The colour conundrum

Pinterest seems to have such poetic wedding pictures! The perfect harmony of colours brings alive the mood, the setting, and the whole happy occasion.

But choosing a colour can be quite a pain. The choices of the bride and the groom can be poles apart (like on the opposite ends of the colour spectrum). How does one ever agree on the same thing? So we got thinking, and devised this small quiz to help you pick a colour theme. It’s totally unscientific, but it’s fun!

Note: Keep a tab of your answers and tally them up in the end.

1. When you go shopping, you automatically veer towards:

A. Something elegant and classy

B. Something cheerful and colourful

C. Something natural and subtle

D. Pink! Pink! And more pink!

2. In your previous birth (assuming there is such a thing), who do think you were?

A. A member of some royal family

B. An elephant

C. A bird

D. A dainty little girl, who had tea parties!

3. What kind of music do you like?

A. Mozart, Beethoven, etc.

B. Bollywood, baby!

C. Something mellow

D. I am a great Belieber!

4. Your preferred mode of transport is…

A. A fully liveried, horse-drawn carriage

B. A bright, loud, Bollywood music spouting autorickshaw!

C. My two feet (there’s enough pollution!)

D. A pretty little Vespa

5. What kind of wedding would you prefer?

A. The Kate Middleton-Prince William type

B. One with lots of dancing, drinking and singing

C. Something quiet and intimate

D. Something straight off the scrapbook you’ve had since you were 10.

Results

Mostly As

There’s something regal about your tastes. Choose shades of purple and gold (or even reds, if you like). These colours spell elegance and sophistication.

Mostly Bs

You’re Indian at heart. And you love the riot of colours that make an Indian wedding so vibrant. Choose oranges, yellows and reds. They’re always in vogue!

Mostly Cs

You’re someone who likes to keep things simple. And you perhaps prefer a quiet outdoorsy wedding. Choose colours that are natural, and fresh. The delicate shades of spring are perfect for you.

Mostly Ds

It’s obvious you love pink (and other girly colours). But don’t overdo it. You wouldn’t want the groom running away! Combine pink with shades of yellow, orange and gold, and tone down the chick-quotient.

What was your result? Do share.

(Image sources: Indianweddingsite.com, Pinterest)

Visa-free honeymoons

Spontaneity, they say, is key to keeping the spark alive. But when you’re saddled with the harsh realities of life (like getting visas, travel documents, etc.) it kinda kills the magic. Planning a honeymoon can be more stressful than planning the wedding itself.

 So when Conde Nast released this handy list of visa-free travel destinations for Indians, I felt that it should go right up here (also very useful if you’re planning a surprise, ‘spontaneous’ Valentine’s Day holiday). Make the most of it folks!

NO VISA REQUIRED

Bhutan
British Virgin Islands
Cook Islands
Dominica
El Salvador
Grenada
Haiti
Jamaica
Montserrat
Micronesia
Niue
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos
Vanuatu

VISA ON ARRIVAL

Cambodia
Cape Verde
Comoros
Ecuador
Ethiopia
Fiji
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Iran
Jordan
Kenya
Laos
Macau
Madagascar
Maldives
Mauritius
Palau
Samoa
Seychelles
Tajikistan
Thailand
Tuvalu
Uganda
Myanmar
Timor-Leste

VISA NOT REQUIRED IF YOU HAVE CERTAIN OTHER VISAS
Albania: Valid multiple entry Schengen visa (Type C or D)
Andorra: Valid multiple entry Schengen visa
Costa Rica: Valid multiple entry US, Canadian, Schengen (or any European Union member country visa) or Japanese visa
Guatemala: Valid US, Canadian or Schengen visa
Honduras: Valid US, Canadian or Schengen visa
Ireland: Valid UK visa, and entry through the UK
Macedonia: Valid multiple entry Schengen visa (Type C)
Montenegro: Valid US or Schengen visa
Nicaragua: Valid multiple entry US, Canadian or Schengen visa
Taiwan: Valid US, UK, Schengen, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian or Japanese visa

VISA ON ARRIVAL FOR US VISA HOLDERS
Dominican Republic
Mexico
Puerto Rico

ONLINE VISAS REQUIRED
Dubai (only if you’re flying emirates)
Sri Lanka
Turkey
Vietnam

While we’re on the subject, India has recently eased its travel regulations too. It now offers visa-on-arrival to tourists from 180 countries.

Wherever you choose to go, have a great honeymoon!

(Image credits: http://johannawright.com/gallery
Other credits: Conde Nast)

Smile for the selfie

The sneaky selfie has slyly crept into every aspect of our lives. From the oh-so-cute, to I’ll-kill-you-if-this-goes-on-FB, there are all kinds of selfies doing the rounds. So is it a big surprise that it has made its appearance at weddings too? I don’t think so.

 Here are a few must-haves (according to Pinterest). Put on your prettiest pout and snap away!

For better resolution, use a proper camera!

Take one with the bridesmaids!

One with the boys.

One while getting ready.

And finally, one for the road.

Everyone’s trying it, see?!

We don’t want you looking awful in your wedding selfie. So here are a few tips to look fab:

a. Hold the camera away, at a slightly higher angle.

b. Try a couple of poses, smiles and expressions (besides pouting).

c. Remember, you’re not posing for a passport-sized photo. So funk it up.

d. The more the merrier. Ask your friends to join in.

e. A li’l make up (gloss, a touch of blush) won’t hurt.

(Images: Pinterest, Cape Times ad)

With love

Gifting is such a big deal in India. If we are close to the couple, much thought and energy goes into getting them the right gift. If we are not so close, we have no qualms in recycling our old, unwanted gifts. Even when an invitation expressly states, ‘No gifts, blessings only’, we still give the couple cash or gift cards. Whatever it is, gift we must!

Here are a few things that will come in handy, irrespective of what you’re giving the couple. You can also make do with whatever’s available at home, getting very creative with your wrapping styles.

DIY envelopes using any wrapping paper.

A little colour can funk up boring envelopes.

You can also recycle old coasters or use leftover gift wrapping papers.

If you don’t have ribbons, use funky strings to wrap things up.

(Image source: Pinterest)

Got more ideas? Do share them.

How to look gorgeous

Makeup can work wonders. But nothing beats some good ol’ fashioned TLC before the big day. We spoke to a few makeup artists and beauty experts. And here’s what they had to say about skin care and basics of makeup.

1. Stop stressing. It has a direct impact on your skin. All those sleepless nights can give you dark circles, puffy eyes and blotchy skin (not to mention wrinkles and greys). Yoga and deep breathing exercises are great for calming down.

2. Start early. You can’t expect a miracle on the day of your wedding if you haven’t started your beauty regimen well in advance.

3. Take care of your body. Deepti Samant, makeup artist, says that a lot of brides tend to neglect body care. All the pre-wedding shopping and partying often leaves one tired. It’s highly important to keep the body well moisturised, not just with body lotions but also essential oils and opting for body massages at regular intervals before the wedding.

4. Drink tons of water. It’s great for your skin, and helps cut down binge eating too.

5. Invest wisely in your makeup products. Deepti Samant says that this is absolutely important, and one must not over-indulge. Seek guidance from an expert, and pick a mix of essential and fun stuff!

6. Pick the right shade of foundation. There is this obsession with looking fairer. Don’t give in to it. Be comfortable with your skin tone.

7. Line your eyes right. Hair and makeup expert, Manjeet Khehra, has invaluable advice, especially for those with small eyes. She says that one must never use black kajal on the waterline. Instead, use a skin colour or a white eye-pencil, and it will immediately open up your eyes, making them look bigger.

8. Get perfect luminous sculpted cheekbones. Sabrina Suhail, makeup whiz, shares her secret. Apply a matte bronze just below your cheekbones, sweeping it towards the end of your nose. Make sure when moving your brush the pressure is more near your ear and lighter as you sweep toward your nose. Apply a matte blush just above the bronze contour. And apply a diamond dust or a high shine powder on the cheekbone, blending it into the blush.

9. Stop experimenting. Do not try new products on your skin or hair, or get a new haircut just before your wedding. You wouldn’t want to break into a rash, or end up with ghastly hair.

10. Don’t wait till the last minute for waxing. You wouldn’t want any visible rashes.

And remember this. There’s only so much Photoshop can do! So treat your skin right.

Top 10 Bollywood songs for Sangeet (2013)

Sangeets are any day more fun than a wedding. Two drinks down, even the most hardcore ‘English-music-only’, ‘I’m-too-cool-for-Indian-music’ hip-hopper turns into a Yo-Yo Honey Singh fan (I shamelessly confess to being one). The stiffest of uncles and aunties turn into Micheal Jacksons/Shakiras/Mithuns/Hrithiks.

Now 2013 has had more than its share of dhinchak, item numbers. And every sangeet plays at least one of these songs (even though some of the lyrics are highly inappropriate for a family gathering). Here’s a list of chartbusters to get you started.

1. Lungi Dance

(I’m biased. I just love Honey Singh. But this song has so much energy it can get anyone dancing.)

2. Tooh

(The randomness of this song is superb. Makes you want to shake your ‘tooh’.)

 3. Tu mere agal bagal

(Nothing says, ‘I love you’, like this highly tapori song. So what if it also borders on pyscho stalker-ism!)

4. Badtameez dil

(In comparison to the other songs on this list, this is such a decent song. Your mommy would totally approve! And of course, it’s been one of the most happening songs this year.)

5. Party all night

(Another number by you-know-who. Need I say more?)

6. Dhating naach

(Warning: Attempting these steps/stunts without proper supervision can lead to serious injury. But have fun.)

 7. 1, 2, 3, 4

(It’s such a happy song! Get on the dance floor, I say!)

8. Tamanche pe disco

(Guns, pistols, bullets, shooting? Hmm…)

9. Gandi baat

(What’s with all these roadside tea stall type songs this year? But so catchy!)

Random musings: It seems so unbelievable that somewhere, someone would have danced to, ‘Pyaar hua ikraar hua’ in the 50s!

10. Balam pickhari

(Something to end this countdown on a decent note.)

If you’ve got any numbers to add to this list, leave a message.

P.S.: Please forgive the usage of italicized Hindi words. But I just couldn’t find the right words in English.

Bridezilla

There’s something about planning a wedding that turns even the sweetest women into absolute monsters. Here are some of the most absurd things we’ve heard from real-life brides.