Things to keep in mind about music at your wedding

Music holds a very important place in the Indian weddings, it is almost as important as the food in many of the functions of the marriage. It holds a premium spot in many parts of the wedding like the Baraat, entry of the groom and on the day of wedding sangeet where many performances by family and friends take place. To make it simpler for you we have made a list of the important things which should be kept in mind while making the music arrangements for your wedding :-

Have a loud wedding

You just cannot have the big fat Indian wedding without some highly energetic and peppy songs playing in the background. In a country like ours there can never be a shortage of songs which suit the various functions of marriage. Make sure that you get a good sound system to play your music just so that the music can sound pleasant to the ears of your guests. In case you do no have enough budget to hire a professional DJ then you can give the responsibility to your cousins or friends as there are many young people who would like to take this responsibility. The weddings hold some of the most important moments of one’s life so make sure that you make the best of them.

Add music to get that magic

It is better that you give the responsibility of selecting the music tracks solely to one person in order to avoid confusion.

·       It is advised that you use the temple bell sounds or a good piece of instrumental music during the Jaimala exchange takes place as there are not many lyrical tracks which can perfectly depict this moment.

·       It is best that you use the dhol based music during the entry of the groom to highlight it.

 Understanding the Basics

  It’s very easy to get carried away by the younger generation at the wedding and almost forgetting the older generation. It is very important and should be kept it in mind that the music and the songs that are being played should cater to the larger audience and not just a fraction of it. Such music should be selected that includes different varieties –Both the classics and the new trendy songs should be mixed to get the perfect playlist for the wedding. A good blend of music can be made by using 30% of the all time classics with 30% of the songs should be taken from the latest and trending ones and the remaining should include the songs of your personal choice and the choice of your guests.

Traditions are Important

Keeping traditions and customs in mind while selecting the music for the different events at your wedding is also very important. There are many songs; both from Bollywood and non Bollywood that can be pretty offensive for many of the guests at your wedding, such songs should better be avoided and it is also advised that you keep most of the Bollywood songs to the sangeet and other parties of your wedding only.

Ways to Enhance Your Mehndi Function

Mehndi is a very important conventional and exciting pre-wedding ritual. In India, a lot of focus is on the traditions and rituals. Indian people are enthusiastic lovers and admirers of colors, the feeling of festivity and elegance. People usually look forward to get all of this in their mehndi functions. The ceremony has been ubiquitous since a very long time and it is a very essential part of the wedding ceremony. It is considered to be so important that any wedding is generally considered incomplete without this function.

Tips to enhance your Mehndi function - 
Book Your Henna Artist:

When the preparation is for a Mehndi ceremony, the thing you should initially look at, is booking a good Henna artist well in advance. If anything is changing at the last minute like the number of people to any of the time changes,  it is much easier to do if you know your artist and communicate about any changes to her well in advance. It is important to get more than one artists if your guest list is quite long. When the main artist works on your Bridal Mehndi, other artists can design your guest’s hands.

 

Inviting Guests:

Sending invites for the functions well in advance to the guests well in advance like any other invite. The invite should include the place, the functions and the timings of the actual function. Some people want to invite everyone to make a big gala function and there are some who consider only close relatives to avoid too much unwanted hustle and bustle caused due to the big crowd. It has to be mentioned that one need not have to be pressurized to invite each and every friend because Mehndi ceremonies are reserved for the special ones. It is up to the host to invite only the closest buddies.

Be Ready to Load your Guests with Food:

Your friend and family are coming in for the function to add more beauty to the function. Yes, it is all about Mehndi and you. But, that does not at all mean that they should be left hungry. It’s fun to energize the celebrations with good food. It is sure that the guests would be starving after all the dancing, chatting and gossiping. So be prepared to treat them with snacks and refreshments of the best and different types or simply order Tiffin, tea or beverages. There is just no better way to end your function than with some good food.

What Fun Without Music:

It is a function that should be like a celebration of your life. And the whole feeling can be accentuated with the help of some good music in the background. A special CD of Mehndi song can be played in the background or there can also be a provision to have live performances from anyone in the group. One should always try and pick peppy and happy tracks for this function. In our country you can easily find separate Mehndi peppy song collection on the net easily.

Fashion & Styling Tips for Grooms

Guys!! The Bachelor’s Party must be over by now! Time to buckle up for some serious grooming business; though, the dainty princess manages to steal the show, nevertheless, being the Prince Charming by her side doesn’t need much to put up with.
Though the show lasts for a couple of hours, the memory lingers for a lifetime; hence looking splendid is what we anticipate. So let’s start with the dress rehearsal:-


The Shimmering Sherwani:
If you declare wedding as an ethnic escapade then go for the undisputed Sherwani. With unmatched tailoring, this season witnessed Manish Malhotra’s and Tarun Tahiliani’s collection in myriad design and vivid colours to make your day grander like never before. Try it!

Trending Waistcoat:
Though vest, commonly known as waistcoat has always been in trend, however, popularizing it as the groom’s attire is what this season calls for. The silhouettes varies from the Bandgala to the most common single and double breasted style in print, jacquard and silk. The best about choosing this season’s waistcoat is that you can either club it with your fusion wear or most appropriately with the western wear.

 

The Dynamic Dhoti:
If your taste demands more classic, then Sherwani with traditional dhoti is a must-try. Available in silhouettes to serve every pellet—silk, georgette, embroidered, jacquard we have a lot in store. Watch out, Guys! You might just give her the run for her look.
To complete the ensemble on the big day try using a contrasting jutti, a Saafa, and Voila. There you go!


Debonair Dressing:
Though suits look dapper, but the truth is— ‘looking regular is outdated’; as most of the invitees would be dressed alike. Here, we have tuxedos to choose from, the satin faced lapels with pocket trim and a bow-tie with a pair of pointy-toed black shoes will make you stand-out without much of an effort. You will love to try it!

Fashion Fusion:
If fusion works best go for it. There are no set rules when we talk about grooming on weddings. In fact, the Indo-Western wedding wear has a lot to offer with myriad of colours, fabrics, silhouettes and design to choose from, every piece speaks a different story, the story of its designer’s intimate affair with zari, embroidery and jacquard to suit perfectly for the occasion in mind. If you are looking for something extravagant, try Sabyasachi’s collection. I am sure; the dapper in you will love the concoction.

The Sober Gentleman:
Taking a pause from the ethnic charm, suits come at play. Though versatile in its appeal, suits with bold colours are a no-no for the day. Try monochrome for that matter, as you would not like to steal away the bride’s charm. To be frank, suits in grey, black or navy with a tie and a waistcoat works wonder as it can be worn both at the wedding and later at work too with a pair of black formal shoes.

Top Bridal Jewelry Trends Of 2016

Extra chunky necklaces
Chunky, extra-large, over-sized, they don't begin to describe the super huge statement pieces. Some are multi-strands while others are a single, super large piece.

The modern traditional
 
When you want some traditional gold, this is the king of jewelry that you should opt for.
On the day of your marriage, you’re expected to gather all your attention to look perfectly beautiful. Not just because of the guests, or the relatives or the friends but because this is a special day that you will never get again in your life. It will be engraved in your memory for generations to come, therefore that thought alone should encourage you to look your best.
First and foremost, your goal is to look fierce and flawless like these one:




 

The choices that you have in jewelry are just endless and the best it could do is finding something that will hopefully surprise you for good.

•        Do not upstage your dress. This is the first and most important rule of bridal jewelry (you will not find these rules as I have invented them). The bridal jewelry you do choose is meant to complement your dress, and not outshine it. This also means that you probably shouldn’t buy your jewelry before your dress. In light of this golden rule, your choices should be tremendously narrowed.

•        Here are some tips on how to accessorize some of the bridal trends emerging from Bridal Fashion Week Spring 2016.
•        Bridal Fashion Week has finished up for Spring 2016 and we saw some amazing gowns emerge. There were some popular themes and trends seen cascading down the runway and we were in awe of these creations.
•        While the gown takes center stage, finding the right jewelry to accessorize it is key. See what pieces we've chosen for this seasons looks.
•         Skip a necklace all together and go for earrings with an intricate design. The earrings will not interfere with the neckline of the gown since they are not drop earrings.
•        Add some texture to the look with a geometric shaped bracelet. Choose a bracelet that has a little personality with sharp lines and sparkling crystals.

 
We love bridal gowns with a deep "V" neckline because it allows for some really fun necklaces.  Try a "V" shaped necklace to mirror the lines of your gown. If you go for one with pearl and crystal details, the combination allows for a great earring and bracelet because there isn't sparkle all over. Look for pieces with similar silhouettes and crystal shapes to the pieces complement each other creating a cohesive look.

Top Wedding Stage Decoration Ideas

The center stage on which the bride and the groom stay seated is one of the most important parts of decoration and hence holds a lot of importance in the decoration of every marriage. Chandra Weddings have compiled the most attractive ideas which can inspire you and get ideas to decorate the stage of your Theme based or Destination wedding.

 
 
1. Flower draping – Every wedding décor is incomplete without a combination of light strings and fresh flowers. The combination of these two very important elements is essential for a perfect background of the center stage. To start with one should get the entire stage covered with some soft-colored curtains. And then, simply add a string of lights and some beautiful flowers to give an amazing festive look your stage.

 
2. Bright hangings and drapes - Another good combination is of a bright hangings and curtains. A background of satin drapes with strings of bright hangings or crystals makes a movie like romantic backdrop for the wedding day. The drapes can be of any color while the shiny crystals just add more energy to the environment of celebrations.

3. White and gold background – A simple yet elegant way to dress the background of a wedding stage is with white and gold drapes. This combination looks rich and classy, and goes well with the festive feeling.

4. Red and gold background – All of us regard red as the color of love and gold as the color of prosperity. Both the colors hold a great importance in Indian culture to signify a happy marriage. Hence these colors make stunning backdrop for the center stage. A drape in red and gold will give a royal feel. The drapes can also have flowers for a fancier look.

5. Royal styled wedding – There is no better definition of an Indian wedding better than the color of gold. It is advised to create a classic center stage which has a backdrop of artificial pillars and arches in this royal color. The set up will not only look great, but will also make photos taken on this stage standout. The royal feeling enjoyed by the wedding couple will of course, be an added advantage.


 
6. Satin drapes – For the believers in the mantra- ‘less is more’, this style is perfect for a wedding stage. A simple drape of satin curtain across the center stage gives it a classy and an elegant look. A choice of pearly white drapes or a good match décor theme. Whatever be THE choice of color, satin drapes add the perfect touch of panache to the wedding theme.
 
7. Pearl white - For a mystical and classy feel, one can go for an all-white backdrop. A completely white background with white pillars and flowers will give the entire space a sophisticated and a look. What’s more? It will make the colorful garments of the bride and groom stand out.

Top Five Dishes at Indian Weddings

The food at any wedding especially if it is an Indian one is a deal maker or a deal breaker for every guest who is a part of the wedding. As Indians we concentrate a lot on good food and hence it can be easily said that we as a nation are foodies and this is the reason that we give a lot of emphasis on the food that we to eat. And if we attend a wedding we are sure to concentrate a lot on the quality, taste, variety and types of food items that are served to us.

  We normally tend to become a type of food critic by our own self and we end up deciding the success or the failure of the wedding celebration mostly based on the food.
Hence to help you out we have made a list of five of the most popular vegetarian food items that should be available in your food item list.

1. Paani Puri & Chaat: This is the favorite chatpata snack that you will see in every Indian Wedding Reception Food. Paani puri and chat is that charm of reception parties that every Indian guest is fond of. Enjoy the spicy tangy Paani Puri with your friends and family in the wedding reception. Make sure that you hire a person who is an expert in making this food item as it can turn out to be blunder if not made correctly. It is also very important that hygiene should be specially taken care of in this dish as it can get stale in a short matter of time.

2. Shahi Paneer: Paneer is the best substitution of chicken for vegetarians. Shahi Paneer is a very delicious and nutritious food that can play the best role at an Indian Wedding Reception Food to impress the guests. This is an ethnic dish in a country where most of the vegetarians are fond of Shahi Paneer. It is a popular dish of Northern India.

3.  Dal Makhani: A traditional Punjabi dish different from their other recipes, which is being prepared in special occasions like weddings. It is a mixed lentil curry made with lots of butter and cream. Dal Makhani is absolutely delicious in taste and authentic in style. 

4. Malai Kofta:  A traditional North Indian dish which has originated from the Mughlai cuisine. Your guests will surely love this recipe. It is luscious and delicious, creamy and yummy to relish on.

5. Stuffed Masala Naan and Rumali Roti: In this contemporary world, every Indian wedding Reception Food includes Rumali Roti or else Plain/Stuffed Naans. It can make the best combination with the above mentioned curry recipes.