Marrying your childhood friend is a blessing and we believe that this couple here has been bestowed with one such blessing.
Let's hear it from the beautiful bride herself.
"My partner and I have been friends for almost forever! We were childhood friends who met after a break of about 10 to 12 years.
We ended up in the same college for Engineering and small fights which then turned to friendship and flirting and 7 years later, we were tying the knot. Yes sounds pretty filmy!
From the time we decided to marry until the D day we had more than a years’ time and the excitement just kept increasing with every passing month. I am the only child so the happiness on my side of the family was actually too much to handle. During this time, my partner and I were in the US but on two opposite ends of the country. This distance was actually great because every time we met, we had so much to talk, plan and enjoy that feeling, we actually valued those few days of meeting up I must say!
Since I lived in the US my major shopping and planning was over the phone (internet, social media & God Bless WhatsApp creators!) I researched designers for my reception lehenga on google, Facebook & Instagram. I thought about shopping for them here in the US but it was way too expensive.
Mehendi was at home itself with some pretty decors and with just close family and friends during the day. Did not have much time and it was on a weekday so did not invest much time and efforts on planning a gala one. Bought a convenient outfit from Central in Forum Mall Mangalore. Had a good time dancing and checking out all the mehendi designs on the ladies.
Mehendi artists were the Rajasthani folks who have a network in every mall nowadays!
My wedding saree was bought by my mother, whilst I was on video call with her. Again, God bless WhatsApp creators! Accessories, jewelry and footwear I shopped once I went to India. Had about 3 weeks’ time for all this. I bought some artificial jewelry and some materials from Chikpete with the help of my cousins who know the good stores in there. Footwear and Gold jewelry, I shopped at my hometown itself, Mangalore from @malabar-gold-and-diamonds#, @joy-allukas# & Bhima jewelers.
I had decided on wearing a Kundan anklet but couldn’t find a good one in Bangalore and did not trust buying it online. I found one in @kushals-fashion-jewellery# in Koramangala, although expensive I bought it. Because you know. Dreams.
My wedding and engagement blouses were designed by Needle Eye Designers in Bangalore. I was happy with their work.
Some haldi saree blouse materials were bought in Mangalore from Bhumika textiles in car street.
Got them stitched from SR Tailors in Mangalore. They stitched 3 blouses in just 1 week and did it perfectly well!
My reception lehenga designer was Riya Kodali, a celebrity designer in Bangalore. Loved her work and was happy with my lehenga. Riya Kodali House has great designs with intricate work details and good fittings. She was very co-operative in discussing designs over WhatsApp.
Groom’s tuxedo was stitched by Ram’s tailors in Mangalore within a time frame of 1 week and it was very well done. His wedding outfit is from Swayamwar in City Centre Mangalore.
My make-up & Hair was on point and exactly the way I wanted. The artist is Chethana from Chethana’s Beauty Lounge, Mangalore.
Photography by one of the best in Mangalore, Roshan Rao & Videoraphy by Wedding Reels Udupi. Since it was a wedding season, December time, I had booked photography and videography 9 months in advance.
The event planners were Glitz Entertainment, Mangalore. For the reception I did not want any of my family members to stress on planning as it was an outdoor event, by the river side. So we handed over responsibility to event planners – Glitz Entertainment, Mangalore. They did a good job and were very co-operative. The planners, my partner and I had a WhatsApp group to share ideas and make decisions.
I have been completely satisfied with all my choices.
Talking about jewelry I shopped in Mangalore, Malabar had great collection of Mangalsutras. I bought a long one which I wore during my wedding and one short modern looking one that could go with any outfit.
Bhima Gold had great collections of temple jewelry sets.
Alukkas, I liked just the jhumkas and I bought mine from there.
I wanted to lose weight and flatten my tummy because I knew I would end up eating a lot when I went to India from the US. So I just went for food control. I cut sugar completely. And junk was almost once in 2 or 3 weeks. Gym visits twice a week. Did not cut amounts of food intake at any point. I did this for 3 months and saw great results.
Since my husband and I were headed back to the US soon, we did not plan on a honeymoon immediately. Instead went on a vacation with families from both sides to Wayanad, Kerala.
During the Kanyadan it was a very emotional moment. The thought of handing over the only daughter was overwhelming for my parents and I was full of emotions!
