Only Nine Days To Go

Hi Guests,

Creating a dramatic feel to our reception!

I hope you enjoyed my recent post on the guestlist. I missed out some people so I better make it up to them. So sorry, its just that the pressure, stress and excitement are starting to consume me. Well Rasti, “nahahawa” na rin. The strong personality that I am, buti na lang, he is not easily pressured. My bf is always been the most secure person I have ever known, always calm even if things get out of hand. Well, his being like that has its own positive and negative side.

Anyway not to ponder on that anymore, I just want to update you on where we are in the preparations. Right now, we are almost 85% done with everything, from the financial side to the preppys. But of course, medyo sagad talaga ang budget. Can’t move around a bit. So we have to stick to what we still need to pay. Just worrying though about my decors.  I still wanted to buy and spruce up the reception some more.

Actually, what we are doing right now are the design and decor for the reception.

I have carpenters to help me create my vision of an Indian-inspired wedding. Of course, small problems like how do we hang the branches in the venue are just coming right up. I visited the venue this morning and found out that we cannot hammer in holes in the ceilings for the nails/hooks to hang decors. The management would not permit it. Well, anyway, am pretty sure that we can come up with the solution to the problem. “Abilidad lang naman yan”. But honestly, I can’t stop thinking about it. I want Sunday to arrive so that I can talk to my carpenters na, hayhay!

With the twigs and branches in,  I would have them painted with color red and gold, then covering them up with purple and pink glitters. Those are the main branches. For the extra twigs, they will be sprayed with gold paint. After those finishings, we will be covering them with orange and red lights and hang in them tealight candles in nicely-beaded candleholders.

On the ceiling or just above we will attempt to cover it with red/purplish fabrics. It would appear like a tent of some sort, which encloses the guests into one cozy and romantic dinner set-up. The chandeliers aside those provided by the venue are mainly candles on beautiful candleholders.

For the centerpiece, am thinking of using the extra twigs as centerpiece on the table with candles,  one fresh or artificial flower with wine bottles used as vase f0r the twigs. Am also considering the extra invitations be used as hanging decors in the branches and trigs.

If all these are successful, I will be using this creation to step up my career in events management. Yes, I am planning to leave my current work and look for something that will give me monetary means to help Rasti and I with what we  plan to do with our family life. Personally, I want a life teemed with traveling, world exploration and self development with my love, Rasti.

See you all on the 18th of December at 5:00 p.m.

Wedding Inspirations

Indian Inspirations

From the very beginning, we have informed you about our limitations in preparing for this wedding. That’s why we are thankful to the Lord that blessings just keep coming as soon as I (the bride) already start doubting if we will really be able to make it or not until December. Good thing, angels do dropby everytime you need them most even if sometimes I (the bride) often forgot to call them. Rasti has always been consistent in his prayers and in calling the angels that’s why they are always on time.

Anyways, we are glad to share with you some of the inspirations we got, most of it I (the bride) got from my regular Internet surfing and researches (mind you, am working on WordPress Themes while am at the middle of preparing for my wedding so my surfing is actually relevant. I am now able to master blogging using WordPress).

Honestly, we are aware that we cannot give you a factual presentation of a genuine Indian wedding.  We are resigned to that fact. However, our hope is to at least have you experience something unique and different in our wedding, to make each one of you feel how special you are to us. And that, we want to share with you our passion for India.

We both believe that this is what weddings should be all about. The couple sharing with the special people in their lives both their passion and love for each other and for things that make them click.

Ambiance

Indian-inpired ambiance

We hope to design the reception with a splash of maroon, purplish pink and gold colors. These are the combination of Indian colors – heavy in red, violet, pink, and gold. If you notice in the photo, instead of chairs, they have used pillows where guests will sit on. We are not sure if we can use pillow since they can be uncomfortable. I (the bride) believe that we can do something remarkable with the chairs to make it look at little bit Indian. I would rather have a long table for all of us. If not, there will be some tables and chairs aside from the long table. My sister, who is an artist and I, a frustrated artist, will come up with the design. My sister, brother, Rasti and hopefully his relatives and some of our friends can help in the decorations and designing in the early morning of December 18, starting 7 am. Its good if there will be volunteers, if not, we will understand. Just text me or Rasti. I (the bride) might be in-charge with running the errands – getting the flowers and such that day.

Bouquet inspiration

For the flowers, I will use those with the colors of India. Just discovered too that the most common flowers here in the Philippines are also found in India like Bougainvillea, Gumamela (China Rose), Cattleya Orchids and Roses. I might be using these ordinary but beautiful flowers or pick from Dangwa wild flowers/Malaysian mums or daisies with colors orange, yellow, pink, and purple. As of now, considering our budget, flower arrangements during the wedding ceremonies may just be optional. For the reception, we will try to incoporate it in the design.

Tealights candles are a part of the motif as well. The wares and other Indian decorations will be borrowed

Kaleeras

from our caterer. I (the bride) have searched the Internet for some Indian trinkets or ideas. There were platters, kaleeras (I still don’t know what is this for, maybe there is a meaning if you use this or it can be just a plain decoration.

Centerpiece inspiration

I am thinking of using a basket full of goodies as centerpiece to the tables or the Thali delight. or better yet the herbs and spices of India. Will ask my Indian friend what is the best centerpiece for the occasion. All mentioned are included in the list of Indian items I just checked.

They also have choices for ring carriers, sari bags, napkin holders, and envelopes. They have also nicely-designed umbrellas, which I was thinking of using “sana” in case I chose to have the penthouse as venue. However, I am not sure of the weather on the day of my wedding. If I pushed to have it in the penthouse, I should have provisions for a tent to protect us from the rain but that would mean additional cost  for us so I just opted for a simple reception venue at the second floor of Stonehouse and StarTavern Restaurant (along E. Rodriguez Avenue, near T. Morato area).

We will try to add more to these furnishings. My Indian restaurant owner friend who agreed to cater our reception will let us borrow Indian decors from her house and of course wares from her store. So we think that should be enough to create the Indian-ambiance we are looking for plus the music.

Wedding Gown, Barong Suit, Accessories and Make-up

Gown and Accessories

Bridal accessories

I was privileged to be introduced to an Indian designer who supplies fabric to known Filipino couturier  (e.g. Rajo Laurel, Patis Tesoro). He is actually the brother of my caterer. I bought the fabric from him and let a dress shop here in the Philippines assemble the gown to lessen the cost instead of having  the designer ship the gown here. Anyway, I am positive that my sewer got the design of my gown right, judging from the sloper she made with her team. Will post a glimpse of my gown here soon. It will be ready anytime next week.

Wedding Gown Inspiration

I got the design inspiration from one of the gowns that Elizabeth Hurley wore during her 15-day  Hindu wedding to an Indian billionaire. Please check the photo on the right.

The difference of the Liz Hurley’s gown is that mine is the non-traditional white. My gown is entirely purple studded with glittery materials on it. It is empire cut, deep neck and a little backless. Well, am not in a perfect shape in my coming wedding. (chubby, hehehe). But hey, who cares anyway! All I know is that I am getting married and in love. And besides “I am making my gown to fit my body and not the other way around.”  Aside from it is purple, the fabric is such that it needs a lining, so the dressmaker picked up a purple lining for the gown. She also included some bead accents to put at the middle of the empire cut like the accent at the middle of Liz Hurley’s gown and sew me a little pouch bag too. The gown is kinda heavy but when I put it on at the last fitting, it has like a moment there. I mean I felt that I am really going to get married and it is a nice feeling.

Also, the designer offered to bring the Indian accessories and jewelries to match my gown on his next travel. He will be arriving on November 10. For those who would want to check out some Indian sarees/saris and apparels, please tell me. I would be glad to introduce you to him when we meet. He would be also bringing me a nice saree. I think I could wear that at the reception. I really do hope everything goes well for the wedding.

Sherwani-style, Barong Suit for the Groom

The Groom's Attire Inspiration

Honestly, my husband-to-be’s attire at our wedding came in late, I mean the inspiration. I was particularly engrossed with my wedding gown. Anyway, I got the inspiration when I started researching on what Indian guys wear in weddings. And I learned that they usually call it Sherwani. So I picked several looks of it and asked him what he thinks about them or if he wants any of the designs. Rasti, my groom, actually wants the barong for our wedding with a touch of purple. We saw one at Market, Market when we went there. But I was like thinking to have at least a touch of the motif in his attire. He always joke around telling me that he might look like a clown and our guests would laugh at him so I let him see the design before taking his measurements. The design of his barong suit, as we call it, is the photo from the left – material to be used is piña jusi (which is  the one used in barong), the color is also the color of the barong but the stitches/accents will be in purple.  The pockets will also be sown in the barong suit except that the material to be used for the lining will be organza so that the stitches or the patches inside will not be seen. Honestly, I really don’t know how it would look on him. I hope it would be as good as that in the picture.

Make-up

Make-up Inspiration

For the make-up, of course I want something to go with my look. Indian women are known for their strong  appearance and looks especially on the eye area. I have watched several YouTube videos on how to apply Indian-inspired make-ups and I was also able to find some links as well to online resources on how to carefully do it. I will be sending this to whom I will have my make-up done.

For some sample inspirations, I downloaded and posted them here to have you see how they look like. It is simple, light but notice the emphasis on the eyes. The almond-shaped eyes are highlighted. Just what I like.

There are other inspirations where I got the idea.

In this photo, what caught my attention was the emphasis too on the color of the lips, which is fiery red. it gives that mysteriously strong look.

Just last Saturday, Rasti and I went to our caterer to pay a fourth of the price of the catering services. I told

Make-up inspiration 2

my friend owner of the restaurant that I am still in search for a make-up artist who would style me up on my wedding day. She offered to look for one with an affordable price. Today, the price range of the bridal package is starting from 15,000 to 20,000. For me, the bride, it is highly impractical to pay such huge amount for just a make-up of at least 3-4 or my entourage or even less. Will check out with my friend again if she will be able to pull it through including the bhindi (the red dot usually found at the middile of the eyebrows). Anyway, aside from the make-up, she asked me if I want to put some mehndi in my hands. At first, I do not know what she was talking about but instantly remembering Aishawarya Rai in the film DevDas, it finally donned on me.  The mehndi was the tatoo you put on your hands before you get married, at least, in the Indian tradition. Of course, when I heard that, I was excited. She asked me to go to her house two days before the wedding and have the mhendi applied to my hands. One of the design inspirations is posted below. Though, am still thinking if it would be really necessary to have it done. Of course, feeling truly a part of India is something that I consider strongly.

Mehndi Design

See videos below to see more make-up inspirations and the how-to, for those interested.

KHUSSA

For the shoes, they call the Indian bridal shoes as KHUSSA. Actually its a beaded footwear, which is easier to find nowadays. I think it is one of the “INs” of today’s fashion. I haven’t bought one yet. But I hope to have it soon. I’ll have to ask where is the best to buy it.

Giveaways

For the wedding giveaways, this is just optional for us for now. Something that we can let go of. Anyway, we wanted to give you a unique experience of the wedding and that is more than just a giveaway but more so a memory that will keep us bonded for years to come.

However, we are still kinda thinking of at least handing you out something when you leave after the reception. So, we have browsed through some ideas for a giveaway.

IDEA 1: INDIAN BANGLES

Indian Bangles

Although this idea is more of catering to the women guests, it is something very close to India’s culture.

We are also thinking of how to give out the bangles in case. I (the bride) got the inspiration from a round, red tin can studded with beads. What I did  is to get round cases from Divisoria made of paper and carton. Then I would buy beads and paste them throughout the case.

The idea is actually perfect except that the Indian bangles will cost P120 each plus the beads, the case and other materials will add to the cost.

IDEA 2: INDIAN SWEETS

Indian sweets

Another idea came up just recently when I was informed by Meenaxi that she will be opening a sweet mart selling Indian sweets in Paco, Manila.

I was thinking of getting something sweet putting them inside a nice box to make it as a giveaway, but I actually haven’t really taste other Indian sweets except for Kulfi.

Hopefully this will work if the Indian bangles will really be impossible to get due to limited resources. Still hoping.

Cakes

Fortunately, I have a friend, a former officemate who is a good cook who volunteered to make our wedding cake. According to her, its her wedding present for us. I am happy but to help her out in conceptualizing the design and taste of the cake, I researched for some possible designs. I told her to make the flavor strawberry and chocolate. Now, I am thinking if I want it to taste like the peppermint brownie of Starbucks but with. marshmallows inside. Isn’t Rasti and I call each other Peppermint and Marshmallow. Hmmm… just a thought. But of course, the decision to all these will be up to my friend, depending on her capacities and resources. I don’t want to impose. These are just ideas. Please look at the gallery of cakes below.

Two-tier Indian-inspired Wedding Cake

Multiple-tier Colorful Wedding Cake

Rose Motif Wedding Cake

Saree-inpired Wedding Cake

Two-tier Rose Motif Wedding Cake

Indian-themed Cupcakes

Colorful Wedding Cake

Indian-themed Cake Inspirations

Changes in our wedding blog…

Dear friends and guests,

For the past one and a half months since we started posting, we have added some very interesting pages in our blog and have changed the theme and the layout too, in case, you haven’t noticed.

Anyways, let us walk you through our wedding blog.

On the Homepage, which is the page where you are reading this post, is a short introductory page. Also in the same page is the Wedding Inspirations article that I just wrote so that you may have an idea of what to expect on our wedding. Its not something so difficult to follow or appreciate.

The next page, Our Love Story, is quite obvious. Rasti and I both made a love letter about each other and posted it on this page. It is both a revelation of how deeply we are in love with each other.

Third page is an updated version of the invitation we sent to you last September. Please check once in a while for changes especially the entourage.

Bollywood explains how Indian films became an important part of my life, how the films make me so happy. In relation to this, Shahrukh Khan, a popular Bollywood actor became my favorite international actor and fell in love with his films and all the more with Bollywood.

The last page, a taste of India, presents the menu, which will, of course, will be served during our intimate reception after the ceremonies.

I hope with these additions, you guys will enjoy and be informed about the latest developments in our wedding. Remember the wedding date & time – December 18, 2008, 5 p.m. We will post here the map going to the chapel where the wedding will take place and the directions soon.

Jofti and Rasti

See photos of wedding inspirations we have below. Please do comment or you might want to add some details to the inspiration. We are going to try to attempt such ambiance in the reception, if our budget permits.