mintphotography.com

As we all know, photography is a very important element of all great weddings. After all, your wedding pictures will be the memories of your union which you will reminisce over at old age and share with your grandchildren someday. You want to make sure you capture the moments that made your day all so special. The recent press release from Tina of Tina Shah Doshi Photography provides great insider information as to what goes into beautiful wedding photography. She explains that, it is not only about choosing the right photographer but the little things the couple should do which are essential to create lasting memories. The Sari-Clad Bride is very excited to share her tips with you! So read on ladies! Read more

Zoya Couture Invitation Suite

Who are you?
Arti Anand
ZOYA Couture
1-866-611-ZOYA (9692)
zoyacouture.com

What do you do?
Wedding Invitations (Custom Design and Ready to Order), Event Stationery (Place cards, table numbers, Menus, Programs, Signage), Marketing Collateral.

Where are you based?
Washington, DC – but we often work with brides around the nation. Samples are mailed, design and proofs discussed over phone and e-mail, and final orders sent via FedEx.

When and How did you get started in the South Asian wedding industry?
I grew up around weddings! My parents owned a South Asian wedding decor company and I spent my weekends helping them with the creative design and set-up. I had been doing freelance graphic and web design for several years before I decided to apply it to the wedding invitation industry.

Why do you do what you do?
I love weddings – there’s something magical about them. While South Asian weddings in particular are so glamorous, most couples in the States have a hard time selecting invitations that marry their South Asian heritage with their modern, chic lifestyle. I love working with couples to find their individual styles and translating that to invitations that they have envisioned.

Do you work exclusively on South Asian weddings?
Not exclusively, but a majority of our brides are of South Asian descent.

What are some mistakes you see most South Asian brides (and families) make?
Playing by the rules. Throw the rule book out! Brides and families begin their discussions with how they’ve seen other people do it, or how things have been done for generations. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try things differently. Create a wedding that’s beautiful to you, as its yours to experience and remember.

Do you only cater to certain budgets only?
We try our best to work with all budgets, but find that most of our brides are generally looking for exclusive, luxurious invitations that no one else has seen or done before. From silk folios to engraved coins – our creative brides always find unique ways to make their invitations stand out!

Describe a particularly memorable wedding you’ve worked on.
The invitation suite captured in the attached image (captured by Regetis Photography) is for a South Asian destination wedding in Puerto Rico in early 2010. It has been so much fun working with the extremely creative couple and their wedding planner. They have great style and will be reflecting this design theme throughout their wedding day materials. We’re excited to see how the events come together!

What’s your number one wedding tip?
Enjoy every minute of it. Wedding planning can get stressful – but don’t let little setbacks bring you down. Remember that at the end of the day, the purpose of the day is to be united with the one you love! Best wishes with your wedding planning!

Giving parting gifts at a wedding or bridal shower is tradition. Gifts are usually exchanged among the bride and groom’s families beforehand and wedding guests are parted with sweets (mitai, pita, etc) after the ceremony. If sending your guests home with just sweets is a little too cliche for you, here are some great ideas to personalize your special day and help your guests remember it forever!

Sweet-scented Sandalwood Fans from Wrap With Us

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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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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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Kolkata–the “it” place to shop in India– has been a wedding shopping destination for years.  Brides from all over the Western world and South Asia go to Kolkata to do their wedding shopping.

Here are the Sari-Clad Bride’s top shopping destinations in Kolkata;

Park Street courtesy of India Mike

Courtesy of James Nichloas Sears

• Park Street: For major wedding sari shopping for the bride, mother of the bride, sisters, and close family that you need to gift saris, you can rely on Park Street for a one-stop shopping experience.  On the Sari-Clad Bride’s recently Kolkata shopping spree, Park Street was her favorite destination. In two days on Park Street, we bought over 30+ beautiful saris from stores such as Sarovar, Savera, Rangoli,  and several other stores.  Additionally, you will find stores for designers kameezes along Park Street. Just a simple stroll down Park Street will cover all your bases for wedding sari shopping! Read more

The Daughter-In-Law Rules

http://www.thedilrules.com

Sally Shields, Speaker, Radio Personality, and the Author of The Daughter-In-Law Rules, an Amazon #1 best seller provides the The Sari-Clad Bride with the following tips for daughter-in-laws:

So, you’ve just stepped off the bus–do not delay! For the newlywed daughter-in-law, here are five simple techniques that anyone can use to get immediate results towards a peaceful and loving relationship with your husband – and his mother! It is always important to remember one of the greatest spiritual laws of success: the quickest way to get what you want is to help others get what they want. Be a loving, kind, generous, openhearted sensitive person and the world will reflect that back to you, even in the form of your Mother-in-law! Let’s begin.

1. Send Your MIL Cards and Flowers on her 3 Special Days

Mark down the three biggies – her b-day, her anniversary (if she has one) and Mother’s Day in your date book. But here’s the secret –– get your husband to pen the card or Mom might get the impression that her son has forgotten her special days (he probably has)! So consider yourself a great ghostwriter and have him sign it from the both of you.

2. Call Your MIL Regularly

This seems like something that would be best left to your sense of spontaneity, but do not take this lightly. Pick a day of the week (such as Sunday) to call your new Mom– preferably when your husband is not around. If you are super busy, you can aim for getting her machine like when you know she’s at Bingo, but leave a message saying that you just called to say hi and to ask how she is feeling!

3. Ask Your MIL for Her Advice – Frequently!

But if you prefer, keep your matters on the inconsequential side such as what color to change the shower curtain to in the guest bathroom. But then actually do it, so that when she comes over, she’ll be proud that you followed through!

4. Tell Your MIL What a Great Job She Did as Mother

This is a proactive strategy that works like a charm. It will most likely bring her to tears and that is great! Just remember that someday you too will perhaps raise a son and can you think of a more wonderful compliment that that? Surely not! So, speaking of compliments …

5. Comp liment Your MIL’s Looks–Often!

Remember, your MIL can be just as self-conscious as you are. So take the time to notice how pretty, thin, healthy and young she looks, occasionally asking her if you can borrow a certain item of clothing, such as a scarf or a purse. She’ll feel just great that you like her style!