Jodi 2012

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Real

Weddings

Inaugural I Issue CANADA’S TAMIL WEDDING & FASHION MAGAZINE

Top 5 Honeymoon

destinations

Designer

Sarees

2012 Decor trends

MAKEUP TIPS Vasanti Cosmetics from

www.luxuryeventdecor.com

digitalfusionproduction

Wedding Cinematography

THANUSHAN K

THEEBAN NADARAJAH

WWW.DIGITALFUSIONPRO.COM

647-212-8188

647-295-1955

INFO@DIGITALFUSIONPRO.COM

Contents

pg15 Real Jodi: Thanushan & Bristina

pg18 Traditional Splendour: Hindu Wedding

pg24 Thali: Symbol of Hindu marriages

pg28 Bring Inspiration Board to Life

pg33 Real Jodi: Abi & Karthee

pg44 Designer Silk Sarees

pg48 Reel Jodi: Genelia & Ritesh

pg54 Concept Engagement Shoots 4

About the Cover Model: Prasani J Clothing: Aarathie Jewellery: Sai Trading Make up: Beauty by Nila Photography: DivineMethod

pg59 Real Jodi: Paul & Sutha

pg66 Popping the Question

pg70 Decor Themes

pg78 How to find a great wedding photographer

pg84 Vasanti Cosmetics

pg92 Top 5 Honeymoon Destinations in India 5

www.divinemethod.net | 416.527.8555 facebook.com/divinemethodphoto

Note

Editor’s

When ModernRani.com was approached to be the online partner and magazine editor for the Jodi Bridal Show, we were simply ecstatic! There aren’t enough bridal shows and wedding-related events aimed at Tamil and South Indian brides, so it was a refreshing change to see more options open up.

The key to making such a large initiative like Jodi happen is support. The team not only received support from vendors, but also from brides-to-be from the very start of the planning stages. We’ve collaborated with some amazing and professional wedding vendors in putting together this magazine and show, so we would like to specifically express our gratitude for their input throughout.

We hope that this magazine will not be like your other books on your coffee table collecting dust. If you’re like most brides out there, you want to grab key pieces of information and ideas at-a-glance without having to read through too much detail. We understand you’re a busy diva on the go! You not only want glossy pages filled with eye candy, but also ways to achieve these looks through connecting with local vendors. And most importantly, you want useful tools that you can use throughout your planning – our saree colour matcher and wedding checklist tool are perfect examples.My favourite magazines are those I’ve used time in and time out, highlighted, labelled, stickied, and ripped out for all sorts of inspiration. We hope that this will also be your go-to magazine!

Feedback from both vendors and brides alike is very important to us. If you have suggestions on what to include for next year, please send us an email to info@jodibridalshow.com.

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Jodi Bridal Show www.jodibridalshow.com FOUNDER Abi Jegan EDITOR Arjuna T ASSISTANT EDITOR Saranya Yogarajah GRAPHIC DESIGNER Prajeevan Rasaratnam - Ink Flavour Rajeve Rajeswaran - Ink Flavour PRINT PRODUCTION Jeyan Jeyam - Ink Flavour MEDIA SPONSORS Tamil One Vanakkam 105.9 FM CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Divine Method Photography Studio 12 Photography Paul & Will Photography Pearl Image Photography EM Photography MAKE UP Beauty by Nila Touch of Dimple Latha’s Pure Beauty CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Vasanti Cosmetics Siva, DivineMethod CLOTHING & JEWELLERY SPONSORS Aarathie Super Centre Kharisma Saree Center Sai Trading

Wedding Films. Redefined.

416.804.9081 inquiries@butterflysquad.com

visit us at www.butterflysquad.com for more information

shop online at kharismasaree.com

1585 markham rd,, scarborough

416.-792-9234

shop online at kharismasaree.com

1585 markham rd,, scarborough

416.-792-9234

R

eal

Jo

di

Bristina & Thanushan

How we met was a total accident! We lived in different towns, had different friends and the chance that we would have ever met are slim to none. We met online through a mutual friend and thanks to something called MSN messenger, we were able to stay connected. We became very good friends and eight months after, Thanushan decided to confess his love for me but I did not give him a response that day or even the day after. Thanushan left for his trip to India that month and we slowly lost contact for awhile and I went about my regular life but fate brought us together at an event once more. Thereafter, we began speaking again which led me to decide to give the poor guy a chance. I can never forget the pair of anklets he brought me from India; it made me realize that he was not joking when he asked me out the first time.

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The Proposal Over the years our relationship grew stronger and both sides of our family approved of our love for each other and they were very happy for us. Nine years later, as I prepared for my first trip to Sri Lanka, Thanushan decided to propose! Thanushan surprised me with a beautiful ring and popped the question with a romantic dinner and presented me with a personal album collection that had small love notes attached to each picture. It was definitely worth waiting 9 years for and this time I did not wait, I said “Yes� right away.

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Most Memorable Details After my return, we immediately began searching for vendors and bridal shops. We tried not to get too caught up in the details which was challenging at times and quickly realized that planning a wedding on our own with both our busy schedules would be impossible. Although we were a little afraid to put our special moment into someone else’s hands, we both agreed that going without a wedding coordinator is a far scarier prospect. We began to shop around for a coordinator and we met with some amazing wedding planners. Unfortunately, some could not offer us the service for the type of wedding we were looking to have and others were simply just too expensive. Just when we were about to give up, we stumbled upon Geethams Banquet Services. On our first meeting, he immediately impressed us with his modern take on weddings and not to mention his kind spirit. He was able to fit all our needs within our budget.

Our wedding took approximately 12 months to plan. We began with selecting and ordering our wedding bands and moved down to our guest list. We decided to have an intimate wedding where we focused on the importance of close family and friends. Once we had our official guest list, we informed our wedding coordinator and he immediately booked our most beautiful ballroom like party hall (Pearson Convention Centre). We were lucky to have had the opportunity to work with one of the best decorator in town (The Perfect Setting). They were just amazing at grasping our personal vision and bringing it to life in front of our eyes. We chose our theme based on a modern meets vintage look and our 3 colors, eggplant purple, silver, and peach were pulled from my wedding dress, evening gown and the wedding cake. It also helped to have a whole bunch of pictures of wedding ideas to present to them. They took one look at our collections and immediately knew what we wanted. We decided that we wanted to come up with something special and unique to give our guests.

We liked the idea of edible favors so made a trip down to the chocolate factory and bought some chocolates then we designed our own personalized wraps and had our labels printed at a local printing store.

When we walked into the hall on day of our wedding we were left speechless, everything looked so magical. We were very happy with our outcome thanks to Abi from Geethams Banquet Services. We really could not have had a wedding as beautiful and fun as we did without an enormous amount of support from our parents and friends.

Event Date: August 26th 2011 Photography: DivineMethod Cinematography: Butterfly Squad Event Planner : Geethams Banquet Services Venue: Pearson Convention Center Decor : Perfect Setting Inc.

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Traditional Splendour

Hindu Weddings

Traditional ceremony is the use of pure silks or kanchipuram. Brides nowadays are resorting to materials, such as georgette or mixed silks with sequin embroidery, but there is something timeless about adorning pure silk sarees. Yes, they are very expensive, but they can become handloom pieces that you can pass on.

The best part about any South Asian wedding is the colour and glitz. But there’s something that hooks me about a very traditional Hindu ceremony, and I just can’t seem to put on my foot why.

Here are some amazing photos from Amar Ramesh, who seemed apt for this article as he’s a photographer based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, a city in Southern India. His work primarily showcases Hindu South Indian weddings.

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The bride’s hair is weaved long (extensions are added for most brides) and ornamented with flowers and hair jewels.

Classic temple jewellery goes with just about any traditional bridal saree.

No bride is complete without her henna.

Ceremonies are usually conducted at a temple. Unfortunately, we have very limited temples in the Toronto region that actually look like one outside and inside (most are smaller and found within plazas).

From the bride to the hall, the entire ceremony is covered with flowers – the scent of jasmine can be smelled a mile away.

The bride and groom exchange garlands of flowers or the malai.

The sacrificial thread, often called the thali or mangalsutra. Even within Southern India and Sri Lanka, there are variations on how the Hindu ceremony is conducted and the type of thali that is used.

These are just some of the features of a traditional Hindu ceremony. Credits to the photographer to capturing the timeless magic in all these pictures!

Amar Ramesh AnRb Studios // India // www.anrbstudios.com

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A

Thaali or Mangalasutra is a symbol of Hindu marriages. It is is a sacred thread of love and goodwill worn by women as a symbol of their marriage. It is similar to wedding ring of the West. A Thaali is tied by the groom to the neck of the bride during a specified auspicious time period.

While the Thaali is being tied many rituals such as the priest performing pooja (reciting mantra), throwing flowers at the couple, ringing bells, rising of music (melam and nathashwaram) occur as a symbol of happiness of the new beginning.

Additionally, Mangalyasutra is another form of Thaali. It is made in various designs too. The common ones are: Lakshmi Thaali

Ramar/Pottu Thaali

Ela Thaali

Kumbha Thaali

worn by the most Hindus worn by the Malayalees

worn by the Telugus and Kannadigas

A Thaali is tied by the groom to the neck of the bride during a specified auspicious time period.

worn by the Tamils of Kshatriya caste

Thaali is usually a gold traditional pendant strung from a yellow thread prepared with turmeric, a string of black beads (also known as the Mangalyasutra) or a gold chain. The Thaali consists of two pieces, one from each family to represent the union of both parties. Often the Thaali is richly crafted with representations of the family idol— Lord Shiva, goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesh, the Tulsi, or the symbols of Vishnu and so on.

The main aspect of a Thaali is none other than the tradition of tying three knots which symbolizes three main aspects of a married woman. The first knot represents her obedience to her husband, the second to his parents and the third represents her respect for God. The first knot is the only knot tied by the groom. The rest two are tied by the sister of the groom to indicate the approval of the union of the couple.

Traditionally, a Thaali was to avoid unwanted glances of other men and alert respect at the married women since she will always be seen with her Thaali. In current times, the Thaali is still worn but not as frequently.

Thaali is also known as “Thaalikkodi.” Back in the days, those who were able to afford more than just the yellow thread began to craft gold thread, “kodi”. Since the gold Thaali was hung from the gold Kodi it became “Thaalikkodi". The Thaalikkodi is made out of 24 Karat Gold and the weight of both the Thaali and the Kodi (the rope) also relies on the groom’s family traditions and financial status.

Additionally, Mangalyasutra is another form of Thaali. The black beads on it are said to absorb all negative vibrations of the family. The stringing together of the beads into one thread has its significance as well. Just as each bead contributes to making a beautiful necklace, the woman have to blend and incorporate into the new family after marriage. Both the Thaali and a Mangalyasutra’s design are chosen by the groom's family according to traditional backgrounds and customs.

Thaali however is only worn until the husband is alive. At the funeral ceremony of the husband, the wife takes her Thaali off and places it on his body to respect him for being a part of her all these years. However, the wife does not sell the Thaali after the funeral. She melts it and makes jewellery such as a ring, chain etc and passes it onto their daughter or son, to ensure the core of the symbol of their love to each other, should not go into the others hands, but be within the family. Thamor Jewels values our culture and that’s why we are dedicated to offering the highest of quality Thalikodis for your special day!

Author: Jaline B. From Thamor Jewels 24

Bring Inspiration Boards to Life

If you’re an avid pinner (Pinterest.com), you would have discovered that there’s a myriad of lookbooks that you gather for inspiration for your e-shoots and wedding related themes. Inspiration is great but what good is it if you can’t draw components of it to your actual wedding? If you have been following ModernRani.com on Pinterest (pinterest.com/mordernrani) you would have noticed our series of lookbooks. We want to show you two photoshoots inspired by these lookbooks. All items are readily available at local vendors!

Tap into your inner femininity with all things pink and girly with this pretty in pink palette! Soft hues of pink goes well with pretty much every South Asian skin tone.

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Contrast the pink in your outfit with dark smokey, sultry eyes 1. Dress - H&M 2. Eye Shadow - Vasanti Cosmetics 3. Shoes - Call it Spring 4. Jewellery -Banglez Jewellery

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Photography EM Photography Hair & Makeup Ginger Beauty Venue Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham Conference Centre & Spa Models Niveda(left) & Thaksaa(right)

Urban

The urban chic diva can dress up the most simplest of

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2 3

tops and walk out the door looking as if she put no thought or effort into her outfit

1. Top - Smartset 2. Jeans - Smartset 3. Accessories - Forever 21 4. Boots - Aldo

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All Destinations Better price, Great service.

416.291.0177 • jettravels@on.aibn.com • 4429 Sheppard Ave. E. (Brimley & Sheppard) - Scarborough

Let us make your event a memorable one!

647.962.3475

www.geethamsbanquet.com

info@geethamsbanquet.com

R

eal

Abi

Karthee

Jo

di

&

My husband Karthee and I were high school sweet hearts who dated for 9 years before tying the knot on 9/11/2011 (Coincidentally, the date was not chosen by us!)

He planned a surprise proposal at a family gathering - this also ended up being our engagement party!

Unlike other couples, we did not plan our wedding well in advance. It was only confirmed in March that we were to get married in September so that gave us approximately 7 months to plan. It was a very stressful process but my husband was there to help. I also had the luxury of coming from a big family- each of my siblings helped out!!! And lastly, our backbone - our parents were guiding us throughout this journey.

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We went for a traditional and large (approximately 400 guests!) wedding. We were rooted in our Hindu tradition so I wanted these touches throughout our religious ceremony. We chose Le Jardin Banquet Hall as the venue for the wedding. My husband and I paid close attention to the food as we wanted our guests to have a traditional breakfast in the morning - appams made on the spot. They were also provided traditional food for lunch, accompanied by Italian pastries.

Most legal proceedings and signing of formal papers happen during the reception with the registrar but we had our marriage registration on our wedding day as we wanted to legally get married on the same date (9/11/11).

For the reception, we wanted an intimate, small crowd that included our immediate family members, friends, co-workers and other people that we were close to our heart, day to day, that would let go and enjoy the special day with us. We limited the number and length of the speeches. We had amazing hosts - our close friends who knew us from childhood! We focused mainly on food providing guests with a mix of Sri Lankan, Indian, and Western food and appetizers. Our DJ was amazing and we selected the songs to once again include a variety: bangra, tamil songs etc...

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We worked with Bala from Rhythms Services. He was an absolutely wonderful individual to work with and I was able to customize on a lot of things including the centerpieces. They were tall vases filled inside with fresh dendrobium, topped with fresh flower bouquets. Our centerpieces were given away as well!

Dimple Shah did my makeup. My sister, who is also a make-up artist, was there to assist me with touch-ups and saree draping. The bridesmaid bouquets were made by my sister - she made sure to choose the most appropriate colours and variety.

My saree was custom ordered from India. I wanted a multi color theme.

When it comes to sarees, I am simple and like light weight sarees, especially for my big day with everything on me!!! I didn't want my saree to have too much beads, stones etc. The jewellery was owned and picked out by my sister.

Our photographer was Vijay from Pearl Image Photography and Theepan was our videographer from Pearl Motion. Both were absolutely amazing individuals to work with! My husband & I were so happy that they were able to capture moments exactly how we felt. Our video that Theepan made for us for our reception was amazing! We wanted to highlight our true love story and we did this thinking into the future for our children as they would have something to look at it. It was a pleasure working with both of them. We loved their sense of humour, professionalism and most of all they made it fun and relaxing!

One last piece of advice for future brides is that your wedding is a once in a life time moment. When planning, remain stress free, enjoy every bit of it and most of all PERSONALIZE! Give your personal touch to everything!

Make Up: Dimple Shah Wedding Planner: Rhythms Banquet Services Photography: Pearl Image Photography Videography: Pearl Motion Banquet Hall: Le Jardin Honeymoon: Varadero, Cuba

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http://www.aarathie.com

2250 Markham Road, Toronto, ON, M1B 2W4

416.335.4653

Designer

Silk Sarees

If you have been following the MorderRani.com blog, you know that we have advocated for pure silk sarees or kanjivaram wherever possible.

The run-of-the-mill grandma silks come to mind when brides think of kanjivaram sarees, but ModernRani is advocating a change that perception; we are putting the couture in silk sarees.

If you have seen the latest runways of famous fashion designer Sabyasachi, who has dressed the best of the best, you would know that designer silk sarees are very much in vogue.

Even Satya Paul has a special line of embroidered bridal silks. If these sought after designers are showcasing silks, why aren't we embracing something that is so entrenched in our tradition? But all the blame can't be put on brides-to-be. After all, the perception of silks comes from what has been shown to us.

The key to a fashion forward silk piece is a high quality silk (mixed cotton-silk or art-silk is just not the same) with unique graphic design motifs, embroidered borders (or borderless), and contemporary colour choices.

The following silk pieces are from Kharisma Saree Center, who is changing the way we look at silk sarees.

Many of these pieces are one-of-a-kind, so don’t expect anyone else at an event to pull off the same look!

“why aren't we embracing something that is so entrenched in our tradition? ” 44

Maya’s Boutique

Full Bridal Jewellery Set Rentals Necklace Sets Anklets

416 292 MAYA(6292) mayas.boutique@yahoo.ca

Sarees Rings Hair Accessories

www.mayasboutique.ca

Bangles Exclusive Earrings Handbags & More!

C 124 - 6055 STEELES AVE E. TORONTO, ON M1X 0A7

Genelia & Ritesh

Reel Brides

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The wedding of Genelia D’Souza (24) and Ritesh Deshmukh (32) wedding was a grand Bollywood affair. Genelia is well known by Indians and Sri Lankans alike, as she’s one of the few actresses that has a film repertoire spanning across the Indian subcontinent with hits in Tamil, Hindi, and Telegu to name a few. Ritesh comes from a highly political background being the son of the ex-Cheif Minister of Maharastra, and has also carved out a name for himself in Bollywood films. There is nothing as spectacular as seeing reel brides turn into Real Brides and ModernRani would like to spill all the juicy details from venue to fashion!

This bubbly beauty’s wedding festivities spanned from late January to early February, with multiple events including both a traditional Maharastrian and Roman Catholic wedding. Ritu Kumar, famous Indian designer, was called upon to create the various Hindu wedding dresses for Genelia.

Asin, who has become much busier acting in Bollywood, also attended Genelia’s wedding. She opted for a traditional Kerala-inspired silk saree for the wedding and a designer lengha for the reception.

Genelia and Ritesh, who have been courting since 2003, held their lavish events in only the best venues, including the Grand Hyatt and Taj Lands End. They hired ace decorator husband-and-wife team Aditi and Neelabh Kapoor , who run Studio Neelabh to handle all decor and oral arrangements.

We wish all the best to this celebrity Jodi!

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PD

DESIGNS

Costume Jewellery Home Decor Clothing Designer Collection

SATYAPAUL

1475 GERRARD STREET EAST TORONTO, ONTARIO M4L 2A1 PDDESIGNS.CA PDDESIGNS@LIVE.CA 416-519-6408 • 416-827-4987

neeta lulla

KAVITA BHARTIA

SHEHRNAZ

by ENSEMBLE Pakistan

Concept Engagement Shoots photography by:

Paul & Will Photography

With the hustle and bustle of a wedding day, couples don't always get to exude their personality - this is what engagement shoots (e-shoots) are for. Why waste a precious opportunity with your photog running around trees and posing in parks when you can wow your guests with a styled concept shoot?

Paul Thava and Will McCullough, Primary Photographer and Lead Technical Design/Second Shooter, respectively, wanted to design a series of uniquely styled concept e-shoots for their clients, Somi & Thurka.

Invest time and research for your e-shoot to create something that is truly reflective of your personality. In addition to adding an entertaining value as a slideshow for your reception, e-shoots are also life-long keepsakes and make for great photo enlargements.

The Chaos The chaos series was shot at the groom-to-be’s downtown workplace. Makeup and hair was provided by MG Beauty Enhancement. Paul and Will Photography set out to show that e-shoots don’t have to be orderly and organized; you can capture the essence of love in any environment. The result is edgy and simply hot!

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Construction Build I really had a hard time pinpointing my favourite picture out of their e-shoots! They were all unique in their own manner. Which shoot do you see the couple get down and dirty at a construction site? They toughed it out at the site of their upcoming home build, which made it all the more personal – we love!

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Rain Somi and Thurka’s last shoot was inspired by the video and posters of the songs, “Nee Partha” and “Idhazhin Oram” from the Tamil movie, “3” (infamous for their “Why this Kolaveri di” song). Sometimes the best pictures result from the simplest of locations, allowing the couple’s emotions and love for each other do the speaking.

These rain pictures were shot outside of the photographer’s house with the makeup and hair done by the bride-to-be herself.

Natural rain was supplemented with ‘rain’ from a water hose. Posing soaked in frigid March temperatures is not an easy feat – kudos to the couple!

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Sutha

Paul &

R

eal

Jo

di

Paul and I met at York University. I usually walk with my friends around Central Square where Paul spotted me.

Paul got my e-mail address from one of my friends and e-mailed me. We started talking from there on.

We were good friends on Facebook and Paul asked me out for dinner. After sometime, Paul knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, but he never approached me about it. I on the other hand, wanted to take my time before I was committed. After a couple of dates, he won my heart, with his artistic ways, so I knew that he is the one for me.

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The engagement party happened on May 1, 2010 at Mardi Gras. Our theme colour was baby blue and silver. Studio 12 did the photography and Atrium Pictures did the video. We were one of the first couples to come up with a concept engagement video for the song Thuli Thuli Malayai from the movie Paiyaa, which was Atrium Pictures' first concept wedding video.

The Wedding happened on May 7, 2011. The ceremony was done in a Catholic way and it happened at St. Timothys Roman Catholic Church. The reception happened at Platinum Banquet hall. Our colour theme was lavender and gold. Our center piece was a white tree with crystals, Paul demanded for that tree because of his Lord of the Rings fascination he has (some white tree of Gondor , he always says!). Wedding photography was done by Studio 12, and video by Atrium Pictures as well.

Paul wore a Hugo Boss Suit on the wedding day. I bought my wedding gown from Best for Bride. Saree and Jewellery were bought from Chandan Fashion (saree was custom made by bollywood designer, Ritu Kumar).

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The wedding was very emotional for both of us, as Paul was very firm on not getting family involved in our wedding. So most of the help was provided by his friends William & Sajeen. Paul had yet to say “ I love you� to me till I was at the front of the alter before we put our wedding bands on.

This is because he sees love as only a mere word, it has to be said when it is important and meaningful.

Our honeymoon trip was the best trip that we have done. We went on a Mediterranean cruise for 12 days. The places we have been to were Venice, Barrie, Santorini, Rhodes, Croatia and Rome. The places were so unique, the people were nice and culture was very different. Venice is a city that any couple should visit; it's one of most romantic place that you can be in.

The most memorable moment on our wedding was the time I walked down the aisle. The second one was Paul's dad rocking on the dance floor for the song Mukapala!

Make Up: Hafsa (Honey Beauty Lounge) Wedding Planners: Anne & Suresh Photography: Studio 12 Photography Videography: Atrium Pictures Hall service: Super Lanka Banquet Hall: Platinum Convention Center

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You have finally met your soulmate and now you are ready to embark on your happily ever after! Lets us make that moment perfect for you; let us plan it within your budget; let us take the stress, so you can focus on your new and exciting future.

HALL

RECEPTION*

BANQUET~

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240

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~10 guests/table

Find More information at www.platinumcc.ca 17 Vinyl Court Woodbridge, ON L4L 4A3 TEL: 905.265.1196 EMAIL: info@platinumcc.ca

Etched In Time artistry is the vision brought fourth from the artist by creating an impression that reveals the beauty of her intended canvas, in her case, the canvas is you!

By bringing her artistic eye and true to life style she understands that life is lived in the moment, in every moment, from one moment to the next. It is in those moments that forever can be realized and it is in those moments that those feelings never die. This is your time to shine and to have your moments forever be remembered; the moments that you and your loved ones will cherish forever. It will be those moments that will forever be etched in your mind. It is those moments that will forever be, etched in time...

What Type of Proposer Are You?

One of the most frequently asked questions when a couple gets engaged is “how did he propose?� The answer to this question will remain with a couple for the rest of their lives and thus should not be taken lightly. How you pop the question depends on what type of person you are and what you are comfortable with.

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Here are our Top 5 categories of proposers and how you can get your loved one to say “I do” and knock the socks off your friends and family when telling your proposal story: THE ROMANTIC THE GENTLEMAN Getting down on one knee and asking for your partner’s hand in marriage not only shows respect towards your future fiancé, but it also shows your respect towards the history and tradition that comes with marriage. If you want to go even further with this, ensure you get your partner’s father’s blessing before popping the question to her; your fiancé will love you for it, and your future father-in-law will be grateful for the gesture as well.

Take your future fiancé to a place where you’ve celebrated a “first” with her, be it a first date, first kiss, first time you told her ‘I love you’, etc. Be creative when doing this – replay your “first” with her by recreating the scene, and bring along flowers, pictures of the two of you together in an album, and the ring she’s always desired. This approach is definitely a great story to remember and see time and again if you capture the moment on camera or film.

THE ADVENTURER

THE EASY-GOER

If you and your future fiancé are the sporty, adventurous type, make her go on a scavenger hunt to the different places which hold a lot of meaning in your relationship or to her specifically.

Give her subtle clues to different restaurants, museums, shops, or even to certain specific individuals whom you both care about and know will want to participate in your adventure.

If you’re a casual type of guy, make your proposal simple and sweet: surprise her in bed with breakfast and her special ring, or cook her dinner and bring out the engagement ring as dessert. The Easy-Goer has the advantage of seeming unexpected; the engagement can be seen as spontaneous if you’re going about doing something low-key and natural within your relationship.

THE OVER-THE-TOPPER If you’re the extravagant type, creativity is your biggest advantage and there are no limits to making your proposal special. Take your future fiancé on a trip and propose at an exotic location, or hire some planes to fly a banner popping the question over the city for her. While there are no limits to the Over-the-Topper, the key to making your proposal special is making sure there are personal elements involved which make her feel special; extravagance will only succeed if your future fiancé appreciates it.

Whichever type of proposer you are, the fundamentals of proposing are the same: be yourself and make it special to your relationship.

Proposing at a hockey game doesn’t make sense if your future fiancé is not a hockey fan. Figure out what works best for you, and what you know your future wife will appreciate. The proposal is your time to shine; take advantage of popping the question and make it one to remember.

by: Saranya Yogarajah

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905-565-7400 6721 Edward Blvd Mississauga, On. L5T 2V9

www.versaillesconventioncentre.com

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INDOORCRICKET

STATE-OF-THE-ART BOWLING MACHINE

INDOORCRICKET

F

inding the right wedding photographer is one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of planning your wedding. No two photographers are the same; with different styles, personalities, and visions, making comparisons between photographers may get quite stressful. When you do find the right photographer though, they can help capture and cherish the memories of your day to perfection. When all is said and done on your wedding day, the pictures remain to tell the story of your special day.

To find the right photographer, find the style that you prefer, a person you get along with, and then make sure their services are within your budget. With other vendors, it’s easy to imagine what you will get on your wedding day, i.e. your dress or sari, the center pieces or the wedding cake. But with photography, one has to envision what their day is going to be like, and then address the photographer’s skills and experience with respect to that.

And then there is the question of price and packaging. While some photographers refer to a wedding album as a “story book”, others call it an “art book” or “matted album”, etc. You can have engagement shoots, park shoots, pre-shoots and practice shoots. All of these wedding terms mean the same thing but with a little twist here and there, making it very difficult to compare vendors and get the best for your money.

Do your research and go with a photographer that is compatible with your style and can accommodate your vision of your special day for a reasonable price. Even if you already are a fan of a few known photographers, it would be beneficial to look around as you may find someone better than you were expecting.

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“Is there a good balance of candid photos and portraits of the people involved? ”

Step 1 Understand your vision.

Knowing what you want for your wedding day will help you tremendously when you are short listing your photographer. Typically you need a good balance of images of your special day; documentary images of the ceremony, photographs of the families involved and the traditions you follow, all infused with the style of who you are make for a good reflection of your wedding, so when you look back at the wedding day 5 years from now, the images remain true to the day. Then you have a blend of candid images; the photojournalistic images that bind your whole story together. And to round it all out you have the portraits. Portraits are where a wedding photographer has flexibility to push their unique style and talents. A good place to start would be to see if you can identify with their style of portraiture.

Are you a traditionalist, where you want to make sure you can see every detail preserved in portrait, or are you contemporary, allowing a bit more flair of individuality to show through photographs? Or are you a fashionista, who prefers images to look like they are off the pages of Vogue? Search the web and select your favourite 20-30 images (you can choose portraits, candid moments and detail images) and you will notice a pattern forming; you will start to notice you tend to like a certain composition, colour palette and mood. Now that you know what you like, compare it with the photographers on your shortlist and evaluate if they are able to accommodate your style.

If you find your list of photographers don’t make the cut, it’s time to start looking for more. Wedding blogs, shows, magazines, and other vendors are good places to find additional photographers to check out. Communicate freely with photographers as most are friendly and courteous enough to help you find the right style for you.

Step 2 Communicate and Ask to See More From your short list, if your photographers don’t already have images highlighting a full wedding in their portfolio, ask them to show you more images. Many photographers will be more than happy to show you their work. From the images you see, ask yourself the following questions: · Can you identify how the story of the wedding unfolds? · Is the story clear and concise? · Is there a good balance of candid photos and portraits of the people involved? · Is there a signature style, or is it random?

By now your intuition should tell you which photographer has the skills and experience that work for you.

step3 >>

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Step 3 Compare Value When it comes to your wedding budget and choosing a photographer, wisdom suggests that you get what you pay for. Don’t fall into the trap of paying too much for a celebrity photographer or too little to a startup only to be disappointed. A reasonable amount for a photographer ranges from $3000 to upwards of $10,000. In general, 10% of your wedding budget should go towards photography.

But why is there such a disparity in the price of a print between photographers? The main reason here is that each photographer has a different value proposition and if you ask him or her, they should be able to let you know. Your value will be dependent on many things, including the photographer’s artistic talent, experience, personality, quality of post-production, album design and choice, customer service, quality of the second photographer, and turnaround times. When you compare photographers, these items should be more important than products offered, such as how many 8x10 prints they give out or if your enlargement comes with a frame or not. Just remember that if you have beautiful pictures, then products can be made from them later on, but if you don’t end up with the images you want, it’s next to impossible to recreate your wedding day again.

Step 4 The interview An interview with a photographer is as every bit as important as the preparation beforehand, if not more important. When sitting down with a photographer, most brides typically spend time looking at sample albums and products, and then asking about prices. You should already have an idea of their pricing before you meet, allowing you to use the interview to ask more important questions. Tell the photographer about your plans and vision of your day, and see if their eyes light up; see if the photographer is genuinely interested in you and your special day. The right photographer for you will be one that spends the most amount of time collaborating with you on your special day. Are they professional and friendly, and do they seem to have the best intentions at the back of their mind? Find out by asking them about their professional background, how they started, what inspires and motivates them to be there on your day. This fundamental connection between you and your photographer, alongside with your research about their skills and experience will provide you with all the assurance you need to know that you’ve found yourself a great wedding photographer.

About the Author Siva Haran is an award winning photographer at Divinemethod Photography, specializing in Sri Lankan and South Asian weddings based in Toronto.

Visit www.divinemethod.net for more details.

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MAKEUP | HAIR | HENNA

Let Me Show You How Beautiful You Are

416-402-5590

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www.simplysony.ca

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sony@simplysony.ca

Vasanti Cosmetics: Get the Look We're constantly frustrated flipping through fashion and makeup magazines trying to find products to create appropriate looks. Luckily, the good folks over at Vasanti Cosmetics have created the perfect glamorous look for your bridal shower or engagement shoot.

Vasanti Cosmetics makes a great line of makeup and skincare products that are perfect for wide range of skintones. Try these looks at your next bridal event!

Makeup by Vasanti Cosmetics Hair by Ginger beauty

Step1 Vasanti EYE WONDER Triple Action Eye Treatment Cream

Make sure to hydrate your face with a good moisturizer - this is a great base for makeup.

Step3 Vasanti Face Base Powder Foundation in V3

Apply a powder foundation all over your face to blend the concealer and give an overall flawless look.

Vasanti Arctic Shimmer Powder and Vasanti Lake Louise Eyeshadow Duo

Step2 Vasanti Wonders of the World Concealer in O2

Concealer was used around the eye area to cover and even out dark under eye circles. For South Asian skin, apply an orange based concealer under your eyes to counteract dark shadows and a beige shade onto your eyelids as this will brighten your eyes as well act as a primer for your eyeshadow.

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Step5 (above)

Step4

Vasanti Everest Silky Blush

Apply a pink shade blush to the cheek bones with a shimmery highlighting shade just above. By doing this you will emphasize your cheek bones and again add brightness to your face.

Apply a light shimmery eyeshadow to the eyelids with a navy colour eyeshadow blended into the crease. Apply the same shade as an eyeliner to the lower lashline.

Step5(left) Vasanti Arctic Shimmer Powder & Vasanti Stockholm Eyeshadow

Apply a light shimmery eyeshadow to the eyelids with a taupe colour eyeshadow in the crease.

Vasanti Cosmetics: Get the Look

Step6 Vasanti Cleopatra Liquid Eyeliner & Vasanti Long Lash Mascara Finish your eyes with a jet black liquid eyeliner and mascara. To achieve this look you must bring the eyeliner out and upwards creating a slight wing.

Step7 Vasanti Ultra Luxe Lipstick in Chile or Vasanti Red Sea Lipshine Apply a powder foundation all over your face to blend the concealer and give an overall awless look.

www.vasanticosmetics.com

You can get Vasanti products at vasanticosmetics.com and at select Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall stores across Canada.

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Words fall short when we describe the grandeur India is.

From the deserts of Rajasthan to the beaches of Goa, India offers beauty beyond the eyes. Sip a cuppa chai in a dhaba of tranquil South India, hike through the mountainous terrain of Northern India or shop in the sprawling metropolis of the nation’s capital… you can explore for eternity! India cradles the spirit of dreams, the spirit of travel and the spirit of carpe diem. India continues to thrive with each heartbeat. India will make you fall in love in a way that you will not realise. Tradition and modernity have never found a finer balance.

“ you can explore “ for eternity! ”

Leave your footprints in the sands of time. Enrich your tapestry of life with colour and fuse it with the fragrance of dreamers. Visit heaven on Earth. Discover India for your next honeymoon destination.

Mumbai & New Delhi If city life is what you’re after, why not check out Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and the capital, New Delhi? If these cities don’t scream metropolitan, then no other city will! They are one of the most populous in the country, if not the world. You may recall that Mumbai is Bollywood central so don’t be shocked if you bump into a few stars!

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Goa Goa is a popular tourist destination spot for its luscious beaches and lively night life. The area is a result of strong colonization by a number of different groups but mainly early Portuguese settlers. If you’re looking for a very laid‐back, resort‐like area with a more modern feel, this is your place to hit up!

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Jaipur, Rajasthan Jaipur, also known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is generally a semi‐dessert environment but is a must‐see for honeymooners seeking rich architectural history and surroundings.

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Ooty, Tamil Nadu

#4 All of India is not just hot and humid – there are much milder regions as well! Ooty is a popular honeymoon destination for couples who want to escape to an oasis outside of the city life.

Bangalore and Mysore, Karnataka You may know that Bangalore is the high‐tech city in India but did you know that it’s also nicknamed Garden City? Escape to Bangalore and Mysore (known for their famous Mysore silk) for nature, arts, and culture.

#5

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Vendor List 2012

BANQUET HALLS PLATINUM CONVENTION CENTER 905.265.1196 PEARSON CONVENTION CENTER 905.494.0444 SCAR CONVENTION CENTER 416.335.6060 VERSELLIES CONVENTION CENTER 905.565.7400 GRAND VICTORIAN CONVENTION CENTRE 905.364.0164

DESIGN CONTOURS 416.272.7277 ROYAL WEDDING DÉCOR 416.540.6269 THE WEDDING HOUSE 416.579.4829

DJ SERVICES UNTOUCHABLE SOUND CREW 647.893.6666

LIMOUSINES BEST LIMO 416.321.6789 ALL IN ONE LIMO 416.666.9995

MAKEUP/BEAUTY BEAUTY BY NILA 416.527.8555 DIMPLE SHAH 416. 332. 0686 ETCHED IN TIME ARTISTRY 416.909.1266 ARUANA'S TOUCH 416.670.8547

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DJ KUMAR 647.500.9292

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FASHION

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LATHA'S PURE BEAUTY 416.319.4118

ELEGANCE BANQUET SERVICES 647.203.6169 ANGEL BANQUET SERVICES 416.410.4343 RHYTHMS BANQUET SERVICES 416.525.6000 GEETHAMS BANQUET SERVICES 647.962.3475 ELITE EVENTS 416.574.9089

DÉCOR LUXURY EVENT DÉCOR 416.292.3530 BOLLYWOOD MANDAPS 416.737.2001 THE PERFECT SETTING 416.884.4802 THE PERFECT SETTING 416.884.4802

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KARMA DESIGN STUDIO 416.846.6950

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JEWELLERY

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THAMOR JEWELS 905.290.8318

TRAVELS

KUMAR DIAMONDS INC. 416.633.0664

JET TRAVELS 416.291.0177

SAI TRADING 416.299.1632

VIDEOGRAPHY

MAYA'S BOUTIQUE 416.292.6292

BUTTERFLY SQUAD 416.804.9081

DIGITAL FUSION PRODUCTION 647.295.1955 VISUAL CREATIONS 416.277.7660 SPECTRUM PICTURES 647.778.6680 SHAN DV EDITS 416.208.0007

WEDDING BLOG MODERN RANI 647.955.9316

WEDDING CAKES KISS CAKERY 647.899.5611

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