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.

Oh! The lovely spring brides…in their beautiful gowns and sun kissed faces. And the new trends for spring 2011 are no less! With wedding gown trends changing with the season there’s always something new and gorgeous to look forward to. Even if you always veer toward the classics, here are some of the new trends for the season to make your bridal shopping experience a little bit sweeter.

Designer – Badgley Mischka

Blooming Florals – Florals are back in a big way, blooming over all the bridal runway shows around the world. While earlier we often saw small floral appliqués or tiny rosettes, the spring trends are now veering towards the bigger is better adage. Wedding gowns for the season showcased many big 3d floral appliqués, entire cascading petal like skirts and big and bold whimsical blooms. We also find entire corsets or gown bodices made of 3d floral appliqués and big rosettes.

Designer – Heidi Elnora

A Touch of Whimsy – Whimsical and fun touches seem to be popping up in bridal gowns, perfect for adding a touch of personality to otherwise princess-like dresses. Accents like pockets, all over polka dots and playful hems are so spring of this year. You can try the new necklines and interesting backlines popular for spring too like asymmetrical necklines and backless or T-back gowns. Another trend for spring is bridal gowns with sleeves. Interesting sleeves not only help make the gown look current but are great for those brides who are conscious of their arms. Collections for Spring 2011 also featured short bridal dresses! These dresses are great for beach weddings and less formal dos… especially if you aren’t the gown wearing type.

Designer – Vera Wang

Designer – Carolina Herrera

A Splash of Colour – A huge and somewhat unusual trend is coloured wedding gowns and dresses. Colours like muted grays, taupe and soft pinks and peaches are big hits. Even top bridal designers like Vera Wang have incorporated colour into their latest bridal collections. If a coloured wedding gown is a little too avant garde for you, consider adding pops of colour like a lovely sash or bow or even a coloured lace trim.

Designer – Marchesa

Adding Dimension – It’s all about adding some dimension to your bridal gown nowadays. Trendy details like pretty soft layers, ruching, pleating, ruffles and fabric textures can take your look from pretty to ‘wow’. Draping is big this season too. Spring collections also featured a lot of tulle and organza. These light fabrics are used to create new silhouettes, create more volume and are easy to use to create visual interest. Tulle and organza are also ideal for warmer weather.

Designer – Alvina Valenta

The Silhoutte and Cut – The very sensual mermaid silhouette is big for the season. Princess and A-line cuts also remain firm favourites. You can also try the slimmer silhouettes if you have the body type to pull it off comfortably.

Designer – Monique Lhuillier

Beautiful Romance– Romantic dresses are always popular and still remain on trend for spring. Billowy skirts, sexy corsets, vintage detailing, lush fabrics and feminine details like lace and bead and pearl accents always look dreamy.

One of the most important things to remember is that you need to find a gown you are comfortable in and showcases your body in the best way possible. Trends come and go but wedding pictures are forever!

Images – http://www.weddingsunveiledmagazine.com/

Selecting a guest-list and the seating placements are tough enough on anyone but imagine planning one for nearly 2000 guests that includes not only Britain’s royal family but many big shot politicos, international celebs and important dignitaries. The seating arrangement for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton (Kate) has been officially released and has definitely managed to raise a few eyebrows!

The wedding coming Friday on the 29^th of April has the cream of the crop attending and the official seating plan at the Westminster Abbey pretty much reflects who the nearest and dearest to the couple are. And this plan definitely has some surprises the first being that William and Kate have decided not to follow the formal tradition of having a separate bride and groom’s side. Members of both families and friends will be seated in a mixed arrangement that also includes the family of the Prince’s mother the late Diana Spencer being seated next to members of the Middleton family.

The seating at the centuries old Abbey will be divided in parts i.e. at the front of the church and a section behind a partition or quire. Although the people behind the partition will have a very restricted view of what is happening up front it serves a purpose by lending an intimate feel to the wedding proceedings. The section with a restricted view will have to watch the ceremony on television screens!

The front row of the south lantern will be reserved for members of the royal family like the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cornwall. The bride’s immediate family will be seated opposite at the front row on the north lantern. A lot of the south side is reserved for foreign dignitaries, diplomats, the Prime Minister and other members of the Parliament. The Prince’s fellow army colleagues, families of fallen soldiers and defense personal etc. will be seated around the abbey. International royalty are reportedly being seated behind Britain’s royal family.

Approximately 1000 guests will be seated behind the quire at this gorgeous historical venue, including some celebrities. These unlucky guests will only get to witness bits and pieces with an unrestricted first-hand view.

Follow our countdown with the latest royal wedding news at Marry Me – The Wedding Planners.

With the 29^th of April 2011 wedding date looming large, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding is definitely the most talked about wedding in well, forever! There is definitely a total royal wedding mania that has hit not only the people of the United Kingdom but with the public around the world.

If you are one of the many, many people not invited to the wedding at Westminster Abbey, fret not! William and his future bride have agreed to stream their wedding online allowing everyone to take part in their celebrations as it happens live. Media savvy Kate and Will also have an official wedding website with the latest information on their upcoming wedding. Social networks and cyberspace citizens are now all geared up to watch the royal nuptials. You can watch the live online coverage on websites like Youtube and representatives from the St. James Palace will also be putting out constant updates on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Flickr! You can even go online to post messages and videos to wish the betrothed couple.

The celebrations definitely do not stop here! There are literally going to be thousands of street parties with millions of people expected in the U.K. The general public is all geared up to take part in this mega event by staging parties all over the country. People have also gotten together to hold their own Royal Wedding parties in countries around the world as far as India and the United States. Restaurants are also hosting special British themed meals and tea room parties with the works, along with showing the wedding coverage.

You can have your own royal wedding bash with the tons of memorabilia out in stores and through online retailers. Everything from commemorative wedding china, to Will and Kate shot classes to even tea bags with their faces on them are out for sale!  Printed mugs, replicas of Kate’s engagement ring, banners, wedding t-shirts, iphone apps, toys and various souvenirs, among others are up for grabs.

Remember to save the date and keep the champagne, Union Jack flags and the grand, crazy hats handy!

Follow us at Marryme – The Wedding Planners for the latest details on the grand Royal Wedding

Weddings in India and any special occasion for that matter are always graced and decorated with colourful flowers. One of the most popular flowers that feature in weddings here is the marigold. Round, fragrant and bursting with colour, the marigold is widespread in India and easily available almost year round.

It comes in various colours like orange, yellow, pale yellow, golden, reddish-orange and many different hues in between. Its bright and cheery colour make it a favourite with wedding decorators and event planners and you are almost certain of seeing marigolds in celebrations around the country. They are often used for torans, draped on walls and pillars, for mandap decorating and wedding garlands as well. People often use marigolds along with rangoli designs and diyas for easy and colourful touches at wedding venues, homes and places of worship. They are even used sometimes to decorate women’s hair.

Marigolds are also known as gaindas or ghendas in India and considered auspicious in many cultures in the Indian subcontinent. This bright flower is also considered to be a symbol of peace, prosperity and reflects the colours of auspicious items like the sindoor and haldi used in many weddings and religious ceremonies.

Also known as ‘Mary’s Gold’ in England, where it was introduced in the 1600s, this flower is hardy and remains fresh long after it is cut, making it a popular and beautiful option for weddings.

How are you planning to incorporate marigolds in your wedding celebrations? Leave us a comment with your ideas!

Not all wedding stories are made of dashing young princes and pretty young princesses…this prince is decidedly older! Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner popped the question to girlfriend Crystal Harris on Christmas Eve of last year, and is set to tie the knot on the 18^th of June this year. The couple reportedly met at one of the magazine’s famous Halloween bashes in 2008. 84 year old Hugh and his 24 year old fiancé made headlines with their unconventional romance and vast age gap, but with such an unconventional life, nobody expected any less!

The founder of the Playboy empire proposed to his fiancé by placing the diamond and platinum engagement ring in a Little Mermaid themed box, one of Crystal’s favourite movies. The happy couple is now planning their grand wedding which is definitely going to be set a little apart from the norm considering the lavish and wild parties Hefner is known for.

300 guests are reportedly invited for the wedding at Hugh’s gigantic mansion in Los Angeles, California and the engaged couple plan to make the wedding colourful, pretty and fun. The bride is reportedly wearing Romona Keveza strapless gown in her favourite colour – pink for her walk down the aisle. The bold colour scheme reportedly includes turquoise and fuchsia wedding flowers that were chosen to match their custom made, crystal encrusted wedding invites! Entertainment will include a live band as well as a deejay. The couple also confirmed that their wedding cake will be Hugh’s favourite strawberry cake made by the Torrance Bakery.

The media and wedding watchers alike are waiting to see how the surely unorthodox and glamorous wedding day turns out and which stars and media moguls grace Hugh and Crystal’s special day!

The Indian state of Kerala is a huge tourist draw and one of the most popular destinations in India for getaways and honeymoons. All the natural beauty this state has to offer is also ideal for a beautiful destination wedding. Cradled by the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the east, Kerala is home to loads of picturesque destinations for all kinds of weddings. Known as ‘God’s Own Country’, Kerala has a wonderful mix of lush and diverse geographical bounties and is known worldwide for its natural attractions.

One of the biggest draws to this state and also a great place to have a destination wedding is the Backwaters of Kerala. The Kerala Backwaters consists of a huge interlinked network of sea inlets, around forty rivers, canals, lakes etc. The coastal towns on these backwaters are serene, beautiful and perfect for weddings. Many big resorts, spas, inns and hotels have found their homes here in areas like Vembanad Lake backwaters at Kumarakom and or like Thiruvallam near the city of Thiruvanthapuram offer plenty of venue options. The area home to beautiful wildlife, flora and greenery is decorated with majestic palm trees and provides a great setting for romance. You can even have your wedding on a luxurious houseboat, while calmly floating on the backwaters!

What people often don’t know is that Kerala is home to some amazingly pristine beaches. When couples think of beach weddings they often think of Goa, but Kerala has some stunning beaches as well. A lot of the beaches here are quiet, sun-kissed oasis’s, infused with plenty of local culture. Kovalam, Varkala, Allepey and Shankhmuagam are some of the more popular beach destinations. If you want to have a beach wedding that combines beautiful coastal scenes with tranquility, Kerala may be the place for you. Beach resorts abound, many with their own private hamlets away from crowds and any hustle bustle.

Kerala also has some stunning easily accessible hill stations which you can consider for your destination wedding. Munnar is one such destination with its rich greenery, tourist spots, charming towns and huge tea and spice plantations; its quaint and old world charm is great for a wedding destination. Some of the other popular and equally picturesque hill stations are Wayanad, Ponmudi, Tusharagiri etc. The fresh mountain breeze, waterfalls, springs and the rolling hills are so romantic.

You can plan everything from an exotic elephant wedding to functions in one of the many big metropolitans. There’s a lot to choose from, for your actual wedding functions and for pre and post wedding activities. Apart from the backwaters, beaches and hill stations, Kerala also offers wildlife sanctuaries with exotic wildlife, Ayurvedic centers, pilgrimage spots and accommodation suited to all budgets among others. Not to forget, some fabulous food!

A group of women out together with the only aim of having fun and celebrating the bride….  Bachelorette parties are all about the good times! If you are planning on taking an international trip for a bachelorette destination and are travelling with a very diverse bunch of people, there’s a perfect place to go – New York City! This thriving metropolis in New York state is one the most buzzing urban hubs to visit, more so with a group of your closest friends. NYC has all you could ever want in terms of entertainment, fashion, food, clubbing and luxury; it’s basically one of the most fun-nest destinations for a girlfriends’ getaway.

New York City has restaurants serving cuisines from around the world, luxury lounges, pricey nightclubs, smaller neighborhood pubs and loads of eccentric and kitschy establishments as well. You should definitely visit Times Square in the evening to people watch and restaurant hop. One of the best parts of the city is that you can find all kinds of eating places, everything from funky modern cuisine to quaint tea rooms for dessert and chitchat.

If you and your girls want to go nightclubbing there are literally hundreds of options to pick from depending on your neighbourhood. This city has some of the most popular places for more risqué bachelorette bashes: Clubs and theatre restaurants to go to if drag queen performers, naughty desserts and a decidedly unique atmosphere is your thing. There’s also other veneus with more intimate lounges and even strip tease classes.

Of course not everyone wants or will be comfortable doing anything too risqué so there’s tons of other girly stuff to try. Another interesting bachelorette party destination is ‘The Awesome 80s Prom’, an interactive and improv theatre where they recreate the best of a cheesy ‘80s high school prom experience and it’s totally interactive. Your turn to be prom queen maybe?! The Beauty Bar in the East Village is another bachelorette hotspot. It is a vintage beauty salon turned bar where you can get your manicure and a cocktail.

You cannot think of NYC without thinking of ‘Sex and the City’ a TV series that raised New York and girl bonding to cult status! So make like Carrie Bradshaw and the crew and take a Sex and the City tour where you take a bus tour and not only watch clips of the hit show but get to see all the places where the magic happened on set, like the characters’ apartment buildings, the Plaza and the famous Magnolia Bakery among others! If the ‘Friends’ series was more your cup of tea, you can explore more low key places in the city and the gorgeous Central Park. Carry goodies and have a lovely picnic in the park with your girls.

You cannot leave the city without visiting the famous Tiffany & Co., the luxury jewellery megasite and the place to drool over engagement rings that cost more than your yearly income. You could visit the gigantic flagship Macy’s store and end your day with a trip to the sinful Godiva Chocolatier close by. Not only do they have small goodies but also chocolate based drinks.

Parties, tourist spots, cultural spots, good food and tons of shopping… what more could any bunch of girls ask for. Stay tuned for more wedding planning tips from Marry Me – Mumbai wedding planners.

The practice of giving small gifts to your wedding guests i.e. wedding giveaways is an old one but still very popular among couples around the world. Centuries ago in Europe it was handing out sweets and almonds, but now you can create a special wedding giveaway that is perfect for your personality and the mood of the wedding. It is a great way to show your appreciation to guests who are present on your special day and a way to give them a little memento of this day you will never forget.

Firstly decide on whether you plan to have a wedding giveaway per table, per family, couple etc. or just for your nearest and dear and for which function. You can then decide accordingly about how personalized you want it to be. One of the ways to come up with what to give is the theme of your wedding. It could be something romantic like a vintage photo frame or contemporary like a CD with your wedding playlist and with its own personalized cover. If you have a specifc theme like a beach weddings think outside the box like a lovely tissue pouch filled with shell shaped candy, a pair of salt and pepper shakers shaped like flipflops or even beached themed candles. Whether you have themes like a fairytale theme or a Bollywood theme, it looks great when you take the effort to create a unique wedding favor that suits the event.

Personalized wedding favors are another way to send a little something of your wedding back home with your guests. Small gifts like shot glasses, wine corkscrews, champagne flutes etc. with a monogram of your names and the wedding date or design from the décor are so sweet. You could even consider personalized stationery, handkerchiefs, key chains book marks or pens. There’s also a lot you can do with do it yourself projects and tighter budgets. Small colourful pouches and decorated boxed filled with chocolates, miniature candles, personal notes with your favourite romantic poem and even a small sapling are some ideas. Make sure to take a little effort to prettify the packaging and make it special.

If you are planning on gifting wedding favors to a small bunch of people like say your closest girlfriends things like monogrammed compact mirrors or a personalized mani and pedi kit, a set of luxury soaps etc. are great gifts. For traditional Indian weddings you can consider things like a bandhni potli fileld with bangles, a set of two diyas, carved wooden or lac boxes, a box of mithai in your wedding colours and the like.

If you aren’t sure how to manage your Indian wedding giveaways, there a few options you can consider. If it’s a really small function you can hand it over personally or ask a family member to do so. You can also incorporate it into your centerpieces and you then have a nice two in one piece. One of the easiest ways to do it is to have a table set up with a sign requesting your guests to pick one up and thanking them for being there with you on this lovely occasion.

Do checkout this sundays matrimonial section in the Times Of India – Checkmate – where we answer questions from readers.

If you tend to gravitate toward old world glamour and swoon over the quaint charm of eras gone by, a vintage theme wedding may be the thing for you. A vintage theme can encompass so many eras and you need to incorporate the feel and mood of one that appeals to your sensibilities the most for e.g. vintage Hollywood glamour, the 1940s, Victorian elegance etc. A vintage theme is great for intimate weddings and for a classic romantic feel. Trendy as it is right now, vintage has this romantic timelessness that always appeals on such a nostalgic and emotional level.

One of the nicest parts about having a vintage themed wedding is that it will be unique to you and your groom, since ideas about what is a ‘vintage’ feel, differs from person to person. You can create the ambience with genuine vintage articles from years gone by or go more budget friendly with replicas and décor items that invoke that old world feel – think pretty porcelain figurines, lace, simple yet charming centerpieces etc.  Lush gardens, old bungalows and villas, museums, historic ballrooms etc. are great venue options for a vintage theme. A picturesque location is ideal.

One of the easiest ways to add a vintage touch to your décor is your tables. Elegant table covers in lovely pastels and pretty floral and antique-looking plates, jars and cutlery are so pretty. Subtle muted colours and lots of flowers, small pretty lights and quirky décor pieces are perfect. Try and interject pieces, patterns and designs from the era you want to celebrate. Get creative with your table centerpieces – Consider simple and budget friendly ideas like a big bowl strewn with old shiny brooches and pearl necklaces, feathers and faux jewels, glass jars with old black and white photos in them, porcelain vases or kettles with freshly-cut flowers or pictures of scenes from old black and white classic movies…. Simple, easy, affordable and totally cute! Adding a bit of intricately detailed lace, adds a vintage flair to almost everything from wedding décor to food. Add some detailing to your invites or have drapes with a lacey pattern or you can even as a pretty pattern on your wedding cake or other desserts.

Don’t forget the clothes! Western vintage wear is easy to find online and easier yet to replicate. Even if you don’t want to wear a totally retro outfit, vintage inspired touches and accessories also work perfectly. Research the era or exact theme you are aiming for like the flapper dresses of the 1920s, the sophistication of classic Hollywood etc. and take it forward from there. Keep in mind anything totally contemporary will look out of place and can ruin the feel. Keeping your hair-style and make-up time-frame appropriate is also important. You can even gift your wedding party or closest friends and relatives some vintage accessories like sparkling brooches, faux fur, top hats etc.

Lastly the music and entertainment also depends on the era you want to invoke. Live bands playing old favourites, jazz bands and other old school music styles work well. If that kind of music isn’t your scene at all, just make sure you don’t go completely modern.

How far you go with your theme, vintage or otherwise is entirely up to you and your spouse. You could go totally old world or enrich the wedding with vintage inspired touches as long as it holds that special appeal for you. Stay tuned for more tips from Marry Me\’s wedding planning team.