Look! I finally got the boy to pipe up about something wedding-related, yay! We had a fabulous shopping trip to Aza Men where (thankfully) within an hour, Nowshad found ALL his wedding outfits for not one, but two weddings. (Chalk that up as yet another reason I’m a stress-free bride!) And now ladies & gentlemen, a few tips from my man. xoxo
Men: 5 Tips to Get Your Indian Wedding Shopping Done in Under 1 Hour!
If you’re a typical guy like me, just the thought of shopping for your wedding is enough to make you want to reconsider celibacy. Eventually, however, you’ll have to suck it up and get ‘er done. Follow these 5 easy tips and you’ll be back on the couch in your underwear in no time. In fact, I got everything done in less than one hour just last week!
1) One and Done. Do yourself a massive favor and make two critical decisions right up front: pick one store to shop in, and promise yourself you’ll get it all done there. Shopping for an Indian wedding is complicated enough. Do the math:
(endless number of events) x (endless number of styles) x (endless number of designers) x (endless number of opinions) = (endless number of stores to visit)^(endless headaches) = worst way to spend your time ever.
And if math is not your forte, just trust me. It may sound crazy to limit yourself to one shop but you’d be amazed how much variety some stores can pack into one place. But it’s more than just choosing a shop stuffed with a ton of clothes – in fact, it’s the exact opposite. For my shopping I chose Aza Men because they do all the hard work for you – not only do they carry all the top designer labels (which I knew nothing about) but they also narrow things down to the best pieces from each collection. So rather than sorting through hundreds of average choices to find a few good pieces, reduce your hassle by starting with an expertly curated set. Another important consideration is the store’s relationship with designers. Aza was able to take a design I liked and have it re-done in a different color on very short notice because designers trust and like them – not something every retailer can boast.
2) Procrastinate. Huh? Yes. I mean it. At least long enough to let your fiancée finish her shopping first. At the end of the day, your outfits should complement whatever your bride wears, and letting her go first helps narrow your options significantly (a good store like Aza can help you determine what goes well together). The best part: if your outfits suck, you can always blame your fiancee.
3) Try on the Weird Stuff. Most guys operate within a narrow range of comfort when it comes to clothing. We know what we like and more importantly, what we don’t. At least we think we do. On multiple occasions during my shopping trip I begrudgingly tried on clothes I would never have touched in a million years – only to find out they were quite flattering once on me. At some point I guess we have to admit that designers exist for a reason – they know and see some things we just don’t understand, and that’s ok. This is another reason to pick your store carefully – the best shops will be able to quickly size you up and make recommendations that you may otherwise miss. Two of my final outfits were chosen this way (can you guess which ones?)
4) Bring a Dude. Even if all the women in your life want to come shopping with you, make sure you bring along a male friend you like and trust. Not only will you need their support to fight the hot pink sequined sherwani your mom just loves, but you’ll also need a sympathetic face in the crowd to help blow off some steam in case the whole process begins to wear on you (no pun intended). And since men have perfected the art of silent communication around women, a reassuring glance here and there from your buddy is all you’ll need to make sure you’re on the right track and haven’t completely lost your marbles in the process.
5) You da Man! Remember – it’s your wedding too, and if you find something you really love (or hate), speak up. At the end of the day, you’ll make your experience a whole lot easier (and quick) if you have an opinion on how you look. Everyone will have their competing input, and while you should accept help wherever you can, the sooner you make up your mind, the sooner you will be done. And at the end of the day, the only way to love what you wear on your wedding day is to be a part of the final decision. So take a deep breath, drink a protein shake and jump right in – happy shopping!