Designing a Bridal Saree That’s Truly Yours — A Summer Bride’s Story

At Summer by Priyanka Gupta, we believe that a bridal saree is more than a piece of clothing—it’s an heirloom in the making. An embodiment of heritage, emotion, and identity, a bridal outfit deserves to feel as sacred and personal as the occasion it’s meant for.

That’s why we don’t just make bridal sarees—we create experiences. Every custom piece is made-to-order, crafted with care, and thoughtfully tailored to reflect who you are. Whether you come to us with a vision or a feeling, our design process is warm, collaborative, and intimate—intended to leave you with something that’s not just stunning, but deeply meaningful.

For many of our brides, the journey of customizing their bridal saree becomes one of the most treasured parts of their wedding. Below, one of our Summer brides, Carmila, shares her story—from discovering us on Instagram to walking down the aisle in a saree that was completely hers.

How did you discover Summer by Priyanka Gupta?

Completely by chance—on Instagram! One of their posts popped up on my feed, and the delicate floral work, unlike anything I'd seen in other brands, instantly caught my eye. It happened to be during the time I was searching for bridal outfit inspiration, and the moment I landed on Summer by Priyanka Gupta's page, I knew my search was over.

What made you choose a saree over a lehenga for your wedding?

To me, the saree is the most timeless piece of clothing to ever exist. It’s been the original garment of India for thousands of years—effortlessly worn by women and brides across generations. I wanted my wedding outfit to reflect my heritage, to be a continuation of the stories and strength of the women who came before me.

While lehengas are stunning in their grandeur—with their Mughal influence and popularised by Bollywood—there’s a quiet elegance and deep symbolism in the saree that feels unmatched. A single piece of fabric, draped with intention, becomes something deeply personal.

At the same time, I didn’t want to lose the playful, artistic elements I’m drawn to in modern design. That’s where the intricate, luminous sequin work came in. It added just the right amount of contemporary sparkle to the traditional silhouette, giving the saree a sense of freshness and individuality. It felt like the perfect blend of legacy and creative self-expression. In wearing it, I felt I was honouring my ancestry while celebrating who I am today.

Tell us a little about your wedding — what was the vibe, location, and overall mood you were going for?

Our wedding was a tropical destination celebration in Bali, at the stunning Conrad Resort in Nusa Dua. My husband’s family is from Kerala, mine from Fiji—and while our cultures are distinct, we both share a deep love for coastal living. Bali felt like a natural reflection of who we are together.

The vibe was “heritage meets tropical island escape.” We infused Indian traditions into dreamy Balinese backdrops, creating a laid-back, joy-filled atmosphere. Every event had its own soul, but the overarching mood was warm, intimate, and full of heart.

What vision did you have for your bridal saree?

All I knew for certain was that I wanted to wear red. I envisioned something light and flowy to complement the beachside setting, with soft floral elements and youthful pops of color woven through. I didn’t realise it at the time, but the final saree ended up reflecting the venue perfectly—the Ocean Garden. The coastal breeze played with the fabric like gentle waves, and the delicate floral and sequin detailing created the feeling of a flower garden in motion. It was dreamy, feminine, and exactly on theme.

The intricate scalloped border was something I had quietly hoped for, and seeing it come to life with such finesse was incredibly fulfilling. The way the embroidery caught the light gave the saree a gentle luminescence—it shimmered in a way that felt alive.

Woman in a red saree with white embroidery and jewelry, standing indoors.

How did the design team help you refine or bring that vision to life?

The team went above and beyond to create something truly special. Even though I didn’t have a fixed design in mind, they helped me identify the elements I loved most across their collections. Priyanka herself called me to talk through every detail and expanded the vision in ways I hadn’t even imagined.

I had mentioned wanting a vibrant, bright tone, and the team worked through swatches—even beyond their usual palette—to find the perfect shades that felt unique to me. Their creative commitment and care were evident in every step.

Did you make any special custom requests — a particular motif, color, or embroidery that had meaning for you?

Yes—something very close to my heart. The design team incorporated a beautiful custom motif: a crescent moon inside a heart, symbolizing my family name, “Chand.” From that moon bloomed a flower encircled with twinkling stars. It was such a poetic detail and I loved how they wove it seamlessly into the overall design. It even made its way into my bridal mehndi, giving everything a cohesive and almost signature look.

What moved me even more was seeing the motif subtly repeated in the saree’s border—a quiet but powerful reminder of the personal story stitched into every inch.

How did the design team help you refine or bring that vision to life?

The team went above and beyond to create something truly special. Even though I didn’t have a fixed design in mind, they helped me identify the elements I loved most across their collections. Priyanka herself called me to talk through every detail and expanded the vision in ways I hadn’t even imagined.

I had mentioned wanting a vibrant, bright tone, and the team worked through swatches—even beyond their usual palette—to find the perfect shades that felt unique to me. Their creative commitment and care were evident in every step.

Did you make any special custom requests — a particular motif, color, or embroidery that had meaning for you?

Yes—something very close to my heart. The design team incorporated a beautiful custom motif: a crescent moon inside a heart, symbolizing my family name, “Chand.” From that moon bloomed a flower encircled with twinkling stars. It was such a poetic detail and I loved how they wove it seamlessly into the overall design. It even made its way into my bridal mehndi, giving everything a cohesive and almost signature look.

What moved me even more was seeing the motif subtly repeated in the saree’s border—a quiet but powerful reminder of the personal story stitched into every inch.

Was there a moment in the process when you felt, “Yes, this is me”?

When I received the swatch, I had that moment. The way the bridal red worked with the soft pastels and gold detailing—it all came together beautifully. I knew then that I was in the best hands and could trust the process completely.

What details about the final piece felt the most special or emotional for you?

The border. From the beginning, I had dreamed of a detailed, scalloped floral border, and seeing it in the final piece was incredibly emotional. It added structure, artistry, and a regal finish to the drape. I wasn’t expecting the moon-and-heart motif to be integrated there as well, and that thoughtful detail made it feel even more special.

The embroidery throughout was breathtaking—fine, luminous, and so intricate it almost looked like the flowers had been painted on with thread. And the way the saree moved? It floated. The fabric danced with the wind, almost as if it had a life of its own. It made the whole experience feel cinematic and intimate at the same time.

What details about the final piece felt the most special or emotional for you?

The border. From the beginning, I had dreamed of a detailed, scalloped floral border, and seeing it in the final piece was incredibly emotional. It added structure, artistry, and a regal finish to the drape. I wasn’t expecting the moon-and-heart motif to be integrated there as well, and that thoughtful detail made it feel even more special.

The embroidery throughout was breathtaking—fine, luminous, and so intricate it almost looked like the flowers had been painted on with thread. And the way the saree moved? It floated. The fabric danced with the wind, almost as if it had a life of its own. It made the whole experience feel cinematic and intimate at the same time.

What kind of feedback did you get when you wore the saree?

People were struck by how unique it was—the delicate handwork, the graceful way it flowed and caught the breeze. Many guests said it looked ethereal and unlike anything they’d seen before. As someone with North Indian roots, a lot of people weren't expecting a saree, so there were cheeky comments like, “I knew you wouldn’t wear a boring old lehenga!”

How did you feel the first time you tried on the finished saree?

I had saved the full try-on for the wedding day to preserve that one-time “wow” moment. But I did try on the blouse and lightly draped the fabric over my shoulder beforehand—and even then, I felt like the most beautiful bride. I couldn’t wait to wear the whole look.

Can you tell us about the moment you walked in wearing it — who saw you first, what was their reaction?

My bridesmaids were the first to see me—and they were in complete awe. Some gasped, a few teared up, and everyone kept saying how unique and beautiful the saree was. One of them said, “This is so you,” which really meant a lot. Their reactions made me feel like everything had come together perfectly.

When my groom turned around for our first look, he was completely stunned. His mouth dropped slightly, his eyes went wide, and he just looked at me—taking in the whole outfit. He didn’t say anything at first, just brought his hands to his mouth. Then he smiled and held my hands. It was such a genuine reaction, and I could tell the saree had really made an impression.

Then I saw my parents. My dad, who’s usually composed, completely broke down—and that really caught me off guard. My mum wore a red saree on her wedding day and, wearing something similar on my own big day, I felt like I was a reflection of her. Seeing my parents so emotional reminded me how much meaning the saree carried—not just as an outfit, but as something that connected me to the generations before.

What advice would you give to other brides looking to customize their outfit?

Trust your designer. It’s tempting to want to control every detail, but remember why you chose them. They bring the creative expertise to elevate your ideas and translate them into something that truly fits you. Let go a little—you might be surprised by how much magic comes from that trust.

Did anything surprise you about the process of creating a bespoke bridal outfit?

How collaborative and iterative it was! The final saree looked very different from the original concept, and each stage of the process brought in thoughtful tweaks and refinements. I really valued how involved I was throughout.

Looking back, what would you never compromise on when it comes to your wedding outfit?

That unmistakable feeling of “this is me.” In today’s world of overwhelming trends and expectations, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly feels authentic. For me, wearing something that reflected who I am—my roots, my personality, my values—was non-negotiable. And thanks to Summer by Priyanka Gupta, that’s exactly what I got.