Bibi Bridal 2015 by Ayesha Hakki

2015

$7 US $8.50 CAN

bridalwear

Aditi Shah east v. west

what is your

bridal

style

Ujjwala Raut

modern moda

Rajiv Satyal

wedding planning a manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective

South Asian wedding images by SB Image Studios

We are Nort h Houst onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premiere Wedding Venue!

Your Special Day

Our Except ional Venue Over 2,200 brides and grooms have celebrated their union at the Hilton Houston North e

The beautifully intimate Donatello Ballroom that holds up to 250 guests

e The spacious Raphael Ballroom that accommodates up to 1,000 guests e Our spectacular atrium lobby has hosted many Wedding Ceremonies over the years e Our professional wedding coordinator will ensure your event will be flawless and hassle-free e Outside wedding vendors welcome e Complimentary Honeymoon Suite e Special sleeping room rates for your guests

Call or email us today Afroz Kahn 281.875.4574 afroz.kahn@interstatehotels.com

content

Inspired: Your Décor Personality Find unique ideas tailored to your bridal style

Bibi Beauty Bibi’s top beauty picks for the gorgeous bride

Waxing Poetic Waxing the City takes new strides in waxing

And Now... The Groom! Grooms choose their signature look and products to complement it

Wedding Planning: A Man’s Perspective Comedian Rajiv Satyal takes us into a man’s world of wedding planning

Making the Big Move Real couples help you decide if living together before marriage is right for you

Timeless Style Travel back in time with this collage of real life weddings from other eras

Proposal: Shaun and Maria, NJ / France Love’s magic across continents and cultures

Proposal: Merlin and Jason, NJ Autumn love under blessed rainy skies

Proposal: Avni and Mathew, TX A nearby destination wedding by the lake

ADITI SHAH: Softer shades of pastel feel fresh after a few seasons of neon. Photographed at New York City’s newest hotspot, Penthouse808 at the Ravel Hotel in Long Island City, model Aditi Shah wears a dramatic kundan necklace set with a rhinestone-embellished velvet and tulle lehnga, both by Sari Sapne’s Sapna Boutique, Houston. Her pearl and crystal cluster ring is by Mi Amor by Mona Bangalore. Aditi’s bright, fusion bridal look includes expressive makeup by Divya Bhawnani for BridalGal and unstructured hair by Petra Olan, also for BridalGal. Photographed by Pratik Doshi. 10

Aditi Shah: East v. West Model Aditi Shah shows both hemispheres of her personality in bridalwear by Sari Sapne’s Sapna Boutique and Jorge Vega Umana

Ujjwala: Modern Moda International model Ujjwala Raut shows her sultry side in modern bridalwear by Mitan Ghosh and Lashkara Couture

A New Look Take your headwear to the hilt with style clues tailored to your personality

Sonali Devesh: Flirty Fusion Wear Designer Sonali Devesh’s eco-friendly fusionwear gives your honeymoon versatile glam

Dressing it Forward Real-life bride Nilu Patel donated her wedding lehnga and made a dream come true

Designing Your Wedding Whether you’re a dreamer or pragmatist, wedding coordinator Chandani Chandekar helps get it all started

Making the Old New: Trends for 2015 This year’s décor and color trends summarized by wedding planner Neeti Desai

Down the Aisle, in Style Make your grand entrance even more epic with these unusual ideas

Dream Cuisine Celebrated culinary genius Maneet Chauhan and elite caterer Neuman’s Kitchen offer South Asian weddings’ “Next Big Thing”

More Memorable Weddings Six real-life couples tell us their true love stories

Aruban Adventures Find year-round perfection at this dreamy wedding destination

2015 Bridal Shows A list of South Asian bridal shows around the country

Wedding Directory Bridal resources for the modern couple

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Wedding Planning Workbook Budgets, timeline, checklists; it’s all here to get you on your way to a perfect wedding 11

PUBLISHER

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 CHICAGO

Bobbi Taxali DESIGN

Adam Markowitz A S S I S TA N T E D I TO R

Elvia Francis BIBI PR

Seema Khan CO N T R I B U TO R S

Yunche Wilson, Rajiv Satyal, Zenobia Shroff, Siddhi Vaishnav, Chandani Chandekar, Nilu Patel, Neeti Desai, Pratik Doshi, Corey Hayes, Stephanie Behrens

FOUNDERS

Ayesha Hakki, Zooni and Shabana Haq Rahman BOARD ADVISORS

Munir Ibrahim, Mariam Issa, Meera Gandhi

W W W. B I B I M A G A Z I N E . C O M FACE B O OK : BIBI M AGA Z I NE I N STAGR A M : BIBI _ M AGA Z I NE

T WI T TE R : BIBI M AGA Z I NE P I N TE R E ST: BIBI M AGA Z I NE

W W W. B I B I P R . C O M MAIN OFFICE 421 EAST 82ND STREET 2B 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 832.534.2424 Bibi Bridal, Volume 5, (2015) ÂŠ 2015 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.

ÂŠ 2015 Bibi Magazine, Entire Editorial Content and Format. MADE IN USA

Ayesha: Pratik Doshi

Finding Style What is my style? What will be my wedding style? These are questions many of us ask ourselves from time to time. But just how do you define something as elusive as style? When it comes to clothing, I think style is an aggregate result of fashion you put on every day. For example, Jackie O regularly wore Givenchy and Oleg Cassini and over time, her signature pillbox hat and simple tailored lines emerged as style that represented classic quality. Eventually, her fashion style translated into her home (or was it the other way around?) where good manners and candelabras were always in form. My parents (shown here) were married in 1966. On her wedding day, my mother wore a sky blue satin gharara trimmed with pale gold zardosi and kiran trim. My father wore a chic black sherwani over white pajamas and his signature black horned glasses. Their biggest accessory? Matching floral and tinsel sehras that were fashionable at the time in Karachi, the city of their marriage. For their Valima, my mom actually wore a fashion-forward pale gold, which is not obvious in their painted portrait rendition because ironically, the “artist” couldn’t understand why a bride would not wear traditional red. Despite repeated insistence on my mother’s part, he compromised with a carnation pink paint. My father wore what later became his signature look, a suit and tie, that evolved with the decades, but remained his regular formal attire.

Both of my parents worked for the airlines when they met. My mother was an air hostess and my father was a steward during air travel’s glamorous heyday. Later, my mother switched her creativity to become a jewelry designer, while my father continued his airline career, and I remember as a teenager being told to always “dress up” for travel, as this was the norm in my parents’ world. I think this is where I developed my interest in fashion because it is what surrounded me. I devoured fashion magazines, MTV and CNN’s Style by Elsa Klensch and at one point, much of my wardrobe consisted of pieces designed and sewn by me since the styles I wanted to wear were not easily affordable on my teenage allowance. My first gig as a journalist was as fashion editor of my high school newspaper, and I attended my first fashion show at age 16. Oh yes, I was immersed in fashion and soon my own style developed according to my environment: a mix of modern and vintage, designer and street, and always about color! This issue, we invited readers and social media friends to submit photos of their parents and, in some cases, grandparents’ weddings. What emerged from the collage of photos was a portrait of classic South Asian style, and each photograph, torn and faded, tells a story of union that has endured many decades. Since all of the children of these couples grew up in the US, this history is as influential in our style as the “white” weddings we witnessed growing up — be that Princess Di or Monica and Chandler. In this country, South Asian-American weddings have officially come into their own with as many venues and vendors taking part in the festivities as there are engagements. Our style has emerged as a spectacle of traditions and modernity, personality and pageantry and run the gamut from intimate weddings at a house of worship to blowout affairs in Times Square. But no matter the style, as the first South Asian-American bridal and fashion magazine, I am humbled to know that Bibi, in whatever small way, has been a shaping force in this industry since our first magazine published 15 years ago! Here’s to your fantastic style!

2015

Being True to You Every woman has a distinctive personality when it comes to her sense of style. Whether you follow new trends or prefer the vintage feel of the days of old, your style permeates through everything you do. Your wedding becomes an extension of your unique approach and speaks to the spirit that you embody. This year, our Inspired section, page 16, starts you off with five style thumbprints, and we found unique products and exciting DIY projects to help you design the perfect wedding. Trendy and fashion-forward, the Modern bride brings contemporary, urban panache to her wedding. The Mod bride is fun-loving and stylish and ensures her wedding is chic and entertaining. With refinement and grace, the Mauryan bride’s wedding captures the simplicity and luxury of ancient times. The Mughal bride draws from tradition and her wedding exudes majesty and luxury. Finally, with a flair for the dramatic, the Art Deco bride invites an ambiance of lavishness and sophistication to her inimitable wedding. Whether you are one or a mix of a few, we have ideas to take your wedding to new heights. Every year, we find the best products to make you bridal beautiful and in this year’s Bibi Beauty, page 23, our focus is on healthy beauty with products that are all paraben-free. And since every bride has an eventual face-off with her body hair, we take you through the history of hair removal and the newest innovation in waxing techniques in Waxing Poetic, page 28. Not to be left behind, we let our grooms in on an assortment of product ideas based on their own unique style personality in And Now… The Groom!, page 30. And comedian Rajiv Satyal takes us through his own love story while giving us a man’s perspective on wedding planning, page 34. Next, get your taste buds ready to be blown away with a new tantalizing collaboration between celebrated chef Maneet Chauhan and high-end caterer Neuman’s kitchen, page 72. Then, we invite wedding planner Neeti Desai to give us her

low-down on this year’s décor trends and her suggestions on how to incorporate pantone’s color of the year, Marsala, into your wedding, page 70. Wedding coordinator Chandani Chandekar also walks us through her top planning tips and how to impart your signature style on every element of your wedding, page 69. And in Down the Aisle, in Style, page 71, we give you a variety of transportation options to help you make your entrance and exit in style. Then, A New Look gives unique bridal headwear ideas that fit your personality, page 62. Finally, once the wedding is over, Sonali Devesh takes us to the honeymoon with Flirty Fusion Wear, page 66. This year, model Aditi Shah shows both ethnic and western bridalwear in East v. West, page 50. And international runway model Ujjwala Raut welcomes us behind the scenes and talks to us about being a mother, eating well and her new venture into cookware, page 56. Then, bride Nilu Patel tells us how donating her wedding dress changed a new bride’s big day, page 68. In Making the Big Move, page 38, we sit down for a serious discussion on deciding whether moving in with your significant other is the right step for you. And after our important talk, we take you on a well-deserved, relaxing vacation to the sandy beaches and azure waters of Aruba, page 80. Finally, this year, we pay homage to an assortment or true love stories, old and new. We bring you style inspiration from the good old days in Timeless Style, page 42, and share some real-life love stories in our Proposals, page 44, and More Memorable Weddings, page 74. As always, it has truly been a pleasure gathering ideas, products and tools to help make your big day as you as it can be. I hope you’re touched by our stories and inspired and excited about the planning road ahead!

Inspired Your unique personality is what determines your wedding style and design. Whether you consider yourself to be Art Deco eclectic or majestic Mauryan, Bibi has sought out the most distinctive design elements to take your wedding to staggering new heights.

dream

COME

true

Relish family customs, embrace traditions and connect with your heritage at the Sheraton North Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport Hotel. Whether you’re planning the pre-wedding rituals, wedding ceremony, post-wedding reception or all three, let our wedding specialist help make your big day everything you’ve dreamed of. Our Grand Ballroom is one of the largest ballrooms in the Houston area, with reception space for up to 1,000 or seating with a dance floor for up to 550.

To begin planning the celebration you’ve always imagined, please contact Shona Mitchell at 281 969 1214 or s.mitchell@sheratoniah.com. Sheraton North Houston at George Bush Intercontinental 15700 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77032

©2015 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, Sheraton and their logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. For more information, visit sheratonnorthhouston.com.

Fifty Shades of Grey With all the interest surrounding the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, unleash your own inner Anastasia by hosting a similarly themed bridal shower. Ask guests to wear grey, and serve aphrodisiac appetizers like raw oysters, avocado, dark chocolate, olives and figs. Continue the theme with EL James’ own Fifty Shades of Grey Wine in Red Satin or White Silk, $18 each. According to James, the wine is inspired by the sensuality of her novels, and she personally oversaw the selection of the grapes. The Red Satin is a blend of Petite Sirah and Syrah aged in a combination of new and seasoned French oak barrels, and has a medium body with a smoky and sultry aura. The White Silk is a blend of Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc, fermented cool and aged in stainless steel barrels, giving it a sweet, fruity flavor with a dry finish. FiftyShadesWine.com Continue the party with gifts like James’ Fifty Shades of Grey Submit to Me First Time Bondage Kit, $70. A set of four satin bondage restraints, a plush blindfold and a double-sided spanking paddle are probably what Anastasia would find in Christian’s playroom, but this kit comes with a satin pouch to store your new toys in style. MyLittleVixen.com And what Fifty Shades party would be complete without some grey lingerie? This vintage-inspired Curve by Fantasy Lingerie set, $32.95, is designed to flatter any body with its microfiber and lace bralette and matching skirt and garter ensemble. Yandy.com

Modern

THE MODERN BRIDE IS ALWAYS THE FIRST TO KNOW ABOUT THE LATEST TRENDS. CHIC AND CONTEMPORARY, HER STYLE IS ALWAYS CURRENT. SHE BRINGS THAT URBAN EDGE INTO HER WEDDING WITH FLAIR.

Wait On Hand and Foot Enhance the color of your mehndi with an at-home spa treatment. NatraCure Mitts and Booties, $50 each, warm up in your microwave and slip on your hands and feet to provide soothing, deep heat, which is essential to enhancing the color of your henna. Once the henna paste has flaked off, slip these on your hands and feet and relax for about 20 minutes. The mitts and booties have a gel interior that is infused with seven therapeutic botanicals and essential oils — jojoba, avocado, grape seed, soybean, olive, canola and mineral oils enhanced with ceramides — that provide intensive and immediately noticeable moisturizing. Your hands and feet will look gorgeous! Both the mitts and booties are washable and reusable up to 50 times. NatraCure.com

Style Traveler Do your wedding travel in style with the Obedo Neck and Back Pillow. Whether by plane, train or automobile, the Obedo Neck and Back Pillow, $25, in blue or black, provides firm support for either your neck or back. Its soft, plush cover is completely washable and the pillow folds flat for transport. Whether at home, the office or on the go, it’s a must-have relaxation companion. Obedo.com

Calling all Wallflowers After the wedding is over, share your memories by turning photographs into removable, peel-and-stick wallpaper with WeMontage. Select a few of your favorite moments, upload to their website, arrange them in a collage and choose your size. Your WeMontage will arrive within a few days. All you have to do is take it out of the package and stick it to your wall. The fabric-like material easily adheres and re-adheres a number of times without any damage to your wall, which makes it an ideal choice for renters. Prices range depending on the size, $80-$250. Now your favorite photos can also be your style statement. WeMontage.com

Mod

Ring Bearer Looking for the perfect gift for the bride-to-be? This Henri Bendel Mini Ring Box, $48, comes in gold or the signature namesake stripe, and is perfect for all the mod fashionistas in your life. Use as a gift for your best friend’s bridal shower or buy for yourself to use during your honeymoon. It is the ultimate safe house for your bling! HenriBendel.com

THE MOD BRIDE HAS CLASSIC STYLE BLENDED WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR! THIS BRIDE WANTS TO HAVE FUN AND ISN’T AFRAID TO TAKE CHANCES TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE AND HER GUESTS ENJOY THE FESTIVITIES WELL BEYOND THE WEDDING.

Couple of Coupons Saying ‘I Love You’ has never been easier with Good For One Mediocre Shoulder Rub, $7.95, a witty collection of romantic and considerate coupons for long-term couples. Filled with illustrated coupons couples can exchange, some treats include “Redeem for a High-school Style Make-out Session” to “Unconditional DJ Rights During Our Next Car Trip.” Illustrated by Meera Lee Patel and published by Ulysses Press, this tiny book makes a great bridal gift for the real side of coupledom. Amazon.com.

Keep Calm and Roll On Part bocce ball, part horseshoes, Rollors®, $50, is the perfect outdoor group activity for your bridesmaids and groomsmen during your destination wedding. Play by the pool or on the beach, Rollors consists of bowling disks towards a goal and seeing which side scores 21 points first. The game allows for 2-6 players and is conveniently packaged in a sturdy nylon zipper case, perfect for easy travel. Rollors was created by US Air Force Officer Matt Butler during his deployment overseas and who initially had the game crafted by fellow veterans. Today, the game is fast becoming a family favorite at picnics and barbecues everywhere, and will be a star favorite at your wedding. Rollors.com 19

Mauryan THE MAURYAN BRIDE BRINGS ANCIENT INDIA INTO THE 21ST CENTURY WITH HER NOD TO TRIBAL SIMPLICITY. SHE IS GRACEFUL AND HER WEDDING HAS A MAJESTIC, UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE.

Bridal Bag Essentials Take a moment to smell the roses, literally, during the hectic pace of your wedding bliss. The Amala Apothecary Renewing Rose Concentrate, $20, is a soothing scent of organic roses that helps release tension. Inhale the aromatherapy of this rose scent to restore balance and harmony while reducing stress. The convenient rollerball applicator makes this a must-have for your bridal beauty bag. AmalaBeauty.com Or tuck the Clairvoyant Beauty Rosewater Hydrating Rosewater Toner, $18, into a bucket of ice and keep it on hand to cool you down during a heated moment. Made of the distilled essence of Rosa Damascena, the most fragrant rose in the world, and skin-firming aloe vera, the aromatic elixir can be applied on top of your makeup during the day to hydrate and soothe your skin, and your soul. ClairvoyantBeauty.com Lastly, when your feet start to hurt from the high heels and endless dancing, soothe them with Sole Serum. Infused with lavender, tea tree oil, peppermint and a hint of Lidocaine to ease pain for up to two hours. The 15ml bottle is $29.50 and a travel size 5ml bottle retails for $9.99. SoleSerum.com

You Won’t Toss This Bouquet

A Little Charm Add charm to your bridal bouquet with these Beth Quinn Bouquet Charms, $30. Made of vintage-inspired rhinestones dangling from a chandelier piece adorned with glitter and sparkles, the bouquet charm comes with an inspirational saying like, “A True Love Story Never Ends.” Or personalize your charm by creating your own saying for an additional $3. Either way, on your wedding day, the charm will remind you of the many reasons you are marrying your sweetheart, and will serve as a keepsake for years to come. BethQuinnDesigns.com

Complement all the work on your bridal outfit with this keepsake bouquet. Made of an assortment of brooches and jewelry pieces, you can choose elements that carry sentimental meaning. Afterwards, place the piece in a glass box and display in your new home.

Styrofoam ball. Silver or gold spray paint. Bouquet handle/wooden dowel. Hot glue gun. 30-60 brooches, jewelry pieces, clip-on earrings, pendants. Ribbon or silk cloth. Scissors. Floral wire (22 gauge or larger). Wire cutters. Spray the styrofoam ball with silver or gold paint. Let dry. Poke the handle/dowel into bottom of the styrofoam ball to create a hole. Squeeze glue into the hole and onto the dowel head. Insert the dowel into the ball and let dry for 48 hours. If you do not want to damage a brooch, thread floral wire through the clasp or clip on the back of the brooch, cross the wire in the middle and twist tightly together to create a 2-inch stem. Cut the excess wire with the wire cutters. Stick the stem into the styrofoam ball. Alternatively, stick the brooch clasp directly into the ball. Continue inserting all brooches until the ball is covered. Use the hot glue gun to glue one end of the ribbon or silk cloth to the top of the handle. Allow the glue to dry well before you begin wrapping the ribbon. Wrap the ribbon around the handle until covered. Tie on a contrasting bow.

Bouquet: Nicki Fietzer

ma teri als:

The Light Bulb Leaf The bodhi leaf has a long auspicious history in South Asian culture, as do roses, particularly when it comes to weddings. These Rose String Lights, $26.50, made from real bodhi leaves, are an organic addition to your wedding décor. The six-foot long strands have 20 “blooms,” each lit with incandescent bulbs. The ends can be connected to create long strings of floral bulbs and the blooms can be spritzed with rose perfume for a subtle scent. Let your imagination dictate your décor. LightsForAllOccasions.com

The Scent of Music Invoke the elegance of a 16th century Pavane, a processional dance evolved today in the graceful step of the bride’s walk down the aisle, with The Pavane Candle Collection ($100) by Gwendolyn Mary, a company that uniquely blends music and scents in candles and perfumes. A favorite amongst celebrities like Jessica Alba and Gwyneth Paltrow, the Pavane Candle Set includes three hand-poured, soy candles in high-quality glass vessels. Pavane No.1, inspired by Gabriel Fauré’s Pavane in F-sharp minor, Op. 50, combines sweet lychee fruit, fig, orange blossom and fresh-cut grass, giving it a bright, old-world feel. Pavane No.2 was created to evoke Felix Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Its deeply feminine bridal scent includes shimmering water lily, sacred Moroccan red rose and stargazer lily. Pavane No.3 is a more alluring, full-bodied scent of fine tobacco, cedar and sandalwood deepened by oak moss, Madagascar vanilla and a hint of clove. Pavane No.3 was inspired by Maurice Ravel’s Pavane pour une Infante Défunte. The set is the perfect scene-setter for those first few heady weeks of bridal bliss. Gwendolyn-Mary.com

Mughal

THE MUGHAL BRIDE EMBRACES TRADITION WITH HER SOPHISTICATED, REGAL STYLE. SHE ADMIRES TIME-HONORED CUSTOMS AND HER CLASSIC WEDDING EXUDES GRANDEUR AND ELEGANCE.

99 Bottles of Henna Let intricate henna patterns dance all around you with these DIY centerpieces. Balance the smooth shape of the wine bottles with bold, structured floral arrangements and arrange either as a single bottle or in groups of two or three.

Bodhi Rose Lights: Charra Fulton

ma teri als:

Materials: Wine bottles. Knife. Goo Gone Adhesive Remover. Krylon 18kt Gold Leafing Pen. Krylon Leafing Pen in Silver.

The best wine bottles to use for this project are the ones that come with a cork since the lip of the bottle is more elegant. Take the empty bottle and spray on the Goo Gone Adhesive remover. With the knife, gently remove all the labels from the bottle. Rinse the bottle and let dry. Next, create henna patterns with the Krylon pens, making some with all gold designs, some with all silver and some with both metallic hues. 21

Art Deco THE ART DECO BRIDE INVITES A DISTINCTIVE, ECLECTIC VIBE TO HER WEDDING DESIGN. SHE HAS AN OPULENT, REFINED EXTRAVAGANCE THAT IS SURE TO ENTICE AND IMPRESS.

Pretty Pearl Chandelier Capture the opulence of the Great Jazz Age with this DIY Pearl Chandelier. It takes patience to make, but it is so worth it! If you like this, you’ll love the inspiration from whence it came: Prairie-Style Weddings by Fifi O’Neill.

ma teri als:

Round silver metal wire basket. Fifteen 6ft faux pearl wired garlands. 3 packages ornament hooks. White power cord with a light bulb socket attached. Small spool of silver electrical tape (optional). Light bulb. Extension Cord.

Turn the basket upside down. Be sure to choose a basket that has an opening at the center of the bottom wide enough to allow a power cord to pass through. Insert the power cord so that the light socket is on the inside of the basket. Secure the socket to the basket with silver electrical tape, if necessary. (Do not plug into a wall outlet just yet.) Starting at the bottom end of the basket, attach one end of a faux pearl garland using an ornament hook, bending closed to secure the garland to the wire basket and allowing the pearl clusters to hang past the bottom rung of the basket. Repeat with successive clusters until the bottom of the basket is completed. Continue in the same manner with each subsequent row of pearls set over each other so each row overlaps the previous one. Repeat until the basket is fully covered. Use ornament hooks to catch the garland at intervals and bend closed to secure. When the project is completed, insert the light bulb into the socket. Using the power cord, hang the finished chandelier by wrapping the cord around a tree branch (if indoors, suspend from a sturdy ceiling hook). How low you want the chandelier to hang will determine how much cord you will need. Connect the power cord to an extension cord and plug into an electric outlet. Cord will need to be removed from outlet to turn off light.

A Stay at Downton Celebrate your anglophilia with a wedding themed after the hit series, Downton Abbey. Serve Bordeaux wines from the original Downton Abbey Wine Collection. Crafted with premium fruit from the famed Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux, this collection has been honed by fifth-generation winemaker Jean-Marc Dulong. The result is a smooth Claret wine, $17, with scents of blackberries, raspberries, black currants as well as spicy notes. The Blanc, $17, is an easy-drinking white with notes of green apple, citrus, herbs, a creamy finish and an interesting touch of black licorice. Available in the US at Wine.com. The Downton Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay can be found at DowntonAbbeyWine.com. Or perhaps you’d rather smell like the fine ladies of Downton, including Anna Bates, Lady Cora, Lady Mary, Daisy Mason, Lady Edith, Lady Rose and Countess Violet. Now you can with the Downton Abbey Fine Fragrance Collection Ladies of Downton Abbey Sampler, $45 (5ml vials). The collection’s fragrances are crafted in the artisanal method utilized by master perfumers so highly in demand during the early 1900s. They have been crafted from pure perfume oils, without alcohol, chemicals, additives, artificial colors, parabens or phthalates. Each scent has top, middle and bottom notes that develop slowly after application on the skin, creating a sensual experience that lasts for and develops over a period of hours. DowntonAbbeyFragrances.com. 22

Bibi

Beauty

THIS BRIDAL SEASON IS BURSTING WITH BRIGHT COLORS AND THE MAKEUP IS A TOTAL MATCH! HERE, WE FOUND YOU THE HARDEST-WORKING PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET THAT ARE ALSO THE HEALTHIER CHOICE, BEING PARABEN-FREE! EACH PRODUCT HAS BEEN TESTED BY OUR EDITORS AND LET’S JUST SAY — WE LOVE THEM!

A Firm Punch Powerful botanicals and their patented SmartPeptides® are what makes the Apothederm Firming Serum, $75, a wise investment for those looking to reduce signs of aging. The wonder serum reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, firms and tightens skin and adds hydration while brightening and refining skin texture for a more even and luminous complexion in as little as two weeks. Apothederm.com

Sun Cure This summer, don’t get stuck inside the salon waiting for your nails to dry. With Bio Seaweed Gel’s All-in-One Unity Polish, $13, you get stunning and long-lasting gel nails quickly and easily without the need for prep coats, finishing coats or even a UV dryer, as the polish “cures” (a.k.a. dries) in the sun! In other words, one bottle combines the base, color, top and strengtheners into one formula that lasts up to two weeks or more. Best of all, the formula is 5-free, meaning no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, BHA or solvents. Available in a rainbow of summer wedding colors. BioSeaweedGel.com

Hot Spring Secret In Japanese, the word Onsen means Natural Hot Springs, and the namesake company has formulated its Ageless Series with the natural mineral-rich compositions of this experience. All women know that moisture is the key to ageless skin, and the Onsen 3-step Hydrol-Collagen Collection is designed to restore hydration and moisture, giving your skin that ageless, supple look. Start with Hydrol-Collagen Mask, $350, infused with seaweed that deeply hydrates and plumps the skin’s surface. Next, apply the Hydrol-Collagen Cream, $250, each evening to rejuvenate the skin with its 8-hour timerelease formula that will firm, plump and smooth your skin by the morning. Finally, the Hydrol-Collagen Serum, $290, can be applied each morning to moisturize and provide a smooth base for easy makeup application. The series may be a bit on the spendy side, but believe us when we say that the results are well worth the expense. OnsenSecret.com 24

The Perfect Purple Pout With all the kisses you’ll be gifting your guests, you’ll need a hard-working lip color that will literally stay put all day. Berry Me by Dose of Colors, $18, is a velvety liquid matte color that envelops lips in the color of the moment and stays put. It’s vegan, gluten- and paraben-free and is not tested on animals. Add a slick of shine with the Color Your Smile Lighted Lip Gloss in Wild Orchid, $24, by professional line Gerard Cosmetics, a sweet-smelling, mid-weight gloss. DoseofColors.com GerardCosmetics.com

Brow Beautiful Get beautiful brows with Chella’s range of products specifically designed for the task. Start with the Beautiful Eyebrow Tool Kit, $45, a precision tweezer, rounded scissors and brow razor brush with comb, which will shape your brows to perfection. Follow up with their unique Brow Color Kit, $54, available in all natural colors. The kit contains an elegant European mechanical precision eyebrow color pencil in the shade of your choice, a Lace Highlighter Pencil, essential Eyebrow Defining Gel and Dual Size Pencil Sharpener along with detailed, easy-to-follow instructions. For South Asian skintones, try the Luscious Light Brown or the Dazzling Dark Brown. Chella.com

Hi-Def Hair Inspired by salon glazing services, the Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging 3-Minute Shine Boost, $26, is a weekly at-home treatment that will recharge your fading color with a blast of high-definition shine, while sealing the cuticle with a deeply moisturizing layer. It is a must for your weekslong bridal festivities. Rickys.com.

Cheat Sheet The honeymoon is two weeks away and your thighs are still not in fighting shape? Time for Karin Herzog Tone & Tan, $55, a breakthrough 2-in-1 toning cream with self-tanner. With a few uses, the gradual self-tanner will give your skin that coveted bronze look while high concentrations of vitamin B12 and green tea condition and nourish the skin, giving a toned and tight appearance. KarinHerzog.com

Get Natural Winners of countless awards, Germany’s fastest-growing natural cosmetics brand Benecos offers high-pigment, quality makeup that is paraben-free, gluten-free, cruelty-free and BDIH Certified Natural. Now beauty can also be healthy. Start with the Benecos Natural BB Cream 8-in-1 for Sensitive Skin, $25, which gives skin — you guessed it — eight benefits, such as color correction, oil absorption, moisture, redness reduction, smoothing, soothing and includes antioxidants that promote anti-aging and increased elasticity. Continue with Benecos Vegan Mineral Eyeshadows, $13, for sensitive eyes that pair one vivid color with a softer, complementary shade. With strong pigments, the colors are intense and long-lasting. Finish with either the Pure Mineral Lipstick in Marry Me, $14, a gorgeous red shade with a touch of purple that gives deep color with Vitamin E-induced moisture or the Twist Up Shiny Lip Color, $14, in Silky Tulip. Simply twist and apply for a surge of organic ingredients and essential oils. TrueNatural.com

Longer Locks You’ve always dreamed of a luxurious head of cascading curls for your wedding, but despite all of those hot oil treatments, your hair didn’t grow past your shoulders? BridalGal’s Lilly Rivera turned us onto Remy Hair Extensions, $10-$100, individual extensions that clip into your hair, instantly adding length and volume. Made of real human hair, the clip-ins can be curled and styled along with the rest of your mane, and they are so light, you’ll forget you’re wearing them. Available in a variety of colors, styles and lengths, choose a few to change your look on a regular basis. Wigsbuy.com

Superstar Status Bring out your inner shine with the Dior Glow Maximizer Primer, $42, a versatile primer that enhances your skin for a luminous effect. Mix with foundation for an all-over glow or apply alone over your face contours to sculpt the face. The innovative primer instantly brightens your complexion to superstar status. Sephora.com

Flash Gordon Forget waxing. Forget shaving. Once you see how easy and effective the Silk’n Flash&Go Luxx Hair Removal Device, $299, is, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to get one. Using patented Home Pulsed Light (HPL) Technology, this FDA-cleared device delivers light-based energy down the shaft of each hair strand, destroying its root and disabling it from ever growing back. Good for use on all body parts, including sensitive areas like the bikini line or underarm, the 4cm2 treatment spot size allows users to properly target any desired area. The device comes complete with a lifetime cartridge containing 120,000 pulses, and after a series of treatments, our editors reported less hair growth. The company promises that eventually the hair will cease to grow altogether. For optimal results, use every other week for the first two months and once a month thereafter. Silkn.com 26

ShehnaaiUSA.com

Waxing Poetic IF YOU HAVE EVER HAD ANYTHING WAXED, YOU KNOW THAT IT CAN BE A VERY ANXIETY-RIDDEN APPOINTMENT. FROM THE MINUTE YOU GET THAT HOT SUBSTANCE APPLIED TO YOUR SKIN, TO THE MOMENT THE STRIP IS RIPPED OFF, YOU PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE WORST. WAX SPECIALISTS WAXING THE CITY HAS SPENT YEARS HONING THIER TECHNIQUES AND FORMULAS TO FINALLY CREATE A WAXING PROCEDURE THAT IS TAILORED SPECIFICALLY TO YOUR SKIN AND HAIR TYPE. SAY HELLO TO A WAXING EXPERIENCE THAT IS SURPRISINGLY NOT SO UNPLEASANT. By Yunche Wilson Removing body hair was once a survival technique. Cavemen would scrape hair off their face with semi-sharp stones to prevent vermin from getting caught in their beard. Ancient Egyptians were also known to scrape away hair to prevent adversaries from grabbing onto it during battle. But it was the wife of the divine Pharoah who set the example for every Egyptian woman by going hairless. She used depilatory creams and waxed with an oil and honey emulsion, similar to what we now call “sugaring.” In the ancient Roman and Grecian Empires, hair removal was an indicator of social status. The Greeks thought pubic hair on women was ugly and upper-class ladies removed it. The Romans, too, did not like pubic hair and young girls began removing it as soon as it first appeared. They used tweezers, which they called the “volsella,” and had a kind of cream — ”philotrum” or “dropax” — the forerunner of current depilatory creams. Waxing was also a way of depilating and this was done with resin or pitch. Despite its painful beginnings, waxing techniques have come a long way. From modern sugaring to the more widely known hot wax, the popularity of semi-permanent smooth skin has caused a flood of gurus, each claiming their technique is superior. We scoured the industry to find a company that could back up their claim and stumbled upon Waxing the City, FB: WaxingHouston, WaxingtheCity.com. Founded in 2003 in Denver’s trendy LoDo neighborhood, Waxing the City grew from a oneroom studio to a regional phenomenon. By 2010, they added three studios in the greater Denver area and also expanded to Dallas. Fast forward to 2015 and the Waxing the City franchise now has over fifty locations with four coming to Houston this year. 28

Fanatical about Waxing Waxing the City takes waxing very seriously. Their proprietary techniques have been honed and perfected over sixteen years by founders and expert estheticians, Summer Vasilas and Alex Jimenez. Their techniques are so unique, they even have a special name: Cerology® waxing services, which combines "cera" (Latin for wax) with "ologist" (to indicate their level of education and expertise). Each esthetician must undergo extensive training that includes a unique proprietary mapping system that guides Cerologists through the right steps for each service, ultimately leading to a better outcome. While waxing is not a painless service, Waxing the City ensures their clients are comfortable before, during and after the process. They have created a custom wax formulation — created to grab the hair shaft, not the skin — that gently lifts and exfoliates for a more comfortable experience. Unlike most waxing facilities, Waxing the City uses both a hard and soft wax, because they have found that one wax does not work on all body parts. So whether it is removing the femstache or clearing that oh-sosensitive bikini area, their Cerologists tailor the procedure to each client’s needs. Beyond extreme attention to detail, Waxing the City is big on education, taking the time to explain both pre- and post-waxing techniques for optimal results, the least painful times of your monthly cycle to wax and how to deal with ingrown hairs. If you are preparing for a special occasion, they will get you on a waxing schedule for optimal, long lasting results. Another distinctive feature is the company’s strict no-tipping policy. You walk in, pay for the service you need and never have to worry about pulling out additional cash for that extra thank you. Waxing the City stands by their mantra that waxing is a lifestyle and not just an occasional treat. Once you put yourself in their experienced care, you’ll never epilate in another way again. ø

And Now...

The Groom! STEP ASIDE, BRIDES... GROOMS, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SHINE! SHOW OFF YOUR PERSONALITY WITH THESE PRODUCTS THAT CATER TO YOUR OWN UNIQUE SENSE OF STYLE. By Elvia Francis

Mauryan A Man of Style Break free from all constraints with this Anita Dongre Hand-Embroidered Sherwani, $1290. The open, A-line cut of the sherwani and the embroidered accents on the shoulders call for a contrasting colored kurta and pajama for a look that conveys style and substance with a dash of drama. AnitaDongre.com

Power Hour Power your wrists with a modern take on the traditional status symbol with this Alex and Ani Vintage Sixty-Six Rafaelian Gold Chain Wrap Bracelet, $78. Crafted in a rustic and robust design, the bracelet looks strong with both eastern and western attire. It also comes in Hematite and Rafaelian Silver, making it an ideal gift for that brotherhood bond. AlexandAni.com

The Great One The Mauryan era was a time of great wealth and ferocity — not unlike weddings today! Ease the planning tension in MiN New York’s “Dahab,” $240 for 75 ml or $5 for a sample, and escape to a desert mirage. Salty aquatic notes mingle with oud, incense, exotic dry woods and spices of saffron, pepper, cumin and nutmeg. This scent is for the fearless explorer who seeks life and truth, much like the great Asoka. MiNNewYork.com

Modern Throwback

Get Your Groove

Channel your mod side with a modern take on the popular 1960s waistcoat. This Tarun Tahiliani Ombre Waistcoat, $544, is constructed in black silk with resham embroidery on the lapel. This waistcoat looks chic when paired with a black silk kurta and dhoti set, $362, perfect for a Mehndi night. TarunTahiliani.com

The clear color makes these mod Warby Parker Jackson Glasses feel so... now! Made of custom cellulose acetate with akulon-coated screws for durability, the entire construction is cut from a single sheet to maintain color parity. The glasses are available in both prescription and non-prescription lenses so you can tailor the Jackson to your needs. Prices start at $95. WarbyParker.com

All images courtesy of brand

Mod

Chains and Daggers

Mughal

Romance in the Mughal courts of 17th-century India weren’t any more amorous than the love between Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. You too can channel your inner emperor with Jet Set Candy’s Dubai Khanjar Dagger Charm in 14k gold vermeil, $158. The sheath reveals a removable dagger inscribed with the word Dubai in Arabic. Paired on a chain, the Khanjar dagger is a symbol of courage and valor, and is adorned for ceremonial occasions. MyJetSetCandy.com

Fit for a King Menswear designer Amir Adnan’s Shah Zadeh Collection of sherwanis and suits is for “every man who feels like a prince walking down the aisle to his coronation.” A modern take on the armband makes this sherwani shine. AmirAdnan.com

Turban Tiger Finding the right turban to top your wedding attire is no easy feat, and tying one is even harder. This Kalangi Design Turban, $116, is made of multicolored cotton wrapped into an elaborate design reminiscent of the ancient Mughal courts. Topped with a royal pin, this turban will definitely turn heads. BharatPlaza.com

Art Deco The High Life Any self-fashioning Jazz Age gentleman wouldn’t be caught dead without the J. Paul Anti-Aging Kit, $142. With the high life comes high drama, but you’ll be looking smooth with this trio — the Daily Defense Cream, Overnight Recovery Cream and Revitalize Serum for Eyes. The key ingredients of Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, Vitamins A, C and E and key amino acids boost collagen production, smooth away wrinkles, even discoloration and protect your skin in order to give you a healthier, sexier appearance that will not go unnoticed! JPaulSkincare.com

Old Sport John Frazier, the Chicago-based entrepreneur behind the online bespoke and custom men’s shirt label John Byron cites, “True luxury isn’t imposing, but proposing.” For the affluent groom with a moral conscience, John Byron’s custom fit and personalized taste strike a sartorial chord while supporting fair wages and education — 10% of their profits go toward Teach For America. The custom sizing requires seven measurements as well as selecting a desired fit. You can hone the streamlined elegance of Art Deco patterns with bold straight lines in the Classico Two Ply Smoke Grey shirt, $195, and the Classico Two Ply White Collar/Cuff shirt, $175. JohnByron.com

Nip Tank This J.Crew Flask, $45, pays homage to a speakeasy era now passed. Your debonair grooms-crew can discreetly enjoy their libation of choice 8 fluid oz. at a time. The stainless steel flask is bound in high-quality leather and fits easily inside a jacket pocket, perfect for those festivities that require a little social lubrication. JCrew.com

Modern

The Postman Rings Twice

Contemporary jewelry brand Triton has unveiled a new Black Ti collection made with superstrong, lightweight, patented metal that delivers a dark, glossy and sophisticated black titanium material that is scratchresistant and tough enough to meet the increasing demands of today’s modern, active man. Their domed black titanium and sterling silver comfort fit band with beaded texture side treatment and satin finish will certainly fit into your festive plans. Also, the pieces don’t tarnish as easily as other rings, so you won’t have to worry about anything except keeping your future wife happy! Prices range from $335-$355. TritonJewelry.com

A Tailored Life Channel the modern era with this Paul Smith Tailored-Fit Black Wool Soho Evening Suit, $2060. A chic alternative to the traditional tuxedo, this Evening Suit is crafted from 100% wool with covered single-button fastenings. The jacket features a peak lapel with satin contrast panel and contrast split melton-wool undercollar that complements the satin-trim jetted pockets and tapered trousers with contrast satin side-stripes. PaulSmith.co.uk

Happy Feet Seen as a sign of a well-dressed man, bold socks are considered the modern man’s equivalent of fine lingerie. These Happy Socks Argyle Socks, $12, are made from combed cotton that ensures a snug fit while maintaining the vibrant colors of the design. Buy one or a few; they even come in a gift box for your groom’s trousseau. Happysocks.com

Wedding Planning

A Man’s Perspective By Rajiv Satyal WEDDING PLANNING IS SOMETHING THAT MANY WOMEN HAVE BEEN DOING SINCE THEY WERE BORN. INDEED, IF YOU ASK ANY UNMARRIED FEMALE, “WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?” THE ANSWER, SOMEWHERE IN HER MULTITASKING-EMOTIONAL-PROBABLY-SUPERIOR-TO-AMAN’S-LET’S-FACE-IT BRAIN IS PROBABLY, “WEDDING PLANNING.” (THERE’S A ROMANTIC COMEDY IF ANYBODY WANTS TO WRITE IT: A WOMAN SETS THE DATE AND THEN WORKS TO ENSURE SHE HAS A MAN TO MARRY BY HER WEDDING DAY.)

Taking Our Relationship to The Next... Stage.

To contrast that, my fiancé and I recently attended a wedding where the groom had one (ONE, mind you) task — to get a horse to ride in on for his Baraat — and he didn’t get started on this project until the morning of the wedding. He actually called one of his friends to ask, “Hey, do you know where I can find a horse?” Clearly a man from the east who thinks we still live in the Wild, Wild West. Yeah, so I’m slightly more involved than that. A lot of men view marriage as something that we simply have to do, like a morning commute. It’s as if you’re about to get on the jam-packed interstate freeway, but the surface streets are far worse so you do it, anyway. (In case it wasn’t clear, the surface streets are bachelorhood and the freeway is marriage. Though given the wedding costs we’re facing, perhaps the analogy should be reversed.) To put it more into perspective, allow me to juxtapose two of the most common questions I receive: “What do you do for a living?” and “Why were you single for so long?” For a living, I stand in front of a roomful of strangers whom I’ve never met. For the most part, they’ve never met each other and will likely never meet again. Drama is global and comedy is local; this means that what might work in one part of the country (or world) may offend another part. Under the glare of very bright lights and facing the real

possibility of hecklers, I not only have to publicly speak, which is widely regarded as people’s #1 fear, but I also have to make them laugh, knowing full well that even if I had to tell them a joke somebody else wrote, it would be extremely difficult because everybody’s sense of humor is different. I only get one shot to do it because it’s live. And there’s nobody else to blame because I’m the only one out there on the stage, and I wrote, edited, produced and directed the material. Oh, and usually the back row contains my peers, whose own tastes often vary widely from those of the audience members. So ideally I’m finding that very narrow ledge and walking on it. If I fail, I’m humiliated on a level that is a hundred times worse than being shot down by a girl at a bar. I may even be recorded and ridiculed on the internet. In this day and age of people’s extreme and irrational sensitivity, my career could end on any given night. And why was I single for so long? Marriage is scary. It is. You’re only pronounced twice in your life — “man and wife” and “dead.” You know how people say about New York City that it’s a great place to visit but they wouldn’t want to live there? Well, dating is visiting and marriage is living there. On my podcast, The TanGent Show, I interviewed over 120 people and asked them the same set of questions. One of my favorites was, “How would you define manhood in modern society?” The most common response was, “Taking

responsibility.” To be sure, I would not say that every bachelor in the world is not a man, but there’s something to be said about males in my general socioeconomic status in America: one enormous aspect of manhood is finally being ready for marriage. For some, that happens at 18; for others, it could be 50. At a certain point, dating multiple women actually becomes the easy way out. Taking the time to nurture and build a relationship, to make yourself vulnerable, to share your life with another person — that’s what manhood is.

The Engagement So, how did we get here? From my perspective, it was four things: 1. My one-person show actually made a man out of me. By setting out “to define manhood in modern society,” I became one. 2. Wow, Hindu pujas work. My parents and I did a puja last June to break whatever hex may be cursing me. Within six months, I was engaged. Thank God(s). 3. OkCupid. Stigma surrounding online dating is virtually gone now (which may be why I told you we met on OkCupid). I had finally joined a host of dating sites — OkCupid, Coffee Meets Bagel, eHarmony and, yes, Shaadi.com (pronounced “Shady”). I shouldn’t knock Shaadi — there’s a high degree of quality now. It’s mostly Indian women, although every now and then, you see a white girl on there. It’s kind of a nice surprise, like finding an onion ring in your French fries.

4. I was tired of having to set up a complex mirrorphone combination to shave the back of my head. A wife would come in handy for this. In April, my fiancé, Harsha Mistry, and I met on OkCupid. In May, we started talking on the phone. In June, I went to Austin to visit her. In August, she came to visit me in Los Angeles. In October, we went to New York City, where she and my fraternal twin brother approved of each other. In November, I met her sweet parents and we became official. In December, she met my parents in Cincinnati on a Wednesday. I popped the question that Saturday. Yes, the timeline is short. But I love getting my wisdom from movies: “Good things take time, but great things happen all at once.” – Rat Race. In fact, she dropped a hint to me on Thursday. “My parents would love if you proposed on this trip.” Well, then. She says what she means, huh? So, on Friday night, as I lay in the bed in which I slept as a kid, it hit me: all the elements were coming together. I’d always thought of proposing from the stage, either when I was headlining or featuring at a large show. I wanted to do what most men couldn’t do — something that was quintessentially me, but would still put enough of a focus on her. I’ve heard some very touching, sweet and awesome proposal stories and there’s nothing wrong with them. But any civilian could do them. This was something that I could uniquely do. And yes, I totally just called all non-comedians “civilians.” Now that she’d told me she and her parents were ready, the only way to surprise her at this point was to really do it. What a confluence of circumstances: I was already performing at my home comedy club on Friday and Saturday. My favorite big comic, Kevin Nealon, was headlining. The shows were sold out. My parents could come. Harsha was there. (That helps.) I had her ring size and style down. Thank God she’s Gujarati, which means her parents own a motel, which means their number is listed. They happily granted their permission and blessing. That evening, I dropped her off at the Cincinnati Funny Bone, which is actually in Kentucky, and ran back across the Ohio River. Well, I drove over the bridge. I’m not Jesus. At Tiffany’s, the saleslady we’d met earlier had the ring all ready to go. I asked her advice on how to present it. She said to leave it in the box as everybody would know where it came from. Was that great proposal advice or product placement? Either way, I’d never done this before, so fine by me. I ran outside and — girls, this is for you — fireworks were actually going off. I suppose it was for Christmas, but I still took it as a sign and took the obligatory selfie in front of Tiffany’s. (Fellas, the other sign is that I found a dope parking spot downtown in 30 seconds on a Saturday night.) After the proposal on stage at the Comedy Club, we were alone in the green room, where we just held each other for a good while. Then we called my

parents back to join us — and Harsha touched their feet! It’s an Indian tradition, but the way she did it was so... touching. To close the loop with God, we did the formal Hindu engagement in Austin, where I met some of her extended family and her brother Jatin and his wife Deepti. Fortunately, we approved of each other.

The Bachelor Party I’m going with the original idea of throwing my bachelor party in Vegas. Given how much my life has changed, I don’t have much of a crew anymore, so I’m including every man invited to the wedding. And my friends have told me it’s totally kosher (or halal) to invite guys even if they’re not invited to the wedding. The worst time to throw a bachelor party is after you

One Little, Two Little Indians in Texas

get engaged. I’m headed to Vegas with all my boys and I can’t even hook up. We should change the convention so that it’s more like a lifeline on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” At your darkest moment, when all hope is lost and you’re afraid you’ll never get married, you call up your best friend and tell him you need a bachelor party. I have a girl friend (note the space) who, after years of being single, threw herself a housewarming party and even registered. “Why should married people get all the gifts?” she reasoned. Good for her. Come to think of it, she should be the main character in that aforementioned romantic comedy.

The Wedding We’re in full swing with wedding planning. Given that I perform at all sorts of gatherings, I’ve been to a TON of Indian weddings. Of course, I’m looking to 36

make mine different. Everybody does (which is why you should hire me to perform at... but I digress). At the beginning of the process, we asked our friends how to go about wedding planning. Just about everybody had a one-word answer: “Elope.” I liked the idea, because it’s the only thing I can think of that’s both romantic and cheap. Alas, we find ourselves in the midst of it. And to be honest, I’m enjoying every moment of it. One of the most stressful things a couple will do in their lives is plan a wedding. And if you’re marrying the right person, you’ll know fairly early on. I’ve lucked out (which you already know just by looking at her) in that she’s been a joy. We’ve collaborated on everything thus far. Of course, most of it still falls on her, given that it’s taking place in her town of Austin. (And she’s just a nicer person.)

The Specifics • Invitations: I’d love to post the list of invitees on Facebook, like football tryouts — see if you made the cut. That’s not going to happen, but we’re going to tell people who in their circle is invited so they don’t make the dreaded faux pas of asking non-invitees if they’re going. • Food: We’re doing Tex Mex for lunch and a buffet for dinner. Plated dinners are so stupid. Why would everybody eat the same amount of food? It’s like telling everybody to drink eight cups of water a day. Some people are 80 pounds and others are 300. It makes no sense. • Ceremony: We’re trying to hold the ceremony to an hour. In India, everything is longer — Indian weddings are longer than American weddings. Indian last names tend to be the longest on the planet. Bollywood movies are longer than Hollywood ones. Indian weddings are so long that we’re the only people who walk out of a Catholic wedding and say, “Boy, that was fast.” • Music: This is the one item into which I’m pouring 80% of my effort. Harsha and I see eye-to-eye on most music and we need the right blend of Michael Jackson, Bollywood, Disco, Garth Brooks, Beastie Boys, Nirvana and Ke$ha. • Themes: We’re all about the jokes. She’s a pharmacist and I’m a comedian, so our theme is “Laughter Is The Best Medicine.” With jokes like these, I’m clearly ready to be an Indian Uncle. That works out, because Jatin and Deepti have twins on the way. In comedy, timing is everything. Rajiv Satyal is a comedian. He resides in Los Angeles. RajivSatyal.com

Making the Big Move EVERY YEAR FOR THE MOSTLY EIGHT YEARS THAT ADIRA WAS SINGLE, HER UBER-TRADITIONAL SOUTH ASIAN MOM THREATENED TO COME VISIT HER. THEN, ADIRA MET ROB, AND AFTER A YEAR OF SHUTTLING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN APARTMENTS, THEY MADE THE BIG MOVE AND STARTED LIVING TOGETHER. OF COURSE, THAT YEAR ADIRA’S MOM DECIDED TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON HER THREAT. HAVING KEPT THE RELATIONSHIP A SECRET BECAUSE ROB WAS NOT SOUTH ASIAN, THE NEWS THAT HER MOM WAS GOING TO VISIT SENT THE COUPLE INTO A FRENZY. ADIRA HUSTLED ROB OUT AND HAD HIM STAY WITH FRIENDS FOR A WEEK, TAKING EVERY TRACE OF HIS EXISTENCE OUT OF THEIR SHARED APARTMENT. By Zenobia Shroff and Rachna Vohra

Times are changing in so many ways, but the topic of cohabitation, or living together before marriage, still draws from two distinct camps. Psychology Today notes that cohabitation is becoming an increasingly common trend in the United States, but how do South Asians fit in? Though it’s hard to find statistics on South Asians cohabitating in the US, it’s known that in traditional South Asian circles, moving in with a significant other prior to marriage is still considered relatively taboo. It seems, however, that most young, independent South Asians nowadays are much more open to the idea, though many couples still embark on this decision without telling their family in order to avoid conflict. Adira and Rob have now been living together for over a year, and she still hasn’t told her parents. “I didn’t always believe in living together before marriage,” she says. “I always thought things would happen in the traditional South Asian way — being introduced to someone and then getting married and moving in with them. But as I got older, what I wanted changed and I became more open to the idea.” As for telling her parents, she doesn’t feel the need to alarm them. “We’ll see how the relationship goes and tackle that as it comes,” she says.

For Prerna and Kevin, though they both believed in cohabitating before they started dating, they only decided on moving in together once they were engaged. “I didn’t want to lie to my parents,” she reasoned. And living together once engaged may be becoming the new, more acceptable trend for couples with traditional families, as the now“official” relationship status may ease the associated stigma in the community. So why make the move? It turns out that unmarried couples have very different motivations for living together. According to a study by Rhoades, Stanley, & Marksman (2009), 61.2 percent of couples stated a very positive reason to cohabitate: they want to spend more time with the person they’re dating. Others cite that cohabitation makes financial sense (18.5 percent), they want to test out the relationship (14.3 percent) or they don’t believe in the institution of marriage (6 percent). There are a slew of pros and cons to the decision of moving in together, but touted as the strongest pro is often companionship: having someone to come home to at the end of the day, with whom to halve your sorrows and double your joys. Lara and Todd, both in their 50s, have been living together for 13 years and have no desire to be

married. “I don’t believe in marriage,” says Lara. That solves the issue for both of them, and she concedes the best part of cohabitating is the companionship. “Knowing that somebody is there in the good times and the bad times is key,” she says. The hardest part? “Allowing the other to be an individual and being individual. Also when you fight, the tension and hurt is just there; you have nowhere to go, maybe another room, but that’s it.”

Having the Talk Before you jump into cohabitating, it is important to sit down together and have a frank discussion to ensure you’re both on the same page. Talking it through is a key element in making it work if you decide that the big move is right for you. “Those who are contemplating living together would be wise to proceed by evaluating their reasons for cohabitation. These reasons should be discussed openly to ensure that each person understands why their partner wants to live together. This will hopefully ensure each person is clear about upcoming changes and expectations their partner has,” says Dr. Kiran Mishra, a licensed psychologist and owner of Sugar Land Counseling in Sugar Land, TX. Consider a few key questions, the most important of which is: why are you considering the move? Is this a precursor to marriage? A test run to see how

compatible you are? Are you just sick of going back and forth between two apartments? Are you simply trying to save on rent? “Often, people report that moving in together was something that “just happened” because they have already been sleeping at each other’s homes. When couples fail to communicate with each other about their expectations for living together, they may find themselves in a bind down the road because each partner may have different expectations. For example, while one partner may think this is a step towards marriage, the other may be moving in to save money. Talking with your partner and deciding if the move is right for the relationship can help clear up any misconceptions,” says Dr Mishra. For Sumita, who lived with John for two years, this is exactly what happened. “It was supposed to be an interim step towards marriage. It got too comfortable and then led to feelings of hurt and betrayal.” But for Adira, it just made sense. “We had been dating for a year and were at each other’s place so often. We were spending so much money shuttling between apartments and eating out all the time. I was living out of a tote!” They talked about it and decided it was the right move for them. “We’re taking it day by day. We’re happy being together, and for us, marriage doesn’t have to be done on a certain timeline, if at all.”

Managing Finances The next most important subject to discuss is how to handle financial obligations. Greater financial stability, though touted as a pro, as living expenses, rent and utilities would be halved, is a tricky issue. Be sure to set out clear rules surrounding finances, whether things are 50/50 or split by expense, and decide who should manage the finances. And most critical is to discuss beforehand how to unravel those obligations if the move does not work out. “Things to consider are: who is responsible for what, the dollar amounts each will contribute and whether or not to have a joint account. Financial disagreement is a common issue for couples and often a reason why couples fall apart,” says Dr Mishra. For Rob, it was a no-brainer — he handed over the responsibility to Adira, the organized, meticulous one. She keeps a spreadsheet and tells him his share every month, and he trusts her fully.

Location, Location Also a point to consider is where to live. Many experts believe starting on neutral territory is best, rather than at one person’s place. Both will feel they have embarked on the journey on equal footing and will be able to create new schedules and routines together instead of one adapting to the other’s way of life. “While every couple has to make the best decision given their set of circumstances, a new place for both parties may be ideal in order to prevent one party from feeling territorial and the other from feeling they are not welcome. By moving into a new place, the couple will be able to start afresh together without one feeling at home and the other feeling like an outsider,” says Dr Mishra. Finally, though moving in together may seem like the logical next step towards marriage, have a serious and forthright discussion about your expectations on the progress of the relationship. Ensuring you are both on the same page will push to the backburner any concerns of where the relationship is going. Sit together, state your goals and map out a timeline. Decide when to reevaluate the living arrangement and set up check points to assess the health and progress of the relationship. And though it may not be on your radar, try talking about how you would handle breaking up. “Although it may be convenient and easy to begin living together, it is not nearly as easy to exit the relationship due to the investment that has been put in at that point. Financial commitments, social pressure and other shared assets can make it much 40

easier to stay together, and can result in strain on the relationship. Unfortunately, some couples who may have broken up if not for living together proceed to marry and find themselves in unhappy marriages.” says Dr Mishra. Answering difficult questions like, “What if it doesn’t work out?” might ease any potential future pain and may help you handle obstacles in a more mature manner. For Anu and Sanjay, living together for four years as a young professional couple in their twenties in NYC provided them with the answers they were looking for. Now married for twenty years, Anu says, “The lack of a marriage certificate makes you aware each day that either of you could walk out quite easily. I think this lays the grounds for not taking each other for granted.” These days, many couples opt for moving in together as a “test run” to eliminate any surprises. They think it would be better to get to know what it’s like to live with each other before taking the leap into marriage. Unfortunately, “contrary to what many people believe, those who live together prior to marriage have a higher likelihood of divorce compared to those who do not live together prior to marriage,” adds Dr Mishra. Rupal is in the no-move-before-marriage camp. Though she understands the reasons couples have for moving in together, for her, it is part of the fun of being newly married and something she only wants to share with her husband. “It’s a time when you learn about each other and how to adapt. I want that special feeling of coming home to my husband as a newlywed.” And she may be right. While getting to know what it’s like to live with someone before you commit may sound like a good idea, it can be tricky. The habits that seemed charming and quirky can quickly begin to grate. From small issues like the toilet seat never being put down, to realizing that the frugality you thought was cute is now borderline obsessive and just plain cheap, living together is the ultimate test of intimacy. And not all couples pass. The very things that attracted could now repel. But therein lies a major flaw: the idea that there may be someone out there who doesn’t have such faults. Though the next person may not have those exact flaws, they will have some of their own, and realizing that nobody will ever be the perfect roommate is essential to moving forward in any relationship. Moving in when already married may give you that extra push to find acceptance in someone else’s quirks as you would hope they would find in yours. So if you’re thinking of moving in together — great! But avoid becoming a statistic by openly laying out your expectations before you take that big step. Enter into the situation with maturity and, traditions aside, be willing to walk away if you don’t feel it’s working out. And don’t worry about what auntie might say — she doesn’t know that her kids are living with their significant others, too! ø

Timeless Style

STYLES COME AND STYLES GO, BUT WE WOULD NOT BE ANYWHERE WITHOUT INSPIRATION FROM THE YEARS OF OLD. HERE IS OUR HUMBLE NOD TO THE WEDDING STYLES THAT BROUGHT US TO TODAY.

Clockwise from top: Unknown; Elsy Francis and Francis Varkey, Cochin, 1986; Joti Fulabhai and Pravinchandra Vallabhbhai Patel, Gujarat, 1962; Lavanya and Deepak Shah, Mumbai, 1974; Yasmin and Liaquat Ali Kurani, Karachi, 1974; Jamila and Rana Ahmed, Wazirabad, 1979. 42

Clockwise from top: Shakuntla and Baldev Raj Puri, Ghartal, 1935; Elizabeth and Prem Issac, Ludhiana, 1976; Namrata Makkar, Delhi, 1975; Anjali Dasgupta, Calcutta, 1978; Ved and Veena Vohra, Chandigarh 1967; Susheela and Narendra Sharma, Mumbai, 1947; Parveen and Ismail Mamsa, Karachi, 1976; Mariam and Anvarali Ibrahim, Kampala, 1964; Chaya and Lt S G Srivatsa, India, 1966

Maria Nateva and Shaun Mehtani New Jersey / France, June 15, 2014

Resources: Jay Seth Photography David Bacher Photography New Jersey The Palace at Somerset Park Event Planner, Rose Events Decor, Elegant Affairs Moghul Caterers DJ Gaurav Invitations, Patel Printing Plus France Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild Event Planner, Monica Huszcz Delevaux of Haute Wedding Decor, Herve Frezal Fleuriste Caterer, Helen Traiteur Tent and Club Decor, Gala Organization 44

For Shaun Mehtani and Maria Nateva, love was an international affair. Shaun, a Punjabi native to the Tri-State Area, went to college at Dartmouth and decided to study abroad in Paris. Maria, Bulgarian in heritage, raised in Berlin and studying in Milan, also decided to study in Paris. Upon beginning their program in January 2011, Shaun and his roommates decided to throw a welcome mixer for all of the new students with whom they would be sharing experiences. Of course, Maria ended up being one of the guests. Over the next three months, Shaun and Maria grew closer, but the relationship remained platonic. It wasn’t until the night before Shaun was to fly back to New York that he threw caution to the wind and asked Maria on a date. They connected while wining and dining at a Parisian restaurant and decided to see where this new path would take them. That fateful first date morphed into international visits and a long distance relationship and culminated in Maria having a company sponsor her visa to work in New York. Fast forward to March of 2013 and Maria and Shaun found themselves right back where their story began — the same restaurant in Paris, which would now become the backdrop of their next big affair. Shaun proposed to Maria at the sentimental spot with a customized engagement ring. To symbolize Paris, the city in which they met, and to symbolize love, a large center ruby was set in a yellow gold band, which was symbolic of the traditions of India and Bulgaria and also the setting for the 6.25 karats of six diamonds. The first three diamonds represented Bulgaria, Germany, and Italy — three important locations to Maria — and the second three represented his parents’ move from India to New York, and his decision to study in New Hampshire. From the moment she said yes, wedding planning was in full effect. The couple decided to get married in the country that was most instrumental in their story — France. However, because they both came from large families and friend circles, they wanted to make sure everyone would be able to partake in the

festivities. Hence, the idea for a Sangeet in New Jersey was born. Both Shaun and Maria wanted to make sure their guests were privy to extravagance, all the while keeping the warmth of an intimate event. Most of their out-of-town guests flew in mid-week to attend the Sangeet at The Palace at Somerset Park in New Jersey. Although it was a Sangeet, the event was the only festivity held in the US and hence, in true Mehtani fashion, was nothing short of spectacular. Since Shaun’s family business is restaurants and catering, it was no surprise that the food was a lavish feast comprised of Indian, Bulgarian and fusion cuisine. With a plethora of live food stations and eye-catching displays, the Sangeet continued into the night, complete with live musicians, a spectacular fireworks display and coordinated dances that made guests feel they were witnessing an actual Bollywood movie. Both bride and groom wore gorgeous Shantanu & Nikhil designer digs, and all of the guests enjoyed the sounds of DJ Gaurav Sood while whetting their palates on the delectable spread provided by Moghul Caterers. The Sangeet was just the beginning as the entire wedding party and guests flew to France the next day to prepare for the big day. But before tying the knot, Shaun and Maria made sure to take time out for their bachelor and bachelorette parties in Monaco and Cannes, respectively. Planned by the couple and executed by Haute Weddings, the events took place at the Villa et Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild. A private nondenominational indoor garden ceremony was followed by a reception with lit fountains, waterside views and music by DJ Joe Mendes. The groom was handsome in a Prada suit while the bride wore creations by Roberto Cavalli and Kathryn Conover. Finally, the couple topped off an incredible wedding week with a honeymoon tour of Italy, which included Portofino, Cinque Terre and Milan. It’s clear that Maria and Shaun’s fairytale is well on its way to happily ever after. — Siddhi Vaishnav

Merlin Chacko and Jason Varghese New Jersey, October 11, 2014 If ever there was a match destined to happen, it is that of Jason and Merlin Varghese. In 2011, Merlin had just graduated and was ready to start a new job and new life in Philadelphia. The only missing piece was a significant other to share her joys and triumphs with. Knowing this, a friend of Merlin’s gave her number to a man she was involved in a church youth group with in New York City. Something clicked right away and for the next two and a half months, they talked on the phone regularly. The unique part of their situation was that due to their opposite work shifts, Jason would set an alarm for 1:30AM every night so he could talk to Merlin as she was coming home from work. That dedication continued throughout their relationship when they would meet halfway between New Jersey, where Jason was, and Philadelphia, where Merlin was, to go on dates and get to know each other. In August of 2013, after two years of dating, Merlin’s cousin was going away and suggested Merlin come out to brunch before she left. The girls went to Rittenhouse Square, one of Merlin’s favorite areas in Philadelphia, and thought it would be nice to walk through the park. As they strolled along, Merlin caught a glimpse of Jason’s cousin and went to ask what he was doing in the park. He was standing there with a picture of a 3-year old Merlin and the letter “I.” As she continued, she encountered numerous members of her own and Jason’s friends and family, each holding a picture of Merlin and a letter (which spelled “I love you”). Once she reached the center of the square, she was rendered speechless with a violin player and Jason standing there, all set to propose. Merlin says she was “freaking out” and still doesn’t have much of an idea as to what he actually said! After accepting Jason’s proposal, the planning was all set to begin. Merlin wanted to make sure she picked a perfect gown for her big day, and searched high and low for the right fit. One day, at a trunk show, she found the one she had been searching for and her brother bought it for her as a wedding gift. She later found out that her gown was a one-of-a-kind creation by

Leanne Marshall, the season 5 winner of Project Runway! Things were slowly coming together. Merlin and Jason enlisted the help of Preeti Vasudeva of Preeti Exclusive Event Planning to get everything in order for the big day. Between opposite work shifts and different cities, they wanted to make sure someone experienced was in charge! The couple maintains there would have been no wedding without Preeti! The night before their wedding, the couple held a rehearsal dinner for their wedding party at renowned Indian restaurant Rasoi in New Jersey. It was the perfect intimate gathering before the next day’s festivities. The morning of October 11th turned out to be rainy. But as they say, rain on an auspicious day predicts happiness and prosperity. Though it rained all day long, it always stopped at just the right moments: for wedding pictures, when the couple needed to get in and out of limos and so on. The afternoon wedding was a romantic, elegant affair with string music from the Rutgers Concert Bureau at the Voorhees Chapel. After exchanging their lifelong promises, Merlin, Jason and their guests headed to the Westin Princeton to continue the celebration, where they were treated to a video from Jason’s friends describing his virtues and an exuberant dance performance from Merlin’s family. The reception had decor to reflect autumn surrounding them as did the sarees of the 11 bridesmaids and the suits of the 11 groomsmen. The wedding favours were honey bottles to also capture the season. The honeymoon was next, but as they set off for Maui, little did Jason and Merlin realize they were in the middle of a hurricane warning. After all of the jet lag and the event exhaustion, the couple awoke to news of high tides and three days of rain out of the five they were to be there. The bright spot was when, on Jason’s birthday, the sun showed up just for that occasion and Jason and Merlin took the time to hike a rainforest trail — just one of many amazing journeys they will have together. — Siddhi Vaishnav

Resources: Nayeem Vohra Photography & Films The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village Preeti Exclusive Creations DJ Insomnia from Premier Entertainment Moghul Caterers Décor, Rangoli Weddings

Avni Patel and Matthew Jackson Texas, March 7, 2015

Resources: Photography: Bradford Martens La Torretta Lake Resort Event Planning: Rathi Menon Events Prashe Décor Alphorn Bakery IndoRaja Entertainment Hair and Makeup: Jeanni Nguyen

Matthew and Avni met as Texas A&M University graduate students on the first day of their internship at a startup medical device company in 2007. The two finally started dating two years later. Avni also graduated that same year and accepted an internship in Portland, OR, while Matt stayed behind to finish his degree. Thus began a long-distance courtship, and although they were far apart during this time, their lives started to fall into place as they made long-term plans to move back to Texas. After dating for five years, last February, Matt planned a very special weekend trip to Austin. Avni thought it was going to be a low-key trip, but Matt had meticulously planned the entire weekend with family and friends. The ensuing surprise proposal was heartfelt and perfect. For both Avni and Matt, honoring their individual cultures was very important, while making their wedding uniquely their own. That is when they reached out to Rathi Menon Events to help create an unforgettable destination wedding at La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa. Since the couple wanted to incorporate significant Indian and western cultural elements into the ceremony and reception, they opted not to follow a specific theme, but rather chose a rich and vibrant color palette of reds, oranges, champagne and golden hues to tie the events together. The three-day-long festivities started with a Mehndi celebration for Avni on Thursday. Avni’s Vidhi was held the morning after, followed by a welcome dinner in the evening at La Torretta for guests staying at the resort for the upcoming nuptials. Guests were served a scrumptious Mexican feast and spicy chaat by Narin’s Bombay Brasserie.

Early Saturday morning, Matt, dressed in a custom-designed sherwani from Sari Sapne’s Sapna Boutique, arrived at the ceremony in a traditional baraat procession, accompanied by dancing musicians, family and friends. Avni was dressed in a burgundy and gold lehnga by Roop Sari Palace. Parimal Joshi officiated a lighthearted and bilingual Hindu ceremony under a mahogany framed mandap draped with ivory fabric and outlined with red and orange garlands. The beautiful ceremony was held lakeside on the grounds of La Torretta. After the ceremony, guests dined on a traditional Gujarati lunch. As the cocktail reception started, family and friends captured memorable moments with a Polaroid camera kept by the guest book. The guests indulged in an array of gourmet hors d’oeuvres, some of which included seekh kebab, vegetable manchurian and chilli paneer. The couple’s favorite cocktails — the old fashioned and French 75 — were served as signature drinks for a festive and personal touch. In lieu of wedding favours, guests were given tokens with each escort card and asked to vote for one of three charities dearest to the newlyweds. A monetary donation would be made to each charity accordingly. As the reception started, the couple arrived dressed in modern western attire. Avni was stunning in a Jenny Packham platinum sheath gown while Matt opted for a navy suit. The best man, Danny Taño, performed She & Him’s “Time After Time” for their first dance, which was followed by speeches, cake-cutting, dinner and a non-stop dance party. Soon after the nuptials, the couple took off for a romantic honeymoon in Paris, France. — Zeb Mamsa

Produced by Ayesha Hakki Photography by Pratik Doshi Makeup by Divya Bhawnani for BridalGal, BridalGal.com Hair by Petra Olan for BridalGal Jewelry by Mi Amor by Mona Bangalore Clothes by Sari Sapne’s Sapna Boutique, Houston, SariSapne@aol.com Gowns by Jorge Vega Umana, JorgeVegaUmana.com Location: Ravel Hotel, Long Island City, NYC, RavelHotel.com

East v.West

IT’S THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS AS ADITI SHAH SHOWS BOTH HEMISPHERES OF HER UPBRINGING. ORNATE LEHNGAS REFLECT HER LOVE OF INDIA, WHILE DRAMATIC GOWNS MAKE HER FIRMLY A NEW YORKER. FOR SPECIAL EVENTS, IT’S ABOUT DRESSING FOR YOUR MOOD.

It was years ago on a trip to Mumbai that Aditi Shah first had the opportunity to model for Garnier. This break helped launch her career as a commercial and print model who has since posed for the likes of Femina, Grazia, Elle, Vogue, Maxim, Marie Claire, L’Oreal, Dove, Chevrolet and Reliance, among a slew of other companies, as well as an actress who most recently appeared in The Blacklist and Inside Amy Schumer. But more rewarding than any assignment she has done is Aditi’s dedication to her yoga practice. “Yoga and meditation have always been a part of my life. I practice daily. If I don’t get a physical asana practice, I practice pranayama and meditation. Of course, yoga can lead to a sense of physical well-being but traditionally, the path of yoga seeks to create equanimity of the mind. The practices help to cultivate a mindfulness that seeps into every aspect of life. For me — and for anyone who practices — yoga, pranayama and meditation help us slow down and make more conscious decisions that hopefully lead us towards peace. As if that isn’t enough, specific kriyas, breathing exercises, and asanas have different effects on our subtle and physical body. We can tailor them to help suit our needs and create balance where we are missing it. Basically, it is the ultimate healing art.” As someone who, herself, has a hectic and busy life, Aditi realized the value of being able to do 50

yoga wherever she found herself, so she decided to take her passion in a different direction and started The Yoga Department, a company that strives to share yoga and meditation techniques with businesses in New York City. “The people who need yoga the most are those who never have time to come to class. The Yoga Department is still in its nascent stages, but our team offers yoga, pranayama and meditation to people who work in busy offices or other settings. Wellness doesn’t have to be a luxury, and we use yoga as a prescription to help alleviate the physical, mental and emotional stressors of life.” She is also deeply involved with Yoga Gives Back, an organization that uses yoga as a tool to raise awareness and money for impoverished people in South Asia. “I was so lucky to have been brought into this movement. A wonderful and inspiring woman named Kayoko Mitsumatsu created this organization in an effort to alleviate the poverty that so much of the world faces. YGB supports microfinance loans and education for women in South Asia. We host charity classes, workshops and events with popular teachers, as well as numerous fundraising events, retreats and trips to India.” Although Aditi continues to learn and perform as an actress and model, she takes great pride and solace in continuing to share her love for yoga with the world. ø

Skyline: Shot at Penthouse808 at the Ravel Hotel, the impressive cantilever Queensboro Bridge and Manhattan skyline grey in comparison to Sari Sapneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hot pink and orange woven silk brocade lehnga accented with kundan. Aditiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bold jewelry from Mi Amor holds up to the structure of the lehnga.

Walk of Fame: Velvet details and gestural zardosi work across the border of this Sari Sapne lehnga is contrasted with the rhinestone and metal threadwork of the choli. The kundan Mi Amor earrings and matha patti headpiece add to the Moghul style. Shot under the retractable rooftop of Ravel Hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Penthouse808.

Bar Fly: Jorge Vega Umanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature threedimensional embroidery on lace contrast the dramatic duchesse satin train of this gown. Mi Amor kundan earrings add an ethnic touch. .

Strike a Pose: The abundant detailing of the Chantilly lace of this Jorge Vega Umana gown makes its columnar lines even more striking. A pop of color comes from the Sari Sapne bangles, a striking kundan choker set and a Mi Amor hammered ring.

Statuesque: After a few seasons of neon, classic gold and white bring understated elegance. This Mitan Ghosh lehnga saree is made of tulle and raw silk with rhinestones accented with zardosi. Her jewelry by Opulence Inc is pearl with emeralds and crystals set on silver electroplated in 22k gold. Lilly Ghalichi Eyelashes add to the vintage look. 56

Produced by Ayesha Hakki Photography by Corey Hayes Makeup by Saab Gill for Dharma Karma, DharmaKarma.com Hair by Mona Weiss for Dharma Karma Jewelry by Opulence Inc by Shyena Tolani Clothes by Mitan Ghosh, MitanGhosh.com Lashkara Couture, LashkaraCouture.com

Modern Moda Ujjwala Raut AS FUSIONWEAR TAKES CENTERSTAGE, BRIDALS FOLLOW SUIT WITH MORE WESTERN SILHOUETTES ENHANCED WITH LUX, LIGHTWEIGHT FABRICS AND ETHNIC EMBROIDERIES. UJJWALA BRINGS OUT THE MODERN SIDE OF WEDDING ATTIRE.

When she first won Femina Look of the Year at the Femina Miss India contest at the age of 17, Ujjwala Raut had no idea her career path would launch her as India’s first supermodel. Since then, the chiseled beauty has walked for couture designers such as Emanuel Ungaro, Roberto Cavalli, Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Emilio Pucci, Hugo Boss, Betsey Johnson, Cynthia Rowley and the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. In India, she has worked with every established designer and in 2012 was the co-host of the Kingfisher Calendar Hunt. But Ujjwala is more than just a pretty face. She is a mother, chef, designer and woman who is ready for her next big challenge. Two challenges actually: a design line that’s in the works, and the launch of a line of cookware as brand ambassador for Wonderchef, joining the ranks of Sanjeev Kapoor. “What people don’t realize about me, because I am a model, is that I love food! I love to cook and I love to eat,” says Ujjwala. “I am launching a cookware collection called Four Seasons. In India, people don’t have much knowledge about cookware and they tend to go for certain brands not realizing that all this non-stick cookware is bad for your health. When you cook in it, it leeches into the food and goes into your system. My cookware does not do that. We are using new techniques to create it.” “I also have a juicer launching with Wonderchef called Slow Juicer. It is the first cold press juicer for India… and it is amazing! My juicer takes so much less energy and there is only 20 percent of waste in the end.

The rest is all juice. I am a big believer in juicing and living a healthy lifestyle.” As a model and mother, Ujjwala knows the importance of nutrition through food. “I realize that your body doesn’t need much more than the right nutrition to achieve balance. Everyone keeps taking all these supplements and vitamins. All you have to do is eat and drink the right stuff... and keep your metabolism up. I do yoga every day; it is important. And I do abs, because I like to eat!” Ujjwala divides her time between New York City and India, and makes a concerted effort to cook at home every day for her and her daughter. Ujjwala shares, “I’m definitely raising my daughter — she’s a gymnast, into martial arts, swimming — she uses her body for all these things. In India, we are always taught to be ashamed of our bodies. But I’m sorry, you’re born with it, what are you going to do… not use it? I want my daughter to understand that your body should not be something that you are ashamed of, but you should embrace it and love it, nurture it and use it. “Women cannot express themselves the way they want to because society says it is not possible. But I think now everyone is ready for a change and the youngsters are more in charge of who they are and how they want to look.” “My daughter has the best of both cultures because she spends time both here and in India. So by the time she is a teenager — she is nine now — she will know how to behave in this culture and in that culture. I had no clue what to do when I was travelling. I want her to be prepared for the world.” ø 57

Floating: The Mitan Ghosh tulle and silk maxi embellished with sequined florals floats around Ujjwala. The Opulence Inc statement necklace and choker are all handmade and bring focus to the bodice. Matching dupatta not shown. 58

Statement: The half-length sleeves of this midriff-baring lehnga by Mitan Ghosh gives the sequined work a modern edge. An Opulence Inc pearl lariat circles her waist while handmade pearl cuffs and drop earrings bring the look together.

Glamour: Crystals, velvet appliquĂŠ and zardosi on silk and net add to the vibrancy of this mermaid lehnga by Lashkara Couture. Bold emerald, pearl and crystal jewelry complements the engaging work of this bridal ensemble. A purple lip by M.A.C. centers her makeup.

Traditional: Pale gold zardosi feels new again when contrasted in this electric blue lehnga by Lashkara Couture. The kundan jewelry by Opulence Inc adds to the vintage look. Ujjwalaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyebrows are emboldened by Dharma Karma Brow Palette.

Produced by Zeb Mamsa and Elvia Francis

A Look New

Photography by Stephanie Behrens, SB Image Studios Hair and Makeup by Artee Kumar, Blush and Glow, BlushandGlow.com Clothes and Jewelry by Bridals N’ More, FB: BridalsNMore Brands Just Pret, FB: BrandsJustPrettSugarLand Additional Jewelry by AR Designers Models: Neal Hamil Agency Houston Location: Dukessa Houston, DukessaHouston.com

AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR BRIDAL ATTIRE IS, THE FIRST THING EVERYONE USUALLY NOTICES AND PHOTOGRAPHS IS YOUR FACE! UNDERSTANDING YOUR FACIAL STRUCTURE, WHICH HAIRSTYLES WORK BEST FOR YOU AND HOW YOUR HEADWEAR AND ACCESSORIES ENHANCE YOUR STYLE, ARE KEY TO CREATING A COMPLETE LOOK. HERE, WE HAVE CREATED FIVE LOOKS BASED ON THE STYLE ELEMENTS OF THIS ISSUE TO INSPIRE AND ENCAPSULATE YOUR IDEAL BRIDAL HEADWEAR.

ART DECO This page: Opulent, nontraditional and refined elegance define the Art Deco bride. Drape your veil with panache over one shoulder and wrap around your waist and wrist for a swell vibe. Choose an ensemble with metallic tones and heavy embroidery. Opt for geometrically shaped jewelry and channel your inner flapper with angular pearls and diamonds. For makeup, go for a strong cat eye with black eyeliner, heavy upper-lid mascara, eye shadows in shades of brown and orchid purple, rosebud lips and matte skin. For hair waves reign — from free-flowing waves à la Veronica Lake to Marcel finger waves à la Patience Cooper. Outfit from Bridals N’ More.

MUGHAL Opposite page: Channel your inner Mughal empress with antique gold jewelry, polki and kundan stones. Floral designs, peacock motifs, zardosi embroidery using zari threads and gota (ribbon) embroidery on the veil all encompass your regal sophistication. For makeup, go for a dramatic red lip and softer eyes. Sweep your hair back into a sleek, low chignon with a classic center part. Outfit from Brands Just Pret and jewelry by AR Designers. 62

MOD Top: The 1960s were all about flamboyant colors and flower power. This elaborately hand-designed Ayesha Somaya Bridal Couture ensemble from Brands Just Pret is for the fab, high-style Mod bride. Big, teased and side-swept hair, over-the-top lashes, dramatic winged eyeliner (think Saira Banu in the 1961 film Junglee), soft blush cheeks and neutral mauve lips complete the look.

MAURYAN Left: The Mauryan bride is modest, yet majestic. Influenced by Greco-Roman simplicity, she dons a traditional veil draped over her head, a stack of gold bangles, disc-shaped coin jewelry and emotes an understated elegance with her gold-and-white Brands Just Pret ensemble of diaphanous chiffon fabric. For makeup, go dramatic on the eyes and softer on the lips. Leave your hair voluminous and free-flowing, just like your ensemble.

MODERN Opposite page: The contemporary Modern bride

takes classic elements like a tikka and jhumar and channels a trendsetting, urban edge with side-swept, flowing hair and a folded veil draped over one shoulder. For makeup, opt for this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich cut-crease, glitter-shimmery eyes, vibrant medium-toned lips and dewy glowing skin. Outfit and jewelry by Bridals Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; More. 64

More Memorable

Weddings

SAMANTHA DEKA & ANN MILLER MAY 4, 2013 ANGEL ORENSANZ FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS, NEW YORK CITY The couple says: We met through friends in late 2009 and began spending time together in an extended friend group. In an effort to spend more quality time with Ann, Sam threw a Labor Day BBQ at her apartment (thinking this would somehow impress her)! Shortly thereafter, we went on our first date. We were drawn to each other from the beginning and knew after our first date that we were meant to be. Sam took Ann to Paris for a surprise Christmas trip and proposed on December 19, 2011 under the Eiffel tour in the rain. We wanted our wedding to incorporate Hindu and western traditions. We walked down the aisle to Canon in D. The ceremony was conducted by a Unitarian minister and a close friend read the Hindu wedding ceremony passages that were important to Sam. Then, before we knew it, we were off to Bora Bora for our honeymoon! Our advice on marriage: Happy Wife, Happy Life. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Photos by PhotoPink 74

SEEMA WHIG & LARS GALLDIN FEBRUARY 25, 2015 JAIPUR CITY PALACE, AMER FORT AND LEBUA RESORT, JAIPUR, INDIA The couple says: We met at a dinner with friends in Manhattan’s East Village in the winter of 2012. When Seema left, we weren’t sure we’d see each other again, but she made a point to return a few weeks later for our first date. We continued long-distance until February of 2014, when we got engaged. We chose Jaipur so everyone would have an opportunity to go on a unique adventure with us! We were touched that over 100 guests flew in from all over the world just to celebrate our love. I don’t know if we believe in love at first sight but something caught our attention that first time we met. Long-distance relationships are tough, but are an opportunity to show dedication. Marriage is not just based on passion — you know you’ve found the right person when you realize you have met your best friend for life. It feels good to be in something stable but not feel bored. We work hard to keep it interesting, to listen and change. It’s peaceful, it’s happy, it’s fun. – Photos by Dhruv Malhotra and Dipak Studio

NIPA PARIKH & VIKASH PANDA OCTOBER 25, 2014 HYATT REGENCY LONG ISLAND The bride says: Believe it or not, Vik and I met on Match.com…Yes, it does work! We were both living in NYC but had never met during the 15 years we lived here. It took online dating for us to meet. You just never know where or how you will meet your love. When I met him, I knew from my first date to not mess this one up. He was such a gentleman. So polite! You know you have a good man when he is good to his mother, sister and nieces! Within a few months of dating, we were planning our wedding. We chose to get married in Long Island, New York because, quite honestly, we needed a venue big enough for our wedding! Ha! My family is from Louisiana and Vik’s is from South Jersey. We also wanted it to be a bit of a destination wedding, but where all our friends and family could attend without having to travel too far. Long Island was perfect because it was far enough out so once you got there, guests could relax and enjoy the entire wedding weekend with us! – Photos by Hitesh Shroff 76

KARTHIK SETHURAM & SANDEEP GOPALAKRISHNAN JANUARY 18, 2015 GOLDEN PEACOCK BANQUET, CANYON VIEW BANQUET, CALIFORNIA The groom says: In September 2012, Karthik saw me on a dating site and sent me a message. What started as online exchanges bloomed into long text chains and in November, we went on our first date. It felt like we had already known each other forever. Over the months, we shared many magical moments. In February 2014, in a hot-air balloon ride over Napa, I proposed to Karthik. We liked it so much that Karthik proposed again in March at the beautiful Dolores Park! When we finally took the steps of the saptapadi, we looked out from the mandap at all the smiling faces of friends and family who had flown in from all over the globe to show their support and love. Our wedding was different because it had two men, but the sanctity was exactly the same. Our advice is to enjoy each moment. Remember that time can slow down when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re fully present with the one you love. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Photos by Motion8 Films

SHEFALEE PATEL & SANJAY JOSEPH SEPTEMBER 4-7, 2014 RASOI RESTAURANT, NEW JERSEY IBEROSTAR ROSE HALL SUITES, JAMAICA The bride says: We met at my friend’s and Sanjay’s brother’s wedding in 2012 and started dating a few months later. In the beginning, I didn’t really know he was asking me out. Once we did start dating officially, I think I knew after our third date that he was the one I would marry. That night he made me feel at ease, and he had me laughing hysterically one second and confessing intimate stories the next. He took me on a motorcycle ride through Manhattan. That was when I realized we are alike in many ways, but it was the few distinct differences between us that I knew would make the perfect team, one that will always bring out the best in each other. We got engaged in January, 2014, when he surprised me with a proposal as we stood in the middle of a frozen lake in upstate New York. He gave me a true 1920s vintage ring, which I loved. We both thought we would just go to City Hall and do a simple and chic court wedding and nine months later, we did just that. But then our families got involved and out of respect for my parents’ wishes, we had a Hindu ceremony and reception in New Jersey. Then, to honor his religion and family, we held a Christian ceremony on the beach in Jamaica and turned the whole wedding into a big family vacation. For a couple that didn’t want a lot of hoopla surrounding the wedding, we somehow ended up doing the opposite, and loved every moment of it. – Photos by Ishan Fotografi

IYZA BAIG & HASAN KHAN DECEMBER 26, 2014 HILTON HOUSTON POST OAK, TEXAS The bride says: Hasan’s family had been family friends of ours since I was 14. His sisters were my best friends, and over the years I became very close to their family. I didn’t meet Hasan until my senior year of high school though, at which point he says he’d started liking me. We started talking consistently during my freshman year and during sophomore year at Rice University, his family asked if he could start courting me. During my sophomore year, we got to know each other well (bonding over cooking and guitar, and discussing religious matters), and eventually, he proposed. He had learned how to play the Beatles’ “I’ve Just Seen a Face” on the guitar and after serenading me (haha), he proposed. We got engaged in November and married a little more than a year later. I’m currently a senior at Rice University, graduating in May and moving on to medical school in Houston, and he is a second year dental student in Arizona. – Photos by SB Image Studios 79

Aruban Adventures From top: Aruba’s famous Divi Divi tree; The Alto Vista Chapel; Piet’s Pier Karaoke Bar

POWDERY WHITE SAND, AZURE BLUE WATER AND YEAR-ROUND PERFECT WEATHER ARE JUST A FEW OF THE REASONS TO VISIT ARUBA. ADD IN THE NOTABLE WARMTH OF ITS PEOPLE, DUTCH ARCHITECTURE DECKED IN THE DISTINCT ISLAND COLORS OF THE CAPITAL, INTERNATIONAL CUISINE AND VIBRANT NIGHTLIFE, AND YOU HAVE THE QUINTESSENTIAL CARIBBEAN SPOT FOR YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING OR HONEYMOON. By Ayesha Hakki Located 18 miles north of the Venezuelan coast and about a 4-5 hour flight from the eastern United States, Aruba is easily accessible by land or by cruise ship. The island is about 20 miles long and six miles wide and is home to over 100,000 people representing over 90 nationalities, including a visible Indian population. Although officially Dutch nationals due to the island being one of the four constituent countries that form the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the modern Aruban is gener-

ally of mixed ancestry, claiming Caquetio Indian, African and European roots. The population enjoys a healthy economy and has one of the highest standards of living in all of the Caribbean. Additionally, the island attracts a significant number of return visitors, many of whom own timeshares or property on the island. Life moves at “island time,” which is not surprising given the languid landscape and good nature of its people, but that just adds to the land dubbed, “One Happy Island.” The western and southern coasts of the island boast white sand beaches and calm shores sheltered from the area’s harsh ocean currents. In contrast, the northern and eastern shores are rugged and largely undeveloped. Needless to say, most of the island’s tourism occurs in and around its capital, Oranjestad (also where the cruise ships

recommend. Start your excursion with a jeep tour around the island. DePalm Tours offers an off/ on-road journey in an open-air Land Rover that will take you first to Arikok National Park where, after a rugged ride up and down jagged volcanic rock and arid terrain, you will arrive at a natural pool known as “conchi” or Cura di Tortuga. Located on the north shores of the Island, the pool is a calm body of water formed by the wave protection of the large rocks surrounding it. Bring your bathing suit because after a climb down a set of steps carved into the side of the cliff, you can swim and

port), and north along the island’s western shore starting from the highly rated Eagle Beach and ending at the California Lighthouse located on the isle’s northernmost tip. Dotted along this arc are a succession of major brand hotels and resorts along with smaller, more intimate venues and timeshares.

Things to Do Although Aruba offers a myriad of activities for both you and your guests, there are a few excursions that you must include in your itinerary. First and foremost is a trip to Oranjestad, the quaint capital of the island with a mélange of upscale boutiques, street vendors, restaurants, bars, galleries, clubs, government buildings and museums. Start with the oldest building in the city, Fort Zoutman (built in 1796), which also houses the Aruba Historical Museum, the Willem III Tower and the Bon Bini Festival, a weekly folklore fair. A walk up the main thoroughfare, LG Smith Blvd, will take you past a few colorful government buildings towards the Crystal Casino and the Renaissance Mall with its line of upscale boutiques. Moving on, you run into a confection of a building, the Royal Plaza Mall, filled with stores like Nautica and Benetton, as well as an array of local jewelry stores. Coincidentally, shopping in Aruba is known for its jewelry, Cuban cigars, Dutch Delft pottery and Dutch cheeses. A walk toward the center of the island will lead you to Caya GF Betico Croes, also known as Main Street, Oranjestad’s central shopping road.

Guided Tours If you can pry yourself and your guests away from the lure of the perfect beaches, there are a variety of organized tours to take, three of which we highly

snorkel in the pool — an experience not to be missed. Next, the tour will whisk you off to Alto Vista Chapel, a beautiful, tiny chapel considered to be the birthplace of Aruba’s Catholic religion. Although weddings are not allowed at the Chapel, it makes for amazing photographs. You will also visit the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, an old gold smelting factory built entirely of stone. Along the beach in front of the factory (and on other parts of the island), you’ll see clusters of stacked stones. These are Aruban rock “wishes” made by stacking stones to create a little tower with a wish attached to each stone. It’s a popular custom among tourists. A swing around the uninhabited northeastern shores will bring you to the sizeable California Lighthouse named for the steamship California that wrecked nearby in 1891. Next to the lighthouse, you will find the picturesque and highly rated La Trattoria el Faro Blanco, serving regional Italian cuisine combined with sweeping views of the idyllic western shore below. Aruba-Latrattoria.com. The cost of the tour is $99/adult and $76/child and includes snorkel equipment, water booties, snacks and cold beverages for the day. DePalm Tours also offers a slew of other Aruban adventures. DePalmTours.com

Weddings at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Casino

Red Sail Aruba, on the other hand, focuses mainly on water adventures, and your trip to Aruba will not be complete without a half-day snorkeling trip to the island’s most famous dive sites. The trip begins aboard a catamaran and includes lunch, an open bar, all snorkeling equipment, instruction and a very fun crew! You visit three dive sites; the first being the shallow waters of Catalina Bay, where you will see colorful tropical fish; next you visit the famous Antilla shipwreck, a spectacular snorkel site over a sunken 400-foot German freighter; and finally, you end your snorkel trip at Arashi Reef, where you will see parrotfish, angelfish and, occasionally, octopus. The sail is priced at $75/adult and $35/child and can be booked online at Aruba-Redsail.com. For your late-night revelers, also known as your bridesmaids and groomsmen, the Kukoo Kunuku bar-hopping tour is exactly what you would expect: a wildly colorful bus that (safely) takes you to some of the area’s more popular bars, plying you with alcohol all along the way. At $40/pp, the bus picks you up from your hotel and takes you on a pub crawl that includes four bar stops with a welcome shot at each, as well as discounted drink prices. It’s a night you won’t soon forget, or umm… may not actually remember. Be sure to try Aruba’s famous Balashi Beer. KukooKunuku.com

Where to Stay Although Aruba offers a variety of brandname properties, one that stands out is the award-winning Hyatt Regency Resort and Casino. Located on the beautiful Palm Beach, the resort offers a variety of attractions, both at the property and within walking distance. When you arrive at the venue, your first view will be through the open-air foyer to the turquoise shallows of the palapa-dotted beach just beyond the tropical 8,000 square-foot pool complex, complete with water slide, hidden Jacuzzis and a freshwater lagoon with tropical fish, black swans and a duck. Once you check into one of the 357 newly renovated rooms, book yourself into the ZoiA Spa, one of Aruba’s top spas that specializes in the island’s native aloe vera treatments. ZoiA is the native 82

From Top: Aruban rock “wishes;” Oranjestad snorkeling; The Natural Pool.

extensive tequila menu or the adjoining seafood restaurant Ruinas Del Mar, both of which abut the lagoon. Don’t be surprised if a couple of curious black swans join your waterside dinner! Chef Vincent, originating from Brazil, cooks up inspired dishes dripping with Latin American intensity. The expansive Sunday brunch at Ruinas Del Mar is an absolute must and, with many semi-private dining areas, makes for a fabulous bridal party send-off!

Off Property If you’re feeling adventurous, a short walk from the Hyatt Regency is Pelican Nest Seafood Grill, which sits on a pier off of Palm Beach. Rustic wood tables highlighted by fishing traps and buoys accent sweeping ocean views at this casual seafood spot. The fare is fresh and the drinks are strong, and you can feed the fish while you dine. PelicanAruba.com. When you’re done, stop by Piet’s Pier Bar, located on the Hyatt’s beach for a sunset round of karaoke. And yes, the bartender will join in.

Nightlife Arubans know how to party! Steps from the Hyatt, along JE Irausquin Blvd, revelers will find night bazaars, restaurants, tourist stores and lots of bars! For a fun night of dancing, the Saturday night DJ at Gusto, JE Irausquin Boulevard 348-A, is one of the main reasons this is considered one of Aruba’s top dance clubs. For a scotch and cigar experience accented with noteworthy jazz, stop by Garufa Cigar & Cocktail Lounge, Garufa-Aruba.com, or

This page: The Hyatt Regency Resort and Casino Papiamento word for balance and poise, and is reflected in the spa’s all-natural treatments. Treat your bridal party to the spa’s signature High Tea on the terrace, which includes champagne, Aruban high tea snacks and two 30-minute treatments for each guest, $265 each. It’s a perfect and private way to pamper your bridal party for their hard work in helping to prepare your wedding. The Hyatt Regency also offers exceptional dining experiences throughout its resort. Casual dining can be had at the swim- or walk-up Balashi Bar and Grill or the beachside Palms Restaurant with its fresh island flavors. For a more romantic experience, book a sunset table under your own private beach palapa at Footprint Beach Grill. For fine dining, little comes close to the Mexican-inspired Mexicado and its

try the nearby The Sopranos Piano Bar, SopranosPianoBar.com. End the night at the 24-hour casino located in the Hyatt Regency for a date with Lady Luck: 21 gaming tables, 255 slot machines and a casino bar serving hand-rolled cigars and exotic drinks.

Planning a Wedding

The biggest draw for a wedding in Aruba is the year-round, near-perfect weather, which avails couples a wide selection of dates. The Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa allows couples to take advantage of the expansive white sands of renowned Palm Beach and its accompanying aqua waters. Firstly, a large palapa-covered reception area is built right on the beach and can host a 125-person reception with a dance floor. Ceremonies are known to happen right at sunset and couples can choose to arrive by land or by sea. Right off of the beach is another outdoor space, the redwood patio crowned with palm trees that holds up to 250 for a seated banquet. Connected to the patio is the Regency Ballroom, which accommodates up to 400 guests. The smaller Padu Del Caribe holds 180 seated guests and is perfect for the Mehndi or Sangeet celebrations. When planning a wedding, the Hyatt assigns couples a Romance Planning Manager whose only job is to handle the wedding preparations, from providing vendor referrals, planning the banquet and arranging room accommodations, to being there to make sure everything runs smoothly. Although the Hyatt’s menus include international and local flavors, authentic South Asian fare is sourced from highly acclaimed Tandoor Aruba (TandoorAruba.com), offering specialties from all parts of India. And if you have any family recipes you simply must serve at your wedding, Chef Vincent and his team have been

From top: Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins; Night bazaar; DePalm Tours Land Rover; View from La Trattoria el Faro Blanco by the California Lighthouse.

known to oblige. The Hyatt also offers luxurious wedding cakes and other desserts from their in-house Pastry Chef Ludwig. Although brides may consider flying in their vendors, there are many resources available on the island. For décor, including mandap, both Mosaic (MosaicAruba.com) and Letz Aruba (Letzaruba.com) have experience with South Asian and international weddings. Letz Aruba offers a non-denominational minister, but if you’re looking for religious-centric officiants, try the Islamic Center of Aruba (297-7361986) or a Catholic church. The island does not have a local Hindu temple so you would need to fly your pandit in. For Mehndi platters and favours, Paleis Hindu (Facebook.com/pharuba) offers décor galore, including henna application. Add a local touch to your Mehndi ceremony by hiring the Super Dancers (facebook.com/SuperDancersAua), a talented group that performs in full Carnival regalia. And consider arriving at your beach ceremony via a private jet boat or horseback through Delphi Water Sports (delphiwatersports.com), conveniently located on the beach in front of the Hyatt. However you choose to celebrate your nuptials, Aruba’s picturesque views, near-perfect weather and friendly people will make your wedding a memorable one for both you and your guests. ø

2015 Bridal Shows A list of bridal shows happening around the country where you will find a copy of Bibi Bridal. Find more listings on BibiMagazine.com CALIFORNIA A Touch of Henna: Southeast Asian Bridal Expo Fall Date and Venue TBA Sacramento HennaBridalExpo.com

NEW YORK Wedding Salon Wednesday, June 3, 2015 Venue TBA CTO Romance Pavilion WeddingSalon.com

TEXAS Bibi 24th Bridal Show Sunday, June 7, 2015 JW Marriott Houston Downtown 806 Main Street, Houston BibiMagazine.com

FLORIDA My Shaadi Bridal Expo Sunday, September 20, 2015 Hilton Orlando Resort 6001 Destination Parkway, Orlando MyShaadiBridalExpo.com

Wedding Salon Monday, July 27, 2015 Affinia Hotel 551 5th Ave, New York WeddingSalon.com

Bibi 25th Bridal Show Sunday, October 11, 2015 Sweetwater Country Club 4400 Palm Royale Blvd, Sugar Land BibiMagazine.com

Wedding Salon Monday, November 16, 2015 Metropolitan Pavilion 125 West 18th Street, New York WeddingSalon.com

VIRGINIA Dream Shaadi Wedding Showcase Sunday, July 12, 2015 Westfield Marriott 14750 Conference Center Dr, Chantilly DreamShaadi.com

ILLINOIS Wedding Salon Monday, October 19, 2015 Venue TBA, Chicago WeddingSalon.com MASSACHUSETTS Shaadi Bazaar Wedding Expo Sunday, October 18, 2015 Boston Marriott Burlington 1 Burlington Mall Road, Burlington Shaadi-Bazaar.com

NORTH CAROLINA South Asian Bridal Expo Sunday, September 20, 2015 Cypress Manor at Cary 1040 Buck Jones Road, Raleigh SouthAsianBrideNC.com

Dream Shaadi Wedding Showcase Sunday, November 1, 2015 Fairview Park Marriott 3111 Fairview Park Dr, Falls Church DreamShaadi.com

BIBI WEDDING DIRECTORY Resources for the modern couple Banquets / Reception Venues Dukessa 832.982.4852 Houston, Texas DukessaHouston.com

Waterford Banquet and Conference Center 630.279.0270 Elmhurst, Illinois Waterfordinfo@gmail.com WaterfordBanquet.com

Shehnaai Couture 212.684.3161 New York Info@shehnaaiusa.com ShehnaaiUSA.com

Embassy Suites 281.531.7300 Houston, Texas EmbassySuitesHouston.com

Beauty / Hair / Makeup / Mehndi Blush and Glow 832.274.9998 Houston, Texas BlushandGlow.com

Sonali Devesh 941.567.9886 Sonalidevesh@hotmail.com SonaliDevesh.com

Hilton Americas-Houston 713.739.8000 Houston, Texas AmericasHouston.Hilton.com Hilton Houston North 281.875.2222 Houston, Texas HiltonHoustonNorth.com Hilton Houston Post Oak 713.961.9300 Houston, Texas HoustonPostOak.Hilton.com Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino +0112975861234 Palm Beach, Aruba Adventure.concierge@hyatt.com Aruba.Hyatt.com JW Marriott Houston Downtown 713.237.1111 Houston, Texas JWMarriottHotelHouston.com La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa 936.448.4400 Montgomery, Texas Weddings@latorrettalakeresort.com LaTorrettaLakeResort.com The Marigold 973.610.9607 Somerset, New Jersey MarigoldNJ.com Sheraton North Houston 281.442.5100 Houston, Texas SheratonNorthHouston.com Sweetwater Country Club 281.980.4100 Sugar Land, Texas Jkeefe@sweetwatercc.com SWCClub.com

BridalGal 973.330.1913 New York Bridalgal@aol.com BridalGal.com Dharma Karma 856.751.0801 New Jersey Info@dharmakarma.com DharmaKarma.com Waxing The City 832.380.8596 Houston, Texas WaxingtheCity.com Boutique / Fashion Brands Just Pret 281.975.7774 Sugarlandhouston@brandsjustpret.com Sugar Land, Texas Bridals N’ More 281.728.0669 Houston, Texas BridalsnMore.com Jorge Vega Umana 212.730.7722 New York City Info@jorgevegaumana.com JorgeVegaUmana.com Lashkara Couture 609.273.1932 New Jersey Dipali@lashkaracouture.com LashkaraCouture.com Mitan Ghosh Designs 703.509.7606 New Jersey Mail@mitanghosh.com MitanGhosh.com Sari Sapne’s Sapna Boutique 713.783.1480 Houston, Texas Sarisapne@aol.com

Cakes / Confections Chocal8Kiss 1.888.YUM.CAKE New Jersey Sonam@chocal8kiss.com Chocal8Kiss.com Caterers Chand Palace 973.334.5444 New Jersey Cuisine@chandpalace.com ChandPalace.com India House Catering 847.519.0445 Hoffman Estates, Illinois Ravi@indiahousecatering.com IndiaHouseCatering.com Neuman’s Kitchen with Maneet Chauhan 212.228.2444 New York Eventinfo@neumanskitchen.com NeumansKitchen.com DJ / Entertainment / Live Band Planet DJ Productions 877.PDP.DANCE Virginia Info@planetdjproductions.com PlanetDjProductions.com Raaz Entertainment, LLC 732.397.1925 New Jersey Jay@raazlive.com RaazLive.com Invitations Patel Printing Plus 800.801.PRINT Patel3plus@aol.com PatelPrintingPlus.com Jewelry AR Designers 713.303.4741 Arifav@hotmail.com

Opulence Inc by Shyena Tolani 917.443.2916 Shyenatolani@gmail.com Mi Amor by Mona Bangalore 610.425.0732 Pennsylvania Photographers / Videographers Pratik Doshi Photography 862.899.8519 New York Contact@pratikdoshiphotography.com PratikDoshiPhotography.com SB Image Studios 281.639.5434 Houston, Texas Info@stephaniebehrens.com SBImageStudios.com Wedding Consultants Elegant Celebrations 609.216.4116 Tri-State Sonia@elegantcelebrations.net ElegantCelebrations.net Events-by-C 240.232.2835 Virginia, DC, Maryland Chandani@events-by-c.com Events-by-C.com Preeti’s Exclusive Creations 718.275.5690 Tri-State, Florida, DC Metro Info@preetiexclusive.com PreetiExclusive.com Ring to Aisle 201.600.0744 New Jersey Neeti@ringtoaisle.com RingtoAisle.com

For more resources and wedding inspiration, log on to Bibi’s online vendor database at BibiMagazine.com

To be listed as a Bibi preferred vendor, email zeb@bibimagazine.com

Wedding Planning

Workbook

wb1

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 Address and mail invitations 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 Begin practicing songs and dances

m Begin preparing both the bride and groom’s trousseau

m Complete all jewelry shopping

m Select a wedding consultant to help you plan the wedding

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

wb2

- 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

wb3

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 Lighting and Sound 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

wb4

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 Arrange for the marriage license

m If the groom’s family is from out-of-town, they may help with travel arrangements and accommodations

m Host one Mehndi and/or Sangeet

m Select and purchase the groom’s attire and jewelry in some cultures

m Make the honeymoon arrangements

m Arrange for transportation after the bidai or rukhsati

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: _________________________

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

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Notes

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

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Love is the only reality and it is not a mere sentiment. It is the ultimate truth that lies at the heart of creation.â&#x20AC;?

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Tagore

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