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.

Did you know, before the printing press was invented, the town criers in England would orally announce the latest news including that of a wedding happening in the town! Now we have gorgeous wedding invites that we can send out to all our near and dear ones to be part of our special day. The wedding invitation is not just a way to invite guests anymore but sets the tone for the celebrations you have in mind. Also, the gamut of wedding stationery options available today let you announce your nuptials in style and create a lovely theme that carries over into your functions.

The wedding invitation is a formal invite that lets your guests know where and when you have decided to have your wedding. It also gives them a glimpse of what kind of wedding you are planning, how casual or formal, the style you have in mind etc. So there\’s defintiely a lot to think about when you go about choosing your card. The numerous options available in different types of paper and colors are mind-boggling but also ensure that you will find exactly what you need representing your special day / days or then find someone who will make it for you.

Customised and personal invites are exceedingly popular today. You can choose the print, the theme, logos, pictures and the aesthetic that will blend in with the day of your dreams. Another trend that\’s increasingly popular is packageing your invitations along with other wedding notes and maybe a small gift, in a beautiful boxed invitation set. Invitations are indicative of the wedding itself as well as your personality so be as formal or quirky as you want the theme to be. Be as creative and make it as personalised as your budget allows. Talk to wedding stationery designers and your wedding planner in India to come up with something that is exclusively yours.

While the main wedding invitation is a given, but there are other wedding stationery items that you could include in your package. One such option is the \’save the date  / days\’  cards. These allow you to inform your guests of your wedding dates, timings and plans well in advance and are extrememly handy when you are inviting people from out of town or abroad. If you are having a wedding and different functions spanning over different days, make sure you print seperate cards so that you can invite specific people to specific functions. Consider including RSVP cards that your guests can use  ; these are not only conveneient for them but also let you figure out a ballpark number of people you can expect and make certain bookings for.

Once you decide what kind of wedding invites you want and what colours styles etc., don\’t forget the outer packaging. The envelope, box or whatever packaging you decide on is the first thing your invite recepients will see.

St. James Palace made an announcement about what vehicles Prince William and Kate Middleton will be using for their grand wedding on the 29^th of April this year and the rest of the transport arrangements. No flashy stretch limos for this couple; a carriage awaits this fairytale prince and princess!

William and Kate will naturally be arriving at the Abbey separately before they tie the knot. Before she officially becomes a member of the royal family, Kate Middleton will be driven to the Westminster Abbey with her father, in a Rolls Royce Phantom VI. This isn’t just any old car though; quite strangely it is the same Rolls Royce in which Prince Charles and Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall were attacked by student protestors. The car hasn’t been used since and is now being driven to usher Kate into holy matrimony.

After the wedding the bride and groom will be driven out of the Abbey to Buckingham Palace in sheer storybook style… in a lovely open top carriage! This lovely 109 year old red and gold horse drawn State Landau carriage will be used to usher out the newlyweds in the same august style as the prince’s parents. This carriage was built for Queen Elizabeth’s grandfather King Edward VII and is more famously known to the adoring public to have carried out Prince Charles and Lady Diana after their wedding in 1981. There is also a back-up option against the unpredictable weather –  in case of a downpour the royal wedding couple will use the glass coach used by the late Princess Di on her wedding day.

After the wedding, the prince and his new princess will leave followed by a procession of four other coaches carrying members of the wedding party and family. The second carriage will carry the prince’s best man his brother Prince Harry and the bride’s sister Pippa her maid of honor.

Watch this space for more details on the royal wedding from Marry Me\’s Indian wedding planning team.

Ooooh honeymoon planning…..the reward for getting through the wedding and your relationship with your smiles intact! When you really want to let loose and plan a honeymoon of a lifetime, a \’have it all\’ destination like Las Vegas suits the bill. Las Vegas in Nevada (U.S.A.), is definitely the it destination for sin and wild, spur of the moment trips, gambling and shotgun weddings. However, it can be romantic, exciting and very thrilling…perfect for honeymooners looking for action, of all kinds!

One of the biggest and most popular things to do in Vegas, would be the casinos of course. And there are no shortage of them. However, most people forget that these casinos are housed in gorgeous hotels. With themes on everything under the sun, exploring these hotels like The Bellagio, The Wynn, The MGM Grand etc is an awesome experience and almost like a mini world tour. If you always wanted to visit the Eiffel tower, head over to The Paris Hotel  and dine and romance under the huge Eiffel tower replica…head over to the humoungous pyramid shaped Luxor hotel….feel like a lazy gondola ride in Italy, head to the Venetian for a lovely ride within the hotel itself! Where else in the world can you be serenaded by a gondolier and entertained by a flashy Elvis within the same morning; all in a days work at the Las Vegas Strip. Couples can find plenty of stuff to do within these gorgeous hotels itself. Check out the ever changing foyer decor and exhibits at hotels like the Bellagio and walk under stars in the day at Paris.

Do find out about honeymoon packages that these hotels offer; some of them offer the works, champagne, gifts et all. Needless to say there are famed nightclubs, restaurants and numerous buzzing party hot spots all over the city. Clubs like Tao, Rain and Pure are popular with Hollywood celebs and tourists alike. Vegas is definitely the land of entertainment. They are numerous world class and super famous shows running throughout the year like the different versions of the outlandish and fascinating Cirque du Soleil. Make sure you find out about the free shows that many hotels have. If you and your spouse are in the mood to spend some more money, there is tons of shopping to be had, from the biggest in designer names to fashion outlet stores.

If you have your fill of the nightlife and hotel and casino hopping, there are other couply things you can do on your Vegas honeymoon. It\’s easy enough to get away from the crowd and retreat into a more peaceful world for the two of you. You could rent a car or plan a tour to the gorgeous Red Rock area (approximately 20 miles from the city) for a lovely picnic and beautiful desert scenery. You and your sweetheart can head for a romantic sunrise picnic and helicopter tour, at the magnificent Grand Canyon. Although it is more than four hours away by road, the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon are must-visits.

Las Vegas can be overwhelming, but what better way to start your marriage than with excitement and thrill. This honeymoon destination is definitely not for those looking for a quiet getaway, but the loads of activities and the novelty definitely makes for a super fun one. Post a super hectic Indian wedding, Las Vegas might be a perfect place to unwind and have a blast!

Most couples including many celebs wait to see what weird and wonderful  wedding gifts they will receive on their wedding day, not this famous royal couple though! Prince William and the lovely Catherine Middleton (Kate), who quite possibly have access to everything their hearts desire, have decided to travel down a far more noble and giving route.

This week the young couple made a request that their wedding guests and well wishers make a charitable contribution instead of purchasing them wedding gifts! The prince and the future princess have set up a charitable gift fund and have requested people considering buying them a wedding present make a contribution to either of the charities from their selection.

In a time when the economy not only in Britain but the world over is hurting and stumbling along, this gesture is sure to bring them tons of goodwill. A list of 26 charities has been released including an anti-bullying organization, wildlife conservation organizations, children’s rights and support charities, charities supporting the furthering of arts and sports and much, much more.

Blue-blooded and grand as this entire royal wedding may be, William and Kate’s generosity has sweetened them to the general public even more. It’s also a great idea for all you couples getting married soon….even a small helping hand can go a long way and you can only have that many toasters and crystal glasses!

Stay tuned for more details on the royal wedding from Marry Me – Wedding Planners in India.

Do check out the Times of India – Matrimonial section – Checkmate on 20th March 2011 where we answer questions from readers.

Summer’s here and it couldn’t be a better time than now to get your hands on some dreamy resort wear.  And, who else does resort wear better than the queen of resort wear herself? Read on to find out more as we let you in on our favourite looks at the Lakme Fashion Week 2011!

Pria Kataaria Puri

Pria Kataaria Puri is known as the Queen of Resort Wear because this is what she does best. In fact, her clientele includes Madonna, Paris Hilton and Vanessa Paradis (Johhny Depp’s beautiful French partner). This time around, her collection titled “Marrakesh” once again hit the spot. Using a wide spectrum of colours ranging from white, yellow, orange, apple green and teal green right up to teal pink, burgundy, navy and black, Pria Kataaria Puri’s collection certainly depicted resort wear at its best. Kaftans, flowing maxis, tunics, dresses, blouses and saris in Moroccan and Arabesque prints floated on and off the ramp. Her collection just makes us want to take off on a dreamy holiday to Morocco!

Gauri & Nainika

The designer duo Gauri & Nainika, known for their dreamy collections and clean cut silhouettes, once again presented their stunning creations at the grand finale show of Lakme Fashion Week 2011. Their collection this time, was based on the Fantasy Collection of cosmetics by Lakme and included 5 different looks namely Sugar Plum Fairy in shades of pink, Snow Queen in all hues of the rainbow, The Cloud Princess abundant in blues and greens, The Wandering Butterfly, and Goddess of Gold. Their collection comprised cocktail dresses, one shoulder lace pieces, taffeta pencil dresses, mermaid lace and tulle ensembles and ball gowns in lace and satin. We loved the dramatic look of their collection. We think they’d be perfect for weddings, cocktail parties and other formal dos, for one of those days when you wish to feel like a fairy queen! Stay tuned for more fashion related articles from your favorite wedding planner in India.

Day 2 of the Lakme Fashion Week looked highly promising, not just for fashion buyers, but also for those with a keen sense of style. Looking to stock up on some resort wear for your upcoming honeymoon? Or perhaps you are on the lookout for some chic and cool clothes for the summer. You’ll find all this and more as we talk about our favourite picks from day 2 of LFW 2011. And, all you men who’ve been wondering where and when you might finally get your hands on some wearable summer fashion, you’ll find that in here too!

Shivan & Naresh

Shivan & Naresh are the kings of luxury beachwear, more commonly referred to as resort wear. They certainly got their colours right with the “Vanilla” look, perfect for lounging by the beach. Vintage touches teamed with splashes of colour took centre stage at the Shivan & Naresh show.

Besides their fantastic use of tankinis and bikinis, you will definitely love their body suits, dresses, kaftans and maxi dresses. We love the delicate pinks teamed with bright reds, blues and hints of grey. The colours have been used beautifully and the silhouettes created are beyond outstanding. And, we totally loved the jewellery. So very chic! Besides, the pieces they used added to the sophisticated look of the designer duo’s collection. We think these would be perfect for honeymoons. So you might want to stock up!

Manish Malhotra

The king of ethnic wear showcased his new men and women’s collection on day 2 of LFW 2011. Needless to say, the king of ethnic lived up to his name. His women’s line comprised voluminous lehengas and kurtas with silver zari work, perfect for Indian weddings! Also spotted clearly was the generous use of 3D rose embroidery. We also loved the low backs with high collars. A perfect way to look chic and show off your sexy back! And totally apt for the summer bride!

Another thing that caught our eye was Manish Malhotra’s men’s wear. His very interesting collection of men’s wear comprised sherwanis, kurtas and sharply cut jackets teamed with Pathanis, slim trousers and Jodhpuri pants. Beautiful textures complemented hues like beige, navy and grey.

Anita Dongre

Her summer line aptly named “Love and Love” reflected just this with the subtle use of colours like rose pink, powder blue and pale yellow. Anita Dongre seems to love the cool and comfortable ‘Mul’ fabric and this time around she used it well to her advantage. One-shoulder cotton gowns, empire line kurtas with loose pajamas, lehengas and formal gowns bedazzled her resort wear collection. We love the use of white in Anita Dongre’s collection, simply because she used it well and without a hint of excess. Her showstopper dress modelled by Dipanita Sharma was certainly a sight for sore eyes for us. We love the delicate use of blush pink. We think Indian brides will love Anita Dongre’s collection simply because she can make any one look beautiful and delicate in subtly shaded and ornate wear without the need to over-accessorise.

In the land of high profile hook ups, break ups and weddings, another of America’s sweethearts is set to tie the knot this month. Blond beauty Reese Witherspoon most popularly known for her role of the lovable Elle Woods in Legally Blonde has been engaged to fiancé Jim Toth since the end of last year.

After a much publicized first marriage and media covered divorce and dating life, actress Reese Witherspoon and her Hollywood agent fiancé Jim Toth have been happily dating for over a year now. Toth is said to have popped the question in December last year and the cute couple have been busy planning their reportedly romantic and intimate spring time wedding which will not exceed 100 guests. Sources say the date is 26^th March 2011 and Reese plans to have plenty of white roses and lilies as part of her wedding theme at Ojai Valley country estate in California. We also hear that she’s planning to wear a Monique Lhuillier dress for her big day and is doing a lot of yoga and other cardio to get fit to walk down the aisle.

More dazzling than the attractive couple is the sparkler on Reese’s finger for sure! The 4 carat diamond and platinum engagement ring is set with a gorgeous Ashoka diamond. Witherspoon’s ring has 62 displayed facets, rounded corners and a classy, understated vintage-y feel. Known for her elegant and effortless style aesthetic, we all wait to see what pretty outfit takes center-stage at this lovely lady’s wedding.

Stay tuned to Marry Me – The Wedding Planners for details on upcoming celebrity weddings.

As Prince William and Kate Middleton go through their wedding planning checklist, another grand detail has been brought to light. The young couple has finally decided on the musical selection for their highly anticipated wedding!

The wedding ceremony and other functions set for the 29^th of April at the historic Westminster Abbey will be accompanied by aptly traditional melodious choices. Royal officials confirmed that the royal wedding music will be provided by two choirs. The London Chamber Orchestra, which is the country’s oldest orchestra, will be joined by the esteemed choir of the Westminster Abbey itself as well as other professional singers. Being a member of the Royal Air Force, Prince William and his lady love have but naturally decided to have the Royal Air Forces fanfare team perform on their special day. Once the ceremony is over, Prince Charles’s official harpist Claire Jones will be performing at the magnificent reception at the Buckingham Palace.

The Palace reps also released statements saying that the musical selection \”will include a number of well-known hymns and choral works as well as some specially commissioned pieces.\” Guess the rumor of bigwigs of the music world like Sir Elton John and James Blunt performing at the prince’s April wedding has given way to a more ceremonial and classically elegant reality!

Stay tuned for more details on the royal wedding from Marry Me – Wedding Planners in India.

Cricket mania has certainly gripped the entire nation, what with the ongoing World Cup Cricket. But that’s not on every fashionista’s mind right now. A major event for the fashion world, the Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2011 kicked off on Friday at Grand Hyatt in Mumbai, and this is where we found our focal point!

Showcasing the latest collections by established to emerging designers, right up to accessory designers is what Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) is all about. And just like every major fashion show in every fashion community of the world, it’s also about who’s wearing what, who’s spotted on the front row and sometimes who’s with whom!

Well, we loved a few looks from the first day itself.  We’ll go into depth about each of the designers that caught our fancy. So read on and get the scoop if you have been out of the Indian fashion loop!

Sabyasachi Mukherjee

With over 10 years experience in the fashion industry, Sabyasachi Mukherjee has come a long way, always showcasing collections that emphasise strong looks, with a touch of bohemian chic. He is known to draw inspiration from things and events around him. His collection this year is dedicated to the “Save Our Tigers” cause, and his interpretation of the endangered Sunderban forest cover was bang on target. Off beat, earthy, chic are some of the words we can come up with to describe Sabyasachi’s latest line. We love the boho chic look using traditional Indian fabrics.
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