Top 5 Biggest Indian Wedding Expenses that can break your Bank

The weddings in India are always a grand affair. It is the reason Indian wedding are known in the world as big Fat Indian wedding. The average expense of a traditional Indian marriage comes around 10 to 15 laces. There is no upper cap on it. The modern couples carefully prepare wedding budget but still most of them go overboard in pursuit to achieve a perfect wedding. Some of you might be wondering where exactly the couples are spending so much money. Here, we are going to reveal the wedding elements that can break your bank.
 

1. Wedding Venue:
 

The wedding venue tops the list of expenses. Although, there are various factors that needs to be taken into consideration while selecting the venue like the kind of wedding and number of guests. A venue in the wedding season may cost 1 Lac upwards. The cost will increase with location of venue, space and decor. It would not be a surprise if you need to cough up 5 to 10 lac for a famous wedding venue.
 

Smart Advice:   If you are strict on budget then it would be better if you plan wedding in offseason. 

In the offseason you will get your desired wedding at almost half of the price. Second option is book the wedding venue at least 8 to 12 months before the big date. It will help you save considerable amount of money.
 

2.  Wedding Stationery:
 

Some of you would be like in wedding stationery only comes wedding invitation cards. Well, if you look carefully then you will note that it contains, save the date card, thank you notes and envelopes based on the theme of the wedding. It also includes cards for Sangeet and Mehendi ceremony.  Some couples even order customized paper bags to give away the favors. The cost of all these will end anywhere between 10 to 12 percent of your wedding cost. 

  

Smart Advice:   The smart move would be here to go for budget wedding invitation cards and stationers. Buy it from wedding invites online stores and also order some wedding card samples a before you go ahead with the bulk order.  Don’t forget to ask for discounts on bulk purchase.
 

3. Wedding Trousseau:
 

Most of Indian brides love there bridal trousseau. If you are one of the bride for whom dress plays such an important role then it would be difficult to stick to the budget. The prize of bridal attire goes up steeply with the embellishment and work on it. If it’s a designer bridal Lehenga then the budget will easily crosses lacs.
 

Smart Advice:  Most of you are going to wear the wedding attire once then it is going to take permanent place in wardrobe. Think you can settle for something less expensive and save a lot of money.
 

4.  Jewellery: 

The Indian brides love jewelry. They are seen adorned in stunning jewelry from head to toe on the wedding day. Their favorite is none other than gold jewelry as it beautifully blends with every color of bridal trousseau. The matter of concern is the fact that the prize of gold in India has hit the sky in the recent years. If you are planning to buy 10 Tola gold ornaments then you need to pay around 10 lac rupees for it. 

  

Smart Advice:  Go for heritage jewelry. You can refurbish it to make them look stunning as ever.
 

5.  Food:
 

The food is integral part of wedding. The couples keep aside a hefty sum for it. The price of food depends on the number guests invited for the occasion and the number of dishes selected.
 

Smart Advice:  You can save money without making any compromise on food by limiting the number of dishes. It is seen that in some wedding the number of dishes touches 50. It is to give a lavish buffet to the guests but most of them end not touching most of the dishes. It is better to include anywhere between 5 to 8 dishes in your wedding. It will lead to less waste of food and save money.

TOP 5 TIPS TO ARRANGE A FULFILLED WEEKEND WEDDING

A weekend wedding is full of fun, similar to a mini-vacation with the love of your life, your family and close buddies. The fun and excitement begin right from Friday late afternoon, and goes on till Sunday evening leaving everyone happy and gratified. It is important to understand that a weekend-long marriage needs more preparation than a single wedding day arrangement. Planning all the activities, décor, and food and making sure all your guests are comfortable and having a merry time.
 

We bring to you some easy and fun arrangements that will ensure you have the best weekend wedding.
 

1.  Designing an elaborate invitation card:
 

Once you’ve decided what all activities would be included in the 2-day long wedding, it is time to tell your folks, and friends all the exciting elements of the wedding. Create a designer wedding cards invitation that would have all the important events throughout the wedding and if they need to carry clothes for a particular theme party, disco night or so. Make sure you mention the time and event names in the card.

2.  Finalize a location:
 

Make sure you book a small resort or hotel for the wedding. All the guests staying at the same place would make the entire wedding plan convenient and easy to manage. If accommodation is a problem, then you can arrange for your guest’s stay at any nearby hotel asking for discounted rates. You might also get good offers for hotel accommodations since the stay would be for multiple days.
 

3.  Hire a wedding planner:
 

Since it’s a weekend long wedding, there will be a lot to manage, and hence instead of running behind guests and other facilitators, it is well advised to hire a wedding planner. Discuss with him/her what exactly the events would be like, and let him coordinate with the caterer, the florists, and other important individuals. Make sure both the couple, as well as their family members are free to take part and enjoy the various activities of the marriage. 

4.  Design a wedding website:
 

A website for a weekend wedding might be important as it can give intricate details of the planned activities. You can also mention the dress code for every event, and the menu along with the any city safari tour. This will make it easy for the guests to plan their dresses and ensure they know about the fun and excitement they can look forward to on the weekend. Surprises if any should not be included in the website.
 

5.  Welcome the guests with gift baskets:
 

Greet your guests with personalized gift baskets or small favor bags. These baskets can have their favorite green tea bags, refreshments, body wash, chocolates and candies for the kids, books, city tour booklets, etc. Such act will make sure that the guests feel at home, and look forward to a great time on your wedding. The basket can also have a small testimonial page, where your guests can write what they felt about the wedding on the last day.

Top 6 Fun & Interesting Wedding Ideas for Indian Wedding

Weddings are always a fun affair. However, you can bring in some more fun and excitement to the ceremony by incorporating a few unique fun theme ideas that will leave your guests, friends, relatives mesmerized and ogle with laughter. These ideas can be implemented as per your budget, and can be limited to close friends and relatives too. They can be as per the wedding theme; as such ideas can simply add exhilaration and amusing. We bring you Top 6 Fun & Interesting wedding ideas for Indian Wedding
 

Read more to find out how –
 

1.  Air transportation:
 

How about shuttling your friends and family members to the wedding stage using hot air balloons? Doesn’t it seem to be a fun idea? Such a transportation theme will best suit if you are planning an adventure wedding or a wedding on the hills. If not, then decorate a bus as per the theme, and pick your guests on the way to the ceremony. Play some good music or show a good video while on the bus.
 

2.  Pre-wedding activities:
 

Bored with the traditional Haldi and Mehendi ceremony? Then, add charm and a unique flavor to the ceremonies by arranging a painting competition, fancy dress competition, singing or dance competition, etc. Decide the activities as per your wedding theme, and make sure you invite all your friends and families. This will surely be a bonding session for your close folks. You can also arrange for a DIY session, where your guests can engage in some fun crafts or arts activities.

3.  Guest book:
 

Similar to a slam book that you used to circulate among our school and college friends, you can think of passing out guest books to your guests on your wedding day. Let them write some advices about how to lead a happy married life or a testimonial on the couple. The guest book will be worth reading after the wedding and might also end up being the Bible for a happy married life.
 

4.  Video booth:
 

Create a video recording booth corner at your wedding venue. It would more of a confessions corner, where the guests would record a message for the couple. These videos can be later on posted on the wedding website or can be compiled into a short film. You can send copies of the guest’s videos along with the wedding favors.
 

5.  A social media platform:
 

Let your guests tweet or update their status or pictures of the wedding on a page created especially for your wedding. Create a Tweeter hash tags, and a Facebook and Instagram page for your wedding, and let the updates go live during the ceremony. All these details can then go on your wedding website too. Don’t forget to include the address of your wedding website on your Hindu wedding invitations card. 

 6.  A wedding dance:
 

Surprise your guests by planning a professionally choreographed wedding dance. Ask your friends and family members to volunteer, and plan a dance that will leave everyone surprised during the wedding. Keep this as an element of shock and surprise till the end, and watch the amazement on your guests face.

A look at Interesting rituals of a Parsi Wedding

Parsi’s are a small community residing in India, which are members of one of the two Zoroastrian communities found throughout South Asia. Known for their fun-loving nature, Parsi weddings are traditional and full of excitement. Simplicity marks the Parsi wedding ritual, which can be seen on their marriage invitation card too. Their wedding ceremony begins a week earlier to the marriage day and comprises of some unique and interesting rituals. 

Read below to know more -
 

Pre Wedding Rituals:
 

The first stage of the pre-wedding ritual of a Parsi wedding is the Rupia Peravanu ceremony. This ceremony marks the informal commitment between both the families. The bride is gifted by the groom’s family with silver coins and items that are considered as Shagun. Later in the day, the bride’s family visits the groom’s house and gifts him the same.
 

After this, the Madhavsaro is observed. In this ceremony, the both the families plant a tree, which is kept at the door of the house. This tree is watered every day till the eighth day after the marriage and then is planted somewhere near the house.
 

Later, the boy’s family visits the girl’s house and showers her with gifts and jewelry. This ceremony is called Adarni. The guests are welcomed with delicious Sev and Dahi, along with boiled eggs and bananas.
 

On the next day, i.e., a day before the wedding the Supra nu Murat ritual – the Haldi ceremony is conducted. In this, Haldi is applied on the girl and boy by five married women of the family. This Haldi ceremony is then followed by Nahan, during which both the bride and groom take bath and get ready for the wedding. 

Wedding Rituals:
 

The rituals of a Parsi wedding are conducted at the Fire Temple, which is called as Agiary. The groom is welcomed in the temple by the bride’s mother whole performs the Achumichu ritual. As per the ritual, the mother holds a tray that contains raw egg, coconut, dates, rice, and supra and performs an act similar to Aarti. She then circles water seven times around the groom’s head and throws it on both the sides of the groom. The groom’s mother repeats the same ritual with the bride. The girl and boy then sit opposite to each other and are separated using a cloth. This ceremony is called as Ara Antar.
 

The couple is then circled seven times by the priest using a string. After the string is looped for the seventh time, the couple throws rice grains on each other. After this, they sit next to each other and hold the seven strings that circle them. This is followed by lighting lamps and announcement of beginning of the ceremony. Rice and flower petals are showered on the couple while they exchange the wedding rings, also called as the Chero Bandhvanu. After this ceremony, the Haath Borvanu ritual is conducted. This routine sees the bride's sister inserting the groom’s hand in a glass of water and throws milk on his shoes and removes the strings in exchange for cash or gift. This is the closing stage of the wedding.

A look at Top 5 Essential Check Point in a Wedding Planning

Wedding planning has emerged as the key to pull of memorable wedding. The planning process starts as soon as the wedding date is fixed. Here, we are going to reveal the most important planning check list to ease out the wedding planning process.

1.  Budget:

Budget is the key to every planning. Decide how much you are planning to spend on wedding. Once you have decided the budget then it is time to allocate it under different heads like venue, caterer, decoration, invitation cards, wedding videographer and photographer etcetera. It would be better if you clearly allocate budget under each head. It will ensure that you don’t go overboard with the finances.

2.  Decide Kind of Wedding:

Wedding is about Bride & Groom, they have the right to decide the way they want to get into wedlock. It is an opportunity of life time, so don’t comprise. Talk to each other and decide how you want to celebrate the union of Love & Togetherness. Whether you would like it to be a splendid exotic destination wedding or want to it be a big fat wedding that becomes a talk of the town. Whether want to have a get into nuptial in a golden beach or want to it to tranquil temple nuptial. 

 

3.  Guest List:

Prepare the guest list. Organize the list into different categories like Neighbors, Friends, Colleagues and Relatives. Check your phone book and Facebook to ensure that you have not missed out anyone important.  Do ask your immediate family members if they want to invite someone on their behalf.

4.  Wedding Venue:

The venue should be large enough to accommodate all the guests. Location is another factor that you should take into consideration. Select a venue that is centrally located, it will make traveling easy for everyone. A far away venue may cost you less but it will increase the transportation cost. Also, your guests will find it easy to reach.

5.  Wedding Invitation Card:

Remember to select a stunning wedding cards invitations. If you are tight on budget then go for budget invitation card. It is easy on pocket but looks great. Strictly, say no to e-invite. It seems more like a mere formality. It doesn’t have that authentic touch that paper invitation cards have. Get the card hand delivered with pack of sweets. For distant friends and relatives courier the card and then follow up with a phone call to grace the occasion. 

6.  Menu for Food:

Food is one of the major attractions in a wedding. If the food served is not delicious then guests will not enjoy the evening, no matter how good the décor and music was. Selection of the right menu is bit tricky, if you want to play safe then go for traditional food. It is evergreen option. If you want to spice up the menu then make it a blend of different famous delicacies from different part of India and the world. Don’t keep more than 8 to 12 delicacies otherwise it will just lead to waste of food.

5 reason Customized Wedding Invitation are Popular

Customized weddings that suit the couple and their personality are gaining popularity these days. Preparations for such customized weddings begin with designing an invitation card that perfectly depicts the theme of the wedding. Personalize the card and let the world know about your marriage in the most creative way possible! 

1.  A design to suit your personality:

A customized wedding card is a perfect medium that portrays your personality and the wedding. Hire an invitation designer that will create a design that is one-of-its-kinds. For instance, with photos of you and your spouse as the background, such a Online wedding card will introduce your soul mate to friends and family. Similar concepts can be thought, to bring out the best of your invitation card. 

2.  Uniquely-shaped invitation card:

Bored of the usual and commonly found round or square shaped wedding invitation card? Then, you can consider a unique shape and design for your wedding. Designing such an invitation card might be a bit expensive, since the designer has to make a new template, however, it is certainly a concept you can try your hands on. A uniquely designed invitation card will attract your guests. 

3.  Eco-friendly design:

If you care about Mother Nature, and want to organize a wedding that is eco-friendly, then a ‘Green’ design for your card is a perfect choice. Green invitation cards are made using environmentally friendly raw materials, such as soy-based inks, recycled paper etc. Such materials are easily available in the market; however, you will have to do some research to find a printer who prints such cards. It is suggested to ask your designer to get the card customized for you. Distributing such wedding cards among friends and family will pass on a healthy and social message. 

4.  Do-it-yourself card:

If the number of invitees for your wedding is less in number, then you can consider designing a ‘do-it-yourself’ invitation card. It might get tedious, but you can always request your friends or family to give you a helping hand. This option of an invitation card is perfect, since you do not have to depend on a designer and his whims and fancies. Moreover, you also have a choice to customize or make changes in the card, anytime an innovative idea strikes your creative mind. It is not essential for all the cards to be identical. What matters the most is that the content in it should be the same. In addition, it is cheap and budget-friendly. 

5.  Create a exceptional impression:

Customized wedding cards invitations are an innovative concept and generally every card has one-of-its-kind design. Personalized keeping in mind the personality and the theme of the wedding, a customized card is made giving utmost personal attention and care. Every element of it, the color, the shape, design and the content is unique and personalized. These cards certainly will create a long lasting impression on your friends and family. Moreover, it can also hold a special part on the wall or showcase of your bedroom.

Top 5 questions to ask a Wedding photographer

Interviewing the potential photographing vendors for your wedding could really be a tough job until you know these questions to ask him. Photographs will store the visual content of the whole wedding and only an efficient wedding photographer can portray a wedding journey through his lenses. 

The top ten questions to be asked him before hiring are:
 

1.  Whether he is a professional wedding photographer?
 

Many freelancer photographers also offer to click for the weddings. But it is always wise to hire a professional one. If the photographer is found to be a professional one then he should be questioned about his wedding photography exposure. An experienced professional photographer is always reliable.
 

2.  Since how long he/she is been in to wedding photography?
 

The tenure of his career is too asked next. Experience counts in these cases. Photographers covering wedding events for a long time are aware of the minor technicalities, which could be missing in the new ones. Wedding photography involves a lot more to know than others. The first dance, the cake toss, the ring exchange, the daddy and daughter dance, the vows everything has to be captured perfectly to save in the memory forever.
 

3.  Whether he/she has ever worked at your wedding venue before?
 

Photographers who have worked in the same location before will be more comfortable with the camera exposure and angels. His idea of taking pictures in the floor will be more accurate. He will more aware of the dance floor, the seating arrangements, wedding place, light reflection etc. These experiences have a big impact on the overall product. The capture of the moments in the pictures is much more superlative when clicked by such a photographer who has worked in the same venue before.

4.  If he/she is available on the wedding day and his charges?
 

Dates have to be finalized with the photographer before hiring him. Whether he will be able to deliver still pictures and the video has to be ascertained. The printing paper quality and the design of the wedding album have to be chosen from his early works. If he is available then the next big question is how much he charges and what he has to offer. Photographers offer discount if they are hired for the engagement too. The final package has to be negotiated sitting in talks with him.

5.  The big question - when to expect the delivery of the photos?
 

Most of the couples have immediate honeymoon plans after the wedding. So it’s important to know the date of delivery of the wedding photographs. These things have to be ascertained from the photographer before hiring him. What most of the photographers do is to give the soft copies of the photographs, which have been clicked to the couple to choose their desired ones. The wedding slideshow, the Face book teasers and the online proofs are all selected by the couples from the bunch of clicked photographs.
 

If you are going for a customized wedding cards invitations then also make it a point to check the photographer’s previous work.