Interviews by Shilpi Madan
More than the round-up of glittering events, the unending barrage of attendees and the spiel of seemingly endless rituals, what lingers on after the knot is tied are memories of the special moments of the big day, captured on camera forever. Four happily-married women rewind to the magic of their marital ditty
The ‘freaky’ bride
SHAINA NC, Fashion Designer
“You can call me the freaky bride as I was immersed in work till the afternoon of my wedding. I am the unconventional workaholic soul who thrives on meticulously conceived weddings, because as a professional they make great business sense, yet I chose to go the simple route at her own wedding. What a paradox.
I remember crying on the day of the mehendi and sangeet function, as I had no outfit to wear! I simply rustled up something from my existing closet. My most special memory of my wedding is the heirloom I wore as my bridal outfit – a glorious peach lehnga that belonged to my grandmother. It spoke volumes of the Rajput regalia. I converted it into a ghagra and teamed it with unusual, antique jewellery that my mother sourced from Goan royalty. Of course, we had the reception at the Turf Club in Mumbai with over 6000 guests in attendance – that comes from being my father’s daughter. Yes, despite being a Rajput I didn’t have a bor on my forehead as I should have had; but never mind. Manish hails from a Marwari family and there was tremendous amount of excitement and planning at their end in terms of the wedding functions and clothes. I don’t think it actually sunk into my head that I was married till the ceremony ended.”
Shilpi Madan for Verve