[EXPLAINED] Why Are Lehengas So Expensive?

No one can imagine Indian weddings without the bride sitting in a luxurious lehenga. In fact, isn't it a dream of every girl to take wedding vows in a gracious lehenga that'll make her look like a queen? Well, a wedding is once in a lifetime experience for everyone. People plan their budgets many years before it in order to make the event extravagant and memorable. A wedding lehenga is the highlight of the occasion, and it exerts a considerable influence, not only on the look of the bride but also on everyone. The cost of an average lehenga can easily go beyond five lakhs. So, why are lehengas so expensive, and is there a way to find an expensive one for less? Admit it or not, many women would like to find the answer to such questions. So, let's dive deep into this subject today.

How Much Should a Lehenga Cost?

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Wearing that exquisite bridal lehenga and feeling delightful is a dream many women have harbored since childhood. Some may have their hearts set on the traditional pink or red lehenga. Others, though, think about wearing something offbeat, like a green or a blue lehenga. Many women also want to wear a lehenga from a particular designer. For them, the price of this outfit is the main concern.

When it comes to determining the cost of a bridal lehenga, everything boils down to the style of this outfit that you want and your budget. So how much should a lehenga cost? Read on to know the average cost of this outfit, from affordable to high-end options. 

1. Lehengas Below Rs.60,000

With the changing times, many brides want to choose their own fabric and get their lehenga designed in their own style. If you don't want to spend lakhs on this outfit but also desire to strike a statement at your wedding, this option is for you. However, be mindful of the fact that picking your own fabric and getting your lehenga designed on your own will require a lot of time on your part.

2. Lehengas in the Range of Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 1.5 Lakh

These are very budget-friendly options that look as pretty as a designer lehenga. It is particularly a great option for those would-be brides who desire a minimalist look. But don't think that they'll not look pretty on you. You can explore them in various stores in Chandni Chowk.

3. High-End Lehengas That Cost Over 1 Lakh

Some of the best designer wedding lehengas are those from Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra, and Anita Dongre. Although they are exquisite, not everyone can afford them. It's because a lehenga from a renowned designer like Sabyasachi can cost anywhere between Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 80 lakh. If you want more customizations, you'll need to spend more money.

Why Are Designer Lehengas So Expensive?

There's no doubt that designer clothes are expensive, be it a lehenga or any other garment. People often think that these designers are looting people by charging so exorbitantly. However, if you examine this issue closely, you'll find that it is not true. There are some solid reasons behind their clothes being way more costly than the common ones.

• Unmatched quality - Everything right from the construction to the designs and fabrics used is defined by its high quality. The different fabrics like organza, net, and silk that go into the making of designer lehengas have authentic fibers. Even minute things like the stitching thread, the trims, and the finishing techniques are highly advanced. Moreover, even the box these designer lehengas come in is not inexpensive. It is chosen carefully, so there's no damage to the garment inside it.
• Greater labor - Some of the most expensive lehengas are hand-stitched. The workers don't use any machinery to produce them. It means that it takes many hours for the creation of a single designer piece. It's production requires hundreds of artisans and craftsmen across India. Consequently, its production cost increases.
• Unique designs - Everything from the color choices to the usage of custom colors that are particular for a line of lehengas are a result of much reflection and hard work. Designers spend months on end designing a single lehenga. It results in the creation of never-seen-before-designs. They also impart a high level of personalization to their customers. So, they don't get disappointed.

Reasons Why Sabyasachi Lehenga Are So Costly

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People often wonder why the lehengas of brands like Anita Dongre, Manish Malhotra, and Sabyasachi are so expensive. In fact, one of the raging questions on the minds of many would-be brides is how much does Manish Malhotra lehenga cost? Their designer pieces are beyond the budget of most ordinary individuals. But those who don't know the reasons behind their creations being so costly will always consider them as overpriced. Well, there are many reasons that make their bridal lehengas and sarees so expensive. They include the following.

• The designers use conventional fabrics and printing approaches like bandhani, gota work, and mirrorwork in their creations. This distinct style makes their work highly desirable for everyone.
• The lehengas of designers like Sabyasachi, Anita Dongre, and Manish Malhotra consists of rich karigari and sophisticated color scheme. You can find some of the fines zardozi craftsmanship in the bridal lehengas of Manish Malhotra. Apart from that, the exceptionally detailed stone, sequin, and crystal work in the floral motifs of his bridal lehengas can leave anyone mesmerized.
• The lehengas of renowned designers look royal and traditional. They have an eccentric appeal that's hard to find in common lehengas. The designers design the apparel in a way that never goes out of trend. It needs much hard work and experimentation.
• Sabyasachi utilizes premium fabrics in his lehengas. It results in the production of original pieces that feature high-precision work. You will always find pure and original fabric in his lehengas and sarees. None of the creations will have blended material. In fact, the designer sources raw material from the place of origin so that the end product is a masterpiece.

How Can I Get Lehenga Cheap?

Every woman desires to look their very best at their wedding. It is the one day that they don't feel like holding back on anything be it their lehenga or any other aspect of the wedding. But if you thought that you can only get the lehenga of your dreams at a jaw-droppingly high price, think again. We have listed here some of the best tips for you to purchase affordable designer lehengas online. 

1. Look for the Usual Colors in a Wedding Lehenga

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When you search for shades like powder blue, ice blue, and the like in lehengas, you'll find that they have a higher price tag. Moreover, you'll also find fewer options. These colors have a high cost which can ruin your budget.

On the other hand, colors like

• Orange,
• Green,
• Pink, and
• Red

are readily available online and offline. You can get a heavy lehenga in these colors without shelling more money.

2. Purchase from a Lehenga Retail Store

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Wondering how you can get a bridal lehenga under 50,000 in Delhi? Well, the answer's simple. Shop from a lehenga retail store. Don't step into a high-end designer shop. You will hardly find any affordable options there. Every city in India has numerous bridal stores. These offer quality lehengas at nominal prices. You should visit them first rather than heading out to a high-end shop.

3. Opt for Non-Bridal Designers

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It's natural that not everyone can afford the bridal lehengas of high-end designers like Sabyasachi and Manish Malhotra. But you can still find a lehenga that looks as stunning as their's by opting for a lehenga from non-bridal designers.

Some of the designers that create stunning lehengas that are not very highly-priced are

• MahimaM Mahajan,
• Vani Vats,
• Nimrit & Jyoti Gill, and
• Anisha Shetty

The creations of these designers are breathtaking and they have fans all over the world. Their lehengas are lightweight and feature intricate designs. But the great news is that you can get them for as little as Rs. 35,000!

4. Buy a Pre-Wedding Lehenga

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Although heavily embellished lehengas look stunning, it's not that you cannot look pretty in a dress that has subtle work on it. Today, actresses are embracing subtle patterns and minimal embellishments in their bridal lehenga. You can also do that and save a surprisingly high amount of money. When you look for affordable designer lehengas online, purchase those in the category of pre-wedding lehengas. If you are going to an offline shop near your locality, ask them to give you not a wedding, but pre-wedding lehengas. They look equally gorgeous and save you lots of money in the process. Their price range is not more than Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000

5. Shop During Sale Season

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This tip is so obvious but slips from the minds of many women. The best place to buy lehenga is an online boutique where they are offering discounts. If you are lucky enough, you'll be able to grab a gorgeous piece at half the price! You heard it right. But you need to be smart and alert. If you don't act fast enough, it may be possible that the stock of all the best ones finishes even before you have a chance to look at them. Remember to try the outfit and walk in it before you make the payment. 

Final Thoughts

Now you must know exactly why are lehengas so expensive. Designer lehengas are truly a work of art and there's much that goes on in their creation. But it's also possible for you to buy equally stunning non-designer lehengas. Use the various tips in this article to get yourself a mesmerizing lehenga at a lot lesser price. You'll surely won't look any less than a bride wearing a designer lehenga!