Oliveaire Design Studio Showcase: Aqeel & Nawaz Event: Westin Lombard

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia

A New Trend That is Quite Old

            By looking back into the past, brides have been able to have a beautiful and unique wedding that everyone will remember.  A Modern Vintage theme has become very popular over the years and we can definitely see why.  By the use of old antique furniture and dishware, neutral colors with a pop of a brighter color, vintage stationary for invitations, and old frames for a table number or menu holder, vintage weddings become very intimate and is something anyone can appreciate.  Here are some ideas we have found to make any Vintage theme wedding intimate, unique and most of all romantic. 

Colors & Fabrics: When you think of a wedding, you probably do not think of using burlap as one of your primary fabrics… think again.  By combining burlap and lace, a wedding will immediately give off a vintage vibe.  The definition of a vintage wedding is the use of lace, lace, and even more lace.  From the gown, to the table settings, to the bridesmaid’s dresses, the use of neutral tones and lace screams classic chic.  Suggested colors for this theme are peaches, nudes, grays, and always incorporate a pop of color to give it a modern twist. 

Decorations: By using timeless pieces, brides can make their wedding day classic yet fresh and modern.  Make a statement by using old antique furniture and dishware as decorations.  This not only increases the feeling of the theme but can also help the budget.  Use old furniture such as doors for backdrops, or dressers and desks as a place card table.  Using older plates and glassware for table settings, definitely gives off a vintage vibe.  Older frames as menu or table number holders can really add an old-rustic look.  Lighting is also very critical to get this look right.  Dramatic lighting and shadows are necessary and can be shown in a vintage way by the use of mason jars with candles, lights hanging and candlelight just about everywhere.  Look around an antique store or even your grandparent’s house and you just might find something inspiring for your big day. 

By simply adding a few select details, your special day will have a retro feel and will create a day that is truly unique.  Also, do not forget to capture your day with stunning photography that includes stills that are in black and white.  Today’s Vintage themed weddings have a very romantic and intimate vibe with a twist of modern to it.  There is nothing more classic than looking into the past and bringing it out in a modern and unique way.  

BBFN,

Olivia

Styling Your Mehndi

Today's Blog is brought to you by Senior Event Architect Mahvish Bhatty. She hass a wealth of experience planning South Asian Wedding events and is sharing some of her best tips with you today:

Mehndi is an event prior to the Wedding Ceremony and usually takes place a day before as a pre-party. Mehndi night is considered to be a fun night and filled with dance performances by family/friends and dancing the night away. This is the most vibrant and lively event which is part of the wedding weekend for most South Asian countries.

Styling your Mehndi should be the most exciting portion of your wedding planning. I have seen many couples go simple with Mehndi nights and some have gone all out to show the true culture and colors of the night. For starters, make sure to incorporate Mehndi colors into the event which are yellow, orange, light pink, all shades of green, and you can even throw purple to create a vibrant ambiance.


Music is the most important aspect for a Mehndi Night so keep a budget for a good DJ who will work with your friends and families for dance performances and also provide music for open floor dancing. If you do not have a budget for a DJ then you will need to assign an individual either family or friend to play the music through the sound system that you rent or the venue provides. However, going cheap on this aspect might not provide the full benefit of a Mehndi night.


Let’s talk about décor: I already mentioned some of the colors to incorporate. No, you don’t need to have full flower bouquets on each table as a center piece; you can save that for the actual wedding reception. But what you should do is get colored linens for the tables and ties for the chair covers. The colors listed above would be ideal for the Mehndi night or you can choose colors according to your clothing style. For center pieces you can use decorative lanterns that bring a traditional look or you can have a candle tree that holds votive candles that are in vibrant Mehndi colors. Center pieces can be kept simple but should reflect a traditional feel since Mehndi is a cultural event.


The stage however, should be done nicely. This will be the focal point for the bride & groom. Most décor vendors have a decorative wooden swing where the couple will sit during the Mehndi ceremony and watch their family and friends perform dances for them. I have also seen some couples get a colorful fabric Mandap which definitely sets the style for the Mehndi, which I would recommend, as it makes the room appear elegant and full of vibrant colors.


Lastly, to add finishing touches, rent lounge furniture with vibrantly colored pillows. You can arrange these furniture pieces around the dance floor so during the dance performances your guests can move away from their tables and sit closer to the dance floor. Add this as part of your design creates a fun ambiance that is full of energy.

Choosing the right design studio is of course the way to go, as they provide brilliant décor ideas and their team arrives on the day of your Mehndi to setup the room. These ideas will definitely style up your Mehndi and a night you will always remember!

Menu Planning

Nothing is more important than serving your guests delicious Indian food at an Indian wedding, and plenty of it. Wedding feast is a grand and extravagant affair. There are three things that guests take away from the event: floralscape, service and food. No South Asian wedding is complete without serving delicious samosa, paneer tikka, chicken makhani and yummy gulab jamun.

The toughest part of planning the celebration feast is choosing which types of Indian cuisine to serve, offering regional variety on the menu for the multiple days of your “Big Fat Indian Wedding”. With increasing numbers of bi-cultural weddings, couples looking to find modern fusion Indian food, and their parents looking for the traditional it is no surprise that couples find themselves at multiple tastings and adding a few pounds to their waistlines. In the end you will find the meal you have selected will be enjoyed by young and old, modern and traditionalist.


Here are our tips when selecting your wedding reception meal:

Appetizer:
These days the length of the cocktail reception can range from 11/2 to 2hrs. If you are facing a long reception it is a good idea to offer variety of selections to your guest. Hosting a chaat station such as Kachori Chaat or Mangoe Dal Chaat can keep your guests engaged. Butler passing of 2 vegetarian and 1 or 2 non-vegetarian items is also a good idea. Set up a buffet station or Tawa station to showcase items such as grilled paneer with peppers and onions, or Kaati Kabob rolled in tawa paratha.

The Main Course:
Most families will struggle when deciding the style of service they would like to select for dinner. Buffet can be a safe option, with limitless choices of entrée selection, whereas sit down service brings the formal celebration to the dining experience but does limit the selection.

If selecting buffet, offering 3 vegetarian selections, 2 non-vegetarian, 2 rice, mixed bread and 3 desserts is a stand option. If you are looking for a modern touch to the sit down service, create a multiple course selection. Offer soup as a first course and follow it with a hearty salad duet including an Indian appetizer, family style bowls of entrée can follow the main course and the grand finale to such a grand meal is to present a trio of mini Indian desserts.

Check with your venue if they will allow the caterer to prepare fresh tandoor naan or tandoor meats on site.

Just Desserts:
This is where you can let your creativity take over. Indians are not known for their desserts but there are combinations of desserts that can be finger licking good. How about chef frying fresh jalebis and serving it with rabadi? Or how does hot tawa of pineapple, badam and gajjar halwa sound with a scoop of lychee or orange ice-cream? Call it a Hot A La Mode. Do you want to set the place on fire? Then you must try gulab jamun Flambé, if you have never had it you are truly missing out.


No matter what your selection, selecting the caterer that can deliver innovative and quality product is a must. Food is one place that no sacrifice must be made. Guests are always happy with the basic but if you are going to WOW them, make sure to select some items that keep the true ethnic flair.

Bon Appétit

Budgeting for a Baraat

Baraat has become one of the essential wedding rituals for South Asian Weddings. It’s very festive with great music, and most of all a horse and/or elephant are involved. As with every aspect of a wedding, there is a cost to holding this event. It is important to include the Baraat in your overall wedding budget.

To further enhance your knowledge with this cultural ritual, Baraat is a
bridegroom’s wedding procession in North India and Pakistan. In North Indian communities, it is customary for the bridegroom to travel to the wedding venue on a horse or horse carriage, accompanied by his family members.


The Baraat can become a large procession, with its own dhol player (drummer) with a mobile music cart for the songs. Most Baraat’s do not, or shall I say should not, exceed a one hour period.The groom and his horse are dressed nicely for the wedding occasion, and do not usually take part in the dancing and singing; that is left to the family & friends (often called the baraaties) accompanying the procession. In some families, the groom may or may not carry a sword. Everybody dances to the tunes of the song and music played by the dhol player accompanying them. The family and friends in the procession are rejoicing because an eligible bachelor in their family will finally start his new life, along with his life partner. Amongst all the celebration, the Baraat eventually reaches the marriage spot, where the family members of the bride, await them.


Photo provided by R.E.M. Photography

Now you must be thinking, “Renting a horse and dhol player, wow, this can get expensive.” Yes, holding a Baraat is not inexpensive, but if you budget the wedding right you can fit this into your wedding activities. The horse rental cost is approximate $375 and if you wish to rent a horse carriage then the price can be as high as $575. This includes the white horse in festive wear. Dhol players usually charge $300 for the hour long service. You will want to verify with the hotel, or venue of your ceremony, that you can have space for the Baraat, and let them know it will be a noisy affair. You will also want to look into any possible restrictions on having a horse or elephant at the property.

As mentioned earlier, Baraat is a very fun and festive moment for the Groom’s Family. Whether you are from North India, South India, or Pakistan, I have seen many families hosting a Baraat for their son, to enhance the wedding activities a notch.

Buff and Beautiful

Every bride has a vision of what they will look like on their wedding day. In most of our daydreams we are a little thinner, have hair worthy of a shampoo commercial and clear, glowing, skin. If only we could daydream that into life.

After doing some research on how to get the most bang for our buck in wedding prep, here are some helpful tips:

•Hydrate! Water intake is important for our body to function well, and it keeps our skin looking young and supple. You’ll also stay young by…

•Getting your zzzs. I know, it’s easier said than done, but try to schedule some rest for yourself. You’re make-up artist won’t have to worry about bags under your eyes, and you’ll have energy to…

•Exercise your stress out, go for a jog or take a kick-boxing class to work out your wedding related anxiety. Be sure to…

•Balance your workout. There is too much of a good thing, so don’t just jump on a treadmill and call it a day. You will see your best results if you incorporate weight/resistance training. You don’t have to bulk up, but aren’t we all hoping for toned arms ala Jennifer Aniston?! Also try to make time for yoga to de-stress and keep those muscles looking long and lean. Speaking of balance…

•Balance your diet. Eating a balanced diet can help keep your hormones and emotions in check, which is important leading up to such a big event. Beware of caffeine and sugar, they are not your friend in this time. But it is important for you to…

•Find a friend! Working out and eating healthy is much easier if you have someone else in your corner. I bet your mom, sister or one of your friends is also hoping to shape up for your wedding. Set time each week to exercise together, and check-in regularly on your progress

The days and weeks leading up to your wedding are sure to be full of fun, but also stress and anxiety. Take time for yourself and you will look AND feel better for your big day.

Mandaps

A Mandap is sacred tent used in Hindu wedding ceremonies. Mandaps come in a wide variety of sizes and designs ranging from traditional to contemporary and can be custom-created to suit style, taste, décor, theme, and budget. Finding your dream Mandap is easily possible by exploring all of your options. The best way to start is to talk to several different companies and visit their showrooms to see if you like their work. Many companies have online portfolios that can be found through the help of a search engine. Talk to the decorators and tell them what you have in mind. If you are unsure, they will be able to help you make the right decision, one that will suit your taste and budget. A good decorator will work with you to find the right type of product to match your theme and wedding décor.

For many modern couples the Mandap is a fashion statement in itself, and a very integral part of the wedding decorations. However, traditionally, the Mandap is the focal point of the Hindu wedding, where the ceremony is conducted around the sacred fire. The four pillars of the structure represent the Vedas and each stand for Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. They also represent the four parents of the couple. Mandaps have greatly evolved over the years, and are nowadays also used by Muslims and Sikhs. A Mandap is the focal point of the wedding, and creates a sacred and decorative atmosphere for the couple to exchange their vows. Whether the Mandap holds religious or artistic significance for you, it will serve as the central spotlight during your wedding.


Traditional Mandap designs include colored paintwork, mirror work and the use of fabrics. Contemporary designs combine western elements and designs. Popular designs include the round top, chandeliers, wooden carved Mandaps, roman pillars, iron domes, fresh flowers, and the use of ornate drapes. A Mandap should be as unique as the couple it is for. It should reflect their individuality and allow them to express themselves. Mandaps are accented with plants, flowers, candles, backdrops, lighting, statues, water fountains, and several other accessories. A good wedding decorator will go out of their way in order to ensure that the Mandap not only suits the couple, but coordinates all the accessories with the wedding theme and colors.


A typical price range for Mandaps is between $1,000 and $3,000. Any additional decorations and set-ups will accrue additional charges. The company should provide you with a sales contract that will state you requirements, and your exact price, including the amount of your initial deposit. The Mandap decorators will also have to visit your venue in order to ensure that the Mandap you have selected is the right size for the area. Variations will depend on whether or not the Mandap will be on a stage or not, and also the size of the room itself. A Mandap that is too big in a small room will yield incorrect proportions and be overpowering.


Mandaps require at least two hours to set-up. Additional decorations and flowers will need longer. Above all, finding the perfect Mandap should be creative and enjoyable, not only for you but should also involve the help of your fiancé, and friends and family members. Combined with the knowledge of the decorator, advice from friends and family, and your own imagination, you can have your dream Mandap, a memorable place for you to begin your new life as a couple.

Beauty in HD

If you are looking at cutting edge technology for the videotaping of your event, you will find that many studios are now recording in HD. What does that mean for you? With high definition technology instead of just seeing a hundred pores, we can see a million pores and specks on our faces. I can understand why a director would like to show an action film or sports action in “high-def.” The details are unbelievable to look at, the clarity and the movement are so flawless. Just remember, movie industry insiders have their tricks.

A reporter or actor, male or female, cannot just go in front of the camera without putting on makeup. The shine on their faces could blind us. Let’s be honest now, as an audience, we critique their images like there is no tomorrow. We are as harsh and strong as the studio lighting that is focused on them. I guess it’s the fact they cannot hear us through the screen or they’re celebrities or it’s our own insecurities. But I digress.

The digital cameras and video cameras that will be used for your wedding are fast and clear. As a bride, how do you deal with it?

Make it easy on yourself and consult with a makeup artist that has experience (and plenty of it) applying makeup for print ads or commercials. Ask questions. Ask them to do a makeup trial on you, then have someone photograph or videotape you with a high quality digital camera. If the artist is good, he or she will know how to match your skin tone and type, if they should use air brush or not, use a mattifier to minimize pores, use mineral powder or pressed foundation, just to name a few options. The application of lipstick is also important. However, one of the “must do’s” is to use a concealer. Using a concealer brush, instead of your hands or a sponge, is much better because you have better control on the coverage. The makeup artist has the tools, and the supplies, to tackle the job of enhancing your natural beauty, making it last for hours of crying, dancing, and hugging and most importantly, keeping you camera ready.

You may need to consider retaining a makeup artist for a couple of days. If you have hired a professional videographer to record the several parties surrounding your wedding you will want to be camera ready for each of those events. Trust me, it will be well worth the expense to know that you look your absolute best on the videos you will watch for a lifetime.


Photo credit to R.E.M. Photography

Why go through all this? Because you want to look flawless on your wedding day. However, remember that flawless doesn’t mean some commercial definition of perfection. Sometimes what you think of as your “flaws” are what make you beautiful and perfect. The lines that appear when you smile, that mole, the freckles, those little things about you that add to why your fiancé fell in love with you. So do yourself a favor and don’t hide everything. HD should capture your tears, the flow of your gown, that first kiss as husband and wife, and the real you.

What TO Wear

To me, the best part of being a bride in the summer are all of the vibrant colors and unique fabrics you can bring to your wedding, specifically in your attire. Brides, as you start deciding on the colors and styles of your trousseau, here are some bridal trends that continue to be popular:

Fabrics:
Brocades, silks, georgette and chiffons.


Photo provided by CharismaIndia

Styles:
The plain Ghagra style is no longer to be seen. It is now replaced with the likings of the A-line or Mermaid style, which is crafted to give the bride a feminine and sculpted look. The blouses are short with longer dupattas.

Colors:
The color to adore this season is pink, in shades pale to deep. Brides, be sure to pick the proper shade to compliment your skin tone.


Photo provided by CharismaIndia

Embroidery:
Traditional zardosi embroidery is being taken over by kundan, mirror, and Swarowski crystal work.


Photo provided by CharismaIndia

The trend is now to blend the traditional with the contemporary. While each of us likes the traditional colors and styles, the key is to add the new era of fashion to the existing expectations. A few things to keep in mind: fabric, style, embroidery, and color are each important individually, but also together. You don’t want to use a fabric and style that won’t suit your body type, or choose a color that will not compliment you, on and off camera. When a brides walks in the room, heads should turn and guests should think "This bride looks amazing, head to toe!". As the generation changes, more emphasis is placed on having a unique sense of style, wearing something no one has worn before. There are many options available these days for a bride to make an outfit her own, and something no one else has. Remember, the way you look at your wedding, from head to toe, will be captured as a memory that will last longer than a lifetime. Make sure you are more than happy with what you have on!

Finally, remember ladies, you should wear the trousseau, the trousseau shouldn’t wear you!