A guide to wedding tips, trends and experiences. Marriage event reviews, Wedding venue reviews and ideas, honeymoon destination tips, photography, wedding decor and much more.

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The long awaited day finally arrived, as this lovely couple tied the knot yesterday at St Peter\’s Church in Southrop amongst family and friends.

It was a picture perfect wedding. Kate arrived at the venue in a silver Rolls Royce with her daughter Lila Grace by her side. Kate looked simply stunning in an ivory lace wedding dress with gold detailing designed by her close friend John Galliano and paired it with a delicate, long veil accessorized with a floral headband. She carried a bouquet of daisies and camellias. Her shoes were designed by the famous Christian Louboutin.

Jamie wore a pale grey suit by Yves Saint Laurent and paired it with dark sunglasses. His best man, Alison Mosshart who is his band mate also adorned an Yves Saint Laurent suit.

Kate had fourteen bridesmaids including her daughter Lila who were all in pretty white summer dresses.

Mario Testino, the well renowned fashion photographer shot the wedding, and the couple has exclusively sealed a deal with Vogue, by selling the rights of their official wedding photographs for the cover for Vogue’s September issue. Can’t wait to see that!

The creative director of Yves Saint Laurent, Stefano Pilati who designed the outfit for Jamie and his best man Alison Mosshart, was a guest at the wedding. Other celebrities who attended the wedding were Sadie Frost and Jude Law, Topshop boss Philip Green, Moss\’s former partner Jefferson Hack.

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The couple posed for the media after the wedding and then drove back in Moss\’s Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow to her Cotswolds country estate for an extended long weekend full of celebration!!

Though Kim Kardashian has tried her best to keep hush on the chosen designer to create her dream wedding gown, in all probability Vera Wang is her preferred one. Kim was spotted for the second time this week at Vera Wang’s bridal boutique on Thursday in Los Angeles along with her mother, Kris and sisters Kourtney and Khloe. She had visited the designer’s studio in New York earlier on Monday and was accompanied by her older sister Kourtney.

In all likelihood they were trying on wedding and bridesmaid’s dresses with the diva herself assisting her celebrity clients. The media got a glimpse of Wang\’s assistants holding a long, white layered veil. The sight was quickly blocked by sheets to keep the matter under wrap. Later, the group was seen toasting with champagne — perhaps to celebrate sealing the deal!!

Though Kim is still insisting that she is yet to choose the lucky designer who will create her dream outfit, Wang definitely has some brownie points in her kitty. Moreover Vera Wang also has the credit of having worked with the famous family earlier as she had dressed Kim’s sister, Khloe Kardashian, for her wedding to Lamar Odom.

Watch this space for more celebrity wedding news from Marry Me – The Wedding Planners.

Kate Moss and Jamie Hince are all set to tie the knot this weekend. A lot of wedding planning and preparation has been put together for this much awaited affair which will take place at Cotswolds – Kates 10-bedroom country estate. She has left no stone unturned as she wants it to be the best wedding her guests have ever attended. She has also built an additional house on her property to make arrangements for her guests to stay.

Staff from the Ritz Hotel in Paris are being flown in to cater to the Food and Beverage requirements. In addition to the amazing wedding preparations, two chefs have been specially hired to oversee the operations.  The menu will include a wide spread of vegetarian options for Jamie and other vegetarian guests. Some of Kates close friends will show off their cooking skills by making some of their signature preparations for non-vegetarian guests. Keith Richards is said to dish out Shepherd’s Pie while Steve Tyler and Bobby Gillespie will cook Thai curry and sausage and mash respectively. Moreover, lots of top-notch vodka and champagne has been stocked up for the guests.

Some of their friends expected to attend the wedding are Naomi Campbell, Samantha Morton, Jade Jagger, Jude Law, the fashion titan – Daphne Guinness and Vivienne Westwood while Snoop Dog, Iggy Pop and Dame Shirley Bassey will be performing.

The buzz is that, Mario Testino, one of the most well known and celebrated fashion photographers will shoot the wedding which may go on the cover for Vogue’s September issue. While Kate will adorn a John Galliano gown, there will be a dressing room stocked with Ossie Clarks dresses for the guests to wear. Wow!

The décor is said to comprise of several marquees with varying themes. One of them will be designed to look like the Groucho Club while another would be a beauty tent where in guests can get a massage or get their nails done. The most exciting thing is the “Oscars-style” gift bags. Kate’s assistant Fiona Young is working hard to fill the gift bag with the best goodies. As of now it has Mulberry and a few other cosmetics brands….And off course the talked about big fat wish list they have for their wedding gift registry.

We are looking forward to this much awaited affair. Watch this space for more as we will keep you updated!!

Weddings don’t just mean decision making time for the to be married couple, but also the wedding guests…. albeit on a much, much smaller scale! We all go to Indian weddings of near and not-so-near ones, gift in hand, unsure if it’s the right present for the wedded couple and the desire to buy just the right thing is even more important when it’s someone very important to you. In Western and Indian weddings, sometimes gifts are opened during wedding or pre-wedding functions as well and nobody wants to be the one that gifts the bride or groom that one wedding gift that makes their smile falter! Here are a few tips to make the selection process for the best wedding gifts a little simpler:

1. Check if the bride and groom have a gift registry in place. If you aren’t sure and don’t want to ask them directly, talk to one of the friends of family members. If everything on the list is way out of your budget try and chip in with another friend to buy a bigger-ticket item or use your discretion in picking out something else.
2. If there is no wedding gift registry and you don’t know the couple too well, practical household items are always a safe bet; however, try to be a little more original and buy something that sets it apart e.g. instead of a set of glasses, pick up a monogrammed pair of champagne flutes. They like throwing parties, how about a bar tending set? Know the couple, fit the lifestyle.
3. Remember that if you are buying a keepsake, work of art etc. aim to buy something you know they will love, not something you would like hanging on your walls! Keep their preferences and aesthetic style in mind, like if they have a traditional or formal décor or tastes, odds are a modern abstract work is not going to be their cup of tea. And if you are uncertain of their preferences stick to neutral pieces, instead of something that veers too much into any genre.
4. If you are close to the bride or groom or both, try and pick up a gift that means something special to them as a couple or something that reminds them of their happy times together. Personalized gifts are always appreciated and memorable. A little extra effort goes a long way.
5. Cash or gift vouchers are an easy fix but better left for a last resort option or unless specified.
6. In more traditional Indian weddings, gifts made of gold or silver like jewellery, idols, coins, a tray etc. are popular too.

Ultimately, it’s always more about the actual union than the wedding gift ideas!

(Image Credit:Victoria Beckham on the cover of Vogue India)

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There’s possibly no greater beauty than that of a glowing bride on her wedding day; and the gorgeous Indian wedding ornaments and jewelery do much to highlight that gorgeous face. One such ornament is the maangtika or maang tikka.

The name of this pretty piece of jewelery literally means maang/mang – the parting in your hair at the middle of your head and tika – the tilak or tika that you wear on the forehead. As its suggests the maagtika is worn in the middle of your head, with the end piece of it lying on your forehead.  The length and thickness varies by personal tastes as well as in different parts of the country. The end centerpiece can be flat, dome shaped like a jhumka or even an intricately shaped medallion.

Indian Brides often wear a maangtika made of gold, gold plating or silver, with semi precious and precious stones, diamonds, pearls, kundan work and the like. The design of the piece depends largely on prevalent designs in that region of the country and also the jewellery designer and it may also be made to match the bride’s main wedding jewellery set. Brides nowadays also opt for more contemporary designs with simple geometric shapes and clear stones replacing the more intricate designs.

The maangtika is often worn by Indian women at various events and not just at weddings… and for good reason. It is one of the most ideal ornaments to bring attention up to your face.

Keep reading for more details on the various beautiful Indian bridal jewelry, at Marry Me – The Wedding Planners.

Indian weddings aren’t at all about rituals and strict traditions; there is a lot of fun and innocent mischief involved too. Wedding games and informal traditions serve as a great ice-breaker especially in the arranged marriage set-up. And now these games continue to flourish for the enjoyment of not only the couple but their families too. Let’s take a look at some of the wedding games and fun traditions in Indian weddings.

Hiding of the grooms shoes – In certain Hindu communities there’s a fun tradition or game if you will, where the sisters of the bride hide the groom’s shoes. They hold them ransom and only return them if he pays them a nice sum of money.

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Often the groom’s friends and family try to safeguard the shoes to prevent them from being stolen. It’s a fun cat and mouse game that always gets laughs.

Haath Boravanu – In Parsi weddings, the groom is made to immerse his hands in water and not allowed to take them out unless…yes, you got it; he pays in cash or kind! The bride’s sisters are the lucky recipients in this wedding game too. Once they get gifts from the groom, he is free to remove his hands from the water.

Finding the ring – This game is one that many communities have their own spin on. Essentially the wedded couple is made to put their rings in a pot filled with things like water, milk, saffron, rose petals etc. Sometimes a few coins are also thrown in too.

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The couple has to fish around for the rings and whoever finds it first, is said to be the winner and the more dominant partner! In some communities the rings are also hidden within a sack of rice. Another way the game is played is that the water is swirled around and whichever ring leads the other, that partner is said will rule the roost!

Henna name search – Often when the bride gets her bridal mehendi done, the groom’s name is written in there and disguised in the intricate patterns. The groom has to then look for his name on her hand before their first night together.

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They are teased that if he doesn’t find it the marriage cannot be consummated and they can’t spend the night together. This game also gave the groom a chance to hold his bride’s hand for the first time, especially in the traditional days of yore.

Kasi Yaatrai – The Kasi Yaatrai is more a part of the ceremony but often-celebrated in jest. Often a part of some South Indian weddings, the Kasi Yaatrai is a ritual where the groom decides at the wedding that he is going to take up ‘sanyas’ and therefore cannot get married. He then proceeds to pretend to leave for his spiritual journey and is subsequently ‘convinced’ by the bride’s father about the merits of marrying his daughter and family life.

These are just a small sampler of Indian wedding games and fun traditions. How did you celebrate? We would love to know…

Bengali brides usually adorn a vibrant red or a crimson Banarasi saree woven in silk with intricate golden embroidery and a rich brocade zari border. The bride also wears a silk dupatta called chunni over her head. This is similar to the veil worn by Christian brides and something like a tiara known as mukut. This is pinned on her head over the silk chunni.

The bride is considered to be an incarnation of the goddess of wealth – goddess Lakshmi.  She is opulently decked in heavy gold wedding jewelry comprising of a necklace, nose ring, earrings, tikka and anklets. The designs are usually unique and have motifs of flowers, peacocks or butterflies. The wedding jewelry is supposed to bring good luck and charm to the bride and also signifies the continuation of wealth after marriage; hence the heavy wedding jewelry. The bride usually wears three types of bangles namely – Shankha – a conch shell bangle, Pala – a lac bangle and Loha– an iron bangle. These distinguish a Bengali bride from brides of other communities and also signify the marital status of Bengali women.

The most unique feature of a Bengali bride is the artistically painted design of white and red dots on her forehead just above the eyebrows which extends to her cheeks and the chin. This enhances her look and makes her look like a princess. A big red bindi in the centre of her forehead along with the sacred vermilion and skillfully applied alta on her hands and feet, completes the look of the Bengali bride. stay tuned for more on brides of India & Indian wedding jewelry from Marry Me\’s wedding planning team.

Photo booths at weddings can add a lot of excitement to your party. There are unlimited options in terms of backdrops and props. It’s a great way to take some fun snapshots for your guest photo book which will give you lasting memories of all the fun your guests had at your wedding. It will also keep your guests involved and entertained. The theme of your photo booth can be in tune with the sangeet or wedding reception theme.

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For Indian weddings you could use props like trumpets, marigold garlands or the standard royal red wedding chairs, which were a part of almost every wedding décor back in the days. You could have a funky colourful auto if you have an outdoor party and make it as the main prop or think of replicating elements from your favourite Bollywood films. Like Shahrukh Khan’s mandolin from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.

This will be super fun and you will surely cherish this album forever!! Hope these ideas help you get creative. Do let us know if you were able to incorporate any of these funky wedding photography ideas at your own wedding!

(Images Courtesy:Ashlene Nand)

Exclusively.In, an online retailer being publicized as the ‘Gilt Group of Indian fashion’, recently entered the booming wedding market with Exclusively.In Weddings.

Currently catering to the U.S. market, the bridal e-commerce spin-off site aims to cater to South Asians in America looking to get their hands on Indian designer fashion / bridal wear. This past Saturday, Exclusively.In Weddings held their first wedding show for soon-to-be-brides at the Taj Group’s ultra-chic Pierre hotel, located where else but Manhattan’s 5^th Avenue. The event had a $25 entry fee and although it was designed for women who are planning a wedding sometime within the year, it actually appeared to pull in a mix crowd of curious shoppers wanting to see, in-person, the hype around the website.

It was a well-organized luxury event with the right mix of designer goods, humble staff, and free-flowing champagne. Oh, and the ice-cream Kulfi didn’t hurt either. Although the verdict on whether Indian brides will continue to travel abroad or shop online for their wedding gear is still not out (many of us NRIs continue to think we can get bargain deals by travelling to the motherland ourselves), it’s definitely nice to see the service being offered in New York, a city filled with an array of shopping options and cultural conveniences.

About Ashlene

The real-life single girl living in New York City, Ashlene is Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda all rolled into one (depending on the day!). During work hours, she\’s a savvy marketing and brand executive working in fashion, with over a decade in the Entertainment industry behind her. Ashlene is most happy when she\’s on a plane heading to one of her favorite cities, including Mumbai. She can be contacted at www.ashleneonline.com / Facebook: Brown by Ashlene