Indian wedding trousseau shopping includes everything that a bride-to-be assembles for the most important day of her life; and of course for the functions preceding and following the main day.
With Indian weddings stretching for as long as a week, the list of bridal trousseau has only extended over the years. The clothes, shoes, accessories, jewellery, make-up, etc. for each event is to be planned months in advance. For many brides in India, trousseau shopping may also include lots of extra things, such as western clothes, linens, accessories and any other essentials that she will need to take with her post marriage to her new home.
It’s easy to get stressed out and feel overwhelmed with the choices at hand. What’s in this season and what’s so very passé? What’s chic yet reasonable and what will burn a hole in your pocket? Custom-made or ready made? Phew!
The fashion weeks, couture carnivals and bridal exhibitions, which are held few months before the wedding season kick starts are a great way of knowing the latest trends of the season. Creations by famed and budding designers, latest accessories – shoes, handbags, jewellery, etc. will make your life a tad simpler. Even if you don’t feel like going the exorbitant way by spending truckloads on designer couture, you can always attend the exhibits and fashion shows to check out the various silhouettes, colour palettes and other embellishments.
While shopping for your Indian wedding trousseau, it is good to go ahead with a plan of action. Make a list of all your functions and what all you need. Also, set aside a budget in mind so that you don’t end up spending all the money on one or two outfits. Try to go for a different look for every function. So if you are planning to wear a saree for your mehendi, wear something different for your cocktail or sangeet. Unlike a mehndi function, a cocktail or a sangeet involves dancing, moving around and being on your toes. So choose your clothes and shoes accordingly.
Do not repeat colours; it just takes away from a beautiful and expensive outfit. Also, remember to go for subtle colours and pastel shades for daytime functions. Your bling elements will look way classier and not in-your-face in the evenings. With the help of an experienced wedding planner you can find out where to get the best deals for your shopping and trousseau packing.
Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist
<a href="http://KhushSingh.com/"> Indian Bridal Makeup Artist NY, NJ, CT, UK and all points of the globe </a>
If you never think about how long that powder, foundation, eyeliner, and especially mascara, have been in your medicine cabinet or purse, perhaps you should. Those cosmetic products could be bacterial breeding grounds.
You’ve probably heard some of the rules about makeup and keeping it clean. One of the most common is to never share your makeup with other people, even your best girlfriend or your mother. However, you may be surprised to know that even if you keep your makeup collection to yourself, you could still be putting yourself at risk for infection and germs. Want to make sure your makeup arsenal is safe? All you’ll have to do is follow these simple tips and you’ll be good to go.
One of the first things you’ll have to accept is that as long as you use your makeup, you are potentially exposing yourself to germs and possible infections. Get around this gross dilemma by being diligent with cleaning your makeup items and tools - and that means more than once a month or a couple times a year. The more you use your makeup, the more frequently you should be cleaning the items in your kit. Sponges, powder puffs and brushes are the main breeding grounds for bacteria. To combat this, make sure you use fresh makeup sponges each time (if you have the type that can be reused, wash and rinse in hot water thoroughly after each use or follow the cleaning instructions on the package) and replace your powder puff with a new one after about one month of use.
For makeup brushes, use your favorite shampoo or purchase brush cleanser and wash in lukewarm water. Set it out to dry and your brushes will be good as new. This should be done every two weeks.
Did you know that bacteria love to gather in places where there is moisture, heat and humidity? Each time you leave your makeup kit in your backseat, trunk or out where there is direct sunlight, you are increasing your chances of developing bacteria inside your makeup. Icky, huh? The only way to prevent this from happening is to store your makeup products in a cool area at room temperature. If you have to take your makeup with you, make sure to put it in your purse and not inside your car or other areas where it can get hot easily. On a related note, when stashing makeup in your purse, push it to the bottom where it is darker and cooler. Leaving it near the top with your purse wide open and exposed to direct sunlight while driving in your car still makes it prone to attracting germs. It is also important to make sure you close up your makeup items tight after each use - that includes screwing on the caps tightly, making sure you hear that “click” when you snap close your compact, etc. Germs sneak into even the tiniest of openings so don’t give them that chance.
Another crucial factor to keeping yourself free from infection is to honor the shelf life of your makeup. As much as you love your items and don’t want to spend money, keeping age old makeup past its prime will not only put you at risk for bacteria and other types of germs, it will also negatively affect the way it looks on your skin. Keep it fresh and know when to replenish your supplies.
<a href="http://khushsingh.com/">Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist</a>
A smooth, radiant complexion that's glowing with health and vitality and flawless make-up are both achievable if you embark on a beauty regime now. Whether you've got months, weeks, or merely days to go until you tie the knot, there's plenty of time to make yourself gorgeous for the big day...
One year until the wedding
The easiest and most effective way to improve your complexion is to drink lots of water. You need to have at least eight glasses a day to hydrate your skin and flush out toxins from your system. Add a slice of lemon if you find plain water too bland, but avoid sparkling water. It contains carbon dioxide, which is a toxin that stops the absorption of calcium and can eventually cause osteoporosis.
Good skincare is a must. Your make-up only looks as good as your skin, so get into the habit of cleansing, toning and moisturizing every morning and evening. Use a gentle exfoliator once a week to slough off complexion-dulling dead skin cells and follow with a moisturizing face mask.
Six months to go
Treat yourself to a facial. Skin cells renew themselves every 28 eight days, so this is a great once-a-month treat. Don't worry if you get a few spots - they're a good sign! This is your skin's way of getting rid of impurities, and better now than on the day. Get skin in peak honeymoon condition by dry brushing all over with a natural bristle brush once a week. Start at your feet and work upwards in long, firm strokes towards your heart. Follow with a moisturising body lotion. Your skin will feel smoother and will tan better too.
Three months to go
Have another facial or use a deep-cleansing face mask to rid your skin of toxins. Don't neglect your feet, especially if you're having a beach wedding or getting married in the summer and wearing strappy sandals or open-toed shoes. Smooth your feet with a scrub or foot file every few days to stop rough skin building up and get into the habit of moisturising them every night.
11 weeks to go
Your hands and nails will be on show on the wedding day. Get them ready for that ring-on-the-finger moment by rubbing sweet almond oil or cuticle cream into your cuticles every night to keep them moisturised and healthy. If your nails are brittle and prone to breaking apply a nail strengthener every couple of weeks. Get into the habit of using hand cream whenever you wash your hands and always wear rubber gloves when you do the dishes.
10 weeks to go
Treat yourself to a professional feel-good spa treatment, such as a seaweed wrap, to detox, distress and relax - you deserve it! Improve the appearance and texture of lips by brushing them with a dry toothbrush and then rubbing in lip balm. Relieve tired eyes by covering them with cooling slices of cucumber or teaspoons that have been chilled in the fridge and lie down for five minutes with your feet higher than your head.
Nine weeks to go
Once a week, smooth feet with a clay face mask, wash off and slather with a rich foot cream. Spritz your face with floral water throughout the day to soothe, refresh and revive tired skin. This is especially important if you work in an air-conditioned office, is very drying for your skin. As a special treat, run a luxurious bubble bath, lock the bathroom door, light a scented candle and enjoy some well-deserved "me" time away from the wedding preparations.
Eight weeks to go
Gloss nails and cuticles with a hot wax conditioner to stimulate blood flow to the nail bed. Get your body silky smooth by exfoliating with a scrub once a week. Massage over damp skin in small, circular motions, shower off and apply body lotion.
Seven weeks to go
After weeks - or possibly months - of traipsing around the shops looking for your wedding dress and checking out suppliers, ease tired feet with a simple massage. Use a mild oil, such as sweet almond oil, and gently squeeze and pull your toes then massage your feet with your fingers underneath while your thumbs move up and down in a gentle rotating motion. If you're really tired, get your fiancé to do it for you.
Six weeks to go
Have your eyebrows professionally shaped at a beauty salon. You'll be amazed what a difference it makes to your appearance and it's easy to keep them tidy afterwards. Soothe and tone your skin by smoothing nutrient-rich honey over your face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
Five weeks to go
Get rid of rough, dry skin from elbows, knees, heels and ankles with a body exfoliator or make your own by mixing a handful of oatmeal with olive oil. Rub onto wet skin and shower off.
Four weeks to go
Have a wedding make-up practice run, whether you're doing your own make-up or having a professional do it for you. Have a relaxing night in, cover your feet with a rich foot cream, slip on a pair of cotton socks to help the cream penetrate and enjoy a romantic video. Treat yourself to a nerve-calming aromatherapy facial at a beauty salon.
Three weeks to go
Turn up the heating, steam up your bathroom and cover your body with a mineral-rich refining mud mask. Warm up the mud first by dunking the tub in hot water. This will increase the mud's ability to draw out toxins from your skin. Have your eyelashes dyed so that all you'll need on honeymoon is clear mascara.
Two weeks to go
Slap on a treatment mask penetrate your skin. Ease tension and cleanse your skin all over by having a sauna.
One week to go
Relax by lighting a destressing aromatherapy candle and place an aromatherapy diffuser in the house. Get your fiancé to massage a calming potion into your shoulders and neck where you are most likely to feel tense. Get your legs and bikini line waxed for the honeymoon. Book yourself in for a manicure and pedicure.
One day to go
Tidy your eyebrows and make sure you've got everything you need for the big day. Get together a wedding day make-up bag in case you need to freshen up on the day and give it to your mum or chief bridesmaid to look after. If you can't sleep because you're too excited burn some calming lavender essential oil in your bedroom to help you relax.
On the day
Relax in a luxuriously fragrant bath. Thoroughly cleanse, tone and moisturize your face. Stick to the make-up routine you've rehearsed. Spur-of-the-moment changes don't work and you won't have time to rectify any mistakes. Wear a front-opening shirt when your make-up is being done so you don't have to pull anything over your head, which could smudge it.
A traditional Hindu wedding procession takes place following various rituals and ceremonies. The marriage is a reflection of the rich Indian culture where every ritual has its own importance. Out of many rituals ‘Solah Shringar’ of the bride is one of the most important one.
What is ‘Solah Shringar’?
A traditional Indian bride has to dress up using sixteen vital components of her beauty known as ‘Solah Shringar’ which includes make-up items, jewels and other accessories. From head to toe she is adorned with accessories that add spark to her beauty. These objects of beauty are believed to be associated with the well being of her to-be husband. Having knowledge about accessories that comprises ‘Solah Shringar’ helps you understand their worth. We offer you a brief description of the sixteen accessories worn by the bride.
Face Accessories and make up include the following components:
Bindi: It is considered to be a mark of identity for a married woman. Traditionally, it used to be round in shape and red in color. But nowadays, a large variety of Bindis in various shapes, sizes and shades are available in the market. Generally, a girl chooses her bindi that is matching to her wedding dress.
Sindoor: Sindoor (vermillion) is a red colored powder that is applied on the centre parting of a bride. It has various religious and mythological connotations.
Mangteeka: It is a hair accessory that is generally worn in the centre parting of the hair and it comes till fore head. It is generally made of gold/silver.
Anjana: Anjana (kajal) is used to highlight the eyes of a bride. It is black in color and is applied on the edges of the upper and lower eyelids. It makes a bride’s face look beautiful and attractive.
Nath: Nath (Nose Ring) is another important symbol of holiness associated with marriage. It is a big, round ring that can be worn in a pierced nose. It is also generally made up of gold/silver.
Karn Phool: Karn phool (ear rings) is worn by a bride in both the ears. They are generally heavy and it further beautifies the bride’s face.
Hand Accessories include the following components:
Mehandi: Mehandi (henna) is prepared from the dried leaves of a tree. It is applied in the hands and foot of a bride. It stands as a symbol for the love between a wife and her husband. Mehandi applying ceremony forms an important part of an Indian wedding.
Choodiyan: Choodiyan (bangles) are worn in both the hands of the bride in large number. They are made up of glass or metal. They are believed to fill colors in the life of the bride.
Baajuband: Baajuband (armlet) is worn in the upper arms of a bride.
Aarsi: Aarsi (finger rings) is worn in the fingers of a bride.
Other Accessories include the following components:
Haar: Haar (necklace) is worn around the neck of a bride.
Keshapasharachana: Keshapasharachana (hairstyle) is also as important as the face. Different types of flowers and other ornaments are used to adorn the hair of a bride.
Kamarband: Kamarband (waist band) is worn around the waist of a bride.
Payal: Payal (anklet) is worn around the ankle of a bride. It produces sound when the bride moves.
Itar: Itar (fragrance) is applied to a bride to create a soothing aroma around her.
Wedding Dress: Normally a ‘Saree’ or ‘Lehenga’ is worn as a wedding dress. They are usually of bright colors like red, maroon etc.
These sixteen signs of beauty ensure complete adornment of the Indian bride. Though many modifications have been done in beautification of a bride, still these sixteen signs of beauty continue to hold their importance.
”Will you marry me?” “Yes!” So you have been just been proposed to.
These days young brides have so much running through their minds when they are proposed to and in some cases when they propose to their partners.
While you are still drifting on cloud nine, here are a few points to consider when you are organising your wedding.
Depending on the religious and/ or cultural background couples may choose to celebrate their wedding day with more than one type or style of wedding.
1. What type of wedding do you want? Religious, Cultural or Civil
It is very important to determine the style of wedding you want as this helps to set the framework for the entire wedding ceremony and reception.
While prospective brides and grooms may practise the same religious beliefs they may originate from the same or different regions or country. A bride originating from Southern India may marry a groom originating from Western India in a traditional hindu style wedding and may choose to incorporate unique cultural practices from the South and West in the ceremony which can be the the distinguishing feature.
An example of this is the recent marriage of Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai to Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachhan in April 2007. Aishwarya was born in Mangalore, in the state of Karnataka, South India whilst Abhishek Bachhan was born in Mumbai, in the state of Maharashtra, Western India. Although they are both Hindu and come from India the different States have different cultural practises. They celebrated with a traditional hindu wedding in Mumbai.
Couples may also not wish to have a wedding based on their religious beliefs and instead opt for the civil ceremony.
On the other hand prospective brides and grooms who practise different religious beliefs may originate from the same or different regions or country. A christian bride may marry a groom practising in the Hindu faith and and may decide to celebrate their wedding by having two distinct ceremonies.
An example of this is English actress Elizabeth Hurley who recently wed half-Indian half-German businessman Arun Nayar in March 2007. Elizabeth Hurley married Arun Nayar in a civil ceremony at Suedely Castle and on the following day said their vows at a religious service at the English castle. This was followed by a lavish traditional Hindu wedding ceremony at Umaid Bhavan Palace in Jodhpur North India.
In addition couples of a non South Asian background may also have chosen to celebrate their wedding in Hindu or Bhuddhist style ceremonies. A famous example of this is the marriage of English rocker and lead singer of the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, to American supermodel Jerry Hall. They had a spectaculor Hindu wedding in Bali in 1990 which was later anulled as the marriage was not legally recognized under English law.
2. In what location is the wedding?
Are you organising a wedding and reception locally? If you are then it will make it easier for your family and friends who live locally to attend both the wedding and the reception. You may consider a wedding and reception interstate if your partners family is interstate.
However, more and more young prospective brides and grooms are contemplating getting married in their country of origin ie. Fiji, India, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka and then having a reception back home in Australia. For example a couple may travel to India to get married at the ancient Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple (Hindu temple) in Trissur, Kerala which is popular for South Indian weddings and then head back home to Australia for the reception.
In some cases couples may also consider a wedding and reception in the country of origin as well as having a reception back home. This may be time consuming and expensive but it really depends on where all the family and friends are and where the couple want to mark their special day.
Increasingly more and more couples are having weddings abroad and its not necessarily in their country of origin. Popular wedding and honeymoon destinations include Bali,Indonesia as well as Fiji, and Thailand.
3. Where is the wedding held?
If you are having a religious wedding you may decide to have the ceremony conducted at a Church (Christian), Temple (Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Parsee) Mosque (Muslim), or Synanogue (Jewish) etc.
If you decide to have your wedding at a temple, then unless you can arrange the reception within the temple grounds, you will need to hold the reception in an alternate venue.
If you decide to to hold a religious or civil ceremony in a hall then this will be alot easier if you combine the wedding ceremony and reception under one roof.
4. How formal is the wedding and reception?
The question on how formal your wedding is will most probably be determined by your budget.
Indian Weddings in general are always described as rich and colourful and in most weddings parents of the bride and groom usually spare no expense.
However as more and more brides and grooms opt to pay for the wedding they may be limited as to how formal their wedding can be.
Most Indian weddings are formal to very formal with ladies wearing colourful saris and ghagra cholis and men dressed in suit and tie as well as traditional Indian wear such as the sherwani.
The wedding venue and reception can be held in places of worship, private homes to ballrooms of high-end hotels and rented reception halls.
Most Indian weddings include a large number of family and friends and are usually over 150 depending on the size of the wedding. Smaller weddings may exist but will more often than not retain an air of elegance and formality. The famous wedding of Lakshi Mittal’s (the Indian born, London based steel tycoon) daughter, Vanisha Mittal to Amit Bhatia, a Delhi born investment banker in the grand 17th century Chateau Vaux Le Vicomte in France in June 2004 included 1000 guests.
During the reception guests can be catered to in a buffet style or can be served with a multi-course meal.
How much can you spend per head on your wedding and reception? At an average cost of $75-$100 per head you may only have the capacity to invite 150 guests to the wedding & reception. So you will need to calculate how many guests you can cater to with your budget.
5. Is there a theme for the wedding?
Some couples indulge in a theme for their wedding day.
Whether it is having an outdoor beach theme as depicted in the Bollywood movie ‘Salaam Namaste’ featuring actors Saif Khan and Preitty Zeinta or a castle wedding in Italy like the wedding of American actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes who had their wedding in Odescalchi Castle by Lake Bracciano, Italy in November 2006.
A Royal Palace wedding theme in India is becoming more popular with not only with foreigners but also with South Asians looking for a unique setting to celebrate their wedding day. The theme for your wedding can also include colours as there really is nothing stopping you from choosing your own theme.
6. When would you like to get married?
You may wish to set your wedding day based on the season. Autumn weddings are beautiful when set in outdoor locations and set in sprawling parks with the backdrop of leaves on trees changing colour. Spring and Summer weddings are always popular year after year.
7. How far away is this from now?
Once you have determined which season and which year you would like to have your wedding determine how much longer you have from now to organise the wedding ceremony and reception.
On average young prospective brides and grooms can take about a year to organise everything from the venue right down to design of the wedding cake.
Photo: Indian Actress Aishwarya Rai in ‘Umrao Jaan’
