Shilpa Gopal
See how bride Shilpa assembled a beautiful trousseau with savvy choices.
One chance meeting was enough for Shilpa, a pathologist’s assistant in Washington, to decide on Venu as her soulmate. They wed at Hotel Merlin International, in Thrissur, Kerala. The practical and time-strapped bride put together a beautiful bridal trousseau, and you can check out how she did it here.
Wedding Planning
The bride shares, “We were tied down by both time and money, and I just had a week in India to buy my wedding outfits, so going for customized ensembles was something I did not consider. Most of the time, such outfits are either ill-fitting or don’t turn out as envisioned. Buying everything from one designer can get very expensive, so I mixed and matched pieces from higher-end and lower-end designers to make my bridal trousseau budget-friendly. For wedding inspiration and vendors, I resorted to the WeddingSutra App and WeddingSutra Instagram page. My family played a significant role in making my wedding a huge success.”
Wedding Functions
Mehendi
Pairing a red corset top with a yellow skirt and a sheer olive green dupatta, Shilpa’s mehndi outfit ensured that she stayed comfy as she got henna patterned on her hands. Staying true to tradition, she also chose to accessorize her look with yellow and white floral jewelry.
Sangeet
“For the sangeet function, I made a trip to the Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop in Mumbai and found a perfect crop top and skirt set by Papa Don’t Preach by Shubhika. As the designer collection leans more towards an Indo-Western style, the outfit didn’t come with a dupatta. My family, who insisted on me wearing a dupatta, helped me purchase one from a local tailor. To match the look, I picked a maang tikka from a store in Lokhandwala. For my hair, I chose dreamy curls that were braided into a loose plait and studded with fresh pink blooms. My makeup artist kept the base simple, and created a hint of drama on my eyes, and finished the look with a subtle brown-pink tinge on my lips.”
Wedding
“The saree for my wedding was purchased from a local shop in Kochi, and I matched it with a beautiful set of gold earrings from Curio Cottage in Mumbai. In order to sync my entire look, I got the Bahubali Collection’s maang tikka, choker, and layered neckpiece from Amrapali. I went all traditional with my hair and makeup by braiding my tresses into a long, thick plait which was adorned with jasmine flowers and gold accents. For my makeup, I chose a natural, minimalist look with just a hint of brick-red color on my lips.”
Advice For Brides-To-Be
“Mix designer pieces with local pieces to save money on outfits and opt for semi-precious jewelry from beautiful shops to match with your outfits.”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Hotel Merlin International, Thrissur, Kerala
Bride’s Outfits: Papa Don’t Preach by Shubhika (Sangeet)
Jewellery: Curio Cottage (Sangeet), Amrapali (Wedding)
Makeup & Hair: Shoba Kunjan
Photography: Moon Wedlock
