Marriage is a red letter day in one’s life .One wants nothing but the best during the grand occasion .One wants everything to be perfect right from the wedding ring to the photography.

A wedding ring enjoys an esteemed place in any marriage. .It has a special place not only in the ceremony but also in the lives of the couple. It is a symbol of sublime and eternal love .It indicates the binding of two hearts and the new life that follows. It reminds a couple of the joy of being each others soul mate.

Wedding ring or band is worn on the fourth finger of the left or the right hand.

As a thumb rule wedding rings should cost a month’s salary of a person, but these days they have become a lavish affair .Wedding rings are a matter of prestige. Everybody wants to give an exquisite and expensive first gift to their spouse. For a man it signifies that he is capable to take care of his partner and support a family.

Moreover you don’t want to look like a miser on your wedding day by gifting some cheap stuff to your soul mate.Traditional wedding rings are a simple gold band. Men’s rings are wider and sturdier than their female counterpart. .Shopping for the wedding ring is not an easy job. It needs a lot of understanding and knowledge about the metal gems, styles ,trends etc. Shop for the ring with your would be spouse so that you choose a ring which is liked by both the partners.

Don’t be overwhelmed by a single design. Choose among a myriad of patterns and style. Simple classy look will stand the test of time.Always go in for a trusted jeweler. Get an authentication certificate .Don’t shy away from a discount offer. .So also get an insurance if possible. Choose a ring which fits well and the size could be increased or decreased over a period of time without damaging the ring.

Wedding rings come in a variety of metals such as gold, silver, platinum steel, titanium, white gold etc. Titanium rings are hypo allergic and strong. Platinum ones are rare and expensive. A steel ring is easy on the wallet as well as strong.

Rings studded with a variety of precious and semi precious stones can enhance the beauty .The gems can be anything from diamond, emerald, sapphire ,topaz, amethyst, ruby etc. Know your gem well before shelling out the bucks.Pearl embellished rings could also be a good and cheap option.However the favorite remains diamond .They can be intimidating. You can choose loose ones or those which are already set in the metal. The inside of the ring should be inscribed with some logo of authenticity.

A few things should be kept in mind before buying the precious carbon. .The four C’s are important to note that is carat, color, clarity and cut.Any diamond over one carat should come with some form of documentation.Flawless and perfect diamonds are a rare thing but you can always get authentic ones. Natural as well as ultra violet light allows you to see the imperfections .Laser and heat treatment impart color to diamond but at the same time they weaken it and make it brittle. A GIA certificate will tell a diamond has not been tampered with and is natural.

Don’t lose heart if you want a colored and strong diamond. Recently scientists have discovered a novel way of imparting different hues such as blue, pink, yellow ,grey ,red etc to the precious mineral, without losing its strength.The cut also needs to be taken care of .You can get rings in all types of cut from round ,marquise princess, emerald etc. If you are active with hands don’t choose pointed edged or one which sticks out too much. It might get caught in clothing and make you uncomfortable.

If you can’t afford diamond consider moissanite. The artificially created mineral has the sparkle exactly like diamond but costs less.Design your own wedding ring if you are creative and innovative. Get some message engraved on the inside of the ring which will keep the spark going in your married life.Your wedding ring needs to have elegant style charm, craftsmanship and value. It symbolizes the lasting nature of relationships.

So, go ahead and buy an intricate and stylish ring for your better half. All the best!

A weding is an important day in one’s life. One wants everything to be perfect right from the engagement to the reception. Now that the wedding date and venue is decided the next big thing is inviting the guests on your great day. A formal invitation card is the best possible way. The first and the foremost thing is to make a list of all the people to be invited and keep on adding names as you recall them. An invitation card is an intimation that the couple is going to tie the nuptial knot. It is the first impression on the guests who will share your great day .The perfect beginning to your dream wedding is your exquisite invitation card.

Invitation cards are sent to the family members of both the bride and the groom .The friends and close acquaintances are also invited to witness your grand affair. The invitation card should be tastefully decorated and worded properly. After all everybody loves a humble and kind invitation. Designer invitation cards have flooded the market. You can choose among designer cards or contemporary ones. You may get colorful and vibrant card in a variety of papers.

Once you have chosen a card you can personalize it by using humble words and symbols. .Every invitation card should bear the name of the Almighty in some form or the other irrespective of the religion of the couple. After all everybody seeks His blessings on the auspicious occasion. You can design one using your own creativity and innovation.. You can get the matter embossed in golden on the card or get it inscribed on the paper. This will give a different look to it. Your card should suit the festive mood of the wedding.

Keep in mind the budgeting too. Don’t choose very expensive cards. The color design pattern etc needs to harmonize with the other things .Mention the theme and dress code if any for the guests to follow .The date, time and venue should be clearly mentioned. The events which will take place during the wedding needs to be mentioned in the card.

To be environment friendly choose a card made of hand made paper. This will give a different look to your card and also inspire others to follow in your footsteps. You can use dried and pressed flowers to enhance the beauty of the card.

How about invitation of a royal kind? Get the card made out of a piece of cloth rolled up and tied with a beautiful golden thread .This will give an ethnic touch to your card. Write in good and legible handwriting on the envelope of the card.

Send the invitation well in advance to out of station guests so that they can make necessary arrangements before hand to attend your great event .Generally it should be sent 8 to 10 weeks before if possible. Give them a call also to confirm that they have received the card and are planning to attend the ceremony. Get a single copy of the card printed first. Get a proof reading done to avoid any mistakes.

Local guests can be visited and given the invitation a few weeks before the event. All in all ,your invitation card must reflect your personality and style and lure your guests to attend the wedding.

Now that the wedding date is decided the next big thing is arranging for a sumptuous meal for all and sundry. Planning and preparing for the catering part can give you nightmares. Keep your calm! There is a way out. Book a good caterer who can serve good and delicious food within your budget.

The caterer must be well versed in culinary skill so that the food is enjoyed by all. Book an experienced caterer otherwise amateur cooks and caterers can spoil your great event.

The menu is to be decided well in advance so that arrangements can be made well in time and you don’t have to rush from pillar to post at the eleventh hour. A few things should be kept in mind to make your feast a memorable affair for the guests. Always make a rough estimate of the number of guests which are being invited. Make arrangements for the lunch/dinner of 25% extra so that you don’t have to face problems later on.

The place where the food is to be served should be nice and spacious so as there is ample space for the guests to move about freely. It needs to be well lit.

Arrange for some light snacks before the meal so that the guests don’t feel starved and crave for the food to be served early. Make arrangements for some appetizer too.

You can have a buffet system but always lay some tables and chairs for children and elderly so that they can comfortably relish their meal

The food needs to be cooked properly and hygienically Presentation of the food is as important as the taste. It should be displayed in an inviting manner. The tables should be laid out lavishly. Cover them with soothing table covers. You can use your own creativity to make the food appetizing Garnish the food beautifully so that it looks as good as it tastes.

Paper napkins needs to be placed in a stylish holders for the guests to use. The crockery needs to harmonize with your decoration. The cutlery must be displayed artistically. Beautifully carved out salad dressings can make your party even more appealing. Stick placards mentioning the dish which is being served. This will give a fair idea of the eatables which can be relished.

The arrangement for different cuisines should be done separately. You can add as many different dishes as your budget allows. Make arrangements for some sweet dish because people are in a habit of eating it after meals. Chilled ice creams are loved by everybody.

Always keep non vegetarian food away from vegetarian food because some people can’t stand the smell and sight of non vegetarian food. Make sure that the food is served hot and steaming which can tickle the taste buds of the guests.

Arrangements for hot water and finger bowl should be made especially if you are serving non vegetarian recipes. Make proper arrangements for disposal of plates glasses wrappers etc. at various places so that the place can be kept neat and tidy

Drinking water should be near at hand for the guests to quench their thirst. Make separate arrangements for the bar if you are serving the spirits. The bar must have bartenders to serve the guests. Too much alcohol consumption should be avoided in marriage parties as it can play spoil sport on your auspicious day.

So go head on and host a nice refreshing party for your kith and kin!

Marriages are about celebrations, having fun and enjoying. The best part is you can trap your moments of joy and happiness in your shutterbugs which will remain with you till eternity. Yes we are talking about wedding photography when you want all your emotional and happy moments to be shot. You can freeze those moments of joy, sorrow  and emotional breakdown on celluloid.

Wedding photography has become the most sought after profession in recent times. It is an art in itself. The photographer can use his own creativity and innovation to get that picture perfect. If you follow a few tips you will certainly get the right picture.

For the great day book an experienced person. Get a good idea of the style and pattern of his work. Go through his earlier works. Check out a single portfolio. Ask for the size, cost and other details of the photograph which they will provide. Ask them to provide an album too. Indian weddings are lavish affairs which generally last for about 3 to 5 days. It will give a lot of time and space for the photographer for experimentation.

Wedding photography is not just clicking randomly. It involves a lot of planning, preparation and hard work. The person has to toil for hours together to get that exquisite shot. A few tips can help.

Always use a good quality camera to shoot your great event. You can keep the camera in continuous rolling mode so that you don’t miss any of those prized moments. Shoot all the rituals, customs and ceremonies. Make a list of all the important events to be shot, Get a family photograph with the newly weds. To make things simpler, ask a dear friend from both the brides and grooms side to see to it that each and every family member and friend gets a chance to be photographed with the newly wed couple.

You can book two photographers if your budget allows so. This will give you added advantage. There is lesser chance of missing out on some important shot.

Preparation is the key. Keep your batteries charged. Make provisions for memory cards and blank itinerary. Digital cameras can be used which give an added advantage of immediacy.

Photograph the wedding ring, the attire of the couple, table lay outs, menus, floral arrangements Use a little creativity and innovation to shoot things in a novel manner.

Choose exotic locales to shoot for the newly weds. Be prepared for any unexpected event. The weather may play spoil sport but you must know how to get something positive out of it. After all every cloud has a silver lining. Isn’t it?

You should have a great timing so that the exact moment is caught in your shutterbug.

Click after formal shots when the people are in a relaxed mood. At times the informal shot becomes the prized possession of the couple.

Experiment with different lights. You can use diffused lights as well. Take shots from wide angles. You can shoot from down low or high up. Climb a ladder or a balcony for that interesting pose.

You can display the wedding pictures at the reception. Arrange for a computer and put up a slide show. This will be quite interesting for all and sundry.

The wedding photographs will become your prized possessions if the above tips are followed. You can  relive those happy moments of joy and togetherness. So go ahead and  shoot! Smile Please!!!!!