5 Must Do Things Before Getting Married

To ensure a smooth ride post marriage, these are 5 things you must do before you get hitched.

1. Get back in shape
Every woman wants to look stunning on her wedding day; after all, she is going to be the centre of attention. Take time to invest in looking good for the big day by focusing on fitness and diet. However, together with physical fitness, make sure you include exercises or activities that keep you mentally refreshed as well. Try some fun workouts like Zumba or belly dancing so that you don’t lose interest easily. Just make sure you stay regular.

2. Become financially independent
Women often underestimate the value of being financially independent. Sure, you will marry a man who will take care of you no matter what. But being financially sound isn’t just about having financial security; it is also about the confidence it brings to your personality. The fact that you don’t need to depend on your spouse for your spending needs is a great feeling. What’s more, he will probably respect you for it too.

3. Master a few dinner recipes
Clichéd it may be, but the phrase ‘win a man’s heart through his stomach’ definitely holds true. For those who aren’t food savants, you can join a course where you can learn basic cooking methods together with a wide variety of recipes of different cuisines. They will surely come handy to keep your family happy. Unless of course, you grabbed a chef for a husband!

4. Get premarital counseling
With the steady rise in the number of divorce cases in India, premarital counseling is now more of a preventive measure. It lets the couple understand each other better and have detailed discussions about sensitive topics like sex, children, religion and finances with a trained practitioner facilitating it. Even though it may not seem like you need to, it is crucial to be aware of each other’s needs right at the start, so that marriage doesn’t come with any false illusions. Often people shy away from counseling because of the general perception that something has to be wrong for one to try it. But you need to act with maturity and understand that this open communication will go a long way in maintaining peace in a marriage.

5. Visit your gynecologist
Sex and family planning come with a whole gamut of queries, on the right method of birth control, understanding ovulating patterns and many more. It is best to visit your gynecologist and get all those questions answered. In addition, be sure to have a complete health check-up to ensure no unknown problems crop up later, like maybe when you’re off on your honeymoon.

How To Maintain Your Wedding Budget

The Indian wedding industry is currently estimated to generate business worth about one lakh crore rupees (that’s one followed by 12 incredibly hard-earned zeroes) and experts say that this figure grows by as much as 20 to 30 per cent annually. So, how do you protect your purse from this thriving beast? First, draw up a budget. Next—the hard part—stick to it! Here’s how to make sure your wedding doesn’t pull you under.

Make a list
There’s more to weddings than the band, baaja and baraat. So before you build altars in the air, write down exactly what your big celebration is going to entail. Remember that every event you decide to include in your list—a welcome party at a destination wedding, mehendi, sangeet— will add substantially to your tab because you’re not just paying for the venue and food, each event also requires you to spend on decor, wardrobe, jewellery, entertainment, transport, etc. “The venue, food and beverage is often just half of the total cost,” says Neha Shroff of Momente wedding planners. So, first scribble down your magic number, the absolute total you intend to spend on your wedding, and then make a realistic list of how many functions you can host.

Do the math
Remember to allot a cost for every little detail, such as stationery, venue, food and beverage (don’t forget add-ons like the wedding cake and champagne), decor, music, entertainment, accommodation and transport (for destination weddings), giveaways, photography (including videos and photo albums), and your honeymoon too. “Plan ahead. This way you have enough time to do some research and compile a list of your most cost-effective options,” says Neha. “Plus, you can avail of early-bird discounts at many venues, and on airfare, if you’re planning a destination wedding.”

No song and dance
Despite what Bollywood movies may have led you to believe, elaborate weddings are more stressful than fun. Ideally, you should keep it simple. Neha even recommends escaping to an exotic destination to cut costs. “Sometimes, this can lead to significant cost savings since the guest list will be smaller,” she points out. One way to cut costs is to opt for a cheaper destination, such as Lonavala rather than a Maldives. “Even off-season weddings can result in a lot of savings,” adds Neha. You can take advantage of off-season rates. For example, hosting a wedding in Jaipur in June rather than in December would certainly cut costs. Alternatively, host the wedding functions on weekdays, rather than weekends.

However, destination weddings can also be a logistical nightmare, and accommodation and transport could end up costing you more if you don’t plan carefully. “While you’d pay more for a venue at a local wedding, you may end up spending heavily on decorations or food at a destination wedding. So weigh in all these factors before you make a choice,” says Neha.

Here is the sample chart. However, these percentages vary according to personal preferences

ALLOCATING THE BUDGET FOR THE WEDDING

 
Costs                               Destination             Local
Venue                                      25%                    5% (venue and accommodation)
Food and beverage                  25%                    45%
Decor                                      25%                    25%
Entertainment                           15%                    10%
Photography                             5%                     10%
Others                                      5%                     5% (makeup, transport, etc)

(Please note: Clothes, stationery, jewellery, etc have not been included. Only the actual cost of events have been considered)

50 Things Every Bride Must Know

Getting married is not a cake walk! It takes a lot of hard work, preparations and amidst all this hustle bustle, we are bound to miss out on some simple yet extremely important things. So here is a quick check list of 50 such things that no bride should EVER forget.

1.    Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth before your wedding. You’ll be hugging a lot of people and bad breath is a strict no-no!
2.    Avoid underarm sweat patches by using an antiperspirant before putting on that heavily embroidered sexy choli.
3.    Avoid smoking! If you must smoke, keep some mints handy to do away with that cigarette smell!
4.    Make sure you adopt a moisturizing routine for your hands and feet well before your wedding day.
5.    Nothing beats the natural look. For yours, make sure you eat healthy, avoid alcohol and start a cleansing process.
6.    Have a trail run of your wedding day look. Hair, makeup, clothes, jewellery, the works. Better safe than sure!
7.    Getting a bikini wax is a personal decision; stick to what works best for you - waxing, shaving or using hair removal creams. If you can handle a little pain, waxing will see you hair-free throughout your wedding preparation and your Honeymoon.
8.    Dandruff is a strict no-no. If you have a problem, go for a specialised anti-dandruff treatment.
9.    For that day long freshness, drink plenty of water or fruit juice and stay as calm as possible.
10.    Don't spray perfume or deodorant on your wedding outfit! They're meant for your skin and can stain the fabric.
11.    Dark circles can ruin those wedding photos. Make sure you rest your tired eyes and get a decent night’s sleep.
12.    Smile. No matter what, smile. Someone is always looking at you or taking a picture. And you don’t want a surprise!
13.    A flash of skin is fine, just go easy on the cleavage though. You father, grand-father, and may be great grandfather too may be present.
14.    Any new beauty treatments should be tried one month before rather than a day before the wedding.
15.    Before your wedding you should practice your make up at home. Don’t be tempted to try anything new on the day. You should test the make up in natural light and on camera before the big day.
16.    Choose a hair and makeup look that bests represent you. What may suit on Vidya Balan may just not look good on you.
17.    Consult your gynecologist if your periods are due on the wedding night or during honeymoon.
18.    A good exfoliating scrub helps you get rid of dead skin cells. Periodic exfoliation will lead to glowing skin on your wedding day.
19.    Whether you have a complexion like Katrina Kaif's or not, it's still a good idea to visit a dermatologist.
20.    Go for photo-rejuvenation to take care of color imperfections in your skin. This treatment should be done for 3 months before wedding.
21.    Skin polishing helps get rid of acne scars, black heads while giving a polished look to your skin.
22.    About a week before your Big Day, make an appointment with your dentist; get your teeth polished so they are ready for that great smile.
23.    Remember to pack your makeup remover when you head to the hotel. The bridal makeup is too thick to be washed away with water alone.
24.    Don’t drench yourself in perfume. A subtle fragrance is more pleasing to the senses than the overwhelming ones.
25.    Going for back- facial is a good option. It cleanses tones and exfoliates the exposed body parts like shoulder and back.
26.    Lip color should be coordinated with the color of the blush. If not done so, blush appears too harsh.
27.    While applying blush, do not go too far below the cheekbone, as it will pull the face down visually.
28.    Avoid eating oily food and drink lots of water for radiant skin. Regular exercising will give you a healthy looking and glowing skin.
29.    Do not rush out for facials just few days before the “Big” day. Those extreme facial procedures may lead to harsh effect on your skin.
30.    Steam facial is a good option because it enhances the complexion of the bride and also it proves to be relaxing for her.
31.    Brides often choose to wear open toed footwear. In this case, special attention needs to be given to foot care.
32.    Getting a regular manicure done gives a healthy and smooth look to the bride’s hands. It prevents the hands from getting dry.
33.    A bride should take hair spa, full body massage. The sole aim behind doing it is make a bride look exceptionally fresh and beautiful.
34.    Have a handful of blueberries on your cereal as they're packed with anti-oxidants, fantastic at preventing fine lines.
35.    Bridal lingerie should be the last thing on your shopping list. Breast area is the first to get affected due to change in weight. The wrong size bra can play havoc with your neckline.
36.    Stop drinking alcohol at least two weeks before the wedding. It reduces puffiness and makes you look fresh.
37.    It is amazing how just a little workout with those tiny-winy dumbbells tones your arms. Needless to say, toned upper arms will make you look all the more amazing on your D-day. So let go of the laziness and pick up some weights. You can thank us later.
38.    Wedding music: this is a very important bit! Make sure to brief the DJ to not play Hindi picture wedding songs that are bound to make you and your family members emotional. You don’t want to keep crying through the entire ceremony.
39.    Don’t worry and stay calm should be your mantra during the few days before and after your wedding. And worrying about how your one set of friends will get along with the other set should be the last concern on your mind.
40.    Do not starve! You will be busy doing a lot of things, surrounded by a lot of people.
41.    Amidst all this, do not ignore your health. Keep yourself hydrated and eat good food. Skipping meals or not having enough liquids will show on your face!
42.    On your wedding day just concentrate on enjoying yourself. There are other people who love you taking all the stress to make your day memorable. It’s your big day and you don’t need to worry about anything.
43.    Stay away and we mean truly STAY AWAY from kids. They shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near your room or dressing or makeup area for your own good. DON’T fall for their cuteness and innocent smiles this one day.
44.    You want to be clam and composed while getting your hair and makeup done. So while kids shouldn’t be allowed inside your room, friends who can make you giggle and aunties who can bore you with their banter and mother and sister who can make you emotional should be barred entry too.
45.    Remember, makeup is used to enhance and highlight your features and not to turn you into somebody else. Brief your makeup artist well in advance about your kind of style. After all, you don’t want to shock your man and his family.
46.    Packing for your honeymoon? Divide clothes into categories like - sexy, comfortable, stylish, evening wear, adventure and then pack enough options under each in your bag. Change your look and clothes as per your day’s plan.
47.    You will have a makeup expert and a stylist working on your look during your wedding functions. But what post that? Being the new bride, you would love to look all dolled up and pretty post marriage too. So what you need is the basic knowledge of makeup. Kohl, mascara, lip gloss, BB cream, makeup remover, moisturizer, and all about eye shadow, blushes and brushes! We all have that friend who was a beautician in her past life; ask for her help and tips.
48.    Draping a saree: It is important for every Indian woman to learn the art. Irrespective of how often you are going to wear it. Learn the tips and tricks from your mother and a few saree draping styles from your aunts or cousins who are pros. A woman looks the best in saree and as a newly bride, you might be expected to wear sarees for a few important occasions post marriage.
49.    We all have a good profile and bad one. Make sure that you keep that in mind when your wedding pictures are being clicked. Also, brief your photographer and do some practice shots to get it right on the D-Day.
50.    Bridal first aid kit: Didn’t hear of it? Well, it’s nothing but a kit with alternative options for your top, makeup, clips and accessories for your hair, and a pair of sandals. So if at all anything goes wrong at the last minute, you know you have a Plan B in place!