Indian Inspirational Boards

In India there is no dearth of style, color, fabrics or jewels and its easy to get inspired. You can go from being simple to flashy to Bollywood. I personally adore inspirational boards as they give us a sneak peak on how the wedding is going to look.And to see them transform into real weddings is even better.


Red and Gold.. mostly dominated the Indian wedding.. gold traditional jewelery, red/Maroon sarees is tried and tested combo that never fails.. looks rich and elegant.

From traditional to flashy.. this combination gives a spunk to the entire wedding.. the color definitely helps make the atmosphere cheerful and funky... 

Silver..... love the combination... 

Some inspirational boards that caught my eye.


Simple and elegant.. love the color combination.

Another favorite of mine, love the center piece the green elephant and the decor. A perfect mix of east and west.

Very warm and pretty white wedding.. totally love the decor.

Flashy... Wedding/sangeeth  Inspirational board.. 

I love Moroccan themes, this beautiful combination of Indian and Moroccan style weddings.. am sold!

Picture sources: stylemepretty.com, citysaheli.com, getmarried.com and Denise Neufeld Photography

How to Plan your Hindu Wedding

In Indian culture, marriage is celebrated as a sacrament where two souls unify for life. Indian weddings usually follow Hindu traditions. Traditional weddings are often large events that include family, friends and the whole community. The wedding can last several days, although some couples opt for a one-day affair. Planning an Indian wedding can be time consuming, but with a little organization, you can have a wonderful event.

Arrange a meeting with you, your fiance and both sets of parents to discuss your wedding. Decide on the type of ceremony you want, when and where, and the duration of the event.

Set a budget. In India, the bride's family traditionally pays for the event, but some couples spread the cost between both families. Decide how much you can afford and stick to your budget. Ask the groom's side if they have anything specific, some of them would want a grand affair, some would like it to be simple.

Choose a wedding date. For Hindu weddings an astrologer to check your horoscope and choose an auspicious date.

Determine how traditional your wedding will be. Traditional Indian weddings can last several days and involve many rituals conducted in Sanskrit. Guests typically sit on the floor. Decide how many ceremonies and rituals you and your fiance want in your wedding. Most of the weddings in the US is limited to a single day (especially the vedic rituals)


Compile a guest list. Speak to your fiance and both sets of your parents to get a headcount. Get a guest list together early on so you can determine how large of a reception hall you need to book, and how many people you need to feed.

Hire wedding vendors. Research vendors on the Internet and through word of mouth. Arrange appointments to meet with each vendor. Choose a ceremony site, reception hall, caterer, photographer, videographer and florist that best fit your taste and budget.

If you are looking for a caterer who serves Indian cuisine, contact local Indian restaurants and inquire if they provide catering services. If you want to play traditional Indian music at your reception, hire an Indian musicians or a DJ who caters to an Indian clientele. Most of the Hindu weddings serve vegetarian meals, the catering service will help you with your needs. Depending on what you want you can add your touch to it.

Purchase your wedding attire. If you are planning to wear traditional Indian sari, consider hiring a seamstress to create a custom order. Online stores also provide custom wedding attire for Indian brides. Some brides opt to have their saris made in India and shipped to the U.S.

Find your photographer..

It is very  important that you find the perfect wedding photographer because these photos will last a lifetime.
So while hunting for a photographer all you got to do is search and research. Remember wedding photographers can be expensive, but most of them do an excellent job.

Get some help..

Get recommendations from friends and family. Word of mouth really is a great way to plan your wedding. You want people who will be truthful and tell you some of the exact pros and cons of wedding photographers.

The internet gives you loads of information about them. If you are looking for a photographer who does Indian wedding: there are sites that gives you tons of information about photographers,like the indianweddingsite.

Review the photographers work. Usually photographers have a website, where you can see some of their portraits, as well as full wedding coverage.

Of course the pricing of your wedding photos is very important. Many wedding photographers have package deals so that you know how much you will be paying and how many photos you will receive up front. And remember they are expensive. There are some budding photographers who are very good and charge a lot less.

Once you narrow your choices to a few, meet with the photographers to see their work in person. Look through some of the wedding albums they have completed, as well as watch some of the DVD's they may have to offer. Ask Questions such as: How long will you be available to take pictures, Will you have an assistant to take extra pictures, How long after the wedding does it usually take to have the pictures and albums ready?

Ask the right questions:

Be prepared. Before the interview, make a list of all the questions you want to ask. Keep a notepad handy to record the answers, which may inspire even more questions.

make sure they are not over booked for the same day. Request the photographer's schedule for your wedding day. If it looks overbooked, move on to your next choice. If he or she arrives late for your wedding or has to leave early, you may not get all the pictures you want.

Pay attention to the way the photographers present themselves. A professional manner probably indicates you'll get professional photos from your wedding.

Ask the photographer to present an extensive portfolio consisting of his or her most recent work. Find out if the photographer also works in video and ask to see samples.

Have the photographer supply references. Not just letters, which anyone can write, but the names and phone numbers of two or three past clients. Call them for an assessment of the photographer's past work. You not only want to discover how the pictures turned out, but whether the photographer behaved professionally. Remember, this person will be a guest at your wedding.

Unique Save the Dates

I saw this little blog about Unique Save the Dates and was floored, wanted to share with you these unique ideas on How to tell your guests to “Save-The-Date”?


Here are a few ideas that are a little bit different from the standard stationery card.

1. The Retro Look

Jennifer Lane Graphic Design

2. The Boarding Pass

The Stylish Scribe, LLC

3. Movie Tickets

Letterpunch Design

4. Concert Tickets

Marit Hanson Weddings, LLC

5. Calendar Date

Minted.com

6. Picture Perfect

Source: http://blog.weddingwire.com/index.php/weddings/unique-and-trendy-save-the-dates/

Invitations

Invitations are a very important and integral part of the wedding. It is more important for you to know what kind of invitation you would want. There is a lot of things that you need to keep in mind; like when, where, the theme etc. I advice you not to print the invitations before you have everything set.

So a few things you need to decide on before selecting the invitations, so

Step 1:

• Themes, when and where you are getting married. 
• Are you going to have a fairy tale wedding or a simple one.
• The Budget; its very important
• The number of people you are going to invite. Keep in mind you are sending one wedding invite per couple or family so your quantity of invites should be much less than your guest list

Step 2

• Determine the colors of dresses and flowers you want for the wedding, this can help you in picking out the invitations. So you can keep them color coordinated. 
• Determine if you want to do the invitations yourself or use the services of a professional. 

Doing it yourself:

If you want to do it your self, there are numerous options available. Before starting look for inspirations. The internet has loads of DIY ideas. You also need to decide on the lay out, the type of paper, accessories, equipment, and techniques of making.Visit a paper store a look at different type of stationary and printing techniques. Most popular printing styles for wedding invitations are: laser printing (flat lettering but has many different color options, thermography (raised lettering created with powder and ink), letterpress (font and designs are ‘pressed’ into paper giving and input look and feel) and finally engraving (paper is pressed onto a plate, which makes the letters rise slightly from the page).

Remember you also need to decide on how many cards you want; like the Invite, Reception, Save the dates, RSVPs, you may want to consider something with pockets to keep it organized. Other options are a straight-forward rectangle or square invite, something with a jacket, an overlay or a folder.

Pictures: http://weddinginvitations21.com/unique-wedding-invitations/perfect-for-all-seasons/

Wedding themes.. from classic to fun

Here are some of the themes and ideas that caught my eye:

Blue seems to be the favorite...

Beach -Board weddings







Yellow

Green Combinations.. 

Fruity..

Pictures courtesy: http://www.bridalbuds.com/inspiration-boards/?pid=57:

Get Inspired.. themes and colors

Wedding Planning can be quite overwhelming due to the abundance of ideas and details you might fall in love with and wish to incorporate on your special day. To make your planning more focused and organized, decide on a wedding theme . A theme helps set the guidelines so your wedding does not become a muddle of unrelated elements. Working within the parameters of a certain theme usually results in a well-planned, beautifully put together wedding.

It is not required that the theme has to be something overwhelming, it can be simple and classy too. with the ides you get you can make a inspiration board based on themes and colors

So this what you need to do

1. Find theme inspirations from wedding sources such as magazines, websites, as well as previous nuptials you've been to. Chances are, even before your engagement, few ideas are already brewing in your mind. You may want to go for contemporary looks and decors or take on the glamor of the Golden Hollywood era. Or a a "Drive-in Movie," "World Traveler" or "Tea Party" theme may better fit your personalities.
   
   
2. Consider your and your fiance's personality, style and interests when choosing a wedding theme. Are you a modern or traditional couple? Are you movie buffs, adventure-seekers or laid-back homebodies? Go with what your heart dictates, but be sure to talk to your fiance and include his preferences in the decision as well.
   
   
3. Consider location when deciding on a wedding theme. If your venue is a hotel ballroom, you can have a formal, black-tie affair. If you are using an island destination, a beach-themed wedding would be the obvious choice. A garden venue, on the other hand, would be appropriate for nature-inspired or eco-themed weddings.
   
   
4. Choose a season that accommodates your wedding theme. Fall weddings usually take advantage of the dramatic colors of nature as backdrop, while nuptials held during winter commonly adopt themes suitable for indoor venues. Summer is the most flexible season because the weather allows for whatever kind of theme you have in mind. The time of year also dictates other choices, like what flowers are in season or if your favorite lake-view venue is open for business.
   
   
5. Keep your theme within your budget. Does your budget allow for a grand wedding, complete with all the frills and excesses? Or will it only afford you a simple intimate affair? Also consider where your guests are coming from. Will they be able to afford a specific wardrobe if you require them to dress according to the theme? Make your theme practical and reasonable for everyone.
   
   
6. Start cutting out pictures from magazines or internet and form start your inspiration board, with all the themes, and color combinations. And check with your friends for their feedback and ideas. This not an east task, its quite daunting.

Ferns and Petals

Wedding bells are ringing and your wedding is just around the corner. There are a lot of things that must be running through your mind, and flowers are definitely a part of it. It is important that we choose the right color for your bouquet, centerpieces and other decorations. After all its your big day and you want every little thing to be perfect.

So it is very important to visit your florist and select the colors you want. Many of us like to have a wedding that is color co ordinated, it makes the wedding look elegant and sophisticated. As flowers are seasonal you may want to check that too. Picking out flowers can prove more difficult than you think.

If you have a wedding planner ask her for some ideas and share yours too. Its your wedding and you are the boss. Its always good to envision what kind of floral arrangements you need and the colors.

In Indian weddings garlands are a must, they use at least two pairs of garlands. The garlands range from carnations, to roses to jasmine and lotus, needless to say the price varies accordingly.

I personally like two colored garlands white red is the most common combination. You can also be creative in choosing the colors.

How to Plan A Wedding

Now that you've recovered from the delightful shock of your engagement, take a deep breath, grab a notebook and your address book, and then let the countdown to the Big Day begin! Planning a wedding isn't easy, but with organization, time, focus and vision, you can plan the wedding of your dreams.

So this what you need to do.. to start with

1. Envision your wedding from beginning to end. Where and when have you dreamed the wedding would take place? How formal would you like the event to be? What kind of food would you like to serve?
   
   
2. Pick a date.

3. Set a budget--one that is functional and provides for some flexibility. Here is where you must combine fantasy with practicality.

4. Ask friends and family to recommend a reputable jeweler. Order your engagement and/or wedding rings/ mangal sutra.
   
   
5. Book the wedding and reception sites.
   
   
6. Meet with the officiant of your wedding. Now is the time to be clear about rules and restrictions regarding the ceremony and ceremony site.
   
   
   Do you want a planner? If you have the time, you can take the creative lead on planning your wedding.
   
   
7. Select your wedding attendants--your wedding party can be as big or small as you like.
   
   
8. Choose a dress and wedding attire for the rest of the wedding party. In case of Indian marriage, there will be multiple saree's involved and jewelery to match.
   
   
9. Make a guest list. You may have to compromise on the number of guests if your budget is limited.
   
   
10. Plan your pre-wedding parties, ceremony, reception and honeymoon--consider menus, decorations, favors and music.
    
    
    
11. Interview and hire vendors: wedding coordinator, photographer, video professional, caterer, florist and entertainment.
    
    
12. Check state requirements for obtaining a marriage license, and find out how long the license will remain valid.
    
    
13. Take care of the rest of the paperwork, from ordering invitations to signing up with gift registries.