Table of contents for August 2019 in Brides Today

ASHIMA KAPOOR Ashima Kapoor is a freelance makeup artist and hair stylist from Delhi. Having been a tutor at Pearl Academy, Delhi for a decade, where she also studied, her range of work includes editorials, advertising, fashion shows, makeover shows, and bridal and special occasions. To add value to her academic qualification, she has done short courses at The Session School and The London Film Academy and Masterclass with Napolean Perdis at the International Make-up Artists Trade Show (IMATS), Pasadena, Los Angeles. In this issue, she creates magic in ‘Diamonds Are Forever’, pg 74. One advice you would give to your younger self. Be bold, be strong, be vivacious. Currently on your playlist. You Need To Calm Down by Taylor Swift. Beauty product you cannot live without. Kohl pencil. Show…

SUCH VINTAGE WONDER Pearls, pastels, and silk organza ruffles: These are the elements of Ridhi Mehra’s new demi-couture collection ‘Basra’, specially created for the launch of her flagship store in Mehrauli. Inspired by the precious gemstone, the bridal range features pearls in varying sizes on peplum-lehengas, pre-draped saris, dupattas, blouses, and belts. Ivory, crepe pink, and champagne beige define the colour palette. The store is as romantic as the designs—there are mannequins with pearls embroidered on them, jewel-toned tables shaped like flowers, and beautiful mouth-blown glass chandeliers by Glass Forest. Here you will also find bags by The Right Sided, a wide choice for bridesmaids, and printed options for summer soirées. The store is at The Kila At Seven Style Mile, Delhi HERE COMES THE SUN Statement shades are what…

With inputs from the best in business, skincare company L’Oreal Paris Men Expert has created their first grooming range for beards and moustaches. The three products cleanse, condition, and style facial hair, and have been created with expert advice from professionals. The Barber Club range offers a 3-in-1 Wash, a Long Beard & Skin Oil, and a Short Beard & Face Moisturiser. These have been created with 88 percent natural ingredients and the hero is cedarwood essential oil, which soothes skin and can even heal acne. Together, the products help wash away beard flakes, remove odour, and are gentle enough to be used daily as they are free from parabens and colourants. Available on Flipkart.com THREE’S COMPANY Especially when it comes to destination weddings, you need your jewellery to multi-task.…

Being a bride is a personal journey. It all comes down to who you are and what you really want from your wedding. Remember that, because it can be an overwhelming experience. You’re entering into a new phase of your life with a partner, a friend, a guide—but at the same time, your emotions can run high, from exhaustion, or feelings of separation from your family, self-pressure, and more. And it’s easy to get swept away by other people’s expectations. That’s when you need to take a breath, and realise that your wedding is an opportunity to express yourself, unapologetically, and engage fully in the moment, with no pressure! One thing you must do is stick to your own style. Take time to develop your own vision of you as…

Navigating through the four jewellery trends for 2019, Forevermark’s head of new product development Federica Imperiali speaks to Brides Today about each trends’ essence and pieces that address a bride’s choices and personality. While she details each trend, she points out, “Detachable jewellery is our focus—modern brides want their jewellery to be wearable and transformable into multiple styles and suited to numerous occassions.” Take inspiration from the diverse collections to assist you in making your pick for your wedding festivites. CULTURE FUSION “When we studied the Indian market, we realised that Indian brides still enjoy classic jewellery but with a modern twist,” explains Imperiali. Taking notes, the collection of culture fusion blends two traditions together. “In it, a bride will find the traditional mandala tied together with the Italian design…

“Makeup was a lucky accident. I always wanted to be a hairstylist,” Mickey Contractor tells Brides Today about his career and cues a bride can take from it. Tell us about a typical day in your life. My morning starts very early, followed by many meetings. By the time I get home from work, I’m so tired that I don’t have any energy left to do anything else. On my days off, I potter around in the house, catch up on television shows, and sleep as much as possible. It sounds quite boring if I do say so myself, but I like to lead a simple life. What keeps you motivated? I find inspiration everywhere and in many things—nature, people, animals, and more. What are the makeup trends for this…

Let the natural world be the inspiration for your wedding favors. From branch-shaped serving spoons to green coasters and sending out plants, here is an edit for the conscientious bride.…

Bahrain Recreate your ideal, Instagram-worthy setting in island-country Bahrain. The Pearl of the Persian Gulf takes the quintessential beach wedding up a notch with pristine white-sand shores, sapphire water, and an urban cityscape. The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain ticks many boxes: A private beach on Manama Bay for intimate ceremonies, the Al Ghazal ballroom for an extravagant sangeet, and elegant sea-front lawns for the mehendi. Pick the idyllic, 5-star escape for its close proximity to nature, combined with world-class service and catering of international cuisines. Or bring your fantastical wedding vision to life at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, on an island of its own, surrounded by a contemporary Manama skyline. At the urban oasis, an on-site expert will work with you on every detail—themes and matching décor, photo studio, and special…

PS: Try and prepare a mood board detailing how you want your wedding décor to look like, and don’t hesitate to show it to your designer. It will help them visualise the décor even better. ALTAIR BY JANKI DESAI Altair is a bespoke event design company based in Mumbai, with operations all over India. They specialise in weddings and luxury brand events, and are your A-team if you’re obsessed with modern installations. jankidesai23@gmail.com; +91-9820003665 ANDEVI For Ananya Berry, founder of Andevi, wedding design goes beyond traditional décor—she views it as something similar to art installations, and this sensibility is reflected in her designs with large papier mâché flowers and artistic backdrops. Andevi.in; andeviweddingdesign@gmail.com DEVIKA SAKHUJA Devika Sakhuja's design style is glamorous chic. Statement art pieces are an integral part of…

FROM THE EDITOR FROM AUGUST 2019, BRIDES TODAY STARTS A SPECIAL SERIES OF COLLABORATIONS. We bring you exclusive access to India’s leading couturiers. We take you deep into their beautiful ateliers where a world of inspiration and exquisite craftsmanship unfolds. This intimate journey will give you an insight into the minds of the country’s foremost designers. We hope this introduction will allow you to make your big decision with consideration and deliberation. Our first special edition is guest edited by the incredible Tarun Tahiliani. “You are very lovely the way you look right now, with no accessories, and no makeup. Be natural and true to your sensibility.” – TARUN TAHILIANI What comes to mind when you hear a woman say she is a ‘Tarun Tahiliani bride’? TT: When a bride…

YOUNG LOVE “I always imagine beautiful dancers, like in Kalidas’s poems, with lotuses in their hair, wearing muslin garments, kohl in their eyes, and in a slightly dreamlike state,” says designer Nikasha Tawadey while describing the muse for her bridal and cocktail creations. This month, she has launched a vibrant range as part of her bi-yearly collection—Rani, featuring pretty floral prints on dupattas, tiered lehengas, blouses in ivory with gold embroidery, sharara pants, and Tawadey’s signature dhoti pants in a host of colours. The styles work for a mehendi function, a formal lunch, and even a cocktail evening. The fabrics include kota doriya, khadi, Murshidabad cotton and cotton silk, chanderi, and georgette. “I have specially designed the collection for my new boutique store at DLF Emporio in Delhi,” she says.…

“I’M A DIE-HARD ROMANTIC. TO ME, EFFORT IS SEXY. IT’S NICE ONCE IN A WHILE TO DRESS UP FOR EACH OTHER. ROMANCE IS MORE ABOUT GESTURES THAN MATERIAL THINGS.” “MY PERSONAL STYLE IS ABOUT COMFORT, AND WHAT SUITS MY BODY,” says Kriti Sanon. And that’s evident when she arrives for her first-ever Brides Today cover shoot, dressed in a tank top, cropped boyfriend jeans, and white sneakers. Even so, she commands an undeniable star presence. Her skin is flawless, her posture statuesque, and she wears Tarun Tahiliani’s bridal couture like a dream. She shares a warm rapport with the designer, and shoots at his Gurugram headquarters until the minute she has to leave for the airport. How does she unwind in the car after a long working day? She snacks…

MY MOTHER “My parents married in 1960. When I first saw this image of my mother, it cracked me up. I said, ‘Mother, you’re pretending to be demure, which is not a good thing!’” But I liked how her look was traditional and simple. She’s wearing a plain tissue sari and a lot of jewellery, but nothing fights it. Even in colour, the look is pared back because her jewellery was only pearls, with a few coloured stones. This is what women, especially Sindhi women, wore at that time. Nobody in our family has ever worn lehengas, because they all just wore a sari. Sal [his wife, Sailaja Tahiliani] kind of followed suit.” MY WEDDING “Our wedding was slightly chaotic. It was one big reception. We lived abroad so we…

1 I DEW A glowing complexion is an absolute essential for every bride. Achieve it by using a hyaluronic acid-based cleanser, followed by a moisturiser with vitamin C and E. For coverage, apply a tinted balm or water-based foundation to allow the radiance of your skin to shine through 2 AN EYE FOR DETAIL Today’s winged liner knows no boundaries. Play with the thickness and length, add a colourful sweep or cover the entire lid with your standard black 3 SLICK MOVE For the modern bride, a clean pulled-back coif is a great way to keep pesky flyaways at bay. Start by scrunching mousse throughout your roots, then comb the product down, leaving the texture of the lengths more natural. Once secured in a pony-tail, finish with a shine spray.…

Add an illuminating highlighter to your collarbones for that extra glow. For a more modern version of the classic updo push your hair up and to the side. Add pearls instead of flowers for a little more drama.…

Minimal and modern, this season’s wedding cakes are all about fondant leaves and muted florals. Put a fun spin on your cocktails too with rosemary, thyme, and betel leaves.…

“Will you make my jawline ache forever?” asked Nikhil as he kneeled down before the imposing Victoria Memorial in Kolkata. This was a big moment for someone who once didn’t believe in the institution of marriage. They’d known each other for three years but had only been dating for three months and Nusrat found herself saying ‘yes’ to marry Nikhil. An actor and politician Nusrat Jahan met Nikhil Jain, the owner of Rangoli Sarees, because of a work assignment. Two years later, he asked her out for a cup of coffee and the rest as they say is history. They both agreed that they wanted an intimate wedding and perhaps only one event in Kolkata where they live. They hosted the wedding in Bodrum, Turkey at the Six Senses Resort.…

A SHRINIWASAN, MEHENDI ARTIST You will be hard-pressed to find anyone in Delhi who hasn’t heard of mehendi artist A Shriniwasan. A celebrity favourite, his designs have been favoured by Alia Bhatt, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, and Juhi Chawla. All you need to tell him is the type of design you want and any specific element you need incorporated, and he will create something original just for you. Shriniwasanmehendi.com; shriniwasanmehendi@gmail.com DEEPA SHARMA, MEHENDI ARTIST A renowned celebrity artist, she was the woman behind Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's wedding henna. Not only does she create beautiful patterns for weddings, she is also famous for her lace glove designs. She books up very quickly, so brides-to-be book her months in advance. Deepasmehendi.com; deepa@deepasmehendi.com DOLLY JAIN, SARI DRAPER Dolly Jain has been synonymous with sari…

Flawless skin is the underrated accessory to your bridal look, and achieving it must begin months before your wedding. Brides Today speaks with celebrity facialist, Teresa Tarmey, whose client portfolio consists of celebrities like Kate Moss and Sienna Miller, to understand exactly how to prep skin in time for events. What is the most important skincare step that a bride should follow leading up to her wedding? Although I recommend taking a bespoke approach for each bride’s needs, I would say the most important step to beautiful skin, especially before a wedding, is to double cleanse every day using an oil-free cleanser, followed by applying a gentle retinol. After establishing this routine, introduce regular professional facials each month. When should a bride start her pre-wedding skincare prep? The sooner the…

Such sweet secrets—the mithais or mishti of Kolkata, as they are locally called—ought to be shared with everyone on your big day. These are sinful delights, commanding place of pride next to the pillowy-soft rossogollas, rasmalai, and mishti doi of the city. Many of the recipes date back to hundreds of years, and have been carefully passed down from one generation to the next. Here is the definitive list of the finest confections that will leave you craving more. BHIM CHANDRA NAG: Set up in 1826, it is one of the oldest sweet shops tucked away in central Kolkata’s Bowbazar neighbourhood. It is famous for its ledikeni—a cylindrical, brown-coloured, deep-fried sweet made of chhena (a variant of cottage cheese), and dipped in sugar syrup. The delicacy was originally called Lady…

“I’M AN ADVOCATE FOR WEARING TWO OR THREE NECKLACES THAT STACK NICELY, SO YOU CAN USE THEM SEPARATELY IN THE FUTURE. EVEN IF IT’S A JADAU CHOKER—YOU CAN WEAR IT LATER WITH A PLAIN DRAPED SARI OR A BLACK DRESS. I HAVE ALWAYS FELT THAT HAVING A LITTLE BALANCE AND RESTRAINT MAKES FOR A MUCH PRETTIER EFFECT. JEWELLERY SHOULD ALWAYS LOOK BREEZY AND HAVE A LIGHTNESS TO IT, NO MATTER HOW HEAVY IT MAY BE. SOMETIMES A LOOK GETS TOO CROWDED BECAUSE THERE’S A LOT GOING ON, AND WHILE EACH PIECE MIGHT BE BEAUTIFUL OFTEN IT LOSES ITS IMPACT. I THINK THE BIGGEST JEWEL IS A BRIDE’S FACE. IT SHOULD NEVER BE OVERPOWERED.”…

Use a plum-coloured tint on your lips to elevate your minimal makeup From delicate floral pins to jewelled headbands, hair accessories is the big trend of the season. Make a statement by pairing both together.…

“Yoga is one of my favourite forms of exercise to connect with my inner self. I think it helps you in so many ways, bringing calmness to the mind.” Being in your healthiest shape is essential on your wedding day. Brides Today sits down with Reebok’s new brand ambassador Katrina Kaif to learn exactly how to look your best. What advice do you have for brides when it comes to being healthier? Eat right and exercise. You only have one life and one body. I’m not recommending any particular kind of exercise or saying that one body type is best, but it’s about feeling good. It’s about mental peace, discipline, and the sense of achievement that you get from a workout regimen. How do you curate the perfect fitness outfit?…

The big fat Indian wedding is moving slowly from an over-the-top feast for the eyes to modern minimalism. “I think, finally, less is more. Brides and grooms are more aware and consciously opt for alternatives for florals and voluptuous structures,” says event planner and wedding decorator Devika Sakhuja. “The natural, softer look with rustic wood furniture and greens appeals to most new-age couples.” Italy’s favourite fashionista Chiara Ferragni’s wedding in 2018 saw some of the most artistic photoop backgrounds in which leaves were the real heroes. Similarly, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas used foliage backdrops at their wedding reception in Delhi last year. For couples who are environmentally-conscious and not looking to break the bank, using leaves for your wedding décor is a great way to achieve both things. Sumati…

HONEY FUND A chance to turn your wedding gifts into something you actually like. Use this app (and website) to ask your friends and family to contribute towards your honeymoon in lieu of a present. MINT Weddings are expensive and sticking to a budget can be tough. With this app, you can set up a budget for the events and keep track of all your expenses in one place. WEDDING WIRE An app that includes a guest list planner, vendor manager, checklist, budget planner, and a registry. It’s your one-stop shop to plan everything. From beautiful photo galleries to wedding outfits, flowers, and honeymoons, they have all the inspiration you’re looking for. THE GUEST While you wait for your official photographer to send photos, see what your friends and family…

HORS D’OEUVRES baked veggie fritters Moreish, addictive, and very healthy. And gram flour is gluten-free, which is an added bonus. Calories: 124 kcal Carbs: 10 gms Protein: 5 gms Fats: 4.2 gms green gram crispies Twenty-six per cent of calories of lentils are attributed to proteins and cook easily, safeguarding its nutritional values. Calories: 164 kcal Carbs: 14 gms Protein: 9 gms Fats: 3.1 gms baked cottage cheese fingers Cottage cheese made with low-fat milk is creamy, has a mild flavour, and high in protein and calcium. Calories: 165 kcal Carbs: 14.2 gms Protein: 8.2 gms Fats: 8.3 gms shrimp bites Steamed and seasoned shrimps have an array of benefits like omega 3 fatty acids, iodine, and antioxidants. Calories: 127 kcal Carbs: 3.7 gms Protein: 16.7 gms Fats: 5.9 gms…

PS: Fix a trial run a few months before the wedding, so you have time to fine-tune your look. AAKRITI KOCHAR Aakriti Kochar’s biggest strength is her ability to create a variety of fuss-free looks. She focuses on keeping the aesthetic natural and subtle. Aakritikochar.com; aakritikochar@gmail.com ANU KAUSHIK Legendary makeup artist and hair stylist Anu Kaushik has a knack for decoding a client’s personal style, and her brides look like the best version of themselves. Anukaushik.com; akmakeover@gmail.com AMBIKA PILLAI With almost 30 years of experience, Pillai’s clientele includes Sonam Kapoor Ahuja and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. From a stunning smoky eye to a more natural look, she can match every request. customercare@ambikapillai.com; @ambika_pillai AMRIT KAUR Brides praise Amrit Kaur’s ability to create looks that are flawless and never overdone. Plus, as…

A Acqua di Parma at Maison des Parfums, Delhi (011 4100 6034) at Maison des Parfums, Mumbai (022 4003 3233) Adidas Delhi (095992 96748) Mumbai (022 22044725) Aditya Sachdeva at perniaspopupshop.com Adora by Ankita Delhi (098739 00603) Aikeyah Delhi (072918 25361) Akanke Mumbai (098199 40692) Ajay Kumar Kolkata (089518 88518) AKM Mehrasons Jewellers Delhi (080025 5151) Alberta Ferretti www.albertaferretti.com Alexander McQueen www.alexandermcqueen.com Amaare Delhi (011 24619098) Amaris Jewels by Prerna Rajpal Delhi (011 4109 5655) Amrapali Delhi (011 4157 2024) Mumbai (022 22044725) Anamika Khanna Delhi (011 6517 1010) Kolkata (033 2281 4425) Anastasia Beverly Hills at Sephora, Delhi (011 4151 8371) at Sephora, Mumbai (089762 34617) Anchal Sayal Delhi (096504 52445) Andamen Gurugram (095552 63263) Anita Dongre Delhi (011 3131 5452) Mumbai (070456 69647) Anju Modi Delhi (099719 30444) Aprajita Toor Mumbai…