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.

Mahira Dastoor – Marwari Gifting Ritual.!

The Marwaris are known for their lavish and intricate weddings. One of the prewedding events is the Mahira Dastor. Because the cost of the wedding run high, the maternal uncles on the groom and brides side help his sister (the mother of the bride/groom) by offsetting the cost.

“There are lots of ceremonies in a Marawari wedding. One of them is Mahira Dastoor.
It is a small pre wedding ceremony in the Marawari community. It takes place separately for the groom and the bride. It basically involves inviting the maternal side (all the mamas and maasis) of the groom and the bride (individually) and celebrating by gifting them in cash and kind. It runs along side by side with traditional music and dance. This occasion demands lavish spending but is also meant to help the mothers with the cost of the wedding.”

A colorful desert wedding in Chandigarh.!

                         One of my favourite desert wedding example till date in Chandigarh ! ;)

The details: In a farm hidden away near the border of Chandigarh, India on the 1st of March 2012. We had a registered wedding (held in a tiny little office) followed by a non-religious wedding ceremony. Our parents made speeches, we sang a few songs and popped a lot of pink champagne!

How did you plan your wedding?
I had a hundred little post its and notes and man pinterest boards. I took notes from some of the more organised brides I knew and took tips from them. Tried to tick off one thing after the other! It was manic planning. I don’t think there was any PROCESS as such-when we thought about something we would deal with it!!! We came away with many a grey hair!

Your wedding is offbeat and fun. What did you do?
The only thing that we did different to most of the weddings you see in India is that we decided to do it our way, have fun and not get stuck around cliches. The most offbeat thing? Just that the wedding was truly about US and our friends and family! I know it sounds like that is how it is (should be) at all weddings but sometimes it just doesn’t happen. I remember everything about our wedding and was very much a part of everything which was awesome!

What was your favorite part of the wedding?
Favourite moment? Every.single.moment. 

Where did you get your clothes and jewelry?
My clothes were all hand stitched by a local boutique. I fought a little to wear blue but there was no way I was going to wear red or pink!!

The jewellery was a real mix and match-I did a whole lot of shopping from Amrapali which has the most amazing jewelry which is totally my style, not extravagantly priced and wearable! I also wore some of my mums jewelery, my aunts tikka which she wore to her wedding and my mum wore at her wedding. Do you see how I had something new, something borrowed and something blue?

What advice do you have advice for brides to be planning their wedding?
Be strong, be positive, be happy, just a teeny weeny compromising and most important be HAPPY!

 (and hire a wedding planner if you can  )

Shaadi Mubarak !! :)