Bridal Shopping • 12 min read

Pakistani Bridal Shopping Guide — Dresses, Jewelry & Makeup

Your complete guide to shopping for bridal essentials. From designer lehengas to gold jewelry and finding the perfect makeup artist.

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👗 Bridal Dress Shopping

Budget Categories

Category Price Range Where to Shop
Budget-Friendly Rs. 50,000 - 1,50,000 Local boutiques, Replica makers
Mid-Range Rs. 1,50,000 - 4,00,000 Established boutiques, Trunk shows
Designer Rs. 4,00,000 - 15,00,000 HSY, Faraz Manan, Ali Xeeshan
Luxury/Couture Rs. 15,00,000+ Bespoke designers, Bridal Weeks

Best Markets for Bridal Shopping

  • Lahore: Anarkali, Liberty Market, MM Alam Road
  • Karachi: Tariq Road, Zamzama, Dolmen Mall
  • Islamabad: Centaurus, F-7 Markaz, Jinnah Super

Tips for Dress Shopping

  • Start at least 4-6 months before the wedding
  • Take reference photos to show designers
  • Try dresses in daylight AND artificial light
  • Factor in alteration costs (Rs. 5,000-20,000)
  • Keep jewelry style in mind when selecting neckline
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💍 Gold Jewelry Guide

Current Gold Rates (2025)

Purity Rate per Tola Best For
24K (Pure Gold) ~Rs. 2,20,000 Investment pieces
22K ~Rs. 2,02,000 Bridal jewelry (most common)
21K ~Rs. 1,93,000 Daily wear pieces
18K ~Rs. 1,65,000 Stone-studded jewelry

Calculate Your Jewelry Budget →

Making Charges

  • Simple designs: 10-15% of gold value
  • Intricate work: 15-20%
  • Kundan/Polki: 20-30%
  • Designer pieces: 25-40%

Best Places to Buy

  • Lahore: Sarafa Bazaar, Data Darbar area, Liberty jewelers
  • Karachi: Sarafa Bazaar (Saddar), Clifton jewelers
  • Chain stores: Hanif Jewelers, Quaid-e-Jewelry
💡 Save Money: Repurpose family gold jewelry. Many jewelers will melt old gold and create new designs at minimal making charges.

💄 Makeup & Beauty

Makeup Artist Pricing

Type Per Event Price
Parlor/Salon Rs. 15,000 - 30,000
Freelance MUA Rs. 25,000 - 60,000
Celebrity MUA Rs. 80,000 - 2,00,000+

Pre-Wedding Beauty Timeline

  • 3-6 months before: Start skincare routine, facial treatments
  • 1-2 months: Trial makeup sessions
  • 1 week: Hair treatments, threading
  • 1-2 days: Final waxing, mehndi application

What to Ask Your MUA

  • Portfolio and references
  • Brands/products they use
  • Whether they travel to your venue
  • Touch-up availability during event
  • Full price including travel charges

📅 Shopping Timeline

6+ Months Before

  • Start looking at dress styles/inspiration
  • Set bridal shopping budget
  • Book makeup trials with top MUAs

4-5 Months Before

  • Order/buy bridal dress
  • Start jewelry shopping
  • Finalize makeup artist

2-3 Months Before

  • Dress fittings and alterations
  • Complete jewelry purchases
  • Buy accessories (clutch, shoes, dupatta)

1 Month Before

  • Final dress fitting
  • Final makeup trial with actual jewelry
  • Plan each event outfit

Plan Your Bridal Budget

Use our tools to calculate dress, jewelry, and makeup costs

Barat Budget Planner →

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