Rashmika Mandanna's Temple Gold Bridal Look Sparks Major Fashion Trend Shift
TOI Lifestyle Desk / ETimes.in / Feb 28, 2026, 16:00 IST
For the past few wedding seasons, social media feeds have been saturated with a very specific bridal aesthetic. This look typically includes pastel lehengas paired with delicate, uncut diamond polki sets and Russian emerald drops. While undeniably beautiful, this style had begun to feel repetitive and predictable across numerous celebrity weddings and influencer posts.
The Shift from Pastels to Heritage Metal
Enter the newly released wedding pictures of Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda. In an instant, the bridal mood board has been completely redefined. Examining the Udaipur ceremony photos closely, what immediately captures attention is Rashmika's bold and unapologetic return to her cultural roots. She entirely bypassed the contemporary diamond trend that has dominated recent years.
Instead, she anchored her traditional vermilion and gold drape with heavy, unadulterated antique-finish temple gold jewelry. This striking visual pivot signals a major trend alert for upcoming brides: pure, traditional heritage gold is finally reclaiming its rightful place at the mandap, offering a refreshing alternative to the polished modernity of polki.
Layering Regional Heritage with Precision
Her jewelry styling presents a brilliant lesson in maximalist layering executed with perfect balance and without appearing cluttered. Rather than relying on one massive bib necklace as a focal point, she opted for distinct, carefully stacked pieces that beautifully nod to traditional South Indian aesthetics.
A tightly fitted choker sits high on her collarbone, beautifully complemented by a longer, intricately carved haram resting elegantly over her saree borders. The addition of classic heavy jhumkas and an elaborate matha patti framing her face creates an overall result that feels deeply authentic and culturally resonant.
Temple Gold Takes the Throne in Bridal Fashion
What makes this styling work so effectively is the careful balance between bold jewelry and subtle beauty elements. Her wonderfully understated, natural makeup base and soft brows prevent the heavy metals from overwhelming her facial features, allowing the gold to command all the attention and speak volumes.
Prominent bridal stylists are already noting a rapid shift in client requests following the release of these photographs. Brides are increasingly asking for heavyweight Dravidian temple pieces—often featuring classic lotus, elephant, and peacock motifs—that carry serious historical weight and generational value over delicate kundan strings and modern polki designs.
The Bling Budget: Sourcing the Temple Gold Look
So, how does a modern bride actually translate this royal aesthetic into her own wedding trousseau? If you are planning to channel this exact grounded, traditional look for your big day, the current market offers several different routes:
- The 22-Karat Heirloom Investment: For those looking to invest in authentic, generational pieces with that coveted matte gold finish, be prepared to allocate a significant portion of the wedding budget. A heavily detailed, layered set similar to the one seen in the photographs can easily range from ₹8,00,000 to upwards of ₹15,00,000, depending heavily on the intricate craftsmanship and overall gold weight.
- The Premium Silver Alternative: If you love the aesthetic but are looking for a more accessible price point, the premium silver-alloy market has evolved brilliantly over the last few years. High-quality, handcrafted silver replicas finished with thick antique gold plating offer the exact same visual grandeur. You can source beautifully detailed bridal sets in this category for a much more approachable ₹40,000 to ₹90,000.
The polki era had a fantastic and influential run, but the return of unapologetic, heavy temple gold represents exactly the kind of cultural revival the bridal fashion scene has been waiting for. This trend emphasizes heritage, authenticity, and a powerful connection to traditional aesthetics that transcend fleeting fashion cycles.
