Bibi Bridal Annual 2012 by Ayesha Hakki

2012

$7 US $8.50 CAN

exclusive!

Tina

gets married

planning your

perfect wedding

content 17

Inspired: The Vibrant Colors of South Asia Explore the rich South Asian color palette with our favorite picks for any wedding color scheme

Shalini’s Secrets Celebrity makeup artist Shalini Vadhera Potts shares her secrets to getting bridal beautiful

Bibi’s Beauty Picks We reveal our top beauty product picks for the bride-to-be

Ancient Bridal Beauty Traditional beauty rituals that draw on nature’s secrets, and their modern-day adaptations

Choosing the Right Tikka Makeup artist Susmita Patel shows the best tikkas for your face shape

Personalizing your Style Look to celebrity couples to find the perfect style for your special day

The Elements of Design Get personal with your invitations

2011 Bollywood Weddings A look back at Indian celebrity couples who tied the knot in 2011

Making Marriage Three couples in different stages of wedded bliss offer their advice and insights on how to make a good thing last

TARZINA: Known as Tabla Girl, musical artist and TV star Tina Sugandh celebrates her newly married life with Tarz Ludwigsen in the decadent designs of Charisma India. On the cover, she wears a sari lehnga accented with zardosi and crystals and highlighted with a sweeping brocade border. Clothes and accessories by Charisma India. Makeup by Keisha Moore and hair by Carmen Latimer. Henna by Nirjary Desai. Nails by Yvette. Photographed by Amish Thakkar.

Proposal: Nilmin and Imtiaz, Houston Childhood sweethearts celebrate their love

Proposal: Jason and Faiza, Houston Long distance loves unite in mixed-faith festivities

Bibi Exclusive: Tarzina Tina Sugandh marries Tarz in an intimate ceremony. Charisma India portrays their glamorous lives and love

City Chic New York City style hits the streets with Shehnaai Couture

Night Skies Poshak Fashion & Style of Houston features decadent and inspiring styles by Sameera Faridi Design Studio

A Sacred Contract Inspirationalist Simran Singh focuses on the spiritual connection of marriage

Opposite page: Top left, Aaron Pachesa; top right, David Nguyen

Encore Weddings Second and later-in-life weddings get an etiquette update

Setting the Stage Be the center of attention with stage designs that shine

Sweet Endings Colorful cakes and picturesque sweets add the finishing touch to a perfect affair

Picture Perfect Amish Thakkar of Fine Art Productions reveals a weddingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s must-have photo list

Marrying in the Mayan Riviera Destination weddings in the Mayan Riviera offer a romantic and memorable escape 80

The Weddings of South Asia Explore the traditions and rituals of Sindhi and Ismaili cultures

Borrowing Traditions: The Ties That Bind Borrow unique wedding traditions from around the world

Wedding Directory Bridal resources for the modern couple

wb1

Wedding Planning Workbook Budgets, timeline, checklists; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all here to get you on your way to a perfect wedding

P U B L I S H E R A N D E D I TO R

Ayesha Hakki A DV E R T I S I N G D I R E C TO R

Zeb Mamsa B R I D A L E D I TO R

Rachna Vohra DESIGN

Marc-Antony Piñón CO P Y E D I TO R

Kerry Medina E D I TO R I A L

Esha Patel, Sonny Joseph CO N T R I B U TO R S

Amish Thakkar, Shalini Vadhera Potts, Preeti Nanvaan, Nirjary Desai, Susmita Patel, Ekta A. Garg, Simran Singh, Stephanie Behrens, Natalie Dawley, Sharon Patel

FOUNDERS

Ayesha Hakki, Zooni and Shabana Haq Rahman BOARD ADVISORS

Munir Ibrahim, Mariam Issa, Meera Gandhi

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1 5 8 2 YO R K AV E N U E N E W YO R K , N Y 1 0 0 2 8 347.878.2424 H O U S TO N O F F I C E 713.992.4085 Bibi Bridal, Volume 2, (2012) © 2012 Bibi Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. Bibi Bridal is a wholly owned publication and trademark of Bibi Magazine, Inc. Cover, contents and website material are copyright protected and may not be reproduced in any shape or form without prior written consent from Bibi Magazine, Inc. Bibi Magazine, Inc. does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor does the publisher assume responsibility should such material appear. Bibi Magazine, Inc. also assumes no responsibility for content, text or artwork of advertisements other than those promoting Bibi Magazine or Bibi Bridal or Bibi-related events, placed in the magazine or website. Bibi Bridal is published once a year by Bibi Magazine, Inc. Those submitting manuscripts, photographs, artwork, or other materials for Bibi Bridal and www.bibimagazine.com for consideration should NOT send originals unless specifically requested by Bibi Magazine, Inc. in writing. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork or other materials should be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope, postage pre-paid. Bibi Magazine, Inc. is not responsible for loss, damage or any other injury as to unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork or materials. Advertising inquiries should be sent to the above address.

2012 It’s All About You!

Bibi Blessings!

Aaron Pachesa

It’s an exciting time to be planning a wedding because for the first time, the old rules need not apply. This is the year to take your South Asian wedding and make it uniquely yours. From sparkling centerpieces to fusion cuisine, hand-crafted invitations and truly entertaining entertainment, South Asian weddings are becoming as personalized as couples themselves. This past year alone, I attended a wedding set with communal-style dining tables, another at a series of trendy hotels and a third held at an interior design center, and all of them stand out in my mind because of how well the festivities reflected the personality of the bride and groom. Perhaps the most entertaining wedding I attended, however, was that of Tina Sugandh and her new husband Tarz. Held on the picturesque grounds of their new Lake House in South Carolina, and attended by very close family and friends, the wedding was exactly what one would have expected from this amazing couple: an event full of love, laughter, new friendships, old relations and a musical family that really knows how to party! Photographed in Charisma India’s stunning collection, Tina and Tarz, now known as Tarzina, talk about their relationship, their lives and of course, the wedding, page 46. More on 2012 style, actors Samrat Chakrabarti and Ami Sheth take a break from their busy travel schedules to show how stylish New Yorkers wear South Asian wedding clothes. From the rich collections of Shehnaai Couture, City Chic, page 54, draws a new style for bridal wear. Subsequently, Poshak Fashion & Style from Houston gives us a sultry, glamorous look at luxurious lehngas and flowing bridal suits in Night Skies, page 60. As far as the actual wedding is concerned, we are finding that for 2012, the single most important key to a memorable event is for it to truly reflect who you are. After speaking to numerous brides

and experts in the South Asian wedding industry, we found that the options are vast and wide. You can choose to do whatever you want at your wedding and the more unconventional the options, the more exclusive it will be. Instead of floral centerpieces, experiment with candles and a collection of framed mirrors and photographs; replace the limousine with a pink Cadillac convertible; host the reception in an art gallery or change your outfit three times for no other reason than because you want to. The possibilities are endless. With so many choices abounding, in this issue of Bibi Bridal, we provide a framework to help you plan your personalized events. Nirjary Desai of Kis Cubed Events offers style suggestions based on real-life celebrity couples, page 34; Amish Thakkar of Fine Art Productions shortlists not-to-be-missed wedding shots, page 74; and Preeti Nanvaan of Preeti Exclusive Events offers advice on the relatively new phenomenon of encore marriages and marriages held later in life, page 68. Celebrity makeup artist, author and newlywed Shalini Vadhera Potts offers her best in bridal beauty picks, page 26, while editorial favorite, Susmita Patel, gives detailed instructions on how to choose the right tikka for your face, page 32. Finally, on a serious note, marriage is not just about the party; making a marriage successful requires effort. We asked three well-known couples, including celebrity DJ Jay Dabhi and social entrepreneur Meera Gandhi, their secret to longlasting unions, page 38. Author and inspirationalist, Simran Singh, follows suit by offering a manual of daily duties in the Sacred Contract, page 66. Yes, as you plan your own unique wedding, I hope that you will take inspiration from your lifestyle and fantastic personality and inject that flavor in each aspect of the celebrations. If you are like any of the couples featured in Bibi, I’m sure your wedding and your future life together will be just as spectacular as... you!

Inspired

South Asian weddings are bursting with vibrant, rich colors, and cultures

around the world have attributed these hues to feelings, emotions and milestones. Focusing on the inspiring shades of red, gold, silver, green and blue, we present unique products, services and do-it-yourself project ideas for every brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s color theme. From wedding favours to home dĂŠcor, we hope you are inspired to explore this palette with us.

Pomosas with your Samosas Move over, Mimosa – hello, Pomosa! As if cocktail hour wasn’t already fun enough, Van Gogh Vodka has introduced a new Pomegranate Vodka, $27, that is sure to get the party going! Bright red, slightly sweet and mildly tart, this premium Dutch vodka is produced in a distillery that has been given the Royal Appointment for consistent excellence by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, and it is sure to elevate your royal status during the festivities! For a classy Pomosa, pour one part chilled Van Gogh Pomegranate Vodka and four parts sparkling wine into a flute and garnish with a strawberry. And yes, the cocktail pairs well with potato-filled samosas. Remember to drink responsibly – you do, after all, have to maintain proper royal etiquette. VanGoghVodka.com

The Color of Love THE COLOR OF PASSION AND STRENGTH, RED EVOKES FEELINGS OF SENSUALITY AND POWER. TRADITIONAL SOUTH ASIAN BRIDES WILL FIND RED IN THE DYE OF THEIR MEHNDI, THE MARK OF THEIR SINDOOR OR THE DOT OF THEIR BINDI. WHEREVER IT MAKES ITS APPEARANCE, RED BRINGS WITH IT A VIBRANT SPLASH OF LOVE.

Get Caged Up! Tired of the standard gift box for wedding cards? Show off your do-it-yourself skills with this easy, sophisticated gift card cage! Find a birdcage that has large enough spaces between its bars to fit various sizes of wedding cards. Spread out a colorful scarf along the inside of the cage so the cards don’t fall out. Wrap the bottom half of Bird cage. Two or three scarves. the outside of Fancy belt (optional). Safety pins. the cage with another scarf. Fold up a third scarf into a rectangle or use a fancy belt to wrap around the top of the second, securing it to the ribs of the cage with safety pins. (Note: you can also snake the second scarf in and out of some ribs of the cage instead). Voila... a unique place for your friends and family to put their cards!

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Your Own Jimmy Yous! It’s hard enough to find your dream outfits, jewelry and accessories for the many events during your wedding, but add to that having to find fabulous shoes, and your job just got way harder. Enter Shoes of Prey, a unique website that allows you to fully design and customize your own shoes. For between $195 and $350, you decide everything – from style to heel height to color, right down to luxurious materials and embellishments. They can even adjust the widths or make one shoe bigger than the other for you! No more being at the mercy of shoe-store inventory! Just log on, click Start Designing and let your imagination run! Submit your order and let the elves at Shoes of Prey custom-build your shoes and ship them to you – easy as that! This website will knock you off your feet. ShoesofPrey.com 18

Find your Balance What we put on our body is just as important as what we put in it. Inspired by nature’s medicine cabinet and the Asian concept of balancing the body, mind and spirit, Harnn’s collection may be just the thing for both of you to decompress after the wedding. The South Asian-scented Neroli & Jasmine or Sandalwood & Orange Blossom Bath & Massage Oils, $42/230ml, bring the tranquility of ancient lands to your home. Need a facial? The Water Lily Rice and Clay Facial Mask, $27, made with deep-sea clay from Tanakura, Japan and detoxifying natural charcoal blended with their signature Vitamin E-rich rice bran oil will leave your skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. HarnnUSA.com

A Personal Thank You

ma teri als:

Blank cards. Letter stamps. Stamp pad. Embellishment. Scissors. Glue gun.

Your guests make your wedding special, so show them your gratitude with a handmade Thank You card. Buy 3½" X 4" blank announcement cards with envelopes. Cut each card in half along its seam. Fold the two pieces in half (you should get two cards out of each announcement card). Using the glue gun, glue embellishments to the top of the card. Use the colors from your wedding to maintain the wedding theme and feel. Using letter stamps and a stamping pad, stamp the words “Thank You” on the front of the card.

All That Glitters A SYMBOL OF PROSPERITY AND AFFLUENCE, GOLD REPRESENTS ALL THAT IS MAJESTIC AND REGAL. WHETHER ADORNING HER NECK, EARS, NOSE OR WRISTS, GOLD CAN TURN ANY SOUTH ASIAN BRIDE INTO ROYALTY. A MAGICAL COLOR, THE OPULENCE AND SPLENDOR OF GOLD CAN NEVER BE QUESTIONED.

Golden Glow Get your girlfriends glowing with the Scandle Shimmering Lotion Candle, $23. This soy-based candle, made from 100% natural ingredients, melts at two degrees above body temperature into a shimmering fragrant massage oil and body lotion that is great for rehydrating your skin and giving it that gentle glow. The candles are available in a variety of scents and are sold in a pearly gold refillable canister. Try the green tea aloe, with its fresh citrus, jasmine petals and notes of sweet musk. ABodyCandle.com

Favor Cake! Looking for a stunning centerpiece idea? The Anniversary Favor Cake Kit is a unique way to showcase your wedding favours. Each slice of the cake is an individual favour box and when assembled together, it takes the shape of a cake! The kit is available in single-tier that serves 20, $20, and doubletier that serves 50, $30. Each favour opens up to reveal a pearl handle and mini ribbon. The kit comes complete with everything you need to create the cake, including individual love poems for each serving. Fill it with your choice of confections. GoodThingsWeddingFavors.com 19

Curvaceous Cocktails

Wrap Me Up! Planning a destination wedding or bachelorette party? Surprise your doting girlfriends with a custom-designed shawl as a reminder of your trip! Shawlux has a luxurious collection of scarves, wraps and shawls in cashmere, silk and wool, digitally printed with unique, modern designs and then hand-embellished with sequins, beading, gold/silver threadwork, crystals or feathers, starting at $148. Print an image of your destination wedding location or perhaps a group shot of your bridesmaids. Delivered in 4-6 weeks, it’s the perfect souvenir from your special day. Shawlux.com

Architecture meets elegance with Nambe's unique collection of metal and alloy barware. Tarnish and rust-resistant, you can serve drinks in style! Stir up some cocktails in their Fred Bould Twist Cocktail Shaker, $145, made of thermal-retentive metal that can be placed in the freezer. Or chill a bottle of chardonnay in a Lisa Smith Coquille Wine Chiller, $150, and keep the bubbly on ice with the Todd Myers Tilt Ice and Champagne Bucket with Tongs, $175. Your guests won’t know where to start... or stop! Nambe.com

Shiny and New IN ALL ITS ELEGANCE AND SIMPLICITY, SILVER BRINGS ABOUT A SENSE OF STYLE AND CLASS. CONSIDERED A PROTECTOR, SILVER IS OFTEN USED IN AMULETS TO WARD OFF EVIL, AND IS ALSO SEEN AS A SYMBOL OF WEALTH. STATELY SOUTH ASIAN BRIDES WILL HEAR THEIR SILVER ANKLETS TINKLING AS THEY DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY WITH THEIR LOVED ONES.

The Elephant in the Room Bring good luck to your wedding with these elegant Elephant Wedding Favours. Each elephant measures 1"x 2" and has a small slot in the back where you can tuck in a place card or a special poem. Available in chrome or gold finish, $2.50 each. MyWeddingFavors.com

Bowled Over! Make your own ring bowl by shaping air-dry clay into a mini bowl. Engrave in the wedding date with number stamps. Then, with a pencil, poke two holes at the top. Varnish with a coat

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Air-dry clay. Number stamps. Pencil. Nail polish. Ribbon. Embellishments.

of nail polish in one of the colors of your wedding (we used clear with a silver shimmer) When the bowl is dry, snake a small ribbon in your accent color through the holes and tie in the shape of a bow. You can add in embellishments like these dollar-store rings, or an ornate earring with the hook removed! 20

Stainless Steel Service Italian houseware distributor Alberto Alessi features a unique collection of home goods by designers around the world that will ease you into household matrimony. Their stainless steel collection brings elegance and class to any get-together. Start the night off serving tapas with panache and crostinis with flair on their Tray with Relief Decoration, $200, from the Dressed collection. Finish off the meal with tea, and use the innovative TÈO teaspoon, $25, creatively conceived by an Austrian designer to allow you to ring the teabag through the spoon instead of burning your fingers squeezing it! Whatever your needs, Alessi has a chic piece that will be perfect for your new home! Alessi.com

Haute Directions Men never need directions, but just in case, get him there without getting lost with this Personalized Stainless Steel Pocket Compass with World Map, $100. And for the warrior at heart, include these Vintage-inspired Silverplated Battlefield Map Cuff Links, $130. He’s retired from battle? Then try these unique Reclaimed Watch Movement Cuff Links, $170 – the perfect addition to his distinctive wardrobe. RedEnvelope.com

Tea Time Little is more soothing than a hot cup of chai. That’s why the brother and sister team at Numi have taken it upon themselves to bring the chaiwallahs of the world to your cupboard. Take a break from the stress of planning the wedding to cozy up with any of their blends. Try Numi’s Toasted Rice low-caffeine green tea with its distinct nutty aroma and smooth roasted flavor. At just $7 for a 16-count box, or a bargain $28 for 100-count, relaxing has never been more cost-effective! And if you didn’t already feel good enough curling up with a book and a hot cup of tea, you can rest easier knowing you’re helping the world become a better place. The teas are fair trade, fair labor, organic and can be composted once used. They are wrapped in eco-responsible packaging that can be recycled, and the company even works with green partners to offset its carbon emissions! For Numi, tea truly is a religion of the art of life. NumiTea.com

A Gift of Nature

With Envy SHADES OF GREEN ARE CONSIDERED TO HAVE A CALMING EFFECT AND TO HELP RELIEVE STRESS. THE COLOR OF NEW BEGINNINGS, GREEN HAS ALSO LONG BEEN A SYMBOL OF FERTILITY AND REJUVENATION. SOME SOUTH ASIAN BRIDES ADORN GREEN GLASS BANGLES ON THEIR WEDDING DAY TO REPRESENT THE NEW LIFE THEY ARE ABOUT TO BEGIN.

A green-themed wedding is the perfect time to give your guests a wedding favour that is both memorable and earth-friendly. Tree saplings are not only beautiful to look at, but can be planted by your guests to remind them of your love for each other. Find saplings or other small plants at your local nursery and wrap them up in some natural burlap and twine. The finishing touch is the whimsical gift tag, $2 each, from Wendelline Papers, a boutique stationery store that adds sophistication and style to your homemade favours! WendellinePapers.com

Stylish Protection The reception is over but the party’s just begun! A box of Sir Richard’s Condoms, $14, will help start your wedding life off with a “bang” (chuckle)! Made of 100% natural latex, vegan-friendly and with lubricant that is free of glycerin, spermicide and parabens, being in love has never been safer. You can even coordinate to the theme of your wedding with their stylish selection of colors and designs! What’s more, Sir Richard’s believes in every person’s right to safer sex, so they have committed to donating one condom to a developing country for every box purchased. Now that’s putting your money where, er, it counts! SirRichards.com

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep You’re a perfect blend of east and west, and your home could be too! Blending a modern New York style with the traditional art form of Alpona, OM Home works with local artisans in eastern India to offer a vibrant and distinct collection of linens and home-décor items. Add a splash of color and South Asian flair to your space with the Middleton Row Bedding in Jade Gray, $200, and sleep well knowing you’re supporting fair trade in style. This Queen (88"x 92"), 300-thread count cotton sateen duvet cover with two 20"x30" matching shams is printed with reactive dyes and has a button closure and plain reversible back. It is machine washable in warm water and can be tumble-dried, making maintenance a cinch. Keep your eye out for their new collection coming in Summer 2012, and make your new home an OM home! OMhome.com 22

Beg, Borrow or Steal Weddings are expensive, and not all of us want to shell out rolls of cash on outfits we’re only going to wear once before they go out of style! That’s why the team at Borrow it Bindass has committed to making your shopping experience a little easier. Featuring a large selection of South-Asian clothing in a variety of colors, styles and sizes, you can rent an outfit with jewelry to match for any special occasion. Simply browse through their apparel, select your size, let them know the date you’ll need it and you’re done! They’ll ship it to you in time for your event and you’ll be all high-fashion with none of the hassle. And the clincher? If you love it, you can pay a bit more to keep it! BorrowItBindass.com

Are You Being Served?

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Flat tray. One plain, solid-colored scarf. One fancy scarf. String. Needles. Large jewels or other embellishments. Glue gun.

The Sangeet is a great time for getting dressed up, letting go and singing and dancing away your pent-up stress before the wedding. Serve up bangles and bindis to the hard-working beauties in your family on this simple, stylish tray. Apply glue to both sides of a flat tray and cover with a solid-colored scarf. Tightly roll up a fancy scarf until it starts twisting. Wrap the ends with string and knot, so it doesn’t unravel. Criss-cross the scarf and shape into a circle the size of the tray. Pin the twists together as necessary (Note: You can also wrap string around the twists if they come apart). Glue the scarf along the edge of the tray. Glue on jewels or other embellishments. Fill with bangles and bindis and serve!

Something Borrowed... BLUE, REPRESENTING SERENITY AND SPIRITUALITY, HAS ALSO BEEN KNOWN TO SYMBOLIZE LOVE, FIDELITY AND PURITY IN SOME CULTURES. THE COLOR HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH NOBILITY AS WELL, SO SOUTH ASIAN BRIDES CAN EMBRACE THEIR ELEGANCE AND GRACE SURROUNDED BY AN AIR OF TRANQUILITY.

Make Art, Not War Looking for some unique art to put up in your new place? Why not something you and your honey make together! The Love Is Art Kit, $60-$89, includes an 80"x90" plastic sheet to protect surfaces, a 54"x41" specially treated non-allergenic white cotton canvas, a 4oz bottle of specially formulated nontoxic washable paint, two pairs of disposable slippers and a body scrubber. Designed to give you and your partner the unique opportunity to be artists for the night, create the mood, set the stage, grab your love and get intimate... on canvas! The result will be a one-of-a-kind abstract painting that represents your special moment. And when your friends ask you where you got that fantastic piece of art, you can giggle and say, “We made it!” After all, love is an art. LoveisArtKit.com 24

Shalini’s Secrets IT’S YOUR WEDDING DAY AND YOU WANT TO LOOK PICTURE PERFECT! THIS YEAR, WE’VE CALLED ON SHALINI VADHERA POTTS, OPRAH AWARD-WINNER AND RECENT BRIDE, FOR HER TAKE ON THE MUST-DOS FOR THE WEDDING. TRAVELING AROUND THE WORLD EXPLORING NEW INGREDIENTS, RITUALS AND COLORS, SHALINI HAS BUILT AN EMPIRE OF KNOWLEDGE AND IS HOLLYWOOD’S GO-TO MAKEUP EXPERT. BIBI ASKED HER TO SHARE SOME OF HER SECRETS: Shalini says: “When I got married, it was a weeklong head-to-toe makeover to get me bridal beautiful! It was like a spa week, and the results lasted well into my honeymoon. Having worked as a celebrity makeup artist and written a best-selling book, Passport To Beauty, I’ve learned loads of great tips for looking and feeling your absolute best on your wedding day. Here are a few of my favorite tips.”

Whip your Skin into Shape No amount of makeup can hide bad skin. It’s the most important part of prepping for your big day! Get on a good skincare system of cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing and masking at least one to two months ahead of time. Determine if your skin is oily, t-zone or dry. This is important to get you using the correct products and to determine the makeup you use on your big day. I like the Système 41 Skincare Essentials Kit, $130 at Systeme41.com, for normal to dry skin. For oily skin, I’m a fan of Johnson & Johnson’s Clean and Clear, $6.49 at any drugstore. Just be sure to exfoliate two to three times a week.

Prep your Canvas Every beautiful makeup job starts with a good canvas. Your foundation, powder and concealer are key to making you look flawless in your photographs! Start with a good primer: it makes all the difference in the world. I like the Smashbox Primer, $36 at Smashbox.com. Next, opt for a foundation and concealer with a yellow or golden undertone. This will eliminate that ghostly look in photographs. To set your makeup, use a good translucent loose powder. Some of my favorites are Makeup Forever HD Foundation, $40 at Sephora; Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer, $28, and Laura Mercier Translucent Powder, $34, both available at LauraMercier.com.

Don’t Forget the Shimmer! Your face looks marvelous but don’t forget your body and nails! One of my favorite beauty secrets is dry-brushing your skin before showering. Start a month before your wedding day and your skin will be glowing. And be sure to make your body shimmer! I learned this trick when I worked on all the soap operas. Use a shimmer powder or oil, like The Body Shop’s Honey Bronze Oil, $14, and Booty Parlor’s Dust Up Kissable Body Shimmer, $24 at BootyParlor.com. My favorite beauty secret for strong nails comes from the Dominican Republic: Chop fresh garlic and let it sit in to a bottle of clear nail polish for 7 to 10 days. Polish your nails and see the difference! 26

Pick a Feature and Make it Pop Too much makeup is never a good thing, so pick a feature and make it pop. Is it your eyes or your lips? No matter what you decide to play up, remember to keep your cheeks soft. I use a bronzer for contour and a pink or peach on the apples of the cheek. EYES, EYES, EYES Most brides love to play up their eyes and I don’t blame them! Choose colors that complement your wedding gown, eye color and theme of your wedding. Shades of gold and hues of plum are always pretty on the lids. I like the new Aveda Jewels of the Earth Collection. Try the gorgeous, highly pigmented Crushed Citrine, Amethyst, Azurite, and Jade shades, $12 each at Aveda.com. Lashes are a must! Whether you opt for falsies or go natural, invest in a good waterproof mascara. My favorite is the L’Oreal Voluminous Blackest Black Mascara, $6 at any drugstore. If you want longer, lusher lashes, try EnvyDerm Mascara, $36 at EnvyDerm.com, which doubles as an eyelash growth gel and conditioner. Just be sure to start using it a month before the wedding. And don’t forget to have your brows professionally shaped before your big day to ensure the perfect frame for your beautiful eyes. LUSCIOUS LIPS The first thing to remember is to always keep lips moist and slough away any chapping! If you decide to play up your eyes, opt for more natural-looking, softer lip colors. If you’re playing up your lips, go bold! I love the Kissaholic Aphrodisiac Plumping Lipgloss in Throb, $16 at BootyParlor.com. If you don’t have a steady hand, line the outside of your lip with Judith August’s The Everything Pencil, $16 at JudithAugustCosmetics.com. And don’t forget your teeth! Nothing makes a prettier smile than gorgeous white teeth. I used the Whitening Lightning Dial A Smile kit, $399 at WhiteningLightning.com, just before my wedding and loved it! Use case-sensitive code BIBI60 for 60% off!

Tony’sPicks Shalini’s husband, Tony Potts, is no stranger to fame. He has been in the television industry for years, and he knows what works for your man’s moment in the spotlight. For a moisturizing shave enriched with vitamins and Dead Sea Minerals, opt for the Minus 417 Shave Cream, $29. Full of natural oils, it will leave his skin feeling soft. Minus417.com When his lips need conditioning, hand him the Menaji Lip Balm Agent, $7.50, made with natural oils to soothe chapped lips. And after his crazy bachelor party, he can reach for the Menaji 911 Eye Gel, $36, which acts like an ice pack to reduce puffiness. The Menaji line, made specifically for men, will make him feel taken care of without the fuss, Menaji.com.

GORGEOUS HAIR I suggest a hot-oil massage once a week leading up to the wedding. Remember: good hair care products make your hair healthy and shiny. Try the Pirri Elements Hair Care Products with Dead Sea Minerals, $20-24 at PirriHairGroup.com. And tap into your South Asian roots by doing a weekly scalp massage with coconut, almond, olive or castor oil... it does wonders! I hope these tips will help you feel and look your absolute best on your special day. I’m excited for you! Ø 27

Bibi’s

Beauty Picks! SOME PRODUCTS ARE TRUE MIRACLE WORKERS, FROM STAY-PUT MAKEUP TO SKIN TREATMENTS THAT DELIVER EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS. HERE, BIBI EDITORS TESTED AND TRUST THE FOLLOWING BEAUTY MUST-HAVES.

Eye-lation Add dimension to your eyes with the Eye Shadow Trios from Smashbox, $28. With their variety of unique color combinations like Parfait-Cabernet-Ash or FrostFrambois-Aubergine, you don’t have to try to figure out which colors go together. With just three sweeps of your brush, you can highlight and create depth, making your eyes pop in an instant. Smashbox.com

Pucker Up Smashbox Be Legendary Lipsticks, $19, are perfect for moisturizing your lips while adding a splash of color. They’re available in a variety of enticing colors for every skintone, but Bibi likes Pink Petal, Mandarin, Vivid Violet and Nylon Nude for the best match to olive tones. Smashbox.com

Bright Out It’s not that you should look lighter, but bright, even skintone is a must for every bride. Purely White Skin Brightening System by Jurlique promises results in 30 days when used together as an ensemble. From cleansers to creams to a skin mist, $23-$58, even the use of a single product helps. Jurlique.com

Facial Workout Say goodbye to tired, sagging skin and hello to the NuFACE® Trinity Facial Toning Device. This handheld device helps stimulate and tone facial muscles and skin with gentle microcurrent waves. The result is a noticeable boost in circulation, muscle tone, and stimulation of your body’s own elastin and collagen production. Bibi Editors noticed younger, more firmer skin from the very first use. This device, $325, is an investment in your skin for years to come and can be outfitted with interchangeable heads for increased functionality. Lilly Rivera of BridalGal offers treatments with NuFace and will also sell you the device for home use. Bridalgal@aol.com MyNuFace.com 28

Best Face Forward Rarely does a facewash catch our attention, but The Skin 2 Skin White Tea Face Wash, $39, is an exceptional product that deep cleanses and exfoliates while retaining the skin’s natural oils. Ingredients like White Tea, Neroli, Jasmine, Orange, Lemon, Bergamot and Spearmint blend to provide skin-friendly boosts in antioxidants, vitamins, cleansing and hydration. The formula quickly removes makeup, including mascara, and leaves skin clean, supple and blemish-free. It’s fragranced with essential oils and contains 20 Certified Organic Extracts. Skin2skincare.com

Stick it to Them Dress up your nails instantly with Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips, $9. These nail-shaped stickers are actually strips of real nail polish that adhere to your nail, giving you instant salon-worthy results that last up to 10 days. The line offers 40 styles of nail designs, but Bibi’s favorites are Glitz Blitz, Laced Up, Misbehave and Sweet Tart-an. SallyHansen.com

Ancient

Bridal Beauty THE BETROTHAL PERIOD BEFORE THE WEDDING IS A PARTICULARLY SPECIAL TIME FOR A BRIDE. NOT ONLY IS SHE IN THE MIDST OF PLANNING HER UNION WITH HER BELOVED, SHE ALSO HAS TIME TO FOCUS ON BEAUTIFYING HERSELF. FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, BEAUTY RITUALS HAVE HELPED GIRLS TRANSITION FROM YOUTH TO WOMANHOOD. THE PROCESS, SHARED WITH FEMALE FAMILY MEMBERS, MAKES EACH RITUAL A BONDING OPPORTUNITY. INGREDIENTS USED IN TRADITIONAL RITUALS WERE MOSTLY PLANT-DERIVED AND IN THEIR MOST NATURAL STATE. TODAY, MANY OF THESE INGREDIENTS CAN BE FOUND IN PRE-PACKAGED FORMS, OFTEN COMBINED WITH ELEMENTS OF MODERN SCIENCE. HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE A TRADITIONALIST, ALONG WITH THE FLOWERS AND WEDDING TROUSSEAU, IMPLEMENTING A BEAUTY REGIMEN EARLY ON WILL REVEAL THE BIGGEST SECRET OF ALL-NATURAL BEAUTY: WOMEN HAVE USED THESE IDEAS FOR GENERATIONS BECAUSE THEY WORK. PARTAKING IN THESE ANCIENT RITUALS WILL SURELY MAKE YOU FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO YOUR CULTURE. By Ekta R. Garg

Many South Asians use turmeric (haldi) in cooking, but this spice has also been revered for centuries for its skin-cleansing properties. The turmeric plant grows naturally in South Asia and is said to have been in use in India for at least 6000 years. In addition to being used in the kitchen, the spice was used generations ago as a medicinal aid and dye. Women in ancient India included turmeric in their beauty regimen as it was readily available in their kitchen, and also because in those days, beauty products werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mass-produced and mass-marketed. In preparation for their wedding, women would use a paste of turmeric and water as a facial mask to brighten their skin and get rid of discoloration. They would also apply a paste called ubtan, made of turmeric, gram flour (besan), oils, herbs and water, all over their body to get glowing skin. In many places in South Asia today, brides still use ubtan to prepare for their wedding, often turning the ritual into a prewedding celebration for female family members. 30

These days, turmeric is available in most Asian grocery stores, and as people become more adventurous in their cooking, non-Asian stores have also begun stocking the spice. For a healthy glow, mix some turmeric powder with coconut oil and massage into the skin before showering. For a homemade facial mask, mix turmeric powder with either cucumber juice or lemon juice, applying it to the face, and then washing it off after 15 minutes. Follow with moisturizer.

Beauty is in the Hands Probably the most recognizable tradition of South Asian weddings, henna or mehndi appeared as early as 1200 BC when Egyptians used it to stain their nails and dye animal skins. Henna has been used in many other cultures as well, often for bridal purposes. Grown as a small tree, the leaves of the henna plant are crushed and made into a paste that is filled into those little cones we all know. Henna is also used in South Asian countries as a natural hair dye, infusing hair with a deep red glow. Popular for its conditioning properties, some records put the first uses of henna as hair dye as early as 1500 BC. As global trade increased, henna traveled on ships and horseback as a beauty novelty.

Green Bride, SB Images

Good As (Yellow) Gold

With the development of technology, henna, too, has advanced. These days, it’s easy to find “stick and remove” applications of this South Asian bridal necessity, along with embellishments such as rhinestones and glitter. However, for more traditional results, opt for the old-fashioned method; it has a cooling effect and is said to calm a bride’s nerves before she embarks on a new life. Moreover, deep red henna patterns are the mark of a newlywed and South Asian custom has it that while the color is still visible, a bride does not have to perform any household chores.

Essentially Beautiful Another ancient bridal beauty ritual is the use of oils to condition the hair and skin. Oils have been used for thousands of years because of their availability in the home. In ancient times, women used edible oils, such as coconut oil, on their hair and body. Coconut oil’s unique ability to melt when heated and condense when cooled made it an ideal hairstyling tool to keep hair in place for those extended wedding ceremonies. The vitamin E in coconut oil makes it a good scalp moisturizer, and its fat content provides a natural anti-dandruff agent. Brides also commonly use mustard oil in their hair, as this is thought to grow hair faster, allowing a bride to don the traditional long, thick bridal braid. Mustard oil can also be infused with henna leaves to stop hair loss and is an important ingredient in ubtan. Today, many essential oils are preferred to traditional ones, mainly because of their more palatable scents. Acting as a modern-day counterpart to coconut oil, rosemary oil helps in similar ways with dandruff and dry scalp, as well as with dry facial skin. Massage a few drops into the face every day, which will help with rough skin and ease congestion and puffiness. In those stressful weeks and days leading up to the wedding, a drop of lavender oil behind the ears can help calm the nerves. Using lavender at night can also induce a better quality of sleep. As an alternative to the oil, find a lavender pillow mist for the same effect.

Fragrant Oils and Scents In Sanskrit literature from the 6th century, there are several mentions of perfumes and cosmetics. In particular, a natural perfume oil called ittar was made by boiling fragrant flowers and plants in water or oil. The resulting perfume was then applied in preparation for a major event. To that end, fresh flowers have also been a long-standing staple of

South Asian weddings, providing brides with a convenient, all-natural way to look and smell beautiful on their big day. Another strong use of fragrance has been in the form of incense. Some texts provide evidence that the Babylonians used incense while praying and during ceremonial events. Most surviving ancient records show incense or aromatic plants being used in some form of worship by a variety of cultures. Native Americans, for example, used them in rituals for cleansing and healing. In Eastern cultures, people burned aromatic plants and waved them around those believed to be carrying negative energies or harboring negative thoughts. In olden times in India, the maharanis, particularly brides, would float the smoke against their locks to perfume their hair. Incense has been a part of South Asian culture for centuries and is an integral part of many rites and rituals today. Having incense sticks burning in the home is a great way to induce a calm, peaceful environment. Keep incense sticks and holders handy in those final days before the wedding, and when feeling apprehensive about all that is left to do, burn the incense and watch worries float away in a trail of smoke and scent. Although these may be the most common ancient beauty practices, many more traditions exist. For example, the use of kohl not only beautifies a bride’s eyes, but is also said to protect her from the harsh sun and the evil eye. Amla or Indian gooseberry has been known to give hair a shiny gloss while reetha and shikakai help condition hair. Other beauty elements include rose water, jasmine oil, honey, and sesame seeds, all of which carry their own unique properties. Whichever elements you choose, drawing on ancient beauty rituals is an important part of being a bride, and something that should not be forgotten. Ø 31

Experts

Ask the

SUSMITA PATEL, BRIDAL MAKEUP EXPERT AND FOUNDER OF STUDIO SUSH, IS A MULTIPLE THREAT IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY: SHE IS A LICENSED MAKEUP ARTIST, AESTHETICIAN, HAIRSTYLIST AND WAXING EXPERT. A CONSULTANT FOR MAJOR COSMETICS BRANDS, INCLUDING SHISEIDO, LANCOME, VERSACE, DIOR AND CLINIQUE, SHE BELIEVES THAT PROVIDING ‘THE TOTAL LOOK’ FOR HER CLIENTS ENABLES HER TO TRULY CUSTOMIZE A SYNERGISTIC OUTCOME THAT REFLECTS THE PERSONALITY AND AESTHETIC GOALS OF EACH BRIDE.

Choosing the

Right Tikka THE TIKKA AND DAMINI (MATHA PATTI) ARE PIECES OF HEAD JEWELRY WORN IN ALL PARTS OF SOUTH ASIA. THEY ARE AMONGST THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECES OF A BRIDE’S SOLAH SHRINGAR (16 BRIDAL ORNAMENTS). PROPER TIKKA OR DAMINI SELECTION IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF COMPLETING YOUR BRIDAL LOOK. BE SELECTIVE: THE RIGHT PIECE SHOULD ACCENTUATE YOUR FACE SHAPE, HAIRSTYLE AND FEATURES. IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHICH HEADPIECE WILL HELP COMPLETE YOUR LOOK WITHOUT BEING OVERWHELMING, YOU SHOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE SHAPE OF YOUR FACE AND SIZE OF YOUR FOREHEAD. THE FOLLOWING STEPS WILL HELP YOU DETERMINE WHICH STYLES OF HEAD JEWELRY WILL BE BEST FOR YOU.

Analyzing your Face Print out a forward-facing picture of your face with your hair pulled back (as shown in the diagrams). You may want to print two copies so that you can clearly see the lines in both the horizontal and vertical sections. The following steps require that you draw lines on the photograph, so make sure the picture is large enough for each line to be visible.

Horizontal Symmetry

Measure the distance between the eyebrow line and the nose line; draw a vertical line from your nose to your chin this exact length. Do not be alarmed if this line goes beyond your face or stops short. Finally, draw a horizontal line where that vertical line ends. If the line goes beyond your face, you have a small face. If the line does not reach your chin, you have a long face. A fully symmetrical face will have the same distance between each of the three lined sections.

Vertical Symmetry Start by drawing a vertical line along both sides of the face where your tear ducts are, and another along the points where your eyes end. You should now see three separate vertical blocks. The block in

Bride, Manish Mavani

Begin by drawing a straight line across the face from where your hairline begins. Then, draw a second line under your eyebrows, at their lowest point straight across; the eyebrows will ideally touch the line twice at their beginning and ending points. Then, draw a third horizontal line under your nose. Now that all the reference lines have been drawn, take a few measurements to determine symmetry.

Bride wearing a Rajasthani borla.

the middle will help determine your eye set, which also figures into the headpiece selection. Measure the distance from the end of your eye to the middle of your iris. Then, draw a line of that distance from your tearduct to the outside of your face. For example, if your eye is four centimeters from the inner to outer corner, draw a line that is a distance of two centimeters. This will determine if your face is vertically symmetrical, narrow or wide.

Determining Tikka Length Again we will use the printed photographs as a point of reference. Measure the height of your open eye and draw a line of that height upwards from the highest point on your brow. Consider this line the new boundary line. Your tikka should not extend past this line.

Completing the Puzzle The style of the tikka, modern or traditional, will depend on your personality. For wider faces, select a teardrop or round tikka to bring attention to the center of the face and create the illusion of symmetry. Since a damini frames the face, it is not recommended for this face type. If it is something that you really want or require, be sure to select a wide chain that covers a good portion of the forehead as it contours the hairline. Long faces are complimented by round or moonshaped tikkas that allow the chain to drop until the tikka reaches the previously determined boundary line. This will give the illusion of a shorter, more symmetrical face. Most long faces look good with a side hair part. Many brides have the misconception that all tikkas must be placed within a middle part or on top of the hair after a side parting. However, the tikka can also be placed under the hair by creating a center part, securing the tikka, and then covering the part with hair from the sides of the head. Round faces are complimented by a teardrop tikka or Rajasthani borla. To establish the illusion of an oval face, a damini can be placed slightly above the hairline and secured with hairpins. A person with a round face can use multiple chain extensions for the damini, but remember to make the last chain contour the hairline. â&#x2C6;&#x2026;

KNOWN AS AN EVENT PLANNER, STYLIST, MAKEUP ARTIST AND ALL-AROUND CREATIVE PERSON, NIRJARY DESAI IS THE FOUNDER OF KIS (CUBED) EVENTS AND BRIDAL ELEMENTS BY NIRJARY DESAI. NIRJARY’S INSPIRATIONS COME FROM HER GLOBAL TRAVELS, LOVE FOR INTERNATIONAL CUISINE, DANCE, THEATER AND HER CREATIVE EYE FOR ART IN ITSELF. BEING A CREATIVE SOUL, SHE IS DRAWN TO THE SMALLEST DETAILS THAT MAKE EVERY CONCEPT AND IDEA BECOME A BRUSH STROKE ON A CANVAS FULL OF VIBRANT COLORS, TECHNIQUES, DESIRES AND EXECUTION OF ONE’S IMAGINATION.

Your Style

THE WEDDING IS AMONG A COUPLE’S MOST IMPORTANT DAYS. AS THE PLANNING BEGINS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO INCORPORATE THE STYLES OF BOTH THE BRIDE AND GROOM. WHEN TRYING TO FIND A DÉCOR STYLE THAT WORKS FOR BOTH OF THE BETROTHED, CELEBRITY COUPLES — VIVEK OBEROI AND PRIYANKA ALVA, LARA DUTTA AND MAHESH BHUPATHI, PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE MIDDLETON, KATE MOSS AND JAMIE HINCE AND THE ALLEGEDLY MARRIED KRISTEN STEWART AND ROBERT PATTISON — ARE A PERFECT REFERENCE. Inspired by actor Vivek Oberoi and Priyanka Alva’s wedding, everyone can have a Bollywood-themed wedding and reception in their own style. The Bollywood theme consists of bright, vibrant colors, with a traditional mandap involving the reds, greens and golds that most brides tend to choose. The colors for a grand reception feature magenta, peacock blue, lush purple and evergreen, a combination that provides a rich Bollywood-meets-glamour look. The décor for the function can be brought together with candles, colorful chairs, creative centerpieces, flower and foliage arrangements and vibrant backdrops. Supermodel Lara Dutta and tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi, who opted for an intimate destination wedding in Goa, inspire a more nature-themed wedding. If you choose to have a destination wedding with the ocean nearby and perfect weather year round, brides can opt for a simpler look, whether they choose a traditional white dress, like Lara, or a brighter colored lehnga with light embroidery. The groom can similarly dress in a beach appropriate linen suit to match the bride. The décor for a beach-themed wedding should be very elegant but less formal, with silk fabrics and bright flowers acting as accents. You can also incorporate the natural beauty of the beach with shells, lanterns,

palm tree leaves, tropical flowers and colored sand. Moving on from Bollywood royalty to British royalty, the wedding of the year would have to go to the royal couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton. To have a grand royal wedding, not everyone has to go Westminster Abbey. There are many beautiful churches or temples where couples can exchange vows and have their own version of a fairytale wedding. For invitations, instead of opting for a traditional card and envelope, I recommend the more royal scroll as an invite. The bride can be as creative as she wants and can even design a coat of arms to add a personalized touch. Kate Middleton wore a lace Alexander McQueen gown that was traditional in its cut yet still breathtaking. Brides can choose an outfit that is made of lace and has a train built into the design. Victorian-inspired corsets and bustles can transform a traditional lehnga into a more royal look. Grooms can wear a tuxedo, formal suit or, if he has been in the service, his uniform. For this type of wedding, hair and makeup should be neutral to go with the dress, as well as the wedding theme. A bouquet of rich red roses and a Cinderella-style horse and carriage can be a finishing touch to the perfect royal wedding. For those wanting to step away from the norm, the ideal celebrity couple to follow is supermodel Kate Moss and rock

Royal couple, PA/Hugo Burnand; Mahesh and Lara, India-Forums.com

Ask the

Experts

Personalizing

guitarist Jamie Hince. For an edgier wedding, many choose a similar bohemian chic style. Brides can dress their bridal party in floral tiaras and the groom in a less traditional ensemble, such as a colored suit rather than the usual black tux. Vintage jewelry like the ring that Jamie gave Kate, add to the bohemian appeal. A simple wedding dress and makeup in earth tones help create the perfect look for this style of wedding. For this style, I would recommend sunflowers or daisies, as they are subtle and can be dyed to the bride’s color scheme. The perfect music to go with this theme (other than rock and roll) can be old school rock and jazz, including anything from Frank Sinatra to Aerosmith. A live band adds to the authenticity. Every wedding needs a getaway car, but since this isn’t your typical wedding, a white horse would be ideal to gallop away into married life. From Bollywood glam to bohemian chic, all weddings have some similarities, but nothing can compare to a young hipster couple like Twilight stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattison. Not all brides choose a reception hall for their special day; some would prefer their own backyard. Backyard weddings tend to be more intimate, with only close family and friends

attending the ceremony. A couple can decide to use a tent and lanterns for décor and lighting. If you want more greenery, opt for a flower arch or a gazebo decorated with a variety of flowers in shades of white, cream and light pink. White chiavari chairs are perfect with white tablecloths and votive candles. Similarly, centerpieces can be something tasteful that does not take away from the bride, such as large glass hurricane vases filled with water, pearls and pink lilies. An outdoor wedding like this can include more floral designs rather than décor and lighting. Figuring out all the details that go into a wedding can be difficult enough, but when trying to include both the bride and the groom’s styles, hopefully these celebrity couples can provide some ideas or inspirations to finding the right wedding style for both your and your partner’s personalities. ∅

The Elements of Design YOUR INVITATION SETS THE TONE FOR YOUR WEDDING AS IT IS YOUR GUESTSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; FIRST GLIMPSE OF YOUR THEME. WITH ALL THE NEW DESIGN ELEMENTS FOUND IN MODERN DAY WEDDINGS, YOUR INVITATION SHOULD ALSO REFLECT THIS CREATIVE NEW DIRECTION. FOR 2012, PERSONALIZATION WITH A NOD TOWARDS HAND-CRAFTED IS THE OVERLYING TREND. COUPLED WITH CLEAN DESIGN AND NEW COLOR PALETTES, YOUR INVITATION HAS NEVER LOOKED BETTER.

Modernized Motifs

Designer Envelopes

Creating your own emblem or monogramme is a great way to brand all of your wedding elements, starting from the invitation and ending with customized gobos illuminating your bridal brand throughout your reception hall. Your emblem can be as simple as an intertwining of your initials to a graphic element of an activity the two of you share.

Your invitation is obviously going to be gorgeous, but what about your envelope? Designed envelopes are gaining popularity mainly because when the final package arrives at your guestsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; homes, the visual excitement begins immediately.

Color

Personalization With all of the things you can do with your laser printer, sometimes the most special element can be hand-crafted elegance. Letterpress invitations remain at the highest end of all things printed. Originating in the mid-15th century, letterpress printing is an art form in which letters are pressed and inked on paper. The result is a tactile invitation resplendent of all that is special. Patel Printing Plus, PatelPrintingPlus.com, is one of the few printing houses that specializes in letterpress printing. It is a little more expensive due to the detailed labor involved, but the end result is worth it.

Coordination Invitations are not the only place where you can implement your color scheme when it comes to printed paper. Coordinated collateral materials, such as wedding programmes, menus and thank you cards are just the beginning! Be original and extend your theme to chocolate bars, water bottles, paper favours and anything else you can imagine. 36

Following the latest fashion runways, wedding colors are bursting with electric purples, bold reds and warm yellows, and your invitation can also pick up on these color trends. When choosing a palette, opt for three colors, one as the main color, a second as its contrast and a third as a highlight. With a tri-color theme, the possibilities for interesting and unique combinations are endless.

Invitations by Patel Printing Plus

2011 Bollywood Weddings BOLLYWOOD FANS FEEL THE EXCITEMENT AS RUMORS CONTINUE TO SWIRL ABOUT A POSSIBLE KAREENA-SAIF WEDDING IN 2012, HINTED AT BY THE STARS THEMSELVES IN A CHAT WITH KARAN JOHAR ON THE TALK SHOW “KOFFEE WITH KARAN” AND IN ONLINE AND PRINT INTERVIEWS. ACTOR RITESH DESHMUKH AND LONGTIME SWEETHEART, GENELIA D’SOUZA, REPORTEDLY ARE SET TO TIE THE KNOT IN 2012 AS WELL. THE TWO MET DURING THE SHOOTING OF THEIR DEBUT FILM, TUJHE MERI KASAM, EIGHT YEARS AGO. WITH WEDDING TALK IN THE AIR, BIBI TAKES A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BOLLYWOOD WEDDINGS OF 2011. By Ekta R. Garg

Imran Khan and Avantika Malik January 10, 2011 This year began with the nuptials of heartthrob Imran Khan and girlfriend Avantika Malik. Imran wore a black bandhgala and Avantika graced the ceremony in a soft white lehnga that touched the floor in a double border of gold and hot magenta. They had a civil ceremony attended to only by close friends and family at uncle Aamir Khan’s home, and the wedding well-wishers celebrated with a special dinner later at the Taj Land’s End Hotel in Mumbai. The couple met eight years ago at a party and began dating immediately. Their families became better acquainted with one another during these years, and both families looked excited and pleased in the post-wedding photos. Aamir, too, wore black at his nephew’s wedding and went out of his way to greet guests as wife Kiran Rao glowed by his side in a purple and gold lehnga.

Neelam Kothari and Sameer Soni January 23, 2011 Less than two weeks later, former hit actress Neelam Kothari married model-turned-actor beau Sameer Soni. Once again, Taj Land’s End in Mumbai served as the venue, this time for the actual wedding ceremony, as Neelam and Sameer invited close friends and family to what they called an informal affair. Black continued to be the color of choice for grooms

this season as Sameer appeared at the ceremony in a black suit. Neelam glowed in a traditional white and red sari, appearing the fully traditional Indian bride, complete with wedding chuda on her wrists. Neelam’s film career peaked in the 1980s with several hits. Sameer’s career began on television. With limited success in films, he currently stars in the TV series “Parichay” on Aapka Colors. The two met at producer Ekta Kapoor’s home three years ago and formed a relationship after meeting. This marriage is a second for both.

Lara Dutta and Mahesh Bhupathi February 19, 2011 In the month of love, actress and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta married tennis champion Mahesh Bhupathi in Goa. Lara wore a traditional white lace gown for the Christian ceremony, with a diamond tiara dressing up her hair. Mahesh, joining the other grooms of the year, wore a black tuxedo. They exchanged vows at a top hotel near Candolim Beach. Wedding guests enjoyed a variety of gastronomic delights, with a menu of Goan food, sushi and Thai food, and many of Mahesh’s tennis friends attended the ceremony. Tennis featured as a theme throughout the ceremony itself as, after promising the customary “for better or worse” and “in sickness and health,” Lara asserted she was Mahesh’s “chief doubles partner,” promising to return your serves and volley along side you.” The two are now expecting their first baby, reportedly due sometime in February 2012. ∅

Making

Marriage DECIDING TO GET MARRIED IS NEVER A SIMPLE DECISION. ALTHOUGH IT ALL SOUNDS ROMANTIC, IN REALITY, A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE REQUIRES DEDICATION AND A COMMITMENT TO MAKING THE UNION WORK. WITH 50 PERCENT OF MARRIAGES ENDING IN DIVORCE, WE DECIDED TO ASK THE EXPERTS: REAL LIFE COUPLES WHO ARE IN CONTENTED RELATIONSHIPS. FROM A COUPLE ABOUT TO BE MARRIED, TO ONE THAT HAS JUST CELEBRATED THEIR FIRST YEAR, TO A MARRIAGE THAT HAS SPANNED 25 YEARS, OUR COUPLES ARE NOT ONLY MARRIED BUT ALSO WELL KNOWN IN THE SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITY. MEET KEISHA LOCKWOOD AND JAY RANA, SHIREEN AND JAY DABHI AND MEERA AND VIKRAM GANDHI. HERE, THEY SPEAK CANDIDLY, GIVING THEIR ADVICE ON HOW TO MAKE A PERFECT UNION WORK IN AN IMPERFECT WORLD. By Rachna Vohra

Keisha Lockwood and Jay Rana We first spoke with Jay Rana, a New Jersey-born DJ, who recently proposed to his fiancé, Keisha. Jay was raised in New Jersey, and Keisha was raised in a small town in Belize, Central America, but they met at a wedding in Brooklyn where Jay was rocking old school tunes. Keisha knew all of the words to Jay’s favorite songs, which was enough for him to ask her out on a date, and she happily accepted his offer. After two years of dating and breaking up because of the difficulties they faced as an interracial couple, Jay was on a cruise with his cousins when he finally decided he couldn’t live without Keisha. He called her from the ship and simply said, “We should get married.” His cousins interrupted his phone call, so Jay didn’t get to hear her answer, but when he returned home, he and Keisha sat down together and talked about their future, realizing they were meant for each other. They decided to get engaged on April 6th, 2012, four years to the day since their first phone call, and are set to be married on the same date in 2013! 38

How did you come together? Jay: Keisha is a Virgo and I am a Pisces, which, in the astrological world, are complete opposites of each other, but we realized that instead of being like oil and water, we like to consider ourselves as Yin and Yang. We feel we complete each other and fill each other’s voids and imperfections. This is how I knew she was the one for me and she knew I was the one for her. I think she figured this out long before I did, though. You know what they say: women are smarter than men! What does marriage mean to you? Jay: Marriage is not just about a couple coming together, having kids and living life. To us, it is more sacred. It is about staring at each other and not saying a word. It is about smiling when there is nothing to smile about and lighting up when the other walks in the room. Marriage to us is a union of two worlds and two spirits coming together as one. Keisha: Marriage is a blessing God has bestowed upon two people to share together. You should be each other’s partner, confidant, best friend and lover for life. I believe that everyone has a soulmate. Sharing your joy, happiness, laughter, sadness and tears with the one God has chosen to be your life partner is the best experience two people can ever have in life. What advice can you offer couples entering this new stage of their life? Jay: The only piece of advice I can

Keisha and Jay: Capture Event

One Year to Marriage

give is this: This journey is a roller coaster. You’ll feel excitement at the beginning and a little queasy towards the middle with its ups and downs. But at the end of it, you’ll want to do it all over again. Keisha: All I can say is be calm, patient, and openminded. Things are bound to go wrong, take it for what it is and roll with the punches. Quoting Jay, ‘it is a roller coaster,’ but if you’re strong-minded, independent and dedicated to making this life work, nothing will stand in your way. Only you and you alone knows what you want for your present and future life. Live life for you... not others.

you happy, and their actions toward you will reflect that as well. Give to give, not give to get. Another thing I’ve learned is to hit the reset button. Treat every day as a new day. It sounds weird, but act like you don’t know your partner. Every day, act as if you’re meeting them for the first time. You’ll be surprised how much less arguing you will do since yesterday’s baggage isn’t affecting today’s conversation and judgments.

Married One Year Shireen and Jay Dabhi

Next, meet Jay Dabhi, a New York City DJ with top-selling remix albums, who met his wife Shireen through mutual friends and recently celebrated his first wedding anniversary with her. With Shireen in Dallas and Jay in New York City, they saw their share of difficulties being in a long-distance relationship, but thanks to email, IM and the phone, they found communication to be the key to their marital success. Jay proposed to Shireen after a three-course meal as they floated along a private lake on an illuminated gondola with Italian music serenading them. Soon after, they were married in a cross-cultural Egyptian-Indian wedding, and have been together just over a year. What have you learned after a year of marriage? Shireen: You know all the things people share with you like ‘don’t go to bed angry with each other’, ‘pick and choose your battles’, ‘make sure you have date night’, ‘begin and end each day with love’ – they are so true and things to remember. Picking and choosing your battles and not sweating the small stuff is helpful – especially in those first months when you are adjusting to marriage. Life is happening right now, so we cherish each and every moment we have together and we live our lives that way. Some moments are better than others but you learn to treasure all of them just the same. Every day is a new day filled with possibility. Communication is key and the way you communicate makes a world of difference on how it’s received and interpreted. We’ve learned to really listen to each other and hear what the other person is saying. Jay: The first few months are definitely an adjustment. You have to take into consideration another person, and that’s where true happiness is. If you go through life expecting happiness from someone then you’ll never be happy – you’ll end up disappointed because the other person’s actions didn’t meet your expectations. Focus on making your partner happy, that’s it. When you operate from that space, seeing the one you love happy will make

Have you faced any challenges during the first year? Shireen: What made the first year of marriage challenging for me was not so much being married, but moving away from family and friends in Texas, where I was born and raised. Everything changed for me in an instant. I was part of a new family, had a new address in a new state, in a new position at a new office on a new team. The move alone from Texas to New York was a culture shock and then throw in adjusting to living with someone! You take things for granted like how to get around to go shopping, to buy groceries and even to go to the gym. At first it felt like I was on an extended vacation and eventually it sunk in that this is my new world. New York City is an amazing city rich with diversity and I love being able to explore all it has to offer. All of these changes in my life are blessings and part of a new journey I’m on, and having Jay along for the ride is fabulous! Do you have any advice for newly married couples? Shireen: When you get married and your families join together, you have to remember families have different ways of doing things. Even if you are from the same culture, each family has their own set of family traditions and upbringings. Take that into consideration and appreciate each other’s differences. Relate to your in-laws and find out what they are interested in and share in that with them. My in-laws love Indian soap operas and Bollywood movies and 39

I enjoy spending time watching those with them. Jay: Having a great relationship with in-laws is imperative to a happy environment. I’ve heard stories of couples who don’t get along with in-laws and it’s never pretty. In-laws just want to make sure their daughter or son is well taken care of. Make it a point to show them you’re doing that. The in-laws will see their daughter or son happy and that will just make your relationship with them better. They can sense when their child is not happy so don’t try to fool them. Also, find out what their interests are and talk to them about those things. Relate to them, joke with them, make them laugh. Shireen’s dad calls me bekash, which is basically brown-noser in Arabic. I’m a butt-kisser and proud of it!

Married 25 Years

Meera and Vikram Gandhi Finally, meet humanitarian and philanthropist, Meera Gandhi, who is the CEO and Founder of The Giving Back Foundation. Meera married her high school sweetheart, Vikram, straight out of college and celebrated a beautiful 25 years with him in November 2011. Together, the couple have three children, ages 23, 18 and 15, and divide their time between New York City, London and Hong Kong where their children attend different boarding schools and colleges. Meera and Vikram met and studied together in Mumbai and were married by the age of 21. They soon moved to the US together to pursue higher education, and have lived in wedded bliss since then. To commemorate their 25-year union, the couple travelled to Bhutan to celebrate their long journey together. They stopped off in Delhi to celebrate with family and friends before making their way to Bhutan to trek up a mountain for five hours to the Tiger’s Eye Monastery where they exchanged rings while 14 monks chanted Buddhist prayers. How do you balance marriage, children and career in a way that works for everyone? It is quite simple: God comes first, family next and work third. The rest falls into place. Where there is a will, there is a way. We believe that love begets love, respect begets respect and kindness begets kindness. We always put our family first, and I have never missed a pick-up or drop-off at school for the kids. Meals together are important, and talking through 40

issues is essential. The children need to hear a parent’s point of view. Both Vikram and I are list people – we makes lists, we take calls from each other first and are always there for each other. In the fastpaced life we live, that is super important. Why did you choose to renew your vows in Bhutan? Vikram chose Bhutan – he is the closet romantic! It wasn’t really a renewal of vows because Vikram feels you take your vows once. It was rather more of a celebration of this long journey together: a quarter of a century married and a friendship of 32 years. We exchanged rings engraved with the simple message: Meera and Vikram 1989~25 Years. The exchange of rings is our way of saying to each other that we value each other and our beautiful journey together. What have you learned after 25 years of marriage? I think we share very similar ideas of life, success and values, which makes things simple in the marriage. We give each other space to make decisions, to grow and to realize our dreams. We love our kids with a passion and we love each other with a passion and have never really analyzed our marriage. It works; there is mutual trust and support and lots of respect! Our marriage started on the right foot: we were in love and wanted to be with each other for the rest of our lives. We came to the US with nothing but the promise of a great education. We worked hard and had our three amazing kids, and here we are, 25 years later! What advice can you give couples embarking on this lifelong journey together? To newlyweds I would say that everything you do from the first day of the marriage counts. If you are kind and thoughtful, it will count when you are 70 years old. If you are dishonest or cheat, it will count. If you are respectful and giving, it will count. Like every relationship, the smallest of mistakes and the largest of accomplishments all count. So try to be the best person you can be, even when no one is looking! Respect your marriage, whether you are with your spouse or not. Do things for each other, enjoy each other, smile at each other and take time to say “I love you” every single day. Just like the sun rises for us each day, we need to say “I love you” afresh each day. Marriage is wonderful. It is great to have someone who loves you and whom you can love in return; and kids are the icing on the cake! ∅

Nilmin Momin and Imtiaz Khanji Houston, April 23, 2011

Childhood sweethearts Nilmin Momin and Imtiaz Khanji met in 1997 at a three-day camp when they were both 13 years old. Nilmin was a bit shy even though she really liked Imtiaz, and although they were in the same group with ten other members, the two never spoke to one another. They were reunited a few weeks later at a community picnic, and after speaking to each other for the first time, they began dating on that very day. During their 13-year courtship, the couple went on a cruise with their closest friends to Cabo San Lucas. To Nilmin’s surprise, Imtiaz reserved a private room and planned a walk down memory lane with all of their friends. He played a video that highlighted stages and events in their lives – from the first time they met through high school, college and after college. Imtiaz was not in the video himself, but had spent hours recording and interviewing family and friends from the specific times in their lives to get their perspective. It was through these videos that their friends told Imtiaz and Nilmin’s love story. At the end of the video, Imtiaz proposed – on Nilmin’s 27th birthday. Nilmin and Imtiaz had started planning their wedding months before the proposal, since the couple already knew they would be getting married when the time was right. Originally, they thought it would take them six months to plan the wedding of their dreams, but little did they know it would take the couple a year to organize the four-day wedding festivities! The wedding events kicked off at the Khanji and Momin residences, followed by the pithi at the Sugarland Ballroom, the reception at the Arabia Shrine Center and ending with the Satada. The couple chose the Arabia Shrine Center because 100 percent of the venue rental is donated to the Shriners Hospital, and the funds are used to help children

who are victims of fire. The bride and groom staunchly believed that helping others, especially children, was an important first step as they celebrated a new chapter in their lives. Nilmin studied fashion design at UT Austin and designing clothes is her passion, so it was fitting that she designed all of her own outfits as well as her immediate family’s entire wedding wardrobe. For the reception, Nilmin wore a form-fitting, ivory, mermaid lehnga with a train and Imtiaz donned an ivory sherwani with European-style embroidery in a metallic thread damask pattern around the neckline and shoulders. For the nikah, Nilmin opted for a pink sari and Imtiaz wore a black, sheen-cut Versace suit. For each of the four days of events, the bride and groom picked a different theme and style to reflect their personalities, the most elaborate being their reception, themed “Fire and Ice.” Following the theme, the couple walked in to a spectacular display of fireworks. Guests were treated to shaved ice and dragon puffs – little biscuits that release cold fog when bitten into, giving the feeling of breathing in the cold. A low-lying fog machine and LED lights added drama to the dance floor and a cyro-gun sprayed very cold CO2 over the dance floor, instantly cooling off the guests as they danced the night away. Nilmin also has a love for floating chandeliers and wanted to incorporate that as much as possible. Hence, Imtiaz, the handyman, built a floating cake stand that held a reverse four-tiered hanging cake stand with hanging floating cupcakes surrounding it. At the end of the night, as the bride and groom bid farewell, friends and family gathered together outside and released wish lanterns. As the four-day wedding celebrations came to an end, the newlyweds took off for their romantic 17-day European vacation through Spain, Italy and Greece. Ø

Resources: Photography, SB Images; Décor, Mandap Creations; Coordinator, Lion & Lamb Event Services; Fireworks, Celestial Displays.

Faiza Ibrahim and Jason Boorstein Houston, April 30, 2011

Resources: Photography, Lauren and Toby Anderson of LArocksphotos.com; Flowers, A Particular Event; Linens, Distinctive Details; Videographer, Ranero Productions; DJ, Yogi G

It was two years after they first met that Jason and Faiza decided to go on an actual date. “We first met in 2006,” says Faiza “when we were both out with a group of friends. Although we were interested in each other, at the time we were both seeing other people.” Two years later, Jason, a lawyer in Dallas, and Faiza, who works for a consulting firm in Houston, met again in the company of friends, but this time, both of them were single. “Jason asked me out this time and on our first date, I knew there was something very special about him,” adds Faiza. So the couple began a long-distance relationship, traveling back and forth each weekend, knowing that they were destined to be together. On Labor Day weekend, 2010, Faiza was making plans to see Jason in Dallas when she received a call from one of her out-of-town girlfriends during the workweek asking Faiza to meet her at the hotel where she was staying. When Faiza reached the hotel room, instead of finding her friend, she opened the door to see Jason on bended knee, surrounded by rose petals and candles, holding an engagement ring. Of course, Jason devised the whole plan and his efforts were met with a resounding “Yes!” Jason adds, “I had to ask her father before I could propose. When I was driving to Houston, I called Faiza’s dad and asked if I could meet him. His response was, ‘I’ll have to call you back.’ So, I gave him a few hours, but never heard from him. I called again as I was running out of time before Faiza would show up at the hotel. Finally, her father agreed to meet with me. I asked his permission and the rest is history.” The wedding date was set seven months in advance, and the couple began planning a ceremony

that would incorporate and honor both of their religions and customs (Jewish and Muslim). The couple’s parents, particularly Faiza’s father, were perhaps their best planning advocates. After weighing many options, Faiza and Jason chose royal blue and champagne as their wedding colors, reflected in the peacock feathers and calla lilies of their decor. The four-day wedding held in Houston included a traditional Mehndi ceremony, where the couple arrived in a horse and carriage while the parents followed in a vintage Rolls Royce. The following day was the rehearsal dinner held at the very chic Hotel Zaza. Many heartfelt speeches were made, including a traditional Jewish prayer by Jason over challah bread and wine. The actual wedding ceremony and reception were held at the very modern Hotel Derek. Since the couple is of different faiths, they decided to hold a non-denominational wedding ceremony that was presided over by Judge Sherman Ross, a family friend of Jason’s. Later that evening, the ballroom at Hotel Derek was transformed into a sleek reception hall with a chuppah, a canopy under which a couple stands during their wedding ceremony, in the center. Jason broke a glass and the couple was raised in a traditional Horrah dance. Faiza’s family blessed her under the Quran and the entire wedding party danced to bhangra and Bollywood tunes presided over by Yogi-G, one of Houston’s top DJs. Faiza says, “There were so many great memories at our wedding. Being with our loved ones, sharing our traditions, reciting our vows, giving my dad a hug on the day of the wedding and seeing our friends and family who traveled from as far away as Africa and India, meant so much to both of us!” After the wedding, the couple honeymooned on the Amalfi coast of Italy for five days before heading to Rome for the remainder of their trip. Ø

Produced by Ayesha Hakki Photography by Amish Thakkar Her clothes by Charisma India www.CharismaIndia.com His clothes by Shehnaai Couture Makeup: Keisha Moore Hair: Carmen Latimer Nail Art: Nails By Yvette

Tarzina!

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE, AND TINA SUGANDH, SINGER, SONGWRITER, GUITARIST, TABLA PLAYER, DANCER AND ACTOR, HAS BEEN PERFORMING ON IT SINCE SHE WAS JUST FIVE YEARS OLD. TODAY, TINA IS A SUCCESSFUL ARTIST WHO MOST RECENTLY PERFORMED ON RINGO STARR’S LATEST ALBUM, WHY NOT?, AND WITH BIPASHA BASU AT THE ZEE AWARDS. SHE HAS A SLEW OF HOLLYWOOD SOUNDTRACKS UNDER HER BELT AND HAD TWO BILLBOARD HITS, ONE OF WHICH, “BREAK ME,” WENT ALL THE WAY TO NUMBER FOUR. HER MOST RECENT SINGLE, “SO GOOD,” FEATURES A PERFORMANCE WITH FAT JOE. By Rachna Vohra

than most South Asians can handle. Here, Tina talks to Bibi about her life, career, recent nuptials and most importantly, Tarz. The very first question, tell us about Tarz! Tarz is simply incredible. He has the kind of brilliance where it took him one night to learn to read and write Hindi, which, of course, absolutely pissed me off since it took me three months! He is one of those people who works incredibly hard, is always positive and believes he can do it all. As a result, he has done everything from working in robotics, acting in Guiding Light, writing a novel and screenplay, learning classical piano and being an executive for a nationwide company before he was 20! He’s amazing! I always say that if I lived one week of Tarz’s life, I would drop dead from exhaustion! Personality-wise, Tarz is a walking contradiction. He is a total sensitive baby who cries at Bollywood movies, but if he has to “throw it down,” it’s over for the other person! In my opinion, he is good-looking, but he could care less about looks and barely ever glances in a mirror. He is very laid back and knows not to take life too seriously, but he is incredibly passionate about the things that matter most, such as family. Honestly, I always thought relationships

Wedding photos: Fine Art Productions

It’s Tina’s musical family that nurtured this multi-talented artist. Growing up, Tina would travel every weekend to a variety of South Asian events where The Sugandh Family – her father Kanaiya, late mother Geeta, and sister Seema – would perform, playing an assortment of instruments and singing in seven different languages, including Hindi, Sindhi, Gujarati, Punjabi and Marathi. Although music has always been her main passion, few people know that Tina actually graduated college with honors in Biology. When opportunity came knocking with her first major recording label deal, Tina closed the door to an accelerated medical degree and pursued a career in music with total dedication. Amidst her success, Tina managed to meet and recently marry the love of her life, Tarz Ludwigsen, in a lavish wedding in Columbia, South Carolina. Tarz is co-founder of an innovative personalized digital media company called Pandoodle. He comes from a close-knit family and is known for his laid back nature, his good looks and his ability to down curry spicier

Ritu Boorgu, the designer behind Chicagoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Charisma India is inspired by the regal elegance of old world fabrics reinvented into modern-day interpretations. Tina lounges in a multi-fabric silk, brocade and velvet lehnga with a long, flowing A-line, net tunic embellished in well-defined motifs with diamontes, zardosi and semi-precious stones. Tarz wears a woven sherwani over silk pajamas by Geetanjali Singh. 47

Tina is elegance and style personified in a Charisma India fuschia lehnga paired with a long sheer net jacket handcrafted with gold zardosi, sparkling crystals, diamontes and semi-precious stones.

had to have ups and downs, but it’s been four years and Tarz and I have only had one fight, and it was because I compromised my safety one night. I am happy and at peace with Tarz every day and I still can’t believe how incredibly beautiful and simple life is with him, and that a relationship like ours is actually possible. I’m just hoping he doesn’t wake up one day and realize that I don’t deserve him! Is Tarz the type of guy you dreamed you would marry? OMG, no way! Tarz is the absolute opposite of whom I thought I’d end up with! I’ve always been attracted to dark eyes and dark hair, and I always thought I would end up with an Indian guy. I grew up with a ton of culture instilled in me through the musical performances we did every weekend, so I figured anyone who did not grow up surrounded by Indian music, Indian food, Indian movies and Indian holidays would eventually feel suffocated by all the “Indian-ness” they would be constantly surrounded with. I did not think I would find this blond-haired, blue-eyed dude that reads and writes Hindi and loves Bollywood movies and music as much as I do. What’s the love story? I always tell Tarz that he turned me into a slut. How romantic, huh? I say that because I literally moved into Tarz’s apartment on our first date! It sounds crazy, but it just made total sense. We immediately began to plan a commitment ceremony with a pundit, and in January 2008, we had a small religious commitment ceremony and party. I am eternally grateful that we did this right away because my incredibly beautiful and radiant mom was able to be there, and she danced and partied all night! We actually have footage from our commitment ceremony of my mom wishing Tarz and I all the happiness in the world, and talking about how special we are to her. She passed away that same year of cancer, and I am forever thankful that she got to be at that ceremony. We were able to play

her tribute to us at our recent legal wedding, which meant the absolute world to us. We’d love to know how Tarz proposed! It must be fate that Bibi is covering our wedding, since I was actually performing at a Bibi New Year’s Eve event in Houston the night Tarz proposed! This was back in December 2007, and we had already had our religious ceremony all planned out for January 2008. So since there was no element of surprise that we were going to be together forever, Tarz took the opportunity to mock all those romantic proposal clichés. It turned into a Saturday Night Live skit. He would drop the ring in my wine glass while I wasn’t looking, and then I would fake being surprised. Then, he would put the ring in some food that we had, and I would act surprised again. Basically, it was the perfect “proposal” for our personalities since it was sarcastic, silly and comical! We ended up laughing the whole time, and I think there is nothing more romantic than being best friends with your spouse and laughing hysterically with them! Your new image is bold and seductive. How does Tarz feel about that? How did your parents feel about it? One reason I am totally head-over-heels about Tarz is that he is the most openminded person out there. He says “who cares” to almost everything because the truth is that we are only on this planet a short time so what’s the point of letting anything get you mad or sad. It’s pathetic to both of us when others judge people’s choices and lifestyles. Our motto is that as long as you’re not hurting anyone, do what makes you happy! Point being, Tarz does not care what I do or wear as long as I am happy doing it. It also really helps that we both have relatively the same lines that we would not feel comfortable crossing. As for my parents, they don’t really take a stance of agreeing or disagreeing. It’s more of an “if you are truly happy and not hurting anyone, then we will support you” type of stance. I have been incredibly lucky to have been raised by two selfless, loving parents that only wanted to see me happy. 49

Tina teases in a white net Charisma India paneled lehnga with antique gold and maroon Moghulinspired embroidery with pitta, sequin, zardosi and crystal work. A red, full width net veil with wide borders completes the look. Tarz responds in a raw silk Amber & Shirrin Angharkha with rope embroidery and zardosi edging over silk pants.

Tell us about the wedding. My wedding coordinator helped me put together an incredibly sexy “Tarzina” (Tarz+Tina) wedding! Outfit-wise, I had to go sexy to match our décor, since my wedding and reception were incredibly HOT! Being a total foodie, the thing I probably cared about the most was having food that looked and tasted amazing. I had the sexiest looking hors d'oeuvres table you have ever seen, along with elegant, incredibly flavorful dishes. It was perfection and my guests are still calling me to tell me it was the best food they’ve ever had. Then, there was the “Tarzina” Bollywood cake! The inside of the cake was all different jewel tones just like the outside! It was a surprise from Tarz. We also had a bunch of fun things like LED barware, and gorgeous, beaded, yummy-smelling, custom-made candles for our guests! Music seems to be such an integral part of your life. What did you do in terms of music for the reception? Well, we almost had no music for the reception! Our DJ canceled on us a week before the wedding and DJ Ravi came through at the last minute and saved us! Tarz and I have two slow-dance songs: the Bollywood song from Neal and Nikki called “I’m in Love” and the Snow Patrol song called “Chasing Cars.” As for the rest of the songs, we let our guests decide! Tarz and I wanted our favorite Bollywood hits like songs from “Jab We Met” and old Amitabh classics; our little nieces and nephews wanted songs like “The Chicken Dance” and then there were guests like our trainer, who only wanted disco. So there was a little something for everyone!

decided to do one absolutely crazy thing that is out of one of our comfort zones. Just to give you an example, I’ll reveal to you what the January crazy honeymoon event is since, by the time you read this, it would have already happened! I have no tattoos and the idea of putting something permanent on my body that I can never change absolutely freaks me out! So naturally, our January honeymoon idea is to get matching tattoos! Tarz got one years ago in honor of his first nephew, and he insists I will totally love it. If not, you may have to do a follow-up article on “The Demise of Tarzina.” Stay tuned! Any plans for children? Absolutely! Being the control-freak that I am, I am reading about how to have a girl! Honestly, I miss my mom so much, and just want at least one girl so I can try to recreate the incredibly priceless relationship I had with my mom. I am eternally grateful for every second I had with my mom! I’m really excited to shower all the love onto my own little girl. Tarz and I even have a name picked out for our girl

Have you and Tarz discussed changing your last name? Ok, so here’s something you might find interesting. Not only am I not changing my last name, but our first child will actually have my last name instead of his! That’s how amazing Tarz is. He recognized that my last name actually means a lot to me since “The Sugandh Family” represents 20+ years of touring and being fortunate enough to touch so many hearts with our family’s musical performances. He realizes that some close-minded, macho guys will probably make fun of him for this decision, and he absolutely could not care less about what anyone thinks, which is yet another reason why I am head-over-heels about him! We’ve heard you have a unique honeymoon idea! Tell us about it. Our honeymoon idea is definitely nuts, and you may get to see pieces of it as it is being documented for a TV show that I cannot talk about just yet! Basically, we figured a traditional honeymoon lasts about a week, and then it’s over, and all you have to show for it is the 10 pounds you gained from sitting on your rear all day eating french fries on some tropical island. So we thought about a way to make our honeymoon more “us” and make it last all year! Every month for 12 months, we’ve 51

Tina is the epitome of a modernday bride in a fluid, Charisma India georgette lehnga with elaborate embellishments of clear stones and sequins. A matching silver veil with heavy borders completes the look. Clutch by Parvesh Jai. 52

that we are really excited about, but we could not think of any boy names! By the way, just in case all our kids turn out to be boys and are reading this one day, we love you and are really sorry that we named you all girls’ names and dressed you in pink all those years. What advice can you give about building a lasting relationship? It’s tough to give advice since everyone is so different in this world and everyone wants different things from a spouse, but there are a few things that I believe are universal, such as never settling for mediocrity. Life is too short to merely be “content.” Even though it was heartwrenchingly difficult at times, I’ve always had the courage to make efforts and change things in my life in order to be happier. I am so grateful that I made the choices I did, because it led me to Tarz, and I have had nothing but peace, bliss and harmony for four years now with him. Another piece of advice is my “behind closed doors” test, which simply means that since the majority of marriage takes place behind closed doors, make sure you genuinely and wholeheartedly like the person. It’s very easy to be happy when you have exciting distractions such as dinner and movies and vacations and parties, but that’s not an everyday routine for most married people. I would also say make sure you totally respect the person, and that you have 100% security and trust with them. A major reason I know Tarz and I will last is because we do not have egos with each other, which allows us to have open dialogue at all times. When either of us is hurt, jealous, insecure or upset about something, we talk about it right away, figure it out and it’s over. No fights, no holding a grudge, no bitterness, no built-up anger that erupts months later. We’re both Libras, so harmony and balance at all times works for us! In general, I would say just make sure you are genuinely happy, and if not, make every effort you can to make changes that make you happy, since life is short and happiness is priceless! ∅ Resources: Photography, Fine Art Productions; Coordination, KIS (cubed) Events; Catering, Scott Hall Catering & Event Design and Bone-in Artisan BBQ; Blue Pebble Glass, The Garden of Glass; Decor, Weddings InStyle; Cake, Talented Thumbs Bakery; Videography, Merigo Films; Henna and Styling, Bridal Elements by Nirjary Desai; LED barware and party favours, Flashing Panda; Wedding favours, RaRaw Artisan Soy Candles; Party-trolley charter, Captain Telegram; Swarovski crystal phone, Icy Couture; Horse and Carriage, Camden Carriage; DJ, DJ Ravi of Dynasty Entertainment; Bartenders, JW Bartending Group; Dhol, Dholi Simba; Wine, Divya Wines; Tent, Celebrations Rentals. 53

CityChic NAMED ONE OF ELLE-INDIA’S TOP 100 PEOPLE AND DUBBED THE INDEPENDENT FILM KING OF NEW YORK, AWARDWINNING MUSICIAN AND ACTOR, SAMRAT CHAKRABARTI AND SULTRY MODEL AND ACTOR, AMI SHETH, COMMAND THE STREETS OF NEW YORK CITY IN STUNNING DESIGNER WEAR FROM SHEHNAAI COUTURE.

Produced by Ayesha Hakki Photography by Aaron Pachesa All clothes and accessories by Shehnaai Couture www.ShehnaaiCouture.com Makeup by Lilly Rivera for BridalGal Hair by Petra Muriel 54

Opposite page: Ami looks elegant in a Bhanuni By Jyoti Sharma ivory lehnga with red motif embroidery and red and gold embellishments with gold cutwork border and shaded red to pink net veil with patterned border. Samrat is sophisticated in a Saran Kohli cream silk jacket with embroidered collar and cream silk pants. This page: Ami grabs attention in this vibrant purple crystal Saanshe By Sabah & Sheetal lehnga with ruched blouse and net veil with velvet- and crystalembroidered border. Samrat is cool in a pale green brocade jacket with crystal collar and crystal-embellished buttons with silk pants by Amber and Shirin.

This page: Ami turns heads in this corset blouse and yellow crystal roses lehnga with peach frill and shaded pink to peach pleated veil by Saanshe By Sabah & Sheetal. Samrat wears a brown corduroy jacket with painted gold trim collar. Opposite page: Ami poses in this grey crystal velvet lehnga with blue ruched crystal blouse and shaded blue and green pleated veil with velvet border from Saanshe By Sabah & Sheetal. Samrat looks debonair in a short jacquard jacket with gold detailing by Saran Kohli. 56

Ami steals the show in a dupion silk lehnga and blouse with gold antique jaal work and purple velvet trim; the net dupatta has gold antique bhutis and a purple velvet border from Saanshe By Sabah & Sheetal. Samrat charms in a blue kurta and black brocade sherwani with bronze paisleys and fully embroidered antique collar with blue stones by Prriya and Chintan.

Night Skies

DESIGNER SAMEERA FARIDI GATHERS INSPIRATION FROM THE DRAMATIC COLORS OF THE NIGHT SKY. DEEP PURPLES, GLOWING IVORY, BURNT OCHER AND DEEP MAROONS ACCENTED WITH TRADITIONAL ZARDOSI

Clothing by Sameera Faridi Design Studio at Poshak Fashion & Style Poshakhouston.tumblr.com, 713.532.3232 Photographer by David Nguyen Makeup: Fashion Face Location: Villa Rinata, Houston 60

COME TO LIFE IN MODERN SILHOUETTES FOR THE GLAMOROUS BRIDE.

A long strappy silk shirt with delicate pearl work flows over a two-layered Aijazz Aslam lehnga. Available at Poshak Fashion & Style.

A train adds formality to a velvet and net Sameera Faridi long tunic over churidaar pajamas. The tunic has dabka and diamonte embroidery.

Hemlines continue to sweep the floor with this Sameera Faridi purple silk and chiffon bridal outfit accented with diamonte and pale gold zardosi work.

A Sameera Faridi burnt ocher and green combination long shirt over a flowing skirt is accented with zardosi and diamonte work. Perfect for a Mehndi or Mayoon ceremony.

A Sacred Contract

YOU’RE MARRYING THE ONE YOU LOVE. YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS COME TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU, YOU PARTY ALL NIGHT AND THEN EVERYTHING IS OVER BEFORE YOU KNOW IT. NOW COMES THE REAL PART: MARRIAGE. MEET SIMRAN SINGH, A CREATIVE VISIONARY, A TRANSFORMATIONAL CATALYST AND A ‘LEADING VOICE FOR THE JOURNEY OF THE SOUL.’ SIMRAN’S PASSIONATE STYLE TAKES INDIVIDUALS ON A JOURNEY TOWARD PERSONAL POWER, AUTHENTICITY AND PRESENCE, ALL OF THE TOOLS ONE NEEDS TO CREATE A SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP. HERE, SIMRAN LENDS HER GUIDANCE ABOUT MARRIAGE, COMMUNICATION AND HOW COUPLES CAN DISCOVER EACH OTHER IN A NEW WAY. By Simran Singh

I submit to you that all marriages are arranged at some point in time. Whether it is termed as fate, destiny or written in the stars, there is a moment when souls plan a sacred contract. They come together to learn chosen lessons, discover hidden traits and remember the truth of whom they really are. One of the most significant, self-realizationsupporting relationships in life is the journey of two souls beyond the wedding. Throughout the excitement of a wedding, you may not realize that settling into married life provides a variety of opportunities to get to know different aspects of your partner. To an even greater degree, there is an opportunity to learn more about your ‘Self.’ You are each coming from different households, imprinted with certain belief systems, mannerisms and expectations. You each have your own love language, perspectives and filters by which you view the world. These will create a foundation that provides great pleasure, love and excitement, but will also bring about obstacles, challenges and effort. However, instead of categorizing these perspectives as good or bad, think of them instead as parts of the journey: the yin and yang, ebb and flow, the light and dark. You each have a specific ‘love language’ and it is probably not the same. For that reason, it is important to understand your own and to learn your

partner’s. This, along with effective communication, can create a solid platform on which to build a life together. There are five primary love languages: WORDS: I love you. You look wonderful. I appreciate you. I hear you. GIFTS: Flowers. Candy. Jewelry. Trips. Poems. Prayer. TIME: Being present. Spending time. Walking. Having meals. Date night. SERVICE: Doing/fixing something. Creating something. Cleaning. Working. TOUCH: Holding hands. Hugging. Kissing. Sitting together. Cuddling. In discovering your partner’s love language, you will see that they act out their love from their perspective. In understanding your own, you will be able to clearly define your needs so your partner recognizes how to also express your language. Remember, your partner cannot read your mind, nor you theirs, so being able to state your needs, in addition to listening consciously, will establish a path of longevity for the relationship. Instead of putting words in their mouth or assuming you know what they are thinking, learn to communicate with one another in an authentic and clear manner. There are very simple solutions to establishing a lifelong practice of communication:

• Make weekly gratitude moments where you each express something you are grateful to the other for. • Choose specific time(s) weekly to address issues or concerns. • In tense discussions, repeat back each other’s words so that you are certain you have heard correctly and so that your partner also feels heard. • Do not discuss marital issues with anyone other than your spouse. • Agree to sometimes disagree. • Leave ‘life’ at home and go on a fun date once in a while. Relationships come to us because we attract the exact people and experiences that match what we believe and feel about ourselves and the world. As such, when two people come together, there is also a chance to be triggered. In other words, it is important to remember that when you came together, you agreed to love each other through all emotions. Your spouse's actions and behaviors will bring up all of your joy, anger, sadness, creativity – the good, the bad and the ugly – and it is all okay. They are the one with whom you will experience both the highs and lows, and it is in these moments that they are your greatest teacher. Our greatest learning comes not from the issues, but from how we handle the issues.

Aside from being your spouse, the person you marry becomes your teacher and your mirror, and you become theirs. They will show you what you do not know of yourself. They will treat you the way you treat yourself. They will love you to the degree you love yourself. They will demonstrate qualities that are known and unknown to you. One thing is for certain: along this beautiful journey, you will change, grow, www.Simran-Singh.com evolve and discover together. And as you shift, the www.1111mag.com world around you will shift for the greater good. To unite with another human being is one of the most wondrous experiences of life. Be prepared to love together, laugh together and celebrate major milestones as well as the mundane together. Also be prepared to work at it. You will feel moments of sadness, blame and upset – but these too shall pass. Without one, we cannot know the other. As you celebrate these amazing moments of your life, remember that the marriage contract you enter into is a sacred one created before you were born. As you walk the journey of life and relationship, be loving and unconditional in your loving. Be love and the Beloved. Ø

Experts

Ask the

PREETI NANVAAN OF PREETI EXCLUSIVE CREATIONS IS A DESIGN SPECIALIST AND CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL WEDDING AND EVENT PLANNER. FOUNDED IN 2004, THE BOUTIQUE EVENT PLANNING, COORDINATION AND DESIGN COMPANY ALSO SPECIALIZES IN INTERACTIVE PARTY FAVOURS AND FLIPBOOKS. HER COMPANY WAS NOMINATED FOR TWO COVETED INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL EVENTS SOCIETY (ISES) BIG APPLE AWARDS AND RECOGNIZED BY WEDDINGCHANNEL.COM FOR PRODUCING AN EVENT THAT MADE THEIR TOP 13 WEDDINGS OF THE YEAR. AN EXPERT IN THE DETAILS, SHE BRINGS HER KNOWLEDGE OF TRENDS AND ETIQUETTE TO AN EVER-CHANGING MARRIAGE SCENE.

Encore Weddings Most fairytales start with “once upon a time” and end with “…and they lived happily ever after.” But with the average marrying age increasing consistently, and divorce and remarriage becoming more and more common, the styles, choices and possibilities on how to plan a wedding can be endless. Whether you are fortunate enough to find love later in life or a second time around, every wedding is a reason for celebration. However, in these situations, where the rules are not so clear, there is a way to separate etiquette from opinion.

Attire Desire The old rule about not wearing red for a second wedding has gone out the window. You can wear whatever color feels and looks good on you. Your outfit should reflect your personality, lifestyle and fashion sense rather than conforming to a dated rule. Most brides getting remarried already had their “Bollywood Bride” moment the first time around or may have outgrown the maharani look. Opt for a more mature look, such as a purple lehnga with bold contrasts for your ceremony and a breathtaking gown for the reception. Perhaps there is a designer dress you have been salivating over, but just couldn’t justify the expense... until now!

Child’s Play If you have children, make them a special part of your wedding. Depending on their age, they could walk you down the aisle, or be a flower girl or ring bearer. Perhaps they would like to make a special toast during the reception. Just make sure that they are comfortable with their role. When done for the right reasons, including former in-laws can be fine, especially if they are still devoted grandparents to your children. If you are thinking of including them, be sure to check with your fiancé first. 68

To Gift or Not to Gift… Rules of etiquette state that gifts are not mandatory for a second wedding, but they are now much more common. Traditionally, wedding gifts are meant to help a couple set up their household, but secondtime brides and grooms presumably already have their own households set. If you are considering registering for gifts, register for more fun things at a store where you can shop for everything from furniture, electronics and home goods to camping gear, artwork, luggage, books and wine. To walk off the beaten path, register for your honeymoon, spa services or a charity that is dear to both of your hearts like Honeyfund.com or Justgive.org.

Bridesmaids Part Deux For the same reason that wedding gifts aren’t always given, bridal showers for a second-time bride are not that common, but perfectly acceptable. This time, have only your closest friends attend and create a fun theme where presents are not needed, but rather the food, company and memories are the “present.” Consider hosting a champagne brunch just for a chance to connect with your friends or to have old ones meet new ones. And don’t skip out on the bachelorette party! There aren’t any rules against girlfriends having a fun night out together! If you’re not sure what to do, invite me and I will take care of it all – help me help you!

Giveth Away Who will walk you down that aisle? These days, it can be anyone: your mother, father, children or best friend. Or you can choose not to have anyone walk with you. It’s simply a matter of taste and choice, not rules. The only rule here is to not let it be your ex-husband, although it would make for a seriously entertaining reality show!

Add, Subtract, Divide and Conquer Typically, a couple will split the cost of a second wedding evenly, so don’t expect help from the parents. In a first wedding, parents are symbolically giving their child away, and paying for the wedding serves as the final send-off. Most second marriages occur when both parties are more established and away from their parents. If it is a second marriage for one person in the couple, openly discuss the size of wedding you want and what each of you is willing to pay for. If it is a marriage later in life, your parents may still want to pay, but you can choose to chip in.

Be Our Guest The bulk of the guest list is usually taken over by your parents’ friends. When the wedding happens later in life or for a second time, it is ok to create a celebration based on your personal style rather than the pageantry of what your parents want. Although the trend is to have a more intimate gathering the second time around, there is no limit on how many people you can invite. And this definitely holds true if it is the bride’s first marriage! Alternatively, you can choose to host a destination wedding, which takes care of a large guest list!

Accustomed to Customs It’s not just the encore or age that determines what traditions to keep and what to toss out. Your career

can also affect how traditional you want your wedding to be. Some doctors may not want mehndi, and some professionals with limited time might not want the fanfare of multiple events. Do what you feel comfortable with, and make the day about the two of you and the wonderful journey you are embarking upon.

From This Moment Many brides ask how I would plan an encore celebration. I tell them to keep it casual, simple and significant. Start with a intimate ceremony with immediate family and move on to a cocktail party and reception with close family and friends. Keep it about fun, food and the people closest to you. Whether it be a touch of tradition for the ceremony, an off-the-wall centerpiece or a head table with attitude, be original and let your personality shine. Cherish each other and celebrate your union. You are not the same person you were in your twenties; you are wiser, more confident and have established your own identity. Embrace your age, wisdom and experience and make your wedding your own. ∅

Experts

Ask the

NATALIE DAWLEY IS THE OWNER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF TWO BE WED, A WEDDING CONSULTING AND EVENT DESIGN COMPANY AND TWO BE RED, A DIVISION FOR SOUTH ASIAN WEDDINGS AND EVENTS. SHE ALSO PIONEERED THE OPENING OF A BOUTIQUE EVENT VENUE IN HOUSTON AND JOINED FORCES TO CREATE RECOLLECTION VINTAGE RENTALS, HOUSTON’S FIRST VINTAGE FURNITURE, FIXTURE AND ACCESSORY RENTAL COMPANY.

Setting the Stage WHEN IT COMES TO CREATING A MEMORABLE WEDDING, THE OVERALL LOOK AND DESIGN OF YOUR ROOM ALWAYS LEAVES A LASTING IMPRESSION. THIS IS THE YEAR TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE, TO BE CREATIVE BEYOND IMAGINATION, AND TO ALSO MAKE DECISIONS THAT WILL NOT DATE YOUR WEDDING LATER ON. WHAT BETTER WAY TO DO THIS THAN TO ENHANCE ONE OF THE ESSENTIALS OF SOUTH ASIAN WEDDINGS: THE STAGE. IT IS THE PERFECT DESIGN ELEMENT TO SHOWCASE YOUR STYLE, TASTE AND PERSONALITY. AFTER ALL, YOU WILL BE “CENTER STAGE” THAT EVENING AND YOU WANT YOUR STAGE DESIGN TO BE AN EXTENSION OF YOU. THE KEY TO SETTING YOUR STAGE APART FROM THE REST IS SIMPLE: LIGHTS, DRAPES AND DRAMA!

Let Your Light Shine Lighting can transform any room from dull to dramatic. Choose bold colors or numerous lights to illuminate the stage and heighten the design elements you have chosen. Incorporating customized designs or motifs through LED gobos can make your stage even more entertaining and

interactive for your guests. Candles may be a traditional form of light, but displaying them in modern ways such as atop pillars of varying heights or inside hanging globes creates a unique effect.

Sparkle, Shine and Shimmer Using crystal accents or a chandelier can deflect more light and add a sparkling effect. Design guru Pramel Shah of Prashe Décor recommends accessorizing with crystals, chandeliers or beading to provide a tasteful, dramatic touch without overpowering your overall stage design. He believes these are the most memorable elements of a stage.

Discover alternative draping options instead of the old, tired swag at the top. More modern decorators are introducing draping techniques that are timeless and picture-worthy. Venture out with geometric arrangements, such as crisscrossing, or various heights and levels of draping to draw the eye to your stage. Also, do not be afraid to mix it up – play with textures, colors, embellishments and multiple textiles in your draping fabrics. 70

Morgan Lynn Photography

Dramatic Draping

Fashionable Furniture

Bling it On

Go outside of the box with your furniture choices and let the pieces speak for themselves. Ghost chairs, a chaise lounge or a classic tufted sofa add a twist to your traditional rituals. If you cannot find a unique piece, stand out with color. An all-white sofa against a colorful backdrop creates a dramatic contrast that pops and also takes on the color of the up-lighting you choose. Accessorize with different shapes of pillows and bolsters to accent the furniture and incorporate your wedding colors and theme.

Sometimes one stage is just not enough and you need a stage within a stage. Plexi-glass structures or canopies on top of the stage are the ultimate wow factor. Both structures bring glamour and elegance, and create more intimacy on a large platform, drawing more attention to you and the groom. Keep in mind that you do not need all of the above to have an unforgettable stage design. Pick a few design elements, and let it shape and inspire the rest of the design. Do not go overboard trying to add every concept onto one stage. You can alternatively choose to highlight various parts of your wedding such as the cake or the gift table under different canopies creating a few mini focal points around the room with one main stage for you, the couple. Remember that wedding trends come quickly and fade quietly into the planning abyss, leaving brides regretful that they insisted on the latest wedding fad. Discover what best defines you, stick to your instincts and be confident in your end result! â&#x2C6;&#x2026;

Sweet

Endings SOUTH ASIANS COMMEMORATE EXCITING EVENTS BY SERVING SWEETS TO THOSE CLOSE TO THEM, AND THE ENGAGEMENT AND WEDDING CAKES ARE POSSIBLY THE MOST EXTRAVAGANT EXPRESSION OF THIS TRADITION. BELOW, THREE LEADING DESSERT DESIGNERS, PARUL PATEL OF THE CAKE DESIGNER, SONAM SODHI OF CHOCAL8KISS AND SHEFALEE PATEL OF SWEET SILK ENTICE YOU WITH UNIQUE CAKE AND SWEET IDEAS THAT

This page, from top: The ultimate declaration of love, this one-of-a-kind Taj Mahal cake designed by The Cake Designer is a vanilla and mango mousse cake featuring gum paste walls, fondant dome and minarets, arched doorways and windows, glazed in a shimmer pearl finish with edible 24k gold embellishments and miniature LED lights. Simple and elegant, these cupcakes by The Cake Designer were made for a French-themed bridal shower in an assortment of flavors topped with clear plastic rings and wrapped in patterned paper to match the invites. This Eiffel Tower engagement cake was designed by Chocal8kiss after a couple’s proposal in France. Using three flavors – chocolate truffle cake with chocolate chip cookie mousse, vanilla spice cake with cardamom buttercream and red velvet cake with Nutella and milk chocolate mousse – Chocal8kiss recreated the moment she said, “Oui!” Created by The Cake Designer, the Bollywood dancer cake features an edible hand-sculpted figure made of gum paste and color-coordinated to match the host’s outfit. Surrounded by edible gems, this carrot cake is covered in fondant and embellished with edible 24k gold designs.

Opposite page, clockwise from top left: This gold filigree vanilla cake stuffed with strawberries and cream and covered in buttercream frosting features gold-painted fondant and gum paste designs handmade by The Cake Designer, and is topped with fresh flowers. Whenever this couple, who met online and continued with a long distance relationship, would meet, she would bake him a batch of cupcakes. Chocal8kiss designed a unique alternative to a cupcake tower, a stacked cake with a cascading mini cupcake and fresh orchid waterfall, to remind them that the way to a man’s heart is definitely through his stomach! Sweet Silk concocted these bite-sized desserts, made of milk chocolate cashew and walnut apple spice, decorated with orange blossoms made in fondant and packaged in chic handmade boxes for a unique take on favours. Straight out of a Bollywood film, this couple met while sitting next to each other on an Air India flight! Chocal8kiss played on this theme by building a simple but elegant stacked cake and decorating each layer with the fiery sun as well as airplane windows. On the table lay a miniature Air India plane as a memory of that sweetly destined flight.

Eiffel Tower Cake, Foto Buddy; Cupckae cake, Ami Photo Video; Filigree cake, Amish Thakkar

EACH TELL A STORY WHILE TITILLATING YOUR TASTE BUDS.

Bride Preparation • • • • • •

Bride getting hair and makeup done The bridal outfit hanging in the window frame Bride’s shoes and jewelry Bride’s mother adjusting her veil Bride looking out the window Behind the scenes with the bridesmaids

Groom Preparation

The Photo List FOR MOST OF US, A WEDDING MAY BE THE BIGGEST EVENT WE EVER PLAN. AMONG THE VENDORS, THE PHOTOGRAPHER IS POSSIBLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AS THEY WILL BE PROVIDING THE MEMORIES FOR YOU TO LOOK BACK ON FOR YEARS. MOST BRIDES HAVE NEVER BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT LIKE THIS, SO HERE ARE A FEW HELPFUL HINTS ON MUST-HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF YOUR SPECIAL DAY. By Amish Thakkar Before your big event, be sure to create a good rapport with your photographer. Discuss the type and styles of photographs you want, as well as the mood and theme. Also, introduce your photographer to key members of the wedding party by giving them photographs of each member in advance. Next, include an engagement shoot in your photo package so that you and your fiancé can get comfortable with the photographer prior to the wedding and to also figure out your most flattering angles. With these tips and the following list of must-have photos, as the wedding date approaches, you’ll both be ready to play the celebrities that you are!

• • • • •

Groom’s wedding ensemble Groom adjusting his tie or fastening his outfit Groom fixing his hair Groom interacting with his father Behind the scenes with the groomsmen

Wedding Ceremony • • • • •

Altar or mandap before any guests arrive Groom’s face at sight of bride Bride’s face when walking down the aisle Bride and groom’s hands View of bride and groom while guests are throwing rice/blowing bubbles

Portraits • • • •

Bride and groom without family Bride and groom with family Bride and groom with bridal/groom party Bride/groom hand and ring portraits

Details • • • • • • • • •

Invitations Rings Favours Centerpieces Flowers Place cards Wedding cake Musicians and their instruments Unique décor details

Reception

Amish Thakkar

• Wide angle of reception hall with/without guests • Bridal party entering hall • Close-up of bride and groom’s faces during first dance • Groom and mother/Bride and father dance • Bouquet/garter belt toss and winner • Guests interacting with each other • Dancing shots • Just Married vehicle and bride and groom driving away 74

Marrying in the Mayan Riviera FROM PRISTINE WHITE-SAND BEACHES TO TURQUOISE-BLUE WATERS, THE MAYAN RIVIERA IS A BEAUTIFUL STRETCH OF LAND NESTLED IN MEXICO’S YUCATAN PENINSULA, SOUTH OF CANCUN, EXTENDING TO THE HISTORICAL TOWN OF TULUM. KNOW FOR ITS ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS, PRIVATE LUXURY VILLAS AND SMALLER BOUTIQUE HOTELS, THE MAYAN RIVIERA STANDS AS THE GATEWAY TO RICH MAYAN CULTURE AND LANDSCAPE. By Ayesha Hakki The Mayan civilization flourished in the area from roughly 200 AD to 900 AD, and lasted until the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century. The Mayans were most known for their extraordinary grasp of astronomy that led to the creation of the Mayan Calendar and to entire sites designed around the charting of the sun and stars. The picturesque landscapes and historical significance – not to mention the infamous 2012 Mayan calendar phenomenon – make these ancient lands a magical choice for a destination wedding or a honeymoon.

The Mayan Marriage Ceremony At the time of the Maya, marriage was viewed as a series of negotiations between two families. When children came of age, an atanzahab (matchmaker) was employed to compare a prospective couple's marital success by making sure there were no celestial problems between the gods of their birthdays, and to study the compatibility of their given names. If everything was aligned, the couple was allowed to marry. The Mayans were very respectful of their ancestors and of nature, a belief system is still evident in today’s Mayan marriage ceremony, K'aam Nikte'. 76

The K'aam Nikte' is overseen by a shaman and usually takes place on the beach. Although the ceremony can range from simple to very elaborate, the basic elements remain the same. An altar is made on a table adorned with flowers at the four points of the compass. The top of the altar is marked with an arch on which four candles are lit. Four additional candles are lit at the four points of the altar – representing north, south, east and west, as well as the four gods that sustain Mayan cosmology – along with one at its center, signifying the relationship between Mother Earth, the feminine, and the cosmos, the masculine. As the ceremony begins, the couple’s friends and family assemble in a circle around the altar. The shaman blesses and purifies the circle by chanting prayers while waving a chalice of smoking incense. The couple is then welcomed into the circle. Although each shaman may have their own unique set of rites, the usual ceremony includes the couple exchanging vows through a series of rituals. For example, they feed each other fruit to symbolize nourishment, and kiss each other’s hands, heart, and cheeks to symbolize protection, procreation and friendship. Once the rituals are complete, guests shower the couple with half of the seeds, flowers, and grains that they are holding. The entire wedding party then moves to the beach and invokes the sea’s blessings by offering what is left in their hands.

The wedding party, including the couple, often dress in simple white- or cream-colored clothing, and are encouraged to remain barefoot during the ceremony to fully receive the ceremonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy. Whether you wish to have a Mayan ceremony or one of your own belief, the Mayan Riviera is a romantic escape just hours away from the US. Full of history, rich culture and beautiful beaches, the area holds something for all.

Adding Karisma Although there are many resorts to choose from, Karisma Hotels, with their eight properties located

on coveted beaches throughout the Mayan Riviera, offer gourmet-inclusive retreats that are elegant and affordable for a destination wedding or a honeymoon. Unlike other all-inclusives, where the service is poor and the food mediocre at best, Karisma Hotels offer truly exceptional cuisine and premium liquor from room service to the many swim-up bars and themed restaurants located across the properties. Best of all, however, is the centralized 100,000 sq. ft. Greenhouse, exclusive to Karisma, providing its properties with fresh, sustainable herbs and vegetables that are bursting with flavor.

Clockwise from top left: Azul Beach Hotel; Tulum; Band above village at Tulum; Eldorado Royale; Xel-Ha;

All of Karisma properties specialize in bridal packages and offer either haciendastyle beachfront wedding chapels or a sky gazebo that overlooks the gorgeous waters and spectacular sunsets. Couples will also find an array of wedding packages that can be tailored to their needs. Prices begin at $950 to a few thousand and include a

Weddings at Karisma Hotel properties.

personal attendant for both the bride and groom on the day of the wedding. If you are booking an entire wedding party, the properties often offer deep discounts on the wedding package or provide a variety of complimentary services. The wedding planners at Karisma properties also specialize in South Asian weddings, having held a number of them over the years. The service includes a full gourmet Indian menu and many of the culturally specific needs of a South Asian wedding. Among their properties, Karisma offers the intimate El Dorado Maroma for couples looking for a more private getaway, either for themselves or their wedding party. A beachfront resort located on Maroma Beach – one of the top ten beaches in the world, according to Travel Channel – this 72-suite village includes spacious suites with in-room jacuzzis, canopied beds, modern amenities, and the Karisma standard Aguas del Amor – private, outdoor

showers that are open to blue skies or night stars. Many of the suites feature in-room pools that either connect to the property’s main pool via a lazy river, or are elevated personal infinity pools that provide clear views of the gorgeous beach below. Down the highway, couples looking for a more expansive experience can stay at the El Dorado Royale: A Spa Resort – an all-suite, adults-only, gourmet-inclusive beachfront property. With its miles of tropical manicured grounds, lazy rivers, and countless pools, including a natural saltwater pool, this beachfront resort is considered one of Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Top 100 Hotels in the World, and is recognized as a AAA Four Diamond Resort. This large property offers 15 bars and lounges and seven restaurants, including one that specializes in fondues, another that is Asian-inspired, as well as a grand Culinary Theater, where guests can sit at one of five open-air kitchens and learn various cooking techniques as their meals are being prepared. Daily activities include salsa lessons, kayaking, live music and shows, cooking demonstrations and non-motorized sports, many of which can be booked exclusively for the wedding party. Within the El Dorado Royale is the El Dorado Casitas Royale, a unique, village-like resort designed for romance. Each suite is decorated with a modern take on traditional Mexican décor, including high, vaulted ceilings, romantic beds, private terraces with a daybed and hammock, the Aguas del Amor open-sky showers, jacuzzis and private pools. Concierge services offer a pillow menu, rose petals and personalized, in-room aromatherapy. Along the beach, couples will find private cabanas serviced by beach butlers that will bring anything from tanning products, mineral water vaporizers, reading materials and, of course, drinks and meals. But perhaps the best part of the entire El Dorado Royale property is the 20,000 sq. ft. Mexican themed Casitas Spa. This luxurious spa offers a variety of treatments using indigenous ingredients such as blue agave, cacao, Copal, Yaax-Che tree resin, Pitaya, Nopa and derivatives of the sea. Couples will experience an unforgettable feeling of togetherness with romantic massages on the beach in elevated palapa-covered platforms during the warmth of the day or at night under the stars. The experience of rejuvenating hands massaging the body while being lulled into a hypnotic trance by the sounds of the sea is the ultimate in relaxation. Finally, for more family-oriented groups, Karisma’s Azul Beach Hotel provides the same amenities as the El Dorado, but in a more child-friendly atmosphere – perfect for wedding parties that include a lot of children. At this world-class resort that recently underwent an $11 million renovation, adults can enjoy their own activities while children spend their time at the Azulito Kid’s Club – a supervised clubhouse designed around group activities with a Fisher Price Toy Lending Library, Gourmet Gerber meals and much more.

Discover the Riviera

and covered with spectacular and stalagmites. For stalactites Aside from the hotels, within a few miles of the $99 (adults), including meals resorts are a number of exciting excursions that and drinks, you can raft, swim or allow you to experience the natural beauty of the drive in a two-person amphibiland and the hospitality of its people. ous vehicle through the caves. Xel-Ha (shell-ha) is a spectacular natural aquarium The park boasts 14 zip-line and waterpark where visitors can spend the entire day swimming with dolphins, meeting the routes, one of which hangs 147 manatees, exploring underground rivers called feet in the air. Wearing helmets cenotes or sunbathing on a hammock. The highlight is a must and one is with the of this family-friendly park is a gorgeous aqua-blue provided entrance fee. Xplor.travel inlet that meanders through the length of the A third must-see stop property. Here, you can snorkel and see the along the Mayan Riviera abundant colorful fish, or laze through the inlet in a is its southernmost gem, tube. A dock in the middle offers zip-lining, Tulum. Located on tightrope walking, cliff-diving and more. The large 39-foot-high cliffs, this open-air restaurant serves up all types of international food, but be sure to sample the many walled city was one of varieties of Mexican ceviche. Sunblock is essential the last to be built and all natural parks in the area only allow the and inhabited by the biodegradable kind. The $79 entrance fee includes Mayans. The complex is made up of a series of all meals and alcoholic drinks, and a percentage of dwellings for the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elite, with three major the fee goes towards the development of Wild structures: The Temple of the Frescoes, the El Flora & Fauna Conservation Programs. One word of Castillo and the Temple of the Descending God. The Temple of the Frescoes was used as an warning: the place is overrun with iguanas so if you observatory to track the sun while the Temple Of are scared of these harmless creatures, stick to the The Descending God was built in alignment with the public areas! Xelha.com morning star (or Venus) and the sun to mark April Another nearby natural park is Xplor, a 6th, the birthday of the Descending God. Not subterranean adventure created 65 million years surprisingly, it has a square-like structure with a hole ago when an asteroid hit the Yucatan peninsula and in the center so that the hole aligns with Venus on rain filled the crater, creating an underground that day, causing the entire structure to light up. wonderland of caverns filled with quiet blue cenotes The largest structure, El Castillo, appears to have been built in many phases. Steps leading to the upper temple feature columns decorated with plumed serpents, as found in the famous ruins of Chichen Itza. El Castillo would have most likely been used as a watchtower due to its perfect visibility of land and sea. Behind the structure are DESTINATION WEDDINGS are becoming increasingly stairs that lead down to a beach, where popular within the South Asian community, the Mayans would land their canoes. however, planning one can be a daunting task. Outside the walled city of Tulum is a DestinationWeddings.com is a full-service, one-stop village of merchant shops, where Mayan souvenirs can be picked up for much approach to planning a wedding, whether in the less than resort prices. Bargaining is Mayan Riviera or any of 35 countries they service. expected for almost everything but The site offers over 175 certified destination food and drinks. On sunny days, look up wedding specialists who work with the couple to about 100 feet in the sky to see a determine the best resort for their needs. Their communal band serenading the village. massive network can also leverage discounts with Whether or not you have a Mayan ceremony, the Mayan Riviera, with its popular destinations and provide group rates for history, culture and beaches makes for a the wedding party. DestinationWeddings.com offers wonderful destination wedding for your a 24-hour dedicated hotline for the couple and a guests, or a romantic honeymoon for complimentary wedding website to help guests get two. Be sure to pick up an authentic the travel information they will need. In short, it is Mayan calendar as a memento of an indispensable as your personal destination wedding experience you will remember for the rest of your life. Ă&#x2DC; planner. Destinationweddings.com

Xel-Ha and Xplor

Destination Weddings

SOUTH ASIA IS RICHLY ENDOWED WITH A VARIETY OF CULTURES AND TRADITIONS THAT MAKES THIS REGION THE UNIQUE GEM THAT IT IS. THESE COLORFUL CUSTOMS AND RITUALS MANIFEST THEMSELVES IN ONE OF THE MOST AUSPICIOUS OF EVENTS: THE WEDDING. HERE, WE DELVE INTO THE UNIQUE RITUALS OF SINDHI AND ISMAILI WEDDINGS.

Rituals of Sindhi Weddings

Sindhi photos by Fine Art Productions

SINDHI WEDDINGS FOLLOW MANY OF THE TRADITIONS OF A TYPICAL HINDU WEDDING. BUT ASIDE FROM THE ESTABLISHED HINDU RITUALS, THEY ALSO HAVE THEIR OWN SET OF CUSTOMS, MANY PERFORMED SEPARATELY AT BOTH THE BRIDE’S AND THE GROOM’S HOME IN THE DAYS PRECEDING THE WEDDING, AND NORMALLY CONDUCTED BY A SPECIAL PRIEST KNOWN AS A MEHRAJ. By Rachna Vohra A few days before the wedding, a sacred thread ceremony called the Janya is performed. The groom is made to wear a yellow thread while the Mehraj whispers a guru mantra in his ear. The thread symbolizes a boy’s coming of age and the recitation of the mantra signifies the transference of spiritual knowledge. Often performed in adolescence, this ritual is considered essential and a marriage is thought to be incomplete if the Janya ceremony has not been performed. Once a marriage has been agreed upon, an informal engagement ceremony called the Kachchi Mishri takes place wherein the bride and groom are given coconuts and mishri (crystallized sugar) to symbolize the acceptance of the union. The sister of the groom covers the soon-to-be-bride’s head with a red scarf and feeds her sweets. The girl’s family also offers the groom’s family five kilos of mithai (sweets), five coconuts, a basket of five types of fruit, sheera (a sweet made of semolina) and a token amount of money. The formal engagement ceremony, Pakki Mishri, is denoted by an exchange of rings in front of a priest. The groom’s family offers the bride gifts of fruits, clothing, makeup and jewelry to welcome her into the family. The bride’s family gives the groom’s mother mishri in a clay pot, and seven married ladies draw a Ganesha sign with red powder on the pot to request blessings for the couple. A few days before the wedding, the priest installs a chakki (wheat grinder made of stone), intended to represent a totemic diety, in the homes of the bride and the groom in a ritual called Dev Bithana. In the separate households, the respective families place sacred objects on the chakki, tie a thread around it, and apply a tilak to the grinder. From this point forward, neither the bride nor the groom can leave the house, and the brother-in-law is appointed as Ainar, or marriage guard, to look after them until the wedding has taken place. To mark the beginning of the wedding preparations, the groom’s family hosts the Lada, a night of singing traditional wedding songs accompanied by the dholak, and distributes sugar to all guests. The day before the wedding, many ceremonies take place at the bride and groom’s respective homes. In a ritual known as the Tih, the bride sends a priest to

the groom’s house with a small bag of rice, a coconut, nine dates, 21 nibatas (sugar candy), cloves, cardamom, a bundle of green silk yarn and the lagna, or auspicious time for the marriage. The priest then performs a prayer to Lord Ganesh and the planets with the groom, after which the groom is presented to the deities and wears a lungi, or loincloth, over his clothing. He is given a sword to tie to his waist and the priest blesses the groom’s mukut, or crown, and places it on his head. The family offers rice into the crown, which is then taken off for the night. The day before the wedding, the Saanth ceremony is performed in each of the homes. The priest ties an anklet on the right foot of the bride and groom, and seven married women pour oil on top of the bride and / or groom’s head. The bride and groom then wear a shoe on each of their right feet to stamp on and break a clay lamp for good luck. The families then slightly rip the bride and groom’s clothes to symbolize their letting go of the old and bringing in the new, as well as warding off evil. These are just a few of the many pre-wedding rituals specific to the Sindhi community, and yet so many more exist particular to each family. Steeped in symbolism and tradition, these ceremonies and customs enable the couples’ families to get to know one another and to bring upon blessings from the Gods and deities. Ø 81

Inside Ismaili Weddings ISMAILISM DESCENDS FROM SHI’ISM, ONE OF THE TWO MAIN SECTS OF ISLAM. THE AGA KHAN IS THE RELIGIOUS TITLE BESTOWED UPON THE ISMAILI IMAM, OR SPIRITUAL LEADER. ISMAILIS REMAIN UNIFIED UNDER THE AGA KHAN’S SPIRITUAL AND SOCIAL LEADERSHIP. THE ISMAILI CONSTITUTION, WHICH ESTABLISHES A HIERARCHY OF COUNCILS AT THE LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND REGIONAL LEVELS, OVERSEES SUCH MATTERS AS MARRIAGE, DIVORCE AND OTHER GUIDELINES FOR COOPERATION AND SUPPORT AMONG ISMAILIS AND THEIR INTERFACE WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES. By Ritu Bontha Once the marriage has been decided by the bride and groom, a ceremony known as Meetha Muh takes place. Meetha Muh – literally “to sweeten the mouth” – is an occasion for the bride and groom’s families to meet and decide on a date for the ring sari, or engagement, and nikah, or wedding ceremony. The use of astrology in determining auspicious dates is dependent on the preference of the families involved. Once a date and location have been agreed upon, the ring sari ceremony becomes the responsibility of the bride’s family. This formal ceremony takes place in the Jamat Khana, the Ismaili place of worship, and is presided over by its leader, the mukhi. The couple may choose to exchange rings, and the ceremony concludes with the mukhi and entire jamat, or congregation, bearing witness to the couple signing a formal written and registered agreement, called the chopre naam, which binds two people in a lifelong commitment. A formal reception usually follows the ceremony, during which friends and family of both sides meet to

congratulate the newly engaged couple. After the ring sari, the bride and groom can begin planning their wedding. Before the nikah, the mamaira, dahez and pithi rituals are performed. During the mamaira ceremony, which is celebrated only by the bride’s family, the bride’s maternal uncle, as a representative of the bride’s mother’s family, presents the bride with her wedding outfit and shagun, or good fortune gifts, such as dried fruits and nuts. The following day during the dahez ritual, the groom’s parents and relatives come to the bride’s home and give her gifts as a formal welcome into their family. Along with the gifts, female members of the groom’s family also offer the bride badam-pista doodh, or milk with almonds and pistachios, for luck and good wishes. The groom’s mother refrains from this custom, however, as a sign of respect. On the day before the nikah, both the bride’s family and the groom’s family perform their own pithi ceremony. The bride’s pithi ceremony is performed when her mother brings her into the room and seats her in a chair. Painted on the floor under her is a bright design, or rangoli, adorned with coins and a diya, or candle. The mother begins by placing one corner of a dupatta, or scarf, usually green in color, on the bride’s shoulder and covers the bride’s head with the remainder. Female members the bride’s family and the wedding party take turns in the

Ismaili photos by SB Images

ritual of presenting the bride with money, feeding her saakar (sugar candy), placing a dab of oil on her head, ubtan (turmeric paste) on her face and throwing rice or flower petals over her head. The bride will have chosen one bridesmaid who will stay by her side and collect the gifts and money and assist her in any way needed. The wife of the bride’s maternal uncle is the last in line to perform pithi, and once done, is responsible for escorting the bride out of the room. Although the basic ritual is the same, the groom’s pithi ceremony is usually more playful. When it comes time to rubbing turmeric paste on his face, the groom’s friends usually participate as well, taking advantage of the opportunity to smear him with everything from shaving cream to eggs. This time, the groom’s maternal uncle is in charge of escorting the groom out, and he usually attempts to physically lift and carry the protesting groom out of the room! Next is the mehndi rasam, during which time, the bride will have her henna applied. This is a fun and happy occasion marked by singing and dancing. The bride’s family and friends, except her mother, take turns applying a small dot of henna to her hands as a symbolic gesture, and again offer a small amount of money to be given to the poor as a blessing for the couple. The next day, the bride’s sister goes to the Jamat Khana and fills a gardhi (container) with blessed water. When she returns home, the bride’s mother welcomes her by placing a tikka, a dot of red paste, on her forehead and offering her saakar. On the morning of the wedding, close relatives offer the bride almond-pistachio milk for luck. The

bride then dresses for the wedding in a sari or lehnga of any color with the exception of black. The groom then comes to her home to escort her to the Jamat Khana. The bride’s sisters and friends usually tease him and demand money before he can take the bride away. After much playful negotiation, the groom gives the money and is also offered the almond-pistachio milk for luck. The bride and groom, along with a friend or chaperone each, then proceed to the Jamat Khana, followed by parents, other family members and friends. Like the engagement ceremony, the nikah is witnessed by the mukhi and the jamat and concludes with the chopre naam. Inside the Jamat Khana, the spiritual leaders – the mukhi and two to three other learned men – sit facing the bride and groom and the rest of the wedding party. The nikah ceremony begins with the recital of sacred ayats or lines from the Quran in Arabic by a learned man other than the mukhi. The entire nikah ceremony is relatively short, lasting just ten minutes. Once finished, the bride and groom sign the registry and stand at the back of the Jamat Khana to receive blessings from friends and family. The wedding party then moves to a banquet hall for the reception. With the conclusion of the reception comes the Satada, or the giving away of the bride by her family. The bride’s family sings traditional bidai songs, native to their particular subculture, in a religious ritual that elevates the bride’s status from daughter to wife and daughter-in-law, with all of the accompanying joys, duties and responsibilities those roles carry. Ø

Borrowing Traditions:

The Ties that Bind

EVERY COUPLE WANTS THEIR WEDDING TO REFLECT WHO THEY ARE. FOR SOME, IT MAY MEAN INCORPORATING TRADITIONS THAT THEY HAVE GROWN UP WITH, OR CELEBRATING THE HERITAGE OF ONE PARTNER. IT COULD BE A NOD TO THEIR HONEYMOON, OR THE COMMEMORATION OF A MEMORABLE EVENT SUCH AS A VACATION THEY ENJOYED TOGETHER AND WANT TO SHARE WITH LOVED ONES. NO MATTER THE REASON FOR INTEGRATING ANOTHER CULTURE’S TRADITIONS INTO ONE’S OWN WEDDING, IT IS SURE TO MAKE FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE DAY THAT WILL OFFER GUESTS INSIGHT INTO THE COUPLE CELEBRATING THEIR NUPTIALS. SO TAKE SOMETHING OLD AND MAKE IT NEW BY BORROWING FROM THESE MARRIAGE CUSTOMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. By Kerry Medina A scene from the 1977 television mini-series “Roots” made the custom of “jumping the broom” popular in many African-American weddings. The tradition’s origins continue to be debated, but couples who include the ritual consider it to be symbolically sweeping away the past, honoring ancestral lines, joining families through commitment and taking the plunge together into a united future. It is also seen as a visual means of leaving behind negativity and starting a new positive union together.

Brazilian: Hand Out Favours At Brazilian receptions, wedding favours are not left at each guest’s place setting, but instead distributed by the bride herself. She visits each table with a basket of lembrancinhas, or individually wrapped souvenirs, which are typically two cookies sandwiched together with a confectionary filling and rolled in sugar. These wedding cookies or casadinhos, are referred to as bem casados or “well-married.”

Mexican: Fasten the Infinity Sash Mexican weddings are steeped in tradition, one of which is wrapping a lazo or sash around the bride and groom in the form of a figure eight to symbolize infinity and their eternal union. During the marriage ceremony, the ribbon is draped around the couple’s shoulders or wrists, starting with the groom, while they kneel at the altar, to illustrate that they will always be side-by-side. At the end of the ceremony, the bride is presented the sash as a keepsake.

Moroccan: Enjoy a Spa Day Moroccan weddings can last up to a week and often include a beberiska or henna ceremony the night 84

before the wedding. Before the artistry begins, however, the bride is taken to a hammam, a Turkish bath, by her negaffa, or wedding attendants who are typically older, married women. She is given a milk bath as part of a purification ritual and may also spend time in the sauna or enjoy a massage. The negaffa are also charged with dressing the bride in her wedding kaftan and darkening her eyes with thick kohl. On the day of the wedding, the bride may change her attire as many as seven times throughout the course of the event, making her final appearance in an elaborate white wedding dress.

Scottish: Tie the Knot The Scottish handfasting ritual, based on ancient Celtic tradition, was originally used to formalize a betrothal, but today is a symbolic gesture of binding a couple together for life. Following the exchange of vows, the priest and priestess fasten a red cord representing love and the bond of their commitment around the couples’ wrists. The expression “tying the knot” is thought to come from this ritual. The ceremony is often held outside in a space decorated with flowers and foliage and lit with candles. Handfastings are as eternal as marriage vows and only severed if the couple’s love fades.

West Indian: Hide the Cake Tucked away in the West Indies is a sweet tradition surrounding the wedding cake, which is hidden from guests’ view under fine white linen during the reception. A peek of the rum-soaked fruitcake, also called black cake because it is customarily made with burnt sugar, can be had by any guest for a fee. Ø

Photo credits: Main image, Fine Art Productions; Mexican, M Bradbury Photography, Scottish: gettingmarriedinscotland.org

African: Sweep it Away

BIBI WEDDING DIRECTORY Resources for the modern couple Banquets/ Reception Venues Embassy Suites 281.531.7300 Houston, Texas Embassysuiteshouston.com Hilton Houston Post Oak 713.961.9300 Houston, Texas Houstonpostoak.hilton.com La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa 936.448.4400 Montgomery, Texas weddings@latorrettalakeresort.com Latorrettalakeresort.com Terrace on the Park 718.592.5000 New York, New York info@terraceonthepark.com Terraceonthepark.com Beauty/ Hair/ Makeup/ Mehndi BridalGal 917.330.1913 New York, New York bridalgal@aol.com Bridalgal.com Fabulous Flawless Hair Makeup Studio 832.816.1000 Houston, Texas andreaschutter@gmail.com Fabulousandflawless.com Reelmakeupfx.com Studio Sush 732.333.1200 Tri-State Sush@studiosush.com Studiosush.com Boutique/ Fashion Bibi Bazaar Nationwide Bibibazaar.com Borrow it Bindaas 888.993.7623 Nationwide Borrowitbindaas.com Charisma India 630.777.4133 Chicago, Illinois ritu@charismaindia.com Charismaindia.com

Haute It Is Nationwide service@hauteitis.com Hauteitis.com Poshak Fashion & Style 713.532.3232 Houston, Texas poshakhouston@hotmail.com Poshakhouston.tumblr.com Shehnaai Couture 212.684.3161 New York, New York info@shehnaaicouture.com ShehnaaiCouture.com Tip Top Fashions info@tiptop.in Tiptop.in Cakes / Confections The Cake Designer 917.509.0964 New York, New York parulpbiz@gmail.com Thecakedesigner.com Chocal8Kiss 1.888.YUM.CAKE New Jersey info@chocal8kiss.com Chocal8kiss.com Caterers / Restaurants Benares Indian Restaurant 347.771.9900 / 732.887.9076 New York, New York Benaresnyc.com Chand Palace 973.334.5444 New Jersey cuisine@chandpalace.com Chandpalace.com Junoon 212.490.2100 New York, New York Junoonnyc.com DJ / Entertainment/ Live Band Raaz Entertainment, LLC 732.397.1925 New Jersey jay@raazlive.com RaazLIVE.com

Invitations Patel Printing Plus 800.801.PRINT Nationwide patel3plus@aol.com Patelprintingplus.com Jewelry Sona Jewelers 732.283.2501 Edison, New Jersey info@sonajewelers.com Sonajewelers.com Photographers / Videographers Fine Art Productions 407.979.4749 - Florida 732.662.5555 - New Jersey 917.421.9815 - New York 832.886.1706 - Texas info@fineartproductions.net Fineartproductions.net SB Image Studios 281.639.5434 Houston, Texas info@stephaniebehrens.com Sbimagestudios.com Wedding Consultants Khwaab Impressions 832.303.2646 - Houston, Texas 972.896.3795 - Dallas, Texas sheena@khwaabimpressions.com Khwaabimpressions.com Kis Cubed Events 855.547.2823 / 678.559.5916 Georgia info@kiscubedevents.com Kiscubedevents.com Preeti Exclusive Creations 718.275.5690 New York, New York info@preetiexclusive.com Preetiexclusive.com Wedding Favours Sweet Silk 973.930.3939 New Jersey info@savorsweetsilk.com Savorsweetsilk.com

Miscellaneous Giving Back Foundation TheGivingBackFoundation.net

WEDDING PLANNING

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Wedding Timeline ONE YEAR OR MORE AHEAD

m Set a tentative budget m Determine the size and type of wedding m Make tentative guest lists m Have an astrologer find your auspicious wedding date

TWO TO THREE MONTHS

NINE MONTHS

m Begin practicing songs and dances m Book guest accommodations

m Book a licensed officiant

m Finalize honeymoon plans

m Book venue for ceremony and reception

m Book your makeup and mehndi artist

m Book Mehndi/Sangeet/Garba halls

m Check passports and other travel documentation m Inform newspapers of your engagement

m Register your preferences at a bridal registry

ONE MONTH

m Select a caterer, photographer, videographer and florist

m Finalize all venues m Finalize all other vendors

m Reserve any rental supplies

m Finalize all rental details

m Select accommodations for out-of-town guests

m Buy thank-you notes and begin writing them for all gifts received so far

m Commission formal engagement photographs

SIX MONTHS

m Get final dress fittings for both bride and groom

m Order mithai

m Select groom’s clothing

m Get blood test (if needed) and marriage license

m Pack trousseau for both the bride and groom

m Book the entertainment, mandap rental and transportation (including the horse for the groom)

FOUR

m Complete bride and groom’s trousseau

m Select a wedding consultant to help you plan the wedding

m Begin preparing both the bride and groom’s trousseau

m Complete all jewelry shopping m Address and mail invitations

m Select the bride’s dress

SIX

m Check your state’s marriage license requirements

m If the bride is going to change her name, begin documentation

m Complete guest list with all addresses m Order invitations for all ceremonies m Order wedding cake

TWO WEEKS

m Contact non-responding guests m Pick up wedding rings

m Order wedding favours

m Confirm and finalize with officiant

m Order any special jewelry

m Buy all decorations needed for Sangeet or Mehndi

m Book your hair stylist m Begin researching honeymoon destinations

m Order garlands m Hire baby-sitter to watch children during the events m Have a final wedding attire fitting for both the bride and groom and bridal party

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- Gift Lists ONE WEEK

m Provide exact guest count to caterer and reception hall

Mother of Bride:

______________________________________

m Review details and timelines with all vendors

Father of Bride:

______________________________________

m Plan seating arrangements m Confirm honeymoon plans, pick up tickets and travelers’ checks

Mother of Groom: ______________________________________

m Pack luggage for the honeymoon

Father of Groom:

______________________________________

m Finalize transportation, cake and floral details

Bride’s Siblings:

______________________________________

m Make final payments for all services and vendors

Bride’s Siblings:

______________________________________

Bride’s Siblings:

______________________________________

Groom’s Siblings:

______________________________________

m Iron/steam and hang bride and groom’s wedding clothes

Groom’s Siblings:

______________________________________

m Pack bride’s handbag for the reception

Groom’s Siblings:

______________________________________

m Organize all things that you will need to take for the wedding ceremony. i.e., hand garlands, sindoor, mangalsutra, pens, flower baskets, bag of rice, holy books, mirror for the arsi ceremony, etc

Maid of Honor:

______________________________________

Best Man:

______________________________________

Bridesmaid 1:

______________________________________

Bridesmaid 2:

______________________________________

Bridesmaid 3:

______________________________________

Bridesmaid 4:

______________________________________

Bridesmaid 5:

______________________________________

Groomsman 1:

______________________________________

Groomsman 2:

______________________________________

Groomsman 3:

______________________________________

Groomsman 4:

______________________________________

Groomsman 5:

______________________________________

m Assign tasks to members of your family to handle during the wedding

m Have bride’s belongings moved to her new home

DAY BEFORE

m Organize honeymoon luggage, overnight bag if necessary, hand bag and other things needed for the day and night of the wedding m Delegate who will be responsible for what to transport to the reception halls in advance

DAY OF WEDDING

m Take a few close friends and family members to the spa for a massage to prepare for the day ahead m Find some quiet time for yourself to reflect on the holy vows you are about to take m Relax and enjoy your very special day

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mehndi/sangeet

Budget Planner ACTIVITY/ITEM

BUDGET AMOUNT

AMOUNT SPENT

Site Fee Music/Entertainment Equipment Rental Floral Arrangements Floral Garlands/Etc. Meals/Catering Beverages/Coffee/Tea Mithai/Sweets Tables/Chairs Decorations/Party Favours China Rental Crystal & Glassware Silverware Linens Transportation Waiters/Waitresses Gratuities Miscellaneous

________________

ACTIVITY/ITEM

BUDGET AMOUNT

AMOUNT SPENT

Ceremony Site Fee Officiating Authority’s Fee Officiating Authority’s Gratuity Floral Garlands/Etc. Meals/Catering Beverages/Coffee/Tea Mithai/Sweets Tables/Chairs Decorations/Mandap Miscellaneous

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

Total

________________

ACTIVITY/ITEM

BUDGET AMOUNT

AMOUNT SPENT

Reception Hall Rental Equipment Rental Music/Entertainment Meals/Catering Beverages/Coffee/Tea China Rental Crystal & Glassware Silverware Linens/Chair Covers Waiters/Waitresses Tables/Chairs Decorations/Party Favours Gift Attendant Special Food/Services Valet/ Coat Check Transportation Horse Rental Gratuities Reception Arrangements Centerpiece Arrangements Delivery & Setup Wedding Cake Mithai/Sweets Delivery Cake Knife Miscellaneous

________________

reception

ceremony

Total

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AMOUNT OVER/UNDER ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________ AMOUNT OVER/UNDER ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________

stationary

jewelry

trousseau

Budget Planner ACTIVITY/ITEM

BUDGET AMOUNT

AMOUNT SPENT

Bride’s Mehndi/Sangeet Bride’s Ceremony Bride’s Reception Bride’s Trousseau Groom’s Mehndi/Sangeet Groom’s Ceremony Groom’s Reception Groom’s Trousseau Accessories

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________

ACTIVITY/ITEM

BUDGET AMOUNT

AMOUNT SPENT

Bride’s Ring Groom’s Ring Bride’s Jewelry Sets Groom’s Jewelry/Watch

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________

ACTIVITY/ITEM

BUDGET AMOUNT

AMOUNT SPENT

Announcements/Envelopes Invitations/Envelopes Thank-You Cards/Envelopes Seating Placement Cards Bridal Stationery/Envelopes Mehndi/Sangeet Cards Ceremony Cards Reception Cards RSVP Response Cards Wedding Programs Postage

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________

ACTIVITY/ITEM

BUDGET AMOUNT

AMOUNT SPENT

Wedding Photographs Formal Engagement Photographs Formal Bridal Photographs Extra Prints Thank You Cards Albums

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________

ACTIVITY/ITEM

BUDGET AMOUNT

AMOUNT SPENT

Wedding Video DVD Duplicates

________________ ________________

________________

Total

photo/video

Total

AMOUNT OVER/UNDER ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________

AMOUNT OVER/UNDER ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________

________________ AMOUNT OVER/UNDER ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________ AMOUNT OVER/UNDER ________________ ________________

________________

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additionals

Budget Planner ACTIVITY/ITEM

BUDGET AMOUNT

AMOUNT SPENT

Wedding Consultant Limousine Decorations Rose Petals Dance Floor Marriage License Bridal Suite Accommodations Wedding Guest Book & Pen Medical Exams & Blood Tests Legal/Financial Insuranceâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Floater Policy Rental Items Taxes

________________

ACTIVITY/ITEM

BUDGET AMOUNT

AMOUNT SPENT

Facials Mehndi Application Hair Stylist Makeup Artist Manicure/Pedicure Hair Cut/Color

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________

BUDGET AMOUNT

AMOUNT SPENT

Total

________________

beauty

Total

miscellaneous

ACTIVITY/ITEM

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________________

AMOUNT OVER/UNDER ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

________________

AMOUNT OVER/UNDER

- Tasks for Friends and Family BRIDE AND PARENTS OF THE BRIDE

GROOM AND PARENTS OF THE GROOM

The parents (especially if financing the wedding) are, along with the bride, the main organizers of the wedding. In consultation with the groom and his family, they:

The groom’s parents, along with the groom, are usually responsible for their own guests. They:

m Decide on all logistics for the wedding ceremony and reception

m May host a reception for the couple after the wedding. If so, they are responsible for the invitations and the guest list for that event

m Help the bride choose her clothes and jewelry m Plan various ceremonies

m Prepare their guest list and help with travel and accommodations

m Buy gifts for the bride’s family m Select and purchase the bride’s attire and jewelry in some cultures

m Help prepare the guest list m Act as hosts for the events they are coordinating

m Purchase the wedding and engagement rings

m Order and mail the invitations as the hosts m If the groom’s family is from out-of-town, they may help with travel arrangements and accommodations m Select and purchase the groom’s attire and jewelry in some cultures

m Arrange for the marriage license m Host one Mehndi and/or Sangeet m Arrange for transportation after the bidai or rukhsati m Make the honeymoon arrangements

m Host Mehndi and/or Sangeet m Host the bridal luncheon after the reception

MAID OR MATRON OF HONOR

BEST MAN

BRIDESMAIDS

She may be the sister, relative or best friend of the bride. In South Asian traditions she is in charge of all the minor details related to the bride and is her primary support system during this life-changing event. She:

He is the one who stands by the groom through the wedding ceremony. In South Asian culture, he may be a brother, relative or best friend. He:

Bridesmaids assist the bride throughout the wedding, taking instructions from the maid of honor. They escort the bride to the ceremony and other events prior to the ceremony. Bridesmaids are also responsible for purchasing their own dresses and accessories.

m Helps pick the groom’s attire

m Helps the bride shop for her wedding trousseau

m May host a bachelor party

m May host the bridal shower and/or bachelorette party

m Is in charge of decorating the wedding car

m Is usually in charge of organizing the Mehndi and/or Sangeet and finding a mehndi artist

m Is in charge of arranging the hotel for the wedding night

m Takes the bride to all beauty appointments on the day of the wedding

m May be the ring-bearer in some cultures

m Stays with the bride throughout the festivities m Helps the bride pack for her honeymoon

m Manages all other groomsmen

GROOMSMEN Groomsmen assist the groom throughout the wedding, taking instructions from the best man. They also escort the groom prior to the ceremony. Groomsmen are responsible for purchasing or renting their own attire.

m Manages all other bridesmaids

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Vendor Selection -------------- [ wedding planner ] -------------Choice 1: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 2: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 3: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________

-------------- [ venue ] -------------Choice 1: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 2: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 3: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________

-------------- [ caterer ] -------------Choice 1: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 2: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 3: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________

-------------- [ decorator / florist ] -------------Choice 1: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 2: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 3: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________

-------------- [ photographer / videographer ] -------------Choice 1: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 2: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 3: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________

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Vendor Selection -------------- [ entertainment ] -------------Choice 1: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 2: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 3: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________

-------------- [ hair and makeup ] -------------Choice 1: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 2: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 3: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________

-------------- [ invitations ] -------------Choice 1: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 2: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 3: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________

-------------- [ transportation ] -------------Choice 1: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 2: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Choice 3: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________

“Something opens our wings. Something makes boredom and hurt disappear. Someone fills the cup in front of us: We taste only sacredness.” —Rumi

wb9

Notes

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

“Love is the only reality and it is not a mere sentiment. It is the ultimate truth that lies at the heart of creation.”

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

—Tagore

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _