Virtual shaadi shopping 101.
By Amrita Sachdev
While there’s nothing we love more than a big, fat Indian wedding, social distancing wedding, social distancing and travel bans have undoubtedly put a damper on all upcoming festivities. From scheduled Sabyasachi fittings to hours spent browsing at Khanna Jewellers, everyone knows preparing for a wedding is no small task, especially if you’re a 2020 bride. So for those struggling to navigate planning a grand celebration via the internet, we’ve spoken to blushing brides Suphavee Anandsongkit and Sanjana Khanijou to create a guide on how to complete your wedding shopping in the age of COVID-19.
Step 1. Check Your Socials
Keeping up-to-date on the latest fashion trends is key to gathering inspiration, so we recommend trusting in the power of social media to help when planning your wedding style. Using platforms like Pinterest, brides can build a ‘personal inspiration board’ of looks they like or want to adapt. Following a variety of designers and stores on Instagram and Facebook can also help.
Step 2. Brides Unite!
Whoever said “the journey is more beautiful than the destination” has clearly never experienced the stress of wedding planning. Just as hectic as it is exciting, every bride knows the processes leading up to their special day(s) aren’t easy, which is why visiting websites like WedMeGood, MasalaWeds, and ZoWed can come in handy, as they off er comprehensive resources covering makeup ideas, to photography and vendors. “It’s always comforting to see other brides in the same situation as I am,” says bride-to-be Suphavee.
Step 3. Keep It Simple
Prioritise, prioritise, prioritise! It’s easy to get caught up in the overwhelming amount of detail that goes into organising each single wedding function. When choosing to focus on the essentials, sorting out your outfits and jewellery for the biggest or main functions before anything else can go a long way towards enjoying the big day.
Step 4. Kleinfeld or Karol Bagh?
As if saying yes to the dress isn’t a challenge enough, sizing and fitting complications while online shopping can make the process all the more difficult. That’s why bride Sanjana advises to “try getting a professional tailor to measure you while on video call with designers overseas, this will help a lot to make sure the fittings are as accurate as possible!”
Step 5. Wake-up Call
Before you can hear wedding bells, brides need to be prepared to hear a lot more in the days leading up to the celebrations. Shopping online can require you to spend hours on FaceTime or call with designers and jewellers to discuss everything from necklines to beading and accessories.
Step 6. Phone-a-Friend
As beautiful as the bond is between husband and wife, every bride-to-be will find that the relationship between you and your designer is absolutely crucial when building your wedding wardrobe. We suggest finding designers in Bangkok you’re comfortable with to assist you with details like fitting and colour combinations. This will also allow you to better communicate with designers overseas. For local designers, Suphavee personally recommends SHAGUN, Neena Sehgal, and June Fifth by Bonny.
