Anand Karaj: Prep Advice

From the moment you get engaged (or even before that), it seems everyone has some wedding advice to share. A lot of these tips are helpful!* We asked some married Kaurs to share some of their anand karaj advice for those who are about to get married! You might find some ideas to be helpful, or maybe they don’t apply to you. But we hope you find some to be interesting.

This is part 2 of 3: Preparation Advice. Here’s what they had to say! Thank you to all the women who shared their advice!

Read Part 1: Planning Advice here. Part 1 topics include wedding preparations, hind-sight advice, managing conflicts, and planning tools.

Today's topics: Shopping, hair, makeup, and gift registries.

What is your wedding shopping advice?

• "Start early but don't get too involved into capitalist practices. Shop ethically. Don't have sexist standards when it comes to clothing choices for partners," Anonymous.

• "Do your research early on; go and see outfits in person as its very different from just looking online. If you start in good time, you wont have to make compromises you don't want to make," Ravine.

• "If you decide to buy suits online, be careful! I wired $400 to a site and never got the suit. I should have done more research to see if the store was legit," Anonymous.

• "Whether you buy a $200 or $5,000 suit, you will be the most beautiful Kaur on your wedding day," Harbani.

• "Yes, you can get designer, up to date, unique fashion in the West but, India is cheaper; you get more variety, more value for what you spend and you can buy more than what you can buy here!" D. Kaur.

• "I asked my close family for their opinion on different suits so they felt involved, included, and appreciated. Also, I created a sheet with different style suits and different colors and I took it with me to stores so I could show the owners what I wanted. It made it so easy communicating considering our differences in understanding what "green", "teal", and "aqua marine" meant. Plus, since my Punjabi isn't very good, I could quickly and easily show them the patterns and styles I liked by pointing at the sheet," L. Kaur.

• "My family did this part; shopping stresses me out," Inderjot Kaur.

• "Do not to be too picky. Go with what you want, not what others want. I picked my outfit out and everything within 30 minutes to an hour," Anonymous.

• "Don't spend too much money," Gursharan.

• "Keep it simple. Use the extra money for a good vacation or an investment. You are starting a new life don't want to be bogged down with debt. If you have ample money, donate to the needy: they will bless your wedding too," Anonymous.

• "I picked suits that could be versatile and worn again after the wedding. I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on something I would just wear once. For instance, I got a plain and simple chuni to match some more elaborate suits so I could wear them to less fancy functions afterwards," Anonymous.

• "I was actually very laid back. I did my research on the colours and styles that I loved, a broad guideline on what I would prefer, and I gave it all to my mum to sort out. It was wonderful, I am not good at shopping and haggling over prices and making choices-so I let someone who was do it. I trusted my mom. It was wonderful, she did a beautiful joy and I was very relaxed," Anonymous.

• "Research and know what you want before you go," Navrup.

Any advice on a wedding registry?

• "Of course have a registry if you want to avoid duplicates and gifts of no use," Anonymous.

• "The registry was done immediately after the Anand Karaj in the gurdwara," Ravine.

• "I didn't have a registry," Harbani Kaur.

• "I had a wedding registry. I wish I put more appliances instead of China; I still don't have a complete set because it got discontinued. Or I should have just had people donate," D. Kaur.

• "We opted for no gifts at all, because people were flying or driving from far and already making great economic sacrifices for the wedding," Inderjot Kaur.

• "We had the registry afterwards. It was just a quiet family affair. It really is just a formality. So there was no need for the drama," Anonymous.

• "Some of my friends use websites like Zola so their guests can contribute money to the couple's honeymoon or getting a dog! So cool," L. Kaur.

What is your hair and makeup advice? 

• "Leave that to a makeup artist. Makeup isn't necessary though. Wear your hair however you want. It's your body!" Anonymous.

• "Ask family and friends for advice. Always look around and look at portfolios. Most importantly, do what you will be happy and comfortable with," Ravine.

• "Get Davinder Rai (Davie Rai) from Surrey, BC. She is great at her work. And she is affordable too," Harbani Kaur.

• "My Anand Karaj and reception where in one day! They were back to back before my doli. Bad idea. Plus, I should have had my stylist redo my hair and makeup for the reception. My bun got loose close to the end of the day," D. Kaur.

• "No makeup: I donned my dastaar," Inderjot Kaur.

• "We should keep in mind that we are going to Gurdwara to seek Guru Ji's blessings. Dressed as a "Kaur," elegantly. Not necessarily in shiny bling and heavy makeup. That won't make Waheuguru happy. Don't overdo it. Be at ease and be yourself. You will look outstanding. Do consider wearing a Khalsa colour: white, blue, black or kesri rather then the usual reds and pinks," Anonymous.

• "I wear a dastar and don't need make up to cover myself," Navrup.

• "I did my own hair for the anand karaj and should have done it for the reception too because the stylist didn’t work with long hair very well. Since I don't wear makeup on a daily basis I wanted a "natural" and "barely there" look so I opted for a Bobbi Brown stylist; they're known to do this look well and have a reputation for working with brown skin tones well too," L. Kaur.

• "Do what makes you feel beautiful," Anonymous.

*Please note, Kaur life does not condone or condemn any of the above answers. The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily state or reject the view of Kaur Life. Publication should not be considered an endorsement.

Read Part 3: Anand Karaj: Wedding Day Advice here. 

Feature image from iShareimage