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..