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    Leandri de Kock

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    In Advice

    4 ways to be kinder to your hair

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    There is finally time to whip your hair into shape during lockdown. Making simple changes to your hair care habits and being more conscious about the products we use will help in the journey to achieve vibrant colour, stronger hair and greater shine.

    1. Read the labels

    Let’s be honest, it’s no easy feat to decipher a product label. Instead, focus on what you don’t want in your product, or what you could be allergic to, and make sure it’s not present. Scan your formula for ingredients such as PPD, PPT and PTD – all colouring agents with similar chemical structures that could cause severe allergic reactions. Try to avoid sulphates and parabens in your hair care products as this could cause irritation and allergic reactions, so rather reach for ‘cleaner’ products – they’re also kinder to the Earth.

    Credit: Unsplash

    2. Choose colour wisely

    Healthy hair is associated with glossy, vibrant colour, which can more often than not only be achieved in a salon. When we can’t visit our favourite colourist, we need to make sure we prep our hair as best we can. Something to look forward to though, is the Koleston Perfect ME+ colour from Wella, which is free from harmful colour molecules, yet still able to provide you with brilliant colour and strong hair, thanks to PureBalance Technology. Make a stop at your closest Wella salon after lockdown to get salon ready locks.

    Credit: supplied

    3. Treat your tresses

    Like you give your skin an extra dose of TLC every now and then, remember to do the same for your hair. On days you plan to wash your hair at night, drench roots to ends in a mixture made of half a cup of honey and a quarter cup of olive oil. Heat the mixture, generously coat your hair and tie in to a bun. Once you are able to visit your nearest Wella salon, give their Element’s care system a try which is free of sulphates, parabens and artificial colourants!

    Credit: supplied

     4. Let your hair down

    If you generally keep your hair tied up or pinned back, you’ll know the stress it can cause on your scalp. To give your roots a rest, sleep with your hair loose and invest in a silk pillowcase to avoid unnecessary snagging and moisture loss overnight.

    Credit: Pexels

    To shop Elements online: https://bit.ly/2Ls2XYi

    To shop the sale: https://bit.ly/3epZ6s7

    To find a Wella salon: http://bit.ly/2lHp3wj

    Feature image: Unsplash

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    In Competitions

    WIN: Pepe Jeans Celebrate his & hers fragrances (CLOSED)

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    Following last year’s success with Life is Now, their first line in perfumes, Pepe Jeans London has just launched Celebrate, a new line in fragrances for him and her. The perfumes presented in 2019 add a hint of fun and seduction to the brand name’s legendary positive attitude. The bottles’ design maintains the innovative style of the previous collection –  a cocktail glass for her, a cocktail shaker for him – while an additional touch of distinction and elegance is achieved via a combination of gilded metallic caps and delicately chiselled prismatic glass bottles. The colours chosen for this occasion feature a sophisticated emerald green bottle for her and an intense petroleum blue for him.

    A sophisticated cocktail for her:

    The version of Pepe Jeans Celebrate for her is an original cocktail with sweet and savoury notes designed to keep the sense alert at all times. The fragrance begins with a cheerful combination of popcorn, black pepper and chestnut, eventually leading us to an addictive floral bouquet. This initial impact combines with sophisticated white wood base-notes and underlying tones of creamy vanilla to offer a fragrance that is both elegant and seductive.

    A sensual touch for him:

    The version of Pepe Jeans Celebrate for him exhibits sensual freshness by combining the aromatic potency of juniper and cardamom with subtle notes of gin. The combination concludes with a surprising and seductive extract of cocoa. A touch of elegance is achieved via a final caress of clary sage absolute and a hint of amber woods, delivering a potent, intense fragrance designed to accompany life’s most seductive moments.

    We are giving away this exciting new fragrance to a lucky reader!

    Prize details: one lucky reader will win his and hers fragrances to the value of R1590.

    Winner:

    How to enter: Fill in the form below.

    Competition ends: March 31,  2020.

    Competition Ts & Cs:
    – The winners will be announced on April 1 , 2020 at 12pm.
    – Winners will be contacted via details entered on the form
    – Prizes are not refundable and cannot be exchanged for money
    – Winners who do not respond to Wedding Etc within 7 days will forfeit the prize
    For more on Pepe Jeans visit their website.

    Image: Pexels

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    In Competitions

    WIN: One of two Bloom Gin hampers (CLOSED)

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    If you are looking to bring a unique blend of style, substance and sass to your life this summer, Bloom Gin is the answer. Recently launched in South Africa, Bloom is passionate about using only natural ingredients, so you won’t find sugar in any of their gins – which makes for the perfect summer drink!
    • Style: The Bloom bottle has become a style icon since it launched it in 2009 and is a firm favourite for wedding and upcycling inspo on social media, not to mention featuring centre-stage in some key media internationally.
    • Substance: Bloom Gin was created by one of the world’s leading authorities on gin, Master Distiller Joanne Moore, a woman who has won more awards for gin distilling than possibly anyone else on the planet.
    • Sass: Bloom is on a mission to help people to Bloom, to live their best lives, to Live Full Bloom.
    We are giving two lucky readers the chance to win each wine a Bloom hamper valued at R1 028!

    Prize details: two lucky readers will each win a Bloom hamper valued at R1 028.

    How to enter: Fill in the form below.

    Competition ends: March 31,  2020.

    Competition Ts & Cs:
    – The winners will be announced on April 2 , 2020 at 12pm.
    – Winners will be contacted via details entered on the form
    – Prizes are not refundable and cannot be exchanged for money
    – Winners who do not respond to Wedding Etc within 7 days will forfeit the prize
    For more on Bloom Gin, visit their website.
    Image: Pexels
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    In Competitions

    WIN: One-night stay and wine tasting at Diemersfontein Wine & Country Estate for 2 worth R3500 (CLOSED)

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    For three generations, the Sonnenberg family have been creating Diemersfontein moments on this iconic estate in Wellington. What started as a family retreat is today the home of the world-class Diemersfontein range of wines, countryside hospitality, backed by a story of upliftment and empowerment.

    The family’s association and passion for the arts started with the delightful strains of opera singing that would drift up from the cottages housing Italian prisoners during the second world war. Stories of an iconic family, unparalleled terroir, the ‘accidental’ birth of an iconic South African wine, a brand bestowed with illustrious accolades and true transformation in the wine industry will be part of your journey in creating your own Diemersfontein moment.

    We are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a one-night stay (bed and breakfast) and wine tasting at Diemersfontein Wine & Country Estate for you and your partner, to the value of R3 500!

    Prize details: one lucky reader will win a one-night stay (bed and breakfast) and wine tasting at Diemersfontein Wine & Country Estate for two

    How to enter: Fill in the form below.

    Competition ends: March 31,  2020.

    Competition Ts & Cs:
    – The winners will be announced on April 3, 2020 at 12pm
    – Winners will be contacted via details entered on the form
    – Prizes are not refundable and cannot be exchanged for money
    – This prize is valid for six months following the announcement of the winner
    – Winners who do not respond to Wedding Etc within 7 days will forfeit the prize
    – Prize does not include transport

    For more on Diemersfontein Wine & Country Estate, visit their website.

    Image: Supplied

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    In Accessories

    Put an ethically sourced, sustainable ring on it

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    Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but also precious commodities and rare beauties forged from the earth. Rare jewels are often backed by an underbelly of exploration and greed. The burden of ensuring products are ethically sourced should never fall on the consumer, but on the producer instead. In saying this, it is our duty to challenge the transparency of companies.

    Ethically sourced wedding rings have an array of underlining principles such as fair trade wages, lab-grown diamonds, recycled materials and conflict-free diamonds/jewels. You don’t necessarily need to be an environmental advocate or human rights lawyer to protest the crimes against the diamond industry. Below you will find a list of producers creating ethically sourced jewellery for the socially conscious bride-to-be.

    Taylor & Hart

     

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    Taylor & Hart was founded by friends, Nikolay and Shane. They believe the love between partners are intangible and sacred, therefore your wedding bands should be made from the most exceptional materials on earth. The company creates beautiful handcrafted rings made from lab-grown diamonds, recycled gold and ethically sourced materials. Nikolay and Shane go beyond the Kimberly Process to ensure their diamonds are conflict-free.

    Monique Pean

     

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    This brand boasts unique shapes and structures specifically designed for the bold bride. The classic shape of engagement rings is challenged through Monique Pean’s artistic take on wedding bands. Although the designer has an artistic, non-conventional mindset, the materials and craftsmanship are put in the forefront. The brand truly understands creating pieces of uniqueness, which they reflect in their use of materials. Rare materials such as fossilised walrus ivory and dinosaur bone are utilised and are sustainably sourced and crafted through fair trade initiatives.

    John Hardy

     

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    Established in 1975, the island-inspired jewellery brand is directed by Hollie Bonneville Barden and has a well-rounded grasp of serving both the community and environment. John Hardy thrives on the community of Bali and the idea togetherness. The brand empowers the community of the island by providing apprenticeships and life long job security. In doing so, they preserve traditional artisan craftsmanship and culture, with many of the pieces inspired by the island and drawing the traditional aesthetics of the Balinese culture. The company not only preserves the community but the environment as well by committing to sourcing stones, diamonds and metals that are conflict-free and ethically produced in every step of the way.

    Barino Neal

     

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    The brand was launched in 2008 by Anna Bario and Page Neal. The owners visualised a jewellery company whereby no bounds of conformity were attached to their pieces. They believe you are free to marry whomever and however you choose. The jewellery is handcrafted and carefully designed using reclaimed precious metals, fair-mined gold and ethically sourced stones.

    Ashley Heather

     

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    Ashley Heather is a Cape Town-based brand led by designer and maker, Ashley. It’s a remarkable, innovative brand that collects discarded electronic products and recycles them into jewellery. The aesthetics of the handcrafted pieces transcend trends and the contemporary designs are simplistic and minimal. The brand believes in creating pieces that can be passed down from generation to generation in the hopes of persevering quality craftsmanship.

    Dear Rae

     

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    Dear Rae is the brain child of fine arts graduate Karin Rae Matthees. The brand uses local materials and manufactures to create unique pieces. Dear Rae design aesthetic can be described as classically minimal pieces that you can wear for the rest of your life. Karin’s brand adheres to the Kimberly process as well, and sources local manufactures for production, ensuring each step of the manufacturing process is completely transparent.

    By Mia Smith

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    In Beauty

    Silky pre-wedding must-haves to help you look your best

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    Whilst planning a wedding is incredibly exciting, it can also prove to be extremely stressful – high levels of stress and late nights of restless sleep spent worrying about your to-do-list can wreak havoc on your skin.

    Not just a catchy phrase, beauty sleep is a real thing. When it comes to your beauty routine, sleep may be the closest thing there is to a fountain of youth. Your body and skin repairs itself and recovers while you snooze, so to ensure glowing skin, luscious locks and healthy sleep leading up to your big day, we’ve rounded up some pre-wedding must-haves which will also make for perfect gifts for your bridal team.

    Silk is a gift from nature and the ideal organic skincare and anti-aging solution! Dermatologists, hair specialists and plastic surgeons all recommend sleeping on 100% silk pillowcases. Silk has very similar properties to human skin in that it contains a natural protein that contributes to skin health by speeding up the metabolism of skin cells, while delaying the aging process and calming the nervous system.

    Silk Pillowcases:

    Compared to other fabrics, silk has long, smooth fibers that do not rub or irritate the skin. Sleeping on 100% organic silk pillowcases has both skin and hair care benefits:

    • naturally hypoallergenic
    • prevents facial skin from creasing
    • maintains hydration
    • keeps your skincare products on your skin, enabling you to make the most of your beauty routine
    • eliminates sleep wrinkles
    • prevents hair from frizzing and ends splitting
    • reduces the loss of natural hair oils and moisture so that hair retains its natural glossy shine
    • minimizes damage to thinning of hair
    • naturally hypoallergenic
    • repels dust-mites

    Available in standard (R490), king R589) and travel size (R257).

    Sleeping Masks:

    Made from 100% pure silk (inside and out) with an adjustable strap, The Silk Lady’s Sleeping Masks (R337) offer two-fold benefits – the luxurious feeling of soft mulberry silk against the skin, and the comfort of darkness as it blocks out light. The soft and smooth surface helps prevent facial skin from creasing during the night and allows your delicate skin to breathe so the face rests comfortably without pressure on your skin. The Satin Silk used will not absorb your valuable night creams, but rather helps to retain the natural moisture in your skin throughout the night, keeping skin hydrated and nourished. Also included, is a pouch filled with organic French lavender to help promote relaxation and deep, restorative sleep. The deluxe, oversized sleeping mask (R425) covers the ears, so you sleep wrapped in your own luxury silk cushion.

    Organic Peace Silk Beauty Cocoons:

    The Silk Lady’s Organic Peace Silk Beauty Cocoons (R375) is an all-natural way to exfoliate and promote smooth, plump and nourished skin (a great alternative for people who love nature without cruelty). Gentle enough to use every day without damaging the epidermis, the surface structure of the silk cocoons is softly abrasive which helps to remove impurities, dead skin and make-up residue, revealing a silky smooth and radiant complexion. When soaked in warm water, Sericin, a key protein created by Bombyx mori (silkworms) is released which, when used regularly, helps to wipe away wrinkles, effectively eliminate acne scars as well as reduce pigmentation. It also assists in healing injured or chapped skin and eases inflammation.

    Visit The Silk Lady for more.

    Images: Supplied

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    In Advice

    The Body Issue: Rectangle shape

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    One size fits all? No! Not when it comes to your body shape.

    Women come in all shapes and sizes and it’s so important to know your body type and shape to dress accordingly and accentuate your best features. To avoid your dress shopping experience being a stressful one, it’s important to know and stick to what works for your body.

    It’s also important to remember that very few women fall into only one category as we can have different features from various body types. Why? Because we’re beautifully unique!

    In this upcoming series, we’ll be looking at all the different body shapes and some gorgeous weddings gowns that will accentuate YOU perfectly.

    Next up, is the rectangle shape.

    With a third of women falling into this category, the rectangle body shape is known to be rather athletic due to there being very little definition, with your waist creating a straight body line. Women with rectangular body shapes are normally tall and lean, with the shoulders and hips being quite similar in width. Your goal here will be to CREATE CURVES!

    Focusing on gowns that have an A-line silhouette, or ballgowns, will add more volume to the hip area, while fuller sleeves and shoulder detail will balance out the top half. A scoop neck or sweetheart neckline will further help to create curves.

    Alternatively, a fitted dress with a padded bodice and sequins or diamanté detail to add dimension, or embellishment around the bust and shoulders, will help to accentuate those areas and bring attention to it.

    Necklines are going to play a crucial role when picking your perfect wedding dress. A high neckline like the halter neck or keyhole neckline will help lift your cleavage and create the illusion of more curves, while showing off your collarbone and shoulders. A sheath dress is also a great option as the dress emphasises the waist. It is fitted and nipped at the waistline but with no waist seam.

    Here are a variety of great dress styles perfect for a rectangle body shape:

     

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    By Amy-lee Steenkamp

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    In Advice

    The sustainable bride’s wedding decor

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    Weddings leave a surprisingly heavy footprint on the planet, and as a sustainable bride, it might be overwhelming to think about all the elements of an eco-friendly wedding. Decor carries the theme of your wedding and creates an atmosphere of romance, celebration and nostalgia. But creating that atmosphere while keeping to your ethical ethos might be a challenge.

    The eco-friendly wedding can be daunting and sometimes overwhelming, however, not everything has to be perfect. Every small decision you make to decrease the impact of waste on your wedding helps the environment, so don’t be too hard on yourself.  Here are a few achievable tricks and tips on how you can be mindful when planning your dream sustainable wedding:

    Flowers

     

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    Flower arrangements are usually the main mood setter at any wedding. It’s often suggested to forgo the idea of cut flowers and opt for potted greenery or herbs. However, if you are more of a traditional gal, ask your florist for locally grown flowers that are sourced within season. In order to give your wedding flowers a second life, donate them to a nursing home, local hospital or hospice afterwards. Also make sure to share your blooms with your guests, friends and family to make sure they’re enjoyed for a little longer.

    Venue

     

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    If you are looking for a botanical or forest themed wedding, opt for venues with built-in decor elements, such as luscious gardens or gorgeous patios for outdoor weddings. Booking a venue that requires minimal additional decor will save costs and decrease your carbon footprint.

    The small things matter

     

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    Weddings, in general, have a large impact on the environment – some more so than others. As much as we love watching balloons and fire lanterns floating into the distance, it destroys our environment and wildlife. For safer, more eco-friendly alternatives, try bubbles, leaves or dried flowers instead of glitter confetti. Planting a tree is also a great eco-friendly and symbolic option to memorialize your special day.

    Rent, don’t buy

     

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    Instead of single-use elements such as paper napkins, plastic cutlery and plates, use rented glassware, cutlery and linen napkins. Making the switch automatically elevates the mood of your wedding. If you are opting to push the boundaries of the traditional wedding, bamboo or bio-degradable cutlery, plates and serveware offer an organic feel to your wedding.

    Vendors

    A big tip on creating the wedding of your dreams is finding the proper vendors that carry the same vison and ethos as you. In doing this you will ensure trustworthy services and transparent sourcing. Vendors in the business of creating a cleaner, greener planet often have trendy and budget-friendly ideas that will turn your wedding into a day to remember.

    Get thrifty, upcycle & recycle

    To add that unique flare, thrift special wedding decor or items that add a vintage, one-of-a-kind touch. Forgotten treasures are the perfect pieces to repurpose or upcycle into a beautiful centrepiece or focal point.

    For the budget-savvy bride, DIY is the way to go. DIY signage can be personal and quirky, so instead of creating permanent signs from wood or plastic, you can use reusable items such as chalkboards, glass jars and vases.

    Carbon emissions

     

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    When you go as far as thinking about specific lighting elements in your wedding, try LED lighting – it uses up to 75% less energy than regular light bulbs. To forgo the energy consumption completely, candles are a great way to illuminate your venue and create a romantic atmosphere. Paraffin candles are known to cause headaches or irritate sinuses, so choose candles that have a mixture of soy, beeswax or coconut wax. There are many shapes, sizes and colours to choose from when it comes to eco- friendly candles, plus you’ll be able to use it again.

    By Mia Smith

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    In Accessories

    16 Cool ideas for his & hers tattoos

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    Tattoos today have lost their bad reputation in exchange for declarations of love, relationships and personal expression. The most recent trend involves getting compatible tattoos with your significant other that doesn’t necessarily include their name or need to be the exact same.

    If you’re wanting to take the plunge and get inked with your S.O, take a look at these cool ideas:

     

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    xxx

    By Yashna Balwanth

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    In Weddings

    Rituals of a traditional Hindu wedding

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    In all its glory and beauty, Hindu weddings are steeped in tradition which many people don’t necessarily understand. In all honesty, explaining this could take a while, so we’ve tried to simplify the details and just give you the basics to a traditional Hindu Wedding and what it entails:

     

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    Sangeet

    Directly translated, the word ‘Sangeet’ means music, which is rather fitting considering what the Sangeet is about. This event has both the families of the groom and bride come together and celebrate in the form of song and dance. Put simply, this is just one huge party generally celebrated a few days before the actual wedding ceremony takes place. Wedding guests and the bridal party are able to either perform choreographed dances or perform certain songs, if they’re brave enough. Nerves aside, with amazing food, plenty of family and great music, the Sangeet is definitely one of the nights most memorable from the entire wedding celebration.

     

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    Mehndi Party

    The mehndi party, generally done 2 to 3 days before the wedding, is celebrated by the bride’s family. At this stage of the celebrations, henna is applied to the bride’s hands and feet in a decorative pattern. Mind you, this does take some time, which can be anywhere from 2 – 6 hours depending on how intricate the patterns are. Brides would hire a mehndi artist who would also apply henna to her guests who wished to have their hands decorated for the wedding as well. Applying the initials of the groom somewhere on the bride’s hands is also a tradition that seems to have been passed down from generation to generation.

     

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    Hurdee / Haldi Evening

    A cleansing prayer done by both the bride and groom. Most of the time it is separated as the bride would do so in her house and the groom would do it at his. The actual ceremony consists of a hurdee or haldi paste applied to the exposed skin of the bride and groom; their hands, feet, face and neck. The haldi paste is made of turmeric, gram flour, curd, sandalwood and rose water and is said to give the couple their bridal glow. The haldi is done the night before the main wedding ceremony and in most cases, turns into another celebratory event. Not that we’re complaining!

     

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    Wedding Ceremony

    The actual wedding ceremony is a colourful affair with guests dressed up for the occasion as they witness the beautiful vows and prayers being performed. The actual wedding ceremony is made up of a few rituals all significant to the marriage union. One of the most significant factors is that the actual wedding date is chosen by a priest. Astrology plays a very important part and hence determines the best time and date for the couple to wed. Fire is another very significant part of a traditional wedding as it is always present during a rite of passage, such as births, deaths and marriages. Red powder known as ‘indoor’ is applied to the forehead and centre part of a woman’s head, symbolizing her status as a married woman to the world. This is also why most brides opt to wear red for their weddings.

     

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    Reception

    A reception will generally follow on from the wedding ceremony which is seen as the celebration of the wedding and partying through the night. There is not necessarily a ritual performed during the reception, just a chance for the couple to mingle with their guests, be congratulated on the wedding and dance the night away. Not a bad way to end off a 4-day wedding affair.

     

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    Bidai

    The last, and probably most tearful part of a wedding, the bidai, is where the bride bids farewell to her family. In previous times, once the bride marries her groom, she is officially leaving her family to join the family of the groom. This could be her first move out from home or moving to another place where she won’t see her family that often. This is a rather bittersweet moment and usually lots of tears are shed for loved ones.

    Also to be noted, these are traditions passed down from generation to generation, so modern times have changed things slightly, although many of these are still followed today.

    By Yashna Balwanth

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