Wedding related Exhibition October 2014

Like last month here is a little advice for you :

The advantage of going to an exhibition which is not a huge international event is that you get to meet smaller, younger designers who have a different and unique take on things, so if you are looking for something 'different' then visiting such exhibition can be beneficial!

Here is a list of few exhibition happening in Delhi, October, 2014 :


Aanann
Date: 1st October
Venue: The Lalit, CP


Exhibition by Ru Ba Ru
Date: 1st October
Venue: Eros Hotel, Nehru Place


The Pink Champagne Show
Date: 4th October
Venue: Eros, Nehru Place

Wedding related Exhibition August and September 2014

The advantage of going to an exhibition which is not a huge international event is that you get to meet smaller, younger designers who have a different and unique take on things, so if you are looking for something 'different' then visiting such exhibition can be beneficial!

Here is a list of few happening in Delhi : 

Chic-A-Thon
Date : 30th August, 2014
Venue : ITC Sheraton, Delhi

Umang 
Dates: 30th, 31st August and 1st September 
Venue: South Patio Club, South City-II, Sec-49, Gurgaon 

Trousseau Destination : Biba

Yes, Biba.

I never thought I would ever write an article stating Biba as a trousseau destination, no they havnt gone all 'bridal', but their anarkali's and suits are perfect to wear at your new home, to a family dinner or a small cocktail party. For a newly wed they have come as an answer to what to wear, without being overly dressy.

I was so excited when I saw the ad stating 'Biba by Rohit Bal', Finally I could own a Rohit Bal, so I went asap to the store! :P

Unfortunately I already have an over stuffed wardrobe so I keep my price range in check, so no Rohit Bal for me yet, plus he is famous for enormous amount of flare which I wanted but it doesn't look flattering on me.

That doesn't mean I was totally disappointed, Biba also has a great range of itself. It is certainly a must check out!

Trousseau Saree Shopping for a Modern Bride

*Phew* done sooo much shopping in the last few days.

All of us generally roam around in jeans, skirts and shorts at our home and offices. Ofcourse once you get married people expect you to look like a 'new-bride' aka wear heavy Indian stuff. But that doesnt mean we cant find a solution to that.

Your mom will insist on a basic number of Saree's, its easy to find Suits and Anarkali's because that is what you will end up wearing and your probably used to wearing them anyways. Saree's are a different story what to wear , what to buy, how much to spend, etc. etc. 

Here are some tips :

1. Buy what you will wear, NOT what your mom says you must have. No need of getting loads of Saree's and then storing them away.

2. If you are not the Saree-lover type of a person remember that there might be family functions or festivals where you might have to wear them. If that is true for you then buy heavy Saree's appropriate to wear to a family/friends wedding, and buy the minimum possible. Take what is in fashion and yet stylish.

I think its needs a tiny border also.

3. How many numbers you decide upon, take different colors and styles.

In desperate need of some blues!

4. If your like me and love Saree's then take different varieties of saree's. Take a good mix of what's in fashion and classic styles. You should defiantly have one of each:
a.) kundan work,
b.) Tie-n-dye with Gota Patti,
c.) Saree's available in all stores under the name of 'Sabyasachi' Saree's,
d.) 2-toned saree,
e.) Half-n-half saree,
f.) Printed chiffon and georgette. 
( Take a couple of these to wear all-day, read shocker for boy and in-laws :P )
g.) Light Mukesh work
h.) South Silks
i.) Kanjivaram
j.) Net Saree
h.) And more!!

5. Take what we would call a 'chic' Saree.

Make sure you have a good red!

Sabyasachi Saree / half n half Saree

Bright colors always look good on young girls, so  if ur buying bright and happy colors then your doing it right

6. If your taking south silks and kanjeevarams then make sure you take something which you will be happy to wear even 5 years hence, These are classic styles.

There are many do's and dont, Just remember buy what you will wear.




---
PS : All pics (except a couple) have been taken off internet, incase anybody is offended coz of that let me know will remove it :)

Exhibition Visit, Trousseau shopping, SALE ALERT!!

Went 2 places today :

1. Radisson Blu's Teej Exhibition
and
2. Greenways (Connaught place)


 Radisson Blu's exhibition in all can be given a skip, didn't really like any of the stuff to much.

 Although did find this good trousseau packing person, She also makes great homemade chocolates for gifting @ wedding. Tasted a couple of them, really yum. She is based in Noida. Let me know if you want details.

There was mother, daughter team who also makes Zardosi borders, like they used to in olden times! so like me if your old traditional stuff crazy then should give them a visit. They are based in Civil Lines.
( DIY : Take any plain fabric or light saree and gets these borders added by a local tailor.)

And if you like and want traditional and different saree's that every bride must have then you have to go to Greenways!!!

 They have fabrics like :
Linen Silk,
Uthappa saree,
Chanderi,
Kota,
Georgette Brocades,
Chiffons,
Kundan Work,
Foil Printing,
Bandani, etc.

The good thing about them is that the sales girls are very patient and will show you each and every type of saree they have, plus color options! The owner is also present and moves around the store giving advice.

Their main buyers are brides or people looking for wedding stuff, infact when I went there for my trousseau wedding, there were 3 more brides buying, one family buying for there 'bahu'-to-be.

There official Sale is on and will last a couple of weeks. Avg. Price of a good heavy saree is 10k. A must visit if you are looking for Saree's that you would love to wear even 5 years from now. 

There discount works in a way that if you buy 2 saree you get 25% off, upto 40% off if you buy 10 Saree's. So the more you buy the heavier the discount and you end up with Saree's of an average price of 5-8k.

Havnt checked out there normal printed saree's, but will do soon.

Brought loooads from there :D

Lehenga Inspiration!!

An all picture post!

was the first lehenga I fell in love with!

Absolutely love this emb. 

Great for Mehendi or sangeet

if you dont like the whole loaded look, something like this will make a great lehenga

see thoes flowers in the end, they are hand painted! have actually seen this one in real (from the actual designer) its very pretty. Can be done on your own if you have good painting skills 

Miss Malini's wedding outfits ( love the blue one!)

find her lehenga very elegant

out of all the bollywood brides I find Genelia's lehenga the prettiest 

Want this for mehendi!!

like the left one!

If you are not the 'red' bride, this combination looks real regal

love how her dupatta drapes and the shape of her blouse back

Tarun Tahiliani *sigh*

Not very sure if I like it personally, but there is something about the picture I like

perfect for sangeet!

dont like the middle one, but left and right are nice!

Have looads more, will put them up later. Although cant put up the best one I like :( , trying to get it made, if i decide against it will certainly give you a peek :P

Tailor Aunty

With millions of cloths available ready made it is quite possible you get stuck with 'material' that you have to get stiched. and ofcourse Blouses of each and every saree have to be stiched by your local tailor.

Is it just me or do tailor Aunties/Bhaiya's never end up getting the right fit. Amazingly the first blouse that came out was such a great fit! i feel in love with it! But all subsequent blouses have been near diaster.

As for suits, well you cant blame them for not understanding perfect fitting via dart. And you cant blame people for not giving you ready made stuff coz then they will have to take you along for it and it will no longer be a surprise.

Anyone knows a  perfect tailor in Delhi?

My cous. sister recommends one in GK M block, but he is too fussy for me to handle!

A Search for perfection…the journey to the perfect Lehenga

Bridal and other Lehenga : The most dreaded and the most awaited dresses of your life. Well, I don’t really need to explain why it’s the most awaited, but I do need to justify my ‘dreaded’ comment. All girls who are getting married/are married will understand how difficult and next-to-impossible it is to get the perfect lehenga..

My journey begins a few months back, the day after my engagement in the search for perfection. Following are tips and tricks I picked up on the way which are based solely on my experience:

Things to do before actually stepping out in scorching heat wandering cluelessly :

RESEARCH! I am a big believer in this. Research via internet, wedding magazine (yes! I can finely read these out in open :D ), blogs; ask around family, friends, neighbors, complete strangers that look like they are getting married (ok maybe not complete stranger, until and unless you are like me and don’t mind ) . Basically ask anyone and everyone you know about their experience, where they got their stuff from, etc.

Ok, Research what?

Research the kind of lehenga you want, I can guarantee you, you will NOT get the cheaper version of the exact same thing anywhere. There will be difference in quality and some parts of the design. But when you are out you will have a better understanding of what you are looking for, what you will like to wear, styles, color, fashion, trends.

Tiny Tip : Figure out which Indian Actress is closest to you in skin and body type and see what kinds of lehenga she wore in some movie or at her wedding. Agreed we are not Shilpa figured or have an easy grace of Aishwarya. But most of us are close to Deepika Padukone, Genelia, Anushka, Prinanka Chopra, Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Singha and other ‘Indian type’ girls. Or start looking at random Wedding Photographer’s profiles and see what the girls in their pictures wore.

Places I Visited :

1. Chandni Chowk : CTC, Omprakash Jawaharri lal, Chabra 555, and Random dealers

2. Karol Bagh : Fountier Raaz, Bombay Selections, Meena Bazaar, CTC and Gyaan

3. South Ex : Frountier Bazaar, Meena Bazaar, Ushak Mal Mool Chand

4. Noida : Meena Bazaar (GIP and Sector 18) , Bombay Selections

5. Lajpat : Shakuntalam, Roshans, Meena Bazaar, Malhotra’s

6. Motinagar : CTC

Places left to visit :

1. Bridal shows

2. Hauz Khas Village

3. Shahpur Jat

Experience of PLACES VISITED:

CTC : chandni chowk, Karol Bagh and Motinagar

CTC is actually a mix bag.

The one at chandani chowk and Karol Bagh don’t have a lot of ‘in’ styles but do have good classical lehenga’s. they both have good cheap prices but the quality is so-so for a bridal lehenga. But if you are looking for something like say what your mother wore at her wedding in a different color ( blues or Orange) to wear to your sangeet or engagement it’s a good place to start with lehenga dirt cheap at 6k!

CTC, Karol Bagh 

6k! only! picture didnt capture it but it has a beutiful glowly golden embroidery

Like your olden classic lehenga ( in Orange ) can work for sangeet or engagement , also comes in other pretty colors.

CTC Chandni Chowk

Bridal lehenga

Around 20 - 30 k

But for this you need to really sort through things. ( no sangeet or engagement lehenga available )

CTC MOTINAGAR is very different from the rest. You enter and you can find anything and everything you would need for your trousseau, including luggage!

It is defiantly a must check out for all brides to be, although I personally did find it a little overpriced, but the stuff is good. So all brides put this on your list! and make sure you see their suits and sarees as well.

Lehenga's range from more than 20k,

There are good anarkali and suits starting at 5k

And Saree's are available in all ranges, including 'deney-wali' saree's  (sarees you give to in-laws you'll never get to know )

____

Omprakash Jawaharri lal : Chandni Chowk

Ok, a lot of people say its great and almost everybody finds something or the other , but i didnt :(

Its good if you want a copy of any designer wear at less than half the price. Bridal, sangeet, engagement, you name it you will get it!

My Cousin got her bridal lehenga from them, looked really pretty. ( this is the only picture I could get) 

____

Chabra 555 : Chandani Chowk

Not much variety, Quality so-so, If you like/want fishtail lehenga's you can check it out. But wont recommend it much.

____

Random Chandni Chowk dealers :

You know the guys that keep haunting you once you step out of your car/metro. "Madaamji Lehenga chahiye" One word 'AVOID' , they will take you to shady places with bad quality stuff! Its hardly 1 in a 100 chances that you will get some good dealer.

____

Gyaan : Karol Bagh

Have really pretty Anarkali's and lehenga's but overpriced! If your willing to dish out around a lakh for a light sangeet lehenga then your most welcome to go there. The stuff is defiantly pretty and good quality but (according to me) not worth the price.

____

Ushak Mal Mool Chand : South Ex.

Probably one of the oldest shop for brides, even my mom got some stuff for HER wedding!! and surprisingly they have kept up with fashion trends and are still strong 'contenders' for a share in bridal market.

Have a variety of stuff in reasonable price range ( sorry dont remember the prices, went there loong back ). Good stuff for bridal lehenga and sangeet, reasonable quality. They can also create lehenga's looking at pictures, their designer is available at the shop at all times.

____

Shakuntalam : Lajpat

Good if your looking for a typical 'cocktail' lehenga or a gowny look. Wont recommend it much though, but you will defiantly get a 'westernized' lehenga there. Prices are nearing overpriced but not over the top.

____

Roshans : Lajpat

Good stuff for sangeet and engagement, loads of variety , price range starts at 20-30k. Quality is good. If you have time in hand they can customize anything. 

Overpriced Bridal lehenga's starting at 1L, anything below it wasn't good.

____

Malhotras : Lajpat

Quality so-so, you might get a typical westernised lehenga here, the bridals are not worth it. Actually its the kind of shop that if your in luck you'll get something good. I got a great suit from there but lehenga's were a BIG disappointment. Although there is a ' Munni Badnam hui ' lehenga for Mehendi  really want to try it on, might be good! Its a short skirt with a corset top.

____

Peach and Purple : GK2 , M block

Really pretty anarkali's! great Quality but they are a bit overpriced. The good thing is they can convert and customize their Anarkali's into lehenga's and at a price range of around 15-20k you can get a really pretty girly sangeet/engagement lehenga! The colors are pretty pastels and chic sleek. 

____

Bombay Selection : Karol Bagh and Noida

Good if you like and want western lehenga's for cocktails. Not my personal choice. But you can look into it if your looking at cocktail lehenga's. Karol Bagh one has more variety,

 Noida one is good for saree's and suits. ( will try to find pictures, cnt find them right now )

____

Meena Bazaar : Karol Bagh, South Ex., Noida sector 18, Noida GIP, Lajpat

There are two brother and basically 2 different Meena Bazaars, dunno which one is which, but I visited these 4 so will tell you bout them.

Karol Bagh : Biggest out of the lot and has the maximum amount of lehenga. You must defiantly visit this one for sangeet/ engagement lehenga, reasonably priced, good quality stuff. Great Anarkali's also

South Ex : Can skip, have min. lehenga's but good sarees, so go there for saree's if you want.

Lajpat : Good for saree and suit, no lehenga

Noida Sector 18 : Great Anarkali's and suit. Can skip for lehenga's.

Noida GIP : Good lehenga's, less variety but they keep adding new stuff so again its on your luck. But good for engagement/ sangeet. 

Price Range at all Meena Bazaar : Lehenga's start at 12k and goes up to around 40, you can get a good heavy one at 20k.

If your planning to wear a lehenga saree do look at Meena Bazaar Lajpat nagar and Noida GIP, Great stuff!

____

Frountier Raaz/Bazzar : karol Bagh and South Ex.

Yes I know its the largest heading of the lot, simple reason I LOVE IT!!!

I know, I know most you you say its overpriced, but here are tips and tricks for Frontier :

1. Like all others go during sale time , but happens only once a year around Feb., March so if you know in advance about your marriage then go there! (EDIT : Happens twice a year! I found that out later, once near September as well!!)

2. Whatever price you tell them is your budget they will start showing you at a 10k higher price. Be patient!

3. I know you are frustrated and they keep bringing more lehenga's one after the other. But be patient, show interest.

4. About half n hour later when they realize your not going anywhere and are serious about the lenengha you want they will start with stuff around your range. 

5. An hour later you will start falling in love!

If you get a lehenga which is the 'one' but slightly over priced then ask to customize it, they have in-house designers/managers present at all times which will help you in making changes and cut down your costing, but only if they know your serious!

The best part is if you like three different borders of 3 different lehenga's they will customize it for you!

Quality is great if you get a lehenga made from scratch, if you dont have time and need to buy it off the rack then tiny threads might be loose but they finish it properly before giving it to you and can add tiny 'latkans' any where you want :) . 

The over all experience is great. 

They have tons and tons of stuff. Both South Ex. and Karol Bagh branch are equal.

Only down fall is that you might find the similar stuff even after couple of months with few newer additions. But honestly if you dont find something you like the first go then you probably wont. 

Sangeet and Engagement lehenga might be a bit expensive for most starting around 40k.

Bridal start at 50-60k

The good part is, even if you say buy a lehenga @ 50k the quality of stuff is as good as that of a 1L lehenga.

  

My Cousins Reception lehenga at 50k for her reception ( on sale)

Off sale around 70k

Places left to visit :

1. Bridal shows

If you are very patient (unlike me) wait till July and August for Bridal Asia, Bride n Groom, etc. A lot of designers from all over India come over here with usually good stuff. Its good to take a look coz no where else you will get so much of variety under one roof. Quality of everyone will be pretty good , price range will vary.

2. Hauz Khas Village and Shahpur Jat

Small time designers are scattered all around these area. They have good quality but less variety in stuff. A bit overpriced but you might get a 'unique' piece. And ofcourse customization is their specialty. 

The Big designers are also spotted in these ares but I would rather not talk about them. Too high prices for things that are made in 1/3rd of the price. I am not willing to dish out 3-5L for a lehenga ONLY coz it has a designer name on it.

3. Shops I dont know about yet :P

So if you do tell me!!

P.S. : Thank you http://thedelhibride.wordpress.com/ for encouraging me to write!! :)