It’s been almost a month since we got married. I don’t want to make this post sound like a diary entry, forgive me if it does; I haven’t blogged since quite sometime. I miss being the bride…I miss all the madness. The intent however remains a KT to “Would be” brides and to the ones who already walked the road and will nod while reading this.
Come to think of it, I always wanted the “Great Indian Wedding”. Not as magnanimous as the show on NDTV, but then great in its own stride of greatness. When it really, more so “Finally” was happening, I was overwhelmed by the entire process. A bride definitely gets terrified at least a week before the D day. It happens and is inevitable. On the female graph, I would put the irritation levels above PMS. People, who ordinarily wouldn’t have taken so much shit, begin to. It’s cuz of the trump card, you really are the Queen.
There is this weird memoir of the day, while I was walking down the aisle. I was extremely nervous, actually quite scared. It was cuz this was the first time I was wearing heels. I had had horrific dreams of falling off, while walking. I heard some aunts saying things like “Oh..how sweet…kitna sharma rahi hai dulhan…”
I could have puked in my mouth. I walked down fine, I kept looking down…people would now know why. The only time I lift my eye lids were for Arun – the photographer. The pictures are brilliant by the way….
The wedding was a 7 course meal and it was spread across 5 days.
There were “oh-so-many puja’s”, “the mehndi”, “ladies sangeet” “a cocktail” etc etc
It was a lot of fun, for the guests of course. My dad’s pockets were burnt, my mom was crying again n again, my sis was running around and I was jittery. The guests (especially the ones who didn’t really matter) were having a gala time.
Coming to the handy tips:
If you are organizing this all by yourself, the Indian brides usually don’t get to do this all by themselves. But then we do have a say. All that for independence.
This section is very “Sadi Dilli” specific, cuz I got married in that city, and I personally feel that is the only place in India where it is such big a deal. Other cities are still evolving when it comes to turning it into a Broadway musical. Delhites are veterans….
It is one of the greatest and easiest (well not anymore) ways to earn money. A project manager is a must, and we both felt that what we needed the most was a PM. We have self proclaimed ourselves as wedding planners the next time there is a wedding in the family. More on that later….moving on….
Photographer / Videographer:
Prem Studio
Photographer: Arun
One may find them irritating while they are at it.
But the results later on are phenomenal.
But it would be really great, if the old school of an Indian wedding photo session went through some evolution. The couples nowadays look for moments, fakeness that looks natural and video’s which could be documentaries.
Nevertheless, Prem studio would evolve. As of now, they simply are the best!
Make up: Ambika Pillai
The successful Delhi based entrepreneur doesn’t do it herself now. She has even stopped administering the process. But then pick up any of her senior artists and after that just leave it to them. Too much of meddling in their business, isn’t helpful – a lesson from the engagement.
An advice here would be, when leaving for the salon, dress very plane Jane’ish. The transition is extremely overwhelming. This is D day, you couldn’t have looked prettier. That’s a fact!
Mehndi vaala:
I have forgotten his name. But he sits in the Alaknanda market. All the GK-1 M block fella’s are good as well. These guys are true artists. This one was particularly strict, but then all worth it. Few traces of the mehndi still remain…..
Another flashback: People especially uncles getting sloshed in the evening and then dancing. It wasn’t joyous for anything specific. It was just joyous….I miss the frolic!
De Chuda:
Should be brought from Lajpat Nagar. More importantly, it should be worn…They do appear cheesy when you see women in bikinis wearing them on their honey moon. The worst part is. Why post them on the social networks! That’s where it just doesn’t match. They completely go with the wedding attire. They are considered auspicious (why leave a stone unturned?) and you can always have a shortcut of a 11 day time frame.
Cards:
Build a wedding website. It’s fun. There is:
Firstphera.com
Ewedding.com
Create event reminders on Face book. The e-way is really the best way to reach out to people. And then, there are always emails.
The paper card was quite classy and was ordered from Rajinder Nagar. But running around distributing cards, is no fun!
Venue:
Delhi has so many options, since weddings are quite an industry there.
Eg. Claremont, Farm houses, Lutyens, Tivoli etc.
Bangalore is limited to hotels and kalyan mantaps.
There is so much more that I would have forgotten. I would write more entries about the most important day of my life in months to come.
I miss all the madness now. I really do…
Wish a bride would realize it then, and not when she skims through the albums. WB’s…I urge you all to at least try.
Come to think of it, I always wanted the “Great Indian Wedding”. Not as magnanimous as the show on NDTV, but then great in its own stride of greatness. When it really, more so “Finally” was happening, I was overwhelmed by the entire process. A bride definitely gets terrified at least a week before the D day. It happens and is inevitable. On the female graph, I would put the irritation levels above PMS. People, who ordinarily wouldn’t have taken so much shit, begin to. It’s cuz of the trump card, you really are the Queen.
There is this weird memoir of the day, while I was walking down the aisle. I was extremely nervous, actually quite scared. It was cuz this was the first time I was wearing heels. I had had horrific dreams of falling off, while walking. I heard some aunts saying things like “Oh..how sweet…kitna sharma rahi hai dulhan…”
I could have puked in my mouth. I walked down fine, I kept looking down…people would now know why. The only time I lift my eye lids were for Arun – the photographer. The pictures are brilliant by the way….
The wedding was a 7 course meal and it was spread across 5 days.
There were “oh-so-many puja’s”, “the mehndi”, “ladies sangeet” “a cocktail” etc etc
It was a lot of fun, for the guests of course. My dad’s pockets were burnt, my mom was crying again n again, my sis was running around and I was jittery. The guests (especially the ones who didn’t really matter) were having a gala time.
Coming to the handy tips:
If you are organizing this all by yourself, the Indian brides usually don’t get to do this all by themselves. But then we do have a say. All that for independence.
This section is very “Sadi Dilli” specific, cuz I got married in that city, and I personally feel that is the only place in India where it is such big a deal. Other cities are still evolving when it comes to turning it into a Broadway musical. Delhites are veterans….
It is one of the greatest and easiest (well not anymore) ways to earn money. A project manager is a must, and we both felt that what we needed the most was a PM. We have self proclaimed ourselves as wedding planners the next time there is a wedding in the family. More on that later….moving on….
Photographer / Videographer:
Prem Studio
Photographer: Arun
One may find them irritating while they are at it.
But the results later on are phenomenal.
But it would be really great, if the old school of an Indian wedding photo session went through some evolution. The couples nowadays look for moments, fakeness that looks natural and video’s which could be documentaries.
Nevertheless, Prem studio would evolve. As of now, they simply are the best!
Make up: Ambika Pillai
The successful Delhi based entrepreneur doesn’t do it herself now. She has even stopped administering the process. But then pick up any of her senior artists and after that just leave it to them. Too much of meddling in their business, isn’t helpful – a lesson from the engagement.
An advice here would be, when leaving for the salon, dress very plane Jane’ish. The transition is extremely overwhelming. This is D day, you couldn’t have looked prettier. That’s a fact!
Mehndi vaala:
I have forgotten his name. But he sits in the Alaknanda market. All the GK-1 M block fella’s are good as well. These guys are true artists. This one was particularly strict, but then all worth it. Few traces of the mehndi still remain…..
Another flashback: People especially uncles getting sloshed in the evening and then dancing. It wasn’t joyous for anything specific. It was just joyous….I miss the frolic!
De Chuda:
Should be brought from Lajpat Nagar. More importantly, it should be worn…They do appear cheesy when you see women in bikinis wearing them on their honey moon. The worst part is. Why post them on the social networks! That’s where it just doesn’t match. They completely go with the wedding attire. They are considered auspicious (why leave a stone unturned?) and you can always have a shortcut of a 11 day time frame.
Cards:
Build a wedding website. It’s fun. There is:
Firstphera.com
Ewedding.com
Create event reminders on Face book. The e-way is really the best way to reach out to people. And then, there are always emails.
The paper card was quite classy and was ordered from Rajinder Nagar. But running around distributing cards, is no fun!
Venue:
Delhi has so many options, since weddings are quite an industry there.
Eg. Claremont, Farm houses, Lutyens, Tivoli etc.
Bangalore is limited to hotels and kalyan mantaps.
There is so much more that I would have forgotten. I would write more entries about the most important day of my life in months to come.
I miss all the madness now. I really do…
Wish a bride would realize it then, and not when she skims through the albums. WB’s…I urge you all to at least try.
