Now that we have the basics in place, it's safe to say you’re on the right track. It is all about ensuring that those in charge have their tasks cut out for them. There is a famous quote (or so I think!) that goes ‘Plan to fail if you fail to plan’ and I think it sums up pretty much anything you want to accomplish. And there is a stepwise process to ensuring it all goes ‘as per plan’. Let me tell you how!
Retro themed sangeet award night
Wedding planners: Wedding Factory, Cochin
The longer you look at the bigger picture, you tend to miss out on the smaller things, the details and the intricacies of it all. It’s bound to happen and sometimes important events or days are theorems to prove the rightness of Murphy's law (damn the science of our existence). Figuring all this out is like putting together pieces of a puzzle but first framing the image in your mind before attempting to make sense of it. Keep an eye out, check on things but trust that things will get done. Bridezilla is not a term I'm friends with, no one deserves to incur the wrath of an unhappy bride-to-be so it's important to be kind to yourself and your people.
Blessing ceremony 9-yard saree converted to a Tamil style half saree (Details: I wore ankle bracelet and glass bangles to go with the full look and feel)
Bride’s outfit: Saree - mother’s collection / Half saree - Seemati, Cochin
Question - How do you pick an equally stunning outfit for each occasion? What colour palette do you go with? Is there a theme? What colours work well with the style of the outfit? What won’t clash with the decor? What won’t make it all about just you, given that you have a fiance who probably has his own groom-friendly version of the same events? Well, you never know till you know. So talk about it. Lay it all out, if you will, let him know what you have in mind, what he thinks of it and if he has anything he’d like to add to the details. If like mine, you are lucky to have a partner in crime and beyond, you’re in for a treat. In any case, keep the communication and the exchange of ideas constant and free-flowing because surprises sometimes are like a double-edged sword.
Temple wedding saree (I was so worried of how the saree would look I tried it on too many times before the big day, later realised the saree could not be ironed out inspite of roll polishing it because its a tissue saree, oops, there goes my planning out the window!)
Bride’s outfit: Saree - Karalakada, Cochin / Blouse - Razak Creations, Chennai
Temple wedding
My plan: I wore a wide neck blouse to make sure I have space for the all the extra jewellery I might be wearing
Reality: I didn’t plan for the length of the actual thali (wedding chain) so my jewellery kept overlapping one another!
Abhinand (my husband) and I hail from families that prioritized values of simplicity and so it took effort to bring to our folks, the understanding that the events needed some in-depth planning in terms with style on a bigger scale. Abhinand is a simple guy and enjoys the smaller things in life so it was no surprise that he wanted to keep things that way. And so, it was evident that to execute my many plans for each occasion, I had quite a task in hand (one of the many that would follow) to set things in place and get the ball rolling not just for us - but both our families too.
Bride’s Outfit: Saree- Man Mandir, Chennai / Blouse - Razak Creations, Chennai
Trials at Seemati, Cochin
I took time - a lot of it, I mean truckloads of it to iron out the details at every stage. With my outfits, I stayed patient, had several rehearsals, many trials till I found the one. One looked perfect from afar, another fit better, there was another that was the absolute shade of the one colour you had in mind and then a totally different one that had you eating out of its hand… errm.. sleeve. But first, take time to feel the fabric, the fit, the cut, the detailing. It all adds up - trust me. When an outfit is meant to be yours, you will know it. Granted, it sounds hilarious but it's true y’know, it might even call out to you, so keep all eyes and ears in high alert!
Retro themed Sangeet award night
Bride’s outfit: Seemati, Cochin
Groom’s outfit: FJ Designs, Cochin
I’m going to pause here to remind you to sip on that coffee, breathe and know that it is ok to be overwhelmed at any given point, at the smallest mishap, miscommunication or even while being spoilt for choice. But remember, you don’t get to this everyday and this isn’t just a bunch of really important events, it is by far the most important day/week of your life - a celebration of love, togetherness, magic and pure joy, so feel the feels, hold nothing back, be the princess of your dreams and start by finding your cinderella shoes... or outfits!
Outdoor post wedding photoshoot by Studio A at Athirapilly Falls
Bride’s outfit: Seemati, Cochin
Groom’s outfit: Gabbana Life, Chennai
Hit me up with questions or anything you’d like to know! :)