Bridal Glitterati in Hong Kong

If you’re writing about weddings, especially destination weddings chances are you’ll hear about Hong Kong clients frequently. Every now and then Makeup maestro Ojas Rajani tells us she is traveling to Malaysia or Bali to dress up a Hong Kong bride. When we speak to popular Destination Wedding Photographer Rohit Rohira (Picture Perfect India) he is usually in Bangkok, Hua Hin or Chiang Mai for the wedding of a client from Hong Kong or Jakarta. Mumbai Wedding Planner Hriday Daswani whose client list includes many Sindhi NRIs is frequently busy with clients from Hong Kong who are in Mumbai for shopping at Designer Stores or to meet with vendors like invitation card designers, gift suppliers or makeup artists. So when Hong Kong based Deepa Nainani and Neerja Sujanani wrote in to us to tell us about their exhibition ‘Bridal Glitterati’ in Hong Kong, we were curious to know more. The duo have been organizing Kowloon Bazaar Hong Kong, an annual shopping bazaar for the last seven years, but this is the first time they are organizing a bridal and wedding special. “Yes, when you think of NRI’s from Hong Kong, you visualize brides visiting the Couturier’s in Mumbai or Delhi for their most exquisite lehengas. Of course, Hong Kong brides are an important clientele for many of the biggest designers in India, but what is not known is that there are many other Indian brides-to-be in Hong Kong who may not be traveling to India for their shopping and may prefer to shop from Hong Kong itself”, explain Deepa and Neerja.

Hong Kong to Chiang Mai. Sheryl and Dhiraj’s grand nuptials took place at Royal Flora and Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai. Photo Courtesy- Picture Perfect India

Bridal Glitterati will feature over 35 stalls, with a range of product and services like designer wear, jewellery, accessories, premium gifts, photographers and invitation cards. “It might take a while for us to get more Indian designers to exhibit, but at the moment we have got an excellent response from jewellery and accessories designers and other wedding specialists who are targeting Indian brides-to-be. And we hope to organize a bigger scale Bridal Glitterati next year.”

Those who have been attending Deepa and Neerja’s exhibitions over the years are looking forward to Bridal Glitterati. Says Divya Daswani, a bride-to-be: “I’m getting married in six weeks and the to-do list is never-ending. I think Bridal Glitterati is a great idea, having attended their extremely well organised Bazaars in the past, I am sure it will be a great help to all those with weddings in the family.” Adds Anita Chainrai, a well-known socialite: “The two ladies understand what Hong Kong needs and wants. And since everyone cannot always travel to India for shopping I hope this becomes one of the most exciting events every year.” Deepak Paryani of RS Jewellers Hong Kong who is the biggest exhibitor at the exhibition states: “We are launching our new line of jewellery named ‘Elite’ and we look forward to showcasing it to different shoppers- those who are getting married, those attending weddings or those that just love to shop!” Sarita Sadarangani who retails creations by prominent designers in Hong Kong says: “The organisers of the exhibition have identified a good need; Indians, as well as those who love all things Indians, to come and shop in a festive environment. After all, everyone wants a change from a regular store or mall environment to shop for new stuff for the new season.”

Hong Kong to India. Roma and Lavin’s three day wedding celebrations were held at Le Meridien, Cornthians and O Hotel in Pune. Photo Courtesy- Picture Perfect India

In the last few years, Indians in Hong Kong have explored newer venues for their destination weddings.  Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa continues to be very popular and so are Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok and Shangri-La Hotel Chiang Mai in Thailand. We asked Deepa and Neerja which are the places Hong Kong is travelling to this season: “The destination weddings are happening in Thailand of course, and some in Mumbai, Goa, Dubai and Bali. The new hot-spot is Abu Dhabi. The amazing hotel properties and easy connectivity are its big pluses, and I think we’ll see many more Indian and NRI weddings in Abu Dhabi in 2015 and 2016.”

Bridal Glitterati
Timing- 11.00 am to 8.00 pm
Venue- Regal Kowloon Hotel TST, Kowloon
Date- Saturday, 24th May 2014