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.

Mehndi is the traditional art of designing one’s hands and/or feet with intricate decorations with the use of henna, which is nothing but a natural dye. It is much like a temporary tattoo. In fact, Mehndi is a vital part of Indian rituals and customs. That said, the big fat Indian wedding is definitely not complete without the Mehndi ceremony. The main idea behind the application of Mehndi on the Indian bride’s hands and/or feet is to make her feel like a princess!

A Bit about Mehndi

Mehndi was traditionally used as a form of decoration mainly for brides. Over the years however, the application of Mehndi or henna has become popular with everyone and is applied on occasions other than weddings like on Diwali and Eid. Its color ranges typically from reddish brown to dark brownish black, depending on the preparation.

Application of Mehndi

The paste of henna is generally applied on to one’s hands and/or feet using a plastic cone. At times, mehndi artists also use a paint brush, but this method is not so common. Once the mehndi is applied as a design on the hands and/or feet, and it has begun to dry up, it is dowsed with a mixture of sugar and lemon juice. The application of this mixture helps to bring out a stronger color, if so desired.

Types of Mehndi

There are many different styles of mehndi, depending on the region from which they come from. The most popular types are Arabic, Pakistani, African and Indian, the designs of which are easily distinguishable from the other.

Arabic Mehndi contains less details and intricacy, while the color is very dark. In fact, vines and leaves with beautiful flowers are the trademark of Arabic Mehndi.

Pakistani Mehndi on the other hand, is the most detailed and intricate of the lot. It thus goes without saying that the application of this type of Mehndi is time consuming.

Indian Mehndi can be identified because of the presence of either a big dot or figure drawn on the center of the palm or on the back of the hand. Further, one’s finger tips are always completely colored when applying Indian Mehndi.

African Mehndi although rarely chosen for Mehndi application is also very pretty. One can differentiate this kind of Mehndi from the rest due to the presence of intricate geometric figures and dots.

Significance of Mehndi

The application of Mehndi is associated with a good number of things. One such notion goes that the darker the color of the bride’s Mehndi, the more her husband-to-be will love her. An interesting aspect of Mehndi application is the incorporation of both the bride and groom’s names in the Mehndi design. Until the groom has found both the names, it is said that their wedding night will not commence. Lastly, a custom followed in relation to the application of Mehndi states that a bride should never step out of the house until the Mehndi ceremony has come to an end.

Mehndi Celebration

An Indian wedding as most know already takes place over a good number of days and comprises of many pre-wedding functions. The Mehndi celebration is one of them. This ceremony usually takes place at the house of the bride or a place chosen by the bride and her family and the entire function is usually hosted and funded by the bride’s family. Nowadays, the entire location is decorated with flowers and music is played during the entire function.

The Mehndi celebration is quite a fun affair. The bride and the women attendees choose their own Mehndi designs at the party and then sit down during its application. Professional mehndi artists are called in for the ceremony. The groom too is sometimes present at this ceremony and the couple-to-be are given Indian sweets, more commonly known as mithai in India. Guests leave with a gift at the end of the ceremony.

Brides are advised to choose the type of Mehndi that they wish to apply to your hands and/or feet in advance, so as to avoid any hasty decisions. If you happen to be getting married soon, all you bride’s to be can look forward to the joyous Mehndi function. And, don’t forget to get creative when choosing your design!

Check out this Sunday\’s Matrimonial Section on the Times Of India – Checkmate.

Here\’s this weeks question :-\”I\’m getting married in December and don\’t want a regular wedding. What ideas can you offer me on a medium budget? \”

I chatted with a few friends and ‘brides to be’ on the topic of the grooms’ duties, before going ahead with writing this piece…. And I am quite astonished to realize that most people were rather oblivious to the existence of the grooms’ duties! This is perhaps largely due to the fact that most magazines, websites & other reference material always focus on everyone’s duties but those of the grooms! The coverage harps about the ‘father of the bride’ or the ‘mother of the groom’ and they are emphatic about the brides maids’ duties and of course there are several columns overtly advising the bride on how to fulfill all her responsibilities, before or after the wedding!

Hence, I decided to write about what is expected of the groom; because to me, especially in today’s day and age, where relationships have evolved so much, the man’s involvement in the wedding planning is equally important as the woman’s! Interestingly, there are quite a few things that can be taken care off by the groom and where his opinion is imperative. I am trying to highlight a few of them below:

1) Choosing The Engagement Ring: Most girls are very touched if their man puts in the slightest of effort to get them anything… and this, is about The Gift’ of a lifetime! Choosing it yourself could really mean a lot to your lady and the perfect way to score your brownie points! Getting some advice from her girl pals to understand what she likes is a great idea. All girls, you will be surprised to know, are pretty clear about the ring they want… the cut of the diamond, the color of the metal and the type of band… they all pretty much know what they want. So getting their sister or girl pals on your side could really help you chose the right ring!

2) The Proposal: Presenting the ring also needs to be well planned as it is a very sensitive moment. Where you present it, the mood, the manner… all need to be thought of as they create eternal memories.

3) Choosing The Wedding Date: Post the engagement, it’s important to decide together, with the families, a suitable date for the wedding. Getting a wedding planner on board can go along way in relieving you both off a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety.

4) Managing the Financial Arrangements: Irrespective of who’s paying for the wedding the financial arrangements and payment schedules may require your attention in order for things to be smooth.

5) Hit the Gym & Figure out clothes: Grooms, more often than not, leave this bit to the last moment; which certainly calls for the ladies to hit the panic button! It’s your big day too guys… so hit the gym and get fit. Throw in a couple of visits to the spa and focus on the grooming… some pampering can really make you too feel good and ease the cold feet! Also, figure out well in advance what you are going to wear and chose your designer. Make sure, you complement your bride’s look.

6) Planning the Honeymoon: This is something both of you need to plan together and she can’t do it alone. In fact, you can surprise her with short listing the destinations. You sure know her likes and dislikes and the kind of place she would want to visit… so take charge and work the math on this one. You will also need to do the ticketing, make hotel reservations and other arrangements yourself. Attention to the finer details while planning this one will really excite her! You could take suggestions from your friends or your wedding planner as well.

7) Miscellaneous: Planning the venue, the caterers, the decor, the entertainment etc… could involve dealing with several vendors. Also, the man’s presence to deal with legal formalities and the fine print is essential. The experience can be very taxing, especially if both of you are working and have your respective jobs to handle. Bringing in an efficient wedding planner to negotiate and sort this for you will prove to be a great move. The wedding planner would assist you all the way, not only with the vendors, but also with easing out your stress.

Hope this helps all you men to plan a great wedding….. Let’s toast to fun times and togetherness while planning the wedding.. Cheers!

Every fashionista knows Net-A-Porter for their amazing selection of clothes, shoes and accessories. Their recently launched Wedding Boutique is a must visit for every bride to be. From gowns to shoes, jewellery to bridal lingerie, it is the hottest wedding shopping destination right now!

The well designed site lets you shop by category and even by bridal style (which we loved!) Our top picks are the Tom Binns Swarovski crystal multi-chain necklace and the Guiseppe Zanotti Embellished leather sandals. Tell us your favorites..

Thanks for all your support. We were now have a column space in the Times of India to answer all your wedding planning questions. Do check out \”Check Mate\” on Page 16 in the Matrimonial Section of the paper. You can also view the online version here :- Marry Me now answers your Wedding Planning questions in the Times of India

One of the biggest decisions for most brides is choosing that perfect wedding dress. We LOVE wedding dress shopping! The beautiful fabrics, the different styles – its all so exhilarating! Shopping for your wedding dress is a fabulous experience that most brides look forward to, however it can also be stressful and overwhelming. Some brides have a clear idea of exactly what they want to wear (they have known it for ages!!) while others may not have a clue.

Singapore is a haven for brides on their shopping spree. The dreamy fabrics, quality of work and the intricacies are almost unmatched. So, we started off along the famous Orchard Road with surprisingly quite a few bridal stores there itself. From Rachel Ho to Tan Yoong, Bridal Veil to Renee Leung. We visited them all. One that we were particularly enamoured with was a pretty little bridal studio called Olive Suite. The very lovely owner Jessica wowed us with her cute creations. Olive Suite is primarily known for their short frou-frou dresses. We fell in love all over again!

Oh well all good days come to an end. Time to celebrate with cupcakes :) Big thanks to Anusha and Bernard for their help!

So, here are some of our Wedding dress shopping tips –

1.  Start way in advance to give yourself enough time to make this important decision. Cut out reference pictures from magazines  so  you have a clear picture of style/fabrics/colors you like.
2. Before starting out it is important to know what your budget is as well as any essential details like lehenga or gown style etc. Also keep in mind the style and theme of the function when choosing the outfit.
3. Comfort is one of the most important factors when choosing your dress. Think about the seating arrangements as well as any choreographed dance performances you may have planned.
4. Don’t forget to carry your shoes. You may just find something off the rack that you love and are all set for immediate alterations and fittings.
5. Hire someone who offers wedding planning services, and can help you find the right gown.

   And of course, take along your best friend/mum/bridesmaid for a second opinion. Do share your gown shopping experiences with us!

The countdown to your great Indian wedding has begun! And, even though your mind might be on overdrive and overwhelming feelings may be taking over your being, this is no cause for worry. These feelings of anxiety are completely normal and are bound to happen to couples who are about to get hitched at some time or the other. Besides, there remain just a few things to check up on to make sure that everything is just perfect! Here’s a wedding checklist for things to complete in the last two weeks before your wedding.

1. Calling all brides to be! It’s that time when you finally get to pick up your beautiful wedding gown or lehenga from your wedding dress designer and bring it home! Don’t forget, this is your last fitting, so make sure all is fine with your wedding attire. The groom and is groomsmen will also have to do the same.

2. Now’s the time to call up those guests who haven’t yet responded to your wedding invitations. Note down the final guest count too.

3. Co-ordinate with the wedding caterer and adjust the per head count now that you know the approximate number of guests attending your wedding party.

4. You may also want to confirm the hotel reservations and transportation for your out-of-town guests. You can do this with the help of your wedding planner.

5. Confirm the date of your wedding party rehearsal dinner or lunch with your family and those who you wish you attend.

6. If you happen to be leaving for your honeymoon almost immediately after the wedding, it may be a good idea to get a hold of the tickets for the soon-to-be-married couple. Exciting times these are!

7. And, don’t forget to finish of packing for your honeymoon with your partner. You don’t want to be left doing this the day before your wedding!

8. Have your partner sit down with you so that you both can start writing down toasts that will be said out aloud at your wedding rehearsal.

9. Make any payments that are remaining, be it to the wedding caterers, florists, musicians, photographers etc.

10. If you haven’t decided on assigned seating for your guests, have a chat with your wedding planner, and he or she will fix this for you. You will of course have to be present to assign tables and seating to your guests.

Who doesn’t enjoy travelling? I am extremely passionate about travel – with Singapore being one of my favorite destinations – my familiarity with this livable city keeps drawing me back. Of course, my love for Asian food and the wide array of shopping malls are enough to keep me busy.  I made sure I had my fill of the Chilli Crab and the Black Pepper Crab (not forgetting the fried buns!!). Top of my list from this trip is the newly opened Marvelous Cream (originally from Japan). The Original Cream laden with everything chocolate is to die for.

The ever bustling Orchard Road has something for everyone, along with live entertainment lining the sidewalks every night. Ion Orchard and the new 313 @ Somerset had a variety of interesting stores and restaurants. The Icing Room at 313 @ Somerset has a beautiful pink and white storefront and a great concept – decorate your own cake! Their shop assistants are even dressed in cute little French maid uniforms!

Anyway, for all you brides-to-be who are searching for that perfect pair of shoes, the bespoke service at Essex Walk makes your dream comes true in owning the perfect pair of shoes that is truly “yours”. Essex Walk, now at Mandarin Gallery, is known for its fabulous quality shoes and luxurious designs. The consultant at the boutique was extremely knowledgeable in the bespoke service from offering advice on the fitting of the shoes to other services such as more padding. This just made it a wonderful and pleasant experience when slooking for that perfect pair of shoes to walk down the aisle.

Singapore has plenty of wedding exhibitions, with great packages on offer for soon to be married couples. This time, I was there in time for the Bridal Bazaar, a unique wedding exhibition organized by Wedding & Travel magazine. On display were stunning wedding gowns, fabulous deals on wedding packages, honeymoon ideas and my favorite – destination wedding shoots.  Seriously, which bride wouldn’t want ethereal images in Santorini? I have to admit, I was tempted!

So, a few things I learned about weddings in Singapore. Singaporeans love their wedding photography – and with good reason too – the photographers are very talented and creative. The latest trend is destination pre-wedding photography, with some great deals to Taiwan, Australia and Italy on offer. Another interesting discovery is that most Singapore-based bridal boutiques offer the complete package – gowns for all wedding related occasions, bridesmaid and flower girl dresses, bouquets, limo, photography and sometimes even décor. Purchased together from a bridal studio, usually gets you a pretty good deal!  Having a wedding planner helps greatly! Also, very interesting that the Singaporean bride has as many wedding related outfits as the Indian bride – ROM dress, Cheongsam for the tea ceremony, wedding gown and a cocktail gown for the evening. 

Our quest for the perfect wedding gown, coming up next….

It’s only two more months to your big fat Indian wedding. Everything seems to be in place right from sending off your wedding invitations to purchasing wedding favors to rentals for cutlery, seating and transportation to hair stylists and Mehndi artists right up to selecting your wedding cake! So, what’s left to be done? Not much! There are a lot of small little things that need to be checked on. But, don’t worry! The major part of putting your wedding together has already been completed. Now, to just check on and confirm a couple of things we all tend to look past.

1. Now’s a good time to meet with your pastor, priest or pandit to decide on the program of your wedding ceremony. You’ll have to discuss the flow of events so that you and your spouse are not left dumb-founded during the rituals and ceremony.
2. It is time for your spouse to be and yourself to write down your wedding vows! This will take time and may see you drained out at the end of it all, trying to come up with those perfect words. But, if you happen to be a natural wordsmith, writing wedding vows and expressing your love will simply be a breeze!
3. You may want to schedule your marriage in court during this time. After all, the days leading up to your wedding will be very hectic. So plan ahead for a good date. You may also want to keep your attire, also known as a ROM dress (Registry of Marriage dress) ready for your court marriage.
4. Meet with your hairstylist to experiment with potential hairstyles for your wedding ceremony, reception and any other pre- or post-parties.
5. Now’s the time to set a date for your wedding rehearsal and dinner.
6. Visit your bridal studio and schedule your wedding dress trial; the final one will be left for the month of the wedding. Plus, the bridesmaids and the mother-of-the-bride who will be accompanying you can also have a fitting of their respective dresses.
7. Purchase your wedding guest book if you want to have one. Your partner and you will forever be able to sit back and enjoy this for years to come.
8. Continue with your beauty therapies and pampering. You are going to be a beautiful bride in less than 2 months now!
9. Get yourself a trial make-up run with your makeup artist. You don’t want to be clueless or disappointed on your wedding day after all!
10. If you have the time to spare, you may want to start shopping for your trousseau along with the help of your friends and family.

See! There are no major tasks to be completed just two months away from your wedding day. All that is required is an alert state of mind, so that you don’t forget to make confirmations and check on other minor but vital details. If you happen to be on track with the wedding planning you may find yourself looking out and shopping for furnishings for your new house! The approach to your wedding can be a very exciting time. So, now that most of the work has been done, it’s time you relax a bit more and catch up with your bridesmaids and friends over movies, coffee or a relaxing brunch!

So, Katy Perry and Russell Brand were visiting India last year, when he popped the question. The British comedian proposed to Katy in Jaipur on New Years Eve. And now the two of them are planning a wedding at the end of this year, right here in India. The planning has begun, and Katy has called her fiancé a “bridezilla” on Twitter. 

Rihanna, Katy’s best friend, also mentioned (on the Ryan Seacrest show!) that she is in charge of planning the Bachelorette Party.

We are looking forward to more details on this one!