http://www.redwhiteanddiamonds.com/

A Little Sneak Peek

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:43:00 -0600

The wedding came and went, and it’s all a blur. I’m still waiting on photos from our photographer, and by the looks of it, he’s going to be busy right through fall so we’ll be waiting awhile. I don’t mind given how amazing he was to us!

While I have much to share, I’m still processing a lot of it and trying to savour what I can remember! I’m also enjoying my time as a newlywed and adjusting to living in a new home, with my new husband.

For the time being, here’s a little preview of the wedding:

One Week to Go!

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:19:00 -0600

We’re just about a week away and I’m overwhelmed! Excitement, anxiety, stuff to do… kind of surreal to be honest. Over the last two months, I’ve been a terrible blogger. But that time was very well spent - dates with my family, lots of errands, packing up some stuff and even a bit of Stampedeing. We also managed to get our second E-Session done. The results? AHHH-MAAAAAZ-ING!!!

These were taken in Drumheller, AB in the Badlands. The location stayed true to it’s name - we had intense sun, severe dust storms and even some crazy thundershowers throughout this shoot. I think our photographer Azad managed to deal with the elements like a true pro - the wind in this photo looks intentional!

And let me just toot my own horn with the next image. I joked on Twitter about “getting my Tyra on” during this session. Don’t mind me dusting off my shoulder for this one:

Advice: Don’t be afraid to go nuts! I rolled around in some grass with crickets chirping, frogs croaking and things I don’t want to think about hissing. I was even laying on top of a spider web at some point. Yes, I was freaked out. But the results were amazing. Also, be yourself. The best photos were when we weren’t paying attention to the camera!

What d’ya think?

I can’t wait to share more with you, but no promises on it being anytime soon. If the last two months were busy, I can only imagine that the days leading up to the wedding will be very intense!

E-Session Favourite - Part Deux

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:53:00 -0600

Alright, I’m late on this. I know, I know, I’m a terrible blogger. But planning a massive Indian wedding is a daunting task and it’s definitely keeping me busier than I anticipated. Busier than I thought I would be when I started this blog and pledged to be the most awesomest wedding blogger I could be - defeat accepted.

Here’s the next favourite E-Session photo from our first shoot with Azad:

It was the place we had our first dinner together, standing in proximity to how we actually met up that day.

We have one more E-Session before the wedding, and as soon as it happens, I’ll post more photos (hopefully soon)!

In the meantime, we’re about a month and a half away. I’m freaking out over the excitement and the never ending list of stuff to do!

E-Session Favourite

Tue, 03 May 2011 09:20:32 -0600

Our first E-Session was a blast, and we had a lot of fun teasing each other about being cheesy, and of course, hockey rivalries. Right from the start, D and I have always had hockey in common and we’re both passionate about our respective teams.

As a result, this was our favourite photo. Our photographer Azad captured the moment beautifully - I especially love how the towers in the background seem to fit mine and Daniel’s height perfectly. I also love the colours!

All in all, it’s a really sweet photo and I think we look like a pretty cute couple, minus all the PDA.

In reality, Daniel was razzing me about playoffs and I was smiling through it, telling him at least it was nice to know what it felt like to win a cup. Even once. See how hard he’s squeezing my hand? That was a silent FU. Yup, we’re intense. But it made for a great pic! Love it!

More to come!

3 Months To Go!

Mon, 02 May 2011 20:44:09 -0600

I can hardly believe it, but the wedding is just around the corner. I didn’t believe everyone when they told me how busy I’d be, and I wish they had told me how exhausting all of this would become closer to the wedding!

I’ve got a post coming up that’ll share the first set of engagement photos. We’re in the process of scheduling the next round, and I’m so excited!

All the vendors are booked, and it’s just down to finishing touches. I’m hoping to share what I’ve done over the last couple of months with you, so stay tuned this week!

An Apology and an Update

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 22:41:43 -0600

Alright, there’s no other way for me to start but by saying I’m really sorry for my long and unexplained absence! Never mind wedding planning, my real life is keeping me intensely busy and there hasn’t been much time for inspiration or progress on the wedding planning front.

We did get to see some of our E-Session photos (more to come on that). Daniel did a great job in every single photo. No joke. As for me? I need to practice in the mirror! I’m not kidding - I was so camera shy and really tried to work it. But I’d either be embarassed or just start laughing - it’s just not in me to be Tyra-fierce!

As for more updates… wedding invites and the rest of my trousseau have arrived from India, my sisters and best friend are in the process of planning my bridal shower (SO wish I could call it something else) and I’m headed to Vegas in about two weeks to do whatever it is that goes down in Vegas.

I’d love to promise that I’ll post more often, but with four months left to go, that’d just be a blatant lie. All I can say is that I’ll definitely try!

E-Session: Round 1

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:33:32 -0600

We had our first E-session over the weekend (one of two our photographer is giving us), and I gotta say, I wouldn’t even make the first cut of America’s Top Model! It’s so much harder than it looks! I’m have long and lanky limbs that I’ve just barely learned to carry confidently, so asking me to pose in manner appropriate for photo composition is beyond me.

I won’t get to see the photos until about a week from now, but I’ll share them when I can. I’m already sure that the best photos are the candid shots of us bursting out into fits of laughter when we were asked to stare lovingly into each others eyes.

As for what I learned? Lots of stuff. Like sucking it up in cold weather might get me a good photo, but it’ll also give me a fever and sniffles. And that tight dresses weren’t meant for already super awkward me. And that we didn’t have to act in love - the candid shots where we thought the photographer was taking a break are really cute! I’m too excited to see them!

Pretty Gems on a Budget

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 22:02:25 -0700

At $30 a pop for every piece, Jewel Mint was created by Kate Bosworth and Cher Coulter. While the pieces don’t exactly embody Indian bridal designs, they’ve got some pretty funky pieces that would transition well from my dresses to my Indian suits.

The pieces above are my picks - the bangle on the left is my favourite. I actually picked up something really similar in India!

I Choo Choo Choo's You

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 09:57:20 -0700

Failed Simpson’s jokes that are a month too late aside, these Jimmy Choo’s are so pretty! At $395 USD via Net-A-Porter, they’d be a perfect pairing to a white dress, and have me wishing I had picked up a blush pink lengha for my bridal trousseau just to justify buying these.

On Trend: Sexy Lace

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 12:20:00 -0700

I’m just going to dive right into this one and say I love love love how this sari incorporates the recent lace trend from the western world of fashion.

With coverage in the right places, an appropriate length that hits just above the hip and use of a classic black lace paired with a rich silk fabric, it’s really sexy without compromising on class.

Image via bollywild:
Dia Mirza at the 56th Filmfare Awards

Retro Glam

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 20:24:00 -0700

I’m not much of a Bollywood buff, but I’ve been following Sonam Kapoor for her fashion sense and loving everything she puts on. She’s adorable and can pull off just about anything!

This retro inspired shoot from Filmfare Magazine reminded me of old photographs of my mom and grandma, when they were stylin’ back in the day! There’s a nostalgic sense of timelessness and elegance I’d love to recreate for myself throughout the wedding. My favourite of the two is the one on the right - you’ll know by now that I’m all about minimalism!

Images via fashionandindia:
Sonam Kapoor for Filmfare Magezine | 2011

Vancouver Decorator

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:16:22 -0700

For the Vancouver reception, it was tough for me to find someone while I was sitting in another province. Luckily, we had a great experience with Sweet Beginnings during my sister’s wedding. As a wedding planning and decorating franchise, they have offices all across North America. That’s how I found Nicole.

Let just start by saying, Nicole has the patience of a yogi. I came to her with a vision, but asked a million different questions. She expertly answered them all and really understood what I envisioned. Even months after booking (and months before the wedding), I’ll call or e-mail Nicole with my latest obsession or freak-out - there isn’t anything she can’t handle!

If you have a Sweet Beginnings representative in your area, check them out. Their consultation process is by far the most organized. After meeting and choosing rental items, stage decor, etc., Nicole put together an invoice outlining everything we had gone over, including notes specific to our reception. As we get closer to the event date and we realize we need something more (or not at all), Nicole updates the invoice and sends me a link to review each time.

I absolutely love this sort of clear communication - it really puts me at ease and let’s me focus on other things. What more could I ask for?

Bridal Jewellery: Finding a Balance

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:48:00 -0700

I love jewellery. My favourite way of wearing it is slipping on one big, statement piece and forgetting about all the rest. This complicates things when it comes to my bridal look.

My best friend says that the “less is more” philosophy goes out the window for Indian accessories. I was reluctant to believe her and was seriously considering losing just one piece, until I saw this photo of Diya Mirza.

I’ve got to say, if any one of those giant pieces of jewelery was missing, her look wouldn’t feel bridal. They’re all statement pieces, but they look so lovely together! I am going to note that the embroidery and make-up seems toned down to compensate, and that the jewellery isn’t overly complicated.

The lesson? I can definitely wear all those pieces, but finding a balance is still important!

Image via fashionandindia:
Diya Mirza for Harper’s Bazaar

Yummy Cupcakes!

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:24:08 -0700

Planning a reception in a different city hasn’t been the easiest, so when I find amazing vendors that make the process a lot easier than it should be, the only thing I can do is share!

Anna of Anna Elizabeth Cakes in Vancouver is making us mini cupcakes for our reception, and she’s been a great help. Check out Anna’s amazing portfolio on her website. My favourites are the Batman cookies and the Breakfast at Tiffany’s themed cake - incredible!

This has quickly become the one detail I’m most excited about - with flavours like vanilla bean, white chocolate chai and chocolate espresso, how could I not be? Capital Y-U-M!

Easy Centrepieces

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:24:00 -0700

As we move closer to the wedding date, I’m finding it really interesting to go back into this blog and rediscover some of my ideas and share those old links with you in new posts.Another interesting tidbit? Cheap and easy is my new mantra. What that says about me, I don’t know. But I digress.

Remember these lantern centerpieces I wanted from Pier 1 Imports? I found similar but for much better price!

While they’re just $10 USD to buy from Snedco Wholesale, my decorator happened to have these available to rent. I’ll be using them at my sangeet, paired with a neutral coloured table cloth and white rose petals scattered around so the emphasis in on the stained glass of the lanterns.

Custom Monogram Stamps

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 11:25:49 -0700

Remember way back when I made these monograms? Well, you may have noticed that I picked the one on the right to use on our invites already, and I’m going to continue with using the monogram where I can. It’s such an easy way to personalize everything.

I contacted Love To Create Stamps via Etsy, and they made that monogram into a stamp for me to use wherever I’d like. I have a few ideas, but I’ll share those with you later.

They also made us this address stamp. Our address is blacked out here for obvious reasons, but I can assure you it’s a gorgeous stamp in it’s finished form.

I’m planning on using this guy on the back of our thank-you card envelopes. It cost about $25 USD, and I can re-use it even after the wedding. I can’t wait to see the final product - I’ll be waiting by the mailbox for the rest of the week!

Happy Heart Day! After seeing a blog post about how to say I...

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:40:28 -0700

Happy Heart Day!

After seeing a blog post about how to say I love you in all these different languages, I couldn’t help but sing this song! There’s nothing like Amitabh Bachan telling me, in punjabi no less, that he loves me.

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

I love you - English
Mahal kita - Filipino
Saya cinta padamu - Indonesian
Miluji te - CzechS’agapo - Greek
Je t’adore - French
Yes kez sirumen - Armenian
Taim i’ ngra leat - Irish
Hum tumhe pyar karte hai- Hindi
Ti amo - Italian
Wo ai ni - Mandarin
Ich liebe dich - German
Jeg elsker…

Via fuckyeahhlove.

Flowers are HOW Much!?

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:44:00 -0700

I guess it’s common knowledge that flowers are supposed to be 10% of your total budget. But with a sangeet, engagement party, banquet-style lunch and a reception to consider, I’m going say that doesn’t apply to me. Even 10% of the budget for each event seems a bit steep to me.

The reception is the most formal event, so that’s where most of the floral budget is going to go. Even then, I think 10% is a bit too much for just flowers.

I wish someone would give me a dollar amount and say, “this is affordable, this is moderately priced and this one even Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie couldn’t afford.” Any ideas on much one reasonably priced centerpiece should be?

Functional Accessories

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 22:19:11 -0700

I’m definitely a watch girl. And for me, the bolder the piece, the better. So when I found out about Tarun Tahiliani’s collaboration with Timex to create a bridal collection of watches, I couldn’t wait to check it out.

Definitely an edgy accessory to pair with your suits and saris, these watches are stunning!

Using stones and pearls set in gold, you can be sure that any one of the 14 watches from this collection won’t come cheap. And the only place you can find them? Just a limited number of retail stores in India are carrying these babies. Sorry to send you on a wild goose chase, but I’m still working on that one.

Another Great Launch From M.A.C.

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 09:31:44 -0700

By now, you’ve probably realized I’m M.A.C. obsessed. So when they joined forces with one of my favourite superheroes, I couldn’t help but be excited!

The M.A.C. Wonder Woman collection is fantastic! The packaging is reason enough to impulse buy, but there’s some awesome limited edition items I’ll be stocking up on.

For starters, the Wonder Woman Opulash mascara comes in purple, green and blue - perfect colours to compliment brown eyes. The jumbo-sized Penultimate Eye Liner is basically eye-liner made easy and I can’t wait to try it!

And just update you, I ended up buying quite a few shades of the Kissable Lipcolour from the Peacocky collection I talked about here. Let me just say, amazing! It’s the best lip colour I’ve ever used - staying power and not sticky. Love it!

Image via Glamizini!