While Mr. Dedhia’s success story might be what is known as an ‘outlier’, the Wedding Industry is definitely a latent market for aspiring filmmakers. Especially in New York, with Wedding Videographers charging anywhere between $1,000 to more than $10,000 for a wedding package.

However, if you don’t want your wedding videos to cost more than the wedding itself, here are some ideas to lower the cost, especially for your Sangeet, Mehndi or Puja -

Craigslist: This is usually kind of hit-and-miss, but you’re sure to get a few good responses with the right kind of listing. Post an ad with your requirements, and what kind of budget you’re looking at.

If you have your own video camera, you might be able to find a film student or someone who is looking to expand their portfolio, and will do the job virtually free. If you don’t own any camera equipment, mention in the ad that you’re looking for someone who has his or her own equipment.

Buy a Camera: Keeping in mind that the average professional videographer charges the equivalent of an Indie film budget, you might as well just buy your own camera and have a friend or a relative handle it during the wedding. This can actually turn out to be better than hiring someone, since a familiar person is likely to get more candid footage than a stranger.

Collage (a la Up in The Air): Remember how George Clooney’s sister asks all the wedding invitees to take pictures with a cardboard cutout of the couple, as a sort of wedding present? Why not ask around and see which of your guests has a camera or camera-phone, and encourage them to take footage at the wedding. You could request your guests to send in their videos or photographs, and create a collage as a gift to the lucky couple.

You could even ask your guests to send in photographs or recordings of the couple that they might already have, and put together a little something to screen at the reception!

Taking center stage at any haldi ceremony is the traditional paste that is smeared all over the bride and groom.  The paste is most often made with turmeric, rosewater, and sandalwood, but can also be made simply with turmeric and water. Brides and grooms often have separate haldi ceremonies where relatives and friends apply the haldi paste all over their face, arms and legs. The beautifying properties of turmeric are thought to cleanse and purify the skin, while the blessings from the invited relatives and friends bring luck to the soon-to-be-married couple.

In West Bengal and Bangladesh, the haldi ceremony is combined with the mehndi ritual and known as a gaye holud.  The gaye holud often takes place a day or two before the wedding and can range from a small family-only affair to a party as large as the actual wedding reception.  The bride-to-be, dressed in a simple yellow or green sari, is smeared with the traditional paste of turmeric and rosewater by close friends and family, all of whom then hand-feed the newly yellow-ed bride a variety of sweets and fruits. Afterwards mehndi is applied to the bride-to-be’s hands and feet.

Pakistani brides celebrate a ritual known as mayoon, a ceremony that, like a gaye holud, is often combined with the mehendi ritual and takes place a day or two before the wedding. The mayoon is usually an all-night affair, and only women are invited. With the boys out of the way, the women spend all night singing and dancing, and of course, beautifying the bride-to-be. Dressed in a traditional yellow-colored salwar kameez, the bride is blessed by elder members of the family while other relatives and friends apply the traditional paste called ubtaan, made of turmeric, sandalwood, and other aromatic oils, to her hands and face.

The Sikh tradition of vatna is usually separate from the traditional mehndi ceremony, and takes place a few days before the wedding. A combination of barley flour, turmeric, and mustard oil is smeared all over the bride and the groom, and afterwards, both are required to take a ritual bath. It is after vatna that the bride and groom are then confined to their respective homes until the day of the wedding—according to this tradition, known as maiya, the bride and groom are not allowed to leave their houses or even change their clothes until the big day. (Modern adjustments to this ritual include holding it the day before the wedding, making the confinement last only one night!)

The Parsi community has its own take on the haldi ceremony. Called supra nu murat, it usually takes place the day before the wedding.  Four married women each hold a supra, a small pot, containing paan, haldi, some dates, and a coconut. With traditional folk songs playing in the background, these four supras are exchanged seven times among the four women. A fifth woman sits in the center of the four women, holding a dry piece of turmeric in a brass khalbatta (small cup).  This ritual is supposed to bless the soon-to-be married couple. Afterwards, haldi paste is smeared all over the bride and groom by relatives and friends.

CitySaheli interviewed the international photographer to get an inside look at what inspires him and what he recommends looking for to select the perfect photographer.

CitySaheli:  Can you describe some of you inspirations?
Tomko:  I have always thought of inspiration as the place where art begins and I am inspired by many things everyday. Energy inspires whether it be a bride and groom, dance music or just generally watching people come together to celebrate and have a good time.  The passion that fuels my creativity can also be very inspiring.

CitySaheli:  What inspired you to go into photography and specifically wedding photography?
Tomko:  I have always had a great love and appreciation for visual arts.  Even when I was a child I always enjoyed visiting museums, drawing and of course taking pictures.  I love to capture emotions in the medium of photography, so that organically led me to wedding photography.  As we all know emotions can run high at a wedding!

CitySaheli:  How would you describe your working style? And your photography style?
Tomko:  My working style is very organized yet creative.  I understand the importance of getting all the traditional “parent pleasers” shots but when a bride and groom hire me they are looking for that little bit of edge in their photos.  I also think that a fun, upbeat personality and good sense of humor allow the clients to feel relaxed and at ease.   The end result is awesome relaxed “candid” images instead of stiff, boring poses.  As far as my photography style, I am not a photo journalist, which means and I don’t stick to one style of photography.  I adapt my style to whatever the bride and groom want and what works best in the given situation. 

CitySaheli:  How many South Asian/ South Asian fusion weddings have you shot, how have they been different from other weddings?
Tomko:  I have photographed approximately 20 South Asian/South Asian fusion weddings.  The amazing décor, bright colors and different traditions make photographing a South Asian wedding an awe inspiring experience.  I love the fact that even in 2010 the traditions and ceremonies of South Asian weddings and still alive and well.  Talk about inspiring!

CitySaheli:  If you were looking for a wedding photographer, what questions would you absolutely ask potential photographers?
Tomko:  These days a lot of people with a digital cameras and computers call themselves a photographer.  The first thing I would want to know from any potential photographer is how many years of experience they have in the industry.  I would also want to know if the photographer is going to be shooting the entire wedding.  For example, some photographers will only shoot eight hours and then charge overtime fees for anything beyond the scheduled eight hours.  You also want to make sure your photography package includes albums for you and your family, proofs and post production work (i.e. retouching, color correction etc.)  It is usually best that the photographer who attended the wedding conduct the post production work as he is familiar with the true to life colors of the decor. 

CitySaheli:  Can you share with us some of your favorite memories you have captured at a wedding?
Tomko:  One of my favorite memories is from a wedding I photographed in Goa, India.  The bride was telling me about her elderly grandfather.  She mentioned that he was planning to attend the wedding even though he had been ill lately.  As soon as he arrived we decided to take some quick shots right before the ceremonies were about to begin.  The grandfather sat down in a chair and the bride kneeled down behind him and draped her bangle arms and mehendi covered hands around him.  At that very moment the grandfather’s eyes filled up with tears and I was able to capture an image that conveyed love, pride and pure happiness like I have never seen before. 

CitySaheli:  Can you tell us about the advantages of producing pictures in black and white versus color?
Tomko:  I wouldn’t say that there are any distinct advantages to shooting in black and white versus color, it all just depends on how you use the two styles.  I like to use black and white photography to capture candid moments because it gives the images an artistic feel.  I like producing color images when I am shooting the actual wedding ceremony.  A lot of works goes into creating a theme for a wedding and color is a big part of that, I like to make sure to capture that. 

CitySaheli:  How many photographers do you recommend having at a wedding?
Tomko:  I usually recommend two to three photographers, but it really depends on the size of your wedding.  When selecting a photography team it’s all about quality not quantity.

CitySaheli:  Do you have any tips for our readers to ensure the best lighting for photography?
Tomko:  Typically natural light is the most flattering.  In the world of photography there is something called “sweet light” which is natural light at either sunrise or sunset when the sun is at it lowest point in the horizon.  At this time of day, the sun shines a golden light that highlights the facial features and gives your skin a glow.  When natural light is not possible, a video light as opposed to a flash makes the facial features pop and adds incredible dimension to the images.

To contact Gerard Tomko, please visit www.gerardtomko.com

If lush, lavish, extravagant and eye catching is your style, don’t think you need to be rich and famous have your dream wedding.  CitySaheli put together a few stylish tips, inspired by Shetty’s memorable affair, so you too can get married like a Bollywood star – only without the hefty price tag! 

Invitations

The ornate gold embellishment displaying the couple’s initials told Shetty’s guests that her soon-to-be affair was going to be extravagant! Heavy embellishment’s can be costly, though, if purchased directly from the card designer.  To cut cost, consider purchasing simpler invitations and adding the embellishments yourself.  Your guests will never know!

Jewelry and Attire

Shetty’s ornate red creation for her ceremony, and golden gown embellished with Swarovski crystals for the reception, were designed by top designer and friend Tarun Tahiliani.  Her wedding jewelry to accompany this apparel was worth more than RS 3 crore (that’s more than $600,000,000!).

Don’t quite have that budget?  If there is a particular designer you love, choose photos from his or her collection and look for similar designs in more affordable shops.  Or consider have something similar made by a designer within your price range.

Also, celebrities often get jewels worth thousands of dollars on loan from famous jewelry designers.  Borrowing jewelry from friends or family, or raiding Nani’s jewelry box, is a wonderful way to create your own distinctive look.

Reception

Shetty’s wedding was held at the villa of Shilpa’s close friend Kiran Bawa. The entire place was elegantly draped in flowers and lights.

To obtain a similar look at a lower cost, consider renting or purchasing inexpensive ornate fabric to use as your ceremony backdrop.  This cuts the number of flowers needed but will still achieve the dramatic red carpet look you’re looking for!

Mehndi has been around for centuries and likely originated in the Middle East.  It was brought by the Mughals to India in the 12^th century.  During that period the royal and rich used Mehndi to decorate themselves.  It became very popular and women wore patterns characteristic of that time period on both their hands and feet. 

Today mehndi is no longer limited to folk art designs and is sported by both women and men.  These days popular wedding mehndi includes floral and paisley patterns, which symbolize fertility and love.  Gemstone embellishments are also very popular for brides.

Over the years, many superstitions developed around brial mehndi.  For example, it is said that when a bride has mehndi done for her wedding, the darker the design, the more her mother-in-law loves her.  It is also common for the names of the bride and groom to be hidden in the mehndi design; and the wedding night cannot commence until the groom has found the names.  Moreover, a deep colored design is said to be a sign of good luck for the new couple.

The Mehndi tradition has held strong throughout time and continues to be a component of many happy occasions.  Stay tuned as CitySaheli will report mehndi tips and the newest designs in the upcoming months!

If a large wedding just isn’t you, the answer to your problem could be a destination wedding. A destination wedding is a great way to simplify planning.  Typically, closer family and friends attend out of town weddings, keeping the party small and manageable.

Choosing a destination for your South Asian wedding, however, may not be as simple as you think.  To help you out, CitySaheli put together some useful tips for planning a South Asian destination wedding. 

1. Food. Think carefully about your catering needs. For instance, you may want to have Indian cuisine or require Halal food at your wedding.  Although today you can fly your favorite chef anywhere, it would be easier and more cost effective using a caterer at your destination.  Research the restaurants and catering services available.  Also, remember to ask the hotel what its capabilities are with respect to heating and preparing food.

2. Size and Location of Island.  Getting married at a remote hideaway sounds perfectly romantic but can turn into a logistic and economic nightmare.  Remember, the more remote the island, the more difficult and costly it is for your guests to get there.  If there are few hotels on the island, it may be difficult to negotiate rates with the hotels.  Although you don’t need to pick the most commercial island to make your event manageable, keep the convenience factor in mind.

3. All Inclusive.  All inclusive resorts are a great option if you don’t want to worry about food and drink.  But, the all inclusive option may not work for all types of guests.  Think about the number of vegetarian guests you will be hosting or, those that require Halal food.  All inclusive resorts may not cater to special dietary restrictions.  

4. Transportation around island. If you plan on having events at different locations within your destination, consider how your guests will be transported.  Inter-island transportation can be extremely costly.

5. Vendors.  Working with vendors on the island will cost much less than flying a team in to handle your event(s).  If you require a mundap, check if there is a vendor that is able to provide you with this service.  Want Desi music?  See if there is a DJ that can cater to your need.  Don’t forget to ask for pictures or recommendations to ensure you are getting a professional with experience. 

6. Restrictions.  Most resorts will have other guests and as such potential restrictions around your event.  Think about the type of party you want to have.  For example, if you’d like your guests to dance all night long, make sure this is permitted by your hotel.  If you want a private beach wedding, find out if the hotel will keep an area just for you.

In addition to explaining the religious ceremony, programs can be used to introduce the bridal party, thank friends and family and provide directions to the reception.  A program is also a great opportunity to add personal touches to the special day.  For example, you can design your program to match your wedding theme or include a quote that is meaningful to you and your new husband.

South Asian wedding programs can be a cumbersome task, and many brides don’t know where to start.  To help our South Asian Brides, CitySaheli has prepared some sample programs.  Make sure to review your program with your priest, since there can be variations for each type of ceremony.

Sample Hindu Ceremony

Sample Muslim Ceremony

The Grand Entrance.

First, think about how you want your groom to arrive.  The options are endless – a traditional white horse, the extravagant elephant, a fancy helicopter, the simple charming walk in with family and friends or something different and unique.  Just make sure your choice corresponds with the tone of your wedding and suits your groom’s personality.  It’s important that your groom feels comfortable during the processional.  This really is his ceremony.  

Rain or shine.

Think weather. CitySaheli has seen many grooms get torched in severe heat, causing them to sweat up a storm (a photo faux pas!).  If its going to be hot, consider a short processional or one that is indoors.  Planning the barat outside?  Have a contingency plan for rain such as a covered outdoor spot or an inside lobby area. 

Dance, dance, dance.

Music is a critical component of any barat.  Many barats have a dhol player, who will get the party started by encouraging the groom’s party to dance with his lively energetic drumming.  The goal is to get your guests excited and in a celebratory spirit.  If you plan on using a dhol player, try one you have heard before or that has come recommended.  Also, make sure that your dhol guy sings in a native tongue you and your family are familiar with, since songs can be sung in different languages.  On a tight budget?  Use a tape recording or ask friends and family to be prepared to clap and cheer.  The excitement of family and friends during a barat is truly priceless.

Food and drink.

Will snacks or drinks be served during or after the Barat?  Some people choose to provide drinks, such as juices or water, if they are getting married in the middle of the summer and are expecting a hot day. Others serve snacks soon after the barat, as it may be a few hours before your guests will be fed again.  Although food and drink are not necessary, it’s a nice touch.  And, if you’re looking to add even more South Asian flavor, serve sweet lassi, watermelon juice, or South Asian sweets from your local region.   

Family greetings.

Usually the “milne” ceremony follows the barat.  This is when the bride’s parents greet the groom and his family.  This is also when the dancing stops.  Prepare your photographer and videographer for the transition from one ceremony to the next, so they are prepared to capture this special moment. 

Prepare your guests.

The barat is one of the most exciting parts of the Hindu wedding ceremony.  Some of your guests may have never attended a barat and may not know what is expected of them.  Try identifying these guests and explain to them what this ceremony is all about. You can include a simple description of the barat in your wedding invitation or try sending a personal note to these guests. Doing this will likely help them enjoy the barat and feel more comfortable. 

City Saheli Picks in NY Tri-State Area

Horses:  For decorated horses and carriages and a team familiar with barats check out Pony Share.   

Dhol Players: The dhol players CitySaheli recommends do not have websites.  If you would like more info please email us at info@citysaheli.com and we would be happy to provide it to you.