Before the Fashion Week overdose comes the bridal blitz. And when India’s fanciest wedding extravaganza is turning 10, bling is too weak a word.

Ten designers took the ramp at Delhi’s Hyatt Regency to celebrate 10 years of Bridal Asia last weekend. The two-day show opened with Delhi’s design doyen Tarun Tahiliani. His collection opened with his signature slinky sari and was followed by a heavy-duty bridal brigade. TT’s blacks and ivorys were replaced with reds and greens. Draped chiffon goddess gowns were replaced with stone-encrusted net dupattas. But the trademark jewels, styling and bajubandhs all remained.

Falguni & Shane Peacock presented a look that was as modern and edgy as a bridal line can be. The Peacocks presented a mixed mood melange of colours and textures. Their look was typical — busy yet beautiful. Sequin sheeting, unusual colour accents and chunky stone and mirror embellishments on the ghaghra skirts were the highlights of their line. Another big plus was the blouses. Daring and delicate, their blouse story was sexy. Fluted cholis, romantic rosettes on the shoulder straps or gleaming crystals that formed the blouse’s back strap, each model’s back had something different to say. They also showed some 1960s-style suits. Tight churidars with tighter kurtas and metallic fringing imitated the flapper look. The first day of fashion finished with Ritu Beri’s voluminous gown-inspired lehngas. Applique, gota and zardosi (both distressed and gleaming), trailing lowers and OTT flouncy trimmings marked her collection. The best word to describe her collection: dramatic.

Sunday was reserved for Meera & Muzaffar Ali, Raghavendra Rathore, Bhairavi Jaikishan, Pallavi Jaikishan and Sabyasachi Mukherjee.

Meera & Muzaffar Ali’s label Kotwara flooded the ramp with bright bridal tones of rani pink and red. Old-world mukaish met new-world lurex in this line.

Bhairavi Jaikishan showed a high-on-shine collection of saris and lehngas. Her champagne-hued lace pieces were a winner. Pallavi Jaikishan showed bits of her Couture Week collection — petit point flowers on bandhnis and velvet zardosi-laden suits.

The only menswear collection of Bridal Asia came courtesy Jodhpur’s prince Raghavendra Rathore. Let’s say it was a royal treat. The first sequence showed four men in jewel-tone kurtas — purple, red, orange and green — and streamlined dhotis that almost resembled pants. The men wore a scarf stylishly below the kurta collars peeking out as they walked the ramp. (Can we spot a micro trend?) Then came kurtas teamed with waistcoats, a silk handkerchief in the pocket. The next few pieces were marriage material. Sherwanis in the off-white, cream, ivory and gold family appeared next worn with riding pants, showing off his equestrian touch. The show’s regal Rathore moment came when a black bandhgala showed up.

Bridal Asia witnessed another experience of Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s mix and match mastery. As the Calcutta designer’s name was announced, the Delhi audience couldn’t resist a swoon! The designer showed the styles he is best known for and each piece screamed Sabya louder and clearer than the previous. It had everything he is so known for — busy borders, dabka detailing, big bootas and eclectic colours. Amanpreet Wahi wore a lovely piece: a Benarasi lehnga with a tea-stain-like ombre effect. His collection also glamorised the ikkat and patola, converting them into prints for sleeves and under layers.

Calcutta was also well represented at the exhibition that concluded on October 9 at Hotel The Ashok in New Delhi. The brands that made Bengal proud included Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Kiran Uttam Ghosh, Nemichand Bamalwa & Sons, Suman Nathwani, Vasundhara Mantri, Minakshi Dadoo, Nisha Beri, Preeti Jhawar, Ekru, Pallavi Singhee, Nupur Kanoi, Talat Kazmi, Jaya Rathore, Saroj Rateria and Siltouch (silverware).

Bangladeshi designer Maheen Khan flaunted her traditional ties to fullest effect. Dhakai saris were given a trendy twist as golden sequins showed up on the sari borders. Tiny tulsi beads were used as tassels and the bling factor came in the form of heavy jadau jewellery. Her colour story was bright and fruity with melon as the main colour. The other silhouettes she showed were breezy and fun. Layered kurtas with asymmetrical hemlines were worn with cropped straight pants and woven Jamdani dupattas

Honey Waqar, ‘Pakistan’s fashion ambassador’, showed a line titled Pieces of Passion. Full of Pakistan’s heritage, it had rich colours, luxurious embroidery and interesting placements, ethnic sharara- like silhouettes, Mughal-E- Azam styling, and of course, unapologetic bling. Swarovski, diamonds, pearls, emeralds, she had a jewel tree growing on her garments!