I am new to this forum and needed some advise ASAP, I am traveling to Karachi for the first time next week for my wedding shopping - I have already purchased my wedding dress from London but will be purchasing my mehndi, nikkah and valima outfit along with around 10 sem-formal outfits and all event outfits for my mum, as well as mehndi bits and bobs (i.e. mehndi trays, etc). BUT I am only there for 6 days! (I’m quite confident that I can do this :)). So I would like to prepare myself as much as I can before traveling and would like your help on the following:
On average, how much cash should I put aside for my mehndi, nikkah and valima outfits? (Note: I don’t intend to purchase these from high-end designers, maybe mid-level but good quality work. I will look at ready-made first and if I do not like anything I will have these tailor made and have my relatives look after this when I leave KHI).
Can anyone recommend any trusted tailors?
How easy is it to withdraw cash from a bank in Karachi using my UK debit card?
Can I use my debit/credit card in most shops?
I may also consider having my wedding cards printed from KHI. Can anyone recommend a decent place for this?
Is there anything else that you recommend I must get from KHI?
Re: HELP - Traveling to Karachi for the first time for wedding shopping
Good luck! I'm from Canada and had to make the tough decision to stay back and do my stuff from here - not enough vacation time/haven't been to PK in 15 years. Pls keep us posted on your progress!!
Re: HELP - Traveling to Karachi for the first time for wedding shopping
If you are considering your clothes (for the main events) getting stitched from a tailor - someone will definitely be on the tailors ass frequently for a close check. Are you relatives willing to do that for you?
Normally, from what I have seen out there - it starts somewhere from 30K and can go up to as high as 800K (PKR) or maybe more in some cases. What is your budget like and the kind of work (embroidery, embelishments) that you are going for? I guess, it might be a little easier to direct then..
I have a tailor. He is good at what he does - but gets a little dramatic and cocky at times thou hmph If you would like I can pass his contact to you. You can give him try - but I would say with whichever tailor you decide to go with - do like a dummy outfit first (cotton or something).
NOT AT ALL!! I have a US card and I can only withdraw from either Barclays or Citi. I normally use the Barclays atm on Kh-e-Shahbaz, and it is pretty safe alhamdulliah. Also, they have a 25K daily withdrawal limit per card/account.
Almost every boutique/shop at the malls(forum, park towers, dolmen, ocean, zamzama), accept debit/credit cards.
Re: HELP - Traveling to Karachi for the first time for wedding shopping
Thanks for your helpful response.
Yes, I have family in KHI who can look after this for me, although not ideal as I would like to be there whilst it is getting made, but I realise that it is not possible in 6 days.
I am looking for a something traditional for my mehndi, maybe a garara - budget for this is up to 80K (PKR). Nikkah and Walima, I do not intend to spend too much, just something more elegant - budget for each is around 35K (PKR) as these are smaller events. Are these prices realistic? Or should I consider revising these? I was also considering having my civil wedding dress made in KHI, an elegant simple white wedding dress, what are your thoughts?
It would be great help if you could provide me with contact details of your tailor.
HELP - Traveling to Karachi for the first time for wedding shopping
The civil dresses could you not just get in the uk?not seen many like that around pakistan unless you order from Allechant they seem to do alot of lace stuff!
80k is alot for a mehndi outfit im sure you can easily get something for less then that also. The valima i always think is as important as your baraat day fair enough its a small do but i wouldnt scrimp on the cost!
Last time we went to khi we used ATM's but my mother has a bank account in pakistan although we used our debit card in a few malls. tailor wise i would agree also u would need someone to chase them like mad! All this khi talk is making me want to go again!
Re: HELP - Traveling to Karachi for the first time for wedding shopping
You can do it, just go with ready made route. Now boutiques have try rooms, they also do alterations at the time of purchase. The prices are fixed, so make a budget for all the items and try to follow it.
Getting stuff stitch from scratch is lot of work and time consuming. It is for people who are visiting for a longer time. You have to buy everything for the darzi from fabric, get it dye, lace/kaam, buttons, etc. I would not suggest you going that route.
You can get very decent semi formals b/w 7k-15k rs.
Re: HELP - Traveling to Karachi for the first time for wedding shopping
Thanks BellaShabba
I am getting married this summer inshAllah.
I will revise the cost for mehndi and valima.
Re: civil dress, I would like to get it custom made, rather than choosing something off the shelf. Having something custom made in the UK will be ridiculously priced. But I guess it's a risk if the tailor is not familiar with it?
Re: HELP - Traveling to Karachi for the first time for wedding shopping
You can do it, just go with ready made route. Now boutiques have try rooms, they also do alterations at the time of purchase. The prices are fixed, so make a budget for all the items and try to follow it.
Getting stuff stitch from scratch is lot of work and time consuming. It is for people who are visiting for a longer time. You have to buy everything for the darzi from fabric, get it dye, lace/kaam, buttons, etc. I would not suggest you going that route.
You can get very decent semi formals b/w 7k-15k rs.
Thanks Lusi - I hope I like the ready made dresses! :) Otherwise, I will have to leave it with my family in KHI to have it tailor made.
My only worry with the type of dress you want for civil is that ive not seen such dresses in pakistan so not sure how well it would be executed. Try allechant they are on fb and instagram. She works with alot of french laces maybe they could design something unique for u!
Thanks BellaShabba
I am getting married this summer inshAllah.
I will revise the cost for mehndi and valima.
Re: civil dress, I would like to get it custom made, rather than choosing something off the shelf. Having something custom made in the UK will be ridiculously priced. But I guess it's a risk if the tailor is not familiar with it?
