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.

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.

Is black the new red?

Mommies across India, you better brace yourselves for this!

There’s a new trend (apparently) – Bridal Black.

Internationally, Vera Wang, the New York based fashion designer, is credited with turning the tide, and making bridal black the in thing. Since then Avril Lavigne, 90201 star Shenae Grimes and Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean’s wife Rochelle Karidis have tied the knot, looking resplendent in
50 shades of black.

               

                                                                            (Source: Vera Wang, Fall 2012)

But will black as a bridal colour ever catch on in India? If there’s one thing more inauspicious than a thousand cats crossing your path this is it. The great India designers seem unfazed, though. Many have now introduced black into their bridal collections.

                                                                                       (Source: Vogue)

I definitely don’t qualify to question their sensibilities. And the designs by themselves are oh-so-gorgeous. But black?

You may argue that it is just a baseless superstition. And black is the best thing to make you look skinnier. But can you convince your mom that it’s the colour for your bridal lehnga?

Well, good luck with that!

 

The story so far

No one told me this. But planning a wedding (DIY-style) comes with serious health hazards. It can:

1. Age you drastically
   
2. Turn the bride into Bridezilla
   
3. Turn you into Attila the Hun
   

I learnt this the hard way – after planning two weddings, in the span of a year!  (No, I didn’t learn my lesson after the first one.) That year, we all joked endlessly and mirthlessly, about creating a community that could help us. But it was only much, much later that ‘Help! I am getting married’, aka, HIGM, was born, to help people in a similar predicament.

Today, HIGM is a super active community doling out help to all those who need it.

Oh, how I wish I started it earlier!