Prices, timing and a skin plan that suits Lucknow.
Peak: November to February, and again in April and May. Quiet: July to September.
Kayasth, Brahmin and Bania Hindu families, plus a large Muslim Nikah calendar with mehndi, manjha and walima.
Damp cold in winter, then a hard, dry heat from April. Two different skin problems in one wedding season.
Moderately hard. Ground water in the older parts is high in iron and stains light hair.
For a Nikah, the makeup has to survive a long, seated ceremony and then a walima the next evening. Ask for two different looks, not one look repeated — the walima is where photos actually happen.
Gomti Nagar banquets, heritage kothis in Hazratganj, and lawns on the Sitapur road.
Bride's own makeup and hair on the wedding day: about Rs 10000 to Rs 55000. Family or party makeup: about Rs 3000 to Rs 11000. A full pre-bridal package: about Rs 5000 to Rs 22000. These are ranges people actually pay, not quotes.