Balloons As Decor

Lately we've seen balloons popping up everywhere - not just as props for engagement shoots, but also as decor. And couples are getting really creative with the way they incorporate them into the look of their event. Best of all, they are so so budget friendly.

So we thought we'd collect some of the ways we've seen balloons used really well as decor - be it on dessert tables, all lined up down the aisle, as props for escort cards, tied to the backs of chairs, or even hanging from ceilings (lanterns might work better in this case).






images via party perfect, this is glamorous, greenweddingshoes, theknottybride, greenweddingshoes, party perfect, lucky me, lovelorn unicorn

At the same time, we realize that balloons also have the potential to become kind of kitschy and prom circa 1980, so here are some observations we've made that might help ensure the look works.

- the larger the balloon, the more impact it has
- when in doubt about using color, know that you can't go wrong with white
- balloons really seem to pop in stark, industrial locations
- they also add a fun, playful touch to outdoor events
- and finally, as long as you love it, go for it (because sometimes, against all odds, loud, bright bunches can add just the right touch)

Flowers and Hair

Speaking of flowers and headpieces, we wanted to share this image we recently stumbled upon - an interesting twist on the traditional flower headpiece look. We're kinda digging it, what say you?


image via paklinks

It kind of makes us want to frolic through fields slow motion filmi-style (even though you know those fields are actually really muddy).

As An Aside...

image via deviantART

Many of you might already do this, but we wanted to let you know about something that we do when it comes to pictures taken at family weddings. We ask everyone to upload them to a common photo sharing website (we like to use picasa because there's no limit to the number of pictures that you can upload but flickr and snapfish work really great as well) with an account created specifically for that event. While guests might upload them onto facebook or email them as well, it's so convenient to have all the pictures in one place. It's also great to see the wedding through different perspectives while you're anxiously waiting for the professional pictures. We love seeing moments that only guests could have captured!

Happy Friday

image via vogue india

Sometimes we wish we were skilled at the art of touching and feeling and instantly understanding the workings of a piece of cloth - whether it's knowing the quality of the material or the intricacy of the embroidery. You know, where you can say with authority to a shopkeeper "I know good kaam (work) when I see it and this is not it!" I guess we'll start by staring at the prettiness of Anamika Khanna's beadwork on the dupatta above. Have a great weekend everyone.

Plus, really like her green nail polish.

Knots and Blooms

image via this is glamorous

The crisp knotting of this tablecloth is a great update on the classic. Actually, the entire tablescape is pretty much perfect.

Udaipur Love: Roshni and Suchet

Lakme Fashion Week: Abdul Halder

Abdul Halder's colorful collection was inspired by the Victorian and Moghul era.

Lately we've really been into the peshwas look and that red one is calling our name.


images via lakmefashionweek

Lakme Fashion Week: Anita Dongre

Loving Anita Dongre's mostly white collection inspired by Rajasthani architecture! Now we need to pull out every white piece of clothing we have and wear it.


images via Anita Dongre

Lakme Fashion Week: Sabyasachi

Sabyasachi's collection was inspired by the 60s and 70s, with an African twist - and with a little bit of Parisian chic thrown in as well.

The result is utter perfection - and we're totally coveting that dress in the middle.


images via Times of India

Lakme Fashion Week: Rocky S

Today we thought we'd start a round-up of some of the fashions from Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2010. It took place earlier this month, with some spectacular shows.

First we have the collection that kicked off fashion week. It's a bridal collection by Rocky S in collaboration with Queenie for Giantti. Love the tulle details on all the lenghas...take a look.


images via Times of India

A Red Balloon: Shyla and Danoosh

Love the playful, quirky vibe of Shyla and Danoosh's engagement session. So fun!

Their photographer, Alpana of Storybox Art, is actually a children's photographer, but Shyla and Danoosh were so enamored with her style, they convinced her to shoot their wedding - and with an engagement session like this, we can't wait to see the wedding pictures.

Just goes to show, sometimes you can find what you're looking for in the most unexpected places.






images by Storybox Art via Cupcakes and Curry

Happy Friday

image via flickr

It's friday and spring is here! So excited for some sunshine and fresh air this weekend.

p.s. we are completely in love with the movie bright star - the cinematography is stunning and the costumes...so pretty.

More Stamp Love

Remember when we mentioned our love for paper source's India inspired stamps? Well, we just came across a real bride who used them for her save the dates - love the vintage, old-world feel to them.

Shyla used the stamps to create an embossed image and wrote personal handwritten notes to each guest inviting them to the wedding. To top it off, she lined the envelopes with newspaper clippings from the India West paper and sealed them with wax!



images via cupcakesandcurry

We Have A Winner!

image via indigo album design

The winner of our Indigo Album Design giveaway is........Sneha. Congratulations Sneha! And a big thank you to everyone for participating - be sure to take advantage of their 10% discount for Marigolds & Mithai readers if you're interested in purchasing an album :).

Congratulations Sneha, please email us at marigoldsandmithai@gmail.com to receive further details about how you can retrieve your prize.

Just a Peek

Flowers are used pretty much everywhere at weddings, but that hint of one right behind the ear is always alluring. There's just so much you can do with them - tuck a bloom behind your ear for a playful look, arrange a few dramatic pieces just so, or even just add a spray of pretty jasmine for a traditional touch. It's an organic, girly way to complete your look.

Plus, we love looking at how other people do the look with their jewelry and dupattas....





images via pinkvilla, charmi creations, ratevin, pinkvilla, pinkvilla, pinkvilla, elizabeth messina, pinkvilla,

p.s. - a couple of our friends have done this look at their weddings and it looked lovely on them!

A Little Break

image via weheartit

Life has been chaotic these last couple of days, so we're taking the day off to regroup. You ever have one of those moments, where you just need a break - what do you do to recharge? We'd love to hear your suggestions.

We'll be back soon, with lots of good stuff, in the meantime, don't forget to enter our giveaway. We'll be announcing the winner tomorrow, so there's still time to get in on the chance to win an album discount!

A Cheery Wedding: Liz and Somudra

Today we're sharing a pretty little wedding shot by the talented team over at Carla Ten Eyck Photography. Liz and Somudra got married at an inn by the shore, with a cheerful outdoor ceremony and a lovely reception. Things we love - the dramatic purple and black calla lily bouquet, the hydrangea cones lining the aisle, and of course, all the big smiles!

Enjoy.









Congratulations Liz and Somudra. And a big thank you to Carla and her team for sharing this wedding with us.

Vendors:
Photography: Carla Ten Eyck
Venue: The Inn at Longshore, CT
Event Planning and Decor: Eventus
Cake: Silver City Cakes

A Lovely Touch

images via paper source

These stamps have already made the blog rounds but we wanted to put our two cents in too, because that's how we roll. Woudn't they add a lovely touch to save-the-dates or place cards - so simple (and budget-friendly too!).

Pretty Pretty Paper

images via paper source

Have you guys seen the India/Lokta/Nepal decorative papers at Paper Source? They've been available for a while now but they're still going strong - and very pretty if we do say so ourselves. We see them being used to wrap mithai boxes (of course!), as envelope liners, or even just a strip or two around your menus/placecards. And remember, a little bit of the paper can go a long way!

Have a great weekend....

image via christian oth studio

We're sneaking out early for the weekend....hope you enjoyed the trousseau shopping series this week!

An Album Giveaway!

Today we're so excited to offer a special giveaway from Indigo Album Design - a custom wedding album design company! They offer a comprehensive range of products to suit every style and will work closely with you to create an album that really reflects you. You can choose from flush mount albums, coffee table books, or even photo plate albums, and best of all, they keep your budget in mind.


image via indigoalbumdesign

Indigo Album Design is generously offering 100 dollars off any album to one lucky winner. All you have to do to enter the giveaway is visit Indigo Album Design and check out their lovely selection, then leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random next Thursday!

Oh, and that's not all, Indigo Album Design is also offering all Marigolds & Mithai readers a 10% discount on all products through August 31st. Just enter the code "marigolds10" when you check out. So excited, at this rate, we may just need to order a couple of albums as well!

What Do You Think?

image via bleachblack

The other day we were talking about panjas and couldn't decide how we felt about them. They are wonderfully traditional (especially in epic movies) and this bride pulled something similar off beautifully...but can they be too much when combined with all your other jewelry?

So we want to know what you think, are panjas a yay or a nay?

A South Asian Bridal Show

Just wanted to let you know about this bridal event happening at the Westin in Waltham, Massachusetts - we'll be there and would love to meet you! For those of you in the area....do stop by, there will be lots of local vendors and it's bound to be a good time.

Bridal Trousseau Shopping - Part IV

Here's the end to this incredibly useful little series on all the things you need to know to shop for your bridal trousseau - all thanks to Ridaa Mian. It's great to know there's a way to have the quality ensembles you want without having to travel around the world!


images via weheartit

Advice to non-traveling brides to be:

- Become comfortable with your style and and stick with it. After running through hundreds of wedding and bridal photographs, I learned what my taste was and what kind of bride I wanted to be. Traditional.
- Stay organized, otherwise you'll get inundated with information and find that ultimately what you liked at the very beginning is exactly what you want.
- Keep a budget. Either way you'll need a budget, giving the designers an idea of your budget can help gauge whether or not you want to choose one designer over another.
- Send your photograph and ask for feedback. Ask the designers what's in, what's not, and what would suit someone with your body type, frame and facial features. The more information you share about yourself, the more likely they'll get a better idea of who you are, what you're looking for and what you plan on doing with your bridal dress afterwards. Heavy ensembles can be worn separately in the future for more versatility.
-Customer service is Pakistan does not always correlate with the size of the designer's boutique. Having said that, some were entirely gracious with their time and efforts.
- Delivery time is always a problem, even if the designer is reliable. To reduce last minute stress, place orders sooner rather than later, and request clothes sooner than you need them. Designers require 3-6 months for bridal and valima dresses. Some will make exceptions.
- Do your own homework. Search the internet, bridal magazines and even facebook, where many designers have homepages. Consider visiting blogs and sites such as GupShup forum where tons of wedding obsessed people share knowledge about bridal dress shopping and Pakistani and Indian fashion.
- Enjoy the process! This is one of the funnest times of your entire life!

Be sure to check out Part I, Part II and Part III of this series as well!

Bridal Trousseau Shopping: Part III

Today we're sharing the last bit of wisdom our bride, Ridaa Mian, had to share about shopping for your trousseau without actually having to travel to Pakistan or India. A little "how to" manual definitely goes a long way....

Also, we completely agree with her on finding a local tailor no matter where you buy your clothes. Last minute fittings are inevitable.


image via weheartit

Pros:

- You will be able to save a trip to the motherland, and use that time for pre and post wedding fun!
- Limit the stress of shopping in Pakistan, where the political climate is not ideal and boutiques open and close with little to no notice.
- In some instances, you may receive better service because you're calling from abroad.
- If you know exactly what you like, have a picture of it, and know who the designer is, you can almost guarantee you'll get what you're looking for.
- The challenge of not being physically there can be exciting to some. In some instances, you get more time to think through your decisions before placing orders under a time crunch.

Cons:

- You will never get the South Asian bridal experience that some girls feel is a right of passage. For me, that didn't make a difference.
- You may compromise on a style based on the fact that you're not face to face with the choices available in the boutique and will have to trust the designer.
- You limit the customization process, partially due to fear and uncertainty.
- Your measurements may not come out exactly, because the designer is not taking them himself/herself. To troubleshoot this, you should go to your local tailor and have them take your measurements. Taking your measurements once or twice can help guarantee better fitting clothes.
- You may pay "foreign" prices based on the fact that the designer will know you're working from abroad. From my own experience, the prices I paid were comparable to what the locals paid, but this is strictly at the designer level.
- You will not get the designer shopping experience, where the designer could consult with you and coach you on how to wear your hair, makeup and how to set your dupatta. This is extremely important, but bridal magazines can guide you, as well as a phone call or email to the designer.
- Can be a slow and tedious process and at times, inconvenient.

Next up, we have the final post of this oh so helpful shopping guide! And if you haven't had the chance to yet, you can check out Part I here and Part II here.

Bridal Trousseau Shopping: Part II

Here's more sage advice about buying subcontinent designer wear from the comfort of your home - courtesy of Ridaa Mian....


image via verve magazine and a bloomsbury life

What I learned:

• Some designers never pick up their phones, usually because they’re in private consultations with local brides.
• Some designers are so flexible, they’ll give you their home and cell phone numbers to fit your needs (Nilofer Shahid of House of Meeras and Faiza Samee worked very closely with me and were extremely flexible via phone).
• Some will outright reject taking orders over the phone, not for any reason other than ensuring client satisfaction through customization.
• You have to trust the designer you’re working with, otherwise you will never be able to accept the final product.
• Designers will make accommodations for you. For instance, I was able to get color swatches and fabric samples mailed to me to help in deciding my wedding dress and embroidery.
• Having someone at the local level can only help. There is always more accountability when there is a physical presence versus limited communication through phone and e-mail. However, many of the top designers are extremely professional and have worked with clients without having met them.
• The more ensembles you order from one designer, the more likely that you’ll get better service and a better value, but not always. In some instances, the designers just cannot manage a large order and in others, they’ll offer a package based on the number of pieces ordered.
• The more modifications you make to a dress, the greater the chance that it won’t meet your expectations. Again, trust the designer. They made the dress, they’ll know what colors/fabrics and details would suit that ensemble and you best.

Bridal Trousseau Shopping - Part I

Some time ago, we were speaking with our friend, Ridaa Mian, who's currently planning her wedding, and she seriously knows everything about everything related to wedding shopping in South Asia. So of course, we asked her to share some of her secrets with you! And here we are, starting a four part series all about bridal trousseau shopping. We wish we had known all this when planning....


image via verve magazine

After numerous attempts to get to Lahore for my bridal trousseau shopping, I reached the conclusion that I’d be able to prepare for my upcoming wedding (with a one-year timeline) without ever stepping foot in Pakistan. The last eleven months have proven that it is possible, with some inconveniences, and a great deal of patience. So you’re probably wondering how the heck I got things done? Here are three obvious steps I took:

1) Set my alarm clock for 4am (EST) and arrange conference calls with designers!

• Pakistan is 10 hours ahead, which meant that reaching design houses in Lahore and Karachi would require me to stay up late or wake up early.
• Most designers are open for a short window of time, usually between 11am – 2pm, but sometimes you’ll be able to catch someone before and after those hours. It’s worth the call!
• By keeping an organized notebook with each designer's name, contact information and your personal agenda, I was able to get my orders in time. The more you know about what you want and how you want it made, the easier it’ll be. I recommend buying bridal magazines, logging the outfits you like, and tracking down the designers who made them in addition to learning about the various fabric and color choices.
• Skype is a great way to speak internationally at a low cost and in a convenient way. Through my laptop I was able to speak to designers, while jotting down notes, handing off measurements and tracking orders and details. It allowed for longer conversations. In one instance, I even worked with a tailor shop in Lahore to compare measurements for my bridesmaids before they finished the tailoring!

2) Use E-mail

• Designers will communicate over email, but may require initial phone call “introductions,” but not all. Some will send measurement charts requesting specific information and accept credit card payments through forms. Others will send photographs of high-resolution pictures to give you ideas and encourage your vision. In one instance, Bunto Kazmi sent me a variety of her photographs to guide me in bridal dress shopping. It helped immensely as she’s very high in demand and her ensembles are not advertised in the mainstream market. It gave me a better idea of what I was looking for.
• Send a photograph of yourself and your height/weight information. The designer may never have an opportunity to meet you, but they’ll be able to better guide you knowing your body type, facial features and what suits your complexion.

3) Reach out to your local relatives or family friends, if that is an option.

• Because my father was on a business trip to Lahore during all of this madness, I was fortunate enough to have his perspective and opinion at the local level. He was able to touch base with the designers where I placed orders and ensure the quality and delivery time.

Next up, we have some lessons Ridaa learned through this whole process!

Happy Friday!

image credits unknown

Have a great weekend everyone! We're off to watch old school movies with lots of buttery popcorn....

The Pallavi Jaikishan Bride

image via Vogue India

We're all about comfort around here.....

New Sponsors

You may have noticed that we added two new sponsors to our blog this week and we just wanted to take a moment and introduce them to you...


images by Taimur Ahmed via Lotus and Leaf

First we have Lotus and Leaf, an event design and planning company based out of New York. Lotus and Leaf has done some amazing weddings - in fact, the first wedding we ever featured was by them! Zamzam Hussain, founder of the company, has planned all sorts of affairs from weddings to non-profit events, and is more than happy to work with your budget. Do hop over and take a look at her work when you get a chance.

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images via 3 bees paperie

Next we have 3 Bees Paperie - an eco-friendly invitation company that strives to provide luxury products while maintaining environmentally friendly practices. They have three lines of products for you to choose from: Couture Weddings, Baby Bee, and Made for You, so whatever your needs we're sure they can help. They have lots of unique designs for you to browse through on their website so do take a peek.

Welcome to our blog ladies! We're happy to have you here.