Miss India UK Finals Announced

Shaadi-Esque really does get invited to some pretty awesome non-wedding events!! Friday night we were hanging out with the final 20 girls of the Miss India UK pageant, exclusively at Anaya Club, Swallow Street, Mayfair.



These finalists, all stunning in their own right, dressed up in their finest gowns, strutted their way to the centre stage and blew everyone away.

The Rules:The girls must  all be of Indian origin, between the ages of 17 and 27, never married, and are citizens, residents, or born in the country which they represent. The pageant consists of four segments - Evening Gown, Indian Dress, Talent and Question-Answer. The winners of all the various national pageants from all over the world vie for the glamorous and prestigious title of the Miss India Worldwide.

Above: 2011 winner of Miss India UK, saddened she would have to give up her crown very soon to the 2012 winner.

The night was a great opportunity to meet the girls, speak with the organisers and get into the spirit of the competition where the girls - as friendly as they are with one another - battle it out for the title of Miss India UK. And what a title it is!!

Some background on the competition: The contest really blew up in New York and has been conducted every year since 1980 and has really grown on an international level.

The title to us sitting at our desks at Shaad-Esque HQ is about being in a position to make a difference. Winning the crown of Miss India UK isn't about being the prettiest, or the most talented, it is more about what you can do with this new title. It is usually the case where having a title and a serious amount of sponsors and backing means that you have the power to change the world (a little at a time). Whether that means raising awareness for a charity; raising funds for a cause; or getting involved to bring about more support. A small child with a life threatening disease would feel no pain in the presence of a Queen.

Being a contestant in Miss India is about more than good looks, style and makeup skills. These girls battle it out to compete for an honorary title which they can make their own mark in history.

It is "the most glamorous Indian function in the world."

The Miss India pageant is the only ethnic origin to have a pageant on an international level - which says something about how significant these titles are and how hard renowned they are.

This year their charity is Water Aid who are an international nongovernmental organisation whose mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world's poorest communities.

Lastly I would like to congratulate Deana Uppal for winning the Miss India UK title on Saturday 4th February 2012.

Keeping you inspired!!Rachyeta xxx

January Round up ...

January saw the start of a fresh new year and a truly awakening spring in The RS Bridal Group’s step. Not only can we welcome some fabulous Brides and Grooms to our Wedding Planners Books, but some more clients destined for great weddings who have booked themselves with rs Weddings’ Theme Design Packages.

But what you really want to know and what I really want to tell you about is how phenomenal Shaadi-Esque has been doing just this past month. Designers, Charitable activities, Wedding features, Chinese New Year, Musical Talent and our very first lifestyle feature. It has been a very busy month for Shaadi-Esque and indeed the RS Group.

We celebrated alongside Charmi Mandavia, designer and owner of Charmi Creations at the launch of her fabulous chic new Boutique in Pinner. We showcased Raishma’s designs and took a little look at how she has evolved as a designer and above all made her brand individual and highly regarded. The final designer showcased this month was Sati Takhar, whose couture pieces really made a mark with Shaadi-Esque and we really look forward to seeing what is in stall for all the designers and suppliers who feature with us.



Most recently we witnessed the Chinese New Year which was highly regarded as the Year of the Dragon.  Auspicious and longevity are symbolised by the Dragon, so this was one year we didn't want to miss out on. We featured three bright and beautiful rouge Dragon inspired boards which blew our readers away, they were fusion, individual and outright spunky!



Shaadi-Esque joined The RS Bridal Group in some rather selfless acts this January. We joined forces to bake some delicious yumminesses for the homeless shelter in the London Borough. For dessert that evening they enjoyed 'Lilac Cupcakes and Ordo Brownies'. Making me drool thinking about it. (Oh boy!)

We went so far as to feature a talented duo as they debuted their new track 'Lohri' which took the iTunes download charts by storm. Shaadi-Esque's little nugget of showbiz-nes!!

Let's not forget our new Lifestyle feature, of which Dishoom in London got their first serving. It was all about the bollybelini's. And then some! :)



We have featured some amazing weddings and some even more fabulous bride's and groom's. We love sharing special weddings, unique ideas or just special moments. A picture does say a thousand words, and Shaadi-Esque readers know it!



Specially for January we were fortunate to attend an engagement party for which we were thoroughly impressed with, we observed, thoroughly enjoyed, and blogged at our hearts content.

So What a busy and pretty phantasmal month January has been. Quite the start to the year and there has been some fond, memorable posts that we wish to continue with.

If you are a photographer/ Bride or Groom / Wedding Supplier and you would like to feature your weddings or services then just visit our submissions page or get in touch on blog@rsbridalgroup.co.uk.

If on the other hand you are a bride and groom and you would like a write up of your wedding or engagement,  much like our Attended Wedding, on Shaadi-Esque or to keep in your album - get in touch also. Words can be valuable even without pictures.

Looking forward to February and all 2012 has to offer. Best of luck to all of our suppliers and features for 2012 is the one to watch!

Keeping you inspired!

Rachyeta Singh (Wedding Designer and Founder of RS Bridal Group)

xxx

{Charitable Activities} Homeless Shelter Giving, Make a change

Starting this week off on a little bit of a generous and serious note.

The weekend just passed saw the reunion of Shaadi-Esque and the RS Bridal Group in some Charitable activities. Combining forces we baked some delicious Lilac Cupcakes and Oreo Brownies for our local Homeless shelter.



Homelessness is a serious issue in London and Nationwide and there are various charities and voluntary shelters available to cater for those without a roof over their head. There are a lot of wonderful people who give up their time to help and take care of these individuals, so it was so lovely that we could just take a small leaf out of their book and make something those less fortunate could enjoy.

Some Awareness

Anyone can become homeless through the end of a relationship, the end of private short term tenancies, or abusive upbringing. "After a reduction in or loss of income due to health reasons or unemployment, or a sharp rise in interest rates, a person may find themselves unable to keep up mortgage repayments. Some people on low incomes who rely on housing benefit to pay their rent can face eviction because of errors and delays in the benefit being paid."



Image Credit: Pinterest

Each story is different, but it is organisations like 'Shelter' and community efforts like what we saw on the weekend that are making the real difference. Shelter's main belief is that the root cause of Homelessness is the lack of affordable accommodation in the UK. Reading this article: 'So many homeless are working - we're paying tax and sleeping on the street' - Evening Standard, just shows that those on low incomes cannot afford liveable, sanitary conditions.

"Since 2002, the Government has made homelessness prevention a priority, providing funding to improve homelessness services and requiring local councils to develop proactive strategies to prevent homelessness in their area." However there needs to be more affordable living for this problem to dissipate.

Personal Note

The Bridal Group takes part in many charitable activities when it can, and this is something we would really like to keep up with. I personally am involved in the raising of funds for an entirely Charitable Hospital in Punjab which provides healthcare to those who cannot afford to be treated at the large city hospitals a long distance from the villages. So giving back is something I diffuse into my business, so it was wonderful hearing how 'warm and fuzzy' everyone felt after delivering the cakes.

Volunteering and donating are definitely things we should all do within our community, showing compassion goes a long way and truly makes you a better and more respected person - through and through.

I hope I am still leaving you inspired and a little encouraged to make a change, however small it may be.

Have a wonderful Monday and week to come!!

Rachyeta xxx