather than following trends blindly.
For nearly two decades, Khushboo Dangol, Founder of Oodni Boutique, has been crafting pieces that celebrate heritage through maximalist elegance. Beloved among Non-Resident Nepalis, her designs spotlight traditional Newari and Dhaka craftsmanship while embracing bold palettes and contemporary silhouettes.
What is one bridal fashion trend you predict will dominate Nepali weddings this season, and what elements of tradition remain timeless?
This season will see ‘heritage maximalism’ – rich layers of traditional embroidery in unexpected palettes like emerald, sapphire, and burnt orange alongside classic reds. Timeless elements include Dhaka weaving and Newari craftsmanship – the intricate patterns and gold-thread detailing that connect every bride to generations before her.
What inspires your bridal collections, and how do you balance heritage craftsmanship with modern aesthetics?
My muse is Kathmandu itself; the way light filters through old carved windows, a place where tradition and modernity coexist. I work closely with master artisans, then reinterpret their skills in modern silhouettes. For example, a lehenga with clean lines adorned with Dhaka motifs, or a minimalist choli embroidered with ancient metallic thread work. It’s about keeping the soul of tradition alive while making it relevant for today’s bride.
How can today’s brides personalise their wedding looks to reflect individuality while honouring cultural roots?
Authenticity is key. Begin with a meaningful element – an heirloom, a piece of jewelry, or even symbolic embroidery like your birth constellation. Personalisation is about conscious choices that tell your story rather than following trends blindly.
What role does sustainability play in luxury bridal fashion, and how are you incorporating eco-conscious practices?
True luxury is sustainable. At Oodni, we work with local artisans at fair wages, preserve traditional techniques, and use organic fabrics and natural dyes. We also upcycle heirloom textiles, giving family treasures new life. Our goal is to create garments that brides will treasure and pass down as heritage pieces.
If you could give one styling tip to brides-to-be for their big day, what would it be?
Confidence is your ultimate accessory. On a practical note, always do a full dress rehearsal with every accessory a week before the wedding, it ensures comfort which translates into radiant beauty on the big day.
RAPID FIRE
Veil or no veil
Dupatta – our cultural veil with character.
Pastels or jewel tones
Jewel tones; they glow against our skin.
Saree, lehenga, or gown
Lehenga – perfect for intricate craft and comfort.
Gold or diamonds
Gold; it carries warmth and history.
Minimalist bride or full-on glam
Full-on glam. It’s your day to celebrate.
Classic red or experimental hues
Classic red, eternally powerful.
Day wedding or evening gala
Evening gala under the stars.
Statement blouse or statement dupatta
Statement blouse. It anchors the look.
Embroidery or sequins
Embroidery – it tells stories.
Sweta Acharya
Trust your designer, allow for freedom, and your couture will hold wonders that are uniquely yours.
Known for her poetic approach to couture, Sweta Acharya believes a bridal ensemble should do more than dazzle, it should narrate. Her work translates
centuries-old traditions into gowns and sarees that breathe with modern sensibility.
What bridal fashion trend will dominate Nepali weddings this season?
Personalised couture is taking centrestage. Vows are no longer just spoken, they are woven into the fabric itself. Yet no matter how much the landscape shifts, the sacred power of red will always remain timeless.
What inspires your bridal collections, and how do you balance heritage craftsmanship with modern aesthetics?
I draw inspiration from our ancestors, from the silhouettes of goddess attire, and from Nepal’s heritage sites. These elements of timeless reverence are reinterpreted through lighter fabrics and sharper cuts, so the couture feels majestic yet effortless.
How can today’s brides personalise their wedding looks while honouring cultural roots?
Heritage and modernity don’t easily share space but when a bride allows culture to drape her and individuality to adorn her, something magical happens. She becomes timeless, and glamorous.
What role does sustainability play in luxury bridal fashion?
Sustainability is the new luxury. I encourage my brides to re-wear statement pieces from their trousseau, or to weave heirloom details into their bridal looks. It makes the couture eco-conscious while also deeply personal.
One styling tip for brides-to-be?
Don’t follow trends blindly. Trust your designer, allow for freedom, and your couture will hold wonders that are uniquely yours.
RAPID FIRE
Veil or no veil
Always veil, it’s the one-day crown of a bride.
Pastels or jewel tones
Jewel tones with pastel accents.
Saree, lehenga, or gown
Saree. Forever timeless.
Gold or diamonds
Diamonds. The outfit itself already embodies gold.
Minimalist or full glam
Minimalist with one statement detail.
Classic red or experimental hues
Classic red layered with modern hues.
Day wedding or evening gala
Day weddings. Nothing outshines natural light.
Statement blouse or dupatta
Statement blouse. It frames the face.
Embroidery or sequins
Embroidery. It carries legacy.
Dream celebrity bride to style
Every bride is a dream.
Text: Ankita Jain
