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.

During my two-night stay in Phuket, I was lucky to be staying at the luxurious Banyan Tree Phuket. My two-bedroom pool villa was sheer luxury – inspired by traditional Thai architecture. A spacious living room and mini kitchen, two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a study and an outdoor private pool and gazebo were all part of my villa for the next two nights. I must mention specially – the amenities in the bathroom were exceptional. I missed going to the shop on the property to buy the products – need to recreate the serene Banyan Tree experience at home! The Banyan Tree Spa is an award-winning spa with an extensive range of body and beauty treatments. Unfortunately with such a busy schedule on this trip, I didn’t get a chance to experience it either. Must make a trip back there! Also, something I thoroughly enjoyed at the Banyan Tree was their breakfast buffet – absolutely amazing spread – of course, I ending up over indulging! The service at the Banyan Tree was impeccable – everyone was always willing to help and extremely friendly.

If you want to tie the knot in a unique way and be pampered in style, Banyan Tree is the place for you. Weddings at the Banyan Tree are already set in the most pristine surroundings. Also, on the property is a non-denominational wedding chapel, which sits on stilts on the water minutes away from the Banyan Tree villas. This is the perfect venue to exchange your vows against the romantic sunset in Phuket. The Lagoon Deck in the Banyan Tree is another unbeatable venue! The other venues around the property, outstanding service and expansive property with fabulous villas make the Banyan Tree Phuket a preferred choice not just for destination weddings but also for a lovely honeymoon! Stay tuned for more tips on planning a wedding in Thailand.

Image Courtesy : AJ Studio

Punjabi Brides

The traditional Punjabi bridal wear is Shalwar and Kameez along with a heavily embroidered Dupatta which would cover the head. The outfit is usually of Patiala style. This was originally the attire of the royal families of Punjab. The Patiala Shalwar has many pleats that gather towards the waistline and drape below gracefully. The Kameez is a knee length fitted top. Usually the outfit is in hues of Red with a lot of embellishments intricately embroidered with unique motifs and sequence.

Image courtesy : Rob & Lauren

Punjabi Wedding Traditions

The punjabi bride traditionally wears gold jewelry and matching foot wear. The parting of her hair is decorated with a gold ornament called the Tikka. The bride wears bangles made of ivory known as Chooda. These are White and dark Red in colour and hold great significance to the bride. They are usually in multiples of four and according to the tradition the bride must wear it at least for a year after her marriage. But nowadays brides wear the Chooda only for a month after the wedding.

Friends and sisters-in-law tie Kalire, a hanging ornament made of gold or silver on these bangles. Kalire’s are encrusted with dried coconut and dried beetle nuts. It is said that after the wedding the bride rubs her hands against each other to drop the Kalire on the heads of unmarried girls, and who so ever gets the Kalire first is expected to get married within a short period.

There is a similar tradition practiced by Catholic brides. Towards the end of the wedding celebrations, when the bride is about to depart, she throws her bridal bouquet to a group of unmarried girls following her, and whichever girl catches it is expected to get married next.

Isn’t it interesting…both these cultures are so different yet, some of the traditional practices they follow have similar significance. Stay tuned for more Indian wedding customs and traditions from Marry Me\’s Indian Wedding Blog.

A vineyard theme would be perfect for a spring or summer wedding. The stunning backdrop would make an idyllic setting for a special occasion like wedding. You can make the wedding décor as interesting as you like. We would suggest the use of fresh colours like Pinks, Orange, Lemon Yellow and Whites. You can also use wildflowers if you are having a less formal wedding. This will give a more relaxed and natural feel to the event. If you do opt for a vineyard theme wedding then you can incorporate many aspects from a green wedding.

Empty wine bottles with candles can add a soft and romantic feel to the whole décor. You could work around some of the easily available objects at the vineyard and incorporate them in your wedding décorations. For example elements like wine barrels, grapes as a part of center pieces and grapevine leaves as a part of the floral arrangements, wine stoppers as place card holders etc. This would not only mean saving costs but also give you the pleasure of having an eco-friendly wedding.

Your wine list can be as elaborate as your food. Especially if you have meats on your menu you could pair them with an array of wines. If you have a sit down dinner, you could use a specific wine to go with each course. And last but not the least; your giveaways could be personalized wine bottles!!

Do contact the team at Marry Me – Wedding Planners that will be happy to assist you with multiple vineyards that can host a lovely intimate vineyard wedding in India.

The famous attractions of Kerala’s unspoilt coast, the Lakshadweep islands, or the beautiful Bay of Bengal, make for ideal charter destinations.  Or why not explore the delights Mumbai? See first hand why the Portuguese dubbed this city Bom Bahia, \”beautiful bay’.

There is, it seems, simply nothing quite so extraordinarily stylish as cruising around in a floating palace and aboard HYE SEAS II, a stunning Azimut 116, whether it be for a pre wedding party weekend or a fortnights honeymoon, it’s easy to feel that you belong in this glittering life of absolute finery.

For finery there is. This beautiful motor yacht boasts all the luxury you’d expect from a five star hotel– from wood panelled interiors to suede and leather furnishings, deep pile carpets and the latest in mod cons.

Then there are the five cabins, elegantly furnished and sumptuously stocked with high class toiletries, fresh flowers and en-suite bathrooms to say nothing of the most comfortable beds you could wish for and the bubbling Jacuzzi in the Master Cabin.

Chartered by Oceanstyle, HYE SEAS II, just like the other stylish yachts in the fleet boasts six crew, who between them ensure comfort and indulgence every moment of the day. You might be sharing your floating paradise with six others, but their discretion makes you feel like the boat is entirely yours and whether you want to be left alone on the top deck for an hour or two of sunbathing or require a top up of champagne and a tour around the harbour, your wish is quite literally granted.

In the main quarters, there are sofas to recline on, low coffee tables stocked with glossies and cushions galore. The outer decks are where the true posing takes place though, with padded sunbathing areas, reclining loungers, and a tucked away suntraps with total privacy guaranteed. On the lower deck, there’s a large eating area and convenient tender platform for those must-do trips to the mainland without even having to dip a well polished Prada heel into the waves.

For those keen to sample the delights of SuperYacht cruising to the max, there are snorkels, water-skis, scuba diving equipment, kayaks and inflatable toys.  A Jet Ski enables you to enjoy the views in the secluded bay you have chosen to drop anchor in for lunch.

Dining onboard is equally first class, with gourmet food and silver service all the way. Every one of Oceanstyle’s charter boats has a dedicated chef who produces top quality food, with fresh and local produce.  Meals are gastronomic affairs, starting with champagne and canapés, and then providing a taste of the region, with local seafood, fruit and vegetables served in style under the stars. Nothing is too much trouble.

An OceanStyle charter itinerary can be tailored to suit – but it’s escaping the crowds that yacht charter achieves so effortlessly. Making time aboard so very special. Anchoring off the Lakshadweep group of islands, HYE SEAS II offers complete solitude.  Your captain will be happy to guide you on trips into the famous snowwhite coral sands that fringe each island offering direct access to hidden gems that those without a yacht will never see.

Whether you want to sample the freshest of seafood in historic Cochin, or join the A-list moored off Andaman and Nicobar Islands, there is nothing quite simply as elegant or extravagant as cruising around the Pacific in ultimate style.

The charter of HYE SEAS II costs from US$ 80,000 per week.  Fuel, Food and Drinks are an additional cost.

You can contact us if you need help with booking a Yacht. Alternativly visit Oceanstyle\’s website to checkout a selection of charter and sale yachts www.osyachting.com

About Oceanstyle

Oceanstyle offers five star 20 to 40 metre yachts in locations across the world – from the Caribbean to Cochin. As well as offering year-round yacht charter, the company also has sales and new build divisions and offers international yacht management services.

Rajasthani Bridal Dress

The traditional wedding outfit for a Rajasthani bride is a Lehenga. It is a three piece garment consisting of a blouse known as Choli, a long skirt called Ghagra along with a Dupatta. Ghagra and Choli are generally crafted in silk, while the Dupatta is usally netted or made of chiffon having broad embroidered border on the edges. The Indian wedding outfits are usually red in color, but vary and can also be in colours such orange, pink and bright yellow.

A lot of Gota Patti work is used on the bridal wear. This is basically the gold embroidery which originated in Jaipur. The use of appliqué with intricate patterns embroidered in fine gold threads along with Zari ribbon enhances the richness of the bridal outfit. The patterns are very traditional and include motifs of animals and birds like Elephants, Camels and Peacocks.

Rajasthani Bridal Jewellery

Rajasthani brides are adorned with lots of jewelry on their wedding day. They wear Rakhri – a circular piece of jewelry for the forehead, Balis -hanging earings, the Chooda -a set of ivory and gold bangles, Timaniyaan -a choker studded with uncut diamonds which is a necklace made of jems embedded in gold leaf, Bajubandh – stone-studded armlets, Bichuye – gold anklets and a Nath – a nose ring. The look of a Rajasthani bride is very different from other Indian brides as some of the jewelry is very unique and worn only by Rajasthani brides.

Rajasthani bridal jewelry is usually made of Kundan or enamel work with precious stones, which are said to pass their own special healing touch to the bride. Do stay tuned for more posts on Brides of India.

The British supermodel Kate Moss and her fiancée Jamie Hince are all set to tie the knot on the 2^nd of July, 2011 at a church near her Oxfordshire residence. The wedding will definitely be a grand affair as the couple has planned a week long celebration for their guests.

Kate\’s hen party is expected to be held next month at the Isle of Wight Festival. The theme is not yet known. The couple is also planning to host a pre-wedding dinner for their families.

Kate wants the families to get merry, eat fantastic food and just relax with each other before the wedding day and the party. We think it’s a great idea and one of the best ways for the bride and the groom’s family to get to know each other. The pre-wedding dinner will be hosted at celebrity chef – Heston Blumenthal’s new restaurant in London called –“Dinner”

Kate wants the party to be memorable and has planned well for it. The post wedding reception will go on for three days. She\’s making sure there is plenty of food and entertainment. Their initial plan was to have the ceremony in a church in nearby Burford, but it wasn\’t big enough to accommodate all their friends and family.

The newlyweds will travel to the reception in an MG sports car with balloons tied to the back. According to celebrity hairdresser James Brown Kate’s look will be “fresh and modern” on her wedding day.  We are looking forward to see Kate’s final look on her wedding day and of course the wedding gown!! Stay tuned for more celebrity wedding news from Marry Me – Wedding Planners.

A wedding guestbook isn’t just a book that has all the names of people who attended your wedding but can be a wedding heirloom you cherish forever. A typically Western wedding concept, wedding guest books are a fun idea to incorporate into your Indian wedding as well. Like the pictures and videos, it can be another reminder of those special days and the people who graced them.

Creating your keepsake is a fun process and the kind of wedding guest book you choose depends entirely on your style and personality. Find a book or guest cards in your wedding colours or one that matches your theme. You can even get the other wedding stationary custom printed with designs and colours that match your wedding décor. Find the prettiest paper you can and you can even have it hand bound with colourful ribbons or embossed with your names and wedding date. Monogrammed, metallic, collages etc…you can get as creative as you like.

Your wedding guest book need not be a proper book, as long as you retain the idea of it being a keepsake. You can have beautiful notepaper and envelops for your guests to record their attendance and leave you special notes on, have pictures that they sign or even items like a large ceramic tray or plate that they can write on. Another fun way to do it is have a Polaroid camera and let your guests take cute pictures and sign them. You can even make your own book, decorate it with anything you desire like cutouts, feathers, beads etc. and stick the pictures and notes in them. You can collect these notes or cards in a beautiful glass jar that your guests can drop them in to.  If you are having separate stationary for notes that you will bind later, find creative ways to keep them together like a string where guests can pin them up to, branches, ornate boxes etc. This will also add a nice touch to your overall décor.

Whatever kind of guest book you plan on make sure there is enough space for guests to write down their messages and convey their wishes. You could have a separate space for them to leave their contact details so you it’s easier for you to send your ‘thank you’ cards later. Wedding guest books can be another sweet reminder of the day you took those special vows!

So the wedding is drawing close and things are getting hectic and stressful; time for a little appreciation for your better half! What better to show the woman you are about to marry how much she means to you with a wedding gift that is perfect for her. And no, gift wrapping yourself does not count… she already has you in the bag!

Many a groom have been utterly confused about what wedding gift to buy for their brides; but fret not it can be a cinch when you know what your bride really likes and where her interests lie. For a nearly fail-proof wedding gift you can start with jewellery. A pair of earrings, a pretty necklace or bracelet or even a matching set if the budget allows is a good gift idea. Pick up something she will truly like and is her style; to make it personal you can even have it inscribed with a special message or buy something like a charm bracelet with charms representing special moments in her life or your relationship. Even something she could wear for the wedding itself is great.

A wedding gift need not be something expected. You could plan for a gift that is interest based like a first edition print of her favourite novel, a painting, a getaway package for her and her best friend, a spa day, a romantic holiday for the two of two, dancing lessons etc., the sky is the limit. Think outside the box and aim for something that would please her and not something you think you are expected to buy. It could even be a designer pair of shoes or a handbag that she has been eyeing for a while but feels guilty spending on for herself. This kind of gift shows that you put a little thought into it and will definitely put a smile on her face. If your bride is the more practical type buy her a useful item like something gorgeous for your new home or a camera that you both can enjoy on a holiday.

Smaller sentimental gifts can also add a romantic touch and don’t need to break the bank. Consider gifts like a romantic faux vintage note in a bottle, a photo scrapbook of your journey together, a framed love letter, a home movie etc. , anything that would mean a lot to her. And one of the nicest gifts you can give your bride is something that you don’t need to buy or make – support during the stressful wedding planning months!

Photo Courtesy : Tanishq – Blushing bride – Sharon Nayak

A land which is vast and diverse in culture, yet incredibly rich in heritage, where languages and customs change every few kilometers, but are yet bound by common traditions….India. A place where celebration knows no bounds and every affair is rejoiced in the most extravagant manner…especially weddings!! They are one of the most celebrated affairs in India.

Indian Wedding traditions across most cultures overlap in some way but most are still unique to their region and differ in many ways. Similarly, Indian wedding outfits vary from state to state in terms of patterns, styles, textures, designs and jewelry depending on the local culture, craftsmanship, availability of raw material, traditions and climate.

Indian Wedding Brides

Like, in most states, Red is considered an auspicious colour as it brings good luck to the bride while some others consider Green as a lucky colour, because according to them green stands for fertility. The commonality between the bridal outfits would be that, all are extremely opulent in design and are tailored using the most exquisite fabrics but the material would differ from state to state. For example Bengalis bridal saris are made of Banaras silk while a bridal sari in Tamil Nadu is made from Kanjeevaram silk where as an Assamese bridal wear is crafted from Muga silk but as we know all are varieties of silk, but are region specific.

So let’s see which are the traditional wedding outfits for Brides of India across various states, and in which way are they similar or different and how did they inherit the influence form the region.

Do follow our wedding blog to know more about the  Brides of India!!