Jewellery

Shopping is not merely looking for wedding clothes. There's jewellery - gold, diamonds- to lend that special touch to your wedding clothes. Gold is auspicious but how much is the question. The right blend would be a heavy set for special occasions while a light meenakari or kundan set for everyday wear. Add a pearl necklace for your western sets worn with pearl solitaire. Pearl usually suits western outfits. Add a few costume jewellery pieces too- for those times when you go out of town and do not want to carry valuables with you. Just a practical way out!

When purchasing Gold, check for the current price per gram, it’s purity and the reliability of the shop. The quality of the diamond is determined by four characteristics. They are cut, colour, clarity and carat weight, so when purchasing diamonds, check for 4Cs --

• Cut: Cut is often confused with the shape of the diamond. The finer the cut, the greater will be the amount of light reflected through the diamond and the better will be its quality. If the cut is either too deep or shallow light reflected will be less, thus confirming inferior quality.
• Colour: The best colour for a diamond is no colour. Thus a colourless diamond is more precious than a coloured one. A diamond's colour can range from being colourless to yellow.
• Clarity: A diamond that is virtually free of interior or exterior inclusions (commonly called flaws or bubbles) is of the highest quality. This is because nothing interferes with the passage of light through the diamond.
• Carat weight: Bigger is bigger but not better. Diamond is measured in carat. One carat is divided into 100 'points'. So a diamond of 75 points weighs .75 carats. Hence, two diamonds of equal size may not have the same value. This is due to the fact that the valuation depends on its quality determined by the 4 Cs.

Besides jewellery pieces passed on to you by your grandmother & mother, buy some contemporary & trendy jewellery from reputed jewelers of Ludhiana only, & insist on certificates of purity. The mangalsutra is the most important piece of jewellery besides bangles, kadas, nose rings, tikka, earrings, chokers & necklaces. Maintain a list & the expense incurred against each item.

Checklist for Gems

When you’re in the market for Jewelry shopping, compare quality, price & service. If you are not familiar with any jeweler in your area, check this Ludhiana Wedding Guide. You also should:

• Ask for the store’s refund & return policy before you buy.
• Check for the appropriate markings on metal jewellry.
• Ask whether a gemstone is natural, laboratory created, or imitation.
• Ask whether the gemstone has been treated. Is the change permanent? Is special care required?
• Make sure the jeweller writes on the receipt information you relied on such as the gem’s weight or size. Some jewelers also may supply a grading report from a gemological laboratory.

Footwears

Trudging from shop to shop for getting the right colour match for your attire might give you a nerve-break.

• Usually a bridal outfit is interwoven with golden threads. So why not go for a golden pair that is widely available. You can choose from wide range of styles, sizes & widths and at affordable rates.
• To give a traditional look to your footwear, ask your shoemaker to cover your sandals with matching silk-bordered cloth. Else, be little creative & redesign your sandals by gluing embroidered border or tiny mirrors or small decorative glittering flowers.
• You’ll be on your feet most of the day, and the last thing you need to worry about is sore feet. Remember this calls for wearing a pair of open-toed comfortable sandals.

Festive Week & Gifts

Complete all painting, plumbing and electrical repairs a month before the festivities begin.

• Arrange for additional domestic help.
• Maintain a list of things to be bought and stock up an extra ration, groceries, gas cylinders, crockery etc.
• Plan a weekly menu to avoid last minute decisions and worries.
• Keep your jewelry in a safe place.
• Make a list of people you have to buy gifts for, include those from your spouse’s family. It is a good idea to give small gifts of appreciation to friends and relatives who have helped with the wedding arrangements.