Kick The Fun In The Sun Up At Your Summer Wedding - Outdoor Wedding Games

Some fun & interesting games at your mehendi or your welcome lunch are a good way to set the vibe for the rest of your celebration!! These games also double up as an excellent opportunity to break the ice and make mingling around a whole lot easier. Let the good old “Antaakshari” and “Dumb Charades” take a back seat while these super fun alternatives get your guests soaking up some sun while they have tonnes of fun!! If you have a wedding planner on board getting the arrangements right will be a cakewalk. The team can get the required props ready and set up at the venue for you.

Photo Scavenger Hunt – Run Find & Click

Remember the times you played “I Spy” as a kid? Well consider this an upgraded version of the game. Your guests get divided into teams. Have at hand printed cards with the team names, the guests stick their hand in a bag a pick a card which assigns them their team. Each team gets a list of items they need to spot and click using a Polaroid camera. The team that fulfills the list in the least amount of time and makes their way to the assigned location or starting point, wins the challenge!

Twister

This one is bound to leave your guests with roaring laughter.  The participants have to dance while the music plays, and when it stops, everyone has to put their hands and feet on the colors called out, and thanks to the shortage of colored circles, people have to bend and stretch in the funniest positions! An easy way to incorporate the game into your wedding setup is to have the flex for your dance floor printed accordingly or have a spare flex printed with the colored circles that can be laid over the dance floor when it’s time for the game.

Limbo

A horizontal bar, known as the limbo bar, is placed atop two vertical bars. All contestants must attempt to go under the bar with their backs facing toward the floor. Whoever knocks the bar off or falls is eliminated from the challenge. When passing under the bar, players must bend backwards. The height of the limbo is dropped with each song. This one is perfect to get the party started!

The Ultimate Kite Flying Challenge

This one is super easy to arrange for. All you need is some open space, a couple of kites and some enthusiastic guests.  If you have a beach wedding planned with the beach in close proximity that is definitely an advantage. The breezy beach and open space to run around and get those kites soaring high, seems like a super fun idea!

Team Up For Some Sports

Nothing brings people together like shared love for a sport. Right from cricket, football or volleyball. Well again, if you have a beach at hand let that be your court. For a sport enthusiast, the game can be adapted to suit any surrounding. In a beach version of the game your guests get a taste of the sun, sand and the sea. 

Split the teams as Team Bride and Groom and you've got yourselves a competition that's going to be so much fun! And yes, don't forget customized tees and caps!

Ring Your Bottle

This one is classic, It involves throwing a ring and aiming it to go around the bottle. Super easy to DIY, and you can get as creative with the bottles as you want! You can even line some imported liquor bottles and let the winner keep them!

Balloon Pop Challenge

Divide your guests into teams. The team lines up at one end. The other end has a basket filled with balloons equal to the number of team members and a sturdy chair. Each member of the team takes turns to run across to the chair, grabs a balloon and pops it by sitting on it. The next member in line can run only when the prior member has returned to the starting point. The team that pops all the balloons first wins.

Giant Snakes And Ladders

Players themselves act as the counters in this human edition of the classic game and move up the ladders and down the snakes. Get quirky with rules to add your own punch of fun. Your event planner can source/arrange this for you.

                                                                                                               

Destination Wedding Etiquette - Be The Dream Guest

Destination weddings are a splendid affair! They are especially delightful if it’s an Indian wedding featuring best friends, childhood pals, crazy cousins and the ever so amazing family near and far. A wedding undoubtedly stands as one of the top events in the lifespan of the couple.

The couple and their family is bound to pour their heart out into ensuring all their guests have a beyond pleasant experience. For some people destination weddings are a welcome opportunity to travel and celebrate with their nearest and dearest. For others, they're an expensive and painful obligation. Whichever boot fits you, it's your job to follow destination wedding etiquette and be the best guest you can be. If you find yourself on the guest list for an upcoming destination wedding, you might want to read on to ensure you are a dream guest & ensure the wedding is a smooth sailing affair for the families & you!

#1 Destination weddings are much more logistically complicated than traditional weddings. Couples commonly block off availability for wedding guests at a hotel.  It is good manners to RSVP to all social event invitations within 24 to 48 hours, especially weddings. At the very least, try to respond within the time stated on the invitation to avoid an awkward call from the bride/groom or their families following up. Destination wedding etiquette requires you to go only if you really want to. If you feel like attending will be a major strain on your finances or an annoying ordeal, you can politely decline. If you confirm, you better show up.  Failing to attend a regular wedding is a faux pas, but you can definitely get away with it. At worst, you've left the couple with an empty seat and an uneaten plate of chicken. Backing out of a destination wedding, however, is a serious breach of etiquette. You're costing the bride and groom space on a limited guest list, room reservations and a pricey resort dinner.

#2 At most a destination wedding, the couple is paying for the wedding ceremony, reception & a meal or two which will definitely be specified. Factor in the costs for travel, accommodations, meals, adult beverages, excursions, & incidentals before confirming your attendance. Book your airfare, hotel well in advance, waiting until the 11^th hour will cost you big. Destination weddings are expensive. You should approach planning this trip like you would any other vacation.

#3 Comfort first. Always throw in comfortable clothes & footwear to accommodate an after party. For events that require you done ethnic wear, carry outfits that require minimal draping. Ditch the saree unless you are a pro at draping it yourself & pulling it off without having to dread slip ups. Moreover sore feet should in no way be an obstacle to ditch the party. You’ve taken the time to travel and celebrate a momentous occasion of your loved one. Participate in the wedding activities and make the most of your trip.

#4 Respect the Venue. The couple and their families usually spend a huge chunk on the wedding. The least you can do is be respectful of the venue & ensure nothing you do damages the property. This means the charge is debited to the families & is an unnecessary cost incurred. If you’re attending an international wedding, keep in mind the laws and etiquette of the country.

#5 When gifting, the best way to present it is to arrange for a delivery to their home. Buy a gift that matches the relationship: You will spend more on your brother than on your distant neighbor. It'd also be nice to make a monetary gesture if the newlyweds are seeking funding for a down payment or other large purchases, but always stay within your financial constraints. If the couple has a wedding registry set up, Use it!! That is definitely your saving grace.

#6 Respect privacy. Check with the bride beforehand to see if it’s okay to post images on social media. It’s poor form to tweet or live-stream the ceremony or reception, because you are sharing private moments with thousands of people who were not invited. The bride and groom may want to be the ones posting. And, since wedding hash tags are a serious matter these days, there’s even a business creating custom ones for couples. It’s always best to double-check that you're using the right one in your updates.

#7 Don’t mock the toast-makers, let your phone blare, or use your camera flash to interrupt special moments. Find time to congratulate the couple personally, and mingle away; don’t spend the entire night glued to your phone or the bar. Celebrate with the ones you love & dwell in the moment to make new friends in a cool destination. 

#8 Always stay hydrated during the hectic pre-wedding functions, especially during the events that take place during the day. Pace yourself while drinking alcohol. Drinking late into the night might require a second thought; you will end up with a hangdog expression, bloodshot eyes and not the best of skin. Save the binge drinking for the last day of the celebration!

#9 Make the best out of unexpected scenarios & be supportive. An unexpected downpour, or a medical emergency or anything alike. Such scenarios are unexpected & unaccounted for. Extend your support wherever possible. If it’s a vagary of nature & not life threatening be a sport & stick around

.

#10 If you linger a few days longer after the wedding, be sure to give the bride and groom some space. They're on their honeymoon now, and they'll want a little time to reconnect after the stress of planning a wedding.

#FAQ

Is it OK to stay elsewhere if the hotel the couple chose is above my budget?

Most couples try and book an alternative hotel if the main property is particularly expensive, but not everyone does. It isn’t rude for you to stay at another location if the main property is above your budget, However it is crucial to communicate the same to the couple in advance, as the couple hotel holds a minimum guarantee of rooms & have to pay for regardless of the occupancy. If you do decide to stay elsewhere, be sure that you will have access to the hotel, beyond just the time window for the wedding. If it’s an all-inclusive resort, you might not be allowed to visit friends by the pool for the afternoon.

If the couple has a weekend itinerary planned, is it OK to stray from the activities as long as I attend the main event?

Totally. If you weren’t required to RSVP to something, then it is definitely not mandatory. However, if they are doing a group kayaking trip the day before the ceremony and you RSVP’d yes to the event on their website , then don’t show up that would be considered inconsiderate.

Is it acceptable to cut the trip short, for budget purposes?

As long as you don’t miss the main event, you aren’t required to stay for any particular amount of time. But you should let the couple know well in advance what you will and won’t be attending.

Wedding Registry - Gifting Experience Rooted in Practicality

With wedding gifting begins the ‘vicious gifting cycle’. One where the multiple clocks, dinnerware, watches, sheets and such other merchandise all wrapped up in pretty bows and colorful paper end up as gifts you roll out at the next party you attend! A wedding registry strives to create a gifting experience rooted in practicality. Having a wedding registry is extremely common at western weddings. The concept of creating your wedding gift wishlist made its entry in the Indian wedding domain in the year 2016 with the arrival of www.formyshaadi.com the concept is creeping in slowly but steadily with millennial's embracing the practicality of the idea.

What Couples Think: Its weird requesting for gifts.

What Guests Think: We are gifting them either ways, knowing what they actually need makes the whole process of deciding the gift way more easy and practical.

People will want to buy you gifts no matter what, might as well make it worth their buck!

Your guests are expecting to get you a gift for your wedding, so taking the time to pick out things you’ll really enjoy makes that process so much easier. That way you’ll end up with the décor items or experiences you will love, instead of something totally unexpected that doesn’t fit your taste.

Culturally, Indians remain apprehensive about wishing for gifts, especially when it comes to higher-end items they might not be able to afford for themselves or use right away. The idea of selecting your own gifts and asking relatives to contribute may seem audacious to some. But most guests love wedding registries—it helps them find a gift the couple really wants, and those high-end items? You’d be surprised how quickly they get snapped up as group gifts or by your favorite aunt. A wedding registry is a practical solution to the age old wedding gift dilemma!

What Couples Think: “These gifts are too expensive.”

What Friends Think: Let’s all pitch in!!

How does a wedding registry work in India?

The western culture ropes in multiple stores and multiple wishlist's as a part of their wedding registry. In India; couples can pull off a wedding registry through select websites that help achieve the same. Essentially you initiate your gift registry on a website and add all the items on it which you would love to receive as gifts. You then invite all your guests into your registry so they can see your wish list and buy you the items you chose. Some with gracious hearts request guests to donate to a charity they support. However the choice is solely yours and right from appliances to holidays, you can have it all.

“Couples create a registry where their guests help fund things a down payment for a house or any home improvement projects if they already own one” Says Sudha Maheshwari  Founder and CEO of www.formyshaadi.com 

Here’s a list of a few websites you could use to customize your wedding wishlist

www.weddingwishlist.com

www.wishtry.in

www.zibonga.com

www.mythofa.com

www.vowsandwishes.com

www.theyellowdoorstore.com

#fact

When actor Priyanka Chopra tied the knot with American singer Nick Jonas, they opted for a wedding registry of gifts ranging from home basics, travel essentials to pet accessories, making the concept popular.

Actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh requested guests to donate to a charity (The Live Love Laugh Foundation) they supported; it’s also an accepted form of gifting.

We’ve also got you covered on a few tips to help you through

Time It Right

Registering post your engagement is a good thing to do. It’s great for guests who'd like to purchase a gift for any prewedding celebration—engagement parties, showers—or for people who'd just like to send something to congratulate you!

Be Yourself

Don't go by traditional registry lists. If you’re not a fan of baking and love adventure or camping instead it makes more sense to register for a tent than for a stand mixer. However also consider the fact that your tastes may change in the future.

Do It Together

The two of you should be registering for gifts you'll both enjoy. To decide on what you need, talk about the style of home you'd both like, and divide and conquer categories (maybe you get to choose electronics, while your partner selects the bedding). Try not to take too much input from well-meaning family members and friends—this is for your home, not theirs, and your decisions should be made with your partner.

Over-Register

To satisfy gift needs for showers and engagement parties, request more items than the number of people on your guest list. Having options doesn't look greedy at all: You're actually doing guests a favor by giving them more choices.

Think Outside the Box

Have everything you already need? Register for experiences, right from honeymoon trips, spa treatments, hotel stay, concert tickets—the sky's the limit.

Hello Summer Weddings - Summer Wedding Ideas

Well, the winter weddings have been amazing & it’s now time to roll out some exquisite summer weddings. If you are a gorgeous summer bride to be & you’re reading this, continue reading because we’ve got you covered with ideas that will leave you inspired for your sunny wedding days!

Hydrate, Hydrate & Hydrate some more!

Keep your guests hydrated in style with fruit-infused water. Flavored H20 will make guests even more inclined to stay hydrated during a hot celebration. If you don’t want to get all fancy, ensure sufficient chilled bottled water is available at every ceremony.

Drink It Up

Get your F&B team to stock up sangria, mimosa, mai tai, mojitos etc. Get the team to curate a new mocktail/cocktail that can be named after the two of you.

Boozy popsicles are a fun choice for those pool parties and afternoon events on your itinerary.  Ensure you have non-alcoholic ones stocked up for the kids and non-drinkers. Display cans of soda, beers in a boat filled with ice.

Barbecues

Hailed as a crowd-pleasing option that’s full of flavor. Swap the traditional wedding meals for grills and barbecue. There's a time and place for a heavy, decadent five-course meal, and your summer wedding is not it. 

Sticking to lighter, more refreshing fare, like simple grilled fish or chicken, a fresh salad, seasonal vegetables, chutneys, dips, breads ensure you have happy tummy’s akin happy guests. Thrown in a few conventional Indian options to satiate guests that are keen on Indian fare.

Summer Saviours

Prepare a basket of flip flops, sunglasses, sun tan lotion, wet wipes, scarves and leave them in the wash rooms for guests to grab. 

These also double up as welcome hampers in line with your summer wedding.

Make a Smart Timeline

The last thing you want to do is ask guests to stand around in the sun for hours on end. While we suggest keeping the time between your ceremony and reception short at any time of year, it's especially essential when temps spike. Minimize time without shade and try to plan your wedding to start at the cooler points of the day, like a sunset ceremony and evening reception.

Beach Weddings

Why wait for your honeymoon to enjoy the beach when the India boasts of some fantastic beach destinations to tie the knot? Marry right on the sand, plan a sunset wedding. That way you are safe from the blazing rays of the sun, the beautiful gradient in the sky and the waves in the background are just an added bonus!

Pick a Fresh Color Palette

For summer weddings, skip darker tones in favor of lighter, airier shades. We love white weddings with pops of pretty pastels or bold colors, like bright yellows, coral, or blue. Figure out what works best in your space, but avoid heavy tones that make everything feel warmer than it already is.

Space for shade

While a party, rain dance, foam party and all the fun in the sun seems like a great idea, Ensure each venue has options for people to escape the sun for a bit. Plan for parasols, gazebos, oversized umbrellas etc with your event planner.

Ceremony Ideas

These panel programs spread out to create fans. That way, you can ensure that no guest will be without a cooling device. 

You plan could also plan for the battery operated mini fans, that could serve as wedding favours from your summer wedding.

Beauty Station

Having a beauty station at the reception is especially relevant if your reception/wedding ceremony is outdoors in the heat. This gives guests a chance to freshen up and get back as quickly as possible. All you need is a pretty table, mirror and some essentials such as deodorant, face wipes, perfume, and anything else your guests may desire.

Picnic Styled Sun downers

Instead of the traditional welcome lunch, plan a welcome sun downer at an outdoor space with some rustic décor. Gather some old benches, paint them up, and decorate them with cute picnic blankets, incorporate a BBQ. 

Set up lawn games, nothing says "summer" like playing lawn games in the summer breeze.