Trousseau Bags

I know I have gone a bit bag crazy, 2 posts on bags in one day! But might as well spill out all 'gyan' when its rolling off my mind.

Carrying a bag on the function days is a no-no, if you still have doubts read this : http://www.crazyindianwedding.com/2012/09/bridal-bags.html

But Bags for your Trousseau's are as important as your clothes and jewelry.

Indian Festive/Dinner with in-laws/Just pepping up the LBD

Indian wear needs that little boost up from the bag and a little help to the LBD doesn't hurt.

To stand apart bags are a great accessory to flaunt and some are just an excellent way to start a conversation.

Now who doesn't like a great bag with skulls on it....ahh anyone from the  parent-generation....ok so maybe not the best bag to carry immediately the next day, but its a good one to show your punkish side to your new sister-in-laws

The Skull on this one are on the top, its a McQueen.
I own an original :D not the one in the picture but similar.
(and yes I am bragging :P )

Big Bag/ I-carry-my-emergency-kit-with-me bag/My-iphone5-is-to-big-for-a-clutch bag

Who says big bags have to be boring aunty type.

Chic Bags/Honeymoon Bags/I-don't-care-what-you-think-bags

Yes, post marriage you can still carry that huge Neon bag (yes mom I am talking about my green one), just don't carry them in front of your in-laws too much 

Ok now that we are done googling and ogling over bags lets get down to the real question :

How many should you buy??!

Well I wish I could say as many as you can, wedding does come with a huge budget but the budget still has a line of control, as much as many of us would wish it isn't limitless.

So here is the basic list :

1. Golden Clutch
2. Silver Clutch or any other color that will go well with most of your clothes.
3. Medium size bag (should go with both Indian and western wear)
4. Huge bag : For your office survival
5. Funky-center-of-attention bag, something crazy and wacky

There, even with a minimum budget these 5 basics can get you through.

Any other suggestions??

Bridal Bags

If you have seen youtube videos of  'Bridal entrance' uploaded a few years back you will notice that tiny clutch in the hand as blingy as the bride herself. Pushed forward to make sure it gets captured. 

One Question: WHO STARTED THAT ?!! I mean come on, your not going shopping or to a 'party', its your wedding.

Say suppose your still adamant about it, lets reason it out...

1. You need your phone.

 Every single person you would want to talk to on YOUR wedding day is already present on the venue. 

2. Lipstick and other makeup nick knacks

You will be in the spot light at all times! People will be noticing you even if you just twist your head and look longingly at the chat for a second, so forget about any touch up on stage.

3. Tissue

Oh..you get tearfull...awww...get your sister/best friend (read slave) to get you a tissue.

4. Energy Bars (err....comfort chocolate)

I know it will be stressful, and you need full energy on stage, specially with 5 kg lehenga and that 10 kgs of gold but darling you paid more than your 5 years salary put together to the caterer. Eat the paneer tikka.

5. Emergency Money

ok, I agree every girl should be empowered and should individually be able to handle any situation at all times. But at your wedding where every single family member and closet friends are present no one will turn to the bride and say " chutta de na"

6. Envelopes/ Aashirvad

Indian Bride and groom get a lot of 'shagun k lifafey' while on stage. But putting them into the bag next to you looks a little bit tacky and greedy. Appoint someone to stay next to you and just hand it over to that person who can further hand it over to your mom or you mother-in-law.

So you still really really need a bag near you, there is only one thing left to do :

 Get your best friend/sister to carry your stuff in her bag. Rather bully her into not taking a bag of her own and just hand her your own to carry around and tell her to stick to you like a glue.

Best is to give it to a friend since she wont know a lot of people there she will always be around you. The sister might have to go meet a lot of guests.

Also be a little considerate and get a purse in a neutral color which works on both your and your friends dress.

Will this work? well I tried it on my engagement and it worked fine! 

(Yes I am a control freak and I needed my stuff near me :P )

Some bag for you to Ogle Over:

Indian Wedding Theme

Having a big fat Indian wedding bounded to a theme is quite impossible. We don't stop at calling just our closest friends unlike our overseas counterparts, we would probably pull the plug at calling our aunty's second cousins 3rd sons best friend. So expecting everyone to sit down in order when you walk the aisle is next to impossible and pre-determined dinner seating...you can just laugh at that thought.

So what do we do!? After all we still want to be in control of our environment. We still want the whole experience to be that of OUR wedding, it should still be something apart from the crowd.

So how do you go about it..

Choose your decorator well. Don't book a new kid on the block just because they are cheaper, book someone with experience.

The new 'kid' would certainly have better and creative ideas, do go to them and listen to their proposed plans and what they have done for other weddings. It will help awake your creative juices.

The Experienced guy however would be someone whose is probably in the second generation business, he/she would know what problems can occur in the wedding which you cant even imagine. However, they will probably be devoid of new ideas. If your creative enough rest assured the experienced guy is your better bet.

Know what you want, be clear of it in your head but don't be too adamant explore and brainstorm ideas with closest friends and family.

Color scheme is the easiest way to stamp your identity across the hall. Plus color scheme are way easier for your decorator to follow instead of saying you want a big taj mahal in the middle.

When it comes to inspiration it doesn't always mean that if you find a picture and get everything done like that.

An inspiration can be followed in 2 ways :

1. Something you love

For example say lotus is your favorite flower and you want that as an inspiration then don't just plant huge lotus structures every where.

Your Keywords of the Lotus theme are :
Lotus pink and pure white colors
Clean and curved lines
A lot of fabric drapes (which will give the smooth feel of the lotus skin)
You can probably have the back of the stage looking a bit like a lotus (as long as it doesn't look to messy and distract the guests from you)
or maybe have the DJ floor to look like one

But don't make the whole place look like a flower show

or

you can do the decor in any other way you want like the typical red and gold style and incorporate the lotus like floating in water fountains, in the button holes of coats. Give lotus to the guest entering, etc.

Appearing out of a blooming lotus is a certain no-no, too tacky.

Incorporate what you love but don't make it too over whelming!


2. You love how this picture looks

Say you like this picture and want this to be an inspiration for the wedding. Here is how to go about it :

you cant have soo many colors for the wedding, its ok to have such a thing for the sangeet but for the wedding it might be too messy.

So here is how you choose pick the 2 colors that speak the loudest for you. If you still want to incorporate a lot of colors, pick the same color family.
 For example :
For me I like the Blue and purple drapes with orange and pink seating. So if I plan a wedding looking at this picture my key words would be :
Have blue and lilac drapes all around, behind food stalls, at the entrance
Fill the walk-in passage with blue or lilac lights.
Have Rajasthani style umbrella all around acting as gazebo's/lounges
Waiters to wear Rajasthani style pagadi's
Var mala to be a riot of color
you get the idea...

End of the day don't stress to much! Just tell your vision to the decorator and let them come up with a design plan. Relax and enjoy!

(PS : No my wedding theme is none of the above :P )

Pictorial Part 2 : Indian Bridal Week 2012

Bridesmaids anyone??

OMG! love this, if I had to wear a gown at any of my functions this would be it.

love the emb. on this

My new favorite color : Orange!

Notice the print on the lehenga, its a print of a building!

snow white : in a love-hate situation here

like it!

I feel it needs a chuni, what say?

love it!!!

This is from Mijwa and not bridal week, but its pretty! I couldn't resist putting it

DIY: Floral Jewelry

We went out for dinner a couple of days ago and I got couple of gajara's.

They were lying around and I was getting bored, so here is an amateur take on DIY at home floral hath phool.

1. Tie both ends of 2 long gajara strings with each others

2. Wrap it around your hand twice. Leave some portion hanging.

3. Take the hanging portion, twist it and put your finger in it.

4. Adjust the flowers, hide the strings. Ask someone to help you tuck it in....if its still a little unmanageable then get someone to keep it in place by tying another tiny thread to it (like a tiny tuck)

Your hands are ready!

Ofcouse avoid something like this for a major function. But say if your sangeet is a small family affair at home only for a couple of hours you can try this out.