Crossing the T's and Dotting the I's
I suppose the telephone rang for quite a while before I actually heard it. That's the thing with wake up call requests in hotel rooms. Always promptly on time. I had slept at 3am last night.... wait ..... wasn't it this morning actually ? I had requested for a wake up at 5 am, which means I had woken up even before I started to sleep. But that is exactly what I am paid for I rued as I watched myself in the mirror that cocered the entire length of the wall of the wash basin. Darn those dark circles. I will have to spend extra time off the schedule trying to conceal them. I walked to the balcony. This is as fresh as fresh air could be. Early morning when the world is just getting ready to face it and the air is still largely untouched. I spread my arms out, palms open in front of me and took deep breaths - in and out. I had found this to be one of the most effective ways to bust the stress that hounds us. Letting go of everything instead of holding on to them with a tight fist as we normally subconsciously tend to do.
The bell at the door announced the delivery of my pot of green tea. I poured out a cup and took out my planner. Being a wedding planner is no easy task. From as early as I can remember I have always been fascinated with weddings , the decorations , the songs , the pandal/ stage , the beautiful blushing bride, the handsome dashing groom riding his way into her life on a white horse , the baraat ( the traditional bandwagon announcing the arrival of the groom to the entire neighbourhood ) , the customs, the actual ceremonies ..... everything about it that really makes a big fat memorable saga.
The next four days starting today was going to be dedicated to Aarohi and Varun's wedding. Every wedding has its own story , as does every couple bringing in their own style and personality to the union. As I said, ordinary Indian weddings are by itself a grand fiesta. The country is so rich in terms of variety in terms of communities, and their attire, customs and traditions. And then if the wedding is cross community .... God bless the families and ofcourse me - their wedding planner. Aarohi came from a Bengali business family in Mumbai and Varun belonged to a Tamil brahmin family well settled in the capital city in Delhi. Love across the whole length and breadth of the country whose seeds were sowed when they met during their post graduation days in the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. They became close friends and by the time their respective courses were over their relationship had melted into deep love. It took them a while to convince their respective families ..... Cross community unions scare the families .... though it is gradually gaining acceptability with families enjoying the gala festival the wedding turns out to be. The customs and rituals of both families are followed to the T and the result is opulence. This is where I come in .... a wedding planner is supposed to bring in some order to the immensely possible chaos.
I looked at my planner for this event. The wedding card itself was amazing. It was in the form of a video tablet given to all guests. A union of opulence with technology, of royal charm with modern elegance. Add to it the couple insisted on creative themes and jaw dropping decor in the backdrop of the magnificent Aamby Valley City - the location chosen for the wedding (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRs0GS9785M) for a dream fairytale wedding.
I had to quickly run through the schedules planned for all the days. The last 2 months this has been my major and only job. Adding to the list, deleting from it, altering it and planning and re planning.
Day 1 - Today - Sangeet, Haldi Kumkum Ceremony and Mehandi Ceremony -
The day was technically the wedding eve with lots of music and dance. (http://weddings.iloveindia.com/indian-weddings/pre-wedding-functions/sangeet.html)The family and friends of the bride and groom gather. Aarohi and Varun combined the day with the traditional haldi kumkum - ritual where the bride and groom are smeared with turmeric paste by members of the family. The mehandi ritual too was scheduled for the day. I quickly ran over all the arrangements needed to be done and finally ticked them all. The seating,the music and entertainment, the decoration, the drapes, the flowers , the supply of mehandi , reminding the families to bring the haldi, the bride's dress .... all checked. The theme for the day was Red, Black and White. The food was Mughlai and Hyderabadi with its fair share if vegetarian and non vegertarian dishes. I sopke to the caterers, and confirmed the menu. Check.
Day 2 - Tomorrow - Traditional Tamilian Wedding in the morning and Traditional Gujarati Wedding in the evening.
For the Tamilian style wedding insisted upon by the groom's family , both sides of the family were to be attired in traditional heavy silk sarees. The theme chosen was Pink for the women and Off White for the men. I had been given the traditional list of items required for the ceremony. I called my secretary and confirmed the availability and delivery of the items on time. He confirmed he would be at the hall in about and hour to confirm the arrangements. The seating of the bride's and groom's family were of utmost importance. The positioning of photographers and videographers needed to be overlooked so that the guests could enjoy uninterrupted viewing of the entire ceremony. The ceremony was to be solemn. I searched my bag for the toe rings that Varun would put on Aarohi's second toe. One of the symbols of her marital status. Check.
The traditional Gujarati Wedding was planned for the evening. The theme was ethnic royal with heavy reds and gold. Again the bride's family had provided me with a list of items needed for the function. I must not forget the sindoor ,the red vermilion powder which Varun would put on Aarohi's forehead to mark her a married woman. I checked my luggage and fished it out. I kept it on the console at the entrance lest I forget it tomorrow. The function planned was to be fun and colourful. Check.
I could not believe I had it all tied up. Even the caterers were well in sync.
Day 3 - White wedding.
Aarohi and Varun were unanimous in their decision to have a white wedding complete with the exchange of vows, nieces as flower girls, friends as best men and brides maids, the long flowing gown and veil .... her fairy tale wedding from the stories she grew up listening to and reading. The theme was obviously white. The flower girls in blue and purple. The brides maids in dreamy pink and the best men in royal blue. Everything was planned and arranged. The ceremony was to capture the effervescent romance of the Western Wedding. I checked my bag for the vows written by Aarohi and Varun respectively. They had done this on their own and would be surprising each other with their words. I had a copy with me just in case. I once again rummaged through my bag for the platinum rings that both of them were to exchange. Aarohi's gown had been delivered yesterday and was hanging in my closet. The Menu for the day was continental. The music, seating, decor and all were planned in advance with a detailed drawing. Each table had a name plate so that guests could be comfortably seated. The champagne and wine were to be checked. I called the caterers and everything confirmed to my satisfaction.
Day 4 - Reception at Delhi.
This would wrap up the festivities. The theme of the evening was rich purple and magnificent blues. The chairs and tables were to be draped with purple and gold bows. The drapes on the stage and the backdrop in the same colour would give it a magnificent look. I raised my head and caught a glimpse of Aarohi's scarlet and green lehenga ( Skirt ) for the function. The rhineston and swarowski crystals made it a dream attire. I was sure she would look beautiful in it and end the four day sojourn with grandeur and start her new journey with beautiful memories and all the ingredients for a happily ever after. I crossed my fingers. I called to make sure all arrangements would be made. I was to do the recheck day after tomorrow again. Check.
I closed the planner with all its designs and drawings. I was relieved and comforted by the fact that everything was going on schedule as planned. I took out my check book and wrote out a check in favour of the destitute home for girls. Ten percent of my income went in as a donation to help fulfill the dreams of under privileged girls who had no one to turn to. I had finally crossed all the T's and dotted all the I's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFIaVQef5xs
( This was my entry for Week 2 of Last Chance Idol. As luck would have it I didnt cross all the T's for submission ... However if you think I have crossed all the T's with the writing please do read and send me some comments or concrits.... It might just make my day :) )
The bell at the door announced the delivery of my pot of green tea. I poured out a cup and took out my planner. Being a wedding planner is no easy task. From as early as I can remember I have always been fascinated with weddings , the decorations , the songs , the pandal/ stage , the beautiful blushing bride, the handsome dashing groom riding his way into her life on a white horse , the baraat ( the traditional bandwagon announcing the arrival of the groom to the entire neighbourhood ) , the customs, the actual ceremonies ..... everything about it that really makes a big fat memorable saga.
The next four days starting today was going to be dedicated to Aarohi and Varun's wedding. Every wedding has its own story , as does every couple bringing in their own style and personality to the union. As I said, ordinary Indian weddings are by itself a grand fiesta. The country is so rich in terms of variety in terms of communities, and their attire, customs and traditions. And then if the wedding is cross community .... God bless the families and ofcourse me - their wedding planner. Aarohi came from a Bengali business family in Mumbai and Varun belonged to a Tamil brahmin family well settled in the capital city in Delhi. Love across the whole length and breadth of the country whose seeds were sowed when they met during their post graduation days in the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. They became close friends and by the time their respective courses were over their relationship had melted into deep love. It took them a while to convince their respective families ..... Cross community unions scare the families .... though it is gradually gaining acceptability with families enjoying the gala festival the wedding turns out to be. The customs and rituals of both families are followed to the T and the result is opulence. This is where I come in .... a wedding planner is supposed to bring in some order to the immensely possible chaos.
I looked at my planner for this event. The wedding card itself was amazing. It was in the form of a video tablet given to all guests. A union of opulence with technology, of royal charm with modern elegance. Add to it the couple insisted on creative themes and jaw dropping decor in the backdrop of the magnificent Aamby Valley City - the location chosen for the wedding (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRs0GS9785M) for a dream fairytale wedding.
I had to quickly run through the schedules planned for all the days. The last 2 months this has been my major and only job. Adding to the list, deleting from it, altering it and planning and re planning.
Day 1 - Today - Sangeet, Haldi Kumkum Ceremony and Mehandi Ceremony -
The day was technically the wedding eve with lots of music and dance. (http://weddings.iloveindia.com/indian-weddings/pre-wedding-functions/sangeet.html)The family and friends of the bride and groom gather. Aarohi and Varun combined the day with the traditional haldi kumkum - ritual where the bride and groom are smeared with turmeric paste by members of the family. The mehandi ritual too was scheduled for the day. I quickly ran over all the arrangements needed to be done and finally ticked them all. The seating,the music and entertainment, the decoration, the drapes, the flowers , the supply of mehandi , reminding the families to bring the haldi, the bride's dress .... all checked. The theme for the day was Red, Black and White. The food was Mughlai and Hyderabadi with its fair share if vegetarian and non vegertarian dishes. I sopke to the caterers, and confirmed the menu. Check.
Day 2 - Tomorrow - Traditional Tamilian Wedding in the morning and Traditional Gujarati Wedding in the evening.
For the Tamilian style wedding insisted upon by the groom's family , both sides of the family were to be attired in traditional heavy silk sarees. The theme chosen was Pink for the women and Off White for the men. I had been given the traditional list of items required for the ceremony. I called my secretary and confirmed the availability and delivery of the items on time. He confirmed he would be at the hall in about and hour to confirm the arrangements. The seating of the bride's and groom's family were of utmost importance. The positioning of photographers and videographers needed to be overlooked so that the guests could enjoy uninterrupted viewing of the entire ceremony. The ceremony was to be solemn. I searched my bag for the toe rings that Varun would put on Aarohi's second toe. One of the symbols of her marital status. Check.
The traditional Gujarati Wedding was planned for the evening. The theme was ethnic royal with heavy reds and gold. Again the bride's family had provided me with a list of items needed for the function. I must not forget the sindoor ,the red vermilion powder which Varun would put on Aarohi's forehead to mark her a married woman. I checked my luggage and fished it out. I kept it on the console at the entrance lest I forget it tomorrow. The function planned was to be fun and colourful. Check.
I could not believe I had it all tied up. Even the caterers were well in sync.
Day 3 - White wedding.
Aarohi and Varun were unanimous in their decision to have a white wedding complete with the exchange of vows, nieces as flower girls, friends as best men and brides maids, the long flowing gown and veil .... her fairy tale wedding from the stories she grew up listening to and reading. The theme was obviously white. The flower girls in blue and purple. The brides maids in dreamy pink and the best men in royal blue. Everything was planned and arranged. The ceremony was to capture the effervescent romance of the Western Wedding. I checked my bag for the vows written by Aarohi and Varun respectively. They had done this on their own and would be surprising each other with their words. I had a copy with me just in case. I once again rummaged through my bag for the platinum rings that both of them were to exchange. Aarohi's gown had been delivered yesterday and was hanging in my closet. The Menu for the day was continental. The music, seating, decor and all were planned in advance with a detailed drawing. Each table had a name plate so that guests could be comfortably seated. The champagne and wine were to be checked. I called the caterers and everything confirmed to my satisfaction.
Day 4 - Reception at Delhi.
This would wrap up the festivities. The theme of the evening was rich purple and magnificent blues. The chairs and tables were to be draped with purple and gold bows. The drapes on the stage and the backdrop in the same colour would give it a magnificent look. I raised my head and caught a glimpse of Aarohi's scarlet and green lehenga ( Skirt ) for the function. The rhineston and swarowski crystals made it a dream attire. I was sure she would look beautiful in it and end the four day sojourn with grandeur and start her new journey with beautiful memories and all the ingredients for a happily ever after. I crossed my fingers. I called to make sure all arrangements would be made. I was to do the recheck day after tomorrow again. Check.
I closed the planner with all its designs and drawings. I was relieved and comforted by the fact that everything was going on schedule as planned. I took out my check book and wrote out a check in favour of the destitute home for girls. Ten percent of my income went in as a donation to help fulfill the dreams of under privileged girls who had no one to turn to. I had finally crossed all the T's and dotted all the I's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFIaVQef5xs
( This was my entry for Week 2 of Last Chance Idol. As luck would have it I didnt cross all the T's for submission ... However if you think I have crossed all the T's with the writing please do read and send me some comments or concrits.... It might just make my day :) )