If you love the idea of a dress more than a lehenga, the best friend wedding dress ideas for women fall into three families: the anarkali, the gown and the indo-western set. Each can look every bit as festive as a lehenga, and each is a single piece you step into and forget about. At House of Daisy, our showroom on Golf Course Road, Gurugram, we keep all three ready and make them to order too.
Why choose a dress over a lehenga?
A best friend's day is busy. She is fetching safety pins, holding the bride's phone, leading the dance and posing for every group photo. A dress has one waist to think about instead of two layers, no skirt to keep lifting on stairs and often no dupatta at all. It also suits women who simply feel more themselves in a single flowing line. None of this means dressing down: a well-made anarkali with dense embroidery can hold its own beside any lehenga in the room.
What kinds of anarkali work for a best friend?
- Floor-length flared anarkali: the classic. Wide panels that swirl when you turn, lovely for the sangeet.
- Anarkali with a jacket: a cropped or long jacket over the dress adds structure for an evening function and warmth in winter.
- Anarkali gown: no separate churidar showing, the hem reaches the floor, and it looks like a gown with an Indian heart.
See our anarkali collection for the shapes we keep.
When does a gown make sense?
Gowns are at home at the reception and cocktail night. A sequinned or embroidered gown photographs beautifully under evening lights, and a cape or dupatta can be added if the family prefers a more traditional finish. Ready gowns can be altered for length, waist and sleeves, and a cape or dupatta added, usually within about a week. Western cuts such as mermaid, off-shoulder and ball gown can also be made to order with our hand-work.
And indo-western?
Indo-western sets mix an Indian craft with a modern cut: a dhoti skirt with a long cape, a jacket over palazzos, a draped skirt with an embroidered bustier. They suit the best friend who wants to stand out a little at the mehndi or after-party without competing with the bride. Indo-western jumpsuits can be made to order too, which are very practical when you are on your feet all evening.
Will a dress look right beside the bride?
Yes, as long as colour and shine are planned. The bride will usually be the most embellished person in the frame, so choose either a rich colour with lighter work or a softer colour with more sparkle, not both at full strength. If she has shared her outfit, bring a photo or swatch: a friend's outfit can be matched to the bride's lehenga from a photo using our shade cards, even if her lehenga is from somewhere else. Our guide to coordinating outfits around the bride explains how families plan this.
Ready or made to order?
Gowns, anarkali gowns, indo-western sets and co-ords are ready at the showroom, and the rest is made to order. Ask us on WhatsApp what is in the showroom now. Suits, anarkalis and gowns come in sizes up to 5XL and beyond, and any size can be made to measure.
For made to order, the first design consultation is free. You choose fabric, colour, neckline, sleeves and embroidery, our designers share a sketch for your approval, and you see an embroidery sample first. Pieces we make to order are made to your measurements and hand-embroidered in our atelier. Order a single festive outfit three to four weeks ahead. Pockets can be added to made-to-order gowns on request, which the best friend always appreciates.
Our showroom is at Shop 226A, 2nd Floor, DT Mega Mall, Golf Course Road, DLF Phase 1, Sector 28, Gurugram, open every day from 11 AM to 9 PM. Walk-ins are welcome to see pieces, and consultations are by appointment.
Common questions
Can I wear a gown to my best friend's wedding day?
Many families are happy with it, especially for the reception. For the pheras, check with the bride, as customs vary by family.
Can a dupatta be added to a ready gown?
Yes. A cape or dupatta can be added to most ready gowns, usually within about a week.
Do you make indo-western jumpsuits?
Yes, indo-western jumpsuits are made to order.
Can I get pockets in my anarkali?
Pockets can be added to made-to-order gowns, suits and lehengas on request.
What sizes do your ready anarkalis come in?
Up to 5XL and beyond, and any size can be made to measure.
Lehenga ki jagah anarkali pehen sakti hoon?
Bilkul. Bhaari kaam wala floor-length anarkali shaadi mein utna hi festive lagta hai, aur pehenna kaafi aasaan hai.
Written by the House of Daisy studio · Ask us anything on WhatsApp (opens in a new tab)