Wedding Style : Part 3 - Sangeet

Sangeet, the most fun-filled event amongst the wedding ceremonies, is the most looked forward to occasion! It's that ceremony where everybody brings their 'A' game, and dazzle all throughout the performances, games, some dancing and singing.

But what matters the most is the look and style you decide to carry at such a fancy event! If you're a guest, especially from the close friend gang, you've got to top your Sangeet Attire Game. And definitely, deciding on what to wear and what makeup look to carry at your friend’s Sangeet is not as easy.

Well, that's exactly why today's designers & makeup artists come to your rescue, just how ASTHA AGARWAL (designer at Astha's Designer Hut) and KRITIKA RASTOGI (makeup artist at Kritika Rastogi Artistry) came to mine. 

To start, let's bring your attention to this gorgeous lehenga set in yellow and emerald green.The embroidery and the mirror work look fantastic, and can make anyone stand out in the crowd with such simplicity yet the elegance it has to offer. I love the knots on the back of the choli, and the long tie-up attachments on the lehenga, falling on the side, along with the heavily bordered dupatta. It's really quirky.

Correct me if I'm wrong but in my opinion, lehengas have always been crowd pleasers. It just suits everyone. But with my advice, you should always pick the right texture, design and color that suits your body type, along with the right designs and quantity of the accessories that you want to add. Just like how I opted for these super elegant, but heavy gold earrings studded with green emeralds, a simple gold hand cuff in my wrist, and gold heels in my feet to complete my attire.

ASTHA'S DESIGNER HUT - Located at Gol Market, Mahanagar, Lucknow

The next step to take care of is your makeup! Just see, how beautiful I look (OMG! I'm self-praising, and also thinking in my head "mujhe meri hi nazar naa lag jaye'). Kudos to Kritika for painting my face so beautifully, and keeping it all natural. I told her my personal style is subtle and elegant, and that's exactly what she gave me. I love the green eye lids - have been blended so well, and the crisp eyebrows, and my cheek bones and the entire face with just the right amount of highlighter and contour and the little blush she wanted to add. Also, my lips - that's my favourite lip shade and doesn't even make my lips appear thinner. All in all, I'm getting all my makeup done by this fabulous lady for all occasions - and mostly because she understands my skin - knows her techniques well, and uses the best skin friendly products!

KRITIKA RASTOGI ARTISTRY - Located at Shalimar Gallant (Mahanagar, Lucknow)

It's actually that time of the year when you're all looking for outfit inspirations and makeup artists suggestions, and I really hope this post helps you! If it does, so share it ahead with your family & friends :)

~xoxo~

Subtle Hues for Holi ft. Sumayaa

Hello ladies! Hope all's going great. Well, Holi is round the corner, which means it's yet another turn for me to don an Indian outfit. The fact's not hidden that I'm an occasional Indian outfit wearer. And when I do, the day's gotta be special. Holi is a fun-filled festival, celebrated across the globe but it's no longer restricted to just the mandatory splashing of gulal and munching gujiyas, but also about wearing trendiest Indian outfits, striking a melange of colours!

kurta, earrings : Sumayaa | churidaar leggings : Myntra | heels : Dorothy Perkins

bangles, rings : The Trinket Shop

For me, a subtle kurta from SUMAYAA is the pick this time. It's a pure cotton kurta in pink with beautiful silver embroidery. The embroidery is called the 'gota patti' which makes any garment look exuberant and traditionally artistic. I love how it falls on the upper-front of the long kurta and the sleeves, and also matches the silver jewelry I added to the look! I chose to pair it with a solid white churidaar to give a sleek, tall look while matching the leggings with a pair of white heels. A perfect blend of soft hues for a day look!

The 'Kurta' is an outfit that has stretched beyond the Indian borders, and has evolved down the ages to suit the ever-changing demands of the fashion forward world. A long top, generally of knee-length, paired with salwar or churidar and dupatta is what comprises the salwar-kurta-dupatta get-up. But SUMAYAA has brought in a varied range of styles for the Indian-modern trends to discover! They have a wide stock of lehengas, skirts, crop tops, fashionable kurtas, etc. In fact, they even sell unstitched pieces for gifting purposes, and of course for getting your customised outfits stitched!

So, if you're in Lucknow, and have nothing to wear for Holi, you must visit Sumayaa - the designer store, located at B-11, Kishan Bazar, opposite One Awadh Centre Mall, Gomti Nagar. I'm sure you're pretty much going to fall in love with each of it's designs at a blink! Keep following me on instagram & facebook for regular fashion updates. Until next, lots of love!

Photographed by : Saumya Kumar | Makeup by : Simran Taneja

~xoxo~

Wedding Vogue - Part 2 : Marriage

Hey dearies, how's it going? I've been trying to escape from the continuous wedding pressure at home, and juggling between work and studies and also trying to keep up with the pace here. Anyway, three consecutive years of publishing my wedding fashion series on this blog, and you've shown immense love to each post. Can't thank y'all enough for the great support throughout! Got the last part of this year's series today to show you a brand new marriage party look I created with the help of fashion designer - Aditi Jaggi Rastogi from STRAWBERRY FASHION STUDIO, and a dear friend and professional makeup artist - Simran Taneja.

So shall we get rollin'?! Yes? Great!

I guess it won't be wrong if I say that the most elaborate functions of the Indian wedding series is the wedding or the marriage ceremony itself. Starting from baraat and then the dinner party for the guests, followed by the midnight marriage rituals between the bride and groom; everything is done in the most perfect manner from both sides. Unlike the pre-wedding functions, the wedding day is the most lavish and a magnificent affair! The guest list is extravagant as compared to the attendees of the pre-wedding functions and its actually the day when not only the bride and groom are dressed up from top to toe in grand outfits but the family members and all the guests too. 

Which brings me to say that the entire wedding function calls for splurge. Whether you're the bride, or the bridesmaid, or the sister or the friend, you gotta dress your best and steal the limelight (or just shine as much as you can, eh?). As far as styles among Indian wedding lehengas are concerned, Indian women are generally open to a lot of choices! Considering the fact that wedding day is quite auspicious, lehengas as an element of the modern bride's wedding event trousseau has appeared to be much more stylish and trendy!

lehenga, kurta, dupatta : Strawberry Fashion Studio | all jewelry : Neha Diwan

The marriage ceremony for every bride is the most important, as she gets to dress in her dream outfit, for once in a lifetime! Tons of options to choose from but the quintessential lehenga-choli has always been one of the most favored choices of the Indian brides! It's no secret that a fancy lehenga gives a charming look to the bride as well as represents the Indian dressing aura. So, for my look this time, I picked a pure silk lehenga with mukaish in lemon yellow & white, with multi colored embroidery; paired with a banarsi silk long kurta in pink and gold. I've never worn a heavier lehenga than this one, which pretty much means this one had tons of layers for that beautiful flair when you twirl! Adding a little more grace, I draped the outfit with a floor length, heavy net dupatta with intricate zardozi embroidery on the borders. Undoubtedly It's one of the prettiest wedding outfits I've got my hands on!

I chose to accessorize the look with some traditional Indian jewelry, which included a pearl studded set of broad maang tikka and matching earrings, with a huge finger ring to impart the style of a princess (say from the mughal era?). Keeping it minimal with the styling, I did opt for a dense makeup and queen-curled hairstyle on the other side, which is one of the most essential parts of dressing up for an extravagant marriage ceremony. Simran gave me deep pink eyelids with false lashes and risen brows, making my eyes look bolder; along with bright pink lips and perfect contouring& highlights making my face shine aptly.

The entire outfit looked and felt magical to me. Twirling in it was my favorite part, and I'm not sure about you but if I get to be a bride anytime soon, I'm definitely opting for this piece for my big day!

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We end with this year's wedding fashion series here. I really hope you liked reading both the posts (check out the cocktail look HERE)! Do let me know in the comments below what do you have to say about this look from Strawberry Fashion Studio; if it's princess like or not? 

Also, tons of thanks to designer Aditi Jaggi Rastogi and her entire team for the cooperation, MUA Simran Taneja for making me look gorgeous as ever, and photographer Yash Athwani for capturing the best sides of me! Until next, lots of love.

~xoxo~

Wedding Vogue - Part 1 : Cocktail

Hello ladies, welcome back to yet another wedding fashion series on this blog. Unlike the last two years, I'm only going to write about two parts this time; out of which one is the cocktail party dress that I'm set to talk about in this post. So leave everything you're doing at the moment and read below the curation of this look with none other than STRAWBERRY FASHION STUDIO!

We all know that Indian weddings are an extravagant affair. I myself have told you this umpteen number of times, I guess! And every year with so many pre-wedding and wedding ceremonies to attend, you find yourself looking out for outfits that are in trend and still distinctive. So while I was on a drive to pick attires for this series, Aditi Jaggi Rastogi from Strawberry Fashion Studio came to my rescue. An internationally acclaimed fashion designer and passionate about singular creations (pre-couture and couture), helped me pick the best pieces from her latest wedding collection that'll leave you spellbound!

Gown, ring : Strawberry Fashion Studio | handcuff, earrings : Auhna Creations | heels : Steve Madden

Throwing a cocktail party is the latest trend, no more confined to the upper strata of the society. And it is probably the only occasion in the long Indian wedding celebrations where one can give the traditional wear a complete ditch. Well, it shall only be right if I say, with changing times and fashion trends, Indian wedding dresses have undergone a sea change in terms of design and style. Cocktail dressing was never a thing earlier, but in the recent times it's become essential to add a new, separate outfit only for an evening where you're sharing a few moves with your friends and family and enjoying drinks, and laying down the most gorgeously-happening-side of yours!

Standing tall in the pictures above, and flaunting my outfit just rightly, has already made you believe how much I'm in love with it. A pure Georgette gown it is in black with sequin embroidery in floral pattern on the upper front, with dazzling flares and cut sleeves, and so light in weight that makes my look appear captivating. I chose to wear this floor-length piece with my golden stilettos (you can opt for flats if you're taller or maybe some glitter shoes since heels are a bit uncomfortable to dance in) and a black-gold handcuff with matching gold-blue earrings and a finger ring that fitted aesthetically with the entire look!

For an even perfect team up, my MUA - Simran Taneja, tied my hair into a beautiful bun and left a strand flowing on the side. JSYK, this is the first time I've been convinced to carry a bun and it looks absolutely enchanting. For my makeup, she gave me half smokey eyes and pink tint, false lashes, high brows and shimmery face with dense contouring & highlights and bright pink lips!  

Keeping the look minimal and elegant, I am dressed in a brand new piece from Strawberry Fashion Studio. One stop shop for all occasions. Get your outfits customised according to your style and liking and I'm pretty sure you'll love the outcome! Store address : A-1, Shahnazaf Road, Opp. Sahara Ganj mall, Hazratganj, Lucknow.

Photographed by : Yash Athwani


~xoxo~

Summer Wedding Looks at Tulip Inn Mussoorie

Indian weddings are known for their style, grandeur, tradition and magnificence. You got down on one knee, popped the question and celebrated with a bottle of the best bubbly. Now it’s time for the wedding preparations, and a trend which is really catching on these days is that of planning a destination wedding. Not only are foreigners coming to Indian shores to tie the knot, but Indians themselves are looking for exotic wedding destinations to say ‘I Do’ in style!

Hill-stations are very popular for summer destination weddings, and couples who wish a unique picturesque wedding are exploring these areas for extraordinary experience. The misty cool breeze, the warm sunrise of the lush green valley can be the best bet while choosing among hill-stations to host a destination wedding!

If you remember, a few months back (during the winter season), I shared a wedding destination post on this blog about a beautiful resort hotel - Tulip Inn Green n Breeze in Barlowganj, and hotel Tulip Inn Green Castle at Mall Road, in Mussoorie. So many of you loved the locations, and I thought I should shoot for you a few images related to typical wedding fashion, showing you how differently pretty both destinations look when thought to plan a summer wedding there!

I collaborated with the hotel once again last month, and landed there to surround myself with a surreal view of the Himalayan sunset, beautiful Doon valley surrounded by tree-covered hills, and the clear night sky with countless twinkling stars. I shot for two different looks at both the properties, and you can check it all out below..

LOOK 1 - Shot at Tulip Inn Green n Breeze

My first look included a bright green lehenga set designed in brocade full-length skirt and cut-sleeve blouse with net dupatta, bordered too with brocade! The Indian design print with golden on both the blouse and lehenga make it a traditional wear apt for a daytime function. I love how the lehenga fitted me on the waist perfectly, giving it a shape with a flair below and the blouse fits apt on the shoulders too. I chose to keep the dupatta on one side, and show off my ethnic jewelry matched perfectly in green and golden to keep it summery and elementary! Finished of my look with subtle makeup on the face and green stilettos in feet.

Lehenga by : Arushi Mehta (Aarna Designs)  |  Jewelry by : Silvette.Com

Tulip Inn Green n Breeze is a ravishing resort hotel spread over 4 floors, with 35 luxurious guest rooms, nestled at Barlowganj, just 5 kms away from the hustle bustle of Mussoorie city. It has 24x7 hospitality support that takes care of you from the time you check in till you leave! With that, some of the most attractive facilities include :  Kids Corner, Table Tennis and Gym Area, Spa/Massage and Jogging Track.

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Look 2 - Shot at Tulip Inn Green Castle

The second look that I created is for the main wedding function, where I opted for a heavy lehenga set designed in black and golden, looking nothing less than a dreamy outfit (could be even worn by a bride who doesn't believe in not-wearing-black-for-wedding). I absolutely am swayed by the gorgeous set that includes a heavy net skirt with glitter patches on it, a black crop top with full sleeves and a net dupatta bordered with glitter as well! Since the entire ensemble was pretty jazzy, I chose to add a little more sparkle with my stunning jewelry, keeping it traditional and royal at the same time. Put on a 3 layer swanky neckpiece along with dangling earrings, rhine-stone maang tikka and gold glitter heels along with classy makeup to complete my look! 

Lehenga by : Arushi Mehta (Aarna Designs)  |  Jewelry by : Auhna Creations

This second property by Tulip Inn is named as Hotel Green Castle, which rests at Mall Road, girded by cedar forests on the edge of the Himalayan hillside, amidst many majestic places that have an array of sights to see! The facilities at this hotel remains similar to those at the Barlowganj resort with just a few more recreations surrounding like the Kempty Falls, Horse Riding, Company Garden, St. George Cottage, Local Shopping Market, Street Food Joints, etc..

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Mussoorie is a splendid place for an out-of-the-box wedding. This hill station is full of ravishing vintage architecture and best hotels (2 of those that I mentioned above) with alluring surroundings that make sure that ceremonies become nothing less than heavenly for you, and are great for a pre-wedding photoshoots too! The summer months of April to June are warm in the day and cool at night, most suited for destination weddings, and if you are planning to tie the knot sometime soon, starting from now to mid-June is the best time to host the ceremonies.


PS : Read everything in detail about the two Tulip Inn hotels in Mussoorie, in my other post HERE, and feel free to contact me for any other considerations. Also, do let me know which of the two looks from this post is your your favorite. I'd love to read your feedback!

PPS : Tons of thanks to Hera Fatima Naqvi for travelling with me all the way to the queen of hills, and gifting me these amazing photographs. JSYK, she's my best friend from the school time and I feel I can never thank her enough for helping me with work, and not just being a shoulder to cry on for all my problems!

Photography by : Hera Fatima Naqvi

~xoxo~