Mandore Road · north of Jodhpur
Bridal makeup at Bal Samand Lake Palace
A red sandstone summer palace on the bank of an old lake, set in orchards and gardens a few kilometres from the city. Bal Samand gives a wedding space, greenery and water in a desert state, and a calmer pace than a city hotel.
Before you enquire
From Pune to Bal Samand for your wedding.
Tejaswini is based in Pune. At Bal Samand she stays on property or nearby so early calls are never affected by the drive from town. Travel and accommodation for her, and for any extra artists, are added at cost.
- Rooms & faresPaid by the couple
- Home cityPune, Maharashtra
- Family artistsOn request
The palace
A lake, an orchard and a royal summer house.
Background from the hotel and travel guides. The hotel confirms event spaces and numbers.
- Lake
- Dates from the 12th century
- Palace
- 17th century, built under Maharaja Jaswant Singh I
- Rooms
- Palace suites plus garden rooms, about 36 in all
- Grounds
- Orchards and gardens leading to the lake
- Event spaces
- Lake-facing lawns and two halls
- Distance
- A few kilometres from central Jodhpur
History
Where the royal family went for the rains.
Bal Samand lake was built in the 12th century as a reservoir near Mandore, the old capital of Marwar. Five centuries later, under Maharaja Jaswant Singh I, a red sandstone summer palace was built on its bank, surrounded by pleasure gardens.
The palace is now a heritage hotel. Suites are in the palace itself; garden rooms, some in former stables, sit lower down among the orchards. The lawns facing the lake are the usual setting for wedding ceremonies.
With lake, trees and gardens, Bal Samand feels greener and softer than most Jodhpur venues. Daylight here is filtered through leaves rather than bounced off stone, which is kind to skin.
Garden and lake looks
Looks for a green palace.
Mehendi in the orchard
Shade from fruit trees. A dewy, fresh face and flowers in the hair.
Haldi by the lake
Bright water. Waterproof base and lashes.
Pheras on the lake lawn
Sunset over the water. A traditional red with a satin finish.
Dinner in the palace
Warm lamps and sandstone. A defined eye and deeper lip.
Wedding day
A Bal Samand wedding day.
- 09:30
Bride begins
In a palace suite with lake views.
- 13:00
Hair and drape
Pinned for a breezy lakeside evening.
- 15:30
Garden portraits
Under the orchard trees.
- 17:30
Pheras by the lake
Touch-up kit by the mandap.
- 20:00
Dinner
Refresh for lamp light.
At Bal Samand
Lake palace notes.
Worth doing
- Get ready in a palace suite rather than a garden room
- Use the orchards for daytime photographs
- Plan the ceremony for sunset on the lake
- Keep insect repellent for evening functions near water
Worth avoiding
- Very heavy bases for a garden mehendi
- Loose hair for a breezy lakeside evening
- Commuting from a city hotel for early calls
- Shimmer that catches the sunset glare off the water
Watch
Four looks across a wedding.
Soft, not heavy
Tejaswini
Your artist at Bal Samand
Tejaswini has styled brides since 2012. At Bal Samand she makes the most of soft garden light and plans for the lake breeze, agreeing the looks with you on a call well before she travels from Pune.
Her work
Tejaswini's brides.
Real brides from weddings elsewhere; Bal Samand Lake Palace pictures will be added only when genuine.
Bal Samand Lake Palace questions
Bal Samand makeup questions.
Does Tejaswini travel to Bal Samand Lake Palace?
Yes. Book the date, and she plans her arrival in Jodhpur around your first function.
Where are ceremonies usually held?
On the lawns facing the lake; the hotel confirms the layout.
How far is it from the city?
A few kilometres north of central Jodhpur, near Mandore.
What does it cost?
A full bridal look, face, hair and drape, starts at Rs 50,000.
Can family members be styled too?
Of course. Tell us how many people need makeup and artists are added to the quote.
Bal Samand Lake Palace bookings
Planning a Bal Samand wedding?
Send the dates, functions and who needs makeup for availability and a quote.
