This summer you might want to add a little pop to your pucker as you’re walking down the isle. Shake things up a little! After all it is summer and color is everywhere…Hot colors include shades of red, orange reds, and fuchsia. Check out Max Factor Long Wear Lip Color, Cover Girl Long Wear Lip Color, Avon’s Perfect Wear Extralasting Lipstick. These lip colors will stay on long after “You may kiss the bride…”
With a veil like this you can focus all of the attention on your lips and keep your eyes looking soft and subtle. Use Beth Bender’sGet in Line Eye Liner Stencil Kit to help you to achieve this simple eye look in minutes! It’s so easy to use you won’t need to hire a make-up artist. (With the extra money you can splurge on a bigger wedding bouquet.)
Remember girls, keep a journal close by. This way you can document all of your wedding tasks and check them off as you go. I find brides who glue photos of make-up looks they want to recreate for their wedding day into their journal as a reference really handy when they come to me. It made it easier to match colors when we chose lip colours to match the dress, jewelry and look.
<a href="http://khushsingh.com/">Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist</a>
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.
During a Hindu wedding ceremony the bride and groom take seven important steps together around the sacred fire. An important aspect of the Hindu ceremony is to light a fire. This fire has a special significance in the traditional Indian wedding ensuring that the human spirit is tied with the divine.
The fire invokes one of the most important of the vedic gods, Agni, the God of fire to witness the seven wedding vows between the bride and groom.
As a result the fire is called the holy Agni. Agni is Sanskrit (a classical language of India) for fire. Agni is considered sacred and vows taken in front of Agni are considered to be unbreakable.
During the Hindu wedding ceremony the bride and groom come to the altar as God and Goddess in human form. In many parts of India the bride is considered Lakshmi, Goddess of Fortune, and the groom is her consort Vishnu, the Great Preserver.
The Hindu ceremony is usually filled with the chantings and blessings in Sanskrit by a Hindu priest. These ancient sanskrit blessings and rituals are thousands of years old.
The Hindu marriage ceremony is the thirteenth among the sixteen samskaras (or rites of passage) that a Hindu observes in his or her lifetime as prescribed in the ancient scriptures, the Vedas.
The highlight of course is the Saat Pheere or 7 circles around the holy fire.
This is also referred to as the Saptapadi, also called “The Seven Steps”, which is considered as the most important aspect of the wedding ceremony and only when the bride and groom walk the seven steps together is the Hindu marriage complete legally.
The Seven Steps are outlined below:
The First Step The bride and groom take this first step along with the first vow to earn and provide for the household and maintain a purity in the diet nourishing the body whilst avoiding anything harmful.
The Second Step The bride and groom take this second step along with the second vow to develop physical, spiritual and mental strength to ultimately live a healthy life.
The Third Step The bride and groom take this third step along with the third vow to increase wealth and live a prosperous life through righteous and proper means.
The Fourth Step The bride and groom take this fourth step along with the fourth vow to live together with mutual love and trust in order to gain harmony and happiness.
The Fifth Step The bride and groom take this fifth step along with the fifth vow to be blessed with strong, healthy and virtuous children.
The Sixth Step The bride and groom take this sixth step along with the sixth vow to live a long and happy life together by maintaining self control.
The Seventh Step The bride and groom take this seventh step vowing that they will remain as true companions and life-long partners adding a spiritual dimension to the union.
Pep yourself up in the time it takes to watch a football match!
Running out of things to do while yet another World Cup match is on?
Make the most of 90 minutes to yourself, with a bride-to-be beauty routine that takes the same amount of time as the latest helping of footie.
Once a week throughout the month before your wedding is enough to put a sparkle in your eye and bring a glow to your skin that cannot be matched.
Thanks to beauty therapist Louise Thomas-Minns for this preen routine.
Start by running yourself a bath infused with a few drops of your favourite essential oils... lavender in particular will induce relaxation.
While your bath is running, a mini facial is in order. Massage either apricot kernel or even a good quality olive oil over the skin. Soak a clean washcloth in hot water and hold over the face for a few moments to steam and deeply cleanse. Then gently remove the oil and repeat.
The action of using the washcloth will have gently exfoliated your skin. Now you can apply a homemade facial mask which can be left on for the duration of your bath. For a drier mature skin, simply mash half an avocado and stir in some honey to form a paste; smooth over the face and neck. Alternatively, mix oatmeal with natural yoghurt and add either a squeeze of lemon juice for oilier skins or a teaspooon of honey for drier skin. The yoghurt will work wonders on munching away at surface dead skin.
Before getting into your bath, you could add a cup of powdered milk. Just as Cleopatra bathed in asses' milk, powdered milk is great for exfoliating while you soak.
At the end of your bath it's time to remove any excess unwanted hair to reveal a smooth skin. Try new Nair Pretty Naturals hair removal cream. I particularly like the one containing exfoliating beads to leave your legs super silky. It's quick, efficient and easy to use, and gives you extra skin-smoothing properties of papaya extract.
Finish by removing your face mask with a warm washcloth, and then spend a few moments massaging the oil you sued to cleanse in an upward, circular motion to detoxify and reduce any areas of puffiness from the face.
Indian weddings are generally royal and elaborated events in which bride and groom remains the centre of attraction and they both must look their very best, especially the bride. When it comes to bridal make-up for the big day, sometimes brides over do it and unfortunately their most memorable moment turns into something very devastating. It is advisable to choose the experienced make-up artist, because bridal make up is an intricate art, which can not be learned easily. There are certain things to keep in mind, so that you look fresh, vibrant and gorgeous at the time when you are starting a new chapter of your life.
Preparation For achieving fresh, beautiful, glowing and vibrant skin on your big day, start making advance preparations way before the marriage day. First of all ensure that the style and make-up you want is matching your bridal outfit or not, because that matters a lot. The second thing is to take a full test run of your wedding day make up with your dress at least four to six days before the marriage to assure that you get your desired mesmerizing look. Waxing, threading, facial, exfoliation etc. will help the bride in looking her best on that special day. All these activities should take place a week before the marriage in case of avoiding any irritation or side effect.
Choosing Makeup Elaborate, deep and heavy make up has become common for Indian brides, however the trend is changing at fast pace. Try and be a master in the art of complimenting your dress and jewelry with your make up. If your wedding dress and jewelry are heavy, intricate and rich in color then its better to choose light make up so that your entire attire will be in harmony. Embellished eyes looks good with natural shade lipstick and the vice versa for balancing your face. Select make up as per the time of your wedding, for example, if your wedding is in the morning go for neutral and lighter shades and if your wedding is in the evening you can try out deeper and more dramatic make-up. Make sure that your make-up colors compliment your dress and make you look elegant
Make Up Tips on the Wedding Day
Start with a concealer on blotchy spots or dark circles under the eyes. Foundation matching your skin tone should be applied evenly on face, neck, behind the ears and other visible parts of your skin.
Eye shadow matching the dress of your color with complimenting eye liner, which is not so heavy, suits the best. Use water proof mascara for avoiding running make up.
Use lip liner matching your long-lasting lipstick in double coats and finish it with gloss so that it stays for a longer period.
Prefer bronzer instead of blush and dust your face with a translucent powder for settling the make up.
Keep powder and gloss handy for any necessary touch-ups all through the celebration.
Thus, using these tips not only define your natural beauty but also make you look perfect on the very special occasion of your life time.
”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’
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.
Photography Wedding photos provide memories for a lifetime. Choosing a photographer that suits your requirements and budget is very important. In my personal experience, the one thing that couples do not think about is the “time” factor required in achieving those precious photos. Again, this depends on your style. Some tips that I have gathered over time are:
What is your budget? Don’t think you need to spend a fortune for your photographs. Do your research and be surprised at what’s out there.
What is the duration of your event? Most photographers have packages starting from 5 to 7 hours or charge by the hourly rate.
Do you prefer digital or film photography?
How many events do you want photographed? Such as Sangeet night, wedding and reception.
Traditional vs Contemporary settings.
Style of photography, journalistic or formal.
Interview and view the photographers work.
Do you want the photographer to be there while you are getting dressed?
Do you want an album or digital photos on a disk?
Colour vs Black/White photos?
and many more….
Interviewing the photographer is very important. e.
Well, I married a Rajput and he loves the look...so I thought - let me think about this. For me it was a harbinger of great pain. I Imagined piercing the soft lobes and membranes of your nose and how painful it could be. But I remember when Kate Perry flaunted a big huge gold nose ring at the Heathrow in London while boarding her flight to India.
No doubt nose rings are a rage this wedding season but they have always been around in form of nose piercings and nose studs for quite some time. But here we are talking about the nose ring that a bride wears on her wedding day. It is also known as ‘Nath’ in India and is called by different names in different regions. This piece of jewel is traditionally worn in the right nose and is connected with a golden chain that links it to the earrings or ends up being linked in the side hair, clipped with the help of a hook. Diamond studded nose rings look gorgeous and irradiate a brilliant and heavenly shine. The myth says that the nose is representative of a bride’s sexual prowess. In olden times, it was also considered a mark of virginity and that is why it was customary for a groom to remove a bride’s ring on the wedding night. Sounds amusing, eh?
In diverse states of India this jewel is made differently. The mukhuttis of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have ornate, traditional lotus and swan designs and are mostly studded with diamonds, or the poor man’s diamond, the topaz. Rajasthani women wear the nathuri and the bhauriya. While the first is a small gold or silver ring with precious stones, the bhauriya has a slightly different design. The conventional clove-shaped nose stud is called the laung, while the small pendant suspended between the nostrils is the latkan, because of its pendulous character.
In UP the nath is adorned with two pearls and a pendulous bead to augur prosperity. The Punjabi damsel has a gold ring strung with as many as 20 to 25 motifs. It is the shikarpuri nath. In Bihar the nose stud is the chhuchhi or the laung. In Maharashtra it is the guchhedar nath, which is known for its radiant beauty with pearl decorations. Pullakku nose ring in South India (bulaag in the North) is the pendant suspended from the partition of the nostrils.
Sometimes the septum rings in rural areas and tribal society are so large that they cover a portion of the mouth and often come in the way while eating.
The Ayurveda (ancient Indian system of medicine) has it that piercing the nose makes it easy for a woman to bear the pain during child birth as the veins in the nose are directly connected with a female’s reproductive system. There is virtually no end to these theories and the bottom line remains the same: it is customary for an Indian bride to wear a nose ring.
Though the élan with which today’s celebrities sport a nose ring is contagious. The media went gaga over how Perry got a piercing in her right nose before leaving London itself, something that shows how excited she is about her nuptial with Russell in the typical Hindu style. The nose ring looked a little flashy over her jacket and pants but then, she is the bride and it’s her wedding
Just a tip:
Nose Piercing Aftercare Never wear sterling silver in your freshly pierced nose, as the metal will leave a permanent stain on your skin. A black mark develops around the piercing that will never be erased. Always opt for stainless steel, niobium, titanium or 14k gold. The nose piercing takes around three months to heal fully. Therefore, avoid fidgeting with your nose and changing your jewelry. When jewelry is changed too soon, it causes a re-tear, lengthening the healing process and causing a new nose piercing infection.
Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on your tissue will increase the irritation and burning sensation. It may even slow down the healing process and cause a scar. You can apply powdered aspirin to provide relief from the nose piercing infection. Do not use swimming pools, hot tubs or go swimming in the ocean, as there are chances of bacterial infection and pollutant contaminant infection. Always maintain proper hygiene to reduce chances of bacterial infection.
One of the most significant moments during a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony lies in the exchange of Indian Wedding Garlands.
During this exchange the wedding garlands become the centrepiece. Australian Indian Weddings provides a quick guide to selecting your type of wedding garland.
Selection of Flower 1. Select the flowers of your choice. It could include one colour (red roses) or a combination of colours (eg. red and white roses)
Availability 2. Enquire if the flowers will be available based on the season when your wedding ceremony takes place.
Suitability 3. Be creative and explain to the person who will prepare your Indian Wedding garlands, the theme and colour of your wedding so that the colour of the flowers stands out against your bridal and groom wear.
Quantity of Flowers 4. The costs of the wedding garlands are based on the flowers selected and the quantity of flowers used.
Delivery 5. When ordering wedding garlands try ordering them so that they are ready for you on the day or atleast the day before the actual wedding ceremony.
Storage 6. Store the wedding garlands in a cooler or cold storage as the summer heat can ruin the flowers They usually last 2-3 days in a cool room
Contact the Temple 7. Contact the local Hindu temple in your state. They should be able to provide you with a local contact that prepares fresh wedding garlands throughout the year.
Contact a local business provider 8. Contact a local business provider specialising in Indian wedding garlands in your state.
Contact a local Indian Wedding Planner 9. Alternatively contact a local wedding planner who can arrange the wedding garlands.
Balancing family traditions with your own beliefs and values is a key issue new couples face when planning their wedding. Many of the traditions that will come up involve religion or cultural themes (where you marry, what you wear, readings), and you will need to address these complications ASAP. Whose wedding is this, anyhow? Traditionally, the parents of the bride pay for the wedding, while the groom’s parents cover the rehearsal dinner. Although these “rules” have changed significantly in the past 20 years, if any parent is contributing a significant chunk of money to your wedding, their input needs to be honored. If your mother is dead-set on you getting married in a church, and you and your fiancé want a secular affair, your best bet is to compromise. Take Mom aside, and explain to her how much you want to honor her request, then see if, perhaps, you can have the ceremony in a church, followed by an outdoor reception with a rock band.
If your husband is firmly against the church idea for whatever reason (he’s Jewish, it goes against his own beliefs, personal reasons), you should still opt for a compromise. See if you can arrange for a priest to do a reading and blessing. If not, have your mother or another relative do a reading. Weddings, like life, are all about compromise. Some couples even have two weddings; an official, religious ceremony, with just close family and friends, followed by a secular affair with a larger guest list; as for who signs the marriage license, that’s up to you.
Taking advice to the limit. Whenever you say “no” to a close relative, you risk repercussions. Your parents could withdraw their financial support, or, in extreme cases, refuse to attend the ceremony. You need to be prepared to deal with both scenarios and weigh your options. If your 200-guest affair has been a life-long dream, and you can’t do it without parents’ help, bite the bullet and give in. If either set of parents are asking for something that morally goes against your values, then you need to tone down the wedding, and, in the most drastic cases, change the affair to a long-distance wedding so as to avoid any family conflict.
The last thing you want is strife before your big day, so always do your best to alleviate the issue beforehand. Whatever is requested from a parent or relative, take time to think it over and talk to your fiancé about it, then ask for time alone with the person making the request. Take them out to lunch, or ask if you can drop by one afternoon when they’re alone (no e-mails or impersonal calls). Tell them how much you appreciate the gesture and that you love them, and then politely remind them that it’s your day and your decision to make. Hopefully, they will come around to the idea that they’re not the one in the spotlight.
Smaller requests are a bit easier to deal with. If Mom insists you wear her wedding dress, and you’ve already picked out your Vera Wang gown, offer to wear some jewelry of hers -- a bracelet or necklace or brooch. Should the request be in the form of a 12-piece band or a martini bar, and the two of you are paying for the wedding and on a limited budget, you have to explain the financial situation.
A word to the wise: Before you start major wedding planning, reach out to close family and friends, tell them how much you’re honored that they are taking part in this wondrous event, and ask them if they have any ideas they would like to incorporate into the wedding. Even though you don’t have to say yes, they’ll be flattered that you sought their advice.
You have met the man of your dreams, fallen in love with him and even got the marriage date fixed. And now, you are eagerly waiting for the day of your union, when the two of you would become each other's, forever. In the meantime, you have started with the preparations, right from choosing the venue to selecting the bridal dress. Now, have you given any thought to the D-day makeup as well? No? Then, waste no more time and start taking care of yourself from this moment onwards. We have listed a number of make up tips and ideas for the bride, in the following lines, just for you.
Makeup Ideas For Bride
Before The D-Day
Undertake a skin, hair and nail care program at least 6 weeks before the wedding. Start going for regular facials and manicures and ask your beautician to advise good beauty products as well.
Stay away from the sun as far as possible. In case you have to move out, do not forget to use a sun-block, with at least 20 SPF. Try to avoid extremes of weather, like wind, pounding rain or freezing cold, as well.
If you have a stressful job, make sure to go for relaxing massage, at least once in a week. Use essential oils in your bath and try to attend at least one aromatherapy session before the wedding.
Do not compromise on your sleep; otherwise you will be hard-pressed to hide your under-eye circles on the D-day. At the same time, be happy. Remember, what goes on in your mind reflects on your face as well.
Make the booking for the make-up artists at least 3-4 months before the wedding. Let him/her see your outfit, so that he/she can plan the exact look. You should also go for a trial session before the wedding.
On The D-Day
It is always advisable to synchronize your makeup with the bridal outfit and jewelry. If they are extremely heavy, then you should prefer to get light makeup done on the D-day.
The time of your wedding also has a bearing on the type and amount of makeup. For instance, heavy makeup looks good at night, but will make you seem very odd under the harsh rays of the sun.
If your wedding has been scheduled for spring/summer, bright, pastel shades will work the best. For a winter wedding, warmer and deeper shades will be a better option.
Though your bridal makeup needs to be heavier and more dramatic than the one you do for usual parties, it should no be so heavy that it makes you look like a made-up doll.
Since it is your wedding, you will be photographed a lot. Remember, foundations will yellow tones work best with flash photography. While, the ones with pink tones will make you look too pale.
Always go for a lip-liner that is the same shade as your lipstick. Otherwise, you might end up with a lip-line that is too noticeable. At the same time, always stick to long-lasting lipsticks, for your wedding.
Remember, you have to balance the eye makeup with lip makeup. In case you want to go for dramatic eyes, go for a light-color lip shade. If you are using a dark lipstick, it is better to have natural, light eyes.
Never ever forget to apply the foundation on your neck, back, ears and other exposed areas of the body as well. Otherwise, your face will look painted on and your beauty - artificial.
It is advisable to go for a light dusting of translucent powder, so that your face does not end up shining too much. You can also apply bronzing powder to warm your skin tone and get a natural glow.
Ask your sister, friend or some other female relative to carry a powder compact, tissues and lipstick for you. This will help you do the touch ups, especially if your wedding is going to be a long affair.
A Buddhist wedding is typically a simple, yet meaningful, occasion. The civil ceremony takes place in a back yard or home, and afterwards, couples usually go to a temple to receive special blessings from a monk. This also involves a time of prayer and giving gifts to the monk, such as food, medicine, flowers, and candles.
In Buddhist wedding traditions, the bride and groom wear embroidered mediation robes (the exact type of robe depends on the country where the wedding takes place). In the western world, couples might not even wear a robe. Wedding guests should wear something that is in good taste. If you are a guest at a Buddhist wedding, remember that you will need to remove your shoes before entering the temple.
Buddhist wedding ceremony vows typically go something like this: “Towards my wife I undertake to love and respect her, be kind and considerate, be faithful, delegate domestic management, present gifts to please her.” The bride says: “Towards my husband I undertake to perform my household duties efficiently, be hospitable to my in-laws and friends of my husband, be faithful, protect and invest our earnings, discharge my responsibilities lovingly and fastidiously.”
At an Indian Buddhist wedding, the food is almost always vegan or vegetarian. Western Buddhist weddings do not necessarily adhere to this practice, and meat can be consumed.
Mehndi is an inseparable and essential part of every Indian wedding, so much so that the entire concept of an Indian wedding is often referred to as “haathh peele karna” which literally translates to applying mehndi (henna) on the hands of a girl. The phrase is often used to indicate that marriage has been fixed or has already taken place.
Well, almost every Indian community, be it Parsis, Muslims, Gujaratis, Marwaris, Punjabis, Sikhs, Marathis etc. uses henna to decorate the hands of a bride. In fact, in many of the regions henna is applied on to the hands of the grooms.
Designs, figures of gods, vines and several types of designs are made using mehndi. The ceremony is held just a few days (often a couple of days or so) before the wedding. It is said that the darker the colour of the mehndi, the more love and affection will a bride receive at her new house.
Mehndi is usually applied on the hands and legs of the bride. It has become quite common these days to have mehndi designs extending from palm to just below the shoulders and on the legs up to the knees starting from the feet.
Almost every woman from both family gets mehndi on her hand. It usually is an all ladies affair with lots of traditional as well as modern songs being sung at the time of mehndi. In several regions of India, mehndi is still given by the groom’s family, especially in parts of Punjab.
While traditionally it was applied by a relative or a friend of the bride, these days professional henna tattoo artists should be hired.
Make sure you book the mehndi artist well in advance so that you don’t have to run around or settle for a lesser skilled artist at the last moment.
The Rajputs, a prominent martial community in India, are descendants of the ancient warrior dynasties (Kshatriyas) who ruled Rajputana, the present Rajasthan and also other greater parts of India. The Rajputs are spread in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. Rajputs in Madhya Pradesh, the central state of India, follow mostly the traditional customs and rituals of their community in their weddings though they are influenced by the local customs to some extent.
“Tilak” ceremony is the first agreement between the two families in which the bride’s brother goes to the groom’s house with gifts and sweets for the groom and his family members and applies ‘tilak/bindi on the forehead of the groom, signifying that the boy and the girl will enter into holy matrimony.
“Pili-Chitthi” is a ritual in which the groom’s family sends a “patra” or letter having the symbol of Lord Ganesha and dabbed with turmeric and vermilion powder to the bride’s, to comfirm the acceptance of the alliance between the two families.
A week, prior to the wedding, “Mandap Aarohan” takes place wherein all the sons-in-law and brothers-in-law from the bride’s family help to erect the wedding “mandap”(canopy, where the actual wedding rites are performed) supported by wooden posts and lavishly decorated with flowers and silver or gold paper. The pillars have bands in alternate red and white paints.
About a week prior to the wedding “haldi /turmeric ceremony, to beautify the bride and to prepare her for the wedding, is conducted each day till the wedding day. In this ritual, married ladies from the bride’s side smear a paste of “haldi”/turmeric and oil on the bride’s arms, feet and face.
The joyous occasion, “mehendi” ceremony is held on the morning prior to the wedding day. Professional “mehendiwalli”, the henna artist applies a paste of henna and “alta” (a red liquid to highlight the auspicious occasion) on the palms and feet of the bride to create intricate beautiful traditional patterns. This occasion is marked by dancing and singing by ladies who also get mehendi patterns on their palms.
As in any other Indian wedding, the Madhya Pradesh Rajput bride’s maternal uncle plays a significant role in the ritual “maira”. He is very liberal in giving costly gifts to the bride and even hosts a sumptuous vegetarian lunch to honor the bride.
“Padla” is a ritual held in the wedding day afternoon, in which all the articles gifted by the bride’s family are exhibited in the bride’s house.
In “Baraat”, the ceremonial wedding procession, the groom leaves for the wedding venue mounted on a beautifully decorated mare, along with a male child. He is attired in a gold ‘achkan’, a long coat along with tight trousers known as ‘churidar’/’jodhpurs, an orange turban decorated with a ‘sirpech’ and ‘jootis’/shoes that are highlighted with a necklace and a cummerbund at the waist. He is accompanied only by the male members from the family and also a band playing popular hits. When the ‘baraat’ reaches the wedding venue the groom is given a traditional welcome by his future mother-in-law with the “aarti” and is escorted to the wedding altar. The bride looks ravishing in a resplendent traditional ‘poshak’, comprising a long pleated skirt known as ‘ghagra’, a tight matching blouse and a dupatta, usually red in color; but deep colors like orange, bright yellow, gold or pink are also popular. She wears certain jewelry items that have their own significance, on this occasion. ‘Rakhri’ is a circular piece worn on the forehead at the parting of the hair. She also wears sparkling danglers on her ears, ‘timaniyaan’, a choker inlaid with uncut diamonds and a set of ivory and gold bangles known as ‘chudda’. Her other adornments include stone-studded gold armlets called ‘bajuband’, gold anklets and gold toe-rings called ‘bichiya’ and ‘nath’, a stone-studded nose ring. A Brahmin “pujari” who officiates at the wedding ceremony lights the sacred fire and in the midst of Vedic chantings the groom’s shawl and the bride’s veil or “duppata” are tied together and the couple makes seven circles or “pheras” around the fire after which the groom slips green glass bangles on to the bride’s wrist.
On the morning after the wedding day, the groom, his parents and other members from his family arrive at the bride’s house to join an elaborate breakfast, consisting of various sweets and dry fruits, in addition to other delicacies. This ritual is termed as “Kunwar Kaleo”.
“Bidai” or Bridal send off is a tearful ritual as the bride bids farewell to her parents, brothers, sisters and other members of her family. The groom’s family blesses her with the showering of flowers and coins, an assurance to her family that even though “Laxmi”, the Goddess of wealth is leaving her parental house, prosperity will remain there. She along with husband arrives at her new house in a beautifully decorated car. She enters her new house with her right foot first.
“Mooh Dekai” literally means ‘show your face’, but this ritual is performed to introduce the new bride to her husband’s family members. She is seated alone and the members of the groom’s family come one after another to be introduced to the bride and they shower her with beautiful gifts.
A Bengali wedding is a midnight celebration and reminiscent of all that is poetic and sentimental. The bride dressed in a red sari wears ornaments of gold. The groom wears a silk doti with kurta. The bride is carried on the shoulders by her uncles. The meal after marriage served to the bride is named as bahubhat. After the marriage a wedding feast is served to the friends and relatives.
Bengalis have a rich culture to boast of and a whole set of interesting rituals for their marriages. Each Bengali wedding is made special in its own terms, by the colorful traditions and customs that are followed before, during and after the ceremony. Whether it is a simple or a lavish Bengali wedding, you would witness all the rituals strictly followed by the family of the couple. It is very interesting just to witness a Bengali wedding, because the people engaged in the preparations are fully animated, right from the pre-wedding to the post-wedding ceremonies, while the bride and the groom are pampered and made feel very special about themselves and the ceremony.
A Bengali wedding typically consists of rituals that are divided into three phases- the pre-wedding, wedding and post wedding ceremony. The pre-wedding starts a couple of days before the wedding, wherein puja is conducted by the purohit, who conducts the marriage as well. The families of the bride and the groom honor each other through the exchange of gifts, which usually contains an assortment of sweets, fish, sari etc. After the haldi ritual and snan, the bride and the groom are brought to the mandap, where they tie the wedding knot. This is followed by a series of post-wedding rituals, which are as important as the wedding itself. Overall, a Bengali wedding is truly a delight to the eyes.
Bengali Pre-Wedding Rituals Bengali pre-wedding rituals are very delightful to look at. The ceremonies conducted before the marriage symbolize that they eagerly look forward to the important day in the life of the couple, who are soon going to tie the nuptial knot. Bengalis have a very charming way of pampering the bride and the groom before the wedding, and for the purpose, they have set aside certain rituals that largely include pujas and exchange of gifts.
Leaving the House - Rituals:
The Groom - well attired with Dhoti and Kurta, alongwith topor (paper and shola conical hat) leavesthe house. Before leaving the groom takes permission from his mother to go and fetch her future assistant. Mother gives the permission and feed the groom with a sweet and a glass of milk. The groom, along-with a relative / friend leave the house to go to the bride's place. The decorated car is sent by the bride's house and a relative of the bride comes to take the groom. The relatives and friends of the groom usually leave after this. As per the custom, the groom's mother stays back.
The groom has to carry a darpan (mirror) during this time.
Along-with the groom, a small boy also goes to the bride's place, with the similar dress. He is known as neet-bar.
Welcoming the groom
The groom and his relatives arrive at the bride's house to the ringing of bells, blowing of conch shells and ululation. The baran dala (Baran dala is a silver plate arranged with rice, turmeric, etc. to welcome the bride and groom ) is held by an elder female relative of the bride's and the plate is first touched to the groom's forehead, then to ground, and back again to his forehead in a gesture of part blessing, part-reverence. The groom is offered sweets and sherbet. Water is sprinkled on the doorstep as the groom steps into the house to mark the auspicious moment. Both, the mother of the bride and of the groom do not attend this ceremony. It is believed that this will protect the couple from the 'evil eye'.
The Wedding Ceremony
The purohit conducts the wedding ceremony. At first the Groom is taken in the mandap. The puja is performed along-with the person who will perform the Sampradaan. After the puja, the groom is given a fresh set of Dhooti and Kurta from the bride's side. The groom has to change his dhoti-kurta and wear the new set and the ring.
After this the bride is brought to the Mandap. The bride is usually carried in a piri and four of her friends carry her in the Mandap. She keeps her eyes hidden with a beetle leaf. She is rotated seven times around the groom. Once this is over, the bride and groom are placed face to face and the the bride removes her beetle leaf. The bride and groom looks at each other for the first time (!). This is known as Shubha-Drishti.
After Shubha drishti, they exchange their garlands for three times. After this the bride and groom both are seated opposite to each other. Their hands are tied together and kept ovet a ghot. The oorna of the bride and the uttariya of the groom are tied together. The bride and groom exchange garlands while the purohit chants mantras. Her paternal or maternal uncle gives the bride away. This particular part of the ceremony is called sampradhan. Alongwith the priest the groom also chants the mantra. (A full text of the matra will be added soon). After this the bride and groom changes the position and they are seated sideby side. The yagna is carried out, i.e. the marriage is done with fire as the witness.
After the marriage ceremony is over, there are some interesting games, which is played alongwith the ladies of the bride's place. There are various local variance of the games like hiding the ring, playing with a vessel full of rice, etc. After all the rituals are over, the bride and groom beak their fast and eat the dinner. By then all the relatives and firends who were invitees have already taken their dinner.
A Bengali marriage is always scheduled during the dusk (Godhuli lagna), Evening (Sandhya Lagna) or night. All the rituals take about three hours.
Bengali Post-Wedding Rituals Proud of their cultural heritage, the Bengalis in India organize their wedding in a unique way and mark the culmination of the ceremony in their own impressive style. The rituals conducted post-wedding is divided into three broad phases, wherein the bride departs her maternal home and joins her groom, to settle down in the latter's home and start a new life there.
