Style: Sonas Haute Couture
Subtle shades and dreamlike silhouettes have long defined the signature of celebrated designer Sona, yet for 2026, she invites us into a new chapter of her romantic evolution.

Reimagining the language of love through pastel lenghas that shimmer with exquisite artistry, Sona has turned up the volume on elegance while retaining the grace her Indian bridal and groomswear label is revered for.

Her latest collection, gracing our cover has whispers of 1920s glamour, where delicately beaded lenghas offer a contemporary take on bridal minimalism. The same pastel enchantment extends to the groom, with champagne-toned sherwanis adorned in fine floral motifs and intricate 3D embellishment, creating a harmonious pairing that feels timeless yet undeniably modern.

Demure yet daring, Sona’s 2026 muse is the bride who commands attention without courting excess. Through neutral tones, ethereal silhouettes and impeccable detailing, Sona has redefined bridal luxury for the contemporary romantic.

“It’s the era of the New Romantics,” she shares, “where it’s perfectly fine to follow the fairytale path while taking the lead. Today’s bride embodies main character energy: she’s confident and unafraid to own her story. My pieces aren’t just beautiful on the outside; they empower her to feel like the superstar she is.”

Location: Shrubland Palace, Suffolk

Romance is having a renaissance in 2026 and nothing is more romantic than taking your sacred vows inside an awe-inspiring palace. Nestled within the grounds of a Suffolk country estate, Shrubland Palace is a 17th-century manor house where heritage meets glamour.

As you step through its grand entrance, a dazzling chandelier casts a golden light over sweeping red carpets with elegant alcoves ideal for taking your Big Day portraits. Within the main house, a series of interconnecting rooms can welcome up to 180 seated guests. Or for celebrations of a grander scale, their Glass Pavilion offers a striking blank canvas that can host up to 1,000 diners.

Follow our lead by making the most of the palace’s tropical conservatory, a lush paradise of emerald leaves and cascading blooms. It was here, among the verdant stillness, that we captured our cover, an ethereal space brought to life with delicate props and masterful styling by Khaas Events.

Beyond the walls, 288 acres of landscaped gardens and sweeping parkland await. Their famous ‘Hundred Steps’ lead you through a path of shrubs that change with the seasons. Whether you take your views as spring is awakening, or amongst autumn’s golden hues, Shrubland Palace ensures that whenever you say “I do,” you’ll be embraced the poetic splendour of nature.

Décor:  Khaas Events
Petals and pastels brought a tender tone to the enchanting backdrops created by Khaas Events, who transformed Shrubland Palace into a dreamlike botanical haven.

Soft, delicate shades were woven into intricate floral installations, enhancing every corner of the venue with a tender, ethereal beauty.

For the cover, they created a striking indoor spring garden, set against the backdrop of Shrubland’s grand conservatory. Drawing inspiration from modern Mughal elegance, the team incorporated block-printed cushions, hand-carved furniture and giant vases adorned with roses, peonies and luscious greenery. Every detail from petal-filled baskets to the scent of fresh blooms in the air evoked a sense of timeless romance.

Elsewhere, they showcased one of the season’s biggest trends, cascading caterpillar floral arrangements that spilled gracefully over the edges of a dining table, blending flowers and foliage to accentuate the venue’s architecture while creating a feast for the senses. Their lavish décor was a perfect harmony of love, colour and style.

Beauty: Lubna Rafiq and her team

The seductive softness of Sona’s bridal lenghas complemented Celebrity MUA Lubna Rafiq’s signature style of ‘barely there beauty.’ Models sported fresh-faced, luminous skin, kissed with rose and peach tones on the cheeks. Eyes shimmered in shades of gold and lilac gently framed by kohl with light, natural lashes for added allure.

Lips were brushed with nude mattes in blush pink or with neutral glosses; a look that isn’t just for your wedding day but can be easily adopted for everyday glamour with ease. Lubna revealed: “Inspired by the delicate embellishments and luxurious fabrics in Sona’s gorgeous trousseau, I created an ethereal yet effortless look on the five female models. We customised each look to them, yet as a collective they embody the radiant bridal make-up looks that will be in demand in 2026. A bride can easily switch between these looks during her wedding day. I always recommend keeping your make-up lighter for daytime functions before adding drama, perhaps more colour on the lips with accentuated eyes for your evening soirees.”

Jewellery: Sanjeev Jewellers
Heirloom jewellery defines the golden era of romance and is the specialism of the passionate team at Sanjeev Jewellers. As brides embrace the gentleness of timeless pastels for their wedding dress, Sanjeev Jewellers’ 22-carat gold bridal collections elevate the elegance further. The Southall-based family-run jewellers have reimaged tradition techniques embedding diamonds, pearls and colourful stones into majestic necklaces, with matching earrings and bracelets. Less is more, with the focus on quality craftsmanship and delicate detailing, as Laksh from the team explains: “We’ve seen a return to more refined handiwork. Heavy, oversized pieces are no longer meeting the desires of British brides, and when the bridalwear itself features shimmering stonework, like the exquisite gowns from Sonas, there’s a risk of your accessories getting lost if they are similar, but with gold, it always takes centre stage. We offer gold in different colours from classic yellow gold to more modest metallics, all of which can be customised through our bespoke service.”