The best shops for wedding outfits on a budget in Delhi

Before you give up on those six-figure designer lehengas on your Instagram feed, stop by Ram Kishan Sarees in Old Delhi. The store stocks traditional bridalwear as well as contemporary occasionwear, with options for those who love a little bling as well as those who couldn't care less about heavy embroidery. The colour palette and silhouettes are trendy and updated every season, so you can be sure to cop something in. You’re unlikely to walk out empty-handed.

Time Out tip: Carry screenshots of styles you like, but stay flexible on fabrics and colours. Similar silhouettes can come at very different prices.

Price: Sarees from ₹10,000; lighter lehengas from ₹25,000

Address: Shop 259, Katra Pyare Lal, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, Delhi 110006

Opening hours: Mon–Sat. Sundays closed. 11am–8.30pm. 

Prefer something a bit understated? Studio Sahiba is for folks who’d rather keep things understated, with beige tones, pastels, and lighter embroidery. They’ve got a stylish collection of Indo-western shararas, mermaid-cut lehengas with capes, and ensembles that feel current without costing a bomb. It’s a good match for new-age brides who swear by the less-is-more philosophy, and anyone who wants to dress up for a daytime wedding or intimate ceremony without buying something they’ll never wear again.

Time Out tip: Check out the separates before settling on a complete set. A statement blouse or dupatta can give pieces already in your wardrobe a fresh spin.

Price: From ₹10,000

Address: J-91, Rajouri Garden Marg, Main Market, Block J, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi, Delhi, 110027

Opening hours: Thurs-Tues. Wednesdays closed. 11.30am–9pm. 

At Nargis, you’ll find more than just lehengas, like embroidered sarees, pre-draped styles, shararas and lehengas to take you from the cocktail to the big day. There are options like a beige khadi georgette lehenga with fine embroidery and a chinnon dupatta for the minimalists, while forest green, raspberry and ice blue turn up the colour. They also tailor outfits to your body type, so you don’t have to make peace with just any fit. 

Time Out tip: Stock up on a pre-draped saree for the cocktail, a sharara for the mehendi and a lehenga for the big day to add some spunk to your photo dump. 

Price: From ₹15,000

Address: Lower Ground, D-36, Central Market, Lajpat Nagar II, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110024

Opening hours: Daily. Mondays 12.30pm–8pm; Tues-Sun 10.30am–9pm. 

That Sabyasachi-inspired wedding outfit needn’t come with a designer price tag. One of Chandni Chowk’s OGs, Sudhir Bhai Saree Wale stocks traditional sarees and occasionwear inspired by some of the country’s biggest couturiers, including Ritu Kumar and Tarun Tahiliani. From gota patti and zari to a mix of fabrics, colours and embellishments, you can customise an ensemble to your taste without the designer markup. Carry a reference picture to get the conversation started, and remember to negotiate before you commit.

Time Out tip: Book an appointment before heading to the store.

Price: ₹20,000 onwards

Address: 485, Katra Asharfi, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, Delhi, 110006

Opening hours: Mon–Sat. Sundays closed. 11am–9pm. 

Pastels may be all over Pinterest and other social media feeds, but Shiva Jangra takes them beyond the usual blush-pink lehenga. The collection runs from peach and pink numbers for haldi to multicoloured lehengas with mirror work and gold ensembles with concentric patterns. For the sangeet, there are fish-cut lehengas in wine and electric blue, alongside aquatic-green styles that stand out from the usual wedding palette. Ethnic gowns, neutral shades and hand embroidery round out the collection, with options for everything from daytime ceremonies to the reception. Just check the price before falling head over heels for a design; intricate handwork can bump up the bill.

Time Out tip: Check their website before heading to the store. You might catch a sale and snag your favourite style for less. 

Price: ₹20,000 onwards

Address: 32, Shahpur Jat Outer Road E, Shahpur Jat, Siri Fort, New Delhi, Delhi 110017

Opening hours: Daily. Mon–Sat 10.30am–8pm; Saturdays 10.15am–7pm.

A packed wedding calendar doesn’t have to mean buying a new outfit for every event. At Laljees Rent A Party Dress, you can rent everything from bridal lehengas and gowns to partywear and Indo-Western ensembles. The collection includes styles inspired by celebrity looks worn by Alia Bhatt and Kiara Advani, silk and velvet numbers, and statement lehengas reminiscent of designers such as Rimple and Harpreet and Gazal Gupta. Fittings, alterations, finishing and dry-cleaning are taken care of, too, so you can focus on the festivities rather than the last-minute outfit scramble.

Time Out tip: Check what’s included in the rental price, and confirm the deposit and return deadline before booking. You don’t want an extra bill landing after the festivities.

Price: ₹15,000–32,000 for a rental of three to five days

Address: J31, South, Block J, part 2, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110024

Opening hours: Daily. 10.30am–8.30pm. 

Date The Ramp lets you flaunt designer labels without committing to a full-price purchase. You can rent lehengas, gowns and sarees from Ritu Kumar, Shantanu & Nikhil and JJ Valaya for that big reception or cocktail party, depending on the designer and ensemble. 

The booking process is fairly straightforward. You pay 40% of the rental fee upfront and settle the balance after alterations, delivery and a successful trial. Alterations are free, there’s usually no security deposit, and the platform says you won’t be charged for damages. If your plans change, you can cancel or modify your order up until delivery, subject to the refund terms.

Time Out tip: Make the most of your trial before paying the balance. Check the fit, get any alterations sorted and read the cancellation policy before you book.

Price: From ₹12,000 

Address and hours: Multiple

From Benarasi lehengas that mean business to lighter, embroidered styles, Simran Fashions has options for the big day and all the festivities around it. The collection goes beyond lehengas, with draped sarees featuring structured pallus, bead-embroidered ensembles, traditional printed gharara suits and floor-length gown sets. Whether you’re going full bridal glamour or keeping things relatively fuss-free, there’s a style for every kind of celebration.

Time Out tip: If you’re shopping for your trousseau, browse the unstitched fabrics and ready-made options, too. They can come in handy for filling gaps in your wedding wardrobe without buying another heavy outfit.

Price: From ₹20,000

Address: 104, Central Market, Lajpat Nagar II, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110024

Opening hours: Daily. 11am–8.30pm.

For outfits with a little more print and personality, put Swaroop by Swati Bhatia on your radar. The collection brings together Kalamkari kurta sets, paisley and Ajrakh lehengas, Madhubani prints, Dabu textiles and aari work. There are statement blouses for saree lovers and velvet kurta sets for anyone who likes their festive wardrobe with a side of sass. With prices depending on the fabric and detailing (yet not too steep), you can bring some serious style to the wedding circuit without shelling out big bucks. 

Time Out tip: Don’t save the printed pieces for daytime functions alone. Dress them up with chunky jewellery and a great pair of heels for a festive outfit that stands out from the usual sea of sequins.

Price: From ₹15,000

Address: 53 6, Bada Bazar Rd, Block 53, Old Rajinder Nagar, Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi, 110060

A fish-cut gown, a lilac lehenga or a saree with bell sleeves; House of Brides isn’t big on playing it safe. The collection also includes cape lehengas for brides, bridesmaids and guests who like to experiment with their style. Whether you’re glamming it up for cocktail night or the main event, there are plenty of ways to switch things up. And if buying another outfit is too much effort, rentals are available too.

Time Out tip: Try the outfit with your intended footwear before committing. Mermaid and fish-cut styles, in particular, can be tricky to walk in if the length isn’t right.

Price: From ₹20,000

Address: H-35, Main Market, Block F / Rajouri Garden, New Delhi

Opening hours: Daily. 11am–8.30pm.