Tag: cultural weddings

  • My vision would, after all, come true – #RealBride Sunny

    My vision would, after all, come true – #RealBride Sunny

    We are so excited to hear such wonderful words from one of our customers! Sunny Patel, a doctoral student, came to us with a vision for her reception outfit.

    She was able to explain to us the stresses with any wedding and what comes with planning a wedding – but she made it very clear it’s all about looking at the big picture…

    Sunny and her husband had four days full of wedding festivities over multiple locations and they had their reception at the Omni West in Dallas.

    She told to me the hardest part of wedding planning for her was trying to plan a wedding in Dallas while her husband lived in California!

    “This posed logistical obstacles as you can imagine. Another hard part during the planning process was to imagine how everything would come together at the end. You meet with all the vendors and artists individually and plan for months and months and somewhere during that process it’s easy to lose the big picture.”Like what you see? Email us!

    Sunny told us her favorite part of their wedding was when they were able to get a glimpse of their reception hall before anyone else.

    “It was amazing to see how everything came together and how beautiful the hall looked! To top it off, the videographer played the instant edit on the screens for us while my husband and I were in the hall and it made us stop in our tracks and recap the beautiful weekend with each other.”

    Their reception colors were inspired by fall and winter colors with a touch of elegance. Their main color was blue and added hints of pinks, reds, and blushes to add some depth. She wanted to keep this color throughout her entire wedding from their wedding website all the way to her reception outfit!

    Sunny told us she had been searching for a reception outfit that had the perfect mix of, “embroider[ies] [which is ] symbolic of the South Asian culture coupled with contemporary elements such as a ball gown silhouette. My family and I made many visits to numerous bridal boutiques spanning several cities (Dallas, Houston, Chicago). However, it took only one visit to Silk Threads boutique to realize that my vision would, after all, come true.”

    She wanted her entire outfit to stick with her blue theme, hence her entire outfit being teal-blue with a great ombre effect. Ruby wanted to make sure the outfit had some drama to it so she added a red border to give a great pop of color and of course, tulle.  The tulle gave her outfit a very chic ball gown feel, but still had a traditional look by it’s designs.

    “It was a perfect balance of tradition as well as had a contemporary feel to it. The detail on the lehenga with charming motifs made of intricate thread work and strategically placed stones gave it an elegant feel. The fabric was comfortable and breathable and I found myself exuding an air of confidence and feeling comfortable all throughout my reception. I also liked how the outfit had just the right amount of red in it so it was not overpowering (which is considered a symbolic color” in South Asian weddings).”

    We asked Sunny if she had any advice for upcoming brides and she emphasized it’s really important to not lose yourself through the planning process.

    “If you and your groom want to include snippets of your personality in the different aspects of the wedding, I say go for it! After all, this is your wedding and it should be a reflection you as a couple.”

    “Finally, on the day of your wedding just try to relax and take in the moment. Everything may not be perfect and if it’s not do not worry because YOU will be the only person to notice! Therefore, just look at the big picture and have a good time!”

    Sunny told her us her only requirement for their honeymoon is for it be on a beach!

    Congratulations Sunny and we wish you two the best in your future endeavors.

    Here are some great images of her outfit we made her! Thank you Z Molu Photography for the images!

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  • Combining traditions with American upbringing – #RealBride Deepika

    Combining traditions with American upbringing – #RealBride Deepika

    Bride & groom’s names: Deepika & Mark Vikas Mishra
    Location of the wedding: Washington DC Metropolitan area (May 2014)

    1. What was your vision for your wedding?

    A classic Indian wedding that honored the traditions of our family, combined with our upbringing in the US.

     2. What was the most magical or memorable part of your day?

    After nine months of meticulous planning, to see our dream wedding come into reality will always be a memory for a lifetime. Having all our friends and family from all over the globe in one place will always be something we will cherish.

    3. Why did you choose your wedding/reception dress from Silk Threads?

    I have family that were previous Silk Threads brides and recommended I check out the collection while on a business trip to Dallas. I was able to find a fantastic Sangeet gharara perfect for my surprise dance, as well as a Sunday brunch floor length anarkali. Since my wedding, I’ve been a returning customer due to the vast selection of unique outfits that Ruby and her team create!
    Thank you Deepika, and congratulations again to you and Mark – always nice to see you in Dallas!View More: http://studiouma.pass.us/deepikaandmark View More: http://studiouma.pass.us/deepikaandmark
  • Need matching outfit for the Groom – #RealBride Sonia

    Need matching outfit for the Groom – #RealBride Sonia

    #realBride Sonia ShahGreat feedback from #RealBride Sonia:

    4star

    We want to thank you and your team for helping us with a last minute outfit situation! You really saved the day and we appreciate the speedy service. Sending pics soon! The clothing collection here is beautiful, and we recommend to anyone looking in the Dallas area! Looking forward to working with you in the future!
  • Five must-have requirements for great wedding pictures

    Five must-have requirements for great wedding pictures

    bluebride1Let’s see…it’s your special day and you and your family have been preparing for months. You have picked a beautiful location, have it setup with gorgeous decor, are decked up in your finest outfit (preferably from Silk Threads!) – but who will be capturing these special moments to last you forever?

    Yes – the wedding photographer

    Selecting the right photographer can make all the difference – so based on our years of interacting with a range of wedding photographers, here are the 5 things you must consider:

    1. Hire a professional – it goes without saying that you should check out the portfolios of at least a couple of professional photographers to see which one suits your style. Price is a factor, but should not be the first one.
    2. Can you do two? – How big will be the team covering your events? Can they have multiple people stationed at different parts of the location? If you can afford it, you can see if you can two different companies can shoot the events for you to give better viewpoints?
    3. If you like the photographer, book as soon as you can. Enough said.
    4. Make sure you brief the team on what they should be looking for. Yes, the creative juices need to flow from everyone involved – but it is your wedding! If you have certain ideas, work with the team to see what the best way they can implement them.
    5. Assign someone to work with the guests – if the guest need to be photographed, assign one of your friends or relatives who knows them to make sure they are ready and giving their best shot – and make sure to brief the photographer…

    Check out the picture above of #RealBride Sunny Patel – what an excellent shot by Z Molu Photography…(and shows off her beautiful outfit designed by Silk Threads too…)

    Good luck…

     

     

  • How Bollywood influences South Asian American Weddings

    How Bollywood influences South Asian American Weddings

    Karan Johar has probably had more impact on our weddings than anyone else in recent history” – states a recent article in The Hindu.

    For those of you who haven’t heard of Karan Johar, he is a prolific Bollywood producer/director/writer and talk show host, who films show over the top wedding glamour – which in turn has shaped the nuptial ideas of a whole generation of South Asian Americans.

    A great quote in the article from a wedding planner: “In fact, I once organised a Tamil Brahmin wedding where the bride was so influenced by Bollywood movies that she wanted a Punjabi  jago  as part of the event. This is where the aunt dances with a pot of lamps on her head. We had to bring in  dholaks  and train the aunt to dance…”

    We asked Ruby Bhandari, Chief Designer at the Dallas-based fashion company Silk Threads, about what she sees trending with new brides and grooms.

    “South Asian wedding culture is ever evolving”, Ruby says. “We see new brides on a weekly basis, and most of them are second generation South Asian Americans – they may have had infrequent trips to India when they were younger, but now they rely on popular Bollywood movies to guide them from a fashion perspective. In addition, these movies are also heavy on so-called wedding customs (or Rivaaz) – which creates a co-mingling of the culture and traditions behind the wedding – leading to some interesting outcomes. We also get a lot of inter-racial weddings, where we factor in choices of both sides for their wedding trousseaus and menswear”

    In fact, Bollywood has created a whole ecosystem around South Asian American weddings – a visit to any of the South Asian American themed Bridal Shows will show a host of vendors showing beautiful wedding decor – from traditional to minimalistic modern – as well as standard, but fusion, trappings of any wedding – from wedding cards to favors to food.

    As the article concludes, “Irrespective of the kind of marriage — interracial or within communities — one thing is clear. while the path to marriage in the Indian-American context can be distinctly different from a true Indian matrimonial experience, at the end of the day the quest for a “happily ever after” remains the same…”

    Now all we need is ShahRukh Khan…

  • What are the latest Indian Bridal trends?

    What are the latest Indian Bridal trends?

    A Talk with Ruby Bhandari, Chief Designer of Silk Threads on the latest Indian Bridal Trends

    Changing fashion and trends act like a mirror for the changing cultural norms and mind sets. Today’s brides are have specific designs in mind and do not shy away from asserting their preferences. The new age bride can be a career woman, fashionista, social butterfly or reserved book lover – who needs a bridal wear or outfit that will suit her individuality and enhance her personality.

    Let us discuss with Ruby Bhandari, Chief Designer at Silk Threads, about some of the designer Indian bridal wear that will suit every modern woman and respect her unique tastes throughout wedding journey.

    How does a New Age Bride dress-up for Pre-Wedding Ceremonies?

    Ruby Bhandari Says…..

    Subtle and Chic Outfit for Haldi/Mehendi Ceremony:

    The Haldi ceremony kicks off the Indian wedding events. In this casual wedding event, a bride can wear relaxed light Indian attire in shades of yellow or orange. Comfortable and lightly embellished subtle Indian fashion suits and lehngas will be perfect for Haldi ceremony.

    Mehendi is another pre-wedding event, which is a casual fun affair. For this event, a bride can wear an outfit that will suitably get along with the Mehendi theme – but not too heavy and elaborate. Brides should choose relaxed outfits and avoid longer sleeves, practical for applying mehendi (henna), as well as the dancing which is sure to follow…

    What should be the look of a Bride for a lively Sangeet Ceremony?

    Ruby Bhandari Says…..

    Look Vibrant on Sangeet Ceremony:

    The modern Sangeet ceremony has families of both sides performing choreographed dances to the tunes of Bollywood songs. This requires the bride to look vibrant and radiant just like a Bollywood beauty. For this ceremony, brides can dress-up with traditional lehengas, designer anarkalis, salwar kameez or Indian Saree. Pleasing colors, interesting cuts, right amount of shimmer and some attractive offbeat touches to the Indian bridal outfits will enhance the look and will make the bride to stand out in the sangeet ceremony.

    What should be the Attire of a Bride for a Modern day Pre-Wedding Cocktail Party?

    Ruby Bhandari Says…..

    Indo-Western Look for Cocktail Party:

    For cocktail parties before the wedding, some brides have a dress code or a themed event. Incorporating cocktail parties into Indian wedding gives an alternative to the brides for ditching the traditional outfits to adorn a gorgeous look in Indo-Western gowns or cocktail dresses. Remember, minimalism is the key but your subtle jewelry and accessories can make you stand out.

    How can a Bride look gorgeous on her Wedding Day?

    Ruby Bhandari Says…..

    Adorn a Dazzling Look on the Wedding Day, and match it!

    Brides can shine, dazzle and make a statement on the wedding day by creating their favorite Indian bridal wear, and matching it with the groom, as well as the rest of the families. We at Silk Threads can help you create the custom look you desire – be it traditional, contemporary or a hybrid.

    Silk Threads creates beautiful flair, drapes and gorgeous hemlines that will suit every requirement of a modern Indian bride looking for a dream outfit. Give us a call today at 972-432-9599.

    Silk Threads Understands the New Generation of Fashion and Strives to Deliver the Best!

  • Fusion Themed Wedding: #RealBride NIMRA

    Fusion Themed Wedding: #RealBride NIMRA

    Nimra Chowdhry and Scott Meadows
    Married August 14, 2015 at the Dallas Palms, Dallas TX

    Photographer: Greg Blomberg

    Fusion weddings are gaining popularity as multicultural couples are exchanging vows.  Nimra, who is Pakistani and Scott is American chose to express both their cultures on their wedding day.

    Nimra worked with designer Ruby Bhandari and her team to create the perfect reception dress out of gold tulle with emerald and gold embroidery.   It was the ideal wedding attire selected also to compliment the lush landscape of the Dallas Palms.

    ST: What was your vision for your wedding?

    Nimra: Our wedding theme was Fusion—a combination of vintage, and contemporary with both Pakistani and American cultural styles. The most magical part of the day was whirling around during our first dance!

    ST: Why did you choose Silk Threads to create the outfit for your special day?

    Nimra: I choose Silk Threads because I wanted a reception dress that was expressly desi-inspired but with a western touch. I did not want to wear a traditional Pakistani dress nor did I want to wear a traditional American/Western style dress. Silk Threads designed a dress that was complex in both style and patterns, and it incorporated all of my dress ideas.

    The wedding day is one of the most treasured and unforgettable days in a brides life. Whether she chooses a traditional ethnic saree, designer Indian bridal lehnga or fusion gown,  it has to be unique and made to compliment her. Silk Threads offers a variety of custom styles and designs to choose from. – The Silk Threads Team

  • I FELT LIKE A PRINCESS! – #RealBride Neetha

    I FELT LIKE A PRINCESS! – #RealBride Neetha

    Bride’s name: Neetha Devdas

    Groom’s name: Sanjay Sharma

    Wedding date: June 27, 2015

    Location: Sheraton Dallas Hotel

    Photographer: Lomesh Patel Photography

    Here are some thoughts and tips from our #RealBride Neetha:

    ST: What was your vision for your wedding?

    Neetha: 
    When we first started out we really didn’t know what exactly we wanted. But, after talking with our families, our decor designer and wedding planners, and of course, just thinking about who we are, we went with a traditional Hindu wedding with a modern fairytale garden theme. Between the breathtaking mandap with the hanging vines and gorgeous flowers, the shimmering tables and candles, and the stunning gown I was wearing…I felt like I had stepped into a fairytale. I felt like a princess and I will never forget that feeling.

    ST: What was the most magical or memorable part of your day?

    Neetha: I think the most memorable part of the day was seeing everyone out dancing and enjoying themselves. I can’t describe how wonderful a feeling it was to look out and see all the people from different parts of my life coming together. There were so many family members who love me unconditionally, friends from childhood and on, and so many new faces all in one place at one time dancing and laughing, and celebrating with us. It is a moment I will never forget. And, I think it’s what makes weddings so wonderful.

    ST: Why did you choose your wedding dress from Silk Threads?

    Neetha: There are so many reasons why I chose Silk Threads for my wedding attire. First, Ruby Bhandari is amazing to work with and she has a great eye for fashion. She is honest and cares deeply about what she sends you out into the world wearing. I felt like she was excited about making me feel beautiful and comfortable in my clothes for one of the most important days of my life and she was invested in making sure things were perfect.

    Secondly, there was a lot of attention to detail not only in the making of the dresses, but even the jewelry and how to pull off the draping of each dupatta. All of this helped me to really put it all together and envision how things would turn out.  

    Lastly, the main reason I trusted Silk Threads was seeing my sister Geetha’s beautiful reception outfit a few years back and knowing others who have been very happy with their wedding attire. It was easy to trust that my outfits would turn out great having seen it happen before!

     

  • Unique Proposal: #RealBride Sofia

    Unique Proposal: #RealBride Sofia

    1. Where did you meet your husband?

    We first met in college as freshman at Texas A&M. We were friends throughout college, after graduation we started dating.

    2. How did he propose?

    He proposed at the Kimball Art Museum in Ft Worth. He told me we were going to his coworkers wedding so I needed to get dressed up. However, said lets stop by the museum first since we were early. We walked around and viewed the artwork, then when we walked around the corner he had a caricature displayed in the courtyard, a picture of him proposing to me! He got on his knees and i said Yes!

    3. Why did you come to Silk Threads?

    I was referred by my friend

    4. Did you have a wedding outfit in mind?

    I had an idea of what my wedding sari would be

    5. Do you have any advice for brides to be?!

    On the actual day, just relax, enjoy the moment, take as many mental pictures as you can, and soak it all in. Don’t worry about anything including what little things need to be done because ultimately it does not matter because you are about to marry the love of your life!
  • I have always loved India –  #RealBride Alyssa

    I have always loved India – #RealBride Alyssa

    Today, we are so excited to share out latest bride! We were so honored when  Alyssa Perez came to Silk Threads Designs and asked us to design her wedding gown. Alyssa was looking for something different for her designer wedding dress . We incorporated beautiful paisleys, intricate bead work, and loads of crystals to her gown. These pictures took our breath away! (Not to mention, how adorable is the last image?!)

    1.How did you meet your husband?

    I met my husband at my local church. He noticed me and tried to sit in front of me to get my attention but I never noticed. One month later he found me on Facebook through mutual friends at the church. I added him and the rest was history.

    2. Tell us about the proposal…

    It was spring break of my sophomore year at college and before heading off to his small town to spend break with him, I went out to dinner with a friend. Somehow my friend had me convinced that she had a surprise for me because she hadn’t seen me in forever.  She put a blind fold over my eyes and told me not to peek.  I didn’t suspect I would be getting proposed to because I thought my husband was in his home town three hours away.

    My friend drove me to the church where Chris and I first met and led me inside. As soon as we were inside I took off my blind fold and new I was getting proposed too.  All the lights of the church were off and it was dark except a few candles along the aisle.  Someone was playing the piano and rose petals were everywhere.

    A video of Chris, my now husband, came on the screen of the church where he began sharing a story of how we met, why he fell in love with me, and how he knew I was the one.  At the end of the video he said he had one more question for me but that I needed to make my way to the stage.  I saw Chris walk out on stage, and when I got there he told me he loved me and he got down on one knee.  After I said, “YES,” he told me he had one more surprise.  He turned me around and up in the church balcony was all of my family (who had traveled to Oklahoma from Montana), his family, and a bunch of friends. It was the perfect proposal.

    3. We can see you were inspired by designs from India, but tell us why! 

    I have always loved India.  Though I married a Hispanic not an Indian, I knew I wanted my dress to be Indian.  When I was eleven I lived with my aunt in India for five months.  I fell in love with the culture, learned to eat with my hands, tried to learn Telegu and hindi,  and decorated my hands in henna and bangles. My room in high school was decorated with Indian fabrics and I love the bead work and sparkle on most Indian designs.

    4.Why did you choose Silk Threads? Did you have a design in mind before you came to our studio?

    I tried finding an Indian inspired dress when I knew I would be getting married but couldn’t find anything that resembled India to me.  I knew I wanted my dress to be the traditional American white/cream color but that I wanted to incorporate the Indian jewels and fabrics.  I also knew I wanted the dress to be two pieces like a traditional sari but more with a slightly lower top and a more american style open back.  I chose Silk Threads because it was the closest traditional/modern Indian shop that made custom wedding dresses to my location…and I was glad I did!
    Good Indian design stores are hard to come by, especially in Oklahoma, which is where I currently live. 

    5. Any advice for our brides-to-be?

    If I could give any advice to brides to be it is to choose the dress that has the most meaning to you.  My wedding dress will always have meaning to me because it is unlike other dresses and reminds me of my love for India. Make your wedding resemble who you are and you won’t regret how it turns out.

    Vendors:

    Elle’s Belles Bakery, Big Sky Resort (location and food), Katalin Green Events, Joes DJ Service, Avant Floral, GW Designs (hair), Jason Williams Illustrator, Avant Bridal (bridesmaid dresses and tuxes)​

    Thank you Amelia Anne Photography for the images.

     

     

     

     

  • Wanted Vintage Fusion Outfit – #RealBride Neha

    Wanted Vintage Fusion Outfit – #RealBride Neha

    1. How did you meet your husband?

    – We met at the end of college before we graduated from the University of Texas at Austin.

    2. When and where was your wedding?

    Our wedding was at the Hilton Lakefront on Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall, TX (My Hometown)

    3. Why did you choose Silk Threads? Did you have something in mind before you came to us?

    I chose Silk Threads because I was looking for a fusion outfit for our Wedding Reception.  I wanted something different than my other traditional wedding outfits- an outfit that had a mix of my Western (American) and Indian background and my fashion style.  I preferred something a bit more vintage looking and had a certain look in mind.  I showed Ruby some pictures of what I was thinking of and the colors I liked and she created my dream wedding outfit.  It was romantic, vintage and an elegant combination of Western and Indian.

     4. Do you have any advice for our brides to be?

     Planning a 3-day Indian wedding can be very stressful, but try to enjoy as much of the planning process as you can because the actual wedding weekend comes and goes in a blink of an eye.  And that moment is truly the most magical weekend of your life.

    Vendors:

    Decor: Elegant Affairs- Vikram Panicker and Suman Pai
    Photography: Biyani Photography- Kaushlesh Biyani
    Video: Chris Watson Films- Chris Watson
    Hair and Makeup- Mitzi Merritt Makeup- Mitzi Merritt
    Invitations and other Printing- Tammy Sharp
    Wedding Cake: The Cake Guys
    Food: India Palace Restaurant and Gopal Vegetarian Restaurant
    Midnight Snacks: Hilton Lakefront Hotel
     

    Neha and Shivang’s Wedding Story: Trailer from Chris W on Vimeo.