Author: Shashank Shetty

Unfortunately we all can’t have Monica or Rachel as our maid of honor, but we can have someone who we hold dear to our heart. The one who sticks by your side and who can handle both the honor and the responsibilities related with the event.

So whether you have a loving sister, a crazy close group of girlfriends or an amazing sister-in-law, it’s up to you to decide who gets the “Maid of Honor” title. Just make sure you’re making the right choice for you, as the MOH you choose directly impacts the success of your wedding

While we can’t offer a magical formula, but here are some tips on how you can go about in choosing your maid of honor wisely.

IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE BFF’s

To avoid the drama between friends, it may be wise to choose your sister as your maid of honor. Friends often think they can’t trump the family card, so even if they have expectations of being the MOH, there’s no way they’ll be mad at you for choosing your sister over them.

PICK A GOOD LISTENER

You will need a maid of honor who knows you well, and also be someone who can listen and pick up on your real needs and wants. That way, all the minutest details of your wedding ideas and bachelorette will be the best reflection of you.

SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY

Whether it’s a destination wedding or a traditional Indian wedding, choose someone that can be there, and not have to miss major events like outfit shopping, make-up trials and cake tastings.

CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

The Maid of Honor who likes to socialize and is comfortable being in larger group, will help in making for smoother wedding planning. Being able to happily organize the Sangeet rehearsals or after party, will definitely take a load off the bride in knowing the MOH has it covered.

WHO HAS MORE EXPERIENCE

It is always a bonus to have someone who knows the ropes and what to expect from an Indian wedding. Some one who has the experience will likely be more supportive of the wedding events, instead of asking silly questions to the bride.

SELECT AN ALL-ROUNDER

From planning the bachelorette party and wedding decorations to attending vendor meetings and crafting DIY projects, there are a ton of responsibilities that come with being a MOH. That’s why; it is advisable to select someone who is an all-rounder.

Just remember that you’re giving somebody a precious gift, which is bound to them happy beyond words.

Looking for fresh wedding centerpiece ideas that will steal the show? Do floral arrangements feel a little too “done that, been there” for your taste? Do you wish to make a lasting impression on your guests? If your answer is “YES”, then look no further!

To help you with the perfect wedding decoration ideas, DreamzKraft has rounded up a list of 12 different centerpiece designs that include candles, crystals, antiques and more. So go ahead and discover what your options are and get inspired for your own wedding décor.

MIX AND MATCH

Indians are known for their mixing and matching skills. So don’t shy away! Try illuminating your table with floating candles in glass bowls. This will not only look traditional but also provide a cordial feel to the whole atmosphere.

BE A LITTLE MORE DARING

Set the scene! Bring in a wonderful scent of lavender in a jar to your big celebration. And if you want, guests can take these jars home as theirwedding return gifts. That’s what we call … a win-win situation after all 😉

RING FOR A SHOT

Add a playful touch to your reception with something unusual as a centerpiece option. With a fun touch like a bell, your guests will be joining in for some fun in no time.

CRAFTY CANDLES

Candles are an ideal choice for wedding decorations. They provide romantic lighting for your space at a reasonable price and give your tables an ultra-modern romantic feel.

LIGHT IT UP

Think outside the box! Decorate your table and add branches to a sleek vase with small white lights. There’s no doubt your guests will feel the winter charm.

UNDER THE SEA

Obtaining your décor from the sea like using different types of colored corals with alternate shells will make your guests feel like they’re right on the coast.

CRYSTAL CLEAR

If the glitz of the art decor is your thing, then you definitely need gilded candelabras draped with crystals on your tabletops. This will add elegance and looks very plush as wedding centerpieces.

ANTIQUES

Visit your local garage sales and secondhand shops for unique vintage pieces to place on your tables. From lamps, lanterns and birdcages to pretty antique looking vases. You can rent anything you want for that perfect classic look.

FEATHER CENTERPIECE

Add drama to your reception. Give your table a touch of Gats by glamour with feathered centerpieces. They’re less expensive and they’re less likely to make your guests sneeze. So if you’re looking for a wow factor, feathers are your answer.

INDIANS AND CHAI – GO HAND IN HAND

Paint a small chai kettle and fill it with exotic looking multi-colored flowers! A vintage tea set makes a charming centerpiece.

BOOKS

For creating that perfect romantic look, place your favorite love story book (or a fake one) on each of the table and combine it with whatever decorations you like.

AIR BALLOONS

Delight your guests by hanging miniature air balloons at your wedding. You can also tie them to your table for a floating effect. So, try these simple yet stylish wedding decoration ideas to add a personal touch to your entire wedding decor.

No reception is truly complete without wedding decorations. However simple it may be, your wedding decoration can turn a boring event into a magical, once-in-a-lifetime celebration that you’ve always dreamed of. You don’t really have to decorate every single nook and crack of your reception stage to make a huge impact, as long as you focus on a few of the basic elements you’re pretty much sorted. So before you go out there and scout for decoration ideas, equip yourself with some basic décor knowledge, especially if you’re trying to stick to a strict budget.

From flowers to lights and to all kinds of new additions, we have 6 wonderful suggestions and wedding ideas of how you can decorate your reception stage in the easiest way.

LIGHT IT UP

Lighting enhances the atmosphere and makes the decorations look alive. Have your lighting designer and wedding decorator work together to add little touches of light here and there to make your wedding stage look amazing.

HANG THE FLOWERS

Think flowers are just for decorating your tables? Then think again! Hanging lush arrangements a few feet above your reception stage is a fun way to create a more intimate space.

FABRIC CEILING DRAPING

You’ll be amazed to see what a little fabric can do. Keep it elegant with white fabric, or if you’re looking for a fun vibe, opt for a bright color like yellow or pink.

MANDAP STYLE SETTING

Use Persian styled carpets, antique chairs, brocade cushions, satin drapes and flowers with a covered canopy. You can also opt for a rose-colored or gold-colored theme to accentuate the theme of your wedding accurately.

LOTS OF LANTERNS

Like suspended balloons, hang a ton of paper lanterns. Whether you illuminate the sky with them or hang from your wedding stage, these romantic globes look super pretty and will improve the illusion of a higher ceiling and greater space.

USE YOUR VENUE’S DECORATION

If you’re getting married in your community hall, see what decorations they have for you to use. Many have candelabras which can add sophistication to your occasion. You may not have to decorate at all if the reception stage is already adorned with flowers and greenery after a recent wedding.

Unlike the West, Indian weddings are often larger-than-life. With so much glamour and glitter around, you must be perfectly aware about the cost it requires to set up such an event. From wedding decoration and gorgeous wedding attires, to gifts and extravagances, Indian weddings certainly come with a hefty price tag.

So to all the brides and grooms who are looking out to cut costs and save money on their BIG DAY, here are 10 tipson how you can get hitched without breaking your bank account.

LIMIT YOUR GUEST LIST

This isn’t easy, especially if you have a big family. But the bigger the guest list, the higher the price tag. Think if you really need to invite 500 guests or a 100 guests who are at your foremost priority? if not, cross that name off and you’ll save big on your catering costs.

DITCH THE WEDDING SEASON

But these Pandits and Grandfathers will not let you marry in the off-season. This tip will work best for those who do not believe in pandit-ji-wala-date. If you do this, you will save thousands and get everything cheap from marriage venue to catering options.

GO WITH THE SEASON

Buying off-season flowers for your wedding decorations could be a costly affair. The same goes for your food. Consider buying what’s in season for cheaper prices. Go with the season, as you’ll get more attention from shopkeepers and save BIG BUCKS too!

USE FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS

Holda wedding at your popular sports club or a nearby hotel. Because members get both – special rates and significant discounts. Plus, both locations will be located nearby.

HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER

Yes, you read it right! Wedding planners have a better idea where to find cheap and quality stuff. You just need to inform them about your requirements and they will arrange things for you.

TRY TO CUT BACK ON YOUR WEDDING DRESS

It might sound a little bizarre, but if you think with a clear mind (keeping your BUA and CHACHI’s view out of the equation), you will realize that your clothes are not going to be used even once after the wedding (If you are not planning to remarry any time soon): p

DIY WHEREEVER POSSIBLE

If you have creative friends, put them to work. Do you plan to host a Sangeet? If yes, instead of hiring expensive choreographers, you can use YouTube videos to help choreograph the dances. Or If you have a friend who’sa makeup artist, ask him or her to help with your makeup.

CHOOSE YOUR VENUE WISELY

Instead of choosing different venues for different events, you can host all your functions at the same venue. You can choose a holiday house or a beachside open-air venue. Or maybe a relative or friend of yours owns a farmhouse which you could rent for the wedding.

GO DIGITAL

Why send printed invites? We get it that your DADI or one of your older relatives do not regularly access their email and may miss your invite. But what about the rest? We bet your uncles and aunts have access to social media. You can create an affair on a social networking site and invite all of your near and dear ones.

SERVE SIGNATURE COCKTAILS

Alcohol is one of the biggest expenses of a wedding. Consider choosing a signature drink (or a series of signature cocktails) that use one type of liquor. Or just stick to serving wine, beer and enough champagne for toasts.

Your invitation card should reflect the style of your wedding – after all it is the first impression your guests will have of your Wedding Day! And whether you choose to print the wedding invitations in your mother-tongue or English, there are a few important things that you definitely need to keep in mind before you put that pen to paper.

To make it easier for you, Dreamzkraft has put together some of the important guidelines for writing a perfect wedding invitation.

CHOOSE A STYLE

If you are having a themed wedding, choosing a traditional or elegant style is suitable for both formal and informal wedding invitations. You won’t risk offending your “Bade Chacha or Bua” with this beautiful, tasteful style choice.

WEDDING INVITATION WORDING

Some of the components like the name of the hosts’, couple’s first and last name, date and time of the wedding and the address are mandatory. There is no official order for listing the names. It’s all up to personal preference.

START EARLY

Just like your wedding, the invitation card is also a one-time deal. You need to remember that after writing the invitations they’ll be shipped to your guests abroad. Keeping this in mind, it is always advisable to write your invitation card for your wedding as early as possible.

WITH BEST COMPLIMENTS

Once you’ve figured out the nitty-gritties (the host line, request line, information line!) you need to figure out which family members should be mentioned under the “with best compliments” part. If you have a really long list of relatives, mention a few and then add “friends & family” or the family name at the end.

THE LINE ABOUT GIFTS

Mentioning gifts on wedding invites, is an Indian thing. The guests will most definitely be getting the couple something! Etiquette gurus will tell you that you will least receive a shagun envelope, a bouquet of flowers or even a re-gift! But if you’re sure you don’t want any (or at least no boxed gifts), it’s best to mention it on the card itself.

RSVP

Most couples ignore this part. But by sending the RSVP, it can help make proper arrangements for the expected number of guests attending the wedding function.

THE PARTY

If there is a cocktail party after/before the ceremony, you can mention it in the last. You can also choose to add your wedding hashtag in this section or at the end of your wedding invitation.

You may also like to include the following on the back of your invitation card

• Directions to the ceremony
• Personal contact details
• Dress code (if any)

Take this as a little early wedding gift from us to you

Bored of the same old jasmine and rose garlands? Looking for ways to add that personal touch to your wedding decoration? If yes, then let DreamzKrraft – the best event planners help you!

Picture This – While the panditji is busy doing his job, your guests are admiring the beautiful colour scheme, drapes and center-pieces around. And when the Bidaiis over, your guests walk away from the ceremony saying, “OMG, that was incredible!” How did they do that?

Likewise, if you too wish to have a wedding that is unique and speaks ounces of your love story, then take a look at these awww-some personalized wedding décor ideas listed below.

Personalized Name Brooches

Give your guests brooches with quirky personalized text written in Hindi, like LadkeWale or LadkiWale. These eye-catching accessories will definitely give your guests something to retain as a memory from your wedding!

Customize Your Dance Floor

Incorporate your wedding theme into the design of your dance floor. After all, your dance floor is where the real fun and magic begins. You can go all out with customized flooring, or keep it simple with hanging décor.

Print Napkins With Your Initials!

It’s no hidden fact that Indian weddings are all about food! People forget everything but the great food at the wedding! So the best way to personalize your wedding is to print napkins with initials of you two.

Create A Magnificient Mandap

The Mandap is undoubtedly the most important feature in any Indian wedding. A simple way to add a unique touch without having to spend a lot of money is to add a crystal chandelier in the center. The crystals and light will be a stunning detail to any Mandap.

Bangle It Up

You will be anyways wearing your choora on your wedding day. So why not set up a bangle bar for all of your female guests? Instead of handing out gifts at the end of the function, have a bangle booth and let your girls pick out their own.

Photobooth

Photo booths are the easiest way to make your wedding memorable.And since it is an Indian wedding, you can definitely expect a lot of colour, flowers and extravaganza. Just decorate a cycle, put on a pagdi and click pictures that you can cherish for a lifetime to come.

A Treat For The Kids

Don’t let cranky kids ruin your special day. Keep them entertained. Include fun size packets of Haribo healthy treats such as packets of grapes, carrots or apple slices. Or Bubbles – a little pot of bubbles is always a winner!

Nowadays, many Indian couples are flying off to scenic locations for their wedding celebration, away from the hustle and bustle with limited people and unlimited fun. Not only are foreigners coming to India, but Indians themselves are looking for exotic wedding destinations to “tie the knot” in style.

Be it sandy beaches, cooling backwaters, snowy mountains or beautiful architecture, India has it all to make your destination wedding a memorable occasion. From royal to offbeat, here’s a list of five most awesome wedding destinations in India. Take your pick!

Fancy having a beach wedding in India?

If you wish to have a romantic affair, nothing can beat the experience of having a fairy-tale like wedding, planned against the backdrop of the beautiful sandy beaches of Goa. With its beautiful shimmering beaches, deep blue waters, lush dense greens and carefree way of life, Goa tops the list when it comes to choosing a perfect destination wedding in India.

A hot spot for ‘Big Fat Indian’ weddings:

Lakes, castles, palaces and sheer beauty, this is what Udaipur is all about. Also known as the “Venice of the East”, Udaipur is one of the most sought-after locations for couples wanting a royal destination wedding in India. Remember the beautiful wedding of Kalki Kochelin’s from Yeh Jawaani Hai Diwani?

Go a little offbeat:

For those who desire a quiet and picturesque ceremony, Kerala is the perfect wedding destination for you. Just imagine your wedding venue surrounded with coconut palm trees, the backwaters and the lovely houseboats. Simply beautiful!

Saath Pheras In The Mountains:

Mussoorie is a fabulous place for an out-of-the-box destination wedding. The hill station is full of gorgeous Havelis with vintage architecture that is perfect for a pre-wedding photo-shoot. After all, what could be dreamier than tying the knot surrounded by all of nature’s glory, right?

Tying The Knot In Paradise:

Agra is a very beautiful place that needs no introduction at all. For a royal wedding ceremony, this city of love is perfect for you. Nothing can beat the celebration of one’s marital bliss in the settings of the epitome of love: The Taj Mahal.

So why wait? Choose your desired wedding destination and start off with the wedding preparations.

Aww, planning to get hitched al fresco? The bright blue skies, the gorgeous beaches, the romantic breezes … at least, that’s how you envisage it, right! The truth? They aren’t as easy as they may look, there’s a significant amount of legwork and arrangement that goes into planning an outdoor wedding.Including the things, that you probably didn’t think of (power generators and e-toilets) there are several other things that you need to consider to pull off that gorgeous and glamorous outdoor affair.To help you, DreamKraft – the best wedding event management company has put together a quick guide for “things to keep in mind for an outdoor wedding!”

RULES AND PERMITS

Getting hitched at the garden near your childhood home may seem like an exciting idea, but that garden may have rules and regulations than you didn’t know about. It’s better to find out what kind of rules and permits you’ll be subjected to before you plan anything.

USE A PROPER SOUND SYSTEM

Make sure that your guests will be able to hear your vows! Depending on how open or busy your space is, you may need to hire someone to set up a proper sound system for you.

BYOB (BRING YOUR OWN BOOZE)

To cut costs, many budget-savvy couples look out for a venue that lets you bring in your own alchol. But it’s not as easy as walking into the liquor store and picking up a few bottles of your favorite booze. Talk to your vendor before stocking up on liquor, and also check with your venue.

DON’T LET YOUR GUESTS FREEZE!

Tents act like greenhouses in winter. We recommend using a clear top tent if you’re getting married in winter. They can be put just about anywhere. Also consider laying quilts over chairs, serve hot chocolate/cocktails or rent heaters if possible. Making sure that your guests’ are comfortable throughout the ceremony.

AVOID HAVING A MARILYN MONROE MOMENT

If wind is a possibility, double check that all your wedding decorations can withstand a very strong breeze. Avoid light fabrics like chiffons silks in your dress and the bridesmaid dresses.Inform your hairstylist that you’ll be having an outdoor wedding so she/he can plan a style accordingly.

ACCESSIBILITY

Whether you’re planning to host your wedding on the beach or in a field, there needs to be easy access to the venue. Double check if the signage is visible to ensure that guests know the location of key facilities (i.e., reception, food counter and restrooms).

DON’T SERVE HOT SOUP WITH A SURPRISE IN IT

Insects are the ultimate wedding crashers. You should just know that you are going to have bugs crawling all up in your dress. To avoid insects on your wedding day, place citronella candles throughout the place or hire an exterminator and spray the area a couple of days beforehand.

DON’T LET THE RAIN RUIN YOUR BIG DAY

They say raining on a wedding day is a clear sign of good luck, Like really? It’s your day, so why should Mother Nature steal all the attention? And you wouldn’t want your guests leaving with soggy and muddy shoes, right?So make sure that the tent you rent is sturdy so it won’t flip over or create a backup plan for the inclement weather.

Bonus Tip: String up the lights and fire up the grill! Make it memorable with special treats and comfy decor.