Archives: September 2009

Hair and Makeup for the South Asian Bride

Posted by Smita Malhotra on September 30, 2009

Finding the Right Indian Wedding Makeup Artist

If you are a South Asian bride, you will understand the angst and frustration involved in finding the right makeup artist for your wedding. There are two things we want to avoid with wedding makeup: First is the use of the wrong foundation (which has mired South Asian wedding makeup for some reason), and Second is the ‘bride stuck in the 1950’s’ look (not that there was anything wrong with that, but we have new trends now).

For my wedding, I wanted someone who was familiar with Indian weddings and our outfit changes. For South Asian brides, putting on the outfits is half the battle! It was important for me to find someone who knew how to dress an Indian bride and to know where to ‘pin this’ and ‘put that’. Indian weddings are an entire day, sometimes week long affairs involving multiple outfit, hair and makeup changes! I needed someone who could be at the venue the entire day, and also someone who could do both makeup and hair. This limited my search to a select few people which caused me to go into panic mode!

Photo Credit: Tomas Ramos Photography

Just when I had thrown in the towel, and decided to do my wedding makeup MYSELF (because that is really how bad it got)…I decided to give my old friend Google a try (believe it or not, I found most of my wedding vendors on Google, and was not disappointed!). With my hands shaking, my mind on a mission and my then fiance and mother looking on, worried about my mental health (well, not really, I just threw that in for extra effect)…I typed in ‘indian wedding makeup artists’ and there came my answer..Saman Ansari at Studio Sila!

South Asian Bride Makeup Tips

Working with Saman for my wedding was such a great learning experience about the art of wedding makeup that I wanted to share some tips with other South Asian brides going through the same thing:

1) Go to a Trial Session:
A trial session is extremely important because you can clearly discuss how you envision yourself on your wedding day with your makeup/hair artist.

Bring your outfits to the trial session: this way, your makeup artist can match your eyeshadow to the color of your dress. Also with intricate/heavier outfits, you need the appropriate makeup to match!
Bring a camera: Take pictures of your session so you remember what it looked like. A good makeup artist will know how different types of makeup appear in pictures. Luckily for me, Saman was also an accomplished photographer!
Fake eyelashes: Before my trial session, the only time I had worn fake eyelashes was for Halloween! Saman changed it all! I highly recommend trying fake eyelashes for your wedding because when the right ones are used and put properly, they can look very natural and make your eyes pop! I loved them so much that I still wear them for parties and fancy occasions!
Hair accessories: Bring pictures of hair styles that you like so you can discuss whether you need extra accessories or extensions. I went and bought pins for my updo for the wedding and a flower accessory for my hair for the reception which worked well with my outfits.

Photo Credit: Tomas Ramos Photography and Saman Ansari, Studio Sila

2) Make a schedule:

Develop a game plan: Have a plan for the day and go over it with your makeup artist.
Send her/him your itinerary: Give your Makeup Artist a schedule of the events for the day so they are ready and prepared in terms of time.
Check Reliability: Also, make sure the person you choose is easy to reach and responsive to your questions. The last thing you want is someone who is not reliable!

3) On the day of:

Relax! Most of the work has been done, now it’s time for you to enjoy and get pampered.
Set a time for your makeup artist to meet you at least three hours before the ceremony.
Try not to have too many people in the room with you. I preferred just me, my makeup artist and my photographer for getting ready pictures (which I highly recommend!). Too many people can add extra stress because as much as you value their opinion, at the end of the day, you have to be happy with how you look.
TRUST your makeup artist. You chose them for a reason right? Don’t stress about every little detail of your makeup. Let them work their magic on you.

I was lucky enough to have found a makeup artist that was absolutely wonderful! Finding your makeup artist should definitely not be something left to the last minute. Great makeup artists usually get booked months before hand. So search early, ask the right questions, give up your frustration and hang your towel on the peace of mind that comes in knowing you are in good hands so you can concentrate on other things…like getting married!

Here are some more beautiful bride transformations:

Photo credit, Hair and Makeup by Saman Ansari, Studio Sila.

Photo credit, Hair and Makeup by Saman Ansari, Studio Sila

Filed under: Fashion, Our Brides & Grooms

September 30, 2009 by Smita Malhotra

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Transforming Spaces

Posted by Tangorra Wedding Planning, Wedding Planners on September 30, 2009

Create your Dream Wedding Location by Adding Colors

There are many ways to transform a space into your dream wedding location. In addition to using your favorite flowers as centerpieces, we suggest upgrading your linens to add more color and texture. And for those couples who want a bolder look, we recommend using multiple linens in the same color family, alternating on tables, for a unique way to give your space the wow-factor.

Photo credit: Amanda Ambrose

Add Warmth with Wedding Reception Lighting

Adding wedding reception lighting is another element that can alter the atmosphere, emotion and look of a room. If a couple wants a warm, intimate wedding then adding pink and amber lighting will achieve this. Adversely, if a cool-chic wedding is desired, cool tones of blues and greens can be used.

Filed under: Design & Decor, Guest Experts

September 30, 2009 by Tangorra Wedding Planning, Wedding Planners

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Taking ‘attendants’

Posted by Caron Cooper on September 29, 2009

How Big Should Your Wedding Bridal Party Be?

It’s your wedding day. You are meeting your mate for life at the altar, and when you look around, who do you see? Hopefully you will be surrounded by your bridesmaids and groomsmen – the people who are there to stand up with you and support your marriage from this day forward.

And how many loved ones should stand up with you and your betrothed? No surprise here – as many as you want! If you are unsure of the number, I suggest keeping it somewhat proportional to the number of invited guests. If your total guest list is 30, you may not want to choose eight maids and eight groomsmen.

Photo credit: kern-photo

That doesn’t mean you have to have eight of each if your guest list is 100-plus. Further, don’t be afraid to venture outside the norm if your situation calls for it. A friend of mine recently attended the wedding of a bride who had 22 bridesmaids out of 300 guests. But before you start asking all your friends, consider the following:

Cost of A Wedding Party

As always, think about the cost first. Remember that the more wedding attendants you have, the more it will cost you. And it does add up – flowers for each wedding attendant, gifts, transportation, etc. Logistically, think about the size of your venue and where you plan to get ready to ensure there is enough space to accommodate everyone.

Photo credit: emilie inc. photography

Pleasing Your Wedding Attendants

Another thing you should consider is the consensus factor. Hopefully your wedding party will support all of your decisions along the way, including attire, but you should consider how difficult it might be to delight the masses before committing to a large group. Or if you really want your 10 best friends, be flexible on things like accessories and shoes. I let my bridesmaids choose their own shoes – their personalities were evident, they were all comfortable, and I didn’t love my photos any less!

Family. If possible, try to include your family, and not just your side but also your in-laws. It is a meaningful way to honor your new family members. Siblings and cousins give the event a family feel too. And parents are also a great option! I have seen several fathers stand up with the groom.

Photo credit: emilie inc. photography

Other Possible Roles for Your Wedding Party

Which brings me to multiple VIPs. If you are blessed with many people to recognize on your wedding day, think about other fitting roles such as usher, junior bridesmaid and groomsman, flower girl, ring bearer, wedding reader, and religious roles like the presenting of gifts, the lighting of candles or the holding of the chuppah. There are also things like distributing programs and manning the guestbook. (But I’ll be honest – I couldn’t ask anyone to hang out with the guestbook.)

Photo credit: Amy Squires & Co.

On the flip side, if there are so many people to honor that it becomes overwhelming, then go solo. If it is just the two of you and the minister/justice at the altar, then all eyes will be focused on the union and not the fidgety bridesmaid. Ask a couple relatives or close friends to witness the license after the ceremony.

Photo credit: Caroline Tran

Non-traditional Wedding Attendants

So you have no sisters and your best friend is a guy. Or vice versa, you are without brothers and your best friend is a gal. No problem! You don’t have to be traditional. In those cases, love and friendship win!

Or what if your best friend has four legs? I love it when pets become part of the ceremony. A dogs trot down the aisle to deliver the ring is always a hoot! However, a runaway pet is not. Don’t force your pet down the aisle if he or she isn’t confident and well trained.

Photo credit: Azzura Photography

Wedding Bridal Party Responsibilities

Last but certainly not least, consider your desires against the financial and other responsibilities you are asking from your potential wedding attendants. One of our ushers was preparing for graduation and not quite gainfully employed during the months preceding our wedding. It was important to us that he be part of our wedding, so we paid for his tux.

Also think about your expectations when it comes to showers, the bachelor/bachelorette parties and the wedding. It is also traditionally the role of your best man/maid of honor and wedding bridal party to organize the pre-wedding events and assist on the big day. Are these people going to be helpful and organized, or are they habitually late and forgetful? Do they live far away or outside of the country? All things you may want to consider.

Photo credit: Claire Corbin Photography

I am fortunate to have many best friends in my life, so there were many people I would have been honored to have stand up with me. But I didn’t want many more than five bridesmaids. I also gained a sister-in-law. In the end, I chose seven bridesmaids out of our 200-person guest list. They have all had a great effect on my life! Further, two of them have really put in the time over the years, so I wanted to honor them both. Since one was single and one married, they became my maid and matron of honor. Who says you can’t have both?

Filed under: Our Brides & Grooms, Planning & Resources

September 29, 2009 by Caron Cooper

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Shoes, Glorious Shoes!

Posted by Stacy McCauley, WeddingWindow.com on September 29, 2009

Shoesday Tuesday: All About Wedding Shoes

Welcome to my very first Shoesday Tuesday post! This is just too exciting! I actually had to pinch myself to make sure that I wasn’t dreaming! Could it actually be? I am afforded the opportunity to help brides find the perfect shoes for their big day, while nurturing my own lifelong obsession with shoes? What could be better?! Let it be known right now, I LOVE shoes! I’m not afraid to admit it. So, I do hope that you will enjoy reading my Shoesday Tuesday posts. They will be featured on one Tuesday each month. I will share my latest research on all things shoes. As any female can attest, there is much to talk about in today’s shoe world. I will keep you apprised of current shoe colors, heel height and style trends, as well as provide helpful tips for finding the best bridal shoes based on your wedding theme, colors and budget.

Creating Your Own Designer Shoes for Yourself and Bridal Party

Ok, let’s get right to today’s topic, shall we? Ladies, have you ever wished that you could design your very own shoes? Well, now you can! On Miami’s famous Lincoln Road shopping strip, hidden among restaurants and fashion boutiques, you’ll find a store called Morgan Miller. Folks, this is not just your average shoe store. With a limitless array of materials to select from, fashion-forward shoe addicts now have the ability to create their very own signature shoe styles.

Photo credit: mass-customization.blogs.com

The concept is the brainchild of Morgan Miller, a 27 year old New York native. Combining her background in fashion with her lifelong passion for footwear, she decided to open her first shoe boutique in South Beach in 2006. Due to the overwhelming success of her flagship store, domestic expansion plans are currently under way in locations such as New York, Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, Columbus, Chicago and Dallas. Her plans for international expansion will include Greece, United Kingdom, South Africa, Spain, Italy, Asia and The Caribbean.

Photo credit: banquetevent.com

Creating Your Own Custom Shoes Couldn’t Be Easier

Don’t think you quite have the fashion sense to create your own designer shoes? Think again! Designing your very own signature shoes could not be easier! You are simply asked to select a shoe base, shoe strap, accessory strap, accessory and tack. That’s it! Once you have finalized your style, your custom shoes are built by on-site cobblers and you’re walking out the door with your new beauties approximately 30 minutes later. If you can’t make the trip down to Miami to visit the store, you can create your dream shoes online at MorganMillerShoes.com. Your shoes will be built per your specifications and shipped to you within 24 hours. If you find that their current styles are a bit too casual for your big day, consider organizing an outing with your bridal party to design your own shoes and celebrate your friendships. This would also make a great gift for your Maid of Honor! Don’t forget, you too will need some cute shoes to complete all of the outfits you plan to wear on your honeymoon, right?

Photo credit: MorganMillerShoes.com

If you want to learn more before actually heading to the store, Morgan Miller explains the entire process in a recent interview with a local Miami television station. Simply click on the below link to watch the interview on YouTube.com.

Morgan Miller Interview

Send Us Pictures of Your Custom Shoes!

So, get out there and create the shoes of your dreams already! If you feel so inclined, send me a photo of your very own custom shoe creations via email. I would love to see how creative you ladies can be! Simply send your photo to blogadmin@weddingwindow.com. Please be sure to reference “Shoesday Tuesday” in the subject line of your email, so your photo will be forwarded directly to me!

Filed under: Fashion, Our Team

September 29, 2009 by Stacy McCauley, WeddingWindow.com

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Organization: The Key to Wedding Planning Bliss

Posted by Adrienne O'Connor on September 28, 2009

Wedding Organization is Crucial to Your Wedding Planning

Wedding planning can seem a bit overwhelming at times, but if you have the help of a wedding organizer, it can very easily turn into a fun, enjoyable experience.

One important reason to keep on top of wedding organization is to make sure you don’t forget to tip your fabulous vendors on the day of your wedding! I organized all of this beforehand using Mindy Weissí brilliantly designed Tip Envelopes w/ Thank You Cards and was able to relax and not worry about anything financially-related on the big day, which I highly recommend. The set comes with 8 tip envelopes and thank you cards, as well as 15 decorative seals containing images such as a camera, flowers, limo, etc. to make them even more personal and adorable. I wrote a few thank you notes, included a token of our appreciation, and handed them over to the Best Man for distribution that day.

Photo credit: MindyWeiss.com

Mindy has such great products ñ her Response Card Organizer keeps your response cards in one place while you’re waiting for them all to arrive. It is even divided into 2 sides ñ one for yes and one for no ñ and comes with 2 separate sets of alphabetized dividers. Not only does this tool deliver top notch organization, but it’s also pretty enough for a keepsake once all is said and done.

Photo Credit: Unveiled

Wedding Organizer for Your IPhone!

A lot of brides create binders to keep track of all their vendors, guests, appointments, and creative inspiration, but if you are a bride on-the-go, you need Bride Guide. Well, first you need an iPhone, and then you need to download Bride Guide to keep all of your precious wedding information in the palm of your hand. It was designed by a wedding planner, so besides checklists, budget trackers, and calendars, you’ll also get helpful articles and real-life wedding advice, like which flowers are in season and the types of questions to ask your vendors. Seems pretty priceless to me.