Wedding cards Whether your invitations are sparkle-dusted affairs featuring cherubic bridal couples locked in an embrace, bronze and gold cards featuring Ganesha, hyper-stylised Arabic calligraphy or a permutation of baraat-meets-doli, you’ll do well to head down Khandilkar Road. The stretch between CP Tank and Thakurdwar is home to some 200 stores that cater to most budgets even if they aren’t the last word in creativity. Priya Mulchandani, invitation designer to the rich and famous, can take up to ten months to create a new style, while Delhi’s Ravish Kapoor does a booming business in Mumbai with invites that have included pop up artwork, boxes containing chocolates, wine or oil lamps and even gift bags full of invites to a week’s worth of wedding events. Digital fantasy has helped spread the wedding word by printing wedding invitations on the petals of real and artificial flowers. Khandilkar Road is opposite Gaiwadi in Girgaum, near Charni Road (E). Walk down and browse through. Digital Fantasy Shubangini, Shop No 2, near Milan Subway, Santa Cruz (W) (98210-68214, www.digitalfantasyin.com). Prices start at Rs 10 and vary according to the size of the order and the kind of flowers used. Ikon 1D Vulcan Insurance Building, 77 Veer Nariman Road, Churchgate (2282-0666/22820769, Ikoncards.com).
The funky interiors coupled with the dark teak wood furnishings, potted plants and a hot-pink wallpaper give Mudd an inviting blend of the cozy and the eclectic. In addition to the full-body treatments that most spas offer, Mudd specialises in hairspa treatments like protein masks and deep conditioning for hair that is “stressed” by excessive colouring, drying or extreme neglect. They waste no time here and, a quick and oily head massage with slathering of a paste that looks suspiciously like mud is all that is needed for damage repair. The hair mask has ingredients like curd, egg and herbs like amla, shikakai, neem and pudina. The back-treatment promises to cleanse, exfoliate and release fatigue leaving anyone who enters completely stress-free. Sea Bird, Bandstand, Bandra (W). (022-2642-8756/ 2645-3309) Prices start at Rs 1,000.
Jiva Spa If your family is large and connected, several hundred people could see you in the weeks around your wedding. Save your face, despite a thousand jaw-numbing grins. The trick is staying calm and what better way to do that, then to spend some time in a spa. Rejuvenate, relax and take some time out from a hectic schedule by visiting Jiva Spa. Treatments are offered
using unique products made from pure Indian herbs, Indian aromatherapy oils, natural creams and special ingredients. All the Ayurveda and aromatherapy oils are exclusively hand-blended for Jiva Spas and the 100% natural range of Beauty products are made with a deep understanding of the therapeutic benefits of Indian herbs. Taj Wellington Mews Luxury Residences, 33 Nathalal Perekh Marg, Colaba (66569494). Also at Taj President, Cuffe Parade (6665-0303).
Antara Spa Summer is here and our skin can go through quite a difficult time if the bride does not take the utmost care. To hydrate and nourish skin, try the Summer High Package which includes a rejuvenating Sandalwood Body Polish for 30 minutes, the Antara Balinese Massage for 60 minutes followed by a Food Reflexology treatment of 30 minutes. And you finish off with the 30 minutes Cold Marine Facial. The facial firms, hydrates and smoothes the skin leaving you revived and refreshed while the reflexology rejuvenates, moisturises and refreshes your feet so they are sandal ready. 97, DN Nagar, Near DN Nagar Police Station, Andheri (W) (022-6693-9999). Daily 9am-9pm. April - May 2010 The Wedding Planner 17