This one-of-its-kind retreat will see brides-to-be coming together to share pre-wedding jitters

To say that your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and one that marks a huge milestone in the life of a couple is certainly not an understatement. While the occasion is synonymous with fun, celebration and fanfare, an element of anxiousness along with excitement is inevitable. And this is especially true in the case of brides who do get jitters prior to their big day. A sense of nervousness and trepidation takes over as you navigate an unchartered territory while negotiating a sea of change. Further adding to the wedding nerves is the seemingly unending task list that includes shopping for your bridal trousseau, jewellery, gifts, putting your look together all while juggling finances, budgets and the like. Alleviating all such fears and inspiring brides to be empowered and more confident is a unique, one-of-its-kind retreat aptly called Here Comes the Bride, curated by Ekta Shah, founder of House of Eekkta.

Passion for styling and curation

Born and raised in a simple Gujarati household, Ekta was always blessed with a creative bent of mind. Fascinated by fabrics and design since a young age, most of her childhood days were spent exploring her grandmother’s wardrobe, twirling around in her sarees wearing her mother’s heels. This early passion for fashion led her to pursue a career in fashion tech and she soon launched her first homegrown bridal couture label, Ekayana. After a decade of nurturing her label, Ekta decided to venture into a new vertical, which offered styling and consultation services for brides. Called House of Eekkta, she adopted an innovative approach wherein she not only transformed the bridal styling experience but also built a thriving ecosystem within the industry. This harmonious collaboration allowed her to offer her clients a comprehensive and holistic experience, where each element perfectly complemented the other. As the label evolved, it became a symbol of personalised excellence that redefined the boundaries of bridal elegance with brides seeking meaningful expressions through their attire and overall look.

Crafted by women, for women

Here Comes the Bride largely draws from Ekta’s personal journey and the fact that marriage is much more than just saying ‘I Do’ and beyond all the frills around planning and shopping. “When I got married, I felt a void in terms of guidance and help as I embarked on my transformative journey. Hence, this is a project I am deeply passionate about. The idea is to build a space where modern brides can come together, learn and celebrate the exhilarating moments leading up to their big day. This is an all-inclusive programme, thoughtfully curated to help brides be more mindful and conscious. The objective is for them to navigate their newly married life with ease while also enjoying the whole process,” says Ekta, who is also an artist.

This exclusive retreat has been created by women, for women. In addition to Ekta, the core team includes two other dynamic co-curators, Smridhi Sharma and Divya Chadha. While Smridhi is a brand strategist and a seasoned curator, Divya brings in immense experience as an international wedding planner.