Madurai....my 'Sasuraal'.

We landed at the early hours  of dawn in this ancient temple town of south India.The weather seemed good.We checked in to the King's Suite in Hotel Tamilnadu.I had an hour's nap.I was wrecked from the long journey.Another 48 hrs to lose the 'Bachelorette' status.

My Mehndi

I got a Dulha-Dulhan Mehndi by Mehndi artist Rajeshwari.She did a good job...i got it done on the day we left for Madurai so that it stays for a the Reception on the 12th Dec.Here is the link to her website and her interview on youtube. http://www.flickr.com/photos/rajeezmehendidesigns/      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeNmUT887-U 

Rain Rain Go Away!!!

What's with  Chennai?It's December and it's raining cats and dogs.I'm stuck at home blogging for the sake of it though i have umteen stuff to do in next 24 hrs before i leave for the wedding.I don't know what to expect out the new city,MADURAI.I'm stressed and stuck with loads to do and less time left.

Pre-Wedding Blues

I love all the attention i'm getting as a bride...oh please!!i don't feel like one.I'm getting married in 4 days and still roaming around in a pair of jeans and Tee fixing my spa appointment,buying furniture for my sasuraal and ordering mothichur ladoos for the wedding potli bags.Ooooffffff.....It's not so cool to do all this with 2 days of lousy weather....the sky has been weeping for past 48 hrs.I need to get lots of things done...hope i don't miss out on anything.I'm having pre-wedding blues.I'm tired and irrate at times.Maybe it would have been a good idea to hire a wedding planner.It's a mind boggling task to deal with the local vendors.INDIAN WEDDINGS......It's really an affair.

Our photoshoot pics

Wedding Cake

I placed the order for the wedding cake.It's praveen's favourite flavour...CHOCOLATE.We are getting a three tier heart shaped chocolate truffle cake with rose shaped chocolate icing...yummy,yummy.The Cake Topper....it's unique and means a lot to me.

SHOPPING....SHOPPING....SHOPPING.

I'm tired of shopping!!I need a clone to do my wedding shopping...I need some rest.

A Week to go :)

Next week by this time we'll be man and wife....oh my!that sounds so intense.But that's what we wanted all these years.An official wedding....Finally it's all happening the way we wanted.Our Parents are doing things together.Our Marriage is'nt the start of our commitment but a celebration of it's continuance.I know for sure....It'd be a ball.

Wedding Bands...Pure,Eternal and Rare.

After visiting almost a dozen PT outlets in Chennai and 72 hours of Ring Hunting....we finally collected our wedding bands today.Our car driver will be glad that Praveen and I got it done cos,we drove him crazy by asking him to drive all over Chennai in search of our eternity bands.We visited almost all the reputed jewellery shops in T.Nagar and Cathedral Road.Finally by the end of  the third day's shopping we spotted something as we wanted.Firstly,Praveen liked it...it's so hard to please him.We got a matching one for me as well...so here we go.WE GOT OUR WEDDING BANDS....I'm so happy today.I feel married already :) Can't wait to have it on my left ring finger....8 more days to go.Platinum rings with a diamond is not that common in India...we had less choice to select.I'm glad we invested ample time and money in that 'PURE,ETERNAL and RARE' piece of jewellery.We got our names engraved inside the rings....PRAVEEN in mine, IDA in his.

Our First Photoshoot

Our first shoot together as a couple went on well.It was fun...either of us would freeze in front of the cam.We have a  few spontaneous shots...but i liked being with him.It was a lovely feeling to be with the man of my life.I guess by the time we do the rest of the shoots....Praveen will be camera friendly.Lets see!!

WEDDING INVITATION

Reception Outfit

We met our bridal wear designer,Sruthi.She's worked with south india's fashion bigwigs.I'm sure she'll understand my expectations of my outfit.She had few sketches which was almost similar to the one i had in mind.Praveen's was easy to fix...while mine is going to take some time.I love sabyasachi's net and velvette trims for the season.Got a hang of it from 'Raavan'.Still unsure of the colour palette...metallic green?pale pink?sage green?Confused!!I'm going to seek help from Elle,Vogue and Femina.I'm sure that Sruthi will come up with something appropriate for both of us :)

Wedding Outfit

We're done shopping for the wedding saree and dhothi....it's an elaborate affair with family and relatives spending half a day to choose the 'Muhurtha pattu' and 'pattu veshti and chattai'.My saree hunting went on for many hours where as praveen took less than half an hour to buy his outfit.I got a lovely red brocade silk saree (pure kancheevaram) from the famous 'Nalli Silks',Chennai and his outfit was from 'RmKv',Chennai.

The Wedding Invitation

Praveen wrote this poem for the wedding invite....I did'nt know that he can be romantic @ times.I'm impressed  :)

All our life we walk in our path,
Not boding what for us fate hath;
In our lives are such slivers of time,
that are filled with songs and rime.
Moments of joy and moments of cheer,
we love to share those with our near and dear.
‘Tis such a moment, one we shall share,
Oh! Let the festivities fill the air!
Whilst we become Man and Wife,
we yearn your company as we start our life.
Here is a reason, for all to gather,
Forget not...
bring lots of love, to on us slather.

The Reception

The Reception

on the 12th of December,2010

between 6.00 pm to 8.30 pm at

The Galaxy Hall, Star City Hotel

Bazullah Road, T.Nagar, Chennai 

The Wedding

The Wedding

on the 10th of December,2010

between 9.00 am-10.30 am at

Malar Maaligai, Natham Road

Iyyer Bungalow, Madurai

The Engagement

on the 9th of December, 2010 
between 4.00 pm and 6.30 pm  
at Malar Maaligai ,Natham Road
Iyyer Bungalow,Madurai

Meet the Bride's folks

Dad and Mom

Sis and Hubby

Prarthna..the latest arrival to the family

The Bride

In a silk saree and a anarkali suit which i seldom wear.When it comes to weddings,the groom can walk in wearing a pair of jeans,but the bride is expected in a traditional out and adorn atleast a piece of jewellery.....not fair.

The Groom

This is the man i fell for....the love of my life :)

Pre-Wedding Jitters

36 days to go.....i'm a bundle of nerves

Here a journey begins...

Ladies and Gentlemen, (drumroll, please!)

Here we are, Praveen and Ida Cheryl, finally tying the knot (literally, as in traditional weddings in India) on the 10th day of December, 2010 CE of the Gregorian calendar or the 24th day of Karthigai month, Vikruthi year of the Tamil Solar Calendar in the fabled city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Chennai. Why Madurai? That's the place the groom calls home. Nonetheless, the reception will be held in Chennai, which is the bride's hometown on the 12th of December, 2010. The event details are in the Google Events, please find it in left pane of the blog. And as wonderful as Google is, please sign on with your Google ID (well, if you don't have one, please be patient, Google will open shop in Mars shortly :-)) and add it onto your Google Calendar with one click.