Indian Wedding Gifts

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                                      There are no weddings without gifts.Weddings become joyful and memorable with gifts, guests offering gifts to the couple, bride's family offering gifts to the couple & groom's family and groom's family gifting the couples.

Wedding Gifts from Bride's family

                           It is a tradition and custom for the bride's family to gift the couples with lot of gifts as much as to start their separate life. In most instances, these gifts are demanded from the groom's side and also forms a huge burden to the bride's side.
The bride's family has to plan this expenditure well in advance and better decide these gifts with the groom's family at the time of choosing your bride, to avoid any dispute in future.
It is always better to go with gifts of good quality. Do not try to quantify the no. of gifts compromising the quality and it may also turn to be a point of dispute after marriage. If you are on limited budget, better consult with your groom's family and try to reduce the number of gifts and of course of good quality. Some of the gifts from bride's side are cash, jewellery, land / house, car / motorbike, house hold items like cot, fridge, wardrobe, furniture, etc.
It is also a custom that bride's family gifts the groom with wedding dresses and outfits and in most families also with jewellery. These items are gifted to form a part of the wedding ceremony.

Wedding Gifts from Groom's family

                         It is also a tradition in Indian weddings that bride is gifted with wedding dresses and jewellery from the groom's family. Mangalsutra or wedding ring and muhurtha sarees / wedding dresses all forms the part of these gifts. In few religion and communities, even the groom's family gifts the couples with house and household items to start their new life.

Wedding Gifts from Relatives

                           Most probably the gifts from the close relatives will either reach the couples or may reach bride / groom's family based on their relationship and nature of their gift. The monetary gifts from bride's relatives will reach the bride's family and will help to meet their financial expenditure to the wedding ceremony. Similar to this, relatives from groom's family may offer financial gifts to groom's family. Other than monetary gifts like jewellery, household items or any other gift will form the part of couples life. The relatives should consider the needs of the bride / groom's family or even couples and gift them appropriately to make the wedding ceremony a cheerful one.

Wedding Gifts from Guests

                           Almost all the guests for the wedding will offer gifts for the couples and this forms a token of wishing the couples to start a happy and prosperous life as husband and wife. These gifts also likely to form a part of their new house and their daily life and it should help them to meet their requirements in future.
The guests need to plan and analyze the couple's requirements to satisfy them and also buy gifts that will be highly appreciated by the couples.


                                       

Wedding Plan

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Things to do before the wedding

                     All set for the wedding? Wedding date approaches really fast and days can go by in a jiffy. Here's a list of things that should be taken care of a few months before the wedding to avoid last minute panic.This wedding checklist will surely help you in planning the perfect wedding.
7 - 12 months before the wedding
Select a date: When setting a date, consider something that will accommodate both, your family and friends, such as the summer vacations when kids are
out of school and families plan their holidays. Also, when considering a date near a major holiday, keep in mind that most reception locations increase their
prices.
Determine your budget: Be realistic when creating the budget. Determine who is paying for the wedding - the bride's family, the groom's family, the couple
or a combination of the above. Highlight the one or two items that will mean the most to the both of you and budget the other items around these.
Book the priest/pundit: Make sure that whoever is going to officiate your ceremony is available.
Find a location: Reserve the location for your wedding ceremony and reception well in advance. It’s best you get working on this as soon as your engagement
is done.
Choosing a caterer: If you are evaluating caterers, ask around for references, meet with caterers personally and sample different menus.
Book the photographer: Don't take photographers for granted. Most good photographers are booked many months in advance so start sourcing early and
have a look at their portfolio. Keep in mind that he/she is responsible for capturing the formal and candid moments of your day, all of which will probably last
a lifetime.
Book the entertainment for the various ceremonies: Most weddings usually have a sangeet ceremony, a mehendi ceremony and so on, each of which will
have some form of entertainment or the other. If you’re hiring someone for these performances, make sure it’s done in advance.
4 – 6 months before the wedding
Shopping: Shop and order wedding attire for the bride, the groom and the family: Apart from the bride and groom’s wedding attire, attention needs to be paid to what
people in the family are going to be wearing. If you have to place an order for the same for guests who are coming from out of town, have each member
send their measurements to your tailor.
Reserve rental equipment: If you are planning an outdoor ceremony and/or reception, order and reserve all the supplies such as tables, chairs and tents.
Order wedding stationery: Choosing wedding stationery can be quite a task so the sooner you get to it, the better it is. This would include invites to the
wedding and all the ceremonies that are to be held before and after.
Make honeymoon reservations: Depending on where you and your partner decide to go for the honeymoon, keep all your legal documents ready.
Book transportation: Reserve any special transportation needed on the day of the wedding for you and your family.
Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests: If you have plenty of out of town guests, look for hotels that offer group discounts on multiple bookings.
2 – 3 months before the Wedding
Finalize the guest list: Guest lists are always fluctuating since guests drop in and out all the time. If you want to be very sure, you can make personal phone
calls and confirm attendance instead of assuming that all those invited shall be attending.
Meet with caterer and/or banquet manager: You’ve probably shortlisted a caterer for the wedding by now so it’s time to finalize the menu and decide room
decorations.
Meet with the pundit/priest: Many families want their weddings to happen in a particular way. Meet with your pundit/priest if you have any such requirements.
1 month before the wedding
Obtain the marriage license: The marriage license can be obtained upto 30 days in advance so be sure to get that done.
Change your last name: If you plan to change your last name, consider your driver's license, passport, credit cards and bank accounts.
Mail wedding invitations: When you mail invites, allow your guests enough time to make the necessary arrangements.
Inform post office of change in address: Visit the post office and inform them about your new address. It’s a simple procedure that requires you to fill out a
form and shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
The wedding month
Pick up wedding dress: Make sure the wedding dress is well wrapped and preserved for your wedding day.
Finalize seating assignments: Decide where which relative will be seated. It is best to involve both sets of parents in the process so that you they can inform
you of any rifts between family and / or friends.
Finalize the guest count: Inform the caterer or the banquet manager of the final guest count.
Make hair and make up appointment: One of the primary things on your wedding day is your hair and make up, so make sure you have your stylist booked
in advance. The other thing you need to do is arrange for a full run through with both stylists.
Pack for the Honeymoon: Since you wont have much time as the wedding draws close or after the wedding make sure you do all your honeymoon
shopping(whether its beach wear or thermals) in advance.
Pack for the day after your wedding: If your reception is at a hotel and you intend on staying at the honey moon suite the night of your wedding, remember
to carry something nice and bridal for the next morning when you actually go back to your new home.
Confirm details with vendors: Secure details with florists, photographers, caterers, videographers, entertainment, etc a month and then a week before your
wedding day, just to be sure that they have blocked their dates and are available.
Pass out wedding day schedules: Make sure each wedding day participant is aware of the day's activities and their roles

Wedding Car Decorations

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                              The wedding car can be decorated in various innovative ways.
               Different types of flowers can be used for the car decorations depending on the car color. Red roses or bright flowers can make the wedding car look attractive. Car decorations are given equal importance as other decorations at the wedding ceremony. This is because people have become fashion conscious. People put in complete effort for the decoration, in order to make the wedding ceremony memorable for times to come. These days, the wedding is based on a theme. The theme or the color is used throughout the wedding celebrations.
                  Fresh bright flower bouquets are placed on the bonnet of the car. Various accessories are also used other than flowers for wedding car decorations. Some of the accessories used are mirrors, bows, threads, artifacts, tissues, bandhani to let the car look attractive. Various shaped balloons could add to the beauty. Artificial garlands are available which make the car look attractive. Readymade accessories can be used for car decorations as they are easy to fix up and also save a lot of time.

         Simple car decorations with fresh beautiful flowers are much preferred by people these days. Various artificial flowers like netted cloth, satin, organza, dried flowers are used for car decorations. Also, people take help from the car decoration florists who specialize in the wedding car decorations.

Prince Albert Balcony Speech + Civil Wedding Ceremony - Monaco Royal

Groom's Wedding Tips

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At-Home Manicure 
                  

Taking care of your hands is extremely important before the wedding. There will probably be no other time in your life when they will be on display more. If you don’t have the budget to get regular manicures in salons, follow these steps to give yourself a perfect manicure at home. Remember that the hands of men and women both need regular manicures to be their healthiest and look their best.

The Ingredients Nail file and/or nail clippers Warm, soapy water in a shallow bowl Cuticle Cream Cuticle Stick Moisturizing hand lotion Damp cloth The Steps Use an emery board to file your nails. If your nails need to be trimmed, do so now. File your nails in one direction starting at the edges and moving toward the top. Soak your fingers in soapy water for a few minutes to soften the cuticles. Use an anti-bacterial hand soap or one with some moisturizers. Rub a cuticle cream on the cuticles. Use a wood stick or your fingers to gently push back the cuticles. Massage your hands with a moisturizing lotion. Then wipe nails with a damp cloth to remove any excess oils. Dress                           The following lines are meant to educate and enlighten you on the nitty-grittiess of haute couture. So here goes. And best of luck.                            Today almost 90 per cent of the bridegrooms opt for traditional wear.Many go for an eclectic fusion of the traditional with the Western in the form of the Bandhgala Jodhpuri suits. In traditional wear, too, there are a whole lot of options for the groom.                          Most of the Indian marriages consist of at least three occasions the sangeet, the wedding and then, the reception. At the sangeet, which is a fun occasion, the clothes must reflect the spirit of the occasion. Ideal would be a Churidar-kurta, worn with a Nehru jacket and a stole- its both style and comfort combined. A Chogha, that is the modern day interpretation of the jama works very well, too. It finally boils down to what suits the groom.                  For the wedding, a Sherwani or Achkan looks special. What you must avoid though is the tying of the Kamarbandh (waist band) over the Achkan. A more stylish approach would be the contemporary version of the one or two button Achkan, wherein the knot of the Kamarbandh can be tied under it on the kurta.             Just as important as the dress are the accessories. The right accessories can add that extra element of style to the whole outfit. The Saffa (turban) and the Juttis (closed shoes) should be coordinated with the ensemble. For a bejeweled look, wear a lone string of pearls as an accessory.             For the reception ensemble should be understated and stylish. A Bandhgala Achkan with embroidered panels or a Sherwani or a well-cut jacket with a pocket looks great. Though the colours and cuts are mainly traditional, the newer bridegrooms are seen wearing other colours than merely shades of beige maye deep olive, grey, blue or even black.

Bridal Hairstyles

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                     Bridal hairstyles have to be the best looking hairstyles at a wedding because she is the focus of attention. It is the day of her life that she has been looking forward to since she was little and she has to make it the most memorable occasion. There are so many other worries but bridal hairstyles are at the forefront with the major ones. Bridal hairstyles not only have to match the person but also compliment the dress, the veil, the shoes, the wedding colors, and the special ambiance of the wedding itself. There are numerous bridal hairstyles, classic and new, that are fit for each person. Bridal hairstyles can be any style from updos to flowing down. For updos bridal hair styles, there are diverse, decorative ways to put your hair up. It is optimum to opt for one that matches everything you are wearing. For those who choose flowing bridal hairstyles, having hair at its shiniest and softest through consistent hair care and salon visits will help you looking exquisite.

Coorg Wedding

Marrychoice.com                                           The people of Coorg are blessed by touching their elders' feet. A mother is held in the highest regard within the Coorg society. The mother is the first to bless a journeyman or young married couple. Unlike other Hindu societies, a Coorg widow may still participate in joyous occasions such as her children's weddings.She is seen as the principal figure for conducting wedding ceremonies that are conducted traditionally by elders without the participation of a priest. A Coorg Groom in the ethnic white kuppya and the headgear during the First Day (Oorkudo) Ceremony. The white Kuppya is worn only on marraige or death ceremonies. It may come as a surprise to many that the Kodava(Coorg) language has no word for dowry and prostitution, both of which are absent among the Kodavas. The general level of culture and education among women of Coorg has always been higher, women know their rights and are treated well in the family. A widow may remarry, which is quite common and has always been acceptable in the Coorg culture.

Member of the Grooms party killing ( Chopping down ) mock banana trunk soldiers . A ritual at Coorg weddings.

Even though Coorgs are Hindus, their marriage rights are not performed by a priest. Weddings in Coorg are like something from another planet. The groom claims a bride once a member of his clan has killed mock banana trunk soldiers.                          The Coorg bride wears a traditional brocade sari draped in the typical Coorgi style. The bridal sari is handed down from generation to generation as an heirloom since it is supposed to bring good luck. A veil covers the bride's head. The groom wears an ornamental robe on top of a calf-length under garment. He also puts on a churidaar, fitting trousers. The turban on the head imparts a majestic look.Marriage ceremonies are performed without a Brahmin or puja. The elders bless the newly married couples.The dowry system is an unknown concept here. A unique characteristic is the serving of non-vegetarian dishes and liquor in the weddings of the Kodava community, which is rare among the Hindu community.                              The Coorg wedding is perhaps the only Hindu wedding ceremony where alcohol, dancing and meat eating, especially pork, are a must.A traditional Kodava wedding will have all the youngsters and the young at heart attired in the Kupya dress, dancing to beat of drums. Special Pork or Pandhi Curry and liquor keep the spirits high.The Kodava or Coorgi Wedding is unique and cannot be compared with any other community in the country. This is just the breaf information and there is lots and lots more that happens on the wedding day. Following a feast, the men and women of Coorg get down to dancing, to the tribal beats which sounds to not have changed since time immemorial.