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The Art of Customisation

The Art of Customisation

The gown you wear on the day when you marry the love of your life has to be single most important piece of clothing you will ever wear. Choosing the right gown that fits your personality to the T is important to shine bright on the big day. However, when you’re on a time crunch, choosing something off the rack is your best bet. This will avoid the stress of wondering if your gown will be ready or not! But if, you have time on your hands, a customised gown is what you need if you want to achieve perfection! 

 

Read on find out more if you think a custom made gown is something you want. 

1. Appointments  

This will have to be the single most important step while customizing a gown. Scheduling an appointment with a bridal boutique at least 6 or 7 months before the big day is recommended. This appointment is meant to scout out designs and fits that will look good on you. Trying on the various gown types available will give you a good idea of what suits your body type. Be sure to also inquire about their customization rates to check whether it fits into your budget. 

2. Placing Your Gown Order

Once you have decided that this is the route you want to go, schedule another appointment to confirm your order. Be sure to let the boutique know any changes you would like to gown that you have previously tried on. In case you want a completely new gown, share an ample amount of clear picture references so that it is replicated well.

 

3. Deciding on the Finer Details 

At this stage, you will get to decide on the smallest of details along with your bridal consultant. This is also the stage during which you can select lace patterns, fabrics, colours, beadwork, crystals, etc. It is recommended that you have your gown made slightly bigger than your actual size in case you have weight fluctuations. Additionally, you will get a detailed explanation of the entire customization process as well as the terms and conditions followed by the boutique. 

4. Trials and Alterations 

As you arrive at this stage, most of wedding prep would have finished. Sometimes, the anticipation of trying on your custom made gown for the first time can be daunting, having an open mind is necessary. Any minor alterations are done at this stage that includes correcting the size of your gown. To avoid visiting the boutique multiple times, ensure to finish the alteration in a day. 

5. Delivery

This is the final stage when you get to take your gown home. At this point, you can also select any accessory that you would like to pair with your gown (I.e tiara, hair accessory, bouquet boutonnières, etc). Be sure to ask your bridal consultant for any after-care tips and ways to store your gown to last an entire lifetime. 

The Wedding Timeline

The Wedding Timeline

While planning for one of the biggest days of your life, being meticulous with every detail is of utmost importance. It’s only when you start months ahead of your wedding date, you can make every aspect of this day special. Starting atleast 6 months before your wedding date will give you ample amount of time to research vendors, look for your gown, talk to caterers, sit for cake tastings and book the perfect entertainment for your big day. Using this wedding timeline, you can plan out every detail to the T.

 

Read on to find out more….

1. 6 Months 

This is one of the most crucial months of your wedding planning timeline. This is the phase where you decide on the gown you will wear for your big day. Research various bridal boutiques in your locality, make an appointment with them, and then it’s time for trial…trial…trial! At this stage, you have a decision to make as well. You can either go for an off-the-rack gown or make a one-of-a-kind custom-made gown. This gives both the bride and the boutique ample time to make your gown from scratch and work out all the fine details i.e choosing accessories like lace, material, beading,  veils, bouquets, jewelry, etc. 

2. 5 Months

With all the attention that is given to the bride, there is one person who gets left behind in all this confusion – The Groom! 5 months into wedding planning is when grooms have zero in on a tux or suit for their big day. Although it may seem easy, in reality, there are a lot of fine details that one has to look into. Like the color and whether it suits the bride’s dress, the wedding theme, the material if you’re getting married in a particular season like summer where you would require a breathable fabric, etc. Additionally, this also is the time for the groom to choose his groomsmen’s outfit. 

 

3. 4 Months

Your wedding will be remembered for many things but the most important is – CAKE! The cake you choose will set the tone for weddings to come. While deciding on the cake you want to keep a few things in mind. With flavor being the most important, you also need the inspiration of epic proportions. Make sure that the cake you choose tell your story. Also, choose a trusted baker who is available for your date and time. 

4. 3 Months

In the 3rd month leading up to your big day, it is time to get your favors in place. This is something that you will have to sit and plan with your groom-to-be and also your wedding planner. The market is laden with unique gift ideas that will really set you apart as a couple. This is one area where you can let your imagination run wild and think of something unique and personalized to give your guests. 

5. 2 Months

This month, make sure you get together with your wedding planner to discuss – flowers that will adorn your arches, aisles, stand-alone pieces, table set-up, etc. Ensure to let your wedding planner know the kind of flowers you want, allergies, fillers, colors, etc. Talk about the various setups you would like around the venue, ground, or ceiling installation. If you plan on getting fresh flowers for your bouquet, do a mock so that you will have an idea of how it will look on the big day. 

6. 1 Month  

This month, it is finally time to get your entire wedding attire sorted. Stay in touch with the bridal gown boutique and get your final trials and alterations out of the way. Don’t wait until the last minute as this will not give the boutique enough time to sort out any minor issues you might have with the fit and details of the gown. Additionally, you could also break in your wedding shoes so as to not get blisters on the big day.  

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Make-up ready Skin!

Make-up ready Skin!

For every bride, her wedding is one of the most important days of her life. With all eyes on her, looking picture perfect is something that takes a lot of time and effort. But with some pre-care to her skin and a few changes to her lifestyle, having makeup-ready skin is just a few steps away. We got in touch with a two makeup artists from the city who share a few insights on how brides can prep their skin for their big day. 

 

Read on to find out more…

1. Don’t forget your Sunscreen!

Bengaluru based Makeup-artist Lekha Neelakantappa advises brides to make sunscreen a part of their daily routine. She says, “Sunscreen is a must even if you’re at home. If you forget sunscreen, the creams and acids will not work.” Make it a part of your morning routine that way, you will reach for your sunscreen first thing every morning. 

2. An Amped up Beauty Regimen…

Prior to your wedding, having a bulletproof beauty regimen is absolutely necessary. Makeup artist Simmy Sakhuja says, “Start using a hydrating or brightening serum, weekly facial masks, regular exfoliation and other targeted treatments to prep your skin for the big day.” Unfortunately for us, we need external Vitamin C supplements which needs to be incorporate into our skincare routine. “The right skincare includes Vitamin C either in their morning or night routine,” adds Lekha. 

 

3. Out With Facial Hair. 

Facial hair is big no-no says Lekha who also adds, “Brides can either get it razored or if it is in excess, I recommend visiting a dermatologist. Laser is safe but it is better to consult a dermatologist to see if your skin is suitable for such a treatment. Makeup just doesn’t sit and blend well on skin that has facial hair.”

4. Take Care of Your Acne!

Taking care go your acne is an important task that needs to be done at least six months before your wedding. Lekha shares, “Brides with acne-prone skin need to visit a dermatologist more than two months before their wedding. Generally, it is always peels but the downside to this is that it dries up the skin. Doing a chemical peel just before the wedding is a big no!” 

5. Watch Your Diet. 

The food you consume plays a huge role in your skin’s texture and clarity says Simmy. “Start paying very close attention to your nutrition. No one wants a dreaded pimple on their wedding day! For a healthy, glowing complexion, try a glowing skin diet and pop an Omega 3 Fatty Acid capsule everyday,” she concludes. 

How To De-Stress from Wedding Planning

How To De-Stress from Wedding Planning

The prospect of planning your perfect dream wedding is truly very exciting. From choosing your wedding theme, the flowers that will light up your aisle, your gown etc. But when responsibility piles up, that’s when you start feeling the burn. For couple who are planning their wedding single-handedly, some time away is needed and advised. Be it a candle light dinner alone or a weekend getaway, time away is surely beneficial in the long run! 

 

Read on to find out more…

1. Picnic Date! 

Although the concept of a picnic seems a bit traditional, it is one of the most romantic options. Like the movies we have grown up seeing, picnic really give couples a chance to reconnect and fall in love all over again.  There are plenty of place all over the city that can be the perfect spot for your picnic. 

2. Spa Day Out

A couple’s spa day is the perfect opportunity to rest up before the big day. You can plan to go out or stay in and pamper yourselves with massages, facials, mani-pedi etc. Accompany your spa day with some tasty and healthy food. This day away from wedding planning will give couples some time to themselves from the bustle. 

 

3. Movie Nights!

Movie nights in are ideal for couples who love to catch up with recent flicks. Set the mood with some fairy lights, cozy blankets, fluffy pillows and not to forget – loads of edibles and munchies. If you are one of those couple who love binging this is the perfect date night. 

4. Weekend Getaways…

A mini-holiday is the perfect setting to throw an impromptu bachelor/bachelorette party. Couples can join up with friends and go on a road trip for some much needed time away from wedding planning. This will also give couples a chance to spend some time alone.

5. Hand Over the Reins.

What are friends and family for if not to help you plan your wedding? When you have spent all this time perfectly planning every single detail of your dream wedding, stressing about the simplest detail is common. In such a case, it is not wrong to hand the reins over to trusted friends and families. It is important to trust them enough to help you make your big day perfect.

The Wedding Gown: Start to Finish

The Wedding Gown: Start to Finish

Out of all the things a girl will wear in her life, her wedding gown is the single most important thing. As girls, we have have been planning for this day almost all our lives. Therefore, your wedding gown needs to be elegant, mystical and magical. As important as a gown is to any bride, it is equally important for the bride to know the entire process of selecting a gown for a her big day. 

 

Read on to find out more…

1.Scheduling Appointments 

This is one of the first things you will be doing when you start planning for your wedding. Check out the various options available around. After deciding on a boutique, contact the boutique atleast 6 months before you’re wedding date. This is crucial as you will need ample time to decide on a style, budget, take in opinions of the entourage etc.

2. Trials & Measurements 

On reaching the boutique, try and give your bridal executive a clear picture of what you want and the look you are going for. Having said this, be open to try on styles and looks that are not part of your original plan. Often, we have seen a lot of brides come in with a set mind and once they try on a different style, they are hooked! Additionally, allow enough time – approximately about 2 hours per appointment to get the entire experience. 

3. Customisation

Post trials, every bride has a choice! A choice to choose a gown of the rack or get a custom designed gown that is one of kind and exquisite. During this stage, your dream gown is being made from scratch. From the neckline to train, material, beads and crystals to the laces will be discussed. At every stage, the bride will be kept in the loop giving her an idea of how the gown will look. 

4. Final Trials

Final trials are often quite stressful both on the bride, her entourage and the bridal boutique. So when you’re coming for the trial, it is advisable to come prepared. Give ample time for your final trials so that all alterations on your gown are done immediately (p.s we take about 2 hours to complete all alterations). Additionally, bring along the footwear you will be wearing on the big day to get an idea of how you will look. 

5. Delivery

Be sure to inform your bridal boutique before hand when you would like to collect your gown and accessories. This will give the boutique enough time to pack it and keep it ready. Ensure to let your boutique know how you want your gown to be packed I.e carry bad, gown cover etc. Additionally, ask for a checklist of things that are packed with your gown. This will ensure that both you and your boutique are on the same page. Picture of the packing process will be shared to avoid any future hassles you might face. 

Skincare tips before the Big Day!

Skincare tips before the Big Day!

When the big day is less than a week away, as bride, you do not want to deal with last minute breakouts or the stress showing up on your skin. Here is what you can do to keep your skin looking fresh and vibrant on your wedding day.

  • Get your routine in order: Avoid any kind of experiment with new skin care products. Stick to a simple morning routine of cleanser, toner, Vitamin C serum, moisturizer and an SPF-50
  • Your night time routine can get a little intensive with your skin and makeup routine. Stick to a cleanser, toner, hyaluronic acid serum, facial oil and moisturizer.
  • Exfoliate well!: Dead skin is a menace. Therefore it is a must to exfoliate at least thrice weekly. Don’t scrub your face dry, be gentle, and always pat your skin to dry it.
  • Give the stress a rest: Last thing you want is to be stressed on your big day. Stress reflects on the skin in the form of inflammations and can cause conditions like eczema and psoriasis to flare ups. Practice yoga, meditation, or relaxing exercises to calm your mind and body.
  • Switch to green and detox juices: Alcohol dries up the skin whereas green juices hydrate and add glow to the skin. Take your pick. Green, detox juices help in cell renewal, and remove toxins from the body in a natural way.
  • Drink lots water: The simplest and easiest way to hydrate is to drink water. It will keep your skin plumped, lips moist, and eyes shining brighter.
  • Turn to home remedies: The skin care recipes that your mother swears by will come to your rescue in the weeks leading up to the wedding: Use homemade masks every day. If you have oily skin use a combination of clay mud, water and honey. You can use apple cider vinegar in this mask if you are prone to breakouts. For dry skin, a combination of olive oil and egg yolk will do the trick.
  • Eye care from the pantry: Use potato pouch to get rid of the puffiness and dry circles.

Go bananas: A banana and egg white mask works for all skin types and instantly moisturizers and tightens the skin.

Remember to consult your dermatologist if you feel your skin need a change of products or if there are changes in your skin tone and behaviour.