Factors to Consider

Selecting an entertainment provider for your wedding or events is much like choosing a venue or caterer. Price is certainly a factor, but so are the firm’s reputation, work ethics, and music selection. Firoz Dudha, owner/DJ of Dudha Productions also stresses the need for compatibility with his clients. “I will be the first to tell my clients that I may not be the best fit DJ for their event. It’s important for me to pass that client to a DJ who would be a better match.”

Many entertainment vendors now offer a range of services from dance floors, lighting, live entertainers, and emcee services, so carefully consider your specific needs when narrowing your list.

Budget: This is something to consider for all your vendors, and the entertainment provider is no different. Consider the number of events for which you need a DJ and Emcee. Do you need special lighting for any events? A dance floor? Want special effects like monograms? Be sure to sure to consider all details when reaching out to potential vendors for a quote.

Reputation: Experience is a key factor when selecting your DJ. There is nothing worse than an empty dance floor! Dudha explains that experience “should be the most important factor, not how long they have been DJing, but their experience with handling a crowd, and experience with the style of music required for each event.” Word of mouth referrals, references, and personally witnessing the DJ in action will give you a sense of their style and personality.

Professionalism: Of all your vendors, the DJ is one that needs to be in tune with event schedules and timing of entrances and performances. Khan stresses that “organization is a key factor – your dj will not only organize your event with you, but also keep in touch with your vendors to ensure a smooth, timely event. [And] your DJ needs to maintain a professional presence at all times from volume, language and proper decorum.”

Music: Check with your DJ on the available music collection. If you have a specific playlist in mind, the DJ will need to be sure all tracks are available. Also, ask that the music collection is current and includes wedding favorites. If you have a preference on whether guests can make song requests, check with the DJ on how he/she will handle the requests.

Prepare for Your First Meeting

As with all vendor meetings, be prepared to share your thoughts on what entertainment needs you have for your wedding events. On mehndi night, simply playing background music may suffice, while your reception needs may be more involved. Whether you have specific playlists or programming in mind or just a general idea of the type of music you like, be sure to ask questions and get ideas from your entertainment vendor. Khan advises couples to “ … make sure to have all details ready about your event to share. And never be afraid to ask questions.”

Attention to detail goes beyond just the first meeting. Ask your entertainment vendor how they will communicate with you throughout the process. Will the DJ surprise you on your big day or will they reach out closer to your event to set a timeline and narrow selections? Dudha likes to reach out to clients one and half months before their event. “I help them with music selection, itinerary timeline, and understand their playlist. [This gives me time to] mash up a custom mix for the Bride and Groom’s reception entry.” Getting to know your entertainment vendor has advantages so they truly understand your style and needs for your events leaving you more time to enjoy your wedding day … and dance your feet off!

Favorite Wedding Moments

The experts share the latest in music trends and what they’re listening to now (when they’re not catering to the requests of brides and grooms!).

Dudha: There have been so many events with special moments, but it’s always amazing when you see the bride walk down the aisle. I realize that one day I will walk my own daughter down!

Khan: My favorite weddings are mixed culture weddings … I must say nothing is more beautiful when two cultures mix. Every single moment of weddings are my favorite, but one in particular is when I get my bride and groom behind the booth and they DJ with me. Also, feeling a sense of togetherness from my crowd is the most uplifting feeling!

Featured Experts Special thanks to the experts who contributed their advice for planning wedding entertainment.
Dudha Productions Firoz Dudha, Owner/DJ www.dudhaproductions.com Tel: (727) 418-8498	DJ Sumi Services Sumaira Khan, Owner/DJ www.djsumiservices.com Tel: (407) 952-5903

About the Author

Rina Shah is the CEO and founder of The Arpan Group, a boutique ad agency and public relations firm that specializes in capturing untouched ethnic markets. From press releases and media kits to marketing materials and by-line articles, The Arpan Group customizes solutions based on the client’s needs. Based in the Bay area, The Arpan Group works with clients across the US. For more information, visit www.thearpangroup.com or call (703) 651-6670.

Glowing Skin

Make appointments to see your dermatologist and discuss a personal cleansing and moisturizing routine. Facials don’t come cheap, so visit your beauty expert at regularly and don’t miss appointments. Don’t overdo your skin treatments, as your skin needs time to take in the nourishment. Follow the instructions of your dermatologist with your skincare routine at home.

It is not just your facial skin that needs to be glowing, but your feet and hands play a major role in your wedding functions. Go for regular pedicures and manicures.

Haircuts and Color

If you want to go in for a new haircut or a color, this is the right time. With six months on hand, there is still time for a new haircut and color to settle. You will know exactly how it will look with your wedding outfit and you will avoid any major damage.

Exfoliate and Protect Your Skin

To get rid of dead skin, exfoliate. Your exfoliation routine has to be done twice/three times a week, don’t overdo it as it may lead to dry skin. Do not go out without a sunscreen and reapply every two/three hours to keep the skin free from damage – a must for all brides-to-be.

Keep Stress at Bay

You need to relax and keep stress away though it is easier said than done! Stress can take a toll on your skin so practice some mindfulness techniques.

Deep Condition and Use Good Hair Spray

Hair is an important part of your entire wedding look. To ensure your hair looks best for your events, use a deep conditioning hair mask twice/three times a month before the wedding. For dry hair, apply homemade hair packs to make it glossy and healthy. A good hairspray will keep your hair in place and take care of the frizz.

Drinking lots of water coupled with sleep; exfoliating daily two weeks prior to the wedding, having all your appointments in place and indulging in regular manicures and pedicures will make all the difference!

With so many details to plan for on your wedding day, taking care of yourself does not always take priority. Take a few steps now to protect and nourish your skin and hair to glow on your big day.

If you’ve ever stepped inside a beauty store like Sephora, you’ve either felt overwhelmed or like a kid in a candy shop! Here are some of our picks for must need items in your beauty bag.

Skin

One of the most important things you can do for skin is exfoliate to keep it glowing and looking fresh.

Try St. Ives Radiant Skin Face Scrub or ACURE Brightening Facial Scrub.

Moisturizer is also key for all skin types, whether skin is dry or oily. Keep skin healthy by choosing one right for your skin type.

Try Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, Aveeno Clear Complexion Blemish Treatment Daily Moisturize, or Origins High-Potency Night-a-Mins Renewal Cream.

Hair

Keep those locks frizz-free and nourished by adding a deep conditioning treatment to your weekly routine.

Try L’Oreal Paris Advanced Haircare Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm or Fekkai Prx Reparatives Mask.

Eyes

Protect the delicate skin around eyes and be sure the best part of your face looks perky and bright!

Try Olay Total Effects 7-in-one Anti-Aging Transforming Eye Cream or Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate.

Makeup

Prep the face to ensure foundation, powder, and makeup stays put and looks great all day long. Primers protect the skin and create a canvas for your beauty look. Try MAC Prep + Prime Fix or or Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil.

At the end of the day, be sure to rid your face of dirt and makeup, which can clog pores overnight leading to acne and other unwanted skin issues.

Try Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water or Burt’s Bees Cleansing Oil with Coconut & Argan Cleanser.

Greet guests: Seems obvious but it’s not. There’s no excuse not to greet guests. They’re at your wedding to celebrate you, the couple. The least you can do is say hi, and thank you.

Smile, all the time: Smiling is the last thing you’ll think about on your wedding day, but it’s the most important thing you can do if you want your wedding photos to look ah-mazing. Plus, you don’t want to appear stressed out.

Delegate: Until now, you’ve probably taken on all of the planning. Now it’s time to delegate. Your friends and family want to help, so it’s time to let them help so you don’t have to worry. Assign tasks and roles ahead of time to avoid confusion.

Stay calm: You’ve planned everything until this moment. Now’s the time when staying calm will work to your benefit. Whatever is going to happen will happen.

Put your phone away: Let your phone go for the weekend. Give your maid of honor the responsibility of monitoring your phone. And don’t worry about who is messaging you – they shouldn’t be messaging you in the first place! Everyone you’ll probably be texting is there with you.

Be in the moment: So often I hear brides say their biggest regret is that they didn’t truly enjoy their wedding because they were either worrying, stressing or caught up with day-of-planning. Remind yourself that your hard work will pay off, but won’t be worth it unless you enjoy every moment.

Have Fun: Your friends and family are here to celebrate the single most important event of your life (up until this point in your life). After you take the moment in (and really take it in) take a deep breath and have fun. Seriously, have fun! The weekend will go by so quickly and you won’t want to miss out on any of it.

About the Author

A marketing specialist by trade, Satya Patel started Indian Wedding Toolkit to connect her skills from Marketing Strategy to Wedding Planning. Organization and Project Management have always been an essential part of her job, and she loves it.

Today, Satya empowers brides and grooms with relevant time-saving planning tips, tricks, and resources to prepare for the incredible Indian wedding & fusion wedding

Bursting with vivid and bold hues, opulent décor and intricate but elegant designs very well describe Indian weddings. Also known as Shaadi or Shadi, Indian weddings are best known for their grandeur, traditions, grace, colors and almost carnival-type celebration.

Unique photographs taken at an Indian weddings are made up of warm glances, shared laughter, loving stares, bold colors, elegant mandaps, and unique table settings.

Whether a stolen glance or a planned pose, couples and their families can relive the celebrations through heartfelt moments captured by photographs. Weddings are special events that are celebrated for an entire lifetime through photographs.
Article sponsored by Sona Photography (www.sonaphotography.com).

Memorable Wedding Moments

Memorable Wedding Moments

Memorable Wedding Moments

Contributing Photographers

Sona Photography Tel: 646-250-6337 www.sonaphotography.com

Welcome bags (or boxes) are perfect for your out-of-town guests. Pick some of these items or pick them all – it’s up to you!

Indian Wedding Welcome Bag Contents

Wedding Weekend Itinerary / Schedule of Events: Include this info in your Itinerary so your guests are in the know.

Welcome Note / Thank You Message: You want to welcome your guests [to the most exciting wedding they will ever experience]. A.K.A your wedding. Include a short and sweet message.

Timeline of events: Wedding guests want to be in the know – recap the breakdown of events, and when they need to be where.

Key contacts for the weekend: Add in one or two people guests can contact if they have any questions about the weekend.

Social media hashtag or app to tag photos: If you’re using a wedding app, here’s a great place to add in the hashtag or URL.

About the Author

A marketing specialist by trade, Satya Patel started Indian Wedding Toolkit to connect her skills from Marketing Strategy to Wedding Planning. Organization and Project Management have always been an essential part of her job, and she loves it.

Today, Satya empowers brides and grooms with relevant time-saving planning tips, tricks, and resources to prepare for the incredible Indian wedding & fusion wedding planning journey. Visit Indian Wedding Toolkit to learn more.

Indian weddings are rich in tradition and age-old rituals that have been practiced for hundreds of years. However, some western wedding customs have influenced the way Indian couples are doing things, especially the wedding registry. Traditionally, Indian couples do not register for gifts instead they accept cards and well wishes for their wedding weekend. Wedding registries are slowly becoming a commonly accepted practice among conventional Indian couples and their families.There are a few ways to approach a wedding registry. The most common type of registry is through nationwide department stores. This is where you would go to register for your china and stemware. But we’re seeing more and more couples create a Honeymoon Registry, anonline platform that allows guests to help fund a fabulous honeymoon for newlyweds. In considering a honeymoon registry, be sure to select a secure and trusted website that offers a mobile app. You will find it very helpful to check the mobile app on a regular basis while planning your honeymoon. A honeymoon registry isn’t the best fit for every couple but it’s great for couples that don’t need household items and china.

If you’re planning to create a registry, we recommend going to a nationwide department store and meeting with a wedding registry consultant. But before meeting with a consultant, consider the following items and you’ll be prepared to create a smart wedding registry.
Think Outside the Box
Most newlyweds are moving into a new place and there are many things you need to furnish and decorate it. We recommend registering for fun décor items such as picture frames, mirrors and vases. It’s always nice to provide a few unconventional gift ideas for the guests who know you best. We love that it’s a unique gift that is on display rather than tucked away in a drawer or china cabinet. It would be smart to consider asking for functional gifts like a digital camera or KitchenAid Mixer.
Don’t Worry About Completing the List
Most major retailers will provide a discount on items that were not purchased on your registry. We recommend leaving the registry open for a least one year after your wedding date. It’s a great opportunity for friends and family to purchase registry items for holidays and birthdays. Also, don’t be afraid to return uncompleted sets. If you only receive 4 out of 8 sets of china plates, return what you have and purchase a packaged dining set that has a similar design.
Consider How Your Lifestyle Will Change
As a married couple, you will most likely be entertaining more in the years to come. We recommend registering for that turkey platter and gravy boat, even if you won’t be using it for a while. Also, most couples are asking for serving dishes for hors d’oeuvres and desserts that are great for entertaining friends and family.
Write Thank You Notes as Gifts Come In
Every couple knows sending a thoughtful thank-you note is Wedding Etiquette 101. To eliminate hours of writing, we recommend writing and sending thank-you cards as you receive your gifts no matter when they come in. Keep in mind that it is customary to send out thank-you notes two weeks after your wedding. In your message, consider mentioning a detail about the gift and how you’re planning to using it.
Don’t Leave Anything Out
Be sure to register for enough gifts so that all of your guests can purchase one or two items from your lists. Don’t hesitate to include smaller ticket items in with your larger more expensive gifts. It’s important to allow all guests the opportunity to purchase a gift for you, big or small. Most couples have found that smaller items will be purchased in addition to a large gift.

Abouts Eventrics Weddings
Eventrics WeddingsIn June 2012, Eventrics Weddings expanded its signature wedding planning and coordination services to include the South Asian bride. After a successful launch into the social and weddings market, wedding planner Brittany Ellis Cole identified a need for these services. As South Asian Wedding Organizers, we have truly embraced the opportunity to produce unique multicultural weddings with traditional customs and rituals.

The Eventrics team has over 30 years of special event planning experience. We understand the key elements that will make your celebration unique and special. Our team is committed to designing your wedding full of memorable moments and provide lasting memories for you and your guests. As the planning strategy unfolds, your storybook wedding begins to take shape and come to life!

Learn more: eventricsindianweddings.com/.