From destination and décor to food and favours, wedding planning comes with a plethora of aspects that need your attention. One tiny slip and things might go tumbling down. That’s why it is crucial to be meticulous and mindful, right from the initial stage of planning your special occasion until the day of. Of course, your wedding planner and coordinator will help you execute everything. But there are plenty of things that you as a bride and groom need to be accountable for too.
With a wide array of things to shortlist and select, it is only natural to feel confused. Not to mention, it is likely to be the biggest and most special event you’ll ever host, so you’d want it to be perfect down to every miniscule detail, so you and your wedding guests have the most memorable time. So where do you begin? How do you prioritise? A detailed checklist is sure to become your trusted companion throughout the process. Below, I am giving you a big picture and the tools you need to take your wedding from inspiration to action. Consider this your wedding planning 101 to help you bring your vision to life. The only thing you need to remember is that there’s no right or wrong way to do it—organization is key. What’s more, don’t forget to involve your significant other in this process, as your wedding should represent both of you, together as a couple.
Whether you desire a larger-than-life city celebration, a dream destination affair or an intimate walk down the aisle in your backyard, I am here to help plan your dream wedding. I have not only put together an all-encompassing guide, but also cut your to-do list into bite-sized pieces to help you chart a stress-free path to “I do!” I suggest you keep it handy.
A for Artisanal Crafts
Transcending trends and seasons, artisanal crafts have been the soul of south Asian wedding wear for centuries. From eye-catching gota patti and mirror work to delicate resham work and dabka, there are several craftsmanship techniques worth writing your love story with for your big day, and to be cherished for generations to come.
B for Bucket Bags
Bucket bags are the new pockets. Perfect for attending parties, as you can rightly fit in the phone, wallet, keys and lipstick. They sit graciously on your arms as an added accessory and also double as a crossbody bag if you want. We are currently crushing over Outhouse’s OH Poppi Bucket. We are currently obsessing over Jimmy Choo’s jewel-toned, taffeta Bon Bon arm candy.
C for Cake
You can still have your dream cutting ceremony. Why not leave the main cake left untouched to be cut and boxed individually and have a smaller one to share between you and your partner.
D for Décor
Meticulous and creative planning should be at the forefront of every intimate wedding. Specialist event planner, Radhika & You will execute your dream day with perfection, and make your vision come to life, from table décor to big and beautiful floral displays.
E for Engagement Rings
Handle all rings with care! Remember to prioritise hand-washing before trying on engagement rings or visiting jewellers.
F for Food
It’s no secret good food can make or break your celebration. What is important that the food needs to look just as delicious as it tastes. A theme-based setting will help tie the entire wedding together. Pick cuisine that celebrates your preferences and cultures.
G for Grazing Tables
Grazing tables have taken the wedding industry by storm. We believe these are well-suited to your small social bubble. Cheese & Chai brings a creative twist to the catering scene with luxury styled platters, boxes, and lavish grazing tables. They have a mouth-watering menu which includes Samosa Chaat Cups, Baba Bhanooj, Sheesh Kebabs, to name a few. For sweet treats, they offer kheer, falooda, Turkish delight and jalebi. It’ safe to say, your guests won’t leave your wedding hungry.
H for Henna
No South Asian bride feels complete without a mehndi ceremony, and this is normally a playful affair with close friends I and family. It’s advisable to make a mood board of the design you desire. Celebrity bridal mehndi is a great starting point. You can decide whether you want to go the traditional Indian way like Deepika Padukone or minimal like Anushka Sharma.
I for Invites
The wedding invite will set the tone of your celebrations. Along with the details on the venue and occasions, the guests will also get an idea on what to expect through the celebrations. If you want an eco-friendly option to do your bit for the environment, then go digital with E-vites. The best part is you can also do video invites.
J for Jewellery
Every bride dreams of adorning herself in scintillating Indian bridal jewellery, and your wedding should be no different. Narayan Jewellers are celebrating their 80th year in the industry and their stunning collections are backed firmly by years of experience. We’re besotted with these traditional earrings (which can be your ‘something blue!’).
K for Kalleere
Katrina Kaif’s big fat Rajasthani wedding gave us the goals for custom kaleeres. Designed by Raabta by Rahul, the kaleeres featured handmade doves and words from the Bible chosen by the bride herself. Complete your wedding look with such gorgeous custom-made kaleeres.
L for Lehenga
The star of your bridal trousseau will be your wedding lehenga. It is also going to become the symbol of your style, culture and personality. The choices range from classic and modern pieces. We love the idea of adding an heirloom to it, like Isha Ambani wore her mother’s wedding sari as her bridal dupatta with her Abu Jane Sandeep Khosla creation.
M for Mandap
Your wedding mandap will be the MVP of your venue and it will also tie the entire theme of your decor together. From traditional to contemporary, OTT to minimal, there are several breathtaking designs to choose from.
N for Nikkah
The sacred bond between husband and wife is full of meaningful symbolic rituals. Be it small and intimate or larger-than-life, it will still be a beautiful moment to remember forever.
O for Organise
Whatever type of wedding you’re looking to have, be it this year or next, make sure you are ahead of the curve with organisation. Planning and prepping will ensure that last minute hiccups can be handled seamlessly. Most importantly, on the big day, you’re stress-free and can enjoy your moment.
P for Photography
Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important things to do when you are planning your walk down the aisle. Be sure to pick an expert whose aesthetic aligns with your style as a couple. The right photographer will deliver your images in time for your big announcement on social media and create albums to treasure your precious memories for life.
Q for Qawwali
Authentic Qawwali and mystical poetry can move you in more ways than you can imagine. If your Qawwali singers are from the same group, remember to set the stage far away from guests to give them as much space as possible to perform in a secure way.
R for Rukhsati
Rukhsati is the giving away of the bride and marks the end of the wedding celebrations. Traditionally, the bride is led out of the hall by the groom. It’s important to time this properly and leave space between the baraat leaving. Although there might not be as much hugging and comforting as you might like, it’s a very emotional time for everybody.
S for Safety
Say “Yes!” to safety. Your wedding planner will be vigilant on the day of the event, but it helps to address any concerns you have before. These include fire guidelines considering you may have candles or diyas, sharp objects, ground levelling etc. Especially when it comes to destination affairs, every couple needs to push forward with health and safety at the forefront, from transportation to any vaccinations that are mandatory in case of a foreign country.
T for Transport
To get you to the venue on time, you may need to hire some mode of wedding transportation. Get whisked away in style with any kind of vehicle. You can get as quirky or as sophisticated as you like. We’ve seen anything and everything when it comes to wedding transportation; from grooms landing in helicopters to a bride coming in a boat.
U for Underwear
If you wish to add the most desirable and feel-good underwear to your trousseau, camisoles and matching lingerie sets are a must. You can opt for the romantic and luscious silks finished with a hint of lace, like this one from Victoria’s Secret. Go beyond the bra and get the garter and bustier too.
V for Vows
It might be a good idea to consider a wireless microphone when exchanging your vows, for the couple and the pandit. Make sure there’s plenty of ventilation outside which is not covered by a marquee or mandap, in order to give you guests plenty of space, and the ability to actually witness the wedding ceremony.
W for Wedding Night
You might be feeling on top of the world on your wedding day. So it’s only apt that you book a suite that makes your feel the same on your wedding night too. Go all out and book that presidential suite.
Y for You
Not just your wedding day, but even the days leading up to it should be all about you. it’s important you prioritise your health and wellbeing. What could be more relaxing than booking a rejuvenating massage, facial or a spa-cation.
X for Xtra
Extra details and extra precautions all make for an extra special wedding. Whether you want to spend that extra attention or amount on the décor, wedding jewellery or even another outfit, throw in the added extras you may not have considered before.
Z for Zoom
Thankfully, our confined lives due to coronavirus outbreak are behind us. But there’s a chance that some friends and family members might not be able to make it to bless you on your big day, because they live overseas or due to paucity of time. You can ensure they can virtually still be part of the ceremony by streaming it via an online platform like Zoom. This way, those furthest away can feel part of the party. A bonus is that you’ll always have a copy of the live stream to keep forever.
