Date: Friday 11th October 2024

Location: Sky Bar - Ocean Drive Marina Botafoc

Time: 7pm - 10pm

Dress Code: Indian attire encouraged!

The weekend’s festivities begin with Indian-themed welcome drinks at the Ocean Drive Sky Bar in Marina Botafoc. The bar offers fantastic views of the Marina, Dalt Vila and the Mediterranean Sea. Note, this is also the same hotel that offers a group discount (detailed in the Accommodation section.). The elevator to the Sky Bar is TINY! So you might need to use the stairs.

Please note this will be a drinks-only event - please ensure you eat before you arrive. For those staying around the marina, there are plenty of restaurants in the vicinity.

For those staying at the wedding venue, the hotel will provide a reduced room service menu (they will likely email you beforehand for your choices) or Aubergine, which is a lovely nearby restaurant (10-minute walk). However, there isn’t much else around so you will need to get a taxi if you want to venture further.

Regarding the dress code, we’d love to see everyone give the Indian theme a go, but please do not feel any pressure to do so. Examples of outfits are shown below and ‘Where to buy’ at the bottom of this section.

Ladies - there are three main types of Indian outfits worn by women:

• Shalwar Kameez - this consists of a tunic (usually longer than knee length) and a trouser option. Depending on the width of the trouser, an outfit can take a different name. Examples below:

  • MEHENDI EMBROIDERED COTTON SALWAR

  • BLUE EMBROIDERED GEORGETTE

  • GREEN EMBROIDERED ART SILK SALWAR

  • SEA GREEN GEORGETTE EMBROIDERY PARTY WEAR PALAZZO

• Sari - this consists of a top and a length of fabric that is wrapped around you like a skirt and thrown over your shoulder. These look beautiful, but they can be a faff to move around in. If you plan to wear one, I STRONGLY suggest you have the pleats at the front pre-sewn, so that you don’t have to wrap and pleat yourself! I don’t have a clue how to do it, so I won’t be able to offer any assistance! Most if not all shops should be able to provide this service for you. If you buy online, you can take the sari to an Indian clothing shop and they should be able to do it for you. Example below:

  • LEMON YELLOW GEORGETTE SAREE

• Lehenga - this consists of a top and a skirt. The skirt varies in ‘poofiness’ - some fan out a lot and some have a straighter cut. Examples below:

  • OFF-WHITE SEQUENCE WITH ZARI EMBROIDERED GEORGETTE LEHENGA CHOLI

  • MULTI SEQUINS LEHENGA CHOLI & DUPATTA

Re footwear, wear whatever goes with your outfit, heels or flats, whatever you feel comfortable in. Though do note, seating in the bar is limited.

You don’t have to wear any of these if you don’t wish - even an Indian style kaftan will work or even as little as a Bindi (the little jewelled sticker on the forehead).

Guys - its a bit easier for you. Generally a men’s outfit is some variation of a tunic and trousers. They can be quite plain or more embroidered. If you’re feeling fancy, some even come with matching waistcoats.

• Shalwar Kameez - this will generally have baggier trousers. Example below:

  • Kurta shalwar

• Kurta Pajama - this will generally have straighter/tighter trousers. Example below:

  • Kurta Pajama Set Embroidered Art Silk

Boys, I would avoid wearing your work shoes with these outfits, its not the best look! The Indian shoes are called Mojari’s if you wish to wear them. But if you don’t want to go the whole hog, then flip flops/sandals work best.

By the way, we’re not endorsing any of these websites but just using them for illustrative purposes!

Where To Buy - the main areas in London where there are multiple shops are:

• Green Street - nearest tube station is Upton Park on the District Line

• Southall - nearest tube station is Southall on the Elizabeth Line

• Bethnal Green Road - nearest tube station is Bethnal Green on the Central Line

• Ilford Lane - nearest tube station is Ilford on the Elizabeth Line

• Upper Tooting Road - nearest tube stations are Tooting Broadway and Tooting Bec on the Northern Line

• Ealing Road - nearest tube station is Alperton on the Piccadilly Line

There are also some more up market boutiques dotted around London but they are a little on the pricier side. A few noted below:

• Pernias Pop Up

• Aashni & Co

• Bibi London

• Lilys Boutique (this is in Brentwood)

But you can of course also buy online. There are many many sites to choose from (we don’t really have any recommendations as we don’t wear Indian clothes usually!). But if anyone needs any help/advice, please give Naz a shout, she is more than happy to help and even tag along for a shopping trip.