marrying THE ONE, MERGING THE many

Sharon D’Silva enlists the help of three experts to guide you through the maze of wedding planning, in-laws and everything in between

- Sharon D’Silva

Baskets of fresh flowers that leave a trail of sun-kissed yellow in and out of the venue. Soft lights cascading through vines set against a backdrop of opulent red. A picturesque stage that unites the entire space, allowing you to experience love in its purest, most resplendent form. There truly isn't anything that comes close to the beauty of an Indian wedding.

Navigating the intricate details, such as the choreography of these elements, however, presents challenges and delights in equal measure. As you gear up to dance through this minefield of emotions, we offer you a backstage pass to the most common issues that might arise, and guide you on how to maintain your composure and peace through it all.

CIRCUMVENT OF UNSOLICITED THE SEA ADVICE

In the world of weddings, unwanted opinions flow like champagne at a reception. From "Save money by making your own wedding cake" to "Why don't you have your long-lost second cousin be your ring bearer?" - you're suddenly surrounded by experts armed with Pinterest boards whose only qualification is binge-watching wedding shows in their free time. "While each situation is unique, a good starting point would be the awareness that there could be certain decisions that will be made keeping the wishes of other members in the family in mind and some that can be exclusively for the couple to decide," says Mumbai-based psychologist Aekta Brahmbhatt.