Beautiful wedding jewels that don’t need a vault

People are getting married all year round now and that means come rain, shine or a sudden heat wave, there’s always a celebration to dress up for. To match up to this demand there’s also a slew of options when it comes to opulent jewellery that doesn’t have to come from dadi’s vault or cost a kidney. The thing to do right now is to mix it up—pair your coolest, most expressive jewels with your equally dynamic wardrobe. After all, if pieces like dhoti pants, hybrid sari dresses, or tailored waistcoats have made it onto the wedding Pinterest board, then it makes sense that bohemian headpieces, crystal-studded cuffs, or sculptural earrings should also be there. Crafted by homegrown brands that know exactly what the Indian wedding market needs, these are pieces that make a statement, but don’t feel overly precious or traditional. Scroll ahead to see the affordable costume jewellery brands that our editors keep bookmarked all year round.

Outhouse

If maximalism had a poster child, it would probably be Outhouse. The Delhi-based brand by sisters Kaabia and Sasha Grewal is a celeb favourite for its ability to deliver on impact. Case in point: Isha Ambani wore an ornate, updated parandi from their most recent ‘Born In The Wild’ collection for a pre-MET Gala celebration earlier this month. Their dramatic, glamorous pieces tread a fine line between strange and beautiful—think Swarovski ear studs topped with leopard heads, multi-layered necklaces that lay along the body like an exoskeleton or insect-like claw rings plated in 22k gold.

Anu Merton

Creative director and stylist Anu Merton is the kind of dresser who might wear a plain white chiffon sari to a wedding, but will accessorise it with polki earrings, a jewelled sath lada, an antique-finish haathphool and a pair of Manolo Blahnik heels. The Bengaluru- and Jaipur-based designer brings this same fearless ethos to her eponymous jewellery line where she offers a mix of pretty yet polished heirloom-style pieces that hark back to an older time.

Deepa Gurnani

Founder Deepa Gurnani was a specialist in beading at brands like Alexander McQueen, Emanuel Ungaro and Fendi before she founded her eponymous label together with her husband Jay Lakhani, a jewellery designer himself. Now the pair create everything from cuffs and necklaces to headbands, all with their signature embroidery and beadwork, that have been worn by the likes of Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tabu and even Paris Hilton. A pair of their oversized, shoulder-duster earrings shaped like springtime flowers will be invaluable for your next destination wedding.

Curio Cottage

Ever since it was founded in the 1971, Curio Cottage has long been a go-to for affordable statement jewellery that still feels cool. From chunky silver necklaces to colourful jhumkas and more classic, necklace and earring sets, the Mumbai-based family business releases about 50 designs every week so you’ll always find something to delight on offer.

Riana Jewellery

The Ahmedabad-based brand leans into the classic Indian wedding aesthetic but with a younger, more playful feel. Expect kundan sets, maang tikas, chaandbalis and passa headpieces that work especially well for mehendis and sangeets.

Joolry by Karishma

Forgot about that wedding invite you received three months ago until today? If you’re on the hunt for a pearl-beaded polki set to match your lehenga or a pair of jewelled bangles to wear with an evening cocktail look, then Joolry by Karishma is there for you. The Mumbai-based brand strikes the sweet spot between traditional and contemporary at price points that bring the joy back to wedding shopping.

Zevar by Geeta

Founder Geeta Sangra and her family have lived around the country, absorbing influences as they went. The result is a jewellery label that prides itself on the diversity of its offerings—whether it’s delicate, diamond-finish necklaces or ornate temple jewellery. What unites it all though is the commitment to wedding season energy.

Valliyan

What if you were to take polki stones but magnify them by two? Or dangled colourful Swarovski stones shaped like grapes off the end of a chunky metal rope. Mumbai-based founder Nitya Arora isn’t afraid to experiment with scale, colour, or even form as long as the results are maximal, irreverent and promise a double take.