The Many Wardrobe Changes
Indian weddings require a lot of outfits! Ours is no exception. Because our fams have different cultures and traditions and religions, we're trying to condense it and just include the important stuff. Still a lot of outfits though, so here goes!
The Ladies
I will be purchasing gorgeous sarees for them from India. As of now I'm focusing on a cooler color spectrum of purples, blues, and cool pinks to go with our color scheme, or even another color that complements the color scheme.
Update: Back from India
So my dream of royal purple, violet, or lavender saris for the girls was quickly squashed when I got to India. All the store owners insisted that purple was out of fashion(which I could care less about) and that as a result they hardly had any purple saris(which I cared very much about). We ended up considering darker blues and pinks. We struck out with the blues, but had much better luck with pink. At the risk of making our wedding super scary girly, we ended up going with beautiful pink saris for the girls. It's ok, Dhru's not afraid of pink!
We(when I say "we" I mean my mom) are embellishing the saris with more stones, so that they sparkle even more. The patterns are really great, and I'm so excited that we got something our girls can wear again!
We(when I say "we" I mean my mom) are embellishing the saris with more stones, so that they sparkle even more. The patterns are really great, and I'm so excited that we got something our girls can wear again!
Bridesmaid Accessories
Aside from the pretty bangles above, we got the bridesmaids matching jewelry sets. The necklace below is a bit more modern, and it looks really amazing on. The girls will wear light gold heels.
Post-Wedding Pics
OK, so it was a whole lotta pink, BUT everyone looked beautiful!
Photo by Alain Martinez
Photo by Alain Martinez
Jr. Bridesmaids wore lenghas, or skirts and tops, instead of saris. They draped the sash in the back and layered it over the front, Gujarati-style.
Photo by Alain Martinez
The Gents
Based on the girls' looks, we decided to go with classic black tuxes and vests for the boys, and dark gray and black striped ties.
Post-Wedding Pics
Photography by Alain Martinez
Groom's Attire ~ Hindu Ceremony
Dhru wanted to keep it pretty traditional with his clothing for the Hindu ceremony. He also wanted a simple style for the jacket similar to the one on the left(they can get as ornate as the bride's attire). We had a burgundy jacket and light gold pants custom made for him in India, along with the shoes and shawl.
Post-Wedding Pics
This was his favorite outfit of the entire weekend. It was traditional and comfortable for an early morning wedding.
Photography by Alain Martinez
Groom's Attire ~ Catholic Ceremony
Our choices were limited at the tux store, so Dhru quickly decided against navy and charcoal for both himself and the groomsmen. He chose the same black tux and vest as his groomsmen, and the same version of satin striped tie, but in silver.
Post-Wedding Pic
Groom Accessories
I got Dhru a platinum wedding band with both brushed and smooth metal. My family gave us rolexes(!) for an engagement gift, so he's going to rock his for the wedding. :)
Groom's Attire ~ Reception
When we were in Bombay, we had custom clothes made for Dhru to match my outfits. He wanted a modern look with an Indian-style jacket and black suit pants.
Post-Wedding Pics
Me Me Meee ~ Hindu Ceremony
So while traveling in India in search of my bridal outfit, I discovered from my friend helping me shop that the traditional outfit for a Gujarati wedding is a white saree with red work, or panetar. I trusted her opinions and guidance whole-heartedly, and ended up with a beautiful, fully embroidered white saree with red and green work. I won't be posting a pic, bc my mom is treating this wedding saree like my wedding gown...which means it's currently under lock and key and being guarded by two dragons so Dhru doesn't see. =)
Here is a panetar wrapped the way mine will be, but the style of mine is different.
*Sorry, not sure why this picture is stretched out like this! Maybe their version of air-brushing?
Accessories and Veil
We found a bridal set filled with beautiful green, red, and gold costume jewelry, including a necklace, earrings, tikka, bangles, hand jewelry, a bindi and anklets.
A separate odhni, or shawl, is used to cover the head. We found a really nice white transparent one that had a burgundy decorative border. I loved that you could see the hairstyle from the back...it was a nice modern twist.
A separate odhni, or shawl, is used to cover the head. We found a really nice white transparent one that had a burgundy decorative border. I loved that you could see the hairstyle from the back...it was a nice modern twist.
Post-Wedding Pics
Photography by Alain Martinez
Me Me Me ~ Catholic Ceremony
Indian Catholic brides usually choose to wear either American-style or Indian-style outfits, but almost always follow the Christian rule of wearing white or ivory. I'm leaning towards a gown...but will keep an open mind. Who knows what I'll fall in love with?
UPDATE 5/15/09: I have a dress! A beautiful Monique Lhuillier dress.
UPDATE 5/15/09: I have a dress! A beautiful Monique Lhuillier dress.
I would love to find an off-the-shoulder style that's very feminine, like this one with frilly details.
UPDATE 5/15/09: I still like this feminine detailing, and we may add lace edging or something minor to soften the neckline just a little.
Photo Courtesy of Alain Martinez
Accessories and Veil
We decided when I was about 15 years old, that I was just one of those girls who was never meant to own expensive jewelry, as I was notorious for losing them. Years later, imagine my surprise when while I was shopping around for crystal jewelry my mom was on the hunt for diamonds. She found a beautiful set, which though on sale, were still pretty expensive. I am beyond amazed at how generous my mother can be. I love my mom! Diamond e-ring, and necklace/earring set: Here's hoping and praying I can hang on to these guys!
Dhru got me the band to match my Tacori engagement ring(love it). Along with this, I'll be carrying a Swarovski crystal rosary and wearing a matching bracelet. I wore my beautiful new watch from my family for a few of the events.
The veil and headpiece were so important to my mom, so she was instrumental in selecting both. The veil we chose was cathedral length and had a beaded design at the bottom. The headpiece was given to me after my hair trials, so we had to change it up on wedding day. It was a headband style that tied in a bow under my hair. It was so gorgeous and made of Swarovski crystals. Thankfully it can be re-used as a fancy belt(I wore it as a belt during my fitting below, but my mom had her heart set on me wearing it as a headpiece. If I have a daughter, she's going to be blingin' at her First Holy Communion(and if she wants at her wedding!)
The veil and headpiece were so important to my mom, so she was instrumental in selecting both. The veil we chose was cathedral length and had a beaded design at the bottom. The headpiece was given to me after my hair trials, so we had to change it up on wedding day. It was a headband style that tied in a bow under my hair. It was so gorgeous and made of Swarovski crystals. Thankfully it can be re-used as a fancy belt(I wore it as a belt during my fitting below, but my mom had her heart set on me wearing it as a headpiece. If I have a daughter, she's going to be blingin' at her First Holy Communion(and if she wants at her wedding!)
Shoes
After a long search for shoes, I ended up falling in love with these babies...feel so Cinderella-like in them! This was a tough purchase, because I tend to not spend a lot on shoes, but I ended up taking the plunge and will wear these shoes for our Atlanta reception in March as well.
Accessories
I want to get a pretty bag to have nearby at all times. I'd like it to go with my white wedding gown and my reception outfit, so maybe a neutral pinkish-taupe color or a dusty blue?
UPDATE: I purchased the one on the right.
Post-Wedding Pics
I have mixed reviews regarding my gown, and hate to say it, but ultimately think the gown wasn't right for me. I think the photos came out as great as can be, though. See more under reviews for Chic Parisien and Alterations by Reina.
Photography by Alain Martinez
Me Me Meee ~ Reception
For many Indian brides, particularly from the region my parents are from, it's tradition to change into a saree or other Indian outfit that the groom's side gives her. Nowadays, the girl will actually get to choose it herself when she does her shopping trip in India.
My Reception outfit is very similar in style to the one above, but the colors of mine are a light blue and maroon, and I don't have those monster ornaments hanging from my odhni(shawl)...
My parents bought me a stunning Indian blue sapphire and garnet jewelry set for it, in addition to bangles. The jewelry was unexpected and such an amazing gift.
My parents bought me a stunning Indian blue sapphire and garnet jewelry set for it, in addition to bangles. The jewelry was unexpected and such an amazing gift.
Shoes
Holiday shopping is not my thing...just too crowded and chaotic and the PARKING! But we ventured out to the midnight sale at the outlet mall in search of wedding shoes. We found these puppies by Prada that went really well with my reception outfit with its antique gold color and grayish blue stones.
Post-Wedding Pics
Photography by Alain Martinez
Other Events- Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner
Post-Wedding Pics
Other Events- Engagement Party
For the engagement party, we got a sari with a traditional Gujarati print called bandani. I thought since it was the first time I was meeting a lot of Dhru's family it would be a nice gesture to wear a print originated from the their state in India. I even wore the sari Gujarati-style, but there were a lot of technical difficulties with that!
Ring Bearer & Flower Girl
Have no idea yet, but isn't this kid so freakin cute?! I really like tulle dresses for flower girls, but I'll think more on it after I choose my dress.
Post-Wedding Pics
We got the flower girl the dress above, and a jewelry set to match mine. The ringbearer's tux rental mimicked Dhru's tux. They were so cute and did so well going down the aisle!
Photo by Alain Martinez
