~ A HIPPIE THEMED WEDDING ~

A Monsoon Themed Wedding!

 

So you are having a monsoon wedding and you don’t know what to do apart from praying for clear weather and keeping your fingers crossed! We think a monsoon wedding is the perfect opportunity to move away from the traditional and sometimes predictable Indian wedding celebrations and do something different and enjoyable. Don’t let the soggy weather dampen your enthusiasm of having the perfect and extraordinary wedding day. Here is how you can use the monsoon to your advantage and have a fun filled and memorable special day.

 

 Your wedding stationery can be designed keeping in mind the weather. This is also the best way to inform your guests to dress casually and come prepared to enjoy the rains.

 

 In case of traditional cakes, you can go for cakes with a crystal or pearl finish with a beautiful themed topper. You can add umbrellas, boots, raindrops, clouds and any other rain elements to make this more interesting.

 

Umbrellas and rain boots are images you easily call to mind when you think about the rains. Using these things in your décor will not only be unique and refreshing but will also bring in splashes of color and the element of fun to your décor. Incorporating rain boots and umbrellas into your table décor and centre arrangements is an interesting idea.

 

Brightly colored boots or umbrellas can also be used to line walkways leading to your main venue or hung randomly inside your venue.
Similar to white paper lanterns, white umbrellas with lights strung across the venue also looks very dramatic and pretty. You can also use umbrellas in pretty prints or solid bold colors for an equally stunning effect. This will look best in an outdoor venue or indoor areas with high ceilings.

 

Using crystals in your décor can give you a dramatic raindrop effect, which will compliment your theme!
Surprise your bridal party with some personalized boots or umbrellas with names etched into the handle. Wedding themed rain wear is not uncommon and can produce some very interesting photographs as well for your pre wedding shoot as well as your wedding day.

And last, but not the least, here are some monsoon themed favors for your guests. We would love to hear your ideas! :-*

 

this wedding season..

make it colorful..

Indian Bridal Churra....

 

Punjabi weddings are extravagant events that have many rituals and ceremonies. Amongst the many different traditions is the one of a bride being given her Churra (also spelled Chura or Choora.)

 

The choora is a sign of newlywed status for a woman and is generally a set of red bangles that are worn by the bride on her wedding day. The choora can come in many different colors but most commonly it is made in red and white. There are usually 21 bangles contained in a bride’s churra.

 

The churra is gifted to the bride by her maternal uncle and aunt (MamaJi and MamiJi). The bride’s maternal uncle puts the bangles on his niece while traditional songs are sung. The churra is traditionally worn for 40 days and only the husband can remove the churra on the 40th day. Some brides may also choose to wear the churra for an entire year.

For the amount of time it is worn, the fragile churra, generally made of plastic or ivory, is kept safe and intact by allowing the bride to abstain from any rigorous work that may damage it. At the end of the time period the churra is removed and the bride assumes regular activities.

 How long will you wear your choora? Leave us a comment below and let me know! ;)

 

Unusual but Simple Wedding Décor Ideas!!

Bored of the usual run of the mill décor you see at weddings? Here are some refreshingly fresh ideas for some unusual décor for your wedding. Décor is something which can set the mood of the event and transform a place completely. There are no set rules when it comes to choosing décor. You can draw inspiration for your wedding décor from almost anything around you. It could be something as simple as your favourite brooch or a colour palette you absolutely swear by!

 Experiment with materials. Like for example, you can use various props made from paper, glass, fabric or any other material to spice up your décor. Paper is a very interesting element to use; especially with origami picking up at decor, paper can be a very interesting décor element. Origami hangings in fresh colours are quite popular at weddings. Something as simple as just paper flowers also look stunningly unique.

 

 An interesting way of using fabric differently to create a dreamy set up is to create ruffled chair covers of flowy sheer fabric. This is something which can enhance your décor rather than the usual fabrics and linen.

 

 When you think of pretty you think of lace! There can be nothing prettier than incorporating lace in your wedding décor. Lace adds a touch of vintage charm to the whole set up.

 

Go for offbeat colors! This is something which can make the place look more dramatic. We think it is a great idea to play with colors, be it flowers, fabrics or simply vases!

 

Design is something else you can work upon. This could be anything from the design of your cake to the design of your card or the design of the vases.

 

 Mismatched vintage furniture can make great props too. So remember some of your grandmas furniture might come in handy.

Common Wedding Shopping Woes & How to Avoid Them

Bridal and trousseau shopping can cause frenzy when you aren’t prepared; but if you are calm and relaxed, it can be one of the most pleasurable and enjoyable wedding activities that you can undertake. Trying on gorgeous clothes and feeling like a princess…sounds pretty fun doesn’t it!
Let’s take a look at a few common shopping mistakes you should try and stay clear off, so you can keep disappointment and retail regret at bay!
Here goes -
Hurrying into a purchase – Although every bride has to make her purchases on her own timeline, sometimes jumping the gun can be more of a worry than help. You definitely need to buy your wedding outfits with enough time to make alterations and changes, but buying your outfits too soon can lead to regrets later. Unless you are getting your outfit custom-made or are absolutely sure you won’t change your mind about what you want, give yourself the time to make this big purchase, especially if you haven’t fixed the kind of wedding you want yet. Besides, buy too early and you have to figure out a storage option as well to keep your garments looking pristine!

 

Budget confusion – One of the biggest disservices you can do to yourself is try on bridal-wear that you cannot afford! Falling in love with an outfit that doesn’t fit the budget will only leave you feeling lackluster toward the other beautiful outfits you can actually buy without blowing your budget. Also remember to factor in design changes or alteration costs into your overall expenditure.

 

 

Buying the wrong size – Many brides plan to get into better shape before the big day; and while that is definitely a goal worth striving for, avoid the mistake of buying your wedding outfit too small or with very unrealistic measurements. While some outfits can be taken in or let out, too many alterations to garments with heavy embroidery or stone work etc. can affect the look of the outfit and compromise the overall aesthetic. So try not to buy a size that is way off.

 

Dilly-dallying – We know can it can be tough to fix on your bridal outfit, when you know there are tons of stores and designers out there. But once you try a sizeable number and find something you love, avoid trying on too many more. It will only leave you confused, fatigued and blah.
Not staying true to yourself – Letting just trends or someone else dictate the style of your wedding outfit can only lead to an unhappy bride! Remember you have to wear and feel resplendent in the finery and should always choose what you feel like yourself in.

Indian Fabrics To Incorporate In Your Theme!

Tired of using the same the red, gold, maroon and orange color palette in for your Indian wedding décor? How about using prints and fabrics characteristic to the Indian cultures as part of your décor! There are many colorful and vivid Indian textiles which are recognized worldwide and can be used in weddings to give it a subtle Indian feel without incorporating over the top props to get the same effect. Your functions can be themed around specific Indian textiles like Bandhini, Ikat, Lehriya, Kalamkari, batik and even textile techniques like block prints and mirror work fabrics.

 

Ikat designs are created using by tying off bundles of fabric and then dying them, creating interesting patterns in one or more colors. These prints are very famous in the fashion world and can also be used to design unique and interesting wedding stationery and signage. Solid colored cushions can be replaced by cushions with interesting colorful ikat prints. If you are aiming for a traditional look, try using an overlay or runner with an Ikat print instead of the usual red and gold combination, making it casual yet sophisticated.

 

 Although Bandhini’s and lehriyas are very common indian fabrics, their use in weddings is usually restricted only to outfits. These fabrics are very colorful by themselves and hence are ideal for Mehndi and sangeet functions. Bandhini and lehriya dupattas can be used as runners or can also be made into napkins to enhance the table arrangements.

 

Block Printing involves carving designs into wood blocks and dipping them into colored dye to create repeated border patterns or stand alone designs. A unique way of having your wedding logo, a particular motif  or even your names to be designed on the wooden block and use this on your stationery, wedding linen, décor, napkins etc.

 

 

There are numerous such Indian textiles such as batik, kalamkari, Bandej, the different types of embroideries and fabric work native to certain regions of India can be incorporated to spice up your decor and make it one of a kind.

Embroidery on Indian bridal wear | Zardozi work

 

Zardozi is a form of embroidery originally from Jaipur. It is done using golden encrusted wires and can be usually seen on North Indian bridal outfits as it is quite heavy. Traditionally it used to be made for the Mughal and Rajput nobility but is now associated with wedding outfits. Back in time, real gold and silver threads were used to weave but are now replaced by synthetic or tested zari. This is made by pressing melted metal through perforated steel sheets to form wires. These are then hammered to required thinness.
 This is a very elaborate form of embroidery and is passed down from generations. Zardozi can be categorized into four categories, namely- Dapka, Salma or Nakshi, Arri work and Badla work.
Dapka – This kind of work involves intricate detailing done with needle and attention is paid to every detail. First a thick cotton cord is stitched on the pattern to be embroidered. The zari thread is then looped on this using a stitching needle. The patterns usually consist of flowers, leaves or peacock motifs.
Salma or Nakshi – This form is not as elaborate as dapka and is also cheaper but is a must for wedding outfits as it shines much more than dapka. This embroidery starts from the exterior to the interior. First the outline of the motif is created using a prefabricated golden thread and then the motif is filled using circular metallic wire.
Arri Work- This is a very delicate form of embroidery done using a combination of coloured and golden thread. The thread is put on a pen like needle which is passed through the cloth giving it a chain stitch effect.
Badla Work – Plain wires are called badla and when woven around threads they are known as kasav. The embroidery done using this thread is known as badla work. This work is commonly seen on bridal outfits.
Zardozi work looks very elaborate and royal but it is always recommended to try out a zardozi outfit before buying it as it usually tends to be quite heavy due to the intricate work and also sometimes the metal threads can make your skin feel itchy. Stay tuned for more on embroidery used on Indian bridal wear from different regions in India.

Gharara | The Quintessential Indian Bridal Wear!

Dress like a Mughal princess on your big day. Yes, we are referring to a Gharara! It is one of the most elegant and traditional among Indian bridal wear, However; it has lost its glory over time. With changing trends, Bollywood has brought this undiscovered treasure back in to fashion by popularizing it recently.

 We are totally in love with this traditional outfit! Ghararas originated in Lucknow and were traditionally worn by north Indian muslim women. The outfit comprises of a mid-length tunic known as kurti and is paired with flared wide legged pants which are ruched at the knee. The outfit also has a dupatta to go with it. Worn by Nawabs and muslims, the outfit often reflected the status of the person wearing it in olden times.

 

The Gharara is the traditional outfit of a Pakistani bride. The pants of the Gharara are very dramatic and each leg is artfully crafted with more than 12 metres of fabric. Rich fabrics such as silks or brocades were traditionally used to design this elegant outfit. Though now days you may see variations in fabric as, georgette is also widely used because of its flowy texture.

 

 Wedding ghararas usually have ornate embroidery or zardosi detailing on them. Kareena Kapoor wore a lovely gharara in the movie Agent Vinod. Manish Malhotra designed this pink gharara with zari and sequin detailing. Katrina also wore a gharara in a qawwali song sequence in the movie Tees Maar Khan. Actress Kulraj Randhawa was seen wearing a modified veison of a gharara in a song sequence in her debut film Yamla Pagla Deewana. In the movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Kareena Kapoor was also wearing a modified version of a gharara.