August 6, 2009
Tips to plan a low cost cuisine on wedding
The lights are lit, the guests are assembled, the minister is ready – but something is missing: food! Starving to death was not on your guest’s agenda when they come to your wedding – in fact they like to eat something delicious and that to soon after all the ceremonies are over.
The real fact is that one major expense for Indian wedding is Food. Many people cannot afford a lavish sit down dinner or a full buffet feast for their wedding. In most cases, the food and beverages are the largest expenses of a wedding or party. One of my friend spent around 75% of his budget for cuisines. He wanted to be more economical but he made little planning to reduce it. Just planning doesn’t help you. Try to put your planning into action for better results.
The most important factor is time of your reception or party. The time of your event plays an important role in the type of menu that you are planning. Your guests will expect different types and amounts of food depending on the time of the day of your affair.
If you’re getting married early morning with the reception shortly afterwards, you can save a lot of money and effort by serving traditional morning snacks such as pancakes, fresh fruits and pastries.
An evening reception gives you the most freedom in choosing what to serve – unfortunately, it also usually leaves a gaping hole in your budget since evening meals are usually more expensive that other meals.
One of the most popular wedding reception food ideas is to have the reception in the afternoon. This allows you to serve traditional, simple lunch dishes such as sandwiches and pasta. This is a low-cost approach, which is why it’s so popular among the more budget-conscientious couples.
Whatever be the time of your wedding reception do not forget to serve beverages and wedding cake if you are getting married. Even the simplest of foods can appear special when presented with flair.
Generally buffets are cheaper than sit-down meals because the caterer has to provide less wait staff. It’s always better to plan for a buffet than a meal served to the site. Nearly a huge amount of money can be saved by this.
Better choose your native cuisines because native cuisines are made from raw materials available in your home town, which will help in cutting cost on vegetables and other ingredients. And you can hire affordable caterers.
It is also necessary to concentrate on the selection of dishes. Adding stalls for chats, salads and affordable sweets may reduce the consumption of food and more over increases the varieties of food.
Instead of planning dinner for 200 people it is quite enough to plan for 180 people.
Whatever be your budget be sure to make special arrangements with your catering service provider to include a variety of choices to suit your guests’ dietary needs. Remember, your vegetarian guests will not appreciate meals that mostly consist of meat!
Plan to make everyone happy and appreciate your wedding feast but within your budget limit.
Surprise my fiancée on her birthday
July 28, 2009
Here i would love to share a better idea which i followed to surprise my finance on her first birthday since I met her!
We live in a suburb in Chennai with my parent. My parents doesn’t like her wearing modern dresses and she too feels shy to wear it in her hometown, but actually she likes modern dresses. So I planned to make her birthday most memorable by making her wish come true.
So we both moved to Delhi where i had a business meeting. Exactly on her birthday morning 2 am I gifted here a Jeans and T-Shirt.
At first she felt shy to wear it, but later she got comfortable with it and the whole day she enjoyed it. I saw the happiness on her eye. Later in the evening she said “I will never forget this day in my life!”
That was my surprise gift for her.
Love makes the whole world bloom. You find all your happiness in lovers embrace. It’s the deepest desire of every lover to show the depth and purity of their love in most enchanting and unique way. Gifts are the most popular and appealing way to vocalize the hidden passions you harbor in your heart for him or her.
It’s your sweetheart’s Birthday- Romanticize this occasion and makes it memorable. Leave no stone unturned to find a nice romantic gift for your lover, which they will cherish for a lifetime. Gifts: expensive or affordable is not important. What matters the most is intentions with which it is being gifted and conveys your emotions as “Token of Love”.
Here are my tips for a memorable and surprise Gifts.
1. Surprise her by gifting something which she loves!
2. Let her do things she missed in her teen age.
3. Take her to places she likes!
There are a lot of online gift portal where you can browse gifts for your loved ones. Browse through the pool of Romantic Birthday Gift Ideas and surprise her on her day.
Welcoming the couple
June 27, 2009
The bride and groom are the eyes of the ceremony so its really important to welcome the couple for the occasion. Our traditional wedding includes all these as part of the custom. But some people still stand ahead and make it more pleasurable and memorable and obviously grand. Here are few tips to grace the arrival of the king and queen of the ceremony.
At first, when the bride arrives she can be greeted with bridal flowers showed by cute little girls or young girls and one well dressed girl greeting in person with a bouquet. This is for the bride.
The bridegroom or bride can be brought to the hall or to the place in a horse or chariot as part of a royal marriage. Some use banners displaying the bride/groom details.
The bride can be made to welcome the bride groom with a bouquet as well .
Understand your fiancé or fiancée dislikes and likes
June 11, 2009
Basically men and women possess their own character apart from their habitual nature. It is really important to sit down talk with our loved ones and share thoughts. Make sure you don’t give room for quarrels.
Women like being appreciated for her work by their loved ones. They expected almost attention even when they are in the crowd. You can win a woman’s heart by the care and concern towards her. Women like romantic, fun loving, smart dudes by nature. They love flowers, toys, chocolates.
Men are poor in expressing their love for their loved ones. Men like caring, homely, traditional kind of girls. Both possess a common nature of being possessive over the other when there is a interference of a stranger between them. So it’s always good to avoid these kinds of sensitive things in life.
Muslim Wedding
May 16, 2009
Introduction
Muslim Marriage known as ‘Nikaah’ in Urdu, is a civil contract between two persons – a man and a woman for conjugal life and begetting children. It is a contract of a permanent nature, unless dissolved by divorce. It has attached to it a notion of sanctity as well, since every step in its materialisation and dissolution is guided by religious dictates.
It can take place at any convenient time, because there is nothing like muhurat (the auspicious time) for the Muslims. Traditionally, the Muslim wedding is held at either the bride or the groom’s home. However, in the present time, due to convenience and the availability of enough space to accommodate the long list of guests, Muslim weddings are organized in banquet halls, auditorium as well as community centers.
Muslim weddings have a place of their own when it comes to uniqueness and traditionalism. Among Muslims, it is the family of the groom-to-be which searches for a suitable bride.
Marriage through the generations
Islam does not permit inter-religious marriages. Muslims give preference to cousins because of some considerations like – pride of lineage and notions of purity of blood; family solidarity; the prospect of the Jahez or dowry given to the daughter at the time of marriage remains in the same family.
Family consideration is the most important factor, which is split into two categories – consideration pertaining to the bridegroom, and consideration pertaining to the bride. The groom is supposed to be qualified, hailing from status family, employed and of good nature, whereas the bride has to be good looking, well-behaved and possess good health. She must be well trained in household management responsibilities.
Costume
The wedding dress for the bride includes a Sharara, which is a long following skirt and blouse. There is a dupatta to cover the head. The groom wears a Sherwani or a traditional salwar and kurta. But there are no hard and fast rules here.
Rituals
Wherever the wedding is held, all the rituals of the three phases of wedding (pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding) are strictly followed by the Muslims.
Mangni (Betrothal)
Mangni is a popular marriage ceremony, which is fast making its presence felt at all Indian marriages. In this ceremony, the female members of the boy’s family visit the house of the girl, taking with them sweets, fruits and vegetables. The sweets are distributed among the relatives and friends of the girl’s family. In return sweets, fruits and vegetables are sent to the boy’s house and there also sweets are distributed among the relatives and friends of the boy’s family. Exchanging rings between the groom and the bride does also take place.
Nikah
Invited guests and relations assemble at the bridegroom’s place on the Nikah day when the groom wears the clothes received from the bride’s side. Sehra (a flower veil) is tied to the groom’s forehead by the brother-in-law, who in return receives some cash as a present from the elders of the family. The Parjas i.e. Barber, Sweeper, Washerman, gardener, tailor and domestic servants, etc., are given money and clothes to mark the auspicious occasion. The baarat then proceeds to the house of the bride.
Celebration
Music & Dance
The house-hold dancing girls dance in the Zenana (women’s apartment) demand Gur-Chawal before starting their dance. They naver sing in the assembly of men. They cut jokes at the cost of the Samdhans (female near relatives of the bride and the groom) at each other’s house. On the wedding night also they recite satirical and facetious songs relating to the guests and relatives of the groom which provide good amusement to the hearers.
Cuisine
Wedding feast has fancy dishes like the welcome juice, Non-vegetarian dishes, mutton and chicken Biriyanis, Salad, Pickle, dessert, etc.
Hindu Wedding
April 3, 2009
Introduction
Hindu wedding joins two individuals for life, so that they can pursue dharma (duty), artha (possessions), kama (physical desires), and moksa (ultimate spiritual release) together. It also joins two families together. The ceremonies are traditionally conducted at least partially in Sanskrit, the language in which most holy Hindu ceremonies are conducted. The local language of the people involved is also used since most Hindus cannot understand Sanskrit. They have many rituals that have evolved since traditional times and differ in many ways from the modern western wedding ceremony and also it differs among the different regions, families, and castes. The Hindus attach a lot of importance to marriages and the ceremonies are very colorful and extend for several days.
Costume
Traditionally, the bride wears a red or red and white sari. The sari should be draped modestly over her hair. The groom wears a kafni (long shirt extending to the knees) with pijamo (leggings) or dhoti (sort of an overgrown loincloth). The groom might also wear a turban.
One feature of the bride’s wardrobe which has become popular abroad is the use of henna or mehndi to decorate her hands and feet. It’s said that you can tell how well a new bride is being treated by her in-laws from how long it takes for the mehndi to wear off.
Rituals
Homa (Laja) : The Oblation of Parched Grain
Here the bride offers sacrifice of food (poured into her hands by her brother or someone acting in her brother’s behalf) to the Gods for their blessings. “This
grain I spill. May it bring to me well being and unite you to me. May Agni hear us.” He then asks the bride to spill the grain into the fire, saying: “This woman scattering grain into the fire, prays: Blessings on my husband. May my relatives be prosperous”.
Kanya Danam (Giving Away of the Daughter)
The bride accepts her change of status from an unmarried woman to a wife by spreading turmeric powder on her hands. Kanya Danam is performed by the father (or uncle of guardian) of the bride in presence of a large gathering that is invited to witness the wedding. The father pours out a libation of sacred water symbolizing the giving away of the daughter to the bridegroom. The groom recites Vedic hymns to Kama, the God of love, for pure love and blessings. As a condition for offering his daughter for marriage, the father of the bride requests a promise from the groom for assisting the bride in realizing the three ends : dharma, artha, and kama. The groom makes the promise by repeating three times that he will not fail the bride in realizing dharma, artha and kama.
Paanigrahana (Holding the Hand)
The bridegroom stands facing west and the bride sits in front of him facing east. He seizes her hand and recites Vedic hymns for happiness, long life, and a lifelong relationship When the Bridegroom Takes the Bride’s Hand, He Says : “O Sarasvati, gracious one, rich in off spring, you whom we hymm first of all the Gods, may you prosper this marriage. “I seize your hand.”
Shaadi (Wedding)
The bride and the bridegroom face each other, and the priest ties their garments (the bride’s saree to the groom’s shirt) in a knot, symbolizing the sacred union. The bride and the bridegroom garland each other and exchange the rings. Next the nuptial fire, symbolizing the divine witness, and the sanctifier of the sacrament, is installed and worshipped. Both the bride and the groom grasp their hands together and pray to God for His blessings. Samagree, consisting of crushed sandalwood, herbs, sugar, rice, ghee (clarified butter), and twigs is offered into the sacred fire to seek God’s blessings for the couple.
Marriage Symbols
The bride applies sandalwood paste to the groom’s forehead, the groom then applies a red mark on the bride’s forehead to display for as long as they are married. Then puffed rice and purified butter from the hands of the bride and groom are thrown into the fire. This represents the radiant one. Then the darkness is removed by the priest chanting mantras, which are blessings.
Vows
The vows are made before the fire that represents the deity. The groom vows to always include his wife and consult her. The groom takes his brides hand and leads her around the fire he steps closer to her they walk along where rice is heaped to one side. Holding hands they take the sapta padi… a seven step symbolic journey through life. Around the sacred fire pot they agree to:
* Earn a living for their family and respect their abundance
* Live a healthy life style for each other
* Be concerned for partner’s welfare
* Live together as friends… enjoy happiness and friendship throughout their lives
* To eat and drink with each other and be with each other on special occasions
* Desire children for whom they will be responsible and love
* Adapt to the other persons at any given time and place
The groom recites traditional mantras to the bride. Cotton is tied around the bride and groom while blessings of a long happy life are given. The bride washes her hands and the bride and groom pray that their prosperity will be fulfilled.
The groom places a floral necklace around his brides neck… this represents love.
Bride’s parent talk about wedding
February 2, 2009
First, the Master of Ceremonies (MC for short) will ask you (the father of the bride) to speak. And then it will be time to deliver your speech.
So what kind of things should you say in your speech?
Well first of all, you will probably want to thank all the guests for coming, all the people who have contributed, and you may like to make an extra thank you to the people who have had to travel long way to be there.
Traditionally after this you will talk about your daughter and what she means to you. You’ll also share your thoughts about handing her over to her partner to be cared for. This is usually quite poignant at a wedding.
Here are a few tips for what you could talk about in your father of the bride speech:
Firstly, be honest and open when you talk about how you feel about your daughter. Take some time to plan what you’re going to talk about. You can talk about memories, and about her life. One of the best ways of doing this is to focus on a particular story from your daughters past.
Take some time to find the best story you’d like to tell about her. Think of something that reveals her character, or something that makes a funny story, or something that shows how much you love your daughter.
Something to remember if you choose the funny story option is to make it meaningful in some way – not just funny. Try to add some sentimentality to it. And don’t worry about being too sentimental. This is your daughter’s wedding day, when else is a better time to be sentimental and get away with it?
One thing you won’t want to leave out of your father if the bride speech is welcoming your new son-in-law into your family. A good way to do this is to tell a little story of when you first met your son-in-law and time you have spent with him or his family.
One thing to remember if you do engage in a little friendly banter, is to always end the by saying nice things. A nice way to finish this kind of wedding speech is to wish both the bride and groom a happy future together.
Cut phone cost during pre-wedding
January 8, 2009
After engagement couple starts communicating with each other to share their view and learn each other better. Most of the couple now a day does communicate through mobiles. It is one means of sharing the past stories of your fiancé or fiancée. As days goes the usage becomes unrestricted in turn raising the mobile bills.
This increasing mobile bill happens to be the additional expense which you never plan. One of my friend spent his one month salary on his mobile bill. Talking for hours over the phone with your fiancé or fiancée is natural instinct, but we need to plan it better to avoid paying the telephone operator more. I have listed few options for couple to follow after their engagement.
Getting a corporate connection with unlimited free talk time between your mobiles. I would suggest gifting a mobile with one such connection on engagement day is the ideal gift. Getting a plan with your fiancé or fiancée can cut the costs of your monthly payments. Just make sure to get a plan with rollover minutes and free nights and weekends. This way, there will be plenty of minutes for everyone in the plan\
Select the best plan provided by the cell phone providers and use it effectively. Upload your latest bill to free site Billshrink.com, and it will analyze more than 200 plan combinations — even factoring in reception and the cost to switch providers — to help you find the best deal.
If you talk on your cell phone fewer than 200 minutes per month, switch to pay-as-you-go service. Nearly one-third of consumers would save money by going this route. Crunch the numbers to see which offerings work best with your phone habits. But use rate cutters to slash the rate.
3) If your partner happens to be in foreign county you can use Skype. It offers a service where the couples can download Skype to their mobiles and chat for free. Check in the below link for details
Http://www.skype.com/download/skype/skypelite/
4) Getting a VOIP connection will save lot of money instead of going with calling cards.
So don’t restrict yourself from sharing your thought. Keep talking.
If you have better idea to reduce the phone bills you can add your comments below.
