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.

The Marwar Mega Wedding Show in Mumbai was certainly a hit with grooms-and-brides-to-be as well as for their families what with the plethora of stalls that displayed wedding finery, mehendi artists, jewellery and gift packaging! Further, newly wed couples also had an amazing opportunity to stock up on wonderful products for their new home at the many home stores at this show. And, if anyone happened to be looking out for that big fat Indian wedding gift, they’d surely find it at this very exhibition. Here are some excellent stores that were carefully handpicked by us out of the many home stores at the Marwar mega Wedding Show.

Spazio

This stall certainly caught our eye as you can see from the photograph above. Cushions of all colors, designs and fabrics took center stage at the Spazio stall. Themed cushions that ranged from dull gold Buddhas to funky prints right up to football clubs like Manchester United stood out bright and clear. Ruchit Kapoor, Director of Sales at Spazio mentioned that the company is well known for its customizable cushions that could well be a part of the wedding trousseau.

Divyavastra

Divyavastra is basically a store that offers intricately carved and crafted idols of deities, temple decoration material and other devotional embellishments used in religious activities. However, the main attraction of Divyavastra’s offerings lies in its handcrafted fabric that is made out of Gold and Silver. In fact, Divyavastra has patented this fabric, which is created from 14k, 18k and 22k gold and sterling silver. The Radha-Krishna statuettes definitely make for wonderful wedding gifts for a newly wed Indian couple.

Nyassa

Everybody’s favorite store for handmade, natural body products also had a cute store that was almost always crowded with intrigued onlookers and shoppers.  Interestingly, the word Nyassa has its origins in a Sanskrit word that means healing through touch and by chanting. Yummy products that smelt as good as they looked were displayed in an enchanting way. Along with soaps, Nyassa also does room fresheners, lip balms, bath salts and creams. Their hampers are definitely worth a look and make for wonderful gifts.

Rosenthal meets Versace!

Further down the line, we visited Rosenthal, famous for its contemporary table pieces including dinner sets. One section of the stall really caught our fancy, and that was Rosenthal’s Versace line of home pieces.  Delicately engraved dinnerware with the ubiquitous Versace logo were on display. We think one of these Rosenthal-Versace dinner sets could be a unique yet elegant wedding gift.

Lladro

Right next to Rosenthal was Lladro’s well set up stall. Lladro, a brand synonymous with artistic porcelain creations is well known globally. At this show too they made their mark with Indian themed creations like a well-crafted Radha-Krishna pair of statues. We really loved their bride and groom porcelain figures too!

Stay tuned for more on Indian weddings from your favorite wedding planners in India.

The 10^th Anniversary of the Marwar Mega Wedding Show that took place in Mumbai over the weekend indeed kept up to its name. From trousseau shopping, to gift packaging, to Mehndi artists and jewelry, to wedding shopping on the whole, it was definitely the place to be for all Indian brides-to-be.

Read on, as we take you on a round up of the rich wedding attire that was showcased at this event.

Walking through the labyrinthine maze of well-decorated stalls, we came across a good number of stores that catered to attire for Indian brides and their families. Grooms-to-be did not have much choice in this department though.

Glitter, shimmer, georgettes, lace, precious stones, heavy embroidery are words that one can only associate with an Indian bride. Right enough, we stood face to face with intricately designed lehengas, saris and kurtas, the best of which were displayed on mannequins at the storefront.

One brand that really caught our eye was Maya Wedding, a retail arm of the renowned Gitanjali Group. This time Maya solely showcased high-end wedding garments at the event. But, the brand also encompasses exotic jewelry. Famous Indian designers like Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, Shantanu and Nikhil, Neetu Gupta and Payal Kapoor come under the Maya umbrella. So you can expect nothing but the best in traditional Indian wedding attire at a store like Maya. Visit their Mumbai branch in Atria Mall, Worli.

Sari drapes by Shaina NC also took centre stage at the Marwar Mega Wedding Show. The designer brought out a good deal of sparkle with her line of saris in fabrics as delicate as nets, georgettes, and gosmea nets, paired with intricately embroidered brocades and borders.

Okay, so we’ve let you in on the exhibition’s best wedding attire for women. However, grooms-to-be and their family who came in search of decent wedding attire might have been a bit discouraged as there seemed to be just one store who catered to them. BadaSaab, an age-old brand established way back in 1976 could have made up for the lack of stores catering to menswear for weddings.  And, they sure did with great panache! First off, the store was done up in the most tasteful way, in our opinion the best display and décor of the show. The attire included a range of sherwanis, bandghalas, achkans and western suits too. What’s more, they came in fabrics to suit all tastes, from the richly embroidered to the light and breezy variety; from loud prints to subtle shades of brown and dull gold. Visit their store on Waterfield Road in Mumbai to get a better idea.

On the 2^nd day of Marwar Mega Wedding Show, we were privileged to attend a fashion show, which was indeed the highlight of the event, and it of course provided us at the Marryme stall with a good-enough breather and break from the lengthy 3-day event.

Presented by Nakshatra, yet another jewelry and accessory brand of Gitanjali, the fashion show took off with models who donned Nakshatra’s beautifully crafted jewelry and an entire line of formal wear by Wendell Rodricks, Goa’s famous designer. Stepping away from his usually breezy resort collections, Wendell went for an all-black look as the models strutted down the ramp with enough oomph that could even put a peacock to shame! That’s what a Wendell Rodricks creation can do for anyone. Nakshatra’s bespoke jewelry also kept up to its name with platinum and gold creations all handcrafted in subtle and imaginative designs.

The 2^nd fashion show showcased Maya Wedding’s entire range of men and women’s wedding attire. Deep reds, maroons, bottle greens, gold and silver dominated the show in traditional wedding wear like lehengas, saris and sherwanis by famous Indian designers. This show was well choreographed as both the male and female models played out their part as the traditional Indian groom proudly sashaying down the ramp with his coy bride.

We were proud to be the wedding planners in India that partnered Marwar for the 10th Anniversary of the show. Stay tuned as we plan to bring you some more glitter and gold in a roundup of the best traditional Indian wedding jewelry showcased at the Marwar Mega Wedding Show.

You can checkout this Sunday’s matrimonial section in the Times of India – Check mate.

Marry Me- The Wedding Planners had a wonderful time at the Marwar Mega Wedding Show. Incidentally, it was the 10^th Anniversary celebrations of this yearly event, and keeping with the celebratory mood, all of the exhibitors went all out to put up their finest displays.

We at MarryMe had a splendid time setting up the décor for our concept design-style stall. Birdcages, beautiful flower arrangements in blush, white and pink tones, candles and drapes blended in seamlessly with the décor. And how can we ever forget to mention that we had our favorite cupcakes on display (they turned out to be a hit with the exhibition’s visitors once again!).

Shades of pink took centre stage at our stall and the lighting was just perfect too! Simply put, it was very pleasing to the eye. Nothing pleases us more than seeing the metamorphosis of an empty stall into a beautiful space that exudes warmth.

We met a lot of interesting people who wanted to learn more about MarryMe- The Wedding Planners’ services, as well as a number of vendors. We met old friends and made a few new ones. All in all, the exhibition turned out to be quite a hit for just about everyone- for brides and grooms-to-be and their families, as well as the exhibitors themselves.

We were glad to be a part of yet another mega wedding show. After all, we simply love conceptualizing weddings and related parties!

Stay tuned for 2 more posts on the Marwar Mega Wedding Show from your favorite wedding planner in India. More about some interesting gift stores and jewelry brands at the Marwar Mega Wedding Show coming up soon!

Do not forget to checkout this Sunday\’s Matrimonial section in the Times of India.

We answer a question about long or short bridesmaids dresses.

The scoop on the big celebrity wedding! So finally the secret wedding of Chelsea Clinton took place yesterday in Rhinebeck. Her father walked her down the aisle and she looked stunning in a Vera Wang dress. She was glowing and looked absolutely stunning. We hear that her mother Hillary Clinton wore an Oscar de la Renta gown. The spend on the wedding was in excess of 3 million USD!

The total guests were about 500 and it was very surprising that Obama or Oprah were not seen any where near the wedding. Thats quite a good number of guests considering it is Bill Clinton\’s daughters wedding.  A couple of days ago Obama mentioned that the wedding would not be private if he was invited. There would be too much sercurity, the FBI & the secret service if the two presidents partied in the same room at the former presidents daughters wedding.

Yes, it’s the end of an era. So what was it like when the curtains closed on the Pearls Delhi Couture Week? It was grand and massive with lots of stardust. The sixth day of this mega event, starring multi-designers from all over India definitely established one fact – Delhi knows how it’s done. Rakesh Agarwal, Rina Dhaka and Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla showcased their collections on the last day of the Pearls Delhi Couture Week. Read on to know the verdict!

Rakesh’s collection had a mix of Indian as well as Western clothes. The Western clothes in particular were très chic. One shoulder, figure hugging, Grecian dresses with detailed bling and other evening dresses were truly enigmatic. His bridal clothes, however, didn’t quite manage to enthral the audiences. With Jacqueline Fernandez walking as the show-stopper in bridal attire, one would expect a lot of oooing and aaaing. Alas that wasn’t the case. Compared to the masterpieces created by other designers on previous days of the couture week, his bridal collection was far from unique.

Rina Dhaka’s collection, mostly comprising of evening sarees followed the whole noir theme as far as styling was concerned. The models looked ravishingly stunning and the clothes had a strong and yet feminine persona. Far from traditional, the clothes depicted the taste of unconventional women who do not shy away from experimenting. Lara Dutta, the show-stopper walked the ramp for Rina in a gorgeous off-beat black and silver ensemble. The crystal embellished blouse in particular looked gorgeous on the ex Miss. Universe. Inspired by cobwebs, Rina’s collection was full of nets, fringes and interweaving tangles.

Fashion big-wigs Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla bid adieu to the Pearls Delhi Couture Week with their “bling it on” collection. Lots of shimmer, shine, bling and patent Abu Sandeep embroidery dominated the show. The biggest surprise, however, was socialite Shweta Nanda and charming Aussie cricketer Brett Lee walking the ramp as show-stoppers. Shweta looked marvellous in a gold gown with lots of huge lotus embellishments. Brett lee looked cuter than ever in a sherwani, accompanied by his beatific smile. Overall, the whole collection was dramatic with lots of sequins work, dazzle and geometric shapes. The ample use of copper, gold and bronze gave the clothes a regal look.

Brides and grooms, now that you know what’s hot this season what are you waiting for? Your perfect wedding outfits are not gonna come knocking at your doorstep, are they? Stay tuned for more fashion tips and reviews from your favorite Indian wedding planner.

When a designer who has managed to tie up with the world-renowned accessory brand Judith Leiber showcases his designs, you expect his collection to be ground breaking. And yes, it is safe to say that Suneet Verma was more than successful in mesmerising the audiences with his collection on day five of the Pearls Delhi Couture Week. It’s great to see how refined Indian fashion has become in the last few years. With more and more international labels, magazines and other brands coming to India, the country’s fashion is maturing and budding to say the least. And designers like Suneet Verma are taking Indian fashion a few steps forward, every time they showcase their designs.

Big hair, long ghaghras, subtle pastel shades, and lots of tassels – Suneet’s collection had a beautiful melange of avant-garde creations blended perfectly well with Indian influences. His bridal outfits in particular were a visual treat. The peach, beige and other pastel coloured outfits made the models look both sensual and traditional at the same time. The delicate golden thread work and Swarovski elements added to the already magnificent bridal clothes. The styling of the show reeked of Suneet’s international standards and perfectionist attitude. If there is one designer in the Indian fashion industry who can juxtapose contemporary fashion and conventional traditions, it’s Suneet. Impending brides will soon be seen thronging outside his showrooms. 

 If you are not fond of bold colours when it comes to traditional outfits, then you probably would not have applauded Varul Bahl’s collection. Purple, deep red, maroon, and dark green; Varun banished the rules of using subtle colours in bridal clothes. The delicate zardosi work and big velvet borders gave the show a unique concoction of modernity with Victorian charm. More like an ode to today’s smart, multi-tasking and bold woman. Use of several rich fabrics, such as silk, georgette and velvet gave the clothes a magnificent aura of freshness. To sum it up, Varul’s collection was a breath of fresh air.

Indian weddings are all about flamboyance, tradition and extravagance. Unlike in the West, people in India plan their big fat wedding months or even years in advance. With the help of fashion and couture weeks brides and grooms can plan ahead their outfits for various Indian wedding functions (Indian weddings are no longer one day drab events). When you spend crazy amounts on the décor and food at your wedding, you certainly won’t don an off the rack outfit on your special day.

If you have been following this space and wondering how come none of the Bollywood big-wigs have walked the ramp for any of the designers yet, then you are going to love the scoop on day four of this magnificent couture week. Though the stars weren’t really missing in action; Manav’s Gangwani’s audience comprised of many starlets, surprisingly the trend of a certain Bollywood babe or hunk, walking arm in arm with the designer as the show-stopper hadn’t happened just yet. Well, day four couldn\’t have been more star-studded. With Anil Kapoor walking the ramp for Anamika Khannaa along with the girls from Aisha (releasing next month) and Kangna Ranaut ending JJ Valaya’s show, day four definitely outdid the previous three days of the event.

Anamika’s show was more like a dream world meets subtle reality by way of Grecian designs and chic cuts. She rightly described it as “the emotional journey of a bride”. Her aim was to depict the different moods of the bride by way of her fabulous clothes. The long capes with rich zardosi and detailed thread work and velvet borders made the models look both fierce and feminine at the same time. Most of the clothes were in non-nonsense shades – lots of black, nudes, ivory and lots of gold.

It was not the svelte models that stole show; it was 50 something, more charming than ever – Anil Kapoor; he walked the ramp alongside Lisa Hayden and Ira Dubey. He was wearing a dandy black bandhgala and looking absolutely dapper.

JJ Valaya, known for his rich bridal clothes, detailed work, lots of bling elements and bright hues set the runway on fire with his creations. Most models walked the ramp in gold jackets teamed with beautiful ghaghras and lehengas. Peach, pink, red, peacock blue – the delicate colours and amazing detailing of the lehengas would have made any Indian bride shed at least a few tears. The hair tied in no-frills fashion took your attention straight to the clothes, which were indescribable. Kangna ranaut, the show-stopper was wearing the most beautiful bridal attire ever. The lehenga, which must have weighed as much as Ms. Ranaut, made her look like a decadent princess walking towards her throne. The kundan jewellery only added to the extravagance of the outfit.

On day four of the couture week, a super star like Anil Kapoor descended on the runway and Kangna made a pretty picture in a startling bridal outfit. Well, now that’s a double whammy for all Bollywood and fashion lovers.

You can checkout this Sunday’s matrimonial section in the Times of India – Check mate.