Keep your cool at summer weddings

Chennai

And so it is that numerous muhurthams get fixed, undeterred by the sun’s fiery and relentless heat, an entrerprise in which  wedding planners, photographers, designers and stores have a major stake. Nishadh Mohammed and Papia Lahiri Saini give a low-down on how to stand out on your special day – even in the peak of summer.

Putting together the perfect decor

South Indian weddings were once restricted to traditional mandapams , but these have given way to air-conditioned venues in the summer. Taking a leaf or two out of the books of the bolder, brassier north Indian weddings, many young couples down south are going in for adventurous outdoor settings, including the beach. The heat is not a deterrent and there are ways to work one’s way around it, insist popular wedding planners in town.

Fairy lights, marigold strands, colourful suspended frames, printed umbrellas, quirky signage for the couple and their friends are a great way to ring in a summer wedding in an outdoor location like a farm house or a lawn, suggest young wedding planners Rumaiza Fathima and Meera Ravi of The Dream Theme. “Given our city’s weather conditions and humidity, the summer isn’t restricted to these few months alone. Poolside rooftop parties are a rage with pop coloured frame suspensions that double up as a photo booth, and, of course, the classic aviators. With all of the above, we’ve got every bit of ‘pop’ needed to spruce up a beautiful outdoor wedding event,” they say. As for the colour themes, Rumaiza is all for candy floss pink, bright jade, imperial blues, summery yellows and dusty corals as great options.  

“We have also done several beach weddings in summer where we request clients to stick to flowers that can be arranged either as centrepieces or as side standalones since we can put them up after  4 pm when the sun goes down a bit. We can prearrange these flowers and hold them in a tent until then. So these weddings are mostly built around contemporary/classic western themes. We add in a lot of fans and coolers in outdoor settings in summer so that it doesn’t get sultry and unpleasant,” explains Rekha Rangaraj of Sumyog.

Who is the fairest of them all?

Whether you are tying the knot by the sea or dancing as newly-weds under the stars, your summer wedding is one beautiful photo op.  To ensure your photos are literally picture perfect, photographer Anita Kamaraj says, the time of the ceremony makes a big difference. “Most Indian weddings happen indoors in marriage halls, the pre- or post-wedding shoots are planned outdoors and summer means more outdoor shoots. It could be a simple garden or a beach, but it is important that we capture the abundant sunlight right. Early sunrise and the late sunset are perfect for outdoor shoots,” she says.

Pranesh Padmanabhan of Studio 31 concurs, “The natural shade during sunrise and sunset from trees and buildings will yield great shots of the couple. The light is soft, warm and flexible. We use strong backlight and work right on the front/fill light. We convert a threat into an opportunity and experiment with the harsh light.”

For pre-wedding shoots, does the photographer have much of a say in the kind of garments the couple should wear? “In a conservative city like ours, the photographer does not have much control over the client’s wedding attire. However, for the outdoor/ couple shoot we do suggest linen and shades of white,” says Pranesh.

Make way for the stylish summer bride

This season, while brides in the north are experimenting with floral l ehengas and printed anarkalis, it’s the traditional Kanjeevaram saree that continues to be a south Indian bride’s favourite. Nandhitha Ramesh, who recently featured her collection, ‘Merasal’, at the India Runway Week, says, “There is no substitute for the traditional Kanjeevaram when it comes to Tamilian weddings. But unlike before, brides are willing to experiment with bold colours – not just reds and maroons — and contrasting blouses in sheer fabrics and embellishments. Light silk sarees in bright hues and contemporary designs are best to beat the heat while also remaining hot this season.” Go with light no-fuss temple jewellery with an antique finish to avoid the jarring intensity of yellow in the gold which might be elevated due to the bright summer.

Tina Malhotra, Founder and Director of Evoluzione, a multi-brand designer outlet says,“They are seeking versatile styles that are simpler, yet sophisticated enough to be worn differently later — instead of the one heavy lehenga or saree. Moving away from the customary bridal colours, pastels and fruity hues that come in a multitude of florals and fresh prints are a big win with the young Indian bride.”

But the perfect bridal outfit includes not only the dress and jewellery but also the make-up and hair, which needs some extra care in summer. Popular make-up artist and fashion blogger Akriti Sachdev says that brides need to focus on waterproof and sweat-proof make-up. “High definition air brush make-up that is like a second skin protects not only from the hot weather, but also when the bride sits for the muhurtham. And with the advent of HD cameras, this makeup makes a big difference in the photos. Brides must go for subtle, glowing cheeks with contouring so that it brings out the cheek bones. A wing eyeliner is a must, for the lips, plums are great for south Indian skin. Hair can be braided traditionally,” she says.