Filipino Wedding Glossary › Lehenga
Lehenga
Pronunciation: leh-HEN-gah
Origin: Hindi, embroidered skirt-and-blouse outfit worn by South Asian brides
A South Asian bridal outfit consisting of a long embroidered skirt, fitted blouse, and dupatta scarf.
A lehenga is a three-piece bridal outfit: an ankle-length embroidered skirt (lehenga proper), a fitted blouse (choli), and a long scarf (dupatta).
Lehengas are the dominant bridal attire across many North Indian and Pakistani wedding traditions. In the Philippines, they are seen in interfaith ceremonies or where the bride has South Asian heritage.
Weights, colors, and embroidery vary by region and budget. A lehenga is not Filipino bridal attire; it should not be presented as a "modern terno" alternative.