Tips and traps on trousseau wear

You may be a worshipper of clean, minimal lines in your routine existence but never ever group your own wedding under the same category.

Bride:
1. You may be a worshipper of clean, minimal lines in your routine existence but never ever group your own wedding under the same category. This is the one day that you have to look and feel like a princess, special and traditional.

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2. Colours are the flavour of the season so have some fun with them…while red and its immediate family remain top contenders for the top slot for the wedding day, there are a host of other palates you can work with for the other functions…turquoise, lavender, metallic…take your pick.

3. Shimmer is hot! Crystal today plays an integral part of bridal dressing so go saucy with Swarovski and shine like a star. Words of caution though…never overdo shimmer; the idea is to effectively use it to enhance the entire look, not to get overshadowed by it. There is indeed a very fine line dividing sophistication and outright flashy.

4. Pay attention to accessories and I don't mean just jewellery. Shoes, bags, bangles etc. play a vital role in creating that magical perfect look.

5. Avoid an over made up look which is simply distasteful. Go easy on the base, gentle with the mascara and stylish on the hair. In this case excess is taboo

Groom:
1. This is the one occasion when you just have to drop the Armanis and the Cerrutis. In fact, Indian men look terrific in Indian clothes. So stop being a prude and indulge in some serious Indian styling. Sherwanis look utterly stylish and regal.

2. Today, it is perfectly acceptable for a man to flaunt colour. However, it is integral to cleverly blend it with some masculine shades to achieve the right look.

3. So you thought that embroidery was strictly a woman's domain. Think again, for the magic that can be created with surface ornamentation remains unrivalled. Learn to experiment and trust the experts to find that perfect balance to go with your personality.

4. Accessories…oh so important! Whether it's that perfect pair of mojhris or that set of 19th century antique buttons. Interesting drapes- custom developed or passed down generations. That solitary string of aged emeralds or that stunning piece for the turban. The crucial turban or 'saafa', always should be individually draped, never an over the counter purchase to be found on your head. Accessories…oh so important!!

5. Please don't ignore a good pedicure and manicure. Trust me, there are going to be enough moments where going barefoot will be the order of the day.

Immediate Family:
1. Try and co-ordinate your colours with those of the bride and groom. I am not suggesting that you go in for that 'matching look'; however dabbling in the same palate looks amazing. Simply puts across the sentiment of a 'family' across very effectively.

2. Be cautious not to over dress for you run the risk of looking more dramatic than the main couple. Never works!

3. Experiment with silhouettes…this is the one opportunity that you are getting to have some real fun with traditional as well as contemporary styling…don't loose the moment.

4. Let go of your western hang-up. Often, a lot of people want to incorporate western influences in dressing for a wedding.

This normally does not work…a wedding is an occasion which is fundamentally traditional in spirit and soul so don't attempt to go against it.