Add Hair To Your Wedding

Do you want to plain a unique wedding? why don't you consider adding a theme? Theme weddings are fun to plan, and everyone enjoys them-the bride and groom; their families and guests. And you can make your wedding memorable, and the talk of town!. In the West theme weddings range from the poetic to the bizarre! In India the concept is catching on fast as more and more youngsters yearn to make their wedding day the stuff fairy tales are made of!

So, how do you go about organising a theme wedding? Simple-first choose a theme! Have you always dreamt of a fairy tale wedding? That can be done. Themes could vary from beach themes to hearts, the Wild West, sporty, colour, country or location specific themes like Japanese, Mexican, Spanish or Egyptian... the list is endless. If these are too bizarre for traditional Indian weddings explore other options. You could have a Mughal theme, Colonical theme, Rajasthani or North Eastern theme. Or recreate some palace of the even Taj Mahal!. You can dream up any theme you like-the sky the limit.

Remember, your family and guests also need to know in advance that you are planning a theme wedding. Enclose a personalised note with your invitation explaining the theme Guests may feel uncomfortable about wearing costumes or unusual attire. It is better to include the word"optional"

When requesting them to wear costumes(You may prefer to conduct the actual wedding caremonies in traditional wear and take up the theme for the reception only)

A theme wedding requires a lot of coordination. Ideally it is best to rope in the hotel(if you are having the wedding or reception in one), since most 5-star hotels can provide that extra service-at an extra cost of course!. Otherwise, check out event management companies in your city. They will take care of everything and organise the catering too. The theme should extend from the invitation card, venue and table decorations to the music and cuisine.

Here are some tips to make planning a theme wedding easier: Once you have chosen your theme do some research on it. For instance if you are planning a Medieval theme will need to know the customs, and decor pertaining to this era in order to give your theme an authentic feel.

Select a venue to match your theme. For example, a beach theme would work best next to a beach, or at the very least it should be outdoors.

Decide on whether you and your spouse-to-be are going to be attired in clothing that reflects the theme. Will your close family members-be attired in costume.

And most important-your budget. This will depend on the size of your guest list and the theme you select. A theme wedding could require custom-made decorative items, or articles to be imported. Ideally get a cost break-up done before you take a final decision.

So, go ahead and make your wedding a memorable, joyful event. Just ensure that the theme does not overpower the bridal couple or the true meaning of the day! Let your imagination flow, and have the wedding of your dreams.

Mandapam Matters

The wedding has been fixed-now the hard work begins! The key priority is the selection of the venue. Today, quite often you have to settle for what is available rather than what you really wants unless you book well in advance. At the height of the wedding season, it is almost harder to get a mandapam than a groom! Depending on size, location, facilities and popularity-mandapam can cost you anything between Rs.2000 to more than 1/2 a lakh per day. You can get a much better price if you avoid the 'peak' wedding season. What are the factors determining your choice of mandapam? The number of people expected to attend, the number of people who have to be accomodated overnight on both the bride and groom's side and your budget are of course the main criteria. To ensure that all goes well and that you do not overlook anything-it is advisable to have a checklist to guide and remind you.

Some of the important things to check out:

Make sure are clear about the services that will be provided-usually the furniture and vessels are part of the deal. Basic decorations will usually be done by the mandapam,

Water- is there 24 hour running water or alternate provisions to ensure that the will be adequate supplies of water during the entire time you will be occupying the mandapam?

Are there proper washing and bathroom facilities.

What is the parking space like-is it adequate for the number of vehicles expected, and will there be someone to direct people where to park?

It is also Vital to ckeck up timings and rates-what is the exact time period your payment covers, will you have to pay extra if you delayed, are weekends more expensive, when are the rates most competitive, will any of the services provided require an extra payment, etc?

Is there a back up generator in case of power failures?

To ensure things run smoothly:

Apart from the services the mandapam provides, you need to make sure that there is a either a responsible family member or friend or a professional to coordinate the whole proceedings. You will need one or two people just to receive guests and someone to keep track of all the gifts. Ensure that there is enough bedding for all the people who are staying in the mandapam and that the rooms and bathrooms are clean(and are provided with mugs) before they are occupied. A simple first aid kit and mosquito repellants may also come in handy. Do not forget to confirm the dates and ensure that you have a firm booking!