It took almost around 3-3.5 hours for the mehendi and there were 2 ladies..one doing each..God by bum ached like hell :p And then followed a day of not dipping the hands in water and balm massages with hands kept inside the socks for the color..you see I lack in the body heat department :/Some of my mehendi clicks..
I got basic French manicure done on my nails..it looked quite elegant and nice..plain gel with some glitter is also quiet IN these days..something like this..
And on toe nails..bright pink..as my lehenga sari had pink too..and the shade used in the Salon was Colorbar Pink Lady.
I hope you liked the mehendi pics..do let me know in the comments below.. P.S: Glitter Nail Image from Google
The Mumbai Bride Diaries: Engagement Jewellery and Shoes
Check out my previous post to see my outfit HERE and the mehendi and manicure,pedicure post HERE.
Today I am talking about jewellery and shoes.. Coming to the jewellery,what all can be worn as a part of jewellery:
1. Set consisting of necklace and earrings: A basic set which complements the outfit..you can go heavy or light depending on your preference..I wanted something light..and a maang tikka can also form a part of the set.
2. Matching Set of Bangles: You can either go for kadas if you do not want to wear whole set of bangles..or a set of bangles..any shop stocking bangles would customise it according to your outfit..you can ofcourse make changes in it as per your liking.
3. Kamar patta or Waist Belt: I wanted to add one..but did not find anything appropriate so skipped it..you can definitely wear it if you find something good..that works well with your outfit too.
4. Latkans : These days the latkans are quite in..ya the same ones which we have in our anarkalis and blouses on the back..we can also wear them on the sides of the waist across the saris or lehengas..you can combine a few different ones and mix and match.
5. Baju Band or Armlet : One can also add baju band on the upper arm..especially if your outfit is sleeveless or has very short sleeves..looks pretty..
6. Payal or Anklets: Kundan payal looks great and would match most of the Indian outfits..you can find so many designs of it these days.
I wore a simple gold set with some silver accents and diamonds in between and blue droppings and only the earrings..skipped the maang tikka as I wanted a light look..one can always add a maang tikka too.
Matching set of bangles to the outfit.
Stiff Kundan Payal..they have this oblong shape..and have a key lock..
Shoes : I chose these Catwalk shoes with gold motifs and pearl and diamonds on the front..same shoes were available in 2 inches more heel but with a broader band at the front..I needed heels coz fiancee is 6’3” :/ And I did buy those, somehow the transaction failed and since it was only one pair left, it was showing Out of Stock then..and later when I checked I guess it was already sold out..though I liked this smaller band more..but heels also were less in these..nonetheless I felt they looked perfect with the outfit..I bought these online from Jabong.
Places to shop for..I knew which is the best place in my area for the jewellery and bangles and so was found it there..so I checked out many shops for the set and did not like it much anywhere or did not find something that would compliment the outfit well..I would suggest first checking out your local famous shops, then online and also compare prices..I liked a few on Homeshop18, Craftsvilla, etc..But checking out and trying personally is what is recommended..
In Mumbai..you can check out Magic Mirror in Matunga and Santacruz, Sia outlets, shops in Bhuleshwar for artificial jewellery..for real gold and diamonds I would recommend going to your trusted family jeweller..I like diamonds from Manubhai Jewellers in Borivali and Ghatkopar…my engagement ring is also from there.
Hope you liked the post..if you still have any doubts or need any help, shoot me an email at bhumika_thakkar@yahoo.co.uk and I would be ready to help..
The Mumbai Bride Diaries: Engagement Outfit & Places to Shop For Bridal Wear in Mumbai
Really sorry for the delay in starting this series..Phew..you can see the amount of stuff I have compiled and much more to come..I promise 😀 I hope you all would like this series..and it turns out helpful for many of you..
So here is my first post..starting with the outfit..I checked out almost 6-7 shops all over Mumbai..the most famous ones..but saw the same blingy stuff all over..I would stop the salesmen at the start when they even tried showing those stuff.. ‘Please bhaiya ye nahi’..the bling was blinding my eyes 😀
Places to check out for Bridal Shopping in Mumbai :
1. Seasons– There is Seasons at Inorbit Mall and at Kemps Corner and a new Seasons+ at Santacruz (W). They have some amazing stuff especially saris…but do not fall for the pictures..those Russian models look super fab in their outfits coz they have a body to kill for 😀
2. Roop Milan, Marine Lines: They specialise in saris..all kinds..fabric Tissue, Satin, Banarasi, Net, Crepe, Cotton, Chiffon, Silk, Georgette and have all kinds of work Ikat, Chikan, Paithani, Tangail, Kashmiri, Chanderi, Maheshwari, Baluchari, Kanjeevaram, Printed, Sequence, Zardozi, Mirror, Embroidery, Kundan, etc
3. Amarsons, Bandra (W): Its a lane before Red Box Cafe..they have quite a good range of designs..and nice lehengas and suits.
4. Kala Niketan, Marine Lines & Juhu: They have a good collection of saris..your silk stuff..from Benarasi to South Silks, cotton, bandhini to the dressier ones..all kinds
5. Pramanik, Dadar (E)– From your lehengas to chaniya cholis, to suits, sarees, anarkalis..printed, silk, zardozi, parsi work, chikan kari, sequin, gotta pattis, you would get all kinds of things here.
6. Queens Emporium, Marine Lines (E) : A good collection..they have pretty good lehengas..and not the usual blingy stuff.
7. Bawree, Malad (W) & Santacruz (W): There are many stores in Malad (W)…there is Shagun and Bawree which are like 2-3 floors huge and have an own building to themselves..you may find good stuff there..I have been there but saw more of bling and was too tired to explore..but ya worth a check.
8. Roop Kala, Vile Parle (W): Mostly has saris but also lehengas and other stuff..good to check out..
9. Kanji Raichand, Bhuleshwar: This place is a must check ! You get all designer’s first copy here ! Coz many designers get their work done from the artisans they have..and so they have exact copies..Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla pieces are always found. But you need a reference there..they do not entertain first time customers.
10. Jamnadas Khatri, Bhuleshwar: Our Gujrati bridal saris called ‘khomba’ or ‘Gharchoda’ and even the white ‘Panetar’ are all bought from only this shop, if in Mumbai !
11. Ratansi Khairaj, Bhuleshwar: Pure gold brocade saris are best found here..its their speciality..raw silk and pure gold work on saris..called ‘selas’. One of my sari which we wear in the morning puja before the wedding called ‘Gruh Shaanti’, is going to be a ‘sela‘ from RK. But, you will have to take an appointment before going. Their sarees start from 10-15K.
12. Chamee & Palak, Vile Parle: They even have a facebook page..you can check out their designs HERE..I really liked their stuff..amazing color combos and designs..lace,floral, motifs, fab work..they even customise outfits according to you..but slightly on the higher side.
13. JADE by Monica & Karishma, Pedder Road: If you have a good enough budget, I would highly recommend Jade..but their starting range is from Rs.90,000- 1,00,000 and goes higher..check out their facebook page HERE
If you looking for designer wear, there are Ritu Kumar and Tarun Tahiliani stores at Bandra, Archana Kohchar and Tarun Tahiliani’s Kimaya Fashions at Juhu, Neeta Lulla at Santacruz (W) and Aza Fashions (multi designer..yes the one you see in Band Bajaa Bride on NDTV Good Times) at Cumbala Hill…and many designer stores at Palladium Mall, Phoenix, Lower Parel.
And finally from where I got my outfit…
14. Aishwarya Design Studio, Irla, Vile Parle : Its right opposite Alfa-3. They had some very good stuff and at affordable rates..finally I saw something different from the regular bling stuff…they even had Sabyasachi sari copies and the 3 piece lehengas with a corset and jacket..I liked one of that but was a little too heavy and I wanted a lighter outfit.
My sari: I am not someone who would spend a bomb on an outfit..especially bridal wear and stuff..which we do not end up wearing much..hardly 2-3 times..and I also did not want a conventional sari or suit for my engagement..something different..I did try a 3 piece jacket,corset, lehenga but was not too comfy in it..finally I found this lehenga sari..it has a lehenga like base and has no pleats..but is worn normally as a sari..the base is shaded blue, green and pink in shimmer fabric..and has gold work panels on it..a thick border having blue Parsi velvet work, gotta pati and a pearl lace and a pink rounded border at the end with gold thread work. The blouse was pink vertical striped brocade..My designer and I decided to add blue net sleeves as I wanted it to be 3/4th..and the border on the sleeves..she also had thought of doing gold sequin small buttas on the sleeves but I skipped it coz I liked it this way. My sari costed me 10K.
I think I covered mostly all..I did try to..you can add in your inputs too..do let me know if I missed out anything..
If you still have any doubts or need any help, shoot me an email to info@newlove-makeup.com and I would be ready to help..I hope you liked my compilation..do let me know in the comments below..
Update:
15. Prakash Sarees, Ghatkopar East: I just came across this store recently..and lovee it..some super amazing sarees and such pretty color combinations…from net to prints to embroidery..gota patti in maximum sarees with rich colors..definitely must visit !
16. Tulsi Sarees, Thane : I have not personally been there yet..but many of my friends have for their sarees from here..we wear a white saree with detailed work along with our gharchoda for the wedding..called ‘Panetar’. And Tulsi Sarees has good panetars..and one friend also bought her reception saree from here..worth a dekko. Its at Shop No 11 , Rutu Business Park, Behind Vrindvan Society Bus Stop, Rutu Park Service Road, Thane West.
Would update you with more places as and when I find them..
I have a news to share with you all..Yes, you are right..as the title reads..yours truly is getting engaged 🙂
My engagement is on 18th August i.e this Sunday. Just a week left ! I still cannot digest it :p
Yes, its a love one…meeting the parents, etc happened somewhere in April and things went smooth..since we both are Guju’s (only different sub-caste), there was not much resentment or opposing kinds..engagement was decided in August..also coz my bhabhi was expecting and due in July end..and now our princess Anaya is two months old already..gosh time flies !
All the shopping, outfit, jewellery, shoes, makeup, mehendi, fittings, photography, etc is sorted. Menu was finalised today. My guy’s outfit and mojri is also done (they hardly need anything and are always sorted :/)
I am on leave from 15th August..so awaiting that break..hectic schedule from last 2-3 weeks ! My parlor appointments are on 15th and 16th..mehendi is on 16th evening..would definitely share the pics with you all..
I have done my own little small research for everything in Mumbai..from the best places to shop for to the makeup artists and the photographers..and would be sharing it with you all in future posts..so this Mumbai Bride is going to help all the to-be brides of Mumbai or even those who are already married (when do we stop shopping 😉 )
Wedding would be happening mostly next year..and you would keep on getting new stuff to read till then :p
