Henna

Hindu Vedic Wedding Traditions Guide – What you must know

In a land so rich culturally, marriage is considered to be a union of mind, body and soul amongst individuals. The customs and rituals of the ceremony may vary with diverse traditions, language and regional differences. But the tenets of a Hindu Vedic wedding remain the same with each ritual or custom having its own significance. Typical traditions followed in a Vedic wedding ceremony: Vara Satkaraah - The day begins with the welcome of the groom by the bride’s family.  In some cultures, the mother of the bride welcomes him, while in others, it will be her brother. The groom then moves towards the Mandap. Dakshina - The bride and groom seek the blessings of their parents and their to-be pa...

bolgatty

Entwined – Shoba & Amitav’s Destination Wedding at Bolgatty Palace

Towering pillars, large chandeliers, intricate woodwork and rustic architecture. Every nook and corner of the Bolgatty Palace speaks of an old world charm. And every chance we get to work with this beautiful heritage venue excites us! We face challenges however, on creating a unique experience in the same venue, over and over again. But this is a welcome twist to our wedding planning experience. Shoba and Amitav are both successful doctors, settled in the UK. Both of them are self-made, hardworking and humble. Despite being brought up in the West, Shoba is deeply rooted to her Indian culture. This cosmopolitan yet homely outlook is what brought her and Amitav back to their homeland to celeb...

customs

5 Unique Indian Wedding Customs

Indian customs are unique in every way. The essence of wedding customs is that they spell auspiciousness and goodwill throughout the ceremony. While specific communities follow certain particular customs, there are many that transcend the boundaries of religion, geography, and even culture. Don’t miss a chance to enjoy these 5 unique Indian wedding customs! Mehendi and Sangeet Mehendi is the earliest known form of body painting. The mehendi ceremony is a ritual that marks the beginning of the wedding season. The bride’s friends, cousins and elderly women apply mehendi paste on the palms, ankles and back of the bride to represent the “blessings of the Sun God.” Sikhs, Muslims and the Sindhi ...

indian bride

The 16 Adornments of an Indian Bride

An Indian bride is the personification of beauty – an ethereal representation of all that’s good and pure. Every bride wants to look perfect for their special day. So, it is natural that she starts planning and visualising every single aspect of her look in immense detail from the very first day. According to tradition, the Indian bride has to carry 16 adornments, known as the Solah Shringar. This is an ancient beauty ritual, and a part of bridal preparation. Weddings celebrate the divinity of a bride as she steps into womanhood. Therefore, the 16 adornments are symbolic representations of the divine. And also, Shringar alludes to Goddess Laxmi, the patron deity of wealth and beauty. This ...

mehndi

Ever Wondered Why Indian Brides Apply Mehndi?

Have you ever been to a bride-to-be’s home on the eve of the wedding? If you have, then chances are that you would have had a fun-filled night with mehndi and laughter. Indian weddings have a horde of customs and rituals which are both fascinating and fun. And one such custom is the Mehndi Ceremony at the bride’s family. This custom has roots dating back to Vedic times and is among the oldest culturally-significant Indian customs. Simply put, on the wedding eve, the bride’s family members and close friends gather around and apply mehndi on her hands and feet. Nowadays, families hire professionals to apply mehndi on the bride and on the relatives as well. As easy as it sounds, this is a rit...

mehendi

The Art of Mehendi

Indians can never think about brides without mehendi. The bridal mehendi is an age-old Indian tradition and custom. So, if you are ready with the latest lehenga and hairdo for your wedding, then it’s time for this compulsory wedding accessory - mehendi! If you scan the internet for unique designs to match your style, you will encounter lots of trends and styles. Here are some ideas to match your uber trendy looks with your mehendi design: Go unique: With the help of a professional designer, you can get unique patterns on your hands, arms, and even your back. Designs can be artistic as the description of a typical Indian baraat, more intricate with a mural art or a contemporary Rajasthani w...

henna

All About Henna!

Henna has served as a symbol of good luck, health and sensuality for over five thousand years. The henna plant is associated with positive vibes and provides the link to an ancient age, full of good and bad spirits. Generations of women have used a paste made primarily of dried ground henna leaves for their designs. Some of these designs range from simple blobs to intricate geometric patterns designed to ward off evil, promote fertility and attract good energy. Henna The practise of decorating the skin is popular mainly in India and the Arab world. However, due to its rising popularity in the West, Indian cinema and entertainment industry, the people in Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the ...