What a bridal lehenga costs, and where the money goes

Brides often ask why two red lehengas can differ by a lakh of rupees. The answer is almost always in the embroidery hours. Here is how the price of our most booked outfit, a red velvet bridal lehenga at ₹1,85,000, breaks down.

Fabric is about 15% of the cost. A full lehenga uses nine to eleven metres of silk velvet for the skirt, with lining, can-can, blouse fabric and a three-metre net dupatta. Velvet costs more than silk or organza, and a pastel organza lehenga starts lower partly for this reason.

Embroidery is the largest part, around 55%. Four karigars working on one adda frame for about five weeks add up to roughly 800 hours of handwork. Zardozi materials, the metal thread, sequins, dabka and beads, add to that. Reduce the embroidery to a heavy border and an open field, and the price can fall by ₹40,000 or more.

Pattern-making, cutting, stitching and three fittings account for about 15%. The remaining 10% covers finishing: the latkans, the final press, steaming before the wedding and a packed box. The quote you receive after your consultation lists each of these lines. You pay 40% to book your slot once the design is final, and the balance at the last fitting. If the total is over your budget, we show you exactly which lines can change, so you decide what matters most.