The Year That Was...Flashback 2013

The year started with uploads of all my wedding files, from what my wedding was about to, how it went. From the Pooja, Tilak, Haldi, Mehendi to The Wedding Day!

The year also saw me going emotional for the first time on the blog, with me reliving the wedding moments as a bride. Telling you how I felt to be a Bride, word by Word

The blog needed a bit of re-invention once I got married. After all, how ever hard I try, it will be very difficult for me to get back in the mind frame where not finding the perfect nail-paint shade would have meant end of the world. But giving up on you guys wasn't an option, so while I still continue to obsess over the perfect red lehenga for my dream destination wedding on my 10th anniversary, I also decided to pass along a bit of advice from beyond the wedding day. So the blog now not only focuses on the bride but the New Bahu as well.

Inspiration: Old Indian Wedding

As the year draws to an end I look back......really back, into photo's that have no colors. Into weddings where wearing a 'fatta-hua' frock was ok, and the bride hadn't turned bridezilla (the word I don't think even existed back then). I look into weddings where having a photographer at your wedding was a big thing.

This is a wedding of 1946

Merry Christmas!

Notice!!

Will be back by Wednesday!

Love
Your Super sick and super tired blogger.

PS: I have had like the best blog post ideas while studying for my exams, I just hope I don't forget them! I did write them down somewhere, can't find my list....hmm...chalo will go back to studying.  *starts looking for the list instead,  where did I keep it?!*

My Pinterest Wedding

When I first found out about Pinterest I was like "what would I do with it!?" I have Facebook for everything, Twitter for everything else and a blog to post things on (read copy other peoples pictures and say 'wow I love this!' )

But doesn't every new social media start off like that.

" I dont want to move from Hi5, all my school friends are here!"

"Facebook!? what the hell is that? I am happy with Orkut, Facebook, or whatever its called, will NEVER ever beat it, mark my words!"

"Twitter?! What will people do with twitter? You can just write a status on it, no body can keep writing status all day long"

I guess Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram all are co-existing right now. Only difference now is that Facebook has become more of a family place than a cool hangout. (is that just me or do you agree?!)

Anyways, I did get around understanding the beauty of Pinterest and how you can make a perfect inspiration boards using it.

I don't really go around different sites pinning things but I do re-pin a LOT, I go crazy re-pinning at times.

My Pinterest account has quite a lot of pins by now, but if I had to put it in a nutshell then my Pinterest Wedding would look like this :


Engagement :

Virtual Wedding Show! An IndianRoots.com Initiative.

What is this?

www.indianroots.in in association with NDTVgoodtimes is hosting India's first ever Virtual Wedding Show over Google Hangout.

How does it concern me?

The show is a great platform for brides-to-be to plan their big day with the Indian wedding connosieurs like Sabysachi, Rohit Bal, Anita Dongre etc. (!!!!) and since it's a google hangout, women from anywhere in the world can be a part of it. 

How will you go about it?

We'll have 10 sessions all throughout the day (16th December), see the schedule below :

Where do I register?

To be a part of the Google Hangout and chat one-on-one with the designers and make-up artists, one can register here http://www.indianroots.com/register. We'll announce the lucky participants on 14th december!

Last date for registrations is 12th december (11.59PM IST).

What if I simply want to watch?

Anybody can check out the show live by clicking on the link here https://plus.google.com/events/cojbgm24s0ojdnad39s23mdjfs0

Crazy Indian Bride says: 

If you are a bride-to-be then do register! You will not get a better opportunity to talk with the crème de la crème of the wedding fraternity! Plus they have a contest in between hosted by Ambika Anand of Band Baja Bride!

If I had to choose which session I would want it would be a tough pick! Defiantly would love to know Masaba's view on upcoming trends, Divani's Saree Draping 101 would again be of great help to the new 'dulhan'. Sabyasachi and Rohit Bal for the only reason they are Sabyasachi and Rohit Bal, and ooh Anita Dongre! Love her Jaipur Bride. Come to think of it I would probably not miss any session. I will be watching online! and you??


PS : Guess who got lucky! You did!
IndianRoots have also provided us with vouchers for there Website http://www.indianroots.in/

Voucher Code: Weddingshow

Worth: INR 1500 

Fine Prints:

-valid on a minimum purchase of Rs. 5000 

-valid only till 31st december

-and valid only in India

On a break!

Exam season is back! * pulling my hair out * but thankfully its the last lot. So post 22nd I will be exam free ( if I pass that is) then I just have a project submission by January 4th and after that I am back to full time blogging! 

Well...not really full time blogging. ....more like 1/3rd time blogging, 1/3rd time designing and 1/3rd taking care of everything else.  You get the picture.

Wish me luck!

Btw I have sooo many post planned that you are gonna love, if I get time in between I will try posting them and if not then just wait a little bit more.

PS: If you really miss me or want to hear me whine about exams catch me Always live on twitter. Twitter handle @crazyindianwedd

Diet Plans

Fighting Fat since 1988

A few of you have asked what diet I am following I have certainly lost a few kgs and so has the hubby, the only reason I haven't lost a lot is that we always have some wedding or the other to go to, and who can resist yummy wedding food....

However, my diet is at the moment disrupted, my exams are coming up and I eat a LOT when I am stressed so I guess I will follow plans strictly in January.


A little note : The diet plan was advised to me by a friend who is a nutritionist, please note it was made according to my body type, its not 'harmful' or anything but results might vary! Oh and also I am a eggitarian so the diet plan is accordingly.

Day 1 & 2

Breakfast:  1 veg. sandwich made out of whole wheat bread, with milk/coffee/tea

Mid Morning: Fruits

Guest Post

Obsession : Perfect Eyebrow

I find myself obsessing over something new every fortnight.

Be it perfect nailart, colored mehendi,  Kajal, the double winged eyeliner or just the perfect Bindi.  This time I am obsessing over The Perfect Eyebrow.

After all a Bride has to look perfect head-to-toe.

Apparently your eyebrows are also suppose to be according to your face structure, I never gave it so much of thought.

Exhibition Alert! Celebrating Vivaha, November 2013

Press Note

Date : 29^th November – 1^st December

Place : Hotel Ashoka, New Delhi 

Time : 11am – 7pm

Mayyur R Girotra Couture

We are happy to announce once again the 13^th edition of Asia’s largest and most luxurious wedding exhibition, “Celebrating Vivaha 2013” with leading names from the fashion, lifestyle and the wedding industry. Celebrating Vivaha is a platform to deliver the real value by successfully targeting the right customers as well as the discerning consumers who have vast spending power and are frequent purchasers of high quality of wedding collections. This event will showcase an array of exquisite trousseau and jewellery collections and services from top designers and wedding facilitators are on display at this grand do.

Redefining the concept of weddings and wedding exhibitions in India,Celebrating Vivaha has been one show that all brides (as well as exhibiting companies) know they can count on for a first class affair that offers them anything and everything they may need, to plan their dream wedding. The show features fabulous exhibits and the latest ideas in wedding couture and jewellery.

With the passing of each year, Celebrating Vivaha has turned bigger and better than before, both in terms of quality and quantity of participants. CEO, Mr Tarun Sarda says, “When we launched Celebrating Vivaha in 2003, I decided to test the wedding market of the country. I have endeavoured to redefine the concept of weddings and wedding exhibitions in India withCelebrating Vivaha. Spurred on by my domestic successes, I plucked the courage to take Celebrating Vivaha international. My aim now is to reach out to more and more people, and get a variety of entrepreneurs directly involved in the business of weddings.” In addition to the best of brands and designers,Celebrating Vivaha has added several cities in its ambit.

More and more people are going in for an extra-lavish celebration and have no qualms spending big bucks to make their wedding an affair to remember; and why not – it is after all once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

Sagrika Mittal Goya

Participating in the exhibition are: Mayyur R Girotra Couture, Sagrika Mittal Goyal, Parul & Ashie, Sanzany, Portfolio Studio, Sunil Jewellers – Jaipur, Kaisha by Shalini, Raj kapoor Invitations, Kirans Bridal, Megha & Amit Sanger, Palak Raheja, Amour by Sriroopa, Cappuccino Jewels, Samridhhi Jewels Treasure, , Diamond Tree, Vastr, Shree Ram Jewellers, Kimatra, Hazzarra, Vikas Puri Photography, Gehna Jewels, Studio Dream Collections, Koncept & Innovations, Admire, Opium, Luv Israni, Rasberrie, Zari Silk – Jaipur, Moments, Baba Jewellers, Inaara by Chitra Aggarwal, Bharti's , Carat & Carbon, Sri Lakshmi Creations, Ankita Kalyan,Raniwala Jewellers, CTC Mall, Horizons, Rumi Creations, Mehak Creations, Ashirwad Sarees, Prithviraj Jewellers

Help me!

I used to have perfect skin in terms of tanning, it would be slightly tanned over the summers and even that would go away naturally as winter approached.

Now, my skin is bored of being in a similar color palette through out the year! Any time I go out anywhere I get tanned in all different shades!

Remember my fight with tanning post South Africa and Goa, Read here  http://www.crazyindianwedding.com/2013/07/my-fight-with-tanning-using-home.html

Well, we are back from Bangkok and Pattaya and my skin has changed colors again! Even our families are now confused, because, even if we go out anywhere in a group its just me and my husband who come back in a new tanned look and nobody else.

Thailand, Day 1 and Day 6

Every time the type of tanning is also different! South Africa was more undertone-changing-tan (read the above mentioned article), Goa was all over Indian tanned and Thailand is patchy tanned (yucky).

I am a bit guilty of not using sunscreen all the time but even if people who are with us don't they don't get as tanned as we do :/

Wedding seasons here and I want my skin back.

Help?


PS: A few days back I went to the market for like 10 min I was wearing a suit and my chunni was hanging in the normal way, like it makes a U-shape in the front. When I came back I noticed my hands got a little tanned and you could actually see the untanned skin making a circular pattern of the chunni! *facepalm*

You have received a Gift.

Been a year since the wedding, sometimes its hard to believe a whole year has gone by.
An anniversary surprise for my readers :)



Nov. 24, 2012

Pictorial: Festive Album!

So many things happened over the last month! Its easier to talk about them all via pictures.


Karva Chauth

Went home day before karva chauth in a red saree all decked up, only to tell my mom that I am wearing my chudidar below the saree so I can change into a kurta immediately, which eventually I didn't.

Next day morning got up at 4am, washed my face, brushed and staggered down the stairs to eat 'sargi'. My mother doesn't do Sargi so I had no idea what to do, after a lot of instructions the day before I managed to do it alright. (I guess). Eat and drank water as much as I possibly could in the whee hours of the morning (read not much).

Finally went back to sleep at 5. Got up a few hours later and got dressed really slowly. Wore an Anarkali during the day to keep things simple.

Update!

I miss writing updates, I remember how I used to do it once in a few months to keep you guys updated on my wedding progress.

My Wedding Update : In double digits now!

UPDATE : A few months Before the wedding

So my brand is picking up pace but I might have to give it a halt for couple of months, November and December are both pretty busy months for me. November is too much travelling and in December I have my final semester exams for MBA (yes I will begin whining again.)

First Anniversary is coming up (!), and I have something special planned for you lot, if I can figure out the technicality of it all.

Finally decided on our 2nd honeymoon destination! Going to Bangkok and Pattaya tomorrow :D. We will be back before our actual 1st anni. date, will celebrate on the D-day with family.

I am trying to schedule posts for when I am out but since the idea just struck me I dunno if I will be able to...*fingers crossed*

Love

Crazy Indian Bride

Trousseau Destination : Biba

Yes, Biba.

I never thought I would ever write an article stating Biba as a trousseau destination, no they havnt gone all 'bridal', but their anarkali's and suits are perfect to wear at your new home, to a family dinner or a small cocktail party. For a newly wed they have come as an answer to what to wear, without being overly dressy.

I was so excited when I saw the ad stating 'Biba by Rohit Bal', Finally I could own a Rohit Bal, so I went asap to the store! :P

Unfortunately I already have an over stuffed wardrobe so I keep my price range in check, so no Rohit Bal for me yet, plus he is famous for enormous amount of flare which I wanted but it doesn't look flattering on me.

That doesn't mean I was totally disappointed, Biba also has a great range of itself. It is certainly a must check out!

To the November Bride 2013,

Dear Bride-to-be,

Congratulations! You are on one of life's most amazing journeys. Waking up every morning visualizing how your wedding day will be, getting tensed if your lehenga would come out just perfect, if the MUA would deliver like she promised, will the mehendi-wali be on time!? and then getting goosebumps when you get that 'goodmorning' message from your fiance, yes you have someone you can call that, fiance...are you used to it?
Been saying, "Hi, have you meet my fiance?" Blushing anyone? Smiling for sure! Well don't get too used to it, very soon you are going to have to learn to say "Have you meet my husband?"

November means wedding month for a lot of girls, so what do you do when the D-day is approaching?! Its a difficult mind set to be in, you are so excited to have the best day of your life and so scared that something might ruin it. You can't wait to be with the 'one', and you want just a few more months at your home, YOUR home, the home you grew up in. On the other side there is a complete new world waiting for you.

Breaking Norms..

I love how the new Tanishq and the Azva ads shows a new image of the bride, the real image of the bride.

I absolutely love the chubby cheeks of the Azva bride.

Exhibition Alert!

Your Crazy Indian Wedding blogger, Roli Gaur Vashisht is exhibiting her collection next on this Saturday.

 Oct. 26th at The Flying Saucer, Epicuria, Nehru Place. 

Stall Number 14, 3pm Onwards!

See you there!

For Updates like Roli Gaur Vashisht on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/RoliGaurVashisht

The Newly Wed's Guide to dressing for Karva Chauth.

My first Karva Chauth is coming up on Tuesday, and I am excited to wear my wedding lehenga again! I really hope it fits, there has been a lot of weight gain post wedding :(

My mom called up yesterday saying I need to get my Nosepin and Mang tikka too. I realized dressing up for Karva Chauth is almost like dressing up for your wedding. There are so many things you must have.

I am packing to go over to my mothers place, so here is the list of things:

1. Wedding Lehenga: Confused if you should wear it or something simpler?! Wear the lehenga! Its one of the few times you get to wear it. Wearing it the whole day would ofcourse be too tiresome so I would probably wear something light during the day and change into my lehenga near pooja time.

Karva Chauth Story

Festive seasons here and to all of us who got married within a year its our first Karva Chauth! So to those who don't know the story behind Karva Chauth here it is :

Long Long time ago....

It was Veeravati's first Karva Chauth, she was the youngest in seven brothers and one sister, she came to her mother's house to stay for the festival. (Like us newly weds will go)

 Her mother-in-law affectionately sent sargai for her. She put mehndi on her hands along with her mother and bhabhi's and did sargai in the morning before sunrise and kept her fast.

Karva Chauth Special: Tanishq's perfect app!

A few day ago my mother-in-law comes up to me and says "Acha beta Baya kay liye humarey yaha mathis raktey hai, teek hai, apni mummy ko bata dena"

"baya?!" I wondered.

My mother-in-law spends the next 15 minutes trying to explain how there have to be 6 glasses with mathis on top and a jug full of rice along with 2.5 clothes.

Now my MIL is extremely sweet and shy, she hates asking for anything, so by the end of it all I am super confused of what I have to give and what I have to get. Its decided in the end, that my mom and my mother-in-law will discuss it among themselves. *phew* problem solved!

It wasn't until I downloaded the Tanishq app that I really figured out what baya or Baayna really is.

Me and my mom are HUGE Tanishq fan, My bridal sets for all my wedding functions are from Tanishq so I know what the company stands for, and when I heard they had this Karva Chauth app I just had to check it out!

Trousseau Destination : Chhabra, Karol Bagh

I was introduced to this shop by my mother-in-law when we went trousseau shopping. We went there again recently to get my Karva chauth Saree (although I am wearing my wedding lehenga on Karva chauth....so super excited to wear my lehenga again!! hope it fits!)

Both the times I saw really nice lehenga's and really cheap! (i.e. cheap in terms of bridal wear)

Inspiration: Are you a Yash Chopra Bride?

Have you seen the Diva'ni Collection launched on Yash Chopra's birthday? 

Do you like it??

From Store to D-day

Ever wondered if the lehenga you brought would look ok on D-day? Was it a right purchase??

Here are things to do while going shopping for the main function outfits :

1. Put on some makeup.

2. Have your hair neat and tidy, and if you can, then tie it in a way you would want to on the function day.

3. Don't have a distracting nailpaint on. Clean nails or if you already know the color you want then that.

4. If your jewelry is decided then keep that in mind.

5. Once you are doing a trial, step as far away from the mirror and then see yourself.


And remember pictures on your camera phone don't really look the same as the professional pictures.

During trial I had the same jewelry with me in my bag, so could see how the look would be.

Dummy guide to Makeup for the Bride-to-Be

Before I entered college I knew zilch about Makeup. I had put on kajal just a couple of times in 11th resulting in my brother telling me that my eyes have grown mustaches :/

4 years of college taught me basic makeup skills, add another couple of years of working under a designer and I could do full makeup in under 15 min while driving a car. It wasn't until I got engaged that I realized  I just know one way of putting makeup. So I did what any girl does, I YouTubed.

I know a lot of girls who have never ever had makeup on. If you are one of them and are too scared and confused, here are video's that are extremely basic! If you know nothing watch these two videos and your good to go!

Congratulations!!!

Winner of our Bridal Shoot Giveaway : Vrinda Aghi!

You are Invited!!

Online Shopping: Kalkifashion.com

Have you shopped online? My brother loves flipkart and shops from there but its always little things.

I have brought books and digicam online,but that was after I had seen the actual product in a shop and brought it only because of the discount I was getting.

What troubles me is even if I buy anything online, specially clothes, will they fit?! will it be the exact same product as seen on the screen. I sell my Roli Gaur Vashisht products online at Indianhanger.com and people do buy but I havn't really brought anything online myself.

One of my cousin said she got a lot of her trousseau Saree's and Suits online and they all came out perfect.

I do however love looking at Kalki Fashion, their designs really tempt me.

Giveaway Last 4 days!!

Giveaway closes on 28th September!
Enter today!
See http://www.crazyindianwedding.com/2013/09/bridal-shoot-giveaway.html

Roli Gaur Vashisht

Bridal Inspiration : Niki Mahajan

One designer who has got the modern bride just right is certainly Niki Mahajan. She wasn't on my list of check-out-designers last year when I was getting married but for the bride this season you must see her designs!

Dating Delhi : Kingdom of Dreams

I know I planned this section a while back but have finally gotten to it now!

If your newly married, just engaged or planning to tell your parents soon, dating is essentially the way to keep things exciting.

And for newly weds it is so important! You do look cute in your pajama's but if its just PJ's after PJ's every Sunday it makes you feel you are just living as room mates rather than a happily married couple, so here are things to keep the magic alive ;)

Let's begin with

Kingdoms of Dreams

We went there on our 6 month anniversary. I had been there before with my friend, on my birthday a couple of years back, but we never saw the show just went around the cultural gully, eat, shopped and went back.

My husband booked our tickets online, which was good since the line to buy tickets was a bit long even though it was a weekday.

As you enter you are greeted by huge elephants welcoming you in, you get your pictures clicked in front of a blank sheet which will later be Photoshoped so you look like your standing in front of the main gate, you can collect these later. We didn't, they came out very weird.

That's the gate into the cultural gully, Cultural Gully is basically like a walk into various parts of India, you enter and there is a punjabi truck on your right, Karnataka mask on your left, some or the other Indian dance is going on. When we entered it was a dance form from down south.

Celebrating Vivaha 2013 : Gurgaon

Press Release 

Venue :  Hotel Westin, Gurgaon 

Date :  14^th to 15^th September2013, 

Time: 11 AM TO 7 PM.

The last 10 years have seen some of the most prominent designers and jewelers launch themselves through this national exhibition that aims at bringing an under one roof the best of bridal finery.

CEO, Mr Tarun Sarda says, “When we launched Celebrating Vivaha in 2003, I decided to test the wedding markets of the country.I have endeavoured to redefine the concept of weddings and wedding exhibitions in India with Celebrating Vivaha. Spurred on by my domestic successes, I built courage to take Celebrating Vivaha 2013 international. My aim now is to reach out to more and more people, and get a variety of entrepreneurs directly involved in the business of weddings.”

Bridal Shoot GIVEAWAY!!!

Our design label Roli Gaur Vashisht has teamed up with the great Rashnair Photography and the make up maestro Pallavi Sehgal  to give away an all expenses paid Bridal shoot to a lucky girl at our secret haven in New Delhi / NCR!!!

AND added to the list is Nepra Jewels, her exclusive jewelry could be seen at Lakme Fashion Week, Aza, Kimaya, and many more!

There are no strings attached, nothing to purchase afterwards, nothing to buy during your session, and we will not hound you afterwards.  This is an all out Bridal Session and it’s FREE! 

Who should enter and Why?

If your a Bride-to-be or a married girl who never had the 'spotlight' on her, if your looking for a professional career in modeling, if you want to be pampered and treated like a super model.

What to expect?

Store Review : Ritu Kumar, South Extention Part 2

When Ritu Kumar store opened in South Extention all I could think was why didn't it open before! I really wanted to go shopping (read : window shopping) for my wedding. Although Ritu kumar did already have stores in other parts of Delhi I never really gave it a thought, after all JJ Valaya bridal lehenga's start at 4-5L, from what I had heard, so Ritu Kumar's would be similar, no?!
So I skipped the whole visiting designer store scene.

However if the south extension store would have been open then I would have surely entered just out of curiosity. After all it is on the way to every where I went wedding shopping. As a traditional bride Ritu Kumar would have been the perfect designer for me.

I went anyways last week, just to go experience.

Light Lehenga's

I know the blogs becoming more like a marketing tool for the brand, but I really want to show you guys what I am working on! I feel like I get more honest replies via blog than any where else.

Promise will be back to normal blogging soon!

Lehenga's for your sangeet, mehendi and the sister's of the bride and groom!

They are all in the range of 12k-20k

MC13L02

MC13L01

MC13W14

More on the facebook page