Indian weddings, as we all know is an elaborate affair that can extend up to three to seven days. Each day is planned and celebrated differently. Be it a North Indian bride or a South Indian bride, these markets have something to suit every pocket. These brides differ mainly in their way of get ups.
While a North Indian bride would obviously choose lehenga over a sari, it is kanjivaram for a South Indian bride. The choice of jewelry also varies vastly. No matter what sort of a bride you are and your preference, if you are planning to get married and at the same time looking for the perfect outfits or dresses for each function, read on the following for the best places to look out for wedding shopping in India.
1. Delhi – The first place to look out for is of course the capital city. It is known to be home to some of the best bridal shops that can include ethnic work done by local craftsmen, copies of popular designer wear. The ones mentioned before might not necessarily be outrageously priced as the real deal. Thus, there is always something there which is suitable for everyone and every budget.
You can visit Lajpat Nagar, Karol Bagh or Chandni Chowk where you might be lucky enough to get hold of famous designer lehenga that will easily match your pocket. Shopping in Delhi is highly recommended for wedding shopping for the North Indian Bride.
2. Chennai – For a South Indian bride, Chennai is a go to destination. When you reach there, their things will immediately comes into notice i.e. gold, kanjeevarams and temples. Though it might not be a popular destination for brides of other states, yet you can buy some very elegant kanjeevarams for your wedding here.
However, you need to be careful while buying them as you can be easily duped into buying fake silk. Thus, you always need to look for the silk mark tag which is introduced by the Central Silk Board of India to ensure that the quality of the silk you purchased is the best. For wedding shopping, head over to Pothy, Nalli and Saragi stores which are famous all over India.
3. Varanasi – The “benarsi saree” needs no introduction when it comes to Indian bridal trousseau. The city of Varanasi or Kashi is of significance when it comes to Indian culture. It is known for their fine temple which is thousands of years old and also the birthplace of the famous Banarasi silk sarees.
They are basically known for the intricate weave and patterns thus embodying the cultural richness of India. The sarees are also available in cotton and other materials in modern times. Famous Indian designers are now looking towards Varanasi to source some of their materials for wedding shopping. Apart from that, you can head over to Vishwanath lane, Chowk, Thateri Bazaar and Godowilia.
4. Surat – Shopping from Surat will be beneficial only if you are going for bulk buying. Visit G3 near Chowta Phool or Asopalav which is near parle point. If you have a bit more time in hand, you can try out Kajal’s Couture for premium bridal wear. These might include heavy velvets or reception bling gowns or lehengas inspired from famous designers.
Apart from these above popular places, another shopping destination that you can definitely try out is Chandigarh. Though it is not as popular a wedding shopping destination as the others mentioned above, yet there are a lot of shops that will cater to your needs without having to fret over limited choices.