Courtesy of www.Akiyohenna.com

Who are you?

www.Akiyohenna.com

Email: akiyo@akiyohenna.com

Phone: 917-607-6897

What do you do?

I am a professional henna/mehndi artist in the business since 2002. I have a degree in fine arts and specialized in pattern design. I also worked in the textile industry for the past 10 years. Besides henna, I design using body glitter as well as crystals and rhinestones.

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Let’s face it ladies; with all the heavy dresses and jewelry we have to wear on our wedding day, it’s no easy feat  to walk in 6-inch heels as well. It’s uncomfortable enough to have all that on along with the makeup and a hairdo under the very bright flashlights of cameras, on top of which we have to be careful of our every move in order not to undo the dupatta on our head or the folds of our sari. At the end of it all, us modern brides want to be able to dance our night away, and those of us without a D.S. degree (Dancing in Stilettos), need alternatives! So I say “No!” to high heels and “Bring on the low and mid heels please!!”

What you should look for while shopping for comfy bridal shoes:

• A medium heel: Perfect for adding a few inches to your height without overwhelming you.

• A cone-shaped heel: Provides more support than pencil heels.

• The slip-on style: For easy access, since various South Asian wedding rituals require the bride to put her shoes on and off.

• Avoid ankle straps: As we usually like to wear anklets (nupur/payalias), shoes with ankle straps may get in the way.

• Open toe/open front: Makes your feet look less official and more fun and flirty. Not to mention,      you don’t want to cover the gorgeous henna/mehndi designs!

• Bejeweled front: With all the decorative clothes and jewelry to wear, an ornamental touch in the front is more than enough to make a fashion statement.

www.piperlime.com

The Bandolino Quitarah evening sandals ($34.99) are a good example of all of the above. Note the medium cone-shaped heel and the jeweled details on the top – this may not be something right out of Vogue, but it will definitely work with a bridal sari or lehenga. We love is that it’s also leather!

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Traditionally newlyweds opt for honeymoons that are composed of sun, beaches, and the ocean–however, The Sari-Clad Bride suggests that you try something a little different– Toyko, Japan for a honeymoon.

The Sari-Clad Bride had the opportunity to explore all of Tokyo’s Treasures March 2008 and enjoyed Japan thoroughly.  The following places are must see locations while in Japan:

• Kamakura located in Kanagawa is a city approximately 31 miles south west of Tokyo that houses shrines and Buddhist temples dating to approximately 1200 years back.  One of these is that of Amida Buddha (pictured below).  This amazing structure is a major tourist attraction and one that you should not miss while visiting Japan.  The Sari-Clad Bride loved the historical site, but would also recommend walking up and down the streets near the statue of Amida Buddha.  The streets leading up to the shrine are composed of local trinkets available for purchase such as samurai swords, decorations for the home, along with souvenirs.  Also, do not miss out on trying the local food on the streets–especially the delicious rice cakes!

Kamakura

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Henna/Mehndi

Henna or mehndi (if you already didn’t know) is a dye used for skin decoration. This is done by applying a paste made from the leaves of a flower plant also known as Henna, Hina, or Mehndi plant. The dye can be bought in a paste or powder form. Although it can be worn for any occasion, it is a century old tradition for the bride-to-be (and sometimes even the bridegroom!) to wear mehndi. For wedding ceremonies, it is usually worn on the hands and feet but sometimes extended over the forearms and legs. Here are a few essential tips that you must consider before putting on your bridal mehndi:

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courtesy of Yamoni Bari

Who are you?
YB Image
Fine art Photography
Ybimage.com
yamoni@ybimage.com

What do you do?
I am a fine art photographer who recently jumped into the world of event photography. I provide a unique vision through my lens to capture moments in life. My unique style is to capture the event and let the people involved in it be the story.

Where are you based?
Everywhere and anywhere. I live in New York City as well as Detroit, Michigan. I travel anywhere in the states and if possible out of the states.

When and how did you get started in the South Asian wedding industry?
Well it started with friends and family requesting my services. During the planning of my own wedding, quality photographers were very hard to find as well as very expensive. Also being a Bangladeshi, my wedding consisted of many events and long hours which made it unaffordable and next to impossible to photograph my entire event.  Needless to say, I had to compromise quality for affordability and at the end I was not satisfied. Read more

The perfect bridal shower

Although the traditional Mehndi night is more or less the Desi version of a bridal shower, westernized versions of bridal showers have become a popular addition to South Asian-American wedding culture. The Sari-Clad Bride understands the responsibilities that come with planning a bridal shower so here are our guidelines to make your shower-planning a breeze:

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courtesy of Mahiram.com

Young actress Ayesha Takia got married earlier this year in March to restaurant moguel, Farhan Azmi. The young couple were dating for a few years and finally tied the knot in a traditional nikkah ceremony that was held in a mosque in Mumbai with only close family and friends with a rocking reception the next day.

Ayesha wore a beautiful golden-beige lehenga that matched her complexion. Her bling was understated but very elegant. The big diamond mang tika brought back a little old school flavor but matched Ayesha’s round face perfectly. Her antique-gold chur (thick bangle) perfectly complemented her diamond necklace and bracelet as well as the golden-tone of the her lehenga.

courtesy of Mahiram.com