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Planning the wedding of your dreams begins with the most important factor affecting your big day – the wedding budget. Although it may seem like the most drab and complicated task to sit your partner or family down and begin planning a wedding budget, it is a necessary one. Preparing a detailed budget for the wedding day and pre and post wedding functions is an essential part of wedding planning and needs to be discussed with your wedding planner.
It's natural to feel a little overwhelmed at first so here are some useful tips to create wedding budgets that ensures you don't end up spending more than you can afford:
This is where we step in. Idea Waley - The Wedding Planners, are wedding planners in in your area that will help you execute your vision in the wedding budget that you are comfortable with. Keeping in mind your Indian wedding budget and costs, we will use our expertise and experience to plan, execute and manage your pre-wedding functions, wedding and reception as well as other required events.
Once we have your wedding budget we will help you utilize it in the best way possible. We at Idea Waley – The Wedding Planners will help direct and allocate your budget funds and help you manage your payments according to the various timelines and vendor payment schedules.
We are experienced wedding planners so you can be rest assured of enjoying your wedding celebrations to the fullest.
Wedding stationery encompasses a vast range of stationery items that are used throughout your wedding and they are the small touches that make a big impact. Once your wedding dates and venues are fixed, couples begin with selecting and sending out their formal wedding invites; but it doesn't have to end here…there is so much more you can do to make it all the more special!
When it comes to finding the perfect wedding invitation cards you have to put some thought into it, not only is it a formal invitation to your guests but also their first peek into the style and mood of the wedding that awaits. While there are numerous card vendors out there, one of the first things you can do to stamp your personalities into the whole event is to personalize yours. Make sure the cards incorporate your wedding theme and use colours and designs that complement your décor and set-up. Carefully pick the kind of paper you want to use and you could get the print material, logos and designs custom made.
Apart from the wedding invitation you will have to also think of what you can do for the smaller events and functions that surround your big day. Wedding stationery items like program booklets listing the details of all the wedding events, thoughtful welcome cards for your out of town guests, in room itineraries, RSVP cards, save the date cards for your guests' convenience etc. are all great touches to incorporate and are always appreciated. Last but not the least, put some thought into your packaging. It is increasingly popular nowadays to package your cards, notes and other stationery in boxed invitation sets in the most attractive way possible.
Do you want your own beautiful and unique wedding stationery to complement your special day?Idea Waley - The Wedding Planners will help you create the perfect wedding cards and varied stationery for your wedding event, as per your needs, tastes and budget. We will design and coordinate complete print material in sync with the event theme and help you create something uniquely your own. Idea Waley will assist with designing, printing and content for the stationery along with packaging requirements.
When it comes to wedding planning, choosing the perfect wedding venue is by far one of the most important things you need to decide in advance. After all, you don't want to be stuck with a venue that you are not happy with, just because the location you actually want is not available on your wedding day. The wedding venue and location you decide on is not only a matter of convenience but also what fits the kind of wedding you have in mind.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a location and venue that's right for your wedding: Choose a location that is geographically viable to you, your family and a major part of your guests. For instance, if you have always dreamt of an exotic out-of-town location, you'll also need to think about the logistics involved to get everyone to the venue and back home as well as factors like accommodation. A unique destination wedding is one that many dream of, so get started with a wedding planner at the earliest, so that the cost of the wedding and other factors are in place with no confusion whatsoever.
Secondly, in compliance with the theme and wedding style, you'll need to select a venue that sets the right ambience. You'll need to think about whether you want to have a day or a night event, a formal wedding reception or an informal pre-wedding party, an indoor or an outdoor wedding. Consider different venue options like palaces, gardens, hotels, ballrooms; luxury resorts etc. to find one that suits the ambience and theme you are aiming for.
Another important point to be kept in mind is the number of guests attending your wedding. For this reason, make sure that RSVPs are in check at the earliest so that you can confirm the seating capacity at the reception venue. This will also help you decide what size your venue needs to be and you can shortlist further.
Idea Waley – The Wedding Planners will source and recommend locations and marriage venues for your wedding events based on your vision and wedding budget – from the traditional to the out of the ordinary. We will help you choose and finalize wedding venues in your area and many other wedding destinations in India and internationally. With Idea Waley, finding a wedding venue becomes easy, with various options ranging from wedding and reception venues to locations for beach or royal palace weddings.
The meals at your wedding and wedding related events are often used as a judging factor on how the whole event was. Even if you have the best décor and ambience, a sub-standard wedding meal pretty much kills the effort and quite literally leaves a bad taste in your guests' mouths! Since the food and beverages often constitute a major chunk of your wedding budget, it is imperative that you get the best that you can afford. Finding a good caterer is definitely high up on the wedding planning to-do list.
With the various different kinds of functions in Indian weddings, different kinds of food and drinks will have to be arranged accordingly and in the price range you are comfortable with. When looking for a caterer there are a bunch of things you need to keep in mind like what menu selections they offer in your price range, the beverage service, whether they offer tastings, the presentation, the different types of cuisines, their availability for your varied wedding events etc. Always check if they have menu selections based on different dietary restrictions if needed.
When it comes to beverages, find out what alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks can be served. Find out what kind of bar set up and staff the venue or the caterers provide in case you need to make changes or create an entirely new one. You will also have to check if bar-tenders are provided for and how skilled they are in making cocktails and other mixed drinks. One of the easiest ways to add a punch to your beverage selection is by creating your own signature wedding drink, so stylish and so fun.
Another important factor is the kind of wedding you are planning to have i.e. a formal or casual event, something grand or something intimate etc. Also if you are planning to have a themed wedding or wedding event the caterer should be able to provide you with the appropriate food and beverage selections. If it is an outdoor venue you will need to find out if the venue has the right set-up and what type of operation the caterer runs and how they will present and lay out your food and drinks. Find out if they cater to both sit down meals and a buffet style service, depending on your needs.
Idea Waley – The Wedding Planners, in your area will consult and coordinate menu selections, design, presentation, styling as well as bar and alcohol management. We will make sure you get the service you need with the appropriate service staff and presentation.
While your wedding ceremony and reception are undoubtedly going to be the most beautiful times of your lives, the events leading up to it can be so much fun! Pre wedding activities range from family friendly to exciting nights out with friends and can be the best stress buster. While couples put in a lot of thought into the actual wedding and wedding functions, your pre wedding activities get left to the last minute…such a waste! Planning entertaining and relaxing things to do can be the best gift you give yourself.
Nowadays the concept of having a bachelor or bachelorette party is quickly becoming a popular one. Letting your hair down with your closest friends and doing something super fun together; who wouldn't want that, especially when it's the last few times you celebrate your singlehood! When planning such a bash, pick a place or an activity you and your friends love. You can even plan a bachelorette holiday to an exciting destination and make it a trip to remember. Another enjoyable pre wedding party is the bridal shower. It's slightly tamer than an all out bachelorette and you can invite older female family members as well. If you rather aim for some relaxation, you can arrange for a spa day with your friends where you can catch up while you get pampered and prettied up. For a mixed crowd, a cocktail party or a themed event is always a crowd pleaser.
Pre wedding activities can also be self enriching – personal training sessions to get fit and feel and look your best as well as consulting with a nutritionist are good ways to get ready for the months ahead. Consult with professionals to get the best skin care tips and you could even plan a nice spa holiday.
Idea Waley – The Wedding Planners, in your area will help you plan your pre wedding activities like the bachelor and bachelorette parties, bridal shower etc., as needed. We will help you find the perfect concept, venues and activities and assist with travel and accommodation scheduling as well as get you in touch with the right professionals for the job, as per your requirements. Grooming and etiquette lessons can be scheduled as required.
Your wedding day is one of those occasions where you would definitely want to capture every special moment. These are the pictures you will treasure for generations to come.
Not only will you need a professional wedding photographer who has ample experience in wedding photography but also a professional videographer. When it comes to a wedding, taking pictures or a video is a totally in the moment job and not something you can recreate, so you have to find a professional who is excellent at what he/she does.
Wedding photography has evolved from the stiff poses and strained smiles in pictures from decades ago. There are various wedding photography styles you can choose from nowadays.You can opt for a set or wedding album of the traditional portraiture style posed photographs as well as the newer styles like the photojournalistic wedding photography. In this popular style there is no formal posing, the photographer follows the couple, family and guests throughout the wedding to capture tender and fun moments just as they unfold. These candid shots can capture genuine emotion and tell the tale of your wedding in the most authentic way, while allowing you to enjoy the wedding without having to stop and take wedding photos.
Another style is one of artistic shots, where the couple poses against dramatic and scenic backdrops and special lenses and effects are used. These pictures have a timeless and romantic appeal.You can also opt for pre-wedding destination photography, bridal photo shoots etc. It is a good idea to provide the photographer with a list of essential wedding photographs to be clicked during the wedding functions.
Before you select your photographer make sure you ask them a few questions about their style, experience and portfolio, equipment, services and charges. Lastly pick someone you and your partner are at ease with and someone you know can capture these moments in the way you would like.
Idea Waley – The Wedding Planners, India will arrange for wedding photographers to best suit your budget and requirements for your event celebrations, pre wedding shoot, bridal photo shoot and more.
It is your wedding day and you are surrounded by your nearest and dearest creating memories that will last a lifetime. Capturing these memories is important and capturing them in the best way possible even more so. While you will have to hire a wedding photographer, hiring a professional wedding videographer or cinematographer is essential.A wedding videographer can help you capture your entire wedding day and other wedding related events from start to finish; and you will have everything documented even if the photographer misses a moment or two. These moments and interactions are once in a lifetime so you have to make them count.
Wedding videography is not just a point and shoot job…professional videographers capture your special story and show it in the way you want it to be seen. The shoots can span over the wedding day, other wedding functions and also over the course of days leading up to the big finish like the bridal shower, Mehendi ceremony, Sangeet and more. The result - tender, intimate, humorous and emotional moments caught perfectly on film. Your wedding video helps you catch up on all those events and small things you missed during the whirlwind days and nights.
The different styles of wedding videography tell your wedding stories in their own unique way. Some couples opt for a start to finish recording, some want an edit of the most emotional or dramatic moments and some want footage that covers only the wedding ceremony and reception. The options are endless. Another emergent popular style of wedding videography is a movie style video, where your wedding and related events are shot and edited in a cinematic movie style, with its own soundtrack, trailers and styling. Wedding videos have to be edited to perfection for the best possible effect.
When selecting a wedding videographer make sure you ask questions about their style of shooting, editing and styling, number of cameras used, lighting options, ranges in audio and video quality, packages offered in terms of number of DVDs etc., and time required to get the finished product, among others. Always ask to see a demo or their portfolio of work to check what genre they excel at.
Idea Waley - The Wedding Planners will arrange for the best wedding videographers that suit your style and budget and help you savour every moment while you star in your very own movie.
Pre Wedding Photography is a trend that is catching up fast. It's a perfect get way for you and your spouse-to-be and a great way to take some lovely pictures for your personal album which you will cherish forever. This can be something as simple as a local photo shoot at some of yourfavorite hangouts or a destination photo shoot. A pre wedding photo shoot is a great way to relax and get away from the stress of the wedding planning process.
Ever thought of getting candid shots against scenic backdrops of Rajasthan or the serenity of Greece or the timeless elegance of Paris or at a gorgeous destination like the TajMahal and don't know where to begin? Put aside the planning woes as we assist with all the planning and arrangements, whether you are based in India or elsewhere.
For couples overseas, who dream of having their special pictures captured withTajMahalas the backdrop or in the palaces of Rajasthan, Idea Waley can turn your dream into reality. You can club this along with a tour of the destination to explore the sights, flavour and culture of the place. For those in India, there is a range of scenic destinations to pick from or you could even pick an international destination of your choice. Contact Idea Waley to know about pre-wedding & engagement photography today!
We can help you capture your personal romantic moments that you may not have time for during your wedding celebrations. We can also give you ideas on how to incorporate the pictures into your wedding, like using them with your invitations, as a photo montage during your special day or tie it into your décor.
All you need to do is pick the destination and sit back as Idea Waley can plan all your travel arrangements to and from the destination as well as locally, arrange for accommodation based on your preferences, coordinate all formal arrangements and permissions required at the venue, organize sight-seeing tours as well as your shopping itinerary at the chosen destination, assist in organizing professional wedding photographer/s for your shoot, provide assistance for hair and makeup, coordinate your photo shoot wardrobe and creatively style your shoot. We work with a talented panel of photographers both in India and internationally who will capture the images in a journalistic style as opposed to a highly posed manner.
Whether it's at a picturesque landmark in the next city or a photo shoot spanning multiple countries, we are armed with the talent and resources to create the best experience possible.
Your wedding is definitely one of the few times you will get loads of gifts and cash, along with plenty of good wishes. Although it's fun to receive umpteen presents, unfortunately a lot of the time newly-weds end up getting stuck with countless repeat items and stuff they would just never use! Wedding gifts that are just not your cup of tea or something you already own are not just useless for you but a waste of your gift giver's cash too.
A concept that is now picking up in India is having a gift registry. Gift registries are a great way to ensure that you get the gifts you really want, while making it easier on your guests. They are essentially a list of items you would like and can hand out to your friends and family. Some stores offer the option of gift registries where you can go select the items for your wish list and the store will tick them off the list as and when an item is purchased by a guest. You can even do it online or have someone manage it for you.
When selecting items for a wedding gift registry make sure you compile a wide variety of items both practical and fun, in different price ranges. This makes it easier for your guests to buy you something that is within their budget and no one is pressurized to buy anything they are not comfortable with. Once you select the items for your registries at either one or different vendors, let your guests know either on your invites, through your wedding websites or by word of mouth.
Contact Idea Waley – The Wedding Planners, in your area for our gift registry services along with a wide variety of wedding planning services. We will help you create as well as manage your gift registries, at your choice of vendors.
Indian Weddings are joyous celebrations, a time for unbridled happiness…and filled with lots of song and dance! Whether it is a sweet couple’s dance at the end of the reception or the more enthusiastic group dances at a Sangeet, music and dancing can be so intimate and so very fun. The popularity of choreographed dancing is solidified further by our voracious love of romantic Bollywood movies and fairytale Hollywood flicks.
Celebrating your wedding with a choreographed performance is a great way to showcase your personality and let your hair down with friends and family. Western weddings often have a first dance for the newlyweds; a sweet slow dance to ‘their’ song followed by a father-daughter, mother-son etc dance. It is becoming increasingly popular to hire a professional choreographer to teach and set a dance routine for you even in Western weddings. You can hire a choreographer to show you the steps for ballroom dancing or a lovely foxtrot or waltz and incorporate it in your Indian wedding as well.
As far as Indian weddings go, families and friends often put together various dance routines and skits for the Sangeet event or cocktail parties. Professional chorographers are hired to help put together colourful and often Bollywood inspired group and individual dance sequences. Couples and their near and dear ones also hire professionals to incorporate skits with song and dance narrating stories about the bride and groom’s lives, right from songs about family to their story.
Hiring a professional choreographer helps put together a show no one will forget and is a great way to celebrate not only the marriage but all the people involved. It does require that you put time aside for practice sessions, find a practice area that has enough room to move around comfortably and find a choreographer who you are comfortable working with and can teach you the moves you want.
We at Idea Waley – The Wedding Planners will help you book a choreographer, along with our many other wedding planning services. If required we will also arrange for a proper location for dance rehearsals for the sangeet performances, ‘first dance’ etc. All you need to arrange for are your dancing shoes!
If a wedding has to run smoothly everyone needs to get to the right destination at the right time. Arranging for transportation is an aspect of wedding planning that couples often leave for the last minute and that is recipe for chaos. You and your families definitely don't need that added stress!
When you are planning a wedding, especially a two or three-day event like Indian weddings often are, arranging for adequate transport is a key factor. You will have to plan for transportation for yourselves (the couples) and the families to the event venues, transport for trips to the house or hotel if there is a gap between events and transport back post the events etc. You and your partner will have to arrange for transportation for out of town guests as well, for the many functions over the course the entire wedding celebrations. If you have a lot of guests flying in or are planning on an out of town wedding booking an entire flight or luxury bus is also an option.
In the case of out of town or destination weddings, wedding transportation becomes even more important. You will have to arrange for not only wedding transport within the destination but also make arrangements for air, rail or road transport to get there in the first place – both for yourself and for guests. Coordinating between the different modes of transport like trains and their schedules, bus and flight departures and arrivals and hired cars becomes a complicated task for the family, especially with the fixed mahurat timings and time sensitive wedding events.
When choosing wedding transport providers for your wedding day and other events you will need to find out information like the services the transport provider offers, pick up and drop off options, various charges, whether they will make multiple trips, provide package deals etc. In addition you will also have to do a thorough check of scheduling and timings for different modes of transportation. Making a detailed organizational chart is essential to stay on track.
Protecting life's special moments is an important job. Hiring special security and valet parking for guests is generally not something that brides and grooms think of when planning their wedding. However, keeping your near and dear ones well protected and ensuring a secure environment for one of the most cherished and expensive events in your life is an idea worth taking into consideration.
Weddings in India are often opulent and lavish affairs where everyone from the couple to the guests come dressed in all their finery and wear a lot of valuable jewellery. Wedding guests also normally carry small valuable items like purses and cameras that they may leave unattended on the tables. Unfortunately it is not uncommon for gate crashers who try their luck and enter uninvited looking to walk out with a few stolen goods… security is a must! You will also have to make sure you have someone on hand to keep an eye on all the wedding gifts and envelopes you receive and later transport them to a safer place. Also, if you are expecting high profile guests and celebrities at your event, additional security is definitely needed.
While many wedding venues do offer basic security and safety measures, looking into hiring private security is a good idea. You will have to find a reputed private security firm that is known for its high standards and it is important that the staff is well equipped to handle safety issues and is professional, courteous and well trained. Another security concern is that of the many private cars and vehicles and also the parking hassles that may arise at a wedding event venue in a busy location. Consider organizing a valet service to make it really convenient for yourself and the guests. You can also look into hiring chauffeurs for the occasion to ferry you and your families to the different wedding events, ensuring some level of safety and quite literally a smoother ride.
Idea Waley – The Event Planners, in your area will organize private security for weddings, chauffeurs, valet services and event staffing, as required and we only deal with vendors that have the expertise and the professionalism as needed.
It’s no surprise that there are so many wedding based movies; weddings are a source of romance, glamour and yes lots of entertainment. When it comes to leave a lasting impression of your big day, the wedding entertainment you choose makes all the difference. The kind of entertainment you choose can make or break your wedding event.
No wedding in India is complete without a little music or let’s face it a lot of it! Hiring a DJ for your functions like the Sangeet, cocktail and Mehendi celebrations is a popular practice and it is important to find a professional DJ who can cater to the kind of event you have in mind, has the right equipment and set-up and has a vast, varied playlist. Another great option is to hire a live band or musicians to add the perfect harmonious touch to the wedding you can even have them perform ‘your’ song as you dance at the reception. Folk singers, pop singers, jazz bands etc… find one that suits yours and your partner’s musical tastes.
Talk to your wedding planner about having other live acts as well, always a popular wedding entertainment option since everyone enjoys a good show. Apart from musicians or singers, you can hire dance troupes specific to your theme; find out if they will not only perform but also teach you and your guests to bust a move or two. You can also consider out of the box entertainment options like caricature artists, fortune tellers, photobooths, special children’s performers etc. depending on the kind of wedding you are having. Another aspect to enhance any wedding event and the entertainment is the lighting, sound and special effects. You can even make use of pyrotechnics and fireworks.
Whatever you decide on, make sure the event venue has the space, electric outlets and facilities required. Make sure you discuss and decide on all conditions and services to be provided before finalizing.
Idea Waley – The Wedding Planners, in your area can propose and coordinate various entertainment options like performers and artists among many more, as well as take care of all the lighting, pyrotechnics and audiovisual special effects. We can also arrange for celebrity appearances.
There's definitely a lot that goes into planning your wedding and other events. Something as simple as making sure you have the right permissions and licenses for your events cannot be neglected or forgotten or else all the other efforts can go in vain.
We at Idea Waley can help you obtain all permissions and licenses required for weddings and other events. Various events have very different and specific licensing requirements and our panel of expert consultants will be able to understand and advise on the exact requirements based on the venue and the functions that will be held. They will also obtain and look after the permissions to ensure your event is hassle free. It is very important to be kept in the loop and be aware of all the right procedures, requirements and documentation required for obtaining the right licenses. Also, you need to keep in mind that various cities in India have different requirements.
Here are a few permissions and licenses that might be required:
The teams that we regularly work with have the right information regarding licensing requirements and are able to seek permissions and licenses in the minimum possible time frame. The main goal while working on such services is the satisfaction of our clients. Contact Idea Waley today regarding the permissions and licenses for your event.
Planning a wedding is not a simple undertaking; it takes time, effort and a lot of coordination between different aspects to create a dream wedding. After choosing the wedding date, the couple will eventually have to decide on a whole list of things ranging from the wedding venue to clothes to catering and tons of stuff in between. A wedding planning timeline and detailed checklists are essential to keep everything on track and serve as a guideline for what need to done.
You and your partner will have to sit yourselves down ideally with your wedding planner and make a wedding timeline and get organized. Create a checklist for separate events covering the different things you need for your wedding and other events like the catering, the venue, the decorators, music, transportation, photography etc. As you go down the checklist over the course of planning your big day, you will have to meet with different vendors and make sure everything is covered.
You will have to create a wedding timeline for the weeks or months leading up to your wedding starting with bigger duties like fixing on a guest list, breaking down event dates and times, booking your wedding venue in advance and smaller ones like scheduling your salon appointments. Making an individual timeline for each event like the ceremony, reception, cocktail etc. lets you plan more efficiently. Create a production schedule for your wedding that has details of every task that needs to be done, who it is to be done by and when they are to be completed. Every little detail like the time it takes to get to an event or scheduling a day for a pre-wedding photo shoot should be noted down. Once you start going down your schedules and lists and completing each task at hand big or small, it's that much easier not to get overwhelmed by the wedding planning.
We at Idea Waley – The Wedding Planners will ensure that your wedding schedule goes off smoothly. We will create the relevant timelines and production schedules for each event. Considering how important timing is in weddings and you generally don't have a minute to waste, working with Idea Waley means you will not have to worry that your wedding timelines are kept on track. We will not only create detailed itineraries for your special days but also make sure that production happens on the dot with the best wedding vendors available.
Weddings are a family affair and more often than not the tendency has been that older members of the family plan wedding preparations. Earlier weddings were planned at home and every member gave in some inputs on décor and food and together they would pull the event through.
But things have changed over the years.You would want your wedding to flow smoothly without any hurdles. Moreover, you would want all your relatives to enjoy the function rather than someone making sure service of food is smooth and that no guest is left unattended while someone else is busy checking sound or managing transport and are in turn missing from the family pictures. While elders from the family are aware of most things needed at weddings, they are not experienced in handling any kind of crisis like for example an important vendor does not turn up on the wedding day or any other last minute hitch. Here is where Idea Waley comes into the picture. As professional wedding planners we are well equipped to handle any kind of crisis. We not only foresee any problems before they occur but we always have backups. Being in the business we have a thorough knowledge of professional vendors and we only work with the best in the business.
Our onsite logistics includes a range of services. We have well knit teams which handle various responsibilities right from technical to the softer ones like hospitality. Our team ensures all the technical aspects are in place well in advance of the event start time. This includes setting up and checking of sound, lights, making sure every little element is checked off the décor list as per your brief, checking if all the items required for the rituals are in place, checking on seating arrangements, buffet layout, coordinating guest and couple transport, making sure valet and parking is taken care of and so on…
Other services include making sure all vendors arrive on time and overseeing their work, welcoming guests, taking a plate count before the buffet starts and keeping track of the same throughout the event, keeping your gifts safely. We take care of every little thing which matters to youas we would not want you to get stressed about these little things on your big day. Every moment of the biggest day of your life is for you and your family to enjoy and cherish. So live every bit of the day while we take care of the rest. Contact Idea Waley today to find out how you can have a wedding coordinator or a team of wedding coordinators to ensure everything runs smoothly on your wedding day.
Most brides and grooms to be have a somewhat clear vision of what they want their wedding to look like; the venue and location, the colours and the wedding décor etc. Even if you don't have a fixed idea, collaborating with your wedding planner and extensive planning is needed to create the perfect mood and ambience that you are hoping for.
Your wedding décorations should be a harmonious blend of various design aspects like lighting, decorations, table settings etc. and the actual location or venue itself. Once you find your ideal wedding venue it is important to decide on the aesthetic direction you have in mind for the event and your budget. Finding vendors who will provide you with the services you want and the quality you need within your budgetary allocations is a time consuming yet necessary task.
Wedding and wedding reception design and décor is not a simple undertaking involving just the big picture decorations like the flowers, mandap and basic lighting, it involves a variety of small and big tasks like seating arrangements, finding or creating the perfect centerpieces or stage backdrops, deciding on ambient or mood lighting and much, much more. You will also have to decide on the perfect colour scheme for the main wedding event and the other soirees as well. If you plan on having a themed wedding as is popular today, your wedding design and décor needs to be handled with that much more finesse and an eye for detail.
Idea Waley - The Wedding Planners, in your area is here to help with all your décor and design needs, right from engagement décor to the wedding reception and all events in between. We will conceptualize, create and coordinate themes and all your décor desires, in conjunction with your vision. Whether it's importing exotic flowers for your big day, picking the best fabrics, designing elaborate sets or sourcing props, Idea Waley will take care of it all making the best use of your budget.
Indian weddings are a colourful and vibrant mélange of a number of customs and events. If you take into consideration the various different cultures and religions in the country, you will find a variety of pre-weddings functions and celebrations that span over days, apart from the more serious ring exchange ceremony and the exchanging of vows.
A couple of the most popular and commonly celebrated functions are the Sangeet and the Mehendi. The Sangeet is one of the more vibrant and fun celebrations in Indian weddings, replete with enthusiastic live music and dance performances and food and drinks galore. Today, the Sangeet is often celebrated on a grand scale with choreographed dances and skits by family and friends on film and wedding songs and sometimes professional performers are hired too.
There are times when the Sangeet is combined with the Mehndi function as a means to save time and to do away with added expenses of individual functions during this hectic time of merry making. The Mehndi function is one that spans over different religions and cultures. The bride's hands and feet are adorned with gorgeous henna patterns and all present participate in choosing their Mehndi designs. This pre wedding ceremony is also filled with food, music and lots of fun.
The Roka ceremony is indigenous to Punjabi weddings, where the bride's and groom's families meet to formalize the wedding. The Roka is a pre-wedding custom that signifies the formal relationship and commitment between the families, celebrated with a gift exchange and music and dance. A similar pre wedding ceremony is the KachiMisri in the Sindhi community. The KachiMisri is a ritual that precedes a formal engagement; an informal engagement takes place with an exchange of gifts, fruits, coconuts and misri (sugar), symbolizing a commitment between the bride and groom. The groom's sister covers the bride's head with a red dupatta and the groom also feeds sheera to his future sister-in-law.
A ceremony common to Hindu and Muslim weddings is the Haldi ceremony. During the Haldi ceremony, the bride is made to sit on a small stool and family members apply a turmeric paste on the bride's face and body. This fun ceremony usually takes place a day before the wedding and most people add their own spin on it. The paste made with turmeric, sandalwood and rose water is meant to beautify the skin and get the bride ready for her big day. Female family members normally sing traditional Haldi songs.
The Roce ceremony is a pre-wedding ritual that is followed by some Christian communities. Also held on the day before the wedding, the bride or groom to be is given a bath with hot water and coconut milk or juice; oil is also applied on the forehead or in the ears. Nowadays family and friends also have a little fun by putting all kinds of weird things like eggs on them. The Roce is then followed by a dinner for all guests present and marks the start of the celebrations to come and signifies the last bath as an unmarried individual.
These are just a little sampler of the diverse wedding traditions and ceremonies in India. Whatever kind of wedding ceremonies you decide to have, Idea Waley- The Wedding Planners, in your area will help you put it together. We will help you organize all your pre-wedding functions and take care of the smallest details. From the Sangeet to the Griha Shanti to the Baraat, Idea Waley will provide you with all the expertise related to various customs, rituals and traditions that make up the big fat Indian wedding.
So you have found the one you want to spend the rest of your life with and now it's time to pop the question. Proposing to your sweetheart has come a long way from simply going down on one knee, ring in hand. Nowadays the latest trend is planning a proposal filled with romance, fun and wonder… one that will blow your intended's socks off!
Much like the marriage itself, the engagement or wedding ring is an important commitment too, especially if you are looking to surprise your bride. The first step to a memorable proposal is finding the perfect ring. If your significant other hasn't dropped any hints or isn't planning to come ring shopping with you make sure you buy something that suits their personality and style. The same applies to the proposal. Many men decide to propose amidst a celebration or surrounded by family or friends but this may not be your or your sweetheart's cup of tea. Planning a special proposal takes a little thought but it's worth seeing the surprise and happiness on her face.
A fun way to do it is plan a special day or even a trip if that's possible. A picnic at the park with her with a luxury food basket and champagne, a beachside proposal by your private holiday cabana or a day filled with all her favorite activities ending with a proposal under the stars in a lantern lit canopy, a private screening of a romantic film with the big question after the credits…. Let your romantic side kick in and the options are endless. You could even plan a holiday around it like a magical proposal by the beautiful TajMahal or on pretty Parisian streets.
Idea Waley – The Wedding Planners, in your area will assist you in creating and coordinating a unique proposal idea just for you. We will not only provide you with some great ideas suitable for your needs and budget but also make other arrangements like venue accommodations, travel bookings, shopping needs etc. Let us help you create a moment as memorable as your wedding is sure to be!
Are you getting married and want to share your sweetest moments with your family and friends? One of the best tools to create a special something for the event and also share the important details with your guests is a wedding website. A wedding website is not only a great way to tell your story but also can be used as an efficient and interactive wedding planning tool.
Designing and creating your own wedding website can be a fabulous way to connect with your near and dear ones, especially those that live far away from you. They can keep abreast of all the latest details and developments regarding the wedding and other wedding related events, through a fun and sweet medium.
When creating a website for your wedding, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to make it as informative and attractive as possible. List detailed descriptions of the functions and celebrations you plan on having. Attaching a brief story about the history of the ceremony or why it may be special to you is also a nice touch. Make sure you give accurate and detailed information about the timings, directions and dress code for the event; this is especially handy for those travelling from another destination and need to plan their schedules and also people not familiar with the said customs. Separate web pages for the different events make it more interactive.
Couples also spice up their websites with anecdotes of their love stories or write little notes about each other. You could also have a brief section on your childhoods, families and closest friends. Use tons of pictures that represent the happy moments in your lives. Another popular trend you can opt for is having a mini photoshoot for some beautiful pre-wedding pictures and display them on the website. Adding music to the website, especially some romantic melodies or songs that define you as a couple, is a great way to make it a complete multimedia experience. There are various wedding websites with ready templates as well to get you started, including those with a RSVP option.
Idea Waley – The Wedding Planners, in your area can assist you in creating a wedding website that will leave everyone with a huge smile on their faces. Let us help you create the perfect medium to share wedding information and connect with your guests before your special day.
Chances are your near and dear ones are scattered all over the world and are making the journey for your big day. It might be a good idea to break up your guest list as per age and when your wedding guests are expected? Making your out of town guests feel properly welcomed and showing your appreciation for their presence is important because they are taking the effort to be part of your wedding and other celebrations. From bigger arrangements like hotel bookings to smaller ones like gift baskets, there are tons of things you can do to make them feel special. A little thoughtfulness goes a long way.
You can start by sending out ‘save the date’ or the RSVP cards well in advance so that your guests can begin planning their trips. A proper heads-up is always appreciated and shows how much you really want them there. If you are not responsible for the travel arrangements for all out of town guests, putting it together for the closest family and friends is a great gesture. Not only will it make it easier for them but also make it easier for you to arrange for the bookings, airport or welcomes and pickups and for planning the other transportation needed.
Contact your guests in advance and figure out who will need accommodation arrangements and how many rooms. Find out what discounts and package deals the hotel provides for bulk bookings and what kind of services they can offer like transportation for your guests. It’s also nice if the hotel they are going to be put up at has other services like day trips, cooking classes, play center for children that your out of town guests can enjoy, especially if the wedding festivities span over a few days. Find out what sightseeing, nightlife and other fun activities your out of town wedding guests can enjoy at the wedding destination and provide them with all the relevant information.
Idea Waley - The Wedding Planners, in your area will help you arrange for an experience that your out of town guests will never forget. We will manage your RSVPs, arrange for travel and hotel bookings, airport pickups, assistance with guest check ins and hospitality desks etc. and other services as required. We can also arrange for specially designed tours for your guests to take in the sights and sounds of the destination.
Idea Waley will also help you plan and create the perfect favours and welcome gifts for your out of town guests from welcome packages in hotel rooms to luxury gift baskets and personalized goodie baskets.
All wedding planning decisions aside, there's one thing that is never under question – this is the day you want to look your best! Your wedding style sets the mood for your wedding celebrations and allows you to feel like the stars of the show that you are. With the wedding pictures and videos capturing all your special moments it's definitely important to put your best faces forward and look as gorgeous and comfortable as possible.
The right styling for the bride and groom is extremely important since you always have to look well put together. If you are having multiple wedding events then it's important that your outfits and overall look work well for each event and do not get repetitive. Your wedding outfits have to also work well with the mood, scale and design elements of your wedding and other celebrations.
Designer and non-designer bridal wear in India has evolved over the years and there are multiple top notch designers as well as specialty stores that cater to all kinds of bridal wear. When searching for the best outfits for you, do some homework about the designers out there, whose fashion aesthetic suits yours and which cuts and silhouettes work best for you as well as how much you are comfortable spending. Your wedding attire as a bride will probably include a bridal saree, lehenga or wedding gown for the main event as well as other salwars, lehengas, sarees and maybe even a cocktail dress depending on the wedding functions you are planning on. Bridal fashion is a big deal in India, sometimes dictated by tradition and sometimes by fashion and trends; it is up to you to pick the right attire for the right occasions. Always keep in mind that the colours you choose as well as the cuts should be the most flattering for you.
A couple has to work on their wedding styling together; the groom's wedding attire should not only be suited to his style and the event but also work well with the bride's. Clashing colors or design aesthetics…a big no-no! From suave tuxes to regal sherwanis, there is a lot to choose from nowadays. From Western wear like a suit or a tuxedo to Indian wear like a churidar kurta, sherwani or jodhpuris, there are many options for grooms today.
Once you are done with the outfits finding the perfect jewellery and other accessories are the next steps towards completing your look. Let's not forget fixing up appointments and trials with make-up professionals, hair stylists and finding the right accessories for your looks.The hair and make-up plays a huge role in your overall style and you have to find professionals that can bring out your natural beauty and someone you are at ease with.
Wedding favors and gifts are a great way to show your affection and appreciation for your wedding guests. They can range from small DIY to bigger luxury gifts; there's a lot you can do depending on your budget. Although it is an old practice dating back to century old European traditions, arranging for wedding favors has become a big trend in Indian weddings as well. A gesture that is always appreciated, the wedding favors need to be thoughtful and apt for the occasion, no matter how much you are spending on them.
To begin with you could send gifts to accompany your invitations. It could be a traditional Indian wedding gift like beautifully packaged custom gift boxes with sweets, chocolates, dried fruits etc. You can even consider more unique gifts like saplings in a decorated pot and some wedding stationery including the itinerary of what's to come, a set of diyas or candles etc. Consider buying different wedding favors for your specific functions as well, for example, a beauty goodie basket for your Mehendi guests, a CD with your wedding playlist at the Sangeet or cocktail party or a luxury chocolate and wine gift basket for your girls at the bachelorette.
Custom made wedding favors are a great option. Engraved candleholders, takeaway silver table name-card holders and even custom made candles and soaps with special wedding wrappers are some examples of wedding favors that can be made unique to your event. You can also choose these, according to your theme and the colour scheme of the wedding and other events.
Another great touch is preparing gift baskets for your guests like welcome baskets in hotel rooms with a collection of bath and body products, wine, cheese and chocolate baskets or even a beautifully wrapped snack and goodie basket. How personalized your gifts get depend on how many guests you are inviting and your relationship with them.
Idea Waley - The Wedding Planners, in your area will help you put together the wedding favors and wedding gifts best suited to you and your wedding celebrations. We will source and package your giveaways, gifts and favors to go along with the wedding invitations, for different functions or for hotel room gifts, as per your requirements.
Weddings are about romance, glamour, fulfilled dreams and yes a whole lot of money! Planning your ideal wedding does not come cheap and weddings in India nowadays keep getting bigger and better. We all insure things that we spend our hard earned money on like a new car or a home, so why not insure the wedding! Considering that couples or their families spend a humongous amount of cash on a wedding, wedding insurance is a practical idea.
Wedding expenses do not include just the payments for things like the venue, decoration and catering, but numerous small and big expenditures for everything from the wedding jewellery to the transportation and the wedding outfits. Wedding insurance can help ease the financial burden in case of an unforeseen event like a cancellation if things go awry.
In India, different policies offer varying coverage, but most of them offer general coverage for postponement or cancellation of the wedding, property damage both personal and to the venue, bodily injuries, cancellation due to illness or an accident of the bride, groom or immediate families, losses due to failure of service by vendors and theft. It is also a good idea to get protection for the large amounts of jewellery, cash and gifts that are part and parcel of Indian weddings. Some companies also offer tailor-made insurance packages for large scale weddings.
Speak with different companies about payments and options to find the right insurance plan for you and make sure you find out what the procedures are when filing for a claim. The peace of mind that wedding insurance brings is worth the initial effort taken to find a policy that works best for you.
Idea Waley – The Wedding Planners, in your area will help you find the wedding insurance you require. We will advise you on what needs to be done like preparing valuation documents and keeping a track of bills, expenses and receipts. Our thorough wedding planning services not only help you plan the wedding of your dreams but assist you in finding the best security for it as well.
Trousseau shopping & packing for the bride is an activity that can extend over months and can be both a dream and a difficulty. Your trousseau will probably consist of your wedding outfit, outfits for other wedding events, shoes and accessories. It traditionally also includes items that a bride will need over the course of first few married months or even the year ahead like linens, household items, lingerie etc. Shopping is fun yes, and also can be pretty overwhelming.
Start with setting a realistic budget for your main wedding clothes and other trousseau items and draw up a list of things that you want to purchase so you can allocate your shopping budget accordingly. One of the most important things you will purchase is your bridal outfit like the wedding sari, lehenga, gown etc. which might be a part of your trousseau. Brides to be also buy a collection of other Indian and Western outfits like salwar kameezes, dresses, saris etc. for the wedding events and other parties.
Jewellery is another important aspect of the trousseau. Brides pick up traditional wedding jewellery as well as other precious and semiprecious baubles. Accessories like shoes and bags, both matching to your wedding outfits and otherwise also form part of the collection. If you would rather not buy too many formal clothes and accessories, you can also pick up a wardrobe for your honeymoon, perfume, beauty products and the like. With so many bridal wear designers, couture stores and boutiques the choices are endless and can be confusing for a novice shopper who already has tons of things on her mind.Whether you like your things high street or haute couture, custom made or pret, it's important to have a good mix of clothes and accessories that work well together as well as some fun items just for you.
Idea Waley– The Wedding Planners, in your area will provide you with the assistance for your complete trousseau planning and shopping and other wedding related personal shopping needs. We help you put together a stylized and comprehensive trousseau and also arrange for the trousseau packaging that is not only beautiful but suited to the event and the style you have in mind.
High end destination weddings set in gorgeous locales around the world are the stuff of fairytale beginnings. With numerous luxury resorts and hotels with provisions for luxurious rooms, top-notch cuisine and picture perfect settings, opening their doors to wedding parties, your dreams can come true.
If you aren’t quite sure what a destination wedding entails, read on. When couples want to exchange their wedding vows and commit to a beautiful life together, at an exotic or otherwise scenic locale away from the normalcy of their home-towns, a destination wedding comes into play. It is like combining a wedding and a nice holiday for both you and your guests at the destination of your choice! Couples often opt for destinations that they have a special connection to, like having a lot of their family there, maybe a place that hold special memories for them as a couple or maybe even somewhere they have always dreamed of visiting together. Pick a destination that speaks to your heart and you can’t go wrong!
It could be weekend away, few days, a week and so on, depending on how many ceremonies and events your nuptials entail (definitely multiple in case of a big Indian wedding!). If you intend on having numerous wedding events, you could also alternate between day and night functions on the same day to save you some time.
When planning a destination wedding it is wise to remember that it does involve a lot more work, since you will have to handle all the usual tasks combined with additional organising that comes with arranging an event away from home. Also, you may have to take multiple trips to the location and finalise details at the destination.
One of the most comprehensive ways to help you get organized and keep your guests in the loop is to create a wedding website for the destination events. You can upload information about the place, venue and accommodation options to aid guests in their bookings, list transport options and information, information about the events and the protocol or dress code if any and any other information and details you wish to include. Providing proper contact information like hotline numbers and an RSVP option will greatly help you in the planning and make it easier for your guests as well.
Speaking of the guests, since you are thinking of planning a fabulous destination wedding why not go that extra mile and ensure that your guests are treated to a trip they will never forget! Try and negotiate special rates for their various bookings like travel and accommodation through bulk booking discounts and the like. You could arrange for special gifts, giveaways and goody bags for when they check in at the destination and even personalised gifts for smaller groups. Another way to enhance their experience is by actually giving them the time to savour the place; don’t cram the day with too many wedding activities, giving your guests the time to relax and make it a fun holiday. You could also arrange for entertaining tours like a trip to the famous flea markets in Goa or a Bollywood tour in in your area.
A few additional touches that can make a destination wedding truly enjoyable and luxurious are to enhance events with the local flavour of the place like the regional cuisine, music, colours etc. or incorporating themes and events (like a beach party at a tropical destination like Goa or a high tea event on a sand dune at a royal destination like Rajasthan, for instance.) pertinent to that place.
Since, there are more options than one can ever hope for both in India and internationally, we have listed a few popular destination options:
States like Goa, Kerala and Rajasthan are the perennial favourites and rightly so with their natural beauty, diverse cultures and visitor friendly atmospheres.
If royalty is what you are aiming for, cities like Udaipur and Jaipur in Rajasthan are home to some of the most stunning palace and heritage hotels, gorgeous architecture and picturesque scenery. If you would rather get married by the sea, Goa offers a variety of high end resorts and hotels, all along its many cities and beaches.
If you head north, Agra is another great destination for a luxury destination wedding. And getting married with the everlasting symbol of love – the TajMahal in the background, has a special symbolism to it altogether.
On an international level, the world is quite literally your opulent oyster.
KohSamui, Maldives and Bangkok are some of the popular wedding destinations in Asia.
The islands of Maldives, a 5 hour flight via Columbo, amidst the Indian Ocean are a hot-spot for honeymooners and weddings alike. Gorgeous white sands and turquoise waters make the perfect setting for a luxurious wedding here. One of the most exclusive options here is ‘The Rania Experience’ perfect for wedding packages; you will have an entire private island and private yacht, butlers and a spa at your disposal. A truly one of a kind experience!
When planning a honeymoon for you and your partner, there a few basic things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, you should start with a clear idea of what your vacation personalities are for example would you want the quintessential romantic getaway or are you an adventurous thrill seeker looking to pump the adrenaline with your spouse? Whether you are dreaming of days spent walking around beautiful town squares and scouring museums, an adventurous honeymoon white water rafting and kayaking, wildlife watching at a safari or spending lazy days at the beach sipping cocktails, make sure you both discuss what you want from your honeymoon.
Decide on a realistic budget early on and that will make it easier to zero in on a few ideal honeymoon destinations. Once you know what kind of honeymoon destination you want, how much you can spend and the time you have, you start looking at the various Indian honeymoon spots and international honeymoon destinations. There are so many diverse spots in the country itself ranging from luxurious resorts in states like Goa and Rajasthan to exotic and offbeat locales far away from the crowds. International honeymoon destinations like Europe, South East Asia and South America are popular and there are tons of information available and plenty of choices. If your tastes vary, find a destination that has the best of both worlds. Always check for the weather conditions and seasons for the destination, depending on what time of the year you want to go.
Once you decide on your dream destination check for packages that give you the best bang for your buck. Some resorts offer all inclusive holidays and honeymoon packages with your airfare included. Talk to various travel agents and check online travel sites for the best deals.
Idea Waley – The Wedding Planners, in your area offers honeymoon planning as part of our post wedding services. We will help you locate the ideal honeymoon destination and packages and take care of all the necessary arrangements for you right from the bookings to creating an itinerary to maximize your romantic holiday.
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