Unveiling Your Inner Princes

And they lived happily ever after. So end all good fairy tales after the beautiful hersome hero, both of whose good looks is only excelled by their good deeds. But of course, in real life, the wedding is only the beginning of the story. Especially in India...

Maybe there are very few fairy princess around these days but there nothing to stop you looking like one - at least for a day! This one day in her life the Indian woman is pampered and indulged when it comes to gorgeous outfits and dazzling jewellery (gilding the caged bird maybe?). India's rich traditional heritage combines with contemporary elegance to give Indian brides myriad ways to reveal their beauty. So why not make the most of it and look as regal as you possibly can? Step this way, Your Royal Highness...

Look I: Combining traditional South Indian attire with a contemporary look and feel, the bride is in a traditional pattu sari set off with temple jewellery. The orchids and the crystals bring out the contemporary look - in fact the main highlight of this style is the use of orchids - a comparative rare flower in hair decoration (and just the thing for an exoitic Far Eastern princess!)

The hairstyle: A low bun has been made and from there the hair has been braided till the end. A combination of 'Anne Black' - a rare veriety of orchid, and the 'sooriyan' and 'chandran' from the temnple jewellery set, are used to decorate the bun. Further down, the braid also been decorated with flowers placed at regular intervals. The maroon colour and the spots in the flower blend very well with the colour of the sari.

The make-up: The entire make-up is gold based. The bride's eye shadow, lipstick and blusher all have a touch of gold so that it highlights and matches the sari. And after all, can there be any colour more royal than gold? As this bride has small eyes, the liner is thickened towards the end of the eyes to give a much bigger look.

The jewellery: Temple jewellery gives a traditional touch - and the colour of the stones blends perfectly with the colour of the sari. The bindi and nose ring are made crystal and red stones to match the sari.

Look II: This is a typical Gujarati look - with enough glitter and glamour for any princes!

The hairstyle: The hairstyle is very high with a short parting in front. This done to suit the gujarati style of wearing the pallu over the head. The high bun supports the pallu and gives it a good fall. This also brings out the beauty of the zari border. The elaborate Kundan tiki accentuates the hairstyle.

The make-up: The colours of bride's eye shadow, lipstick and the blusher on the cheeks highlight the brides's features without distracting attention from the sari and ornaments. Phir, the elaborate decoration of the eyes, is an essential part of the North Indian festive look. Here Kundan, crystal and red stones have been used to match colour of the sari and the jewellery.

The mehendi: A North Indian bride's make-up is incomplete without mehendi. This bride has an Arabic mehendi design, shaded in with copper and bronze powder. A Kundan dollar is placed in the centre of hands giving a unique decorative effect.

The jewellery: Traditional Kundan Jewellery has been used as it looks good with the Gharchola (the bride's sari).

Look III: This Christian bride combines the best of east and west for an ethereal 'fairy queen' look.

The hairstyle: The bride sports a top knot is adorned with a tiara. She has a fine white veil flowing from her hair - typical of a western bride.

The make-up: The make-up is light with just basic foundation, eye make-up, blusher and lipstick. Since the outfit is white, it is important that the make-up does not overshadow it. Here it perfectly matches the understand elegance of the outfit.

The jewellery: The jewellery the bride is wearing is very delicate and elegent, matching the overall look.