Bridal Wear
Flowers
Formal Wear
Hair Dressing
Make-up Artistry
Mehndi
Officiant
Temples
Tent Rentals
Photography & Videography
Venue

Flowers
The scent of flowers, in the different array of enticing colours, will complete your bridal look. The significance of the flowers dates back to when the bride would invoke fertility carrying chaffs of wheat. Flower bouquets still symbolize this wedding ritual. Things to consider are florists, style of bouquet, arrangements, and price.

Florists. Your floral artisan is the only expert that you have to rely on for your wedding flowers. They understand the different types of flowers and how they fit together to make a stunning arrangement or bouquet. Look through their portfolio, bring along types of flowers that you like, and a colour swatch of your wedding outfit. They will be able to envision what will work best for your frame, colours, and shape of your outfit. Be sure to advise them of any allergies you may have to flowers.

Style of Bouquet. The style you choose for your bouquet is very important. If your bouquet is too small or large for your frame, it looks unbalanced. Also, if your wedding dress if elaborate, your bouquet should be simple to complete the look, not detract from your attire. General styles of bouquets are:
-Posy: Small and simple bouquet hand tied with a ribbon.
-Round: The classic bouquet, usually consisting of large flowers such as roses or lilies that are loosely arranged in a bouquet holder.
-Hand-tied: Flowers that are wired tightly together and the stems hand tied with ribbon.
-Cascade: The most traditional and formal of bouquets, a graceful water fall of flowers wired to cascade from the brides hands.
-Arm Held: Elegant and simple, held along the arm with blooms by your elbow and long hanging stems.

Arrangements. Arrangements will transform your wedding day into a charming setting of natural beauty, enchanting all of your guests. The old tradition of jai malas or wedding garlands is on the rise again. Your florist may know how to make fresh flower garlands.

Price. Although flowers can get expensive, you can stay within a reasonable budget. Discuss options with your florist, such as seasonal flowers and size of your arrangements. Instead of going for all roses, you can opt for cheaper flowers such as carnations and daisies that will fill the same amount of space at a lower cost. Also discuss if delivery is included in the quoted price. The last thing you want is for your family members to be rushing around the morning of your wedding day.

Formal Wear
Sophisticated, refined, dashing, and debonair are words that can be used to describe a groom dressed in all of his finery. Whether he is wearing a traditional outfit or renting a tuxedo, the groom's formal wear demands attention. Things to consider are rentals, Asian formal wear and western formal wear.

Rentals. The groom should select his formal wear based on the formality of the event. If you are having a summer or daytime wedding, consider wearing lighter colours. If you are having a winter wedding, darker colours are acceptable. You can now rent western and Asian formal wear for all of your wedding needs. Your formal wear specialists should be reputable and have a large selection of garments. Allow enough time for alterations and designate your best man to assume responsibility for returning all rented items.

Asian Formal Wear. The groom's traditional wedding dress may be either a sherwani, achkan, kurta pyjama or jodhpuri. A sherwani is an authentic suit for the traditional man where the knee-length embroidered jacket is buttoned down the front. An achkan is much the same, but the buttons are replaced with a single or double hook or decorated chord to keep the jacket closed. A kurta pyjama, quite a bit less formal, is a loosely fitted, knee length tunic with side slits. Many men wear this on pre-wedding events. A jodhpuri is a fusion of the traditional Asian dress and western formal wear where it offers a short arm length embroidered jacket and trousers. A turban is optional and now you can purchase or rent ready-made ones, instead of having it tied the morning of your wedding.

Western Formal Wear. Another choice a groom has is choosing western formal wear. If he can wear a tuxedo at least four times before it goes out of style, then consider purchasing it. Although you can purchase a very nice suit, a tuxedo gives a certain air of class and distinction. It is best if the groom compares styles and prices before he decides on his formal wear. The jacket, shirt, vest, cummerbund, trousers, bowtie, shoes and cufflinks are all details that should be considered when renting or purchasing formal wear for the wedding and reception.

Mehndi
The leaves of the henna plant are ground into a fine powder and made into a paste that is called mehndi. The art of adorning the hands and feet with this paste is now a tradition in all weddings. Asian brides have had their mehndi applied for generations, and now this pain-free decoration is the hottest new trend in the mainstream market. The hands and feet are stained a rich burgandy-brown colour in intricate patterns using the henna paste. Things to consider are the history of mehndi, your mehndi party, your mehndi artist, your mehendi design, ingredients, and care for your mehndi.

History. Evidence supports that mehndi originated in the Middle East and North Africa. It is said that the custom of mehndi was brought into India by the Moghuls in the 12th Century. Even today, the patterns vary between countries, spanning different cultures and traditions. It was used not only for cosmetic reasons, but for healing purposes. Arabic, African, and Asian patterns vary from one another and are very distinct, denoting the cultural style of its origine. African mehndi is usually black in colour, where Arabic and Asian patterns are reddish-brown in colour. African mehndi features large and bold geometric patterns and angles, while Arabic mehndi features large, floral patterns. Asian mehndi features fine lines, small florals, peacocks and paisley designs covering the entire palm and back of the hands, forearms, feet and shins.

Your Mehndi Party. Your mehndi party is an enchanting evening of laughter, friends, family, and fun. The party is usually held 2 days prior to your wedding day. If it is going to be a large scale event, you may want to prepare some dishes or have the event catered. Entertainment is also necessary to make it a fun event. You may wish to have more than one mehndiwali so that everyone has a chance to have their mehndi done.
If you prefer a more intimate gathering, you can host it in your home. The mehndi will be the main focus of an evening, shared with girl friends and female family members.
Payment options for mehndi may be a concern for you. Normally, you would pick up the tab for an event hosted by you. Due to budget constraints, you may choose to have the guests pay the mehndi artist directly. This way, the guests are given the freedoim to decide the type and extent of designs they wish to have applied.

Your Mehndi Artist. You may begin searching for your mehndiwali, or mehndi artist, in the Asian Wedding Planner or you may wish to surf online at www.asianweddings.ca. To narrow down your choices, you may need to consult with multiple artists.
Each mehndi artist has their own style and designs. Mehndi is like artwork, where no two designs are exactly the same, unless it is with a practiced hand. When you look through their portfolio, you should see pictures of their own work. Since pictures speak a thousand words, you can identify the style that best appeals to you.
To take it one step further, you may want to have a test pattern done so that you can see the comfort level of the artist's mehndi application. If they do not have a steady hand, your pattern may be messy. If the sample takes more than 5 minutes, imagine how long it will take her to finish both of your hands, forehands, palms, and feet. However, if the pattern is neat and the artist is just taking her time to ensure accuracy, she may be worth the wait.
The test pattern will also advise you of the colour that the mehndi will stain your skin and how long the colour will last. Your aim is for a long lasting, burgundy-brown colour. The longevity is desirable because you are forbidden from doing any housework in your new home as a new bride so long as your mehndi remains on your hands. The dark colour is for the love of your new family. It is said that the darker the design, the more your mother-in-law loves you and hence a sign of a happily married life.
Your mehndiwali's personality and how she interacts with you is also an important factor. You will be placing a great deal of trust in her hands. There is no margin for error with mehndi. You will feel more secure if she is confident about her work and has a positive attitude.

Your Mehndi Design. Many brides look through bridal magazines to get a clearer picture of how they wish to look on their special day. You can now find mehndi designs in those magazines. More so, a good mehndi artist can use those pictures as a guide to create a design for you that you absolutely love. Giving the artist flexibility to create her own patterns may even get you better results.
Mehndi is somewhat of a novelty and the hottest trend is to have small mehndi designs in various regions over the body. Popular tattoos include armbands, tummy tattoos, and designs on the lower back and shoulder blade regions.
The art of mehndi has evolved to the point where there are now many choices available in colours. You can choose your colour, have glitter and stones applied, or have black mehndi. In India today, you can purchase any colour in the spectrum. You may want to ask your mehndi artist if this is a service that she provides.
Glitter and rhinestones added into your mehndi completes your bridal look and adds a touch of glamour to your day. It is subtle and pretty. Since there is no staining and it is applied on a temporary basis, the timing for application should be while you are dressing for your wedding or reception. It can also get costly to apply these since it will require the artist taking a special trip just for rhinestones and glitter.
Black mehndi is also available, but is mostly used as a hair dye. Since there are chemicals found inside black mehndi, it may irritate your skin. A patch test is best to determine allergies.

Ingredients. Mehndi is made from the crushed leaves of a henna plant. Once ground into a fine powder, henna is packaged and sent all over the world for purchase. You should be careful of how long it has sat on the shelves. The longer the shelf life, the less effective the staining power.
The powder should first be put through a fine sifter to remove any large particles and twigs. It should be blended with a mixture of tea, cloves, tamarind, lemon, water and essential oils. Ensure that it is well blended into a smooth paste for easy application. Application tools can be toothpicks or cones. You can also purchase cones at wedding supply stores where mehndi is available for sale.

Care For Your Mehndi. Be as still as possible while your mehndi is being applied. If your hand accidentally touches anything, your beautiful design may smudge. Since mehndi stains immediately, the smudge will be seen after 48 hours, even though you may have the smudge temporarily fixed.
Once the mehndi has dried, do not flake off. You should apply a mixture of lemon juice and sugar to ensure that the pattern stays in place and is moist. The longer the mehndi remains on the skin, the darker the stain and the longer it will remain on your skin. Although the colour will take immediately, mehndi continues to stain your skin for 8 hours. Some mehndi artists may also wrap your hand in tissue paper that is soaked in the lemon juice and sugar mixture.
Since the mehndi must remain on your skin for a long period of time, many brides prefer to have it applied in the evening so that they can go directly to bed. If you would prefer this, make sure that you do not touch the mehndi to any other part of your body, mainly your face as it will stain. If this is the case, your makeup artist may be able to help you by applying the proper cover up.
When you remove the dried mehndi, do not wash it off. Scrape it off of your skin with a butter knife. Since mehndi stains the top layer of your skin, it will only fade when your skin exfoliates. Therefore, avoid from rubbing your hands, applying cream, or using soap and shampoo.
If you must, use rubber gloves for 24 hours after you scrape the mehndi off your hands. Use oil to keep your hands from drying. This allow the colour to darken during the two days following your mehndi application.

Photography & Videography
Preserve your special day. Every moment, emotion, expression, and detail shall be captured in time. Your photographs will be viewed many, many times throughout the years, which is why you must hire a professional photographer. Begin your search ahead of time, as the best wedding photographers are booked months in advance. Things to consider are experience, rapport, photography style, services included, packages, scrapbook, preservation, albums, and online albums.

Experience. When you search for your photographer, look for experience in actual wedding photography. The photographer's portfolio should include recent work depicting his or her mastery of creativity, light, poses, and ability to capture the moment. The photographer's portfolio should be your deciding factor, instead of the photographer trying to sell his or her services.
Familiarity with the type of ceremony and site is key when choosing your photographer because he or she will be able to anticipate what the shot already looks like and it will save you time. Most full time photographers will not disappoint you when it comes to knowledge and understanding of photography, which will reflect in your photos. This is precisely why you should stay away from a friend or family member taking on the responsibility of being the photographer simply to save you money.
Don't be afraid to ask your friends and family to suggest photographers for you. Your photographer will appreciate the fact that the referral came through a trusted source and is an unbiased recommendation. You are more likely to book a photographer if it ca

Rapport. Your smile throughout the day must be genuine. To achieve this, you must feel comfortable in front of the lens. From the morning of the ceremony until the end of your reception party, you will spend much of your time with your photographer. If he or she intimidates you, the results can truly be disastrous. Your mood will be spoiled for the entire day, and it will show in your photographs. During your consultation, you will know immediately if your photographer is too demanding or overbearing for your personality. You should have a photographer with a pleasant and easy-going personality.
Try to recognize the signs that your photographer is not willing to be flexible and understanding. For example, he or she is unwilling to offer an upgrade on your album or consistently changes the date that your photos will be ready. Good customer service is something that you pay for and sometimes gets overlooked if you have a personal issue with your photographer.
Photography Style. Styles of photography depend widely on your taste. You should be able to advise your photographer as to what types of shots you prefer. And if you have a good photographer, he or she should identify with you immediately.
Styles include portrait or poses, journalistic or artistic shots, candid shots that capture the emotion and excitement, and traditional photography, that brings back the memories of the special day.Your photographer may use filtered lenses to create special effects. This modern technique is great because it sets the ambiance and mood of that particular photograph. Unique lighting techniques and the use of natural light may also bring something creative to your photographs.

Services Included. You should verify with your photographer if there are any special services included in your package. Whether it is some black and white photographs, extra portrait sittings, or even a drop sheet included to enhance the background in your pictures, it is well worth it. Extra services may also include touching up photographs in some software programs on the computer. Your photos will have a special touch.

Packages. Most wedding photographers will offer you a choice between packages. Consider these carefully as these packages are created through the photographers experience dealing with couples just like you. Depending on your needs, the photographer may even be able to personalize your package for you.
Most packages include pre-wedding portraits, ceremony and reception party photography, one photo album and enlargements. If you would like to add pre-wedding ceremonies and extra albums, simply ask your photographer what the price difference would be. Negatives may or may not be included in your package. This is important to know since you may be getting multiple copies made for your friends and family.
To cut costs, you may want to consider giving your parents the proof albums. These are a bit smaller in size and shape from the actual wedding albums, but both sets of parents can have proof albums for the same price as a wedding album.
Choosing your photographer is not a simple task, as there are many things to consider. Take your time and don't feel pressured to make a decision on the spot. Comparison shop and choose the right photographer for you.

Scrapbook. A fun way of remembering your wedding is to create a scrapbook. Your scrapbook can contain photos taken of every detail leading up to your big day or it can contain photos taken by your professional photographer. In any case, it is a great way for your girlfriends and bridesmaids to help you out and reminisce about the days when you were single.
Your maid of honor, while organizing your shower, can also incorporate some fun ways in which to compile your scrapbook. Every guest that is invited can have a picture on one page and write, draw or decorate their page in their own fashion. This can be presented to the bride as a gift at the end of the shower.

Preservation. The latest trend in photography is preservation. Some photographers or preservation artists can encase your most memorable photograph in a frame with your freeze-dried bouquet and other small trinkets from your wedding.
You will first have to contact a florist that specializes in freeze-drying your floral arrangements. Then choose a photograph that you absolutely love from your wedding day and deliver that to your preservation artist. To be creative, also include small items such as a few of your wedding bangles, a portion of your kalire or perhaps even the groom's sehra or kalgi. This will add a special, personal touch that you will remember for years to come. Instead of sifting though an entire album of photographs, having one or two photographs preserved is a great way to remember your wedding day.

Albums. Many photographers will include the compilation of one wedding album into the package price. You don't have to settle for a standard album. Trends in wedding albums change quite often, and it is best to ask your photographer to offer you an upgrade, if you are willing to cover the cost.

Online Album. A great way to share your memories with your family and friends is through the internet. With technology, you can upload your wedding photos to your own computer. By using www.AsianWeddings.ca, you can easily upload photos of your choice onto your own personalized album. Simply give the password to anyone you choose to give them instant access to your album.

Videography

After many months of planning and preparations, your special day has finally arrived. Due to nervousness and stress of the moment, you may not be able to recall the small details in both motion and sound. Your wedding video allows you to sit back and enjoy the wonderful moments shared with your family and friends.
You should settle for nothing less than the best for your videography. Hiring a professional will give you confidence and with new technology, video will retain the true memories you create . When choosing your videographer things to consider are: experience, rapport, picture quality, sound quality, lighting, editing, multiple cameras, credits, photo montage, delivery date, and price.

Experience. Watching a demo tape is the only way to decide if the videographer's work is something that you like. Ask to see an entire wedding and reception from beginning to end. You don't have to watch the entire video, but be sure to watch for things that will impact your decision, such as an introduction, proper editing, and steadiness of the videographer's hand. Watching a complete video will give you a better idea as to the quality of the work.
An experienced videographer will assuredly have clear audio, good colour and picture, and will film with more flair, imagination, and focus. When the wedding is over, you will be happy the professionals were behind the cameras.

Rapport. From the first anxious moments all the way throughout to the tears of happiness, it will all be caught on tape. Your videographer will be there to film you, not get in your way and steal the show. They should go unnoticed in most instances. However, when they are alone filming you and your spouse, their personality should shine through for that special touch. The good videographer should also take the time to learn your family structure and truly get to know you and your spouse's personalities.

Picture Quality. Some couples hire a friend or family member to record their wedding highlights without considering the consequences. You may regret it in the long run, as many moments may not get captured and the quality of your videotape has diminished over time. You can now have your video made on DVD where image, quality, music, sound, and motion are virtually flawless. Formats used for filming today are VHS, Super VHS, and DV. DV is a digital video that can be copied again and again without ever losing the quality because it is digital. VHS and Super VHS can easily lose quality in both image and sound over the years. Copy your DV to a DVD and enjoy it for years to come.

Sound Quality. In the demo, be sure to pay close attention to the sound, specifically the music and speeches. Formats used for capturing sound today are built-in microphones, wireless microphones, and digital sound recorders. Microphones are now obsolete because they are unreliable and there is interference. This interference is amplified by fluorescent lighting nearby, cellular phones, and two-way microphones (or walkie-talkies). Digital sound recorders are so small that they can be easily concealed into the groom's breast pocket. The sound can easily be transferred to a computer for editing and perfect sound.

Lighting. Not all rooms can be perfectly lit for the videographer. Some videographers will have an attachment secured to their camera to provide proper lighting. Be sure to confirm the lighting equipment that he or she will bring.

Editing. The editing is all done behind the scenes, but is necessary in providing you with a flawless product. The best footage taken by multiple cameras is edited with sound and special effects. This will eliminate flaws, mistakes, and people walking in front of the camera. Although good equipment is necessary, creativity and skill in editing will make your video memorable. The videographer, using various special effects, will creatively arrange a tape for you that can be frequently viewed with joy. The flow throughout the video is also important to look at. Look for different sections of the wedding day and see how well they flow into one another..
One way to begin the movie is to provide an introduction and at the end of the movie, do a short summary of events throughout the day. This will really show you how creative your videographer can be.

Multiple Cameras. With multiple camera set-up, you have a choice of having a live switching during recording or one that can be edited afterwards. During a live switching, the editing is done on the spot by an expert that watches the multiple feeds and makes instant editing decisions. If each camera records its own tape, the editing process does become lengthy, but the videographer can take the best from each tape without being rushed to make a decision on the spot.

Credits. Be sure to include a list of credits for your videographer to add into your video. This list should include the bride and groom's name, parents of the bride, parents of groom, grandparents of the bride, grandparents of the groom, and any other names you would like to include. Be sure to clearly spell out all of the names, because the last thing you want is a mistake in your name.

Photo Montage. Using your childhood photographs and pictures of you and your spouse dating, your videographer can create a slide show with special effects and music to create your photo montage. This is normally played at your reception party for everyone to enjoy, and can later be added into your video. Prepare in advance, as the last thing you want is to lose sleep over this the night before your wedding. You can include graphics, music, photographs, comical speeches and stories, or ask your videographer to surprise you.

Delivery Date. This may be important to you, especially if you are sending your wedding video overseas. Definitely ask your videographer about the date, and confirm it before you give your final payment. The delivery date may vary depending on the editing process and the hours of footage.
The external packaging of your wedding videos is also important. You can get a nice design made by your videographer and in most cases, it is included in the package price. Also ensure that proper labels are made for the videos. This is the only way you will know which video you are watching out of the complete set.

Price. One of the most important criteria when looking to hire a videographer is price. Try not to compromise quality for budget. You may be able to weigh your options before you decide on your package. Read the contract before signing as some of the options may get hidden in the fine text or between the lines. And don't be afraid to ask your videographer for a payment schedule. This may make it more affordable for you. A professional videographer is worth the investment.