janab-e-ali ... you are absolutely right. designers do rip one off ... but as the lehnga would be made in india, and i am at canada, there is no way i can ensure the quality before paying for it
as for semi-precious stones and gold thread, well half of the money she is asking should be enough to get those stones embedded in the lehnga!
i did see the lehnga collections at pakistan when i went last year for my cousin's wedding. she also had a designer lehnga imitated by our family darzi, and it turned out beautifully. the thing i found though was that there is not much difference in the embroidery style when you get the lehngas from pakistan. i will be going again in nov or dec Insh'Allah, and will stay there till the wedding in mar. but when i go there, i will not have much time left to make my decision and get a lehnga made (my cousin's took 2 months just for the embroidery to be done, and then another 2 weeks for the stitching, fitting, stitching). plus i will also have other shopping to do, so i would rather get the main lehngas from here if possible, and save myself last minute troubles.
mili, i am going to try and get my cuz to get some clear picz ... i have a clear picture of dupata border and the choli sleeves, but nothing that shows the clear kaam done on the actual lehnga :(
shanna, i sent u my email address along with the picz of my own too :D
please stop considering spending that much on a bridal dress. i know a friend who went thru a similar situation, she was willing to spend A LOT on a wedding dress but in the end decided to spend Rs. 1 lakh on a designer dress. 1 month after her wedding, she regretted even spending that much on. she said, 'it just sits in my closet and theres nothing else i can do with it and ill never wear it again' she also said she wished that she had gotten more gold jewelry instead of that dress and all the other expensive dresses in her jahez.
and in 1500 CAD you will be able to find something beautiful. so you shouldnt worry about it.
janab-e-ali ... you are absolutely right. designers do rip one off ... but as the lehnga would be made in india, and i am at canada, there is no way i can ensure the quality before paying for it
as for semi-precious stones and gold thread, well half of the money she is asking should be enough to get those stones embedded in the lehnga!
i did see the lehnga collections at pakistan when i went last year for my cousin's wedding. she also had a designer lehnga imitated by our family darzi, and it turned out beautifully. the thing i found though was that there is not much difference in the embroidery style when you get the lehngas from pakistan. i will be going again in nov or dec Insh'Allah, and will stay there till the wedding in mar. but when i go there, i will not have much time left to make my decision and get a lehnga made (my cousin's took 2 months just for the embroidery to be done, and then another 2 weeks for the stitching, fitting, stitching). plus i will also have other shopping to do, so i would rather get the main lehngas from here if possible, and save myself last minute troubles.
mili, i am going to try and get my cuz to get some clear picz ... i have a clear picture of dupata border and the choli sleeves, but nothing that shows the clear kaam done on the actual lehnga :(
shanna, i sent u my email address along with the picz of my own too :D
Miicha,
after reading the whole discussion, I just wanted to add in my two cents. I got married pretty recently abt 8 months ago, I wore a very simple lehnga, if I mention the price you all are gonna get shocked, I did however get swarovski crystals done on it and what I had done was choose a combination that was not traditional so the combination overshadowed the less kaam aspect. I wore only one set, wore one bracelet and only 4 crystal choorian, only tika. So over all I didn't spend too much on these things but what I did spend on was my hair, my make up, chose a beautiful venue (the studios here are pathetic) chose a good photography studio, and made sure I was beaming with joy and guess what...whenever I see Karma, HSY dresses and wish that I had spent more on my dress, I look at my wedding pics, the joy, the photography, the look in my husband's eyes it makes all those regrets go away.... I do spend money now on clothes, trendy bags, the real fashion starts when your partner is by your side to admire everything you put on... hope that helped someone out there. Save your money, take a trip together...make memories, for most girls the day of the wedding is a rushed affair, make sure you take it slow and easy that day. :) and have fun....
.... I do spend money now on clothes, trendy bags, the real fashion starts when your partner is by your side to admire everything you put on...
i know your post is for miicha but i just cudnt resist reply 2 this...i so not agree to what u said...why cant girls/women luk nice for themselves? y do they need 2 look nice only for others or their husband?. Why wait to appreciate yourself or admire yourself?.
i know your post is for miicha but i just cudnt resist reply 2 this...i so not agree to what u said...why cant girls/women luk nice for themselves? y do they need 2 look nice only for others or their husband?. Why wait to appreciate yourself or admire yourself?.
Women/gurls can and should look good for themselves, I never looked nice all the time before marriage ...lol others existed then too, they exist now as well.... what I meant was I do it more so his eyes are fixed on me.... admiration takes place from me as well....but its music to my ears when my husband is saying the same things I'm thinking when I look at myself in the mirror. I cover myself when I go out with him or without him, so when I dress fancily I know it is exclusively for him and me.... some may agree, some may disagree. In the end every woman knows what works for her and what doesn't work for her.
Women/gurls can and should look good for themselves, I never looked nice all the time before marriage ...lol others existed then too, they exist now as well.... what I meant was I do it more so his eyes are fixed on me.... admiration takes place from me as well....but its music to my ears when my husband is saying the same things I'm thinking when I look at myself in the mirror. I cover myself when I go out with him or without him, so when I dress fancily I know it is exclusively for him and me.... some may agree, some may disagree. In the end every woman knows what works for her and what doesn't work for her.
ofcourse its your life and you should lead it the way you like and feel comfortable with. But i was just stating my opinion, didnt mean any offence ofcourse. And i do agree with you that for their husband one should perhaps make an extra effort to look nice and it must mean alot to get appreciated by him. Also, i personally feel newly brides should always look like that and i personally dont like when one cant tell the difference between a newly wedded bride, a married women and a single girl. hehehe
You do sound very much in love touchwood and i wish you stay the same alwayz and have a very happy married life, Amen. My good wishes for you and your family :).
No offence taken maham, I was raised by a mom who believed very strongly in their being a difference between a kunwaari larkee and a married girl. The first time I wore full make up was on my own wedding and I was not 19-20 when I got married....lol .... Yes, women should make a lil effort Allah only knows I am trying ...hehehe..... and from what I have seen husbands do notice the extra step and effort being made.... :) ...May Allah guide us all and bless all girls with good husbands aameen. ARe u in lahore maham?
I do spend money now on clothes, trendy bags, the real fashion starts when your partner is by your side to admire everything you put on
^i actually thought that was kinda cute :)
lol i loved your story miicha!
anyway i can't even imagine spending that kind of money on one wedding dress (not counting the valima dress even!) i would have been happy to have had $1500 to spend on my dress but alhamdulilah we were able to find nice dresses within a very nice price range
that actually freed up money to spend more on other things, so we spent more on the photographer, food and my jewelry especially towards a set of chorain that i wear quite often.
if i were you, i would put the money towards a trip together and consider dresses from designers the girls have already mentioned
if i end up saving money (which i am really hoping to), i would by myself a wrangler because that is what the money was originally for. then i can take my husband off-roading :p
i am in contact with a couple of people who ma be able to make me a dress for a reasonable price. i am just waiting for some more information from them, and hoping that they can do what i want.
if i end up saving money (which i am really hoping to), i would by myself a wrangler because that is what the money was originally for. then i can take my husband off-roading :p
i am in contact with a couple of people who ma be able to make me a dress for a reasonable price. i am just waiting for some more information from them, and hoping that they can do what i want.
Good luck, truly hope you find something :) that will help you in shining on your big day. Aameen
after reading the whole discussion, I just wanted to add in my two cents. I got married pretty recently abt 8 months ago, I wore a very simple lehnga, if I mention the price you all are gonna get shocked, I did however get swarovski crystals done on it and what I had done was choose a combination that was not traditional so the combination overshadowed the less kaam aspect. I wore only one set, wore one bracelet and only 4 crystal choorian, only tika. So over all I didn't spend too much on these things but what I did spend on was my hair, my make up, chose a beautiful venue (the studios here are pathetic) chose a good photography studio, and made sure I was beaming with joy and guess what...whenever I see Karma, HSY dresses and wish that I had spent more on my dress, I look at my wedding pics, the joy, the photography, the look in my husband's eyes it makes all those regrets go away.... I do spend money now on clothes, trendy bags, the real fashion starts when your partner is by your side to admire everything you put on... hope that helped someone out there. Save your money, take a trip together...make memories, for most girls the day of the wedding is a rushed affair, make sure you take it slow and easy that day. :) and have fun....
First lesson for you is, please do not watch anymore indian movies till your wedding, your wedding will cost a fortune for your parents otherwise! hehehe
Jokes aside, I also think you shouldnt pay so much money for a dress in which you will be constantly compared with Aishwarya no matter how good you'll look, your jewellery will be different so it will give a complete different look to you, also as it will be designed in india you wouldnt be able to see the product till the end and also u wouldnt be able to view the thing during its making and give ur own input on it. With that much money you could actually get lots of other stuff .. jewellery,clothes, shoes,make up,honey moon etc etc. This dress of yours will keep lying in your closet for another 50 yeaers and ull hardly get to wear it once or at max 3?
but if you reallllly realllllllllly wanna get it still, then get it made from a Pakistani designer to the max extent they can keep it closest to the original. You wouldnt be able to get the ditto but atleast ull be giving in ur constant input to make it similar as much as possible .. what do u think?
you guys have helped michaa so much. could u help me too????? I recently sent money for my bridal dress and instead of the designer ive always wanted--- someone (by deception of course) went elsewhere and got something im not fond of and is torturing me daily. The dress is in the process of being made....and half the money was given.....I have no idea wht to do or am super depressed......
after reading all this ive reconfirmed that after the ppl around you, its the dress that is the most important factor to the bride on the wedding day (it alters ur mood/chances the way u smile because u feel beautiful)........it can make or break a day....whether expensive or cheap, a reproduction or original......all that matters is how much the person wearing it loves it.......and yes I agree with u chanda kh--the dress--its not about wearing it for a few hours......its for years and years to come u will see the photos framed up in ur bedroom/watch the video over and over, show ur friends, your children and even your grandchildren............its just too special for words........
oh my! im so sorry to hear that... thats horrible!!! how did you find this person? why did you decide to trust them with your dress and half the deposit? are they family? did you get referrals through someone?
oh man... thats messed up and the problem with pakistan is you can't even take legal action.
i'd say if you truly can't rescue your dress, focus on getting your money back and finding a new dress. go into salvage mode and cut back on your stress... you'll feel better knowing you're doing something...
and don't give them any more money until you have the dress in your hands. and then, if you truly hate it, return the dress and demand your money back or refuse to give them any more.
No offence taken maham, I was raised by a mom who believed very strongly in their being a difference between a kunwaari larkee and a married girl. The first time I wore full make up was on my own wedding and I was not 19-20 when I got married....lol .... Yes, women should make a lil effort Allah only knows I am trying ...hehehe..... and from what I have seen husbands do notice the extra step and effort being made.... :) ...May Allah guide us all and bless all girls with good husbands aameen. ARe u in lahore maham?
aww that is so cute and lol i was saying bari bari batein but in truth i m quite like u...my make-up even for close weddings is a lipliner and eye kohl and thats it....i dont like putting on make-up or all those girly girls stuff say chorian n all hehee....so ya its just the way i m i guess also my mom was also nt like that so i guess i take after her...Amen 2 yr dua and yes i m in lahore.
Also, i personally feel newly brides should always look like that and i personally dont like when one cant tell the difference between a newly wedded bride, a married women and a single girl. hehehe
[quote="sadi79"]
No offence taken maham, I was raised by a mom who believed very strongly in their being a difference between a kunwaari larkee and a married girl.
My hubs always wonders how come i never bought anything for me when i was working before gettting married. I had everything saved up MaashaAllah. And i had to remind him taht in our culture or atleast in my family, single girls dont do alot of dressing up. So i never really got matching shoes or handbags or much jewellery. But for my wedding, i have a lot of shoes, matching handbags, nice jewellery both in gold and fake MasahAllah and i really enjoy wearing everything matching or complementing each other. Like sadi said, its sooo worth it to see the admiration in your husband's eyes when you dress up solely for him.
totally..i was a tomboy before my nikah...i remember my friends making fun of me..saying...'so you are actually buying lipstick' or...my favorite 'chanda looks like a girl..finally'.....i wore my brothers clothes...didnt own any shalwar kameez...let alone purses....i mean i still dont carry a purse...i did buy a couple of nice ones...mommy used to tell people..i have 4 boys... :)
the point is...i agree...i like the difference b/w a married girl and a kanwari girl....it looks nice... :)
