Beautiful Indian wedding venues

A lot of my friends are getting married over the next year, so I though I'd take a quick breather from fashion and dive into wedding season.

Gone are the days when Indian weddings were a humble affair organised at the ancestral home, farmhouse or at a marriage palace. Nowadays people prefer to make their wedding an event to remember and cherish for a lifetime. Some like to take their vows at sandy beaches while others prefer saying ‘I Do’ amidst mountains.  Some like to go overboard by celebrating this once in a lifetime affair at a regal Indian wedding venue and make the most of it. 

On this note, let’s have a look at some of the best Indian wedding venues that will materialise your dream wedding fantasy into reality.

Neemrana Fort Delhi-Jaipur Highway

If you want an over-the-top and insanely grand wedding, look no further than Neemrana Fort on Delhi-Jaipur highway.  This 15^th century old majestic fort is one of the oldest palaces in India and is converted into heritage hotel. Spread over more than five acres, Neemrana Fort offers a picturesque venue for beautiful Indian wedding. Its gorgeous gazebos, courtyards and huge lawns make a perfect backdrop for any wedding.  Whether you choose a sunset view or a star-lit night, Neemrana happens to be a breathtaking and ethereal venue.

UmaidBhawan Palace Udaipur

Royalty and Rajasthan go hand-in-hand.  Royalty and regality are the very essence of Rajasthan. This princely state offers a variety of Indian wedding halls, UmaidBhawan Palace in Udaipur being one of the most prominent wedding venues.  This 15^th century palace offers you authentic Rajasthani flair and ambience. This gorgeous heritage hotel symbolizes grandeur at its best. One can inculcate the elements of Rajasthan like the colourful Rajasthani culture, puppet-show, elephant-ride, finger-licking good Rajasthani food and Rajasthani folk music at one’s wedding ceremony at UmaidBhawan. Calling it a fine example of affluence won’t be an exaggeration. So, make your special day even more special by booking UmaidBhawan as your wedding venue and feel like a Maharaja.

Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur

Another star attraction of Rajasthan state is Jai Mahal Palace situated at the Pink City, Jaipur. This heritage property evokes opulence and luxury.  Its jaw-dropping beautiful architecture and 18 acres of Mughal Gardens makes it a perfect spot for an Indian wedding.  This Indian wedding location gives you the liberty of choosing indoor or outdoor venue for your D-Day. If you are looking for a Rajputana style wedding, this is the right choice.Make your wedding day, an unforgettable event by making reservations at Jai Mahal Palace.

Park Hyatt, Goa

If you have always dreamt of a wedding with a beach backdrop, Park Hyatt Goa will give wings to your imagination.  Park Hyatt has the most stunning Indian wedding halls and enchanting landscapes. Other highlights of this venue include lush green seaside lawns, the gorgeous boathouse and artistically decorated indoors. The tastefully done architecture of the hotel along with the serene nature of Goa,together creates nothing but the magic. Soak your soul in tropical ecstasy at Park Hyatt. 

Palace Grounds, Bangalore

Owned and managed by the Royal family of Mysore, the Palace Grounds in Bangalore is one of the most sought-after wedding venues down south.  This is an ideal spot for those you want an elaborate wedding without going too far from the main city.  The place screams lavishness and sophistication with its beautifully done lawns, Durbar hall and ballroom. Apart from extravagant weddings, the Palace Grounds are also ideal for other private parties, office conferences and cultural events.

The Leela Resorts,Kovalam

The beauty of Kerala state needs no introduction. Everyone is familiar with the fact that this state oozes tranquillity. No wonder why it is called ‘God’s own country’.  And if you happen to be a nature-lover and want your wedding amidst peaceful nature, the Leela Resorts at Kovalam is your go-to choice. This exotic resort with palm trees and beautifully manicured lawns is to die-for.  Who wouldn’t want to say ‘I Do’ in the lap of nature where it brings best to the platter in the form of white sand and crystal clear blue water as the backdrop. So, without giving a second thought, book this heaven on earth as your wedding venue.

Taj Falaknuma, Hyderabad

Since wedding day is the most crucial day of one’s life, making it big and memorable is everyone’s dream. We picture ourselves exchanging vows in the most exquisite way. And if you want to convert this fantasy into reality, the venue should be nothing less than the splendid Taj Falaknuma, Hyderabad. Every corner of this historic palace speaks of the charm, flamboyance and glam quotient of Nawabi culture.  Located at 2000 feet above the city, the palace boasts its marble staircases, huge fountains, Venetican-inspired chandeliers, hand-painted Victorian ceiling, big lawns, gold-hued Durbar hall and 101-seater dining hall. No wonder these major highlights make it an ideal choice for a big fat Indian wedding.

City Palace, Udaipur

Amidst the sun-kissed sand-dunes and camel rides, the city of lakes ‘Udaipur’ offers another breathtakingly beautiful wedding venue i.e. City Palace. This centuries old fort now a heritage hotel site happens to be the most romantic wedding venue where you can materialise your dream of a grand wedding. The impressive courtyards, vast lawns and lakeside view are some of the features that differentiate this place from others. Also its capacity to hold large crowd makes it a perfect spot for big weddings.  The fort has ‘ManekChowk’that has the capacity to hold 1000 guests and ‘ZeenaMehal’ can accommodate around 500 guests, making it one of the best venues for nuptial ceremony.

The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

If there is an epitome of love, it is Taj Mahal. This historic monument makes us believe in the power of love. And if you have always pictured yourself getting married at a place overlooking Taj Mahal, make reservations at the Oberoi Amarvilas hotel right away. This 5-star property provides you the best view of Taj Mahal along with other excellent facilities. Nothing can be more romantic than exchanging vows with Taj Mahal in the backdrop.

Image sources: www.tripadvisor.in, www.enticingtour.com, www.makemytrip.com, www.travelland.in, in.bookmyfunction.com, www.shaadisaga.com, www.lonelyplanet.com, www.booking.com

Best dressed Bollywood celebrities to Follow on Social Media

We are all fascinated by Bollywood celebrities and what they wear. They are setting us goals and also give us guidance on the styles that are the most fashionable. 

With so many stars, how can you keep up with the most stylish? Sure you are following all of them on Instagram and Twitter, but who should you be paying attention to? Let us help you on that front! Our list includes stars who we think are great and those who are good, but we don't think they are relevant for regular folks like us.

Sonam Kapoor

We love her style and she often wears very edgy things. She is seen on important events both locally and internationally wearing a lot of Indian designers. She also wears a lot of international designers like Ralph and Russo etc.

While we love her style, most of the pieces she wears seem to be custom made for her or otherwise are from very expensive collections. This is great if you have plenty moolah to spend, but not on a budget. 

We recommend following her for inspiration and style direction, but not to identify brands worth buying.

Pernia Qureshi

This "Bollywood actress" is also a fashion designer. She has very good taste and you can also see that on her website Perniaspopupshop. 

While she is also seen in expensive designer clothes all the time, she also wears younger and more affordable designers sometimes. 

We say that you should follow her.

Alia Bhatt

Alia has not traditionally been considered a fashion icon as such, but she is increasingly asserting her style quotient through magazine cover features, editorial features and the like.

She has a quirky and fun style that is often cute and stylish. Mind you, the girl can also bring on the oomph when she wants to impress.

A must follow in our opinion !

Sunny Leone

This Bollywood starlet is usually in the news for the wrong reason. She used to be a porn-star, is no longer, get over it.

This girl gives us serious style goals. She really knows how to carry herself and usually has a very nicely put together look. She is also experimental and wears young Indian designers. Her looks can often be re-created on a budget, and still look stylish. 

Must follow in our opinion.

Travel Light With These Travel Fashion Essentials

Travelling is fun, no doubts about that! But packing for vacation is indeed an uphill task. Generally we end up over packing our stuff, reason being we don’t pack the right things.  

This can be due to a number of different reasons such as not packing for a variety of weathers, or just being unsure of what activities you'll be doing day-by-day. It is essential to check the weather, be prepared for a variety of activities so as not to limit your options and to ignore that incessant need to take everything.

 So, take a look at the following comprehensive list of travel fashion essentials which will hopefully act as a useful guide and ensure you save space and time.

Clothes

The first and foremost important thing that strikes our mind while packing for a vacation is clothes. Since holiday clothes are different from our routine clothes, it does need your attention. There are many factors that are needed to be taken into consideration regarding what to wear when travelling. The first thing that you should keep in mind is the season. Whether you are going during the summer, winter, spring or rainy season, pack accordingly. Second priority must be given to the fabric and colour of the clothes.  For long trips, make sure the clothes you are carrying can be washed and dried quickly and easily. If you are going somewhere sunny, be sure to pack bright coloured clothes as they match with your cheerful mood and holiday photos, and of course will look great in the sun. Let’s have a look at the essential holiday clothes for women.

Tops

Always carry multi-purpose tops that can be paired with denims and skirts alike. Light and breezy tops like noodle straps, tank tops, bardot tops, t-shirts or sleeveless tops are appropriate for summer travelling whereas heavy knitted tops and cardigans are perfect for winters. You can mix and match with denims, skirts, shorts or even palazzos for the right combination.

Bottoms

Taking the right bottoms are as crucial as tops. Wearing a comfortable pair of jeans or shorts on vacation will allow you too fully relax. If you are on a beach destination, a pair of cotton shorts or synthetic shorts will help you enjoy the sea water. Also, capris, flowy skirts and palazzo will make a great option for outdoor activities. Of course if you are going somewhere rainy and will be doing lots of outdoor activities then waterproofs are always advisable. 

Dresses

Women’s holiday clothing is incomplete without dresses. It is very important that you carry the right style and number of dresses while on a vacation.  Start by packing a cotton maxi dress as it not only looks stylish but is comfortable attire too. Other than that, keeping a short knee-length dress is a wise idea. Don’t forget to pack a sundress and a party dress if you have a formal evening get-together planned on your vacation.

Other essentials

Other crucial items that are a must on your packing list includes undergarments, swimsuit and sarong (if you are going on a beach destination), long coat or jacket for the winter season, socks, handkerchief, a night-suit or two and a towel. These things might sound obvious, but they can be easily forgotten

Accessories

Accessories can make or break the look. The amalgamation of the right accessories is a key to looking uber chic on your vacations. You need not carry everything from your wardrobe, but carrying a few things and smartly pairing it up with two or three garments is a better option. For e.g. you can carry a tan or black coloured belt and wear it over your dress or along with your denims as these colours are neutral and therefore go well with almost any outfit.  Also make sure you carry your chunky jewellery like earrings, neckpieces or bracelet to be worn along with your choice of garment. 

Other accessories which you must pack are a summer hat, a pair of googles, a scarf, a wrist watch and of course a nice tote or a handbag.

Footwear

Footwear is perhaps the most important travel essential, because if you don't have the appropriate footwear you could potentially end up miserable and in pain for the duration of your trip. Wearing comfortable shoes while you are on a vacation is a something you can’t ignore. One must keep the right pair of footwear if your travel involves a lot of outdoor activity. For e.g. if you are an adventure-lover traveller and love doing activities like hiking, trekking or cycling you could be prevented from doing these things if you are not appropriately prepared. 

Just as importantly, don’t forget to keep a pair of simple rubber flip-flops and strappy sandals if you are going to a beach destination. Carrying heels or shoes around with you is never as nice! 

Make-up and cosmetics

On holiday you of course want to look your best, which makes having make-up and cosmetics to hand a must. However, you can’t carry your entire make-up box while travelling, so make sure you just pick out your most used and vital products. 

So whatever you do, don't take more than you need because otherwise you will have to spend your whole holiday lugging around a huge case. Take the above mentioned essentials and you'll be more than ready for holiday!

Favourite Looks from India Couture Week 2016

Every fashion week brings a plethora of new designs and trends that are sure to leave you spellbound.

Just like other incredible fashion weeks, the much-talked-about India Couture Week 2016 just got a wrap up and has charted out the course of fashion for the upcoming wedding season.  The five-day extravaganza laid some solid fashion trends in haute couture. The eclectic designs and mesmerising silhouettes marked the prominence and dominance of India’s fashion in global domain. Let’s have a sneak peek into the latest trends in Indian fashion.

Bardot blouse

Bardot tops or cold-shoulder tops are not restricted to western wear only as the Indian couturiers have beautifully weaved this ultimate fashion trend into contemporary Indian wear.  None other than the most celebrated designer Manish Malhotra introduced gorgeous bardot blouses along with the heavily embroidered lehengas. The ace designer showcased his collection named ‘The Persian Story’ that included some of the breathtakingly beautiful dresses.

The regal collection had the old-world charm and the effects of royal Persian architecture.  The combination of heavy embroidery, velvet fabric and bardot style silhouette of the blouses made the entire collection, a dream come true. Also Deepika Padukone being the showstopper enhanced the grace of collection with her never-ending charm. She wore a stunning red highly embellished lehenga with red off-shoulder blouse which romantically exposed her toned shoulders and carried it with all the poise. This indeed was one of our favourite looks from this year’s India Fashion Week.

Pop Hues

Anita Dongre is known for her out of the world designs. Everything from the choice of fabrics to colors and to embroidery makes a statement. This year too Anita presented her collection named ‘Epic Love’ which included some of the finest dresses for the forthcoming wedding season. Her signature ‘gotapati’ work when blended with bright pop hues, created a lethal combination. 

The lehengas in striking red, hot-pink, eye-catching orange, sunshine yellow and electric blue caught everyone’s eye.  Apart from this gorgeous trend, we witnessed a lot of dresses with fringes like fringe blouses, fringe-edged saris etc.  This really made the entire collection a perfect marriage of Indo-western.  Anita does know how to make an eye-ball popping collection and it was indeed on our list of favourites.

Serene in White

Today’s bride does not shy away from experimenting with her bridal attire. From colours to fabrics to silhouettes, they don’t mind trying new concepts. Keeping this in mind, designers too give wings to their imagination and bring out fresh and all new designs.  We witnessed gorgeous bridal wear in pristine whites, creams; ivory and beige rule the ramp at this year’s India Couture Week. With lot of detailing and white as the base colour, the collection truly stood out. If you are someone who likes to break the monotony and take the road less travelled, the bridal wear in ivory and gold is your go-to choice. Names like Rahul Mishra, Rimple and Harpreet Narula and Anamika Khanna presented a real ethereal muted hued collection and made everyone appreciate the understated yet crowd-pleaser ensembles.

Ruffles & Tassels 

The high-voltage five-day long fashion festivity had so much to offer that it became literally impossible to choose the best among the rest. Day 4 of India Couture Week unfolded some of the spectacular trends. Designer Gaurav Gupta and Varun Bahl presented their splendid collection that refined the contemporary fashion. The highlights of the day included use of sheer fabrics for blouses and saris. The pastel hued sheer fabrics were used to create some stunning blouses with floral motifs. Even the net saris with floral motifs looked divine. Also his progressive designs included unusual silhouettes with fluid drapes that let everyone talking.  

Another trend that caught our fancy was the extensive use of embellished headbands by the models. The bejewelled headbands in varied designs and styles added to the overall grace of the garment.  It added the much needed sparkle and gave a finishing edge. Also the trend of aesthetically using pearl tassels and fringes on saris and gowns caught our eye. The modern silhouette with vintage tassels made a perfect garment.   Last but certainly not the least, on the list of our favorite was the ruffle gowns.  Strapless ball gowns with romantic ruffle detailing looked chic and sophisticated.  The international trend of ruffles was given Indian tadka by adding it to the sari gowns.  The elaborate ruffled gowns looked dramatic as the models walked the ramp with panache.

Mirrorwork and Black Magic

Day 5 of the fashion week was a pure bliss for any bride-to-be because the vast display of majestic lehenags and other bridal wear was every bride’s dream.  Designers RohitBal and ManavGangwani brought forward their bridal collection which was high on aesthetics. The heavily embroidered, thoroughly embellished and intricately designed bridal wear was a delight to look at.  A lot of mirrorwork, Kashmiri kani work and zardozi work on heavy fabrics were to be seen. Deep-hues like maroon and black ruled the ramp. Showstopper Kangana Ranuat made heads turn wearing one of the best creations by Manav Gangwani from his Begum-e-Jannat collection which was a deep maroon lehenga with off-shoulder mirror-work blouse.

Talking about the celebrated designer Rohit’s collection named ‘Kehkashaan’, it was sheer opulence. The royalty of the entire collection was hypnotic and never-seen before as models sashayedregal things like tiaras, hand-carved walking canes, crowns, belts, sashes, capes, bejeweled footwear etc.And the way they carried the fierce expressions on their faces did complete justice with the royal collection. RohitBal like his every collection essayed a new colour palette for this season, black being the dominant colour. Models wore wonderful garments like lehenags with cape jackets, anarkalis with robes and bandhgalas with jodhpuris, all in black. Not to forget the touch of royalty came with the wide range of headgears.  All in all, calling it an awe-inspiring collection won’t be an exaggeration.

India Couture Week 2016 took us on a ride that portrayed influence of different cultures on fashion under one umbrella like Islamic influence, inspiration from Russia and Persia, heritage and legacy of Mughal era, the royalty of Rajasthan and much more and its effect was truly spell-binding. Many new things in the world of fashion made an effortless entry and old things got a revival make-over. Amidst all the glitz and glamour, the magic of fashion was at its peak!

The Hottest Trends This Summer

As the temperature is soaring, everyone is feeling the heat. Looking fashionable in such weather seems next to impossible. But with some creativity, one can easily beat the heat and come out as a winner. With the below-mentioned hottest summer trends, you can strike a perfect balance between being comfy and stylish. Let’s have a look at the latest Indian fashion trends.

Comfort at its best

With sun at its peak, everyone looks for comfort wear that not only relieves you from the scorching heat but also makes you look uber chic. This calls for loose-fitted, lightweight and breezy garments.  One can match tops and kurtis in cotton and linen fabrics with skirts, palazzos, pants or even shorts to create an occasion-friendly ensemble.

Printed shorts

This year printed shorts are one of the hottest Indian summer fashion trends. Prints can vary from full bloom florals to graphic prints that add oomph to your otherwise monotonous wardrobe. One can pair a plain white or black tee with printed shorts and you are ready to rock and roll! Printed shorts are some of the best summer-wear that make you feel comfortable without compromising on the style quotient.

Bardot tops

Bardot tops have emerged as the most popular Indian summer fashion trend of 2016. These utterly stylish tops are reigning this summer and make you look effortlessly chic. Basically it is an off-shoulder top, also known as cold-shoulder top that reveals your shoulders and falls over your chest to give a frill-like effect. Everyone from Bollywood celebs to their fans are flaunting this summer trend with panache. One can pair a simple bardot top with denims, shorts, skirts or even palazzos to create a killer statement look.

Statement sari

Summer fashion in India is incomplete without a statement sari. Your summer wardrobe is good for nothing if you don’t add a handful of statement saris in cotton and linen fabrics. These saris are not heavy on fabric or embroidery but are lightweight and are an easy to carry attire in summer season. One can pick an appropriate statement sari for an informal get-together or a small event.

Long cape

This season we are witnessing another hot fashion trend for summer; long capes. Yes, wearing a long jacket-style cape over your pair of denims or shorts look extremely trendy. Adding a cape to your normal daily wear gives an edge to it. A long cape could be in any breezy fabric like cotton or linen and could be either full-sleeves or sleeveless depending upon your choice. Pairing it with a sundress or any other knee-length dress is also a good idea.

Cotton kurtis

Cotton kurtis have become a quintessential part of our wardrobes. These are not just great comfort wear but also look great on each and every body type and shape. The versatility of kurti makes it a must-have summer wear for one and all. The huge variety of styles like anarkali style, flaired or straight kurti gives you the option of pairing it with pants, denims or churidars. One can wear a long straight kurti with loose-fitted ankle-length palazzo for a coffee date or at office without giving it a second thought.

Paint the town red

This summer make sure you have at least one red colour outfit in your wardrobe. Be it a vibrant red top or a ruffle skirt, red is a go-to colour this season. Adding a red jumpsuit or red cape will also be a wise decision as this poppy colour is definitely in this season. It will certainly add zing to your closet and you is sure to make you stand out.

Accessories are the key

Summer fashion is incomplete without great accessories. Accessories have the power to turn a boring dress into a stunning outfit. This summer don’t forget to add the right accessories like a pair of cool shades and georgette scarves to get all the attention you crave. Different styles and sizes of handbags is also a great investment to make this season as it immediately revamps your overall look and makes you look ultra-fashionable.

Take a cue from the above-mentioned hottest summer trends and let the heads turn in awe!

Image source: Pinterest