14 August,2012 11:51 AM IST | | Soma Das
Candice Pereira, whose family owns the Bandra eatery Candies, grew up attending a lot of weddings. It was natural considering her family was involved in catering and decorations for weddings. Along the way, she developed a knack for handpicking the best decorations and themes to ensure a memorable wedding. It was apt that she started Marry Me - The Wedding Planners, with her husband Jarret D'Abreo five years ago, and taking it further, the couple opened Marry Me - The Wedding Store, on August 11.
Marry Me - The Store at Bandra (W). Pics/ Anita Anand
"While planning weddings for over half a decade, I would end up sourcing gifts on my own. That's where I got the idea of opening a store where people can buy wedding items off the shelf. We offer something for everyone and cater to every budget. We are also open to customising products," she adds.
The newly opened store has a cosy fairytale-look to it with elements of French-inspired designs, right from the antique-looking signboard at the entrance to the bicycle-cum-planter and the wooden bench. The range of products includes scented candles (Rs 150 to Rs 700), gift boxes (Rs 50 onwards), stationery such as cards and envelopes (Rs 50 to Rs 300), organic body products (Rs 80 to Rs 1,200), cushions (Rs 700 to Rs 800), customised Indian wedding giveaways such as pouches, bags, trays, boxes, men's wear such as ties and cufflinks, home decor items (Rs 100 to Rs 1,500), photo frames (Rs 400 toRs 1,200), unique Paris inspired travel bags and jewellery boxes (Rs 300 to Rs 1,500) and wrapping paper (Rs 250).
We loved their mugs with quirky sayings to soothe the harried bride/groom (Keep Calm, Carry On), charms, pillows, bangles, batuas and stationery. The products have been handpicked from all over India and from abroad.
"Right from shelves to the cupboards and the metal boxes that dot the store and wall hangings, everything has been designed and custom-made for the store. That was one of the major challenges while opening the store as we couldn't just source them," she adds.
D'Abreo points out that while wedding gifts and materials are available elsewhere, it's a novel concept to have a dedicated store for it. "From gifts to packaging options, it's all there. The products are also apt for housewarming parties or even festive shopping. We also have products for every stage of the wedding be it the bachelor party or the mehendi ceremony and the reception and for every type of wedding. If we don't have a particular product, we'll have it sourced," he reassures us.
