1. Delhi – The first place to look out for is of course the capital city. It is known to be home to some of the best bridal shops that can include ethnic work done by local craftsmen, copies of popular designer wear. The ones mentioned before might not necessarily be outrageously priced as the real deal. Thus, there is always something there which is suitable for everyone and every budget.
You can visit Lajpat Nagar, Karol Bagh or Chandni Chowk where you might be lucky enough to get hold of famous designer lehenga that will easily match your pocket. Shopping in Delhi is highly recommended for wedding shopping for the North Indian Bride.

2. Chennai – For a South Indian bride, Chennai is a go to destination. When you reach there, their things will immediately comes into notice i.e. gold, kanjeevarams and temples. Though it might not be a popular destination for brides of other states, yet you can buy some very elegant kanjeevarams for your wedding here.
However, you need to be careful while buying them as you can be easily duped into buying fake silk. Thus, you always need to look for the silk mark tag which is introduced by the Central Silk Board of India to ensure that the quality of the silk you purchased is the best. For wedding shopping, head over to Pothy, Nalli and Saragi stores which are famous all over India.

3. Varanasi – The “benarsi saree” needs no introduction when it comes to Indian bridal trousseau. The city of Varanasi or Kashi is of significance when it comes to Indian culture. It is known for their fine temple which is thousands of years old and also the birthplace of the famous Banarasi silk sarees.
They are basically known for the intricate weave and patterns thus embodying the cultural richness of India. The sarees are also available in cotton and other materials in modern times. Famous Indian designers are now looking towards Varanasi to source some of their materials for wedding shopping. Apart from that, you can head over to Vishwanath lane, Chowk, Thateri Bazaar and Godowilia.

4. Surat –  Shopping from Surat will be beneficial only if you are going for bulk buying. Visit G3 near Chowta Phool or Asopalav which is near parle point. If you have a bit more time in hand, you can try out Kajal’s Couture for premium bridal wear. These might include heavy velvets or reception bling gowns or lehengas inspired from famous designers.

Apart from these above popular places, another shopping destination that you can definitely try out is Chandigarh. Though it is not as popular a wedding shopping destination as the others mentioned above, yet there are a lot of shops that will cater to your needs without having to fret over limited choices.

1. Assamese wedding –  An Assamese wedding is known to be simple yet is a very elaborate one. On the day of the wedding, as per customs, the bride and the groom’s mother visit their nearest river or post to fetch water for a bathing ritual. This water is considered to be holy. Later on the feast reception party is hosted by the bride’s family.

2. Bengali wedding –  The Bengali wedding styles are fun filled and celebrated with great pomp and gusto. The weddings of the Bengalis are incomplete without the “saat paak” ritual where the bride encircles the groom seven times while covering her face with betal leaves. Anotherr ritual known as the “subhodrishti” is followed right after the saat paak and this is here where the bride removes the betal leaves from her face and the couple’s gazes finally meet.

3. Christian wedding –  In an Indian Christian wedding, the father of the bride is received by the groom’s best man with flowers. When the bride finally arrives, the priest starts to read out the psalm and the couples take the vows as per their wedding style. After the wedding, there is a grand reception which is followed by a lot of feasting, singing and dancing to celebrate the union of the couple.

4. Gujarati wedding – The wedding starts off with the exchanging of garland known as “jaimala” twice. One unique custom of a Gujarati wedding is that unlike other Hindu weddings, they take four “pheras” which are known as “mangal pheras”. Other Hindu weddings usually have seven pheras. During the Mangal Pheras, the couple circles the holy fire four times. This symbolizes “dharma”, “moksha”, “artha” and “kama”.

5. Jain wedding –  Jain weddings are characterized by a number of pre wedding styles and ceremonies and the three major ones are “lagna lekhan”, “lagna patrika” and “sagai”. The other two most important and notable ritual of a Jain wedding are pheras and “kanya daan”.

6. Kannada wedding –  When the actual auspicious time of the wedding approach, the bride is brought to the mandap by her sisters or cousins. However, nobody can see the bride’s face right away as her face is covered by a fan made of peacock feathers. Later, the parents of the bride give away their daughter by performing a wedding style called “dhare herdu” which is followed by “satapadi” which again is the seven circles around the holy fire.

7. Maharashtrian wedding –  The “shakhar puda” or the engagement ceremony takes place prior to the wedding. During the wedding itself, the couple is separated with a silk shawl. After some time the “mangalashtak” is recited by a priest and the shawl is removed. The pheras are finally performed by the couple by taking permission from their parents to tie the knot and also after a few important rituals.

These were only a few wedding customs and rituals of different wedding of different states. There are several other states with their own wedding styles and rituals unique to them. Yet one thing which is common in all these weddings is that they are very enjoyable and whoever attends these is sure to have a gala time.

1. Hair accessories –  Lets start from the top. When it comes to choosing hair accessories, you have a lot of options available. When you keep your hair open or styled in a bun, you need to decide if you want to do this wedding accessory shopping at all.
Apart from that, there is the traditional veil and yes you need to decide if you want a very long cathedral veil or a mid-length fingertip veil or a short birdcage veil or blusher. You have a lot of options to choose from. Yet you cannot skip it, you need a veil to go into full bridal mode. The tiara is another hair accessory that you need to consider as well.

2. Undergarments – Talk to your bridal salon from where you purchased your gown. They might have matching underwear to go with it or what would look best on you or if some support can be built. You might have to purchase shapewear, seamless underwear and a specific type of bra and this wedding accessory shopping will ensure that your gown looks very gorgeous in the pictures and at the same time your undergarments remain invisible.

3. Wedding shoes –  Whether you are planning for comfy flats, sky high stilettos and even block hills, you need to choose your wedding shoes before you go for your first dress fitting. This will help the gown to hem perfectly.
When you are selecting your wedding shoes, apart from looking for matching ones you also need to consider comfort and also not to be forgotten your wedding venue and style. For instance if you have opted for a wedding that is being held outdoors and you are supposed to walk on grass, then stiletto heels might not be a very practical option. Stick to flats, wedges or sandals instead.

While wedding accessory shopping, you also need to consider the weather depending upon which you might need to keep a jacket or bolero and even a pair of gloves handy. Stick to minimal jewellery as much as you can unless you want to clash with the decorations and also keep a bejeweled clutch bag that can accommodate your phone, lipstick and compact mirror. We offer photography solutions in all locations and deal with all kinds of photography.

1. Taj Exotica Goa –  It is one of the most popular destination weddings in Goa and is located in the southwest coast. This is a great Mediterranean styled resort where you can set the tone for a fabulous event. There is one major ballroom or reception hall where all weddings take place and fill up to 800 guests at a time.
The dining hall can accommodate 400 additional guests for cocktails et. al. The Taj Exotica can boast of 140 air conditioned rooms in the 5 star category that are classified as presidential villas, sea view pool villa, garden pool villas, sea view rooms and deluxe rooms.

2. The Royal Orchid Beach Resort & Spa –  This is another wedding destination that has seen a rush in recent times. Sprawling across an area of 5 acres of lush green gardens and has a total of 73 rooms. The Seasons 1 is a reception hall that has a total sitting capacity of 200 persons in a very casual arrangement and 150 persons with a theatrical arrangement.
In case the couple wants a smaller room with capacity up to 40 people in both theatrical as well as casual setting then the Season 2 room is absolutely fine. The BQ 1 lawn can accommodate 250 persons for a cocktail as well as a 100 people for a cluster arrangement while the BQ 2 lawn can hold up to 100 guests at a time and is the largest room of the resort.

Besides these both, you can check out the Kenilworth Beach Resort, Park Hyatt Goa and the Fort Aguada and Taj Holiday Holiday Village Goa. We provide you with the ultimate wedding destination in Goa. Check out our website and give us a call today! We offer photography solutions in all locations and deal with all kinds of photography.

1. Fish chops –  One of the basic finger foods an appetizers, fish chops are a delight for everyone, young and old. It is basically a pastry casing of potato that is stuffed with a spicy filling. It goes best with “kashundi” or mustard sauce with a platter of finely sliced lemons and onions.

2. Doi maach –  It is impossible to overlook this pillar of Bengali cuisine while attending a Bengali wedding. Bengalis are a community that are known for their love for fish and are prepared in various style and flavors. However, there is one household name and dish that might crop up in wedding photography is a doi maach. This traditional Bengali dish is a favorite and found in almost all Bengali wedding food menu and also during festivals and other celebrations. It is prepared in a gravy made with yoghurt and is known to be easy on the stomach.

3. Chicken chaap – Not the one to be missed, this chicken dish is a must try while attending a Bengali wedding. It is made with an amazing combination of a juicy chicken that is prepared in rich gravy of yoghurt. Chicken chaap with biryani is the ultimate combo which is bound to leave you with a flavor that you will long to taste again and again.

4. Begun bhaja –  Another popular appetizer is the delicious begun bahaja that is an important part of a Bengali wedding food menu. It is served with puris or luchis made with all purpose flour. The aubergine or brinjal fritters are often fried after being coated in a delicate wash of spices and gramflour batter until they are crunchy and crisp.

Other important dishes that are worth mentioning are dhokar dalna, fish paturi, fish pulao and of course the unforgettable chingri malai curry or prawn malai curry. The state of West Bengal has its own unique culture a*96nd traditional richness that is present eve3.rywhere in the state. One needs to experience in an in-depth manner and what can be more exciting and welcoming than a Bengali wedding and of course the accompanying Bengali wedding food menu.

It is basically vegetarian especially if the families of the couple are Brahmins. Else, sometimes there is non-vegetarian dishes present especially where there is strong Konkani influence present. The following are five basic dishes that are ever present in a wedding menu of the Maharashtrians

1. Kokum Sharbat – This summer drink from the state of Maharshtra is not very well known in other parts of India. It is an important part of a Maharashtrian wedding food menu and is often served as a welcome drink. It is mainly grown in the western coastal side of India especially in Malvan.

2. Bharli Vaangi – It is an authentic Maharashtrian dish and refers to the stuffed brinjal or aubergine in spicy gravy. This is a quintessential dish that is present in all the weddings as well as various functions. It is known to be packed with flavor due to a variety of spices present in the preparation and can be eaten either with rice or roti.

3. Puran Poli –  Another one of the important items in a Maharshtrian wedding food menu is a puran poli which is a roti or parantha stuffed with a sweet filling of mashed chickpeas, jiggery and various spices. It is particularly famous in Maharashtra and is also made and served during festivals.

4. Masala Bhaath – This rice preparation is nothing but vegetable pulao but the spices used in it are authentic and flavorful. It is basically served as the main course in many Maharashtrian weddings and festivals. It is known to have a delectable texture along with a spicy flavor which is why it is such a popular dish.

5. Batata Vadas –  Batata literally means potato in Marathi. A batata vada is basically a ball of mashed potatoes that is coated with a thick layer of batter made with chickpea flour. It can either be served with the main course or as an appetizer and best served with green chutney.

A Maharashtrian wedding food menu is best enjoyed in “pangats” which simply means parallel rows. After the guests have been seated comes the “chowrangs” which are short tables decorated with flowers and rangolis. Then comes a thali and several bowls for each of the condiments to be served upon. It is truly unique experience that needs to be experienced at least once.

1. Undhiyo – This one is a very famous dish that is well known all over India. It is often prepared with vegetables unripe bananas, potatoes and green green beans any other seasonal winter vegetables. It is known to be a dry dish and make it one of the most sought after dishes in winter. The best accompaniment for this dish is a fried puri.

2. Dhokla – One of the healthiest starters in a Gujarati wedding food menu is the soft and juicy dhokl. It is neither fried nor even frilled but steamed and is served best with grated coconut sprinkled on top and a coriander and garlic chutney. Gujrati wedding photography is incomplete without people posing with a plate of steamed khaman dhokla. The batter for the dish is fermented overnight which is made from chickpea flour and rice and is known to be a favorite among young and old alike. It is very light as well as filling for the stomach and is at the same time relishable.

3. Lilva or green Peas Kachori – The name rings a bell and when it does is enough to make the mouth of any Gujarati water. Thus, the lilva or the green peas kachori is an indispensable part of the wedding food menu of the Gujaratis. The snack or starter resembles a dumpling and is stuffed with a filling of crushed and richly spiced green peas. It is often serve with chutney that is made with aamchoor and spices

4. Paatra –  It is a snack or a dish that is delicious to eat and much on. Paatra which means leaves is sweet, salty and a spicy preparation that is made by stuffing the colocasia leaves also known as arbi. The stuffing is made from a batter made from chickpea flour. It can be served in a variety of ways such as steamed, shallow friend and deep fried.

Apart from these other important dishes that constitute a Gujarati wedding food menu are sev tameta, rasawala aloo, bharela bhindi or stuffed okra et. al. A Gujarati wedding is a haven for vegetarian food lovers with each dish having its own character and taste.

Popular Wedding Invitation Paper

• Glassine – It is a light and waxy paper that is often used in pouches, overlays, envelopes and other decorations than the card itself.
• Vellum – This type of wedding invitation card includes frosted and sheer paper which is typically layered on top of a sheet that is opaque and features a decorative graphic or a solid color.
• Linen finish – It is a very high quality blend of paper that involves cotton with a lightly crosshatched, textured surface.
• Cotton fiber – The name is self explanatory. This paper is completely made with cotton and is a very popular choice among brides and even grooms who want a chic, classic look.
• Recycled – For the eco friendly savvy who want a rustic styled wedding, this paper is made of repurposed materials. This wedding invitation style ranges from brown Kraft cardstock to even pulpy and handmade papers.

Wedding Invitation printing techniques

• Digital –  It is a flat, printing style that uses a high quality digital printer. This modern technique is becoming an increasingly popular option due to its cost effectiveness as well as a quick turn around time.
• Engraving – This one is a classic technique where the paper is pressed between an inked plate as well as a metal plate. This creates a raised, inked letters from the underside of the card. Embossing is another style where the paper is pressed upward but remains colorless. While engraving is used more for printing texts, embossing is basically for graphics such as flowers, borders or monograms.

There are other wedding invitation techniques such as foil stamping, letterpress and thermography that you can choose from. Some of them are budget friendly while others such as the engraving technique can be pretty costly. No matter what you choose, remember to make your card clean, the letters and design fairly visible especially the date and the venue.

Personalized stamp –  These are very much in vogue and are one of the best wedding invitation ideas. You can use these for both in your wedding invitations or adding a return address on the wedding invitation envelopes.

Put a ribbon on your wedding invitations –  A wedding invite with a ribbon can give that little extra and also the perfect way to keep all the other necessary elements that can include together such as information regarding travel, RSVP cards etc. At the same time, you can also at a little tag for that special extra touch and making it a creative wedding invitation.

Edging with punches –  If your wedding invitation has fancy corners or edges with a special stamp cutter or punch, this can also be one of the best wedding invitation ideas. They can be found in a variety of stores as well as designs from craft stores and online also.
They are really easy to use and you can also give yourself a bit of time but make sure you have a good table and a steady hand. Avoid doing this while you are tired or you will end up with patterns that seem off.

Using calligraphy –  One creative wedding invitation idea can showing off your calligraphy skills. If you want to make an influence with your invitation, start by addressing them perfectly but avoid using your regular handwriting. Using calligraphy skills can turn out to be one of the best wedding invitation ideas. You can make your skills better with one of the many calligraphy classes or DIY tutorials that are available online. Use it to write your invites or you can also do beautiful addresses on the envelope.

Apart from these, there can be other ideas that can include adding a splash of color or tying your invites with twine and tags. You can also use a deal for the invites which can be perfect if you’re a fan of the rustic wedding look. No matter what you choose, consider what suits you or the wedding theme the best. It can be one of the best wedding invitation ideas if you are adding a personal touch that requires your creativity.

Arrange your seating thoughtfully –  This might not seem a “fun” idea when it comes to a wedding, yet don’t underestimate the importance of a solid arrangement when it comes to seating. If possible, place your guests with people who they know and will get along with.
Another possibility is that you can play cupid for potential individuals who might be your friends. You can also make your guests sit with strangers so that they can make a new friend by the end of the day is also one of the best wedding ideas.

A short and sweet toast –  A wedding toast doesn’t need to be long boring. This particular wedding tradition is all about quality over quantity. So you can ask anyone who is going to make one not to take more than two minutes for it. If they have something longer to share that might include anecdotes, they can do it at the rehearsal dinner. You can give their own kid centric dance party and set up an oversee movies, games, arts and crafts.

Plan something fun for the kids – Weddings are usually a fun occasion for the little ones since there are a number of them attending it. You can keep them entertained throughout the night with their own designated area. This is one of the best wedding ideas since their parents can also have time off from them and can hit the dance floor.

Hitting the dance floor –  As a newlywed couple, all eyes will on the two of you and your first dance as a Mr. and Mrs. It can be the perfect opportunity to wow with a fun surprise. You start it off with a romantic number like “Perfect 10” or any other classic song suitable for the first dance. Then you can suddenly break it into energetic song that can either be Latin or into a Bruno Mars song.

A wedding usually calls for the bride to wear a traditional long gown. One of the best wedding ideas is to ditch it for a second wedding dress which is comfier than the first. If possible, have the party that is filled with finger foods so that your guests can mix up and enjoy before the actual dinner that can after a couple of hours later.