South Asian Weddings — The Knot Community

another stupid question...sorry!

chaudhrys — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:53:31 +0000

Ok -- so apparently i'm completely computer inept. But I see a lot of stuff has which has links to previous posts, but it seems the were written too long ago (for instance the links on SA bio regarding placing the dupatta". Is there a setting I need to change, or do links expire?

I just found this great resource to answer all the crazy questions I have (wedding is on may 29, 2010, so fairly soon....), I just wish I was better at using it!

Thanks!

re:photographers

dhwani — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:46:48 +0000

Hey guys,

i am having a traditional Hindu wedding. i have run across some really expensive photographers, but does anyone have some good budget photographers in mind who have experience with Indian weddings?

I am particularly interested in knowing if anyone have experience with RennerFoto (Andrew Renner)? How about Photonet.com? They seem to be very reasonably priced....

how do i access SA bio?

chaudhrys — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:03:59 +0000

I keep reading about it and have no idea how to get there.

Stupid question i know, but what can i do : )

2 Ceremonies - Need Help with Invitations

DOtoBride — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:13:40 +0000

Hello everyone! I am needing some desperate help with invitations.

My fiance and I are having 2 ceremonies and 2 receptions (1 is a dinner and the other is the large full reception). We are having a Christian ceremony on a Friday followed by a dinner for all guests. Then we are having a Hindu ceremony (3 hour ceremony) followed by the actual reception for all guests. We are having these in the same town (not where we or any family live - so all out of town guests) but in different locations within the town.

I am having difficulties finding invitations that will accomodate 2 ceremonies. I don't really have time to DIY for 150 invitations. Our weddings are May 28th and 29th of this year.

I have found invites on Vistaprint that allow you to arrange and add text boxes, that way I could have both ceremonies on the main invite. I was thinking of just getting extra enclosure cards to cover hotels, map and directions, both reception information, and an RSVP.

I have questions! (Sorry, this is longish)

HisBelovedOne — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:10:24 +0000

I'm not familiar with Indian wedding traditions at all, and his standard answer to any question I have is, "I dunno. I never paid attention at the family weddings; I was just there for the parties." His mother is currently refusing to acknowledge our engagement (racism abounds and nobody's happy he picked a white girl), so she won't discuss wedding stuff with me. She'll talk out anything else, but clams up the minute you utter the word "wedding."

So I'm here, hoping that at least some of my questions will get answers. Thanks in advance, ladies!

~Is the actual structure/shape of the havan kund significant? Can we use a regular brazier?

~Who starts the fire and what is used to start it (charcoal, wood, etc)? Who puts it out at the end of the ceremony? We're getting married by a notary - will this duty fall to him?

~FI hates my hair covered. Is a dupatta a requirement or can I get away with not wearing one? If it's imperative, does it have to match the sari? I haven't narrowed down my final sari choice, but none of the ones in my price range come with a matching dupatta.

~Regarding the processionals - I've watched a few videos of Indian weddings and it seems that there is a huge processional for the groom, after which the bride's family always greets the groom's family at the entrance. Then there is an equally huge processional for the bride. Who is in the bride's processional if her family is greeting his family? And how do we make such things work when we have a 70-person guest list, my white family won't know what to do, and the dressing rooms are connected to the garden area where our wedding will take place?

~About invitations - we're planning on having all the wedding celebrations over a weekend - starting on Friday evening with the henna party/sangeet, figuring out something for Saturday (no clue what yet), and ending on Sunday evening with the wedding. Can we put all of the invitations for these events with the wedding invitation, or should we send separate invites for each event?

~About the henna party - is the bride supposed to host that? What do we need for such a party, beyond food and a henna artist? Should I maybe try to rent out one of the local Indian restaurants for the evening or can it be held at someone's home?

I think that covers everything so far. Thanks again for any input you can offer.

Sonoor Jewelry and other online shopping sites

meelabeela — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:41:05 +0000

I was just looking the the Sonoor Jewelry website and they have some beautifl items on there. I was just wondering if any has ordered from there before and what the experience was like. I'm also wondering if anyone has had any experience with Sangini Online, Meenal's Indian Fashions or Pardesi Fashions. I've seen some of these names on the SA Knottie's page but there's no reviews on the page. Thanks for help!

Indian/American Cusine Caterer Help!!!!

AT4 — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:47:55 +0000

Hi Ladies, I am trying to find a caterer in my area(Maryland/DC) who does indian and american cusine for the reception. I know all of you are all around the US but do you have any ideas how I can begin, I googled and looked but I really want good traditional indian food along with American food, so that my FI(Punjabi) and I will both be happy!! I truly think it would be best to incorporate both of our cultures!!!!!! Thank you!

Video Ideas

Lil_miss_sha — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:40:24 +0000

Hi SA Knotties,

So I'm looking for ideas for our wedding video and I was wondering if there are any videos of SA weddings that you have loved! Our videographer has never shot an Indian wedding so I'm trying to also send them inspiration as well as wht they can look forward to during the wedding day. Some I already have seen are the ones posted on the SA Bio and a few by memories in motion (www.memoinmotion.com). Please post any others that have peaked your interest.

TIA!

Wedding decor for sale (Organza, chair covers, overlays, chair bands, etc)

hupatel — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:24:43 +0000

I have the following items for sale. I am located in Milpitas. Please email me if you have any further questions. Serious buyers only please!

500 ivory chair covers that fit a standard banquet size chair. $5 each
50 satin turquoise/peacock table overlays. They fit a 10 person banquet table and are 58inches by 58 inches. $13 each
500 satin turquoise/peacock chair bands that fit a 17 1/2inch chair back. (see picture of banquet chair below) $3

I also have a ton of organza, in hot pink, orange and lime green (we did a gham theme for my Sangeet.) Please contact me if you are interested in this. I will sell it in bulk or if you only want some, I will sell it by the yard for around 50 cents/yard)

I would prefer if quantities were purchased in in round numbers (ex: 25, 50, 100, etc).

Thanks!
Hetal
hetalpatel2@gmail.com
(I'm located in California)

Dulhania Bazaar in Chicago

meghaks — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:37:02 +0000

Hi ladies -- I got an email about the upcoming Dulhania Bazaar and thought I would pass it on. I believe it's the 2nd annual one. I went last year and actually found my decorator from the bazaar so I would say it was a success. The expo itself was just ok so definitely go with low expectations but you might get some ideas, etc. anyway. Also, it's free which is nice.

Check it out: http://www.dulhaniabazaar.com/chicago.html

Bipasha Basu's signature cat eye too much for a wedding?

ninjakudi — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:47:35 +0000

So, i am asoutley ADDICTED to makeup, and i want to wear my eye makeup on my wedding day like bipasha basu does. but i am partly concerned that it is too dramatic. it would look like this, except the lines would be a little shorter.

http://static.webdunia.com/mwdimages/thumbnail/image/izizi//mywebdunia/UserData/DataB/beautytipsforwomen/images/iifa2007_rare_photos_38.jpg

Wedding Planner Cost?

dhalgara — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:54:30 +0000

Hi all,

I'm thinking of hiring a wedding planner for my wedding this summer and wanted help in determining the real/average cost of these services for an Indian wedding that includes Henna, Garba, Ceremony and Reception events?

Any help with quotes, wedding planner links and prices past brides have paid would be very helpful to me!!

Thanks,
Payal

Botched Henna....HELP

amberlynned — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:14:31 +0000

Hello Ladies,

FI and I are taking engagement pictures this afternoon and yesterday I got henna done at a new place near home. (my normal lady was busy). Needless to say it looks HORRIBLE and we can't reschedule our pics.

Do any of you have any "fix-it" advice? I tried marker, but it made it look way too dark and it washed off. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

House of Talent Photo & Twin Productions Video (NJ) - Any feedback?

finallythering — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:29:55 +0000

I am considering House of Talent for photography and Twin productions for videography. Does anyone have any feedback on how they are? Anyone highly recommend them?

I am specifically looking for good photojournalistic photography and a very clean, non-choppy video editing job.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Etsy needs?

kingofpop — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 07:15:52 +0000

Hi all, I am new to the boards. Both Fi and I are south asian he is from india and I am Sri Lankan/America. As an artist have always been a fan of Etsy for wedding needs and getting ideas, I would get the ideas for an American wedding and make them into my own using some indian designs. I would love to have my own etsy shop so I can do some work for people looking for that indian touch but I have no idea what South Asian brides would need that I can make they cannot just find in the stores.

What do you think? any ideas of what South Asian brides can need from etsy? any fun things you have purchased?

PUNJABI THEME WEDDING QUESTIONS

AT4 — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:43:36 +0000

Hi!!

So im planning my wedding for the month of April, and my fiance is half Punjabi. We are planning a wedding on a budget and would really like to incorporate his culture in the event!! I was thinking of changing into a saree, I was wondering if i could find a blue/green one since that would be our wedding colors? That me9the bride) could wear. Ive seen alot of red and gold colors but i wasnt ure if i would be allowed to wear a blue/green one? We also want to do alot of punjabi music during the reception, any best music, crowd pleasers? Also, are there any other ideas that i could add in to our wedding day that represents the punjabi culture?! thank you so much for your help :)

Addressing Invitations?

HisBelovedOne — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:40:49 +0000

I know etiquette for American weddings says to send a separate invitation for every adult/family living in a house, but I'm not sure of the protocol for Indian families. Parts of FI's family have three generations in one house. Great-grandmother, uncle & aunt, and two cousins & their wives in New York, and grandmother, aunt, and one uncle & aunt & their two kids in New Jersey. Do we send a separate invitation for every family living in the same home or do we send one invitation per household?

New Delhi Shopping for an American Indian Bride

yanksasdj — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:25:39 +0000

So ladies, I just got back from India (New Delhi) and did some major shopping! I found my wedding dress, reception dress and mehndi dress on the second day I was there and saved close to $1000! If anyone plans on going to the New Delhi area for wedding shopping, please let me know. I know a person there who will coordinate eveyrthing for you. She knows all the right vendors from clothes to jewelry to tailoring to anything you can think of. And she is a pitbull when it comes to negotiating for you. If anyone is interested, I'll definitely give you the information and put you in contact. Happy shopping!!!

Making Invitations in India

dee23 — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:46:26 +0000

Hi Ladies!
I am going to New Delhi in Feb and making my invites at that time. I was planning to type out all the wordings for each card, but is there anything else I should do just to make the process smoother? Any problems anyone has encountered getting their invites made in India?? Thanks!

Guest List HELP

amberlynned — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:33:46 +0000

Hello Ladies,

My wedding site holds 250 people. Our guest list is at 365 people. Half of the guest list are from overeas (FI is Indian) so we are expecting a larger attrition rate from those people. So I am asking, Are we putting ourselves in a possible danger zone?

Normal weddings have a 25% attrition rate, but destination weddings have about a 35% attrition rate. If I add those calculations, that means we will have about 256 people. I am SUPER SCARED we will run out of chairs/room!!!

BTW, our only option is to try and reduce the guest list as changing the venue is impossible.

How to explain cutsoms?

HisBelovedOne — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:00:20 +0000

I thought it would be nice to include an explanation of some wedding customs that will be foreign to most of our guests. But I don't know how to explain the few Indian customs we're using without feeling like I'm missing something or over-explaining.

In a nutshell, we're going to have a fusion handfasting/wedding under a mandap and a fire and possibly the seven steps. I'm not sure about that last one yet - I'm trying to figure out a way to make those seven vows work with the six vows for the handfasting and I can't decide if we should do the steps before the cord ceremony (which takes up the bulk of our ceremony) or after the cords are tied. Maybe we walk around with our hands tied instead of our clothes?

Anyway. Does anyone know how I can concisely but accurately explain these customs to our non-Indian guests without offending the Indian ones? He considers himself more American than Indian and has no clue how to explain them. I'd ask his family for help, but they aren't supportive of us. He's only inviting his parents and his brother, and at the moment they're against our relationship at all. We're including those few customs because I like them, but they aren't even willing to talk to me, let alone help me with ANYthing related to the wedding.

Shoes

alicia559 — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:31:27 +0000

Hi everyone!

My name is Alicia and my fiance and I are getting married in Chandigarh March 12. We won't get my dress until we get to India (March 7th), but his sisters told me to go ahead and start looking for shoes now.

He is a little taller than me, so I don't want something with a big heel. I found some I like, but I think they make me too tall.

Does anyone have some suggestions of websites that have shoes that will go with my Lehenga (it will probably be read with gold beading, so I would like something to compliment that).

I looked at the knot's website, dsw, etc. I think I need some website ideas where they offer styles that would be good with Saris and Lehengas.

Im in St. Louis if anyone knows of a store I could look at.

Thanks!

Alicia

Need Time Filler For Guests Between Ceremonies

alyssaras27 — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:07:21 +0000

We are going to be having an Indian Ceremony followed by an American Ceremony. The problem is that there will be two to three hours in between and I dont want my guests to sit around in the hot July sun with nothing to do!! What kind of fun games or activities can I have to keep our guests entertained?? I feel very stressed about this and have tried to google some ideas with no luck! Help!!

SA Magazine

meghaks — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:43:36 +0000

Hi ladies -- when I was planning last year, I subscribed to Rivaaj magazine and it definitely helped me get some ideas for clothing, hair and makeup options. I think Rivaaj is now taking a break but the same folks just launched a new magazine and I got an email about it today so thought I would share it with you. I think they just released their first issue today and you can get it online or via mail. I hope it helps: http://southasianbridemagazine.com/

sacramento indian wedding vendors

patelfalgun — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:16:49 +0000

Hi!

I am getting married in Sacramento this september and am just getting started. Any one have any recs for mandaps, henna, caterers, pundits, and the rest?

Clothing question

maya_dutt — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:42:43 +0000

Hi everyone: I am planning a Hindu wedding on the East Coast, and I was wondering where the best places to shop for saris, etc. would be. I don't mind traveling if I have to (I may go to NJ with my mom). I heard that L.A. has a great selection. Can anyone comment? Thanks! :)

Safa Broach or Kalgi?

Lil_miss_sha — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:05:15 +0000

Does anyone know where I can buy a broach for the groom's safa (turban). I believe it's also called a kalgi. If anyone wants to sell me theirs, I'd also appreciate that.

TIA!

Bridal Dresser needed in NJ

yanksasdj — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:51:14 +0000

Hey all - though I am looking for a great (and affordable) makeup and hair artist in New Jersey, I really was hoping to find someone solely to dress me and my bridesmaids. Any suggestions? I can find a non-Indian make up and hair artist, but my mom is concerned about not having help getting dresed. Any suggestions? Thanks!