I live in the states and was wondering is it worth it to go wedding shopping in Pakistan? I dont really have any family there that can go shopping with me. I wouldnt even know where to get started. I hear Clifton and Tariq Rd is where all the shopping should be done. Will I find a lot of ready made stuff there? Is that the only place I need to go? Will I be able to find everything I need there?
I will only be there for a couple of weeks so I wont have time to custom make everything. I not only need to shop for my wedding outfits but also my families clothes for the wedding and my jeez outfits (both sides - grooms side clothes that are given to me). I will also need jewerly, shoes, etc.
You will find much more variety at better prices. But it's not cheap to go there and there are some fairly good designers that are are available abroad.
I think if you're going to go alone and don't have anyone to help you it will be difficult.
I agree with ramsha! Unless you really do your homework and have even a vague idea in advance what's available, what designers/shops etc. before you arrive physically, it'll be tough. Right here on gupshup is a good start! There must be plenty of people here familiar with the Karachi shopping scene. ANY people you know in PK can be asked.....search online, maybe?
Yeah I feel like if you have no one to take you around and show you where to go, this is not a good idea. Plus if you've grown up in the States, even before you open your mouth, the vendors will know and will charge you higher prices anyway. I'm sure the folks here can recommend some vendors that are reliable. Where in the US are you?
it is worth it, and sometimes if you don't go with a designer label then you do need someone in pakistan to kinda keep an eye on things to make sure things are made correctly. A gf of mine used a tailor for 7 years, went to karachi arranged it and came back to texas. when her dress arrived a few months later it wasn't red it was burgandy....huge color difference. it was already too late you know? things like that can happen. If you don't have family to take you around and stuff will your inlaws be willing to help you shopping wise? I went to pak for the first time last year and had a hard time finding readymade shaadi clothing to wear to my cousin's wedding. Back there the girls don't wear very heavy formal outfits, the shop owners kept thinking i was looking for engagement outfits bc i kept going for heavier outfits, which is something we wear here. The girls don't wear heavy bangle sets there either the look is very simple in comparison to how american desis deck out for weddings. I do think that price wise and the fact that your imagination can create the dress of your dreams is a good reason to go back home and get something made. Nothing here can compare to the options you have back there. With that being said GS designers are great so if you do see something and you want it made, I think turning to a GS designer is a good option. However when you consider jahez bridal packages and such, the endless pretty shoes and clutches that are super cheap there as it's more expensive here and all the other shopping you can do makes the trip to pakistan totally worth it. I think the amount of money you save in putting together not only your bridal outfits but your gifts and jahez clothing makes the trip to pakistan affordable and a wise choice. Designers like Karma, Zardozi, Rani Emaan are professionals and will make the dress according to how you want it. so if you can't go back home and you can't trust someone to make the outfit for you, and you don't want a GS designer to make your bridal wear then go for a designer and be prepared to spend a lot more money but you will have exactly what you asked for in the end.
I prefer to shop in paki for wedding shopping because in the end its all about the money. Where i live formal wear costs around $300+ but in pak you can get the same or even a better outfit for way less.
I think it's worth it.. esp if you're buying for more than just yourself. Buying a few outfits here is manageable but i feel if you're buying lots of outfits, it's totally worth it!!! Alsoo... lots of options there :)
I'm also contemplating going to Pakistan (Khi) to complete my wedding shopping. On average, how much time do you think is usually required to undertake such a task?
I'm not too concerned with being there to pick up the outfits as I have family who can ship it to me. But generally speaking how much time should one expect to take to complete such a task? Unfortunately, I can only take three weeks vacation time...so i'm really hoping that if i'm prepared and efficient (key word!) I could complete my shopping within that time frame.
What do you girls think? Am I delusional!? I may be underestimating the ground realities of Pakistan (i.e. security, load shedding etc)!
My mums there right now and she says a lot of things are expensive so you might wanna consider what exactly you would go there for? If you have a huge long list like all the clothes for every single function before and after the wedding and have numerous family members who also need their clothes made then Pakistan may be slightly cheaper. Otherwise just stick to US.
I need some help and I can’t seem to start a thread so sorry to put the query here.
Is a Pakistan based guppie able to help me, what I need is for a fellow guppie to make a phone call to a designer to just ask a price of a bridal. I love this bridal but the designer gave me a really odd price over email probably because he figured I am overseas.
I would call myself but as soon as I open my mouth it’s obvious I am not local. L
Thanks
I'm also contemplating going to Pakistan (Khi) to complete my wedding shopping. On average, how much time do you think is usually required to undertake such a task?
I'm not too concerned with being there to pick up the outfits as I have family who can ship it to me. But generally speaking how much time should one expect to take to complete such a task? Unfortunately, I can only take three weeks vacation time...so i'm really hoping that if i'm prepared and efficient (key word!) I could complete my shopping within that time frame.
What do you girls think? Am I delusional!? I may be underestimating the ground realities of Pakistan (i.e. security, load shedding etc)!
^ there is no way formals or, especially, bridals will be ready in 3 weeks! even your average darzi in between overloading their work schedule and trying to work between loadshedding times, takes longer than that usually. you can place orders if you do a lot of running around and put in 8 hour days which can be stressful in karachi traffic and the hungama situation, but its possible if you stick to defense/clifton mainly.
if you plan on leaving your clothes there with designers, tailors or karigar, then make sure someone is there to help follow up on your outfits and keep the pressure on the afore-mentioned people to get your clothes done on time and done right.
Thanks everyone for suggestions. We keep going back and forth on our decsion as we dont really have any family in Pakistan that can help us with our shopping. The prices here are outrageous........I went to a show here in the states for clothes and nothing was less than $250. If I stick to doing my shopping from here.........are they any websites or places I can order my shoes and jewrly from?