For more pictures of the Dilek Hanif spring 2012 collection, please visit Vogue.com

{Survival Kit, Clutch, Mason Jars, Canvas, Parasol, Bangles}

 The Knot offers a “Bridesmaid’s Survival Kit” that makes sure all last-minute emergencies are handled with ease and preparation. When we were searching for clutches online, we came across this showstopping feather clutch that could be an amazing bridesmaid’s gift or a bridal clutch to compliment your wedding gown.

For the more DIY/ budget-conscious bride, the doily covered mason jars are an adorable and personal gift anyone would appreciate! You can use them as candle holders or fill them with a delicious treat, even put some thank you notes and photos in them. The personalized button canvas is personal, easy to make or order via etsy, and who doesn’t love more home decor items? Another personalized bridesmaid’s gift is a monogram parasol with the first letter of each bridesmaid’s name on them.

No budget? Awesome, then your bridesmaid’s will adore these Nordstrom exclusive Alexis Bittar ‘Miss Havisham’ Encrusted Skinny Bangles!  They come in different colors like gunmetal and rose gold, and are priced at $195.00 each.

To view the rest of the 50′s bridal shower photos, please visit style me pretty.

Here are two very talented YouTube makeup gurus you can watch on Indian bridal makeup tutorials.

Makeup Geek’s Marlena

MakeupGeek’s Modern Indian Bridal Look

Promise Phan
Promise Phan’s Bollywood Bridal Makeup Tutorial

 Be prepared to get compliments when you go out with these dramatic and gorgeous looks!

]]> http://www.weddingelegancesd.com/indian-inspired-bridal-makeup-looks/feed/ 0 http://www.weddingelegancesd.com/orance-county-planner-fabulous-sikh-wedding-dresses-and-accessories/ http://www.weddingelegancesd.com/orance-county-planner-fabulous-sikh-wedding-dresses-and-accessories/#comments Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:00:28 +0000 Nahid http://www.weddingelegancesd.com/?p=2007 Sikh weddings are known as “Anand Karaj” which means a ceremony of bliss. The brides wear a traditional outfit known as a sari. If you’ve ever attended an Indian wedding, then you will notice that all the brides and guests wear colorful clothing because it symbolizes happiness and luck. It is essential for the bride to wear vibrant colors like red, orange, and purple and to avoid colors like black or white (the color white represents death in Indian culture). What the bride wears at the ceremony will always differ from what she wears at the reception. Unlike the ceremony, the reception does not have to be entirely exclusively Sikh themed–many couples have opted to Westernize their receptions. Like the receptions, brides have been known to wear more Western-inspired dresses and to use the color white in their reception theme.

Here are some traditional Sikh or Indian bridal attire and accessories to give you an idea of just how colorful and fabulous Sikh weddings are!

Clockwise from top left: 1, 2, 3, 4

Clockwise from top left: 1, 2, 3, 4

Dresses

 We hope you get a chance to attend a Sikh wedding in the future so you can experience how another culture celebrates the union of two individuals.

For more photos from the collection visit Style.com

Amidst all the excitement of preparing for your big day, one of the main concerns on a bride’s mind is looking good in her wedding dress. We believe you’re perfect just the way you are, as we’re sure your husband-to-be does too, but the stress of planning can sometimes cause a bride to resort to crash diets or extreme workouts which can cause serious health risks right before your special day.

We have some tips on how to get into shape without breaking your wallet or a trip to the ER!

1. Start working out as soon as you’re finished celebrating your engagement party (or sooner!) Whether you’ve been working out actively or just been blessed with the ability to never enter a gym, it’s important to stay active. Brides tend to wait 6 months before the wedding or even later to start working out and this leads to more pressure and stress on a bride to reach her goal weight. Sometimes it results in unrealistic goals and more frustration a.k.a. “bridezilla” tendencies. Working out is a great way to de-stress after a long day of arguing with your bridesmaids over halter necklines

2. Drink lots of water all day, everyday. Water really is the elixir of life! It benefits your skin, keeps you hydrated for when you’re meeting with vendors all day, and is sugar and calorie free!

3. Tone those arms! Especially if you’re wearing a strapless dress. Some great moves include push-ups (try doing them on a stability ball for a better core). Bicep curls on one foot, and then switch to the other foot.  When lifting weights (as with anything else), start out small to prevent over exertion. 12-15 reps is a good starting point, then raise the dumbbell weight by a pound or so if you find it to be too easy.

4. Incorporate fun, non-traditional exercises into your workout. Jogging outdoors and visits to the gym are great, but if you own a Wii, why not do some WiiFit exercises! Participating in sports leagues like VAVi allows you to make new friends while achieving a fun workout.

5. 30 +30 workouts. Regardless if you have a long engagement or just 3 months to whip your bridal butt into shape, start slow to avoid burn out. Fitness experts recommend 30 minutes of cardio with 20-30 minutes of strength training daily. You can even break up your cardio session into three 10-minute bursts of cardio. Do this for at least 3 weeks, then increase the intensity of your cardio and strength training a bit if you find your routine to be easy.

6. Portion control. When dining out with your partner, share the salad, appetizer, and meal together! You cut down the calories in half while getting a full course. (Note: mozzarella sticks or chicken wings are NOT  appropriate appetizers, ladies!)

Photos courtesy of  My Wedding Concierge and Sleeveless In 7.

Puja is a religious offering to a deity, spirit, or divine presence and can be facilitated for many occasions, before beginning a new venture in life. The bride can perform the puja in a temple or at a home, as long as she has a shrine set up with elements that represent the deity, i.e. prints, sculptures, portraits, elements of nature.  Size or grandeur are not deciding factors in the importance of the shrine. You can offer fruit, food, flowers to honor the gods; incense is lighted and a lit lamp, aarti, is waved in front of the deity. Before you invoke the spirits, one must be in a mental and emotional state of joy and serenity, as you would want to receive the spiritual blessing in a pleasant environment.

Photos provided by various sources. Thank you to Gsravya Blogspot, Logukrishnan.net, 14gaaam

Zuhair Murad is the epitome of Middle Eastern glamor, fashion and design. This Lebanese breakthrough in the International fashion scene has lead Murad to become an icon to his peers and audiences from around the world. His unique creations that define oriental essence and beauty have made their way towards all the major podiums, boutiques, and personalities.

Since debuting his collections in Paris, he has consistently enhanced techniques. The shape and form of his silhouettes can now be compared to those of other well renowned couturiers. It is so evident in watching the beautiful and dazzling silhouettes as they descend the runway. Thanks to his talent for synthesizing the rich colors of his native homeland with the elegance of European women, even bigger things are to be expected of the rising couturier star.

The international media has declared him as ‘the star rocketing designer’ and ‘one of the most promising young designers for the new era’ due to his unique style and creativity which ensure his ongoing successful career. Furthermore during his widely acclaimed ‘Free Spirit’ show in Paris he was conveyed as ‘Tomorrow’s Star’ by reputed leaders in the business.

For more information on designer Zuhair Murad and his amazing Couture Bridal & Evening Collections please visit WWW.ZUHAIRMURAD.COM

Leading designers like Ziad Nakad, Zeina Mrad Haute Couture, Gina K, and Adlene Azar are some of the geniuses behind these fashion forward sensations.  They create the gowns of luxurious fabrics and hand stitch all the finishing details. All in all each piece is unique and unlike many of the bridal gowns seen before!