Feeling the stress of wedding arrangements?  Need to take some time out to de-stress?  Or just want to get back into shape and still de-stress after having got married?!  Come alone or with your partner, friend or whoever you want to some private yoga classes in order to learn how to breathe correctly (hence calming your mind down and increasing energy levels within the body), relaxation techniques which can be practiced on your own at home or wherever you are and yoga postures to either keep trim and toned (internally and externally) or just keep fit for the rest of your life.

As this body gets older, it needs to be kept in good shape in order to avoid or at the least help us get through illnesses which may develop later in life.  Yogis say that we were not born merely to be subject to pain, suffering, disease and death. There is far greater purpose to life. But, the spiritual investigation of life’s purposes requires keen intellect and strong will, products of a healthy body and mind.  For this reason, the ancient sages developed an integral system to retard the decaying process, and keep the physical and mental faculties strong. This system of Yoga is a simple, natural programme involving five main principles: Proper Exercise, Proper Breathing, Proper Relaxation, Proper Diet, and Positive Thinking and Meditation.

Visit my website for more information https://sites.google.com/site/yogamypassion/ and contact me on 07708247500 to book some lessons!

Health is Wealth, Peace of mind is Happiness, Yoga shows the way!

weddingceremonies can last for days and involve much ritual in

Sanskrit which may be understood only by the priest conducting the

service. This ceremony is considerably shorter and is intended to be

understandable even to a non-Indian audience, making it suitable for

intercultural or mixed Hindu/non-Hindu marriages. The couple for whom it

was originally written based it on the Gujarati Brahmin traditions of the

bride’s family with a few touches from Unitarian and secular wedding services familiar to the groom’s

family. It includes three spots to insert optional readings and musical

performances of your choosing.

The priest in this ceremony need not be formally trained as a Hindu

priest. He or she should be familiar with Hindu weddings and

comfortable acting as a master of ceremonies, guiding the participants

through their parts and explaining the meaning of the service to the

audience. It’s okay if the priest keeps the script in hand during the

ceremony.

Roles

• Bride
• Groom
• Priest (who in this ceremony also serves as the MC)
• Bride’s parents
• Groom’s parents
• Bride’s maternal uncle (maamaa)
• Bride’s brother (or cousin or male friend)
• Best man
• Chorus: a few women who know how to sing traditional Indianslokas
• Flower girls (optional)

Set

Hindu weddings are supposed to take place outside, on the earth, under a

canopy known as a mandap. If that’s not possible, you can

build a mandap inside and pretend you’re outdoors. Seating under the

mandap can be on the ground (carpets or mats would be a good idea) or on

chairs.

Front and center under the mandap is the sacred fire. The fire can be small

and confined to a brazier or dish for safety.

The groom’s party is supposed to arrive at the wedding spot in a

procession, so it’s good to have a convenient assembly location nearby.

Props

• Coconut
• Garlands to be exchanged by bride and groom
• Rings to be exchanged by bride and groom
• Weddingnecklace (mangalsutra)
• Gift from groom to bride’s brother
• Gift from bride’s mother to groom
• Sacredfire
• Sacred rope (varamala), tied in a loop largeenough to go easily around bride and groom
• Pots of water for washing hands and feet
• Kumkum or red paste applied to forehead
• Rice
• Flowers

Wardrobe

Traditionally, the bride wears a red or red and white sari. The sari should be

draped modestly over her hair. The groom wears a kafni (long shirt

extending to the knees) with pijamo (leggings) or dhoti (sort of an overgrown

loincloth). The groom might also wear a turban.

Of course, in an adapted ceremony like this one great liberties can be

taken with wardrobe. One rule which shouldn’t be broken is that anyone

who enters the mandap or wedding canopy must have on sandals or slip-on

shoes which can be easily removed (no shoes in the mandap!). In addition,

it’s a good idea to avoid much black.

One feature of the bride’s wardrobe which has become popular abroad is

the use of henna or mehndi to decorate her hands and feet. It’s

said that you can tell how well a new bride is being treated by her in-laws

from how long it takes for the mehndi to wear off. Mehndi treatments are

increasingly available in salons or you can get mehndi mix at any Indian

grocery store for a do-it-yourself job. (But be sure to practice on paper first!

Mehndi doesn’t wash off.)

Script

1. Groom’s party assembles a few minutes before scheduledceremony time at a convenient spot near ceremony location. (E.g., aneighbor’s house or a parking lot around the corner.) Older members of the

   party may go on to the ceremony location to be seated. Groom is holding a

   coconut and bride’s garland.

2. Groom’s party walks in a procession to ceremony location.(For extra credit, groom rides on a horse or better yet an elephant!) Groomis received by bride’s mother who applies kumkum to his forehead. Groom

   bows to bride’s mother and gives her coconut.

3. Bride’s parents escort groom and best man to the mandap.Groom’s party is seated nearby.
4. After groom is in position in the mandap, bride comes outcarrying groom’s garland, escorted by maternal uncle, optionally precededby flower girls.
5. Priest says:
   

   We have come together to wed (bride), daughter of (bride’s

   parents), to (groom), son of (groom’s parents). Today they build together

   the foundation of their marriage upon the earth, in the presence of the

   sacred fire and the radiant sun, among their family and

   friends.

    

6. Bride and groom are seated facing one another under themandap. Chorus sings the slokas:
   • Invocation to LordGanesha: Vignesh varaia varadaia sukhapriyaya…
   • Invocation to Saraswati: Yakundendutusharaharadhawala…
   • Prayer for harmony: Om sahana vavatu…

    

7. Bride garlands groom. Groom garlands bride.
8. Reading #1.
9. Bride’s parents wash bride’s and groom’s hands and feet,apply kumkum and give flowers. (Bride’s mother does this to bride, bride’sfather to groom.)
10. Bride’s parents address audience:
    

    I, (name), son/daughter of (grandparents’ names), approve the

    wedding of my daughter, (bride’s name), to (groom’s name).

     

11. Groom says:
    

    I, (groom’s name), take you, (bride’s name), into my heart as

    my wife.

    Bride says:

    I, (bride’s name), take you, (groom’s name), into my heart as

    my husband.

     

12. Priest says:
    

    A circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the

    universe. It is a symbol of holiness and of perfection and of peace. In these

    rings it is the symbol of unity, in which your lives are now joined in one

    unbroken circle, in which, wherever you go, you will always return to one

    another and to your togetherness.

    Bride and groom exchange rings.

13. Priest puts varamala (sacred rope) around bride’s and groom’snecks. They’re now married!
14. The couple, who had been sitting facing one another, now sitdown side by side. Bride’s father puts bride’s hand in groom’s.
15. Song or musical performance. (Traditionally this is the time tosing a mangalashtak, a poem composed specially for theoccasion.)
16. Bride cups her hands and places them in groom’s cuppedhands. Bride’s brother puts rice in bride’s hands. Together bride and groompour the mixture into the fire.
17. Bride and groom walk around the fire four times, alternating inwho leads. Priest says:
    

    Om Svaha! With

    the first turn, we pray for happiness in the union of the couple.
    Om Svaha! With the second turn, we pray for the long life of the couple.
    Om Svaha! With the third turn, we pray for the healthy life of the couple.
    Om Svaha! With the fourth turn, we pray for the happiness and health of the

    couple.

     

18. The bride and groom sit down. (Here’s a fun part: whoever sitsdown first will be the boss in the marriage!) Groom presents a gift to thebride’s brother.
19. Priest says:
    

    Now is the time to confirm the marriage with the seven final

    steps.

    Bride and groom rise and prepare to take seven steps. Priest continues:

    I ask you, (bride) and (groom), to concentrate upon these

    seven vows as you take the seven steps:

    1. May the couple be blessed with an abundance of food.
    2. May the couple be strong and complement one another.
    3. May the couple be blessed with prosperity.
    4. May the couple be eternally happy.
    5. May the couple be blessed with children.
       Idea: one “blended family” we know of changed this to “May the couple beblessed with obedient children.”
    6. May the couple live in perfect harmony.
    7. May (bride) and (groom) always be the best of friends.

     

20. Optional step to shock the traditional Hindus: bride and groomsteal a kiss!
21. Bride and groom feed each other sweets four times. Bride’smother gives groom a gift. Groom’s mother comes to the mandap and putsthe mangalsutra necklace around the bride’s neck.
22. Reading #2.
23. Chorus sings the sloka:
    • Blessing for Everlasting Love: Advaitam…

    …as bride and groom bow to all their seniors in both parties in rough order

    according to age (eldest first).

24. Adjourn to refreshments and photo ops. Mob sceneensues!

article from:-

http://aprendizdetodo.com/wedding/

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The priest in this ceremony need not be formally trained as a Hindu priest. He or she should be familiar with Hindu weddings and comfortable acting as a master of ceremonies, guiding the participants through their parts and explaining the meaning of the service to the audience. It’s okay if the priest keeps the script in hand during the ceremony.

Roles

• Bride
• Groom
• Priest (who in this ceremony also serves as the MC)
• Bride’s parents
• Groom’s parents
• Bride’s maternal uncle (maamaa)
• Bride’s brother (or cousin or male friend)
• Best man
• Chorus: a few women who know how to sing traditional Indian slokas
• Flower girls (optional)

Set

Hindu weddings are supposed to take place outside, on the earth, under a canopy known as a mandap. If that’s not possible, you can build a mandap inside and pretend you’re outdoors. Seating under the mandap can be on the ground (carpets or mats would be a good idea) or on chairs.

Front and center under the mandap is the sacred fire. The fire can be small and confined to a brazier or dish for safety.

The groom’s party is supposed to arrive at the wedding spot in a procession, so it’s good to have a convenient assembly location nearby.

Props

• Coconut
• Garlands to be exchanged by bride and groom
• Rings to be exchanged by bride and groom
• Wedding necklace (mangalsutra)
• Gift from groom to bride’s brother
• Gift from bride’s mother to groom
• Sacred fire
• Sacred rope (varamala), tied in a loop large enough to go easily around bride and groom
• Pots of water for washing hands and feet
• Kumkum or red paste applied to forehead
• Rice
• Flowers

Wardrobe

Traditionally, the bride wears a red or red and white sari. The sari should be draped modestly over her hair. The groom wears a kafni (long shirt extending to the knees) with pijamo (leggings) or dhoti (sort of an overgrown loincloth). The groom might also wear a turban.

Of course, in an adapted ceremony like this one great liberties can be taken with wardrobe. One rule which shouldn’t be broken is that anyone who enters the mandap or wedding canopy must have on sandals or slip-on shoes which can be easily removed (no shoes in the mandap!). In addition, it’s a good idea to avoid much black.

One feature of the bride’s wardrobe which has become popular abroad is the use of henna or mehndi to decorate her hands and feet. It’s said that you can tell how well a new bride is being treated by her in-laws from how long it takes for the mehndi to wear off. Mehndi treatments are increasingly available in salons or you can get mehndi mix at any Indian grocery store for a do-it-yourself job. (But be sure to practice on paper first! Mehndi doesn’t wash off.)

Script

1. Groom’s party assembles a few minutes before scheduled ceremony time at a convenient spot near ceremony location. (E.g., a neighbor’s house or a parking lot around the corner.) Older members of the party may go on to the ceremony location to be seated. Groom is holding a coconut and bride’s garland. 
2. Groom’s party walks in a procession to ceremony location. (For extra credit, groom rides on a horse or better yet an elephant!) Groom is received by bride’s mother who applies kumkum to his forehead. Groom bows to bride’s mother and gives her coconut. 
3. Bride’s parents escort groom and best man to the mandap. Groom’s party is seated nearby. 
4. After groom is in position in the mandap, bride comes out carrying groom’s garland, escorted by maternal uncle, optionally preceded by flower girls. 
5. Priest says:
   

   We have come together to wed (bride), daughter of (bride’s parents), to (groom), son of (groom’s parents). Today they build together the foundation of their marriage upon the earth, in the presence of the sacred fire and the radiant sun, among their family and friends.

    

6. Bride and groom are seated facing one another under the mandap. Chorus sings the slokas:
   • Invocation to Lord Ganesha: Vignesh varaia varadaia sukhapriyaya…
   • Invocation to Saraswati: Yakundendutusharahara dhawala…
   • Prayer for harmony: Om sahana vavatu…

    

7. Bride garlands groom. Groom garlands bride. 
8. Reading #1. 
9. Bride’s parents wash bride’s and groom’s hands and feet, apply kumkum and give flowers. (Bride’s mother does this to bride, bride’s father to groom.) 
10. Bride’s parents address audience:
    

    I, (name), son/daughter of (grandparents’ names), approve the wedding of my daughter, (bride’s name), to (groom’s name).

     

11. Groom says:
    

    I, (groom’s name), take you, (bride’s name), into my heart as my wife.

    Bride says:

    I, (bride’s name), take you, (groom’s name), into my heart as my husband.

     

12. Priest says:
    

    A circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe. It is a symbol of holiness and of perfection and of peace. In these rings it is the symbol of unity, in which your lives are now joined in one unbroken circle, in which, wherever you go, you will always return to one another and to your togetherness.

    Bride and groom exchange rings. 

13. Priest puts varamala (sacred rope) around bride’s and groom’s necks. They’re now married! 
14. The couple, who had been sitting facing one another, now sit down side by side. Bride’s father puts bride’s hand in groom’s. 
15. Song or musical performance. (Traditionally this is the time to sing a mangalashtak, a poem composed specially for the occasion.) 
16. Bride cups her hands and places them in groom’s cupped hands. Bride’s brother puts rice in bride’s hands. Together bride and groom pour the mixture into the fire. 
17. Bride and groom walk around the fire four times, alternating in who leads. Priest says:
    

    Om Svaha! With the first turn, we pray for happiness in the union of the couple.
    Om Svaha! With the second turn, we pray for the long life of the couple.
    Om Svaha! With the third turn, we pray for the healthy life of the couple.
    Om Svaha! With the fourth turn, we pray for the happiness and health of the couple.

     

18. The bride and groom sit down. (Here’s a fun part: whoever sits down first will be the boss in the marriage!) Groom presents a gift to the bride’s brother. 
19. Priest says:
    

    Now is the time to confirm the marriage with the seven final steps.

    Bride and groom rise and prepare to take seven steps. Priest continues:

    I ask you, (bride) and (groom), to concentrate upon these seven vows as you take the seven steps:

    1. May the couple be blessed with an abundance of food.
    2. May the couple be strong and complement one another.
    3. May the couple be blessed with prosperity.
    4. May the couple be eternally happy.
    5. May the couple be blessed with children.
       Idea: one “blended family” we know of changed this to “May the couple be blessed with obedient children.”
    6. May the couple live in perfect harmony.
    7. May (bride) and (groom) always be the best of friends.

     

20. Optional step to shock the traditional Hindus: bride and groom steal a kiss! 
21. Bride and groom feed each other sweets four times. Bride’s mother gives groom a gift. Groom’s mother comes to the mandap and puts the mangalsutra necklace around the bride’s neck. 
22. Reading #2. 
23. Chorus sings the sloka:
    • Blessing for Everlasting Love: Advaitam…

    …as bride and groom bow to all their seniors in both parties in rough order according to age (eldest first). 

24. Adjourn to refreshments and photo ops. Mob scene ensues!

article from:-

http://aprendizdetodo.com/wedding/

To give the ceremony a traditional touch, a doli is arranged. The bride’s family helps her climb into the doli—making sure she doesn’t hit her head or trip on her dress. This is my first time to see a bride and her doli, and I am fascinated beyond words.

I do not know the exact history of dolis—also known as palkis—except that these were used to transport brides, Indian princesses specifically, to their new homes thousands of years ago. The dolis are decorated with flowers, fabrics and ribbons.

Fast forward to today: the groom—my cousin—lives a few kilometers from the place where the wedding reception is being held. It is almost impossible to carry the doli with the bride all the way to the groom’s home, considering the time (it is already 11:30 pm), distance, traffic and all. So the bride’s brothers carry the doli from the stage to the car waiting outside.

I personally think that every desi bride deserves the doli experience. When my own sisters get married one day, I’d like to see them ride in their dolis too. It makes a girl feel like a princess.

And at the end of the ride, a prince awaits…

He offers a hand, which the bride bashfully accepts—she’s covered with flowers so nobody really sees her blush—and he helps her out. He then carries her off towards the car (also covered in roses and jasmine). And after eighty thousand six hundred and forty pictures later, the couple finally leaves to start their new life together.

Except that we all follow them to their new home. And welcome the bride to the family. And feed them sweets. And tease them for an hour or two. And take a million pictures. And take a peek at their gorgeously decorated bedroom.

And then, finally, we leave them alone.

Thank you to Nadia Masood for this article :-

http://nadiamasood.com/the-brides-doli

if you would like a Bollywood cocktail pianist for your occasion click here to enquire:-

http://www.myweddingentrance.com/SubCategories.aspx?cat_id=79

if you would like a Bollywood cocktail pianist for your occasion click here to enquire:-

http://www.myweddingentrance.com/SubCategories.aspx?cat_id=79

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Have you ever thought of having a beautiful unicorn horse for your wedding.

keep checking our website for pictures coming very soon :-

http://www.myweddingentrance.com/MainCategory.aspx?cat_id=4

The Indian silk saree is like Shakespeare’s Cleopatra, which age cannot whither nor custom tell its infinite variety. The Indian silk saree is the quintessential eastern fashion statement. Its elegance and mystique is now global.

As the charming folktale goes, a fanciful weaver, dreamt of woman, he crafted her moods, her tears, her touch and her grace into many yards of silk without stopping and then he smiled. Indeed the best Indian saree steals many a woman’s heart and gets her admiring glances from family and friends.

Weddings are all about brides and their attire. It is the big day – the once in a life time event, when every girl wants to look and feel alluring, mystical, enchanting. This is the moment for the best silk saree to make its presence felt.

For the Indian Wedding Saree, nothing parallels silk. Silk has an expensive, elegant look. It is the ultimate in sensuousness – the regal cloth-of-gold-tissue – the garment of Queens. The best silk saree magically transforms a woman into a diva with a sublime mystique. This is why the Indian Silk Saree is often referred to as the bridal fabric.

Silk sarees from Kancheepuram are the finest in the world. Silks are the fibres of nature. They are the homes of silkworms turned into resplendent fabrics with a natural sheen. Other best silk sarees are Bandhni, Ikkat, Patola and Thanchoi.

Silk symbolizes the essence of purity and represents the rich traditions of India. This is why it is important to select the best Indian Wedding Saree. This is the one thing you will treasure for years, as a reminder of all the joys and jokes of your wedding. To select the best silk saree, you should know what to buy and what not to buy. Here are few tips to help you :-

· Indian silk sarees are the first choice if you are looking for class. These come in myriad varieties like South silk, Benaras silk, Mysore silk, Muga silk, Pure silk, etc. You can get embroidery, cut work, pearl work, zari work, kundan work, gold work, organza, sequins and patchwork.

· Highly decorative pallus and all over saree works are the best Indian Wedding Saree choice.

· If your budget is lavish, then a south silk saree with pure gold thread work on it may be just right for you. Silk is expensive, so watch out for “Throw away” priced silk – its unlikely to be the real thing.

· Check the weight of the silk – the heavier the silk, the longer it will last.

· Of course, your best bet always, will be to buy silk from a reliable and established outlet. Always look for the hallmark of authenticity on your saree.

· Choose shades of colour and drapes which suit your complexion and figure. Some colours like pink, maroon, red and white are traditionally worn at weddings.

Written by Bonny Chatterjee

Article Source
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/women/article_3731.shtml

Among the Pre Wedding Rituals in the Hindu Marriage, the very first place goes to the engagement which is followed by tilak, sagai, sangeet and mehandi. In the engagement ceremony, the bride and groom exchange the rings. In the Tilak Ceremony, the to-be bride’s brother applies Tilak on the forehead of the groom. On Sagai, both parties exchange gifts and on Sangeet, the ladies dance and sing to show their happiness. On Mehendi, special artists are called to decorate bride’s palms and feet with mehendi.

On the wedding day Vara Satkaarah is done to welcome the bridegroom and his relatives on the entrance of the wedding hall. Then Madhuparka Ceremony is held to welcome the bridegroom at the altar where the bride offers a yogurt and honey mixed in a bowl to the groom and then garlands him. The groom also reciprocates by putting the garland in the bride’s neck.

Then the father of the bride performs Kanya Dan by pouring out some holy water as a mark of giving away his daughter to the groom. To begin the sacred ceremony of taking vows in pure aura, Vivah-Homa, i.e., the sacred fire ceremony is held. Pratigna-Karan Ceremony is followed to bind the bride and the groom in the promises of loyalty, love and fidelity and the bride and the groom Circumambulate round the fire.

In Shila Arohan the bride’s mother assists the bride to step onto a stone thereby preparing her to lead a new life. Then the bride performs Laja-Homah ceremony where she offers rice to the Gods seeking their blessings. The Mangalsutra is the mark of a wedded woman in Hindu culture. This pious sutra is tied in the neck of the bride by the groom. Without the seven vows, Hindu marriage can’t be called complete. The ceremony of taking seven vows is known as Pradakshina. The groom holds the hand of the bride and takes seven vows by Circumambulating round the fire for seven times. The elders then bless the couple and the couples get bonded in wedlock. The Hindu Weddings in India are a reflection of the ancient beliefs and purity associated with the marriages.

Written by Harry Max

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/relationships/article_3793.shtml