Brides of ShimmerMe - The Malayali Christian Bride
Simplicity. That's the one thing that I love about a Malayali Christian bridal look. The look itself may vary from traditional to spunky to chic but there is this consistent and appealing element of elegance and effortlessness. The much talked about Malayali fascination for gold seems to be slowly and thankfully withdrawing for new found interest in precious gems. Bare white sarees are seeing spirited replacements in muted gold, dreamy cream or even subtle silver. Makeup remains minimal but it's certainly more than the typical kohl lined eyes and brown lips. Brides are getting more experimental and they are more aware of how they want to look on their big day.
While I was planning and conceiving this look, the words I had in mind were Contemporary yet Timeless, Bold yet Elegant. And I kept repeating them in my head while picking every element be it the saree, the jewellery, the bouquet, the makeup or the hairdo. I checked with Pramod and a few others to see if they agreed and they did. Mission success! :-)
The list of things to bear in mind while planning your bridal look is endless. Here are a few tips from ShimmerMe to look stunning on your big day!
1)Draw inspiration from wedding blogs, magazines, other brides. Do not duplicate!
From WedMeGood to bridal magazines, there are many sources to scout for bridal look ideas. While it's a great start for ideation, be careful not to blindly imitate something that you have seen. You run the risk of putting together elements which are an outright clash. It may look different on you if you are quite different from the model wearing the look. So the best tip that I can give you is what I have mentioned in one of my previous posts as well - Picture the whole look together and visualise how it would look on you!
2) Do not attempt too many trends at once.
Although Malayali Christian weddings are not as elaborate as the typical big fat Indian wedding, there is still the Orapeer, the Manasammatham/Engagement, the MaduramVeppu , the Kalyanam and the Reception. These days, Sangeet and Mehendi are gaining popularity as well. So Keep Calm :-), there are easily 4 occasions for you to sport 4 different looks. Please refrain from wearing smokey eyes and bold lips and bright outfits and big hair together :-)
3) Expensive doesn't necessarily mean the finest and the best. Do your research.
I am all in for spending more for things that are exquisite and last a life time. Quality does come at a price. But I cannot afford it always and I know that if I do my research right and plan better, I can still get what I want. There are times I have been absolutely shocked to see bridal ensemble costing a fortune and not looking its worth. My bridal lehenga (which will be featured on the blog shortly) was designed by my sister and she made it in a way that each element, be it the blouse, the skirt or the dupatta can be worn again separately. I have already reused them in less than 2 years. From another personal experience, my sister wanted a floral garland for her wedding instead of a bouquet to wrap around her arm. We went to a highly recommended florist and got it done. The garland was so heavy that she barely held it for 15 minutes. It costed us about INR 8000/-. What an absolute waste of money that was! Would you believe that the bouquet that Rosh is holding for the shoot cost me INR 400/- . It blended in perfectly for the look and sat beautifully in a vase for days after. Exorbitant rates do not guarantee you the best makeup artists and photographers necessarily. Do your research and ask around before investing your parents' hard earned money ;-)
4) Pick your Makeup Artist and Photographer carefully.
Your Makeup Artist has a huge role to play in how gorgeous you look on your big day. Good artists can guarantee that you look like yourself, only better, by using the right products in right quantity. Always ask for a trial so that you both are on the same page with regards to your required look. Best moments of your big day will always be etched in your memory and great photographers capture them well and provide you with a visual treat to hold on to for the rest of your lives. Wesley, who captured these stunning shots is brilliant at his work and what I admire even more is the ease with which he worked with Rosh, making it super comfortable for her. Look for artists and photographers who have good references of their work to share and are open to your suggestions.
5) You can't please everybody. Stay true to what you want and make your happiness a priority!
Your mom will have an opinion, your groom, sister, cousin, best friend and the list just goes on. Remember, it's your day! You are the star and your happiness matters the most. When you are happy, those around will also be. My Appa has given me this advice(applicable to life in general) and I am passing it on - Take all the suggestions in, let the decision be yours! Have a clear picture of what is it that you want and stick to it.
Those of you who have been following ShimmerMe closely will know that I have been planning this bridal series for a while now. With our Little Star on the way, the blog and my work has taken a back seat. I am so happy though with how the the look, the shoot and the post have come out. I hope that you enjoy reading it too. As always, do share your thoughts :-)
P.S. I will resume taking up bridal appointments from March 2018. If you or someone you know are looking for a Makeup Artist for your big day and like my work, do message me on Instagram/ Facebook or drop a mail to shimmermeofficial@gmail.com
Wardrobe & Jewellery: All from personal collection. The saree is my elder sister's wedding saree, bought about 15 years ago. It is a shade of muted gold in tissue with Zardosi embroidery. Veil is my wedding lehenga's dupatta in net, custom made by 6 Yards. The choker was a gift from Evoluzione. The Emerald strings strung in gold with Ruby was custom made from Kirthi Diamond Jewellery, Cochin . Bangles are a pair of Kundan from Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri, Cochin.
Photography: Wesley, vinceshe.in. Do connect with him for photography rates and details.
Venue: Shot at our friends' house. Thanks Videyoo and Akhil. We love you xoxo
