E-Wedding recent trends:

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Web-surfing worldwide can be a lot of fun in searching for the trend that would cover online space this year. Amongst the top five online trends that wedding industry is engaged in are: social media brand management, social networking, online reputation management (ORM), Digital caravan (nomads), and wedding games.

1.      Social media brand management: Managing wedding brands through the effective use of social media is a new buzz around the brand. The idea is to build brands through blog postings, networking on the Twitter, brand awareness on Facebook, Pinterest and Youtube etc. rather than using e-mail, back-linking etc. as a traditional marketing techniques. Social media brand management is all about building brand persona, engaging social networks and bringing close connection with that of industry influencers, news broad casters etc. that brings awareness of the brands in the wedding industry. Social media brand management needs to target personal interest and choice of the potential fan followers, so as to bring personalized connection while interacting with them.

2.       Social networking: Building online network of different people may not be of immediate benefit for a wedding company but such connection is very useful for professional or personal reason. Linking with different people brings value and can be helpful in adding more future connection and ultimately bringing more exposure to the business itself.

3.       Online reputation management: Online brands like The Knot, Wedding bee, Wedding wire, wedding alert and many more such brands are very conscious and alert in managing their reputation. They are active on Facebook, twitter, U-tube etc. in not only conveying what they are doing, but also how they are delivering so as to build more trust amongst their prospective clients.

4.      Digital caravan (nomads):  Online channels have totally changed the working pattern of work-force engaged in this sector. E-commerce and internet business has bought in more flexibility in work and similarly locations from where they are working. E-wedding has taken the similar route of flexibility in working pattern and inclusion of digital nomads as their work-force.

5.      Wedding games: The recent survey has also pointed out towards the time spent on online games and entertainment. Wedding games as the recent trends allow users to entertain themselves in the similar fashion as that of the other games.             

Five simple steps to hire your wedding organizers:

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1.      Plan it ahead: The earlier the process for planning the wedding events begins, the better are the chances of dream events becoming a reality. Plan it six months to one year ahead of the actual date of wedding events. Enough time will allow the event’s organizer to focus on the details of wedding events.

2.      Shortlist reputed Vendors: Reputation and experience in the field of organizing wedding events would give a good deal of confidence for the perfect and stress free wedding.

3.      Interview different wedding vendors: Interviewing different vendors, one at a time would allow the brides or groom to get an insight into what they do and how they do to make their dream wedding a reality. Brides can also ask for a special arrangement to customize their special occasion needs.

4.      Ask for the quotation: Different Event organizing company can charge different rates for their services. It is always wise to balance the quality of the services with that of the premium charged for those services. Also look for the uniqueness these wedding organizers are ready to offer and therefore can ask for the extra-premium.

5.      Select the vendors: Finally, after going through the process of short listing and interviewing different vendors the time has arrived to finally select vendors of your choice that also comes under the budgetary estimates.      

Bridal hair care: Hot tips

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1.      The use of hair wigs is considered to be better than the use of tight hair extension. Better to avoid hair extension. Harmful chemical colours is a strict no-no, apply heena colours to your hair instead of using chemical colours.

2.      What would you do to make your hair shiny and straight? It is advisable to try homemade remedy. Mix few drop of honey and some smashed strawberries with a cup of milk then apply the mixture on your hair for at least two hours and then wash off with the mild shampoo. Now you can blow your hair with a wide tooth comb.

3.      In order to nourish and moisturize your hair you can take help of the hot oil treatment that can make your hair straighter in the long run. For hot oil treatment you can use any oil of your choice, preferably you can use coconut, olive or mustard, apply it on your scalp. Then after you can wrap a hot towel on your head and leave it for 15-30 minutes. Wash your hair after some time and find glossy, smooth, and straight hair.

4.      Beat two eggs and mix olive oil to them. Take care to mix it thoroughly. Now you can divide your hair in different small section by using comb. Stretch the hair with the comb and apply the paste thoroughly on those sections with the help of small brush. Now wrap it in silver foils and keep it for few hours. Wash it off with a mild shampoo and find yourself with a glossy beautiful hair.   

  

Hot tips for brides to pamper her tanned skin:

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1.      Sunscreen timings: Exposure to the sun is one of the major factors that causes tanning. Hence, while travelling wear a sunscreen that has sun protection factor or SPF of at least 15. The intensity of the sun heat is greatest between 10 in the morning to 16:00 in the evening therefore you can try and re-apply sunscreen.

2.      Bleach naturally: Natural bleaching agents can be used thrice a week to cleanse your face. You can use the combination of milk and honey in 4:1 tbsp ratio added with 2 tbsp of lemon juice should be applied on the tanned areas of skin for 10-15 minutes. Once dried wash with cold water. This works best for greasy and oily skin.

3.      Cleanse well: A yogurt and honey cleanser can do wonders to de-tan your skin. Mix yogurt, honey and lime juice in 4:2:3 tbsp ratio, you can also add cornstarch, if you think the paste needs thickening. Apply on your face and massage for 2-3 minutes. Rinse with cold water.

4.      Papaya can work: Rub raw papaya juice or ripe papaya pulp on the skin, as it helps to lighten the dark patches on your face. Application of tea tree oil on the affected areas by pigmentation is beneficial. You can add extracts of the basil leaves in this for the better results.

Hot tips for bridal glowing skin on the wedding day:

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The hectic schedule and the busy office hours take a toll in the way of disease and wrinkled face. Have you ever seen an unhealthy bride with a radiant glow on her wedding day? The options are left to the use of creams, gels and lotions but would turn blemish due to the lack of sleep, eating too much junk foods, excessive smoke and alcoholic drinks. It requires regular supply of blood flow and healthy nutrients to bring translucent glow on the skin. There is a deep connection of skin care and the eating habit of a person. Whatever we take in becomes the part of the inner being and outer body. In order to take proper care of the skin, one can use right food and spices to her daily meals. We all use spices in our food to bring flavor and enhance its taste. Many of these spices are anti-oxidants and can revive skin due to their natural healing ability. Adding spices in your diet and applying on the skin surface would help to maintain skin’s health.

Some of the best spices to include in your diet and for applying on the skin surface are:

1.      Use of Turmeric: The use of turmeric is a natural and least expensive way of taking care of your skin. The big advantage of using it is that it is potent anti-oxidant, natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory spice. It also helps in reducing swelling on the skin and lessens its pigmentation. The mix of turmeric with that of sandalwood powder and water greatly reduces the acne on the skin.

2.      Use of Cinnamon: Cinnamon oil when mixed with petroleum jelly works wonder in drying out the acne. When honey is mixed with the cinnamon powder in 3:1 table spoon ratio, applying thin layer on the face for 10 minutes makes the skin glow after it is washed off.

3.       Fennel: The advantage of using Fennel is that it detoxifies and exfoliates the skin. A few drop of fennel essential oil can be mixed with any cream, when applied on the skin provides toning effect. This in turn also helps in reducing wrinkles.  It also produces hormone balancing effect on consumption, so as to prevent monthly skin break outs.

4.      Cumin: Cumin contains vitamin E which is good for skin that keeps it young and glowing. It also includes disinfectant and anti-fungal properties.

These are some of the spices that can benefits overall health besides bringing glow on the skin.

          

SWOT analysis of India as a hot investment destination for the top wedding brands:

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Wedding Industry statistics:

Estimated Industry size: US$ 30 billion

Growth rate: 20% per year

Budget range of planned weddings: US$ 20,000 to US$ 4 million

Premium on destination wedding: 30% to 40%

Strength & Opportunity:

1.      Growing purchasing power and willingness to spend.

2.      Rising consumer aspirations.

3.      Growing influence of Punjabi customs of mehendi  and music.

4.      The expansion of customized designer outfits, accessories and jewellary as big ramp designers open boutiques on high street.

5.      A mushrooming of beauty salons that offer professional make-up finishes at varying price point- with special deals thrown in.

6.      Comfort factor for hosts who can out-source wedding organization to professionals.

Weaknesses and Threats:

1.      Government regulation and policies in regard to FDI investment.

2.      Critical cultural knowledge is required as India has a great range of diversified culture and customs.

3.      Indigenous event management players has access to the details of wedding customs and rituals that can put them to advantageous position in getting leads of the clients.

4.       Entry of the well known brand would threaten the Indigenous wedding planning companies to lower their consultancy and service charge.

Some of the international brands are coming up with the limited edition products that connect with the ethnicity of the Indian. The classic example of it is Genesis Luxury, the Marketing and Distribution Company for many international luxury labels in India.       

   

Tailor your weddings:

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 Customizing your wedding through Event Management Company, are no longer the sole privileges of super rich. More consumers are hiring event planners and designers to tailor-made the occasion to suit varied pockets.

“The wedding market was no where ten year back, and then it arrived for the richest. Today it is for everyone ready to spend little extra”- by an executive partner from an Event management company. He continued “Recently one of the client spent US $ 80,000 for her weddings that was organized and managed by us”. Well to compare typical Indian weddings in the US cost three times the average American ceremony. This is the reason why global salon brands are looking ways to enter the rich Indian market. While interviewing another US based NRI invited 300 people and spent US$ 90,000 for “a well managed and stress free wedding”. He added that thanks to the planners, he and his wife did not miss out the fun and celebrations. The estimated US $ 30 billion Indian wedding industry is growing at 20% annually and the new figure is expected to come in the near future. Such figure can be assumed to be a honey trap for top wedding brands in providing wedding services in the potentially huge wedding market like India. To read the potential of the Indian wedding market read my next blog on: SWOT analysis of India as a hot investment destination for the top wedding brands.

 These Wedding planners offer one stop solutions that includes venue selection and design, dress and jewellary design and selection, florist services, catering, entertainment troupes and designed program, make-up services, gifting and guest management services. The role of the wedding planners can range from selecting a perfect venue for wedding and finding the right kind of catering services that can cater to the needs of customary foods and drinking habits in a particular region. Apart from right selection of venue and catering services the events planners are also consulted for invitation card designing and getting the type and style of return gifts. With so many regions and so many cultures to follow the biggest challenge for the event planner is to create a delicate balance of all rituals observed in a particular culture and also not losing sight of the glamour factors. In some cases it is totally left to the creativity and skills of the event planner so as to how they can make the whole wedding events memorable.

Destination weddings, though they cost 30%-40% more, are hot. Wedding outfits, accessories and make-up services are also seeing a huge amount of personalized choice and couture businesses are growing at rate of 20% as more and more consumers are not averse to experimenting. Today, it is not just about brides and grooms anymore but the trend has shifted to friends and family who comes for the occasion for that perfect look.