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Honeymoon in Thailand: Two Week Itinerary

3/20/2013 8:22:00 AM

Mexico, check. Hawaii, check. Cuba, check. Looking for a new destination with a mix of adventure, culture and sandy beaches for your honeymoon? Thailand is an amazing choice for an exciting, romantic get-away. Leave your go-to tropical destination in the South and head East to Thailand for an unforgettable time. There’s a reason why Thailand is rated #1 with Indian globetrotters - it is diverse, offers good value for money and provides a variety of niche travel experiences fit for every type of traveller.

After researching for months and booking our honeymoon two weeks before our wedding, my husband and I went with our first choice – Thailand. What made us finally decide? Although luxurious all-inclusives with personal butlers in the Caribbean sounded enticing, we asked ourselves, “will we be going to Mexico within the next five years?” With so many pre-packaged travel deals available to Canadians, the answer was yes. We were unsure of when we would go back to Thailand, so it was decided, now was the time to go. To this day, Thailand has been our favourite destination.

Here is a two week itinerary highlighting a beginner’s guide to Thailand for couples:

Bangkok City Life: 4 Days

What to See: Start your honeymoon exploring the capital of Thailand. Go temple gazing at Wat Pho , Wat Arun and Wat Saket temples along with the Grand Palace. Visit local markets, try street food and take a long tail boat ride on the Chao Phraya River. If you’re up for it, take a day trip to see the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya. Celebrate romance with a fine dining experience and after dinner cocktails on one of Bangkok’s many rooftop restaurants and bars – all with a magnificent view of the city. If you’re jet-lagged, hot and have tired feet after all that exploring, head to your hotel spa for some pampering.

Where to Stay: Try the stylish boutique hotel we stayed in, The Majestic Grande , in close walking distance to the BTS skytrain or splurge on the Lebua Hotel as seen in various movies including The Hangover 2 . Although we didn’t stay here, we did go to the Skybar on the 64th floor for cocktails. Awesome views.

Where to Shop: MBK Centre for knock off goods, Siam Paragon + Siam Discovery for authentic and designer goods, Floating Market + Patpong Night Market for local, non-commercial shopping. Get ready to haggle!

Where to Dine: For an authentic Thai dinner, try the Blue Elephant Restaurant . With low lighting, classic Thai décor and traditional spicy dishes, this is a great spot for a romantic night.

Chiang Mai Culture: 3 Days in Northern Thailand

What to See: Leave the hectic city behind and head north to quieter Chiang Mai, known as the cultural hub of Thailand. The lush landscapes and mountains are great for any nature enthusiast. Slow down the pace and visit the Doi Suthep Buddhist temple on the mountain, ride elephants in the jungle and learn more about the Long Neck Karen villagers from Burma. Day trips are available and can be booked at your hotel or through many tour operators in Chiang Mai. Haggle with shop owners at the famous Night Bazaar or take a Thai cooking class.

Where to Stay: For a centrally located, luxurious boutique hotel, stay at the dusitD2 in Chiang Mai. Contemporary chic design and only steps away from the famous night market. Rated for excellence by Conde Nast Traveller, Travel + Leisure and Trip Advisor. One of our best stays.

Where to Shop: Chiang Mai Night Bazaar where thousands of stalls open up every evening from 5pm-11pm selling Thai handicrafts, jewellery, suitcases, clothing and everything under the sun. You’ll see both locals and tourists out every night shopping and haggling for the best deal.

Where to Dine: The best places are sometimes the ones you don’t plan for. One night while exploring the city on foot, we walked over a random bridge and discovered a string of informal eateries with patios along the Mae Ping River. During the day, the river might not look all that clean, but in the evening, the restaurant lights go on and the river looks beautiful. A warm night, a spark of spontaneity and a riverside patio makes for a fun, romantic evening out in new city with your partner.

Tip: Head even further north to Chiang Rai if you want to visit a place with small town charm and easy access to green open spaces.

Thai Islands: Phuket 7 Nights

What to See: Now that you’ve been on the go for the past week, time to relax on one of the Thai Islands. We stayed in Phuket, known as the original tourist destination in Thailand. Although to some, Phuket is too touristy and over run by major resorts, we both enjoyed our time in Phuket. As a traveller, I try not to dismiss places just because they aren’t off the beaten path. Surrounded by the beach towns of Kata, Karon and Patong, Phuket beaches are gorgeous and comparable to Caribbean beaches. Take a break from the resort with a scooter rental for the adventurer at heart. Head to Phuket Town, the Premium Outlets or the Phuket Zoo. Be careful of the turns!

Where to Stay: Although there are many resorts to choose from in Phuket, we were impressed with our stay at the Katathani Phuket Beach Resort . Get pampered with garden side massages, take a dip in the infinity pool or sun tan on the beach. Although it is a public beach, it was mostly private as the resort is located at the end of the strip of hotels. The junior suites are spacious and we loved the Thai decor.

Where to Shop: If you stay at the Katathani Resort, Kata markets are close by or you can take shuttle to Patpong market with shops, bars and restaurants.

Where to Dine: You won’t find all-inclusive resorts in Thailand so expect to pay extra for meals at resorts. Because it is a resort town, taxis will also cost more to head into the town centre. The resorts may offer half board during your stay for an additional cost. As there was limited choice for restaurants at our resort, this was the best deal for us during our stay. The Katathani Phuket Beach Resort has amazing restaurants, but if you get tired of the food, head across the street or into town for a Thai lunch.

Tip: Island hop to Koh PhiPhi where Leonardo Dicaprio’s “The Beach” was shot. Clearest water I’ve seen. Other Thai Islands: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Krabi.

Budget Tips

The wedding and honeymoon budget is usually the first discussion that brides and grooms have on finances. This can be a sensitive issue and open communication is key. For us, we both knew we wanted a minimum of a 2 week vacation instead of 1 week to relax after the stressful year of wedding planning. We also did our own research on the internet along with asking a travel agent for a similar itinerary. After comparing our research with the travel agent, we were stunned to know that we could shave off a $1000.00 by booking on our own. The travel agent gave us a quote for around $6500 for 2 (hotels + flights) and we booked our two week trip for $5500 (hotels + flights).

That extra $1000 that would have gone to the travel agency went to our expenses instead – after all what’s Thailand without experiencing good food, massages and boat trips to the best beaches!

Adventure + Culture + Romance! This wedding season, book your dream honeymoon in Thailand – it’s diverse, adventurous, romantic and relaxing.

Desiglobetrotter is a new travel blogazine with a focus on independent world travel through a South Asian lens. For destination guides, travel stories, tips and travel features, please visit www.desiglobetrotter.com.

About Parm Johal

Parm is a travel junkie living in Vancouver and is the Editor-in-Chief of www.desiglobetrotter.com, a travel blog that connects South Asians passionate about independent world travel. Parm’s favourite travel moments include backpacking solo in Spain and Portugal, spending a night in the Saharan desert gazing up at the stars, exploring the streets of Mumbai, working on a cruise ship in the Caribbean with over a 1000 crew members from around the world and experiencing the magic of travel with her husband in Thailand.

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The Great Indian Wedding

2/6/2013 11:28:00 AM

At this point a distinction needs to be made regarding ‘wedding and marriage’. A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are united in marriage. A marriage is a state of being united to a person of the opposite sex(?) as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law.

Indian weddings have always been special occasions, celebrated with great zest, fervor and enthusiasm. But as a growing economy pumps new wealth into the country, the festive spirit has been overwhelmed by an ostentatious display of wealth. All these maybe fine for the affluent class. But what about the middle class and the lower section of society? Why do they spend so much on weddings they cannot afford? Why do they spend so much even if it means that they get into a debt they have to repay for years to come.

However, in the very recent past there has been a sincere effort by the Sikh clergy who issued a code of conduct urging Sikhs to eschew expensive weddings. They urged that weddings should be simple, the food, vegetarian, drinks, non-alcoholic and be over in a few hours.

The craze for big, lavish weddings extends to Indians settled in Europe and America. The 2004 marriage of British based steel baron Laxmi Mittal’s daughter, in France, involved 20 page invitation cards, Bollywood song and dance, and five days of events in palaces such as Versailles. In 2006, New York based hotelier, Vikram Chatwal got married in India with festivities spread across three days, three cities(Mumbai, Udaipur and Delhi) and 25 parties.

Let us examine the existing practice among Indians in North America and Europe. Owing to the influence of the western tradition, prospective Indians grooms and bridegrooms lay out a relatively structured plan that includes among other things, budgets, schedules and entertainment. Finances are discussed from the moment marriage is mentioned. Indeed money plays such an important role that it is common to hear couples finalizing their wedding date in relation to their economic condition. Money has become such an important part of the wedding process that pre nuptial agreements are becoming a part of the deal.

The Indian wedding market, be it in India or America or Europe, is a huge industry. From designer bridal wear and exotic honeymoon destinations to breathtaking backdrops and evocative photography, a lot of what is out there is simply too hard to resist. Keeping up with the Joneses has never been easy.

So far we have been looking at the aggressive onslaught of the wedding culture. It is now time to do some introspection on ‘marriage’. The success of any marriage is not dependent on how much is spent on flowers, dining, or live entertainment, but rather on the lifelong commitment and dedication of the partners to the union. Although finances play a very significant role, the success of a marriage is not measured in dollars or rupees, honeymoon destinations or real estate investments.

In the end most couples spend countless hours and resources planning their wedding but forget to plan their marriage. No matter how much time and money has been invested in its planning, the wedding offers no guarantee to a successful marriage. Planning a wedding should begin by planning the marriage; wedding lasts only a few hours but marriage lasts a life time.

Talk show Queen Oprah Winfrey once when asked whether she would ever tie the knot said that she would never marry because America is a country obsessed with weddings and not with marriages!

The author has distinct memories of numerous wedding he attended as a teenager, in the sixties. During those days it was customary to hold the reception at the bridegroom’s house. This would be a ‘pandhal’ or a ‘shamiana’ erected in front of the house. At a reception held in honor of the author’s relative all hell broke loose when guests were invited to occupy the seats. It was indeed the law of the jungle, ‘might is right’ that prevailed. Everyone around started pushing and jostling one another in order to be the first to make it to the seats. During the melee that ensued some lost their footwear while others were on the verge of tears owing to frustration and anger. Today we have come a long way and things are organized in an efficient manner and in many instances by the popular Event Management companies.

Almost twenty years ago the author had engaged his parish vicar in the matter of some unhealthy practices of the Syrian Christian wedding (excessive expenditure and inordinate delays in entertaining the invited guests). The Vicar was very pragmatic and realistic in his reply. He exhorted and politely challenged the author to implement these ideas when it was time for his daughters to get married. However the Vicar respected the sentiments raised and reciprocated it through the editorial of the quarterly news bulletin of the church.

Perhaps the noblest example of conducting simple weddings have come from the Nehru family. For them it is always a closed affair with very few people in attendance. And most of the marriages within their family have been civil marriages.

All said and done, being part of a big and lavish wedding is an experience like no other. Most women dream about having the ‘perfect wedding’. Having a special day is perhaps enough to live a lifetime, but then at what cost? Certainly, a person is entitled to spend his money on whatever takes his fancy regarding weddings, but no one may loose sight of such a thing as social responsibility.

Perhaps lavish weddings maybe done away in the foreseeable future when people refuse to attend such weddings. Will this ever occur? It is indeed a million dollar question.

This article first appeard HERE.

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Jamaica, the latest venue for Indian weddings

2/6/2013 11:21:00 AM

The string of all-inclusive beach resorts in Jamaica have hosted a number of Indian-style weddings in the past year. At least four Indian weddings took place in the famed Montego Bay area, the playground of the rich and the famous, in November and a similar number of weddings are scheduled for the next few months.

Not too far from America's southeast coast, Jamaica is a most sought after wedding destination during the dreary winter months.

In December, Kerry and Sam Singh, the newly-elected Congressman from the Michigan state assembly took their wedding vows at a beach resort in the Montego Bay area. US-born Sam Singh is a former two-term mayor of East Lansing town. An avid traveller, he took 15 months off from his political and professional activities to travel around the world. It was natural for him to choose an exotic location for his wedding and guests from Michigan and India attended the beach wedding early in December.

Just a couple of weeks before the Singh wedding, some members of the small Indian community in MoBay, as Montego Bay is known locally, were contacted by a wedding planner with an urgent request. A wedding party had asked for an Indian drum for the wedding festivities. It was for a big wedding planned for mid-November for a couple of doctors from New Jersey with a guest list of over 300. Under the impression that it was a dholak that was required for a ladies sangeet function, the one used for the weekly satsang was shown to the wedding planner, who sent a picture to the groom's parents. But it turned out that the wedding party wanted a 'dhol' (big drum) for the groom's procession. Finally a local businessman offered to fly out a dhol player from Miami for the function.

Another wedding party from Michigan was better equipped when they reached Jamaica a couple of weeks later. They had hired Sachin Gupta, a DJ and dhol-player well known on the Indian festive circuit in the Detroit area, to handle the Indian music during the wedding festivities. The wedding took place over the Thanksgiving weekend (Nov 24-27), with Sachin Gupta's dhol-playing kicking up a storm in the island known for its calypso, reggae and rasta music.

All-inclusive holiday resorts that offer three meals, unlimited snacks, drinks and beverages and other facilities for a set cover charge suit American wedding groups and many of them have geared up to cater to the requirements of an Indian wedding. The luxurious beach resorts have learnt to offer special facilities to make the great Indian weddings a grand success.

While destination weddings normally involve about 20-50 guests, the numbers at Indian weddings can be anywhere from 100 to 300 baraatis - the groom's family and friends and the bride's family and friends.

Wedding planners at resort hotels have learnt to cater to a variety of requests, from supplying mehndi services and Indian chefs to Indian singers, often calling on the Indian community for help in sourcing the services.

Prominent businessman and former president of MoBay Indian Association Rajkumar Sablani explained that Mobay like the other Jamaican towns has a small but well-knit Indian community that is willing to help when required. Indians in Jamaica came from different parts of India and retain close ties with their families back home. The majority of them are engaged in trade and business activities. The community has grown to the size that "most of the necessities of Indians living in Jamaica are now available. Some years ago it was difficult to get whole-wheat flour (atta) and Indian foodstuff here. We had to import from Miami, but now most things are available locally," Sablani said.

This article first appeared HERE.

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Proposed law on Hindu marriages held up in Pak

2/6/2013 10:45:00 AM

An editorial in the Dawn observed that though the current National Assembly has passed some important laws during its tenure, its performance has remained tardy in other areas where legislation is direly needed.

As many as 176 private members' bills are pending approval, with some dating back to 2008.

Considering that the life of the Assembly is limited, it is unlikely they will be passed into law, said the daily, adding that all laws are important, yet some of the pending bills concern long-standing issues that require immediate attention.

"These include a law relating to the legal status of Hindu marriages in Pakistan. Some minority activists say the Hindus Marriage Bill 2011 has been held up as it was introduced without consulting stakeholders. There are also indications that some members of the Hindu clergy have issues with certain clauses of the bill.

"The proposed law has also bounced back and forth between different official bodies, perhaps a victim of the legal confusion that has prevailed following devolution. For example there is considerable debate over whether the centre can legislate on Hindu marriages, or if such matters now purely fall within the provincial domain," the editorial added.

It said homework should have been done and consensus achieved before tabling the law, which has already been delayed for too long.

"Due to the lack of a marriage registration mechanism Hindu women in particular face multiple issues. These include problems with accessing state benefits as well as making it easier, as minority activists claim, for Hindu women to be abducted, forcibly converted and married," it added.

The daily regretted that "both the state and the minorities' elected representatives have failed to legislate on this key issue".

"We hope the law is passed soon to give Hindu marriages legal sanction and all the benefits that go with it."

(IANS)

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Call Me Maybe: Desi Wedding Edition

2/6/2013 10:42:00 AM

[...]

No kinky sex, women want men to wash clothes

1/9/2013 1:00:00 PM

The "Fifty Shades of Grey" author believes women really want their men to do the housework, rather than tie them up in bed for sex games, The Sun reported.

"Women want men who do the washing up. That would be one of the key fantasies. The book touches on something women think they might want. But actually what they want is to read it, not to live it," the 48-year-old British author said.

The Fifty Shades trilogy -- dubbed "Mummy Porn" -- has sold more than 61 million copies across the world.

"I have had several men say, 'Thank you'. Or 'I haven't read your book, but the wife has and thank you very much'," James said.

(IANS)

[...]

Vintage fashion, digital prints to rule runways

1/9/2013 12:48:00 PM

"In 2013, we will see re-emergence of many past trends but one trend that will push the envelope a little further is the digital prints. These abstract digital prints will enhance the look in a simple and understated way and will add fun and colour to everything like kaftans, maxi dresses, shift dresses and pencil skirts," designer Anita Dongre told IANS.

The trend recently dominated the runways of Paris, Milan and London Fashion Week.

Not only international designers like Peter Pilotto, Christopher Kane and Christopher Bailey but Indian designers like Kallol Datta, Gaurav Gupta and Rahul Mishra too showed their fascination towards digital prints on the Indian runway, making it one of the hottest trends for next season.

According to designer Nikasha Tawadey, the clothing trends from the era of 1950s and 1960s, especially "circle skirts, A-line skirts and nipped waists", are likely to create sensation in the new year.

"1950s clothing trends were perhaps the most feminine and sophisticated trend for the modern vintage lover to wear, and are arguably the last remaining era of vintage fashion. The yards of silk, tulle and chiffon that defined a decade are just as lovely in a skirt today as they were in the 1950s," Tawadey told IANS.

"Also 1960s is known as one of the most fashion conscious time in the history. Styles that began in that decade have had a noticeable influence on the fashion today. Think of empire waistline, shift dresses, mini skirts and leopard prints, it is all from the '60s (and will continue to rule)," she added.

Pencil skirts, introduced in 2012, are likely to stay in trend in 2013 too, says Dongre. Paired with "georgette blouse, broad waist belt and a great pair of wedge heels or pump", the pencil skirts are another hottest trend to look forward to.

"The pencil skirt which was re-introduced in 2012 is here to stay and will be the most wearable trend in 2013. In terms of designs, the skirts will adorn cool tropical, chaotic or abstract prints unlike the usual geometric ones," added Dongre.

Colour blocking that stole the limelight last year, will continue to dominate 2013 too.

"Colour blocking is going to be a big trend in 2013. Colour blocking is going to be in trend because we love colours and we carry it with lot of confidence. Colour has always been a forte in Indian dressing. Shades of pink, fuchsia purple,blue, greens will take centrestage this year," said designer Pria Kataaria Puri.

Designer Pam Mehta feels the new year will see a lot more fusion and clothes inspired from European and Middle-East cultures.

In terms of fabrics, crepe, silk lycra and cotton lycra will top the priority list.

One also need to keep an eye to how to choose a right accessory.

"Accessories depend on what kind of dress one wear. If dress has a lot of bling then we can have simple accessories and vice versa. For instance if you are opting for a peplum, keep in mind that you have a lot going on around your hips so the best necklace for this look is one that is short and close to the face. It should look like part of the neckline," designer Swapnil Shinde told IANS.

(IANS)

[...]

Jewel up the dull winter mood - here's how

1/9/2013 12:31:00 PM

"Options for wearing jewellery during winter are minimal because you are laden with many layers on to you," says Sumit Sawhney of Apala Innovative Jewelry.

But who says you can't experiment?

"Women can still flaunt their jewellery pieces with overcoats and jackets. Longer neckpieces go remarkably well with pullovers and jackets, while multi-layered chains in stone and gold give a very elegant look. Since you already have a lot of volume on to you, stick to minimal accessories that become a focal point. For a bolder look, you can go for big bold studs to complement your turtle necks," Sawhney told IANS.

Ladies can add a dash of glamour with big chunky chandelier earrings or a flashy brooch - they are "bang on trend" and easy to flaunt, says Tarang Arora, CEO of jewellery brand Amrapali.

Designer Neety Singh, however, warns against use of heavy neckpieces.

"Since one is mostly covered till the neck, it is not the best time to flaunt neckpeices. Effective earrings, rings and cuffs in jewel colours look dramatic with blacks, greys and browns," said Singh.

"Do not mix coloured jewellery with coloured clothing! With coloured clothing, it is best to stick to classic diamond studs and bands," added the designer, who recently launched her winter collection in pure 18- and 22- carat gold, incorporating diamonds, platinum, rubies, emeralds, pearls and other semi-precious gemstones.

According to Arora, rainbow colours are dominating 2012-13 winter, and therefore investing in stone-studded and Navratna jewellery, also keeping the wedding season in mind, is a great idea.

The gems do well to accentuate the fusion look - a mix of Indian and western sensibilities.

A lot of women end up in western wear during winter or even wear jackets and coats over saris and suits. What does one do then?

"Yellow gold jadau jewellery goes very well with the vibrant colours of Indian outfits. And Victorian jewellery, a combination of gold and silver studded with diamonds, looks great with western outfits," Arora told IANS.

Singh said: "Delhi is synonymous with shawls with jeans and sweaters! Jaquard or thick woollen jackets and bandhgalas with trousers and jeans is a perfect example... Polki, silver or gold goes beautifully with the look."

Wise investment too must be kept in mind while purchasing jewellery for winter.

"Always believe in one statement piece over small trinkets. One piece added every year (winter), not inspired by trends, but that which would go into becoming heirloom is what one should stretch for. A classic pair of emerald or ruby earrings or an effective large ring or even a single strand of polki is a good idea and will never go out of fashion," said Singh.

The focus should be on getting jewellery that "complements different looks ranging from ethnic to contemporary and fusion," concluded Sawhney.

(IANS)

[...]

10 bridal New Year’s resolutions

12/20/2012 10:10:00 AM

Lose weight

We all want to look our best when it comes to the big day, and New Year is always a great time to kick-start some weight loss. Whether it’s through a pre-wedding diet or an exercise regime, there are plenty of ways to shift some pounds that won’t get in the way of planning. As well as losing weight you’ll also enjoy a boost in your overall health and wellbeing, which will give you that healthy glow every bride dreams of when you walk down the aisle.

Reconcile

Whether it’s a best friend who you’ve drifted apart from, or a family member you’ve had a petty argument with, make it your resolution to get back in touch with someone you were once close to and invite them to your wedding. What better reason than the most important day of your life to let bygones be bygones and reconcile with a loved one? They’ll probably be thrilled that you asked, and it’ll soon seem like you were never apart.

Involve your other half

See that guy who keeps hanging around your house and desperately tries to offer his opinion on the planning process, only to be told to ‘shush’? That’s your soon-to-be husband, and this is his wedding too. Yes, he will probably make silly suggestions, but it’s unfair to expect to have everything exactly how you want it with no compromise. You won’t be able to enjoy the day if he’s miserable, so make a resolution to involve him in as much of the wedding planning as possible.

Don’t stress

We know, we know – this is easier said than done, but hear us out. You will enjoy the whole wedding process so much more if you are calm and collected, and nobody wants to end up being Bridezilla. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the wedding planning, don’t attempt to grin and bear it. Make a resolution to take a complete day off from planning every week, when you can relax, pamper yourself, and collect your thoughts.

Plan the seating

This is one of those tasks that seems like it should be simple, but turns out to be quite the opposite. Where will the kid’s table be? Who is going to get lumped with your grouchy Grandpa Joe? Which family members should sit near the front? Instead of leaving it until the last minute and going into a blind panic, plan your wedding seating as soon as you get a free moment in the New Year.

Talk about finances

Every bride out there wants her dream wedding, but sadly there always seems to be one thing that gets in the way of it happening – money. Weddings are expensive, and to think otherwise will only lead to disappointment. However, with some savvy financial planning you can still have a magical day on a budget. Start the year by sitting down and planning out your budget, and you’ll be able to have a truly memorable wedding without breaking the bank.

Try at least one piece of DIY

Planning a wedding is a pricey affair, so anything that you can save money on should be a welcome option. One way in which you can do this is by trying a bit of DIY. Handmade centrepieces, napkin ties, and decorations are all easy to make, and could even turn out looking better than their store-purchased alternatives. These handcrafted items will also make for a great wedding memento for you and your guests to take home at the end of the day.

Remember what it’s all about

With so much to plan and prepare for leading up to your wedding day, it’s all too easy to forget what marriage is really about. You and your husband are going to be spending the rest of your life together, and soon the wedding day itself will be no more than a memory – albeit a happy one! To make sure the wedding doesn’t drive you both crazy, make a promise that you will spend one night a week together when you simply enjoy each other’s company with no planning talk whatsoever.

Give something up

Do you have a vice or unhealthy habit? Most people do, and most people want to give them up. So, what better reason to ditch your vices by the date of your wedding? Using your big day as a milestone is a great target, and should give you that extra bit of motivation you need. Whether it’s smoking or biting your nails, you’ll feel even better come the day of your wedding if you’ve successfully ditched the habit.

Don’t forget the small things

Every wedding will have countless small details that need to be planned, such as napkins, favours, and place settings. They might not seem like a big deal, but it’s these little things that all add up to make the perfect wedding. Brides often assume they can sort this kind of thing out at the last minute, and then stress when it takes longer than they thought. Make sure this doesn’t happen to you by making a checklist of these small details and ticking them off as soon as possible in the New Year.

This article first appeared HERE.

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Top 5 Bollywood Weddings of 2012

12/20/2012 9:47:00 AM

While some stars kept their nuptials under low profile, others made it an extravagant affair with extensive coverage by the media.

Here are the top five celebrity weddings of 2012:

1. The list is topped by so called royal couple of Bollywood - Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor. After almost five years of courtship, the couple tied the knot on Oct. 16. The wedding was a five-day extravaganza and the reception was attended by several B-town personalities like Shahrukh Khan and wife Gauri, Ranbir Kapoor, Malaika Arora Khan, Amrita Arora and designer Manish Malhotra.

2. The next grand Bollywood wedding of 2012 was between Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza. The couple met each other for the first time on the sets of "Tujhe Meri Kasam" and dated for almost eight years before getting married on Feb 3. The wedding was solemnized in Maharashtrian and Christian style. A grand reception had followed with most of the film fraternity gracing their presence.

3. The wedding that made a lot of buzz recently was that of Vidya Balan and UTV head Siddharth Roy Kapur. The couple reportedly began dating each after meeting on the sets of 2011 release "No one Killed Jessica". Vidya played the key role in the movie and Siddharth was the producer. The pair kept their relationship under low profile and tied the knot on Dec 14. The wedding was a combo of Punjabi and South Indian traditions. The sole person from tinsel town spotted at Vidya's Mehendi was Rekha.

4. The wedding that made it to the fourth spot was of Esha Deol and Bharat Takhtani. Although the wedding did not grab much media attention, it turned out to be one of the most alluring occasions of 2012. The ceremony was solemnized on June 29 in South Indian style. Sunny and Bobby Deol had given the event a miss, while Abhay Deol had turned up along with his girlfriend Preeti Desai.

5. Though he does not belong to the Bollywood industry, Ram Charan Teja's wedding was one of the most celebrated events of the year. The son of megastar Chiranjeevi married his childhood sweetheart Upasana Kaminen on June 14. The couple exchanged wedding vows as per traditional Hindu customs in the presence of their families and close friends. Several B-town biggies like Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan also graced the occasion with their presence.

This article first appeared HERE.

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Dreams Multicultural Wedding Show 2013

11/29/2012 1:17:00 PM

The only multicultural bridal fashion show in GTA! Highlights include:

Multicultural bridal fashion show
Jewelry fashion show
Flower fashion show
Costume fashion show
FREE iDreams Fashion Magazine

When: Sunday, January 20, 2013
Where: Red Rose Convention
Time: 11am to 7pm
Fashion Shows: 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Tickets: $5

FREE PARKING!

Attention Exhibitors! Please confirm your booth and magazine advertisement now. Booths are on a first-come-first-served basis.

1. Booth 10'x10' Dreams Wedding Show January 2013
2. Boost your website and advertise your work FREE for 1 year internet listing on our exhibitor's page and 3 blog postings in one year
3. Round the year advertisement available in 3 sponsorship packages
4. Register for free seminar
5. Sponsorship opportunity
6. Volunteer hours
7. Marketing job opportunity
8. Modelling

Click HERE for more information or contact Dreams Wedding Show via EMAIL or phone: 647.291.9265.

This event is proudly sponsored by MyBindi.com.

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Wedding wardrobe goes bold

11/29/2012 1:02:00 PM

Young brides are experimenting and trying newer cuts, fabrics and styles. "Girls, who have it in them, make sure to look sexy during their wedding. Lots of western flavour is incorporated in outfits that brides decide to wear for their functions or on the reception. Layering, minimal embroidery and ornamentation are in this season. Western cuts with traditional touch is what most brides are preferring â€” variations in skirts, gowns, anarkali dresses with attractive borders and lots of flare will be seen. Comfortable and well structured blouses rule that are noodle strap, halters and backless," says designer Ashish Parikh.

So far as fabric is concerned silk/woven silk has over powered georgette, net and chiffon. Fashion designer Purvi Doshi says, "Lower necklines are a hit with the brides. Fancy and deep back necklines are the trend this season. It is not just the brides even their parents want their daughter to look modern and attractive. Plunging necklines have become fashionable as Amdavadis are inspired by Bollywood films where actors are seen exposing their curves."

On the other hand fashion designer Bhavin Trivedi says, "Girls have been inquiring about sexy blouses, but not many are still ready to go for it. Bride's friends and cousins will be seen flaunting all the long cuts and deep necklines. Backless anarkalis are a rage this wedding season."

Interestingly, even the men want to look dapper and sexy as they get ready to take the wedding vows. Not only do they visit the salons for their makeovers, they also spend a lot of time in choosing their designer wardrobe. "Men will be seen flaunting deep necklines in sherwanis/kurtas. Men usually opt for classic cuts with almost no embroidery. Bandhgalas are in. Variations in jodhpuris, trousers, breeches and patialas will be seen. Men are also combining jackets with their attire to stand out on their special day," says Ashish.

So, it's time to flaunt your looks as you start a new life.

This article first appeared HERE.

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Facebook and Pinterest Are the New Wedding Planner

11/29/2012 11:51:00 AM

It turns out about one in ten (8%) brides are updating their Facebook relationship statuses within minutes of saying “Yes,” while nearly one in three (31%) did so within hours of getting engaged. Mashable’s Social and Tech wedding survey, done in conjunction with TheKnot.com, shows that today’s bride is both connected and social. In other words, she has hashtags and QR codes, and she knows how to use them.

“We’ve always known brides are turning to the Internet and TheKnot.com in droves to help plan their perfect wedding, and in doing this survey, we wanted to find out how they’re using the rise of social media as they plan,” Carley Roney, editor-in-chief of TheKnot.com tells Mashable.

hey are using social every step of the way, turning to sites such as Facebook and Pinterest to plan their wedding, share ideas and get recommendations from other brides-to-be. A large majority (79%) become fans of wedding brands such as The Knot, and two in five use Pinterest to show vendors ideas they like.

Potential brides are also using Pinterest to share ideas with their wedding party and family. Forget having to email photos of dresses or flowers to find out what the bridesmaids think; instead, create a board of ideas to share instantly.

As social media becomes a part of the wedding-planning process, brides are using Facebook and Twitter to share everything about their big day. In fact, more than
half (51%) shared progress updates, while others shared registry info and pictures of the planning process. But what about those friends who aren’t invited? Isn’t that an etiquette no-no? Let them eat cake, the brides say.

It seems the rules of wedding etiquette are evolving as technology becomes part of the wedding plan. “The faux pas of sharing information with those not invited is gone, and it’s becoming more and more okay to post openly, even to those who aren’t necessarily attending. We’re seeing a shift in the standard rules of wedding etiquette,” TheKnot.com’s Roney says.

Consider the wedding photo. Some brides say they want their official wedding photo to be the first one their friends and family see. Others — 62% — say they like that their guests are posting photos from the wedding ceremony right to Facebook.

This article first appeared HERE.

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Red Baraat: Indian wedding sounds with attitude

9/12/2012 10:31:00 AM

We go hard," says MiWi La Lupa. "We have two hours' sleep, we hit that stage, and afterwards we don't go to bed – we play it hard." The bass trumpet player of Red Baraat is trying to explain the punk spirit behind the nine-piece New York band, which has just been performing on Radio 4's Loose Ends. Broadcasting House isn't exactly CBGB, but they do get an invite to the pub from host Clive Anderson, who has been bopping (in his chair) to their new track Shruggy Ji.

On paper, Red Baraat seem faintly ridiculous: a blend of jazz, funk, salsa and bhangra led by diminutive dhol-player Sunny Jain, 37, who shares the stage with six brass musicians and another two percussionists. But live, banging out their high-octane fusion of all of the above, they're irresistible: serial party-starters who have drawn all the usual cliches reserved for south Asian culture ("vibrant", "colourful", "spicy") but still manage to have crossover appeal. So far this year, they have toured Austria, played the Bonnaroo festival in Tennessee (America's Glastonbury), and released the album Chaal Baby ("an unstoppable blend of Bollywood hijacks and funk," according to the Village Voice). In April, they even found themselves performing at the White House.

"That was a blast," says La Lupa. "Bringing this noise to the American Indian treaty room – no treaties were signed!" Although the band, who this weekend play Bestival and the Paralympics closing ceremony, didn't meet the president, they did get to drink his beer.

For Jain, the White House gig was confirmation of how far he has come from his upbringing in a Punjabi household in upstate New York. "Being Indian, a strict vegetarian and into jazz," he says, "I was marginalised a lot growing up. I didn't really understand the ramifications of kids throwing smoke bombs in our yard, painting 'fucker' on the house, or calling my grandfather 'pyjama man'." It wasn't until college that the anger spilled out. "Every ethnicity had their college society and it was incredibly segregated. I got every kind of racist remark, with people not knowing if I was black, Latino, Asian. A Caucasian woman I dated was called a nigger-lover."

Jain's dad was a research scientist at Rutgers University in New Jersey, where Jain eventually enrolled to study jazz performance. "I fell heavily in love with jazz at 11 and knew at 16 that I was doing this for the rest of my life." If this came as a shock to his conservative immigrant parents, who hoped he would become a lawyer, they took it well. "I'd practise my drums for hours every night and they never asked me to stop. And they drove me to every concert I played: they were at every show. "

As a highly regarded jazz drummer, Jain worked with the likes of Peter Gabriel, David Byrne and St Vincent, and was used to being out of the spotlight at the back of the stage, knocking out his complex drum patterns. But with Red Baraat, he is every inch the bombastic frontman, having taught himself – via YouTube – to play the dhol, a barrel-like Punjabi drum that is slung over a shoulder and spanked with bamboo sticks. "It's a primal beat," he says. "I'm a completely different musician with it."

Red Baraat came together when Jain went looking for musicians to play his own wedding a few years ago (the band's name means "red wedding procession"). After the set at Broadcasting House, the band shoot off to play some other gigs, including one in Edinburgh. Then they're back in London, performing to 250 people – ranging from local Bangladeshi kids to City boys and middle-aged world music fans – at the arts centre Rich Mix. It's only a Monday night, but everyone's up on their feet with the very first song.

"For me," says Jain, "music has become a way of reconciling being an American and an Indian. I feel I've intertwined the two." He now wants to take Red Baraat back to where their sound began – India – where wedding musicians are not so highly regarded. "We're just waiting on an invite," he says. "I want to blow their socks off."

This article first appeared HERE.

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Invites are out for Saif-Kareena's Royal Wedding

9/11/2012 11:55:00 AM

Sharmila Tagore had disclosed to Mid Day last month that the wedding will be attended by close family members only and the ceremonies will be held in Delhi and Mumbai. Rumours about Copacabana or Maldives being the wedding venue were put to rest.

Kareena will be wearing Sharmila's bridal Sharara on her wedding day and is expected to wear Manish Malhotra's creations for other ceremonies. "We are yet discussing what functions she's going to have. Just the other day I was at her house and I was discussing with her. So it's on the way," the designer had said during Delhi Couture Week last month.

Saif and Kareena have been dating for five years now. The couple had officially declared that they will tie the knot in the beginning of 2012 after the release of their film Agent Vinod but that was postponed.

The 41-year-old actor has two children, son Ibrahim and daughter Sara, from his previous marriage to actress Amrita Singh. The actress, too, dated Shahid Kapoor for three years before committing to the Nawab of Pataudi.

This article first appeared HERE.

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Introducing Jaan :: Paan-flavoured Liqueur

7/30/2012 10:26:00 AM

Introduced just last year, Jaan Liqueur is an authentic treat made in Canada from neutral grain spirits, Canadian maple syrup, and a singular blend of herbs and spices. This award-winning liqueur has a luminescent amber/gold hue, a satiny textured body and is a semisweet bouquet of cloves, menthol and flora. The palate is a spicy affair - a secret proprietary blend with notes of cinnamon, cloves and cardamom.

“Jaan” is a Hindi/Urdu word loosely translated as “life” or “love.” Offering paan is a symbol of respect, friendship and hospitality. Similarly, offering Jaan is symbolic of respect, friendship, and hospitality – a gesture that comes from the heart, with love. When you drink Jaan, it fills you with life! Hence the tag line, “Drink Jaan. Love Life.”

Given the popularity of Paan in Asia, it is interesting that the best tasting and most awarded Paan liqueur in the world is made in Canada. Through extensive R&D, Jaan has been specially formulated to encapsulate the flavours of sweet paan for the global audience. Jaan is made with 100% all natural ingredients and contains no tobacco or areca nut derived products. The result is a unique and unforgettable taste experience.

Despite Jaan being a relatively new product, it has already won many awards and accolades from around the world. This includes 7 medals from various international spirits competitions. In addition, Jaan is served at some of the finest Indian Restaurants in the world, including Vij’s in Vancouver and Nirvana Flavours of India in Mississauga, Ontario.

What makes Jaan so exceptional is the multi-sensory appeal (taste, aroma, visual appearance of the dark, rich amber colour) and its versatility. People familiar with the taste of Paan will find Jaan inviting and true to the flavour of Paan. If you are not familiar with the flavour of Paan, then Jaan will truly be an exotic and sensuous taste with a delightful aromatic bouque.

Today, liqueurs are no longer for sipping after a meal and Jaan is no exception to the versatility of liqueurs. Jaan can be a great addition to martinis, chai, coffee, and coolers to name a few ideas. The only limitation is your imagination. Jaan turns ordinary cocktails into something extra ordinary. For example, add Jaan to your Pina coloda for an entirely new experience or try the Jaan Martini: 2 parts Jaan Liqueur, 1 part Bombay Sapphire Gin, 2 parts coconut water and a half ounce of fresh lime juice.

Jaan is available in Alberta, Manitoba and at the Ontario Land Border Duty Free stores in Niagara Falls, Windsor, Sarnia, and Thousand Islands near Kingston. For Canadian residents, Jaan can also be ordered through their Provincial Liquor Control Boards through their Private Ordering Department.

Follow Jaan’s journey on Facebook and Twitter.

Click HERE for more information.

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10 Tips for Planning the Perfect Honeymoon

7/20/2012 12:54:00 PM

Play the wild card! Honeymoons don't have to mean lying on a beach! If it's not your spouse's thing, don't force your new husband or wife to visit an exotic beach destination. Instead, compromise on a destination that will make you both happy! Plan to visit a wine tasting destination, go to a jungle with adventurous activities or visit a beautiful city with great history.

Time is money. Don't fly halfway around the world if you have only have a limited amount of days for your honeymoon. I once had a couple that literally flew around the world in two weeks. They had an incredible time, but returned from their honeymoon more exhausted than when they left! And it was quite comical how many of their pictures were taken on planes, instead of in the amazing destinations they visited.

Remember, you get what you pay for. I know you are excited to plan away, but reconsider jumping on the first good "deal" that you see, as there might be a reason for the deep discount! Maybe you will be traveling during hurricane season or the hotel is undergoing renovations. Do a little homework prior to booking.

Be original! Booking the exact same honeymoons as your friends isn't always the best route. Just because it was the perfect honeymoon for them doesn't mean it will be perfect for you! When choosing a destination, remember the things that mean the most to you -- are you a big foodie? Love being outdoors? Pick your destination based on locations that offer things you enjoy and you're guaranteed to have a good time!

He said, she said. Try not to obsess over travel reviews. If someone complained about the air conditioning a year ago and no one has mentioned it since, assume it has been fixed. If many people have the same complaint over and over, assume it is a valid issue.

Honey-Do List. We would never tell you to wait until the last minute to book your honeymoon. However, planning too many activities in advance isn't the way to go. Your time will be heavily scheduled leading up to your wedding, so sometimes it's best to wait to see what you want to do when you arrive. If it's rainy one day, go to the spa. Or if you feel like doing nothing but lying on the beach one day, then do that!

The New Mr. & Mrs. This is very important: Do not book your honeymoon with your married name. Make sure that all travel reservations match your legal documents that you will have when you are traveling.

Home Sweet Hotel. The best part of traveling is having new experiences! Be open to this and don't expect things to be "just like home." I have some clients say things like, "I want to visit a unique destination, but I am a really picky eater and want the food to be the same as at home." If that's the case you may want to stay in the U.S. or be ready to try some new things!

The Bride, the Groom and the Wardrobe Malfunction. You really don't need to drag around your entire closet, so pack smart and include layers. It'd be best to leave the heels at home if you're traveling to the cobblestone streets of Europe -- save the spice for later in the evening by packing lingerie instead. It is your honeymoon, after all! I always suggest bringing a pashmina or two as well. They are light and easy to pack, but can give you that warmth you need on a cool evening.

Just in case you even considered it: Under no circumstances invite your in-laws on your honeymoon. And yes, I actually had a couple do this! Happy planning!

This article first appeared HERE.

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Lisa Ray to have traditional Indian wedding

7/20/2012 12:43:00 PM

"I have never been so happy before in my life. I am nervous and at the same time excited as the wedding is approaching. I am shopping a lot in India. It will be a typical Indian style wedding," Lisa said.

"My fiance and I have planned my reception in India for my friends here though we haven't decided the venue yet," she added.

Her wedding gown is being designed by Wendell Rodricks with loads of Indian embellishments in it.

"I was in Goa few days ago for my fitting session with Wendell. He is a dear friend of mine. He told me that he will use some Indian embellishments in it. In my sangeet and mehendi, I will be wearing Indian dresses," said Lisa, who was in the Capital last night to launch Swiss watch brand's avant-garde collection.

The actress said her fiance loves to learn about Indian culture and films and she is thinking of making him watch Vidya Balan's The Dirty Picture.

"I have been feeding him about Indian culture and films. He loves Indian food. He has watched many Hindi films and the latest one on his list is Dev D. I am going to show him Dirty Picture next," she said.

Lisa is now cancer-free after she being diagnosed with multiple myeloma three years ago and said she is enjoying the "second chapter" of life.

The Toronto-based actress has signed a couple of movies and will also produce two of them.

"I am enjoying this chapter of my life. I have signed a couple of Bollywood films with young directors. Indian cinema is going through an interesting period. I will also be producing two films and hosting Top Chef Canada," she said.

This article first appeared HERE.

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Planners tackle 'fusion' weddings in Canada

7/19/2012 12:34:00 PM

Recognizing a growing demand, Ms. Chaudhry launched her own company, Sapna Weddings, six years ago.

“There are a lot of vendors and caterers who serve the South Asian market, but there weren’t any wedding planners who specialized in pulling all of that together,” Ms. Chaudhry said.

The brides came running. Ms. Chaudhry now plans more than 70 South Asian weddings a year, charging anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the scale of the event.

Alison McGill, editor-in-chief of the Canadian magazine Weddingbells, says she’s seen a number of wedding planners who cater to different ethnicities crop up over the past five years. “It is a big market that, in the past, was being under-served,” Ms. McGill said.

Need an elephant for the groom to ride during a Hindu baraat ceremony? “You can rent one from the Bowmanville Zoo,” Ms. Chaudhry says. “Horses are more common. And we can organize all the permits if you need to get the street closed off for the baraat.”

It’s not just logistics that Ms. Chaudhry helps facilitate – she often acts as a liaison between the couple and their parents, helping to strike the right balance between tradition and North American sensibilities.

“For second- or third-generation people who have grown up here, they often like to integrate a traditional wedding with a ‘Western’ feel,” she says.

Ms. Chaudhry helped plan Archna Narula’s Hindu wedding. “She gets the culture and nuances and could talk to my family in the language that put them at ease,” Ms. Narula said. “I think it would be very challenging for a non-South Asian to get all of that, without me having to spell it out for them. And at that point, I might as well have done it myself.”

Traditionally, in South Asian weddings, the bride’s family takes on the planning of the multiple events leading up to the wedding, along with organizing the big day itself. When Deepti Aurora’s daughter was getting married, she hesitated over letting go of that cherished role – but a guest list of 600 people made her reconsider, and she hired Ms. Chaudhry.

“I was really dreading organizing the dinner,” Ms. Aurora said. “… Normally parents and the bride’s relatives organize everything, but I really wanted to enjoy my daughter’s wedding and not be stressed about every small detail.”

While South Asians make up one of the largest visible minority groups in Canada, they have the lowest rate of mixed unions at 13 per cent of the married population, followed by Chinese immigrants at 16 per cent, according to 2006 Statistics Canada data.

Brenda Lau, who moved to Canada from Hong Kong when she was a year old, didn’t think she wanted to incorporate her culture into her wedding to a Slovenian-Canadian two years ago. Then she met with Judy Zhu at Kitsfish Studio in Vancouver, which specializes in planning Chinese weddings.

“She suggested the tea ceremony … when the bride and groom serve tea to the parents and elders,” Ms. Lau said. “And it was really special, so moving because it helped bring the families together …for my parents to see that we were still respecting tradition.”

Ms. Zhu immigrated from China 10 years ago. “I get many brides who say, ‘I want a Western wedding, but my parents and grandparents want a traditional wedding, so what do I do?”

Winnipeg’s Emma Singh of Events by Emma noticed many of her client’s children were marrying into families from a different cultural background, so she decided to start planning ethnic “fusion” weddings. Since then, her roster of specialized weddings has grown to include Filipino, Indian, Scottish and Ukrainian.

When Roselin Titus and Vincent Wourms were planning their Indian-Polish Catholic wedding, they brought in Ms. Singh to help. Ms. Titus wore a white dress and a veil with red detailing – an auspicious colour in Asian cultures – while the reception married food from both cultures.

“Especially when doing weddings that are multicultural, it’s important to have someone who knows how to bring in that ethnic flavour and helps steer you in the right direction so you strike that right balance and keep both families happy,” Ms. Titus said.

Among first-generation visible-minority Canadians, 12 per cent were in mixed-union couples, according to the 2006 census. For second-generation Canadians, that figure jumped to 51 per cent, while it reached 69 per cent for third-generation visible-minority Canadians.

“I would say 95 per cent of the couples we work with are from two different ethnicities,” Ms. Singh said. “I don’t know all the intricacies of all these different cultures, and sometimes there is a lot of prewedding educating on their customs, but the bottom line is that it’s always a special moment and it’s always about families.”

This article first appeared HERE.

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Wedding cakes in New York with an Indian touch

6/20/2012 6:18:00 AM

Since my wedding was a traditional Hindu event, I wanted it to look Indian, but at the time, notable Indian cake designers seemed rare (at least in the New York City area). So I turned to Sylvia Weinstock, a well-known cake creator, who came up with a three-layer design with gold and pink hues to match my lengha and fulfilled my chocolate fantasy with an incredibly moist fudge interior.

A decade later, as the services for Indian weddings have increased significantly in the United States, several talented cake designers are showcasing work inspired by India. Here are three in the New York City area who are turning the wedding cake into a centerpiece event instead of a forgotten side-show.

Surbhi Sahni, Bittersweet NYC:

The only one of the trio with a professional culinary background, Ms. Sahni, 37, got her training at the Sheraton Hotel Management School in India. She then moved to New York City where she received a master's degree from New York University in food anthropology before working in pastry at notable Manhattan restaurants like Picholine. She also worked in several high-end Indian eateries, including the Michelin-starred Tulsi, where she still runs the dessert program (the head chef, Hemant Mathur, is her husband).

She started Bittersweet NYC two years ago in part to work on special event cakes, and she has since become a coveted hire for Indian and non-Indian weddings.

Her creations stand out for their flavors. "One of my favorite snacks growing up was fruit chaat, so I've always thought that spices work really well with sweets. And I try to bring a spice undertone into the cakes I make," she said. Her nonstandard fillings include green cardamom pistachio cake with chai buttercream and a pineapple cake with black peppercorn and mascarpone cream filling.

She always tries to connect the cake's adornment to the wedding. For a peacock-themed wedding, for example, she came up with a five-tiered cake decked with hand-painted peacock feathers and thin strips of blue ribbon. She particularly enjoys bringing in elements of the bride's jewelry, recently making a chocolate cake with a re-creation of the bride's pearl, emerald and amethyst pendant. Ms. Sahni also does vegan and eggless variations. Prices start at $500.

Sandhya Patangay, Creme-Delicious:

Growing up in Mumbai, Ms. Patangay, 40, learned the art of henna painting, and a decade ago she started a henna company serving the tri-state area. Institutions like the Museum of Natural History hired her to teach henna workshops, and when attendees saw the intricacy of her designs, they told her she would make a skilled cake decorator.

She practiced adorning a few cakes with her henna patterns. "I sent the pictures to a few food bloggers, and before I knew it, I was inundated with requests from people wanting to buy the cakes," she said.

She started Creme Delicious a year ago and has quickly built a name for herself for her minute henna masterpieces. "From a cultural standpoint, cakes are not a vital part of Indian weddings, and I thought I needed to try to reach a broader audience, which is why I focused on the smaller size," she said.

She makes cakes in two shapes, a heart and a square, and five flavors -- chocolate, green tea, pink champagne, red velvet and vanilla. Larger, multi-tiered cakes can also be ordered. Prices start at $25 for one individual cake, and a minimum order of four is required.

Parul Patel, The Cake Designer:

As a strict vegetarian who didn't eat eggs, Parul Patel, 41, was frustrated by the lack of good options when it came to eggless cakes. She worked as a Morgan Stanley financial adviser, but she enjoyed baking as a hobby. She turned her weekend pastime into her main gig around her son's second birthday five years ago, when she visited an Indian vegetarian bakery and asked them to make a Thomas the Train cake without eggs for his party.

"The owner looked at me blankly and said he would have no idea how to do something like that," she said. She ended up baking it herself, and the positive feedback she received from family and friends encouraged her to go into business.

Today, she and her team of three work out of a 2,000-square-foot kitchen in Millington, New Jersey, and her business has expanded to include special-event and wedding cakes. Examples of her recent work include a three-tiered affair coated in orange fondant and decorated with a henna pattern, minute sugared diamonds that look like mirrors, edible gold beads and glitter.

Besides the basic offerings like vanilla buttercream and chocolate mousse, filling options include gajar ka halwa, cardamom and pistachio, mango mousse and saffron and almond.

Though she expected her clientele to be mostly Indians who avoided eggs, Ms. Patel said that more than half are non-vegetarians and non-Indians. She can also make vegan cakes. Prices start at $250.

This article first appeared HERE.

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