Photography
Wedding photos provide memories for a lifetime. Choosing a photographer that suits your requirements and budget is very important. In my personal experience, the one thing that couples do not think about is the “time” factor required in achieving those precious photos. Again, this depends on your style.  Some tips that I have gathered over time are:

1. What is your budget? Don’t think you need to spend a fortune for your photographs. Do your research and be surprised at what’s out there.
2. What is the duration of your event? Most photographers have packages starting from 5 to 7 hours or charge by the hourly rate.
3. Do you prefer digital or film photography?
4. How many events do you want photographed?  Such as Sangeet night, wedding and reception.
5. Traditional vs Contemporary settings.
6. Style of photography, journalistic or formal.
7. Interview and view the photographers work.
8. Do you want the photographer to be there while you are getting dressed?
9. Do you want an album or digital photos on a disk?
10. Colour vs Black/White photos?
11. and many more….

Interviewing the photographer is very important. e.

Do you have any similar experiences to share?

One of the most significant moments during a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony lies in the exchange of Indian Wedding Garlands.

During this exchange the wedding garlands become the centrepiece.
Australian Indian Weddings provides a quick guide to selecting your type of wedding garland.

Selection of Flower 1. Select the flowers of your choice. It could include one colour (red roses) or a combination of colours (eg. red and white roses)

Availability 2. Enquire if the flowers will be available based on the season when your wedding ceremony takes place.

Suitability 3. Be creative and explain to the person who will prepare your Indian Wedding garlands, the theme and colour of your wedding so that the colour of the flowers stands out against your bridal and groom wear.

Quantity of Flowers 4. The costs of the wedding garlands are based on the flowers selected and the quantity of flowers used.

Delivery 5. When ordering wedding garlands try ordering them so that they are ready for you on the day or atleast the day before the actual wedding ceremony.

Storage 6. Store the wedding garlands in a cooler or cold storage as the summer heat can ruin the flowers They usually last 2-3 days in a cool room

Contact the Temple 7. Contact the local Hindu temple in your state. They should be able to provide you with a local contact that prepares fresh wedding garlands throughout the year.

Contact a local business provider 8. Contact a local business provider specialising in Indian wedding garlands in your state.

Contact a local Indian Wedding Planner 9. Alternatively contact a local wedding planner who can arrange the wedding garlands.

Well you can always pick me ;)...

With all there is to do for your wedding day, your makeup might be the last thing on your mind. Well, not the last thing, but pretty close.

In my many years of experience doing bridal makeup, I've noticed that makeup for the wedding day might seem almost inconsequential — that is, until a few weeks before the big event, when you remember how much you're paying for those photos.

Fortunately, whether you're a queen bee who's planned this out months in advance, or a procrastinator nearing the last two weeks before the big event, your method for finding a good makeup artist is the same.

You have to know where to look. If you're today's typical bride with fingers afire, using the Internet to coordinate the ins and outs of your event, once again make the Web your first stop. Visit wedding websites (like this one!), and browse the beauty or makeup artist categories or for on-topic beauty articles. Most pros who work with brides will be listed on these types of sites. Often, you can easily and quickly compare pricing, service offerings, and ideally even view some snapshots of their recent work.

Now you have to ask yourself some questions. For example: do you want to go to a salon, or have them to come to you? If they do, is there a travel fee involved?

Other great questions to ask yourself — and your pro:

• Will they do a trial run of the makeup before the wedding, and is that included in the fee?
• Do they require a deposit to hold my date?
• Will I be the only one getting my makeup done, or will other members of my party be made up too?
• Do I want someone who can do both my hair and makeup?
• Can I express how I want my makeup to look (natural, glamorous, exotic)?
• Do I have any special needs I should let my pro know about, such as allergies to certain products, plants or foods, tattoos that will need covering or severe acne?
• Are they licensed? (We'll talk about this later.)

You'll also probably come up with a few hundred more questions on your own.

So, you've narrowed down your list of makeup artists to call and you're armed with your questions. Now, opinions may differ, but I personally think that the most important considerations when choosing your makeup artist are whether they listen to you, answer all your questions to your satisfaction, and above all, whether you feel comfortable with them.

Sure, they'll need to have talent, too, but if you're going to flinch at their touch or get uptight about them "invading your space" at possibly the most important moment of your life, they're not the artist for you. It's crucial that you feel at home with them.

And another thing: there are makeup artists, and there are Makeup Artists. What I mean is, there are some artists out there that have no cosmetic experience other than selling makeup. "Working with makeup" and being a makeup artist are a world apart.

The latter type — a state-licensed makeup artist — is typically the one you'll want. This is the kind of pro with schooling behind them. Plus, they'll have worked hand-in-hand with other licensed beauty professionals, and should have acquired a sophisticated set of skills. Many states require continuing education to keep a license, so these types of artists are always learning new skills.

They may also practice sanitation more rigorously, and maybe even have OSHA certifications. (If you've ever gone to a makeup party where a non-professional smeared the same swab over everyone's eyelids and come home dreading a raging case of pinkeye, you know why this is important.)

You've had the conversation. You've met the makeup artist; you feel comfortable (glamorous, even!). You think you've found "the one." Now, how do you tell him or her how you hope to look? As always, a picture speaks volumes. Snip some personally appealing photos from bridal magazines and hand them to your makeup artist.

A good artist will give you what you want. But a great makeup artist will give you what you want, considering your assets. What I mean is, if you want to look your best, then be ready to let your artist design a look that meshes perfectly with your coloring, features, bone structure and overall appearance — while keeping your desired vision as the cornerstone. With a professional, this is hardly a one-size-fits-all process, and a pro might steer clear of giving you the precise workup that J.Lo sported on last month's Cosmo. But that's to your advantage. And the results speak for themselves.

Also, don't forget to mention to your makeup artist what types of photography will be involved. Are all the photos going to be in color, or will some be black and white? This little detail can dramatically change the makeup design — and not all makeup artists are comfortable working with the black-and-white medium.

Finally, wedding makeup is an art. As the bride, you need to look natural in person, yet defined enough so that you give off that bridal glow in photos and don't look washed out. This is challenging to achieve, and it's truly a learned skill. This is not the task to delegate to helpful Aunt Sarah. Your wedding-day face isn't the canvas to do test runs on.

Ideally, try to find your artist 2-3 months before the wedding. Schedule your trial about 3-5 weeks before the event. Be extra-smart and snap a photo of your trial run makeup.

Also, go outside and take a good look at yourself. What might look red-carpet worthy under the soft lights of the salon might look garish elsewhere. See how long your makeup lasts, and note whether you need some touch-ups during the day.

And by all means, voice your reactions. Don't be afraid to say you don't like something. Remember, this makeup will live on for years and years in photographs and video. You want to love your look.

Most of all, relax and enjoy the experience. It probably isn't every day that you'll get to enjoy this kind of pampering from a highly-skilled, professional makeup artist.

Traditional Hindu wedding ceremonies can last for days and involve much ritual in Sanskrit which may be understood only by the priest conducting the service. This ceremony is considerably shorter and is intended to be understandable even to a non-Indian audience, making it suitable for intercultural or mixed Hindu/non-Hindu marriages. The couple for whom it was originally written based it on the Gujarati Brahmin traditions of the bride's family with a few touches from Unitarian and secular wedding services familiar to the groom's family. It includes three spots to insert optional readings and musical performances of your choosing.



    Roles

    * Bride
    * Groom
    * Priest (who in this ceremony also serves as the MC)
    * Bride's parents
    * Groom's parents
    * Bride's maternal uncle (maamaa)
    * Bride's brother (or cousin or male friend)
    * Best man
    * Chorus: a few women who know how to sing traditional Indian slokas
    * Flower girls (optional)

Setting

Hindu weddings are supposed to take place outside, on the earth, under a canopy known as a mandap. If that's not possible, you can build a mandap inside and pretend you're outdoors. Seating under the mandap can be on the ground (carpets or mats would be a good idea) or on chairs.

Front and center under the mandap is the sacred fire. The fire can be small and confined to a brazier or dish for safety.

The groom's party is supposed to arrive at the wedding spot in a procession, so it's good to have a convenient assembly location nearby.
Props

    * Coconut
    * Garlands to be exchanged by bride and groom
    * Rings to be exchanged by bride and groom
    * Wedding necklace (mangalsutra)
    * Gift from groom to bride's brother
    * Gift from bride's mother to groom
    * Sacred fire
    * Sacred rope (varamala), tied in a loop large enough to go easily around bride and groom
    * Pots of water for washing hands and feet
    * Kumkum or red paste applied to forehead
    * Rice
    * Flowers

Wardrobe

Traditionally, the bride wears a red or red and white sari. The sari should be draped modestly over her hair. The groom wears a kafni (long shirt extending to the knees) with pijamo (leggings) or dhoti (sort of an overgrown loincloth). The groom might also wear a turban.

Of course, in an adapted ceremony like this one great liberties can be taken with wardrobe. One rule which shouldn't be broken is that anyone who enters the mandap or wedding canopy must have on sandals or slip-on shoes which can be easily removed (no shoes in the mandap!). In addition, it's a good idea to avoid much black.

One feature of the bride's wardrobe which has become popular abroad is the use of henna or mehndi to decorate her hands and feet. It's said that you can tell how well a new bride is being treated by her in-laws from how long it takes for the mehndi to wear off. Mehndi treatments are increasingly available in salons or you can get mehndi mix at any Indian grocery store for a do-it-yourself job. (But be sure to practice on paper first! Mehndi doesn't wash off.)

Script

   1. Groom's party assembles a few minutes before scheduled ceremony time at a convenient spot near ceremony location. (E.g., a neighbor's house or a parking lot around the corner.) Older members of the party may go on to the ceremony location to be seated. Groom is holding a coconut and bride's garland.

   2. Groom's party walks in a procession to ceremony location. (For extra credit, groom rides on a horse or better yet an elephant!) Groom is received by bride's mother who applies kumkum to his forehead. Groom bows to bride's mother and gives her coconut.

   3. Bride's parents escort groom and best man to the mandap. Groom's party is seated nearby.

   4. After groom is in position in the mandap, bride comes out carrying groom's garland, escorted by maternal uncle, optionally preceded by flower girls.

   5. Priest says:

          We have come together to wed (bride), daughter of (bride's parents), to (groom), son of (groom's parents). Today they build together the foundation of their marriage upon the earth, in the presence of the sacred fire and the radiant sun, among their family and friends.

   6. Bride and groom are seated facing one another under the mandap. Chorus sings the slokas:
          * Invocation to Lord Ganesha: Vignesh varaia varadaia sukhapriyaya...
          * Invocation to Saraswati: Yakundendutusharahara dhawala...
          * Prayer for harmony: Om sahana vavatu...

   7. Bride garlands groom. Groom garlands bride.

   8. Reading #1.

   9. Bride's parents wash bride's and groom's hands and feet, apply kumkum and give flowers. (Bride's mother does this to bride, bride's father to groom.)

  10. Bride's parents address audience:

          I, (name), son/daughter of (grandparents' names), approve the wedding of my daughter, (bride's name), to (groom's name).

  11. Groom says:

          I, (groom's name), take you, (bride's name), into my heart as my wife.

      Bride says:

          I, (bride's name), take you, (groom's name), into my heart as my husband.

  12. Priest says:

          A circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe. It is a symbol of holiness and of perfection and of peace. In these rings it is the symbol of unity, in which your lives are now joined in one unbroken circle, in which, wherever you go, you will always return to one another and to your togetherness.

      Bride and groom exchange rings.

  13. Priest puts varamala (sacred rope) around bride's and groom's necks. They're now married!

  14. The couple, who had been sitting facing one another, now sit down side by side. Bride's father puts bride's hand in groom's.

  15. Song or musical performance. (Traditionally this is the time to sing a mangalashtak, a poem composed specially for the occasion.)

  16. Bride cups her hands and places them in groom's cupped hands. Bride's brother puts rice in bride's hands. Together bride and groom pour the mixture into the fire.

  17. Bride and groom walk around the fire four times, alternating in who leads. Priest says:

          Om Svaha! With the first turn, we pray for happiness in the union of the couple.
          Om Svaha! With the second turn, we pray for the long life of the couple.
          Om Svaha! With the third turn, we pray for the healthy life of the couple.
          Om Svaha! With the fourth turn, we pray for the happiness and health of the couple.

  18. The bride and groom sit down. (Here's a fun part: whoever sits down first will be the boss in the marriage!) Groom presents a gift to the bride's brother.

  19. Priest says:

          Now is the time to confirm the marriage with the seven final steps.

      Bride and groom rise and prepare to take seven steps. Priest continues:

          I ask you, (bride) and (groom), to concentrate upon these seven vows as you take the seven steps:
             1. May the couple be blessed with an abundance of food.
             2. May the couple be strong and complement one another.
             3. May the couple be blessed with prosperity.
             4. May the couple be eternally happy.
             5. May the couple be blessed with children.
                Idea: one "blended family" we know of changed this to "May the couple be blessed with obedient children." :-)
             6. May the couple live in perfect harmony.
             7. May (bride) and (groom) always be the best of friends.

  20. Optional step to shock the traditional Hindus: bride and groom steal a kiss!

  21. Bride and groom feed each other sweets four times. Bride's mother gives groom a gift. Groom's mother comes to the mandap and puts the mangalsutra necklace around the bride's neck.

  22. Reading #2.

  23. Chorus sings the sloka:
          * Blessing for Everlasting Love: Advaitam...
      ...as bride and groom bow to all their seniors in both parties in rough order according to age (eldest first).

  24. Adjourn to refreshments and photo ops. Mob scene ensues!



Appendix: FAQ for guests at a Hindu wedding

Q: I've been invited to a Hindu wedding. What should I wear?
A: Wear what you would wear to a non-Indian wedding. The only clothing taboo to be aware of is that you must take your shoes off to enter a temple or the wedding canopy, so be prepared to leave them at the door. Do try to make some allowances for comfort -- it's not uncommon for seating to be on the ground, so a tight suit or dress that doesn't let you sit cross-legged might not be the best choice.

Of course, if you're the adventurous type and want to wear traditional Indian clothes, go for it! Very likely there'll be a friend or cousin your size who'd be delighted to loan you some clothes and show you how to wear them. Women guests may even get the chance for an application of henna or mehndi if they're around the day before the wedding. But don't rely on the bride or groom to help you themselves -- they'll be way too busy on the day of the event.

Q: My Hindu friends are getting married. What sort of gift should I give?
A: The traditional gift at an Indian wedding is money. The amount should be an "auspicious" number ending in 1 -- $11, $21, $51, $101, $201, $501, etc. (or similar numbers in rupees, pounds, or what have you). Cash or a check is fine.

However, outside of India most Indian couples understand that giving money can be considered tacky and they don't expect it from their non-Indian friends. They've embraced the western tradition of giving housewares as gifts and many couples register at department stores. So the better answer is: give what you would give at a non-Hindu wedding.

Bridal Makeup Tips for Applying Lip Color and Enhancing Cheeks

Put the "blush" in "blushing bride" by choosing the right blush color and placement, and complete your wedding look with a perfect pout by following these tips.




















Adding a soft lipstick and contouring the cheeks are a great way to add color and life into your wedding day makeup look. The following makeup tips will help you choose the right products for your bridal makeup.
Lips

When choosing a lipstick color, consult your eye makeup first. Generally speaking, you should choose either your eyes or your lips as the focus of your face, not both. If you choose to do something more dramatic with your eyes, choose a neutral lip shade that closely resembles your natural lip color. If you'd like to play up your lips, opt for something a little more bold, but without being too trendy.

When choosing a lipstick, the formula is as important as the color. Sheer formulas will need to be reapplied more often than matte, cream, or semi-matte lipsticks. Longlasting lipsticks feel dry, and will show off any dry or flaky spots on your lips. To appear fresh, they require reapplication of the clear coat, anyhow, so only choose them if you absolutely love the color or don't mind the feel of dry lips.

You'll likely be doing a lot of kissing on your wedding day, and that means that you'll need your lipstick to last. Remember that lip glosses are beautiful, but they make your lipstick come off more readily. You can read more about making your choice of lipstick last longer here.
Blush

Choosing a blush color requires a look at your natural coloring first. Do you tend to get red easily? Do your cheeks flush if you drink a glass of wine? When deciding on which blush color to use, keep in mind the activities of the day.

Brides who have a naturally pink or red appearance, may want to opt for a hint of a peach or bronze color to balance out their natural redness. Brides who tend to look pale all day can combine both blush and bronzer for an even, contoured tone. If being in front of a crowd makes you red all over, forgo blush entirely.































Remember, when contouring cheeks, apply the blush or bronzer just below the cheekbone. Apply the blush by moving the brush along the underside of the cheekbone as if you are drawing a "Nike Swoosh" symbol or a checkmark. Start with the bare minimum of color and add as needed.

When the focus is just on adding color, sweep a light dusting directly onto the apple of the cheek and upward toward your hairline. Start with only a touch of color, and add more, keeping in mind that you may produce natural color throughout the day. If you feel you've added too much, do not rub off. Rather, apply a dusting of loose or pressed powder to neutralize the color.