We don’t normally feature styled shoots unless they’re exquisite. And this styled shoot is so exquisite, that we head to the Middle East to the luxurious Madinat Jumeriah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The bridal magazine, Bride Club ME, is an exclusive place for brides planning weddings in the Middle East. BCME doles out delicious dollops of real wedding inspiration, ideas, and planning advice. Founder Rio, created an Indian bridal photo shoot that showed off the glamour and realness of a bride.
When she told me she had a very special Indian bridal styled shoot, I just jumped on it to feature! What we love about this shoot is Rio herself did the modeling. She wanted a “real” bride to show off: someone who is not size 0, not tall and skinny, and doesn’t have a modeling career.
This shoot is realistic and oh so beautiful. And she proves the point that you don’t have to look like a model to take model-like photos.
Rio shares her inspiration behind the photo shoot:
Being transformed into an Indian bride was certainly an experience. Over at my website based in Dubai, UAE, I decided to conduct a review of my clients, Make up by Dee & Dal, Indian bridal make-up technique. I don’t have perfect skin and I have insecurities (my tummy!).
The review organically turned into a fashion shoot of sorts, with the anarkali lengha and accessories being supplied Anjali K Couture, the henna being applied by Vandana Makar and photography taken by Liz at JvR Photography. The main images were taken in and around the stunning Madinat Jumeirah, in Dubai.
The shoot itself was great fun, but tiring. I was sweating like a builder in a PVC jumpsuit, and
found it very hard to pull off the ‘coy’ look that many Indian brides are famous for.
But the results were amazing! I truly felt like a Bollywood bridal princess, and while swanning around the Madinat Jumeirah, I actually got stopped several times by tourists wanting to take pictures with me. It was a surreal experience and I have a new-found respect for professional models – it’s NOT easy!
Since I am not Indian myself, I am not used to the heavy make-up look or the traditional attire.
At times, I found it a little uncomfortable, the gown was very heavy and full of intricate beading and since we shot just before the impending heat wave here in Dubai, temperatures were beginning to soar. The makeup artists used sweat proof products, which avoided unsightly sweaty upper lips issues and shine on the skin.
Following my experience with this shoot, my advice for those of you getting married or having one of your events outdoors during the summer would be:
• Wear a long lasting deodorant
• Wear light but supportive cotton undergarments
• Ensure your make-up artist uses sweat proof products. See below!
• Carry touch up powder and cooling wet wipes for clammy hands.
• Keep calm and drink plenty of water throughout.
Makeup used by Dee & Dal:
- Nurturing Force HD Oil Control Primer to prep the skin
- The Body Shop makeup – Extra Virgin Minerals foundation, a combination of the Jumbo Pencil and Cream concealers, Colour Crush eye shadows, Liquid Eyeliner, Shimmer Waves Bronzer Palette, Colour Crush Lipstick in 101 and Super Volume mascara
- i-envy by Kiss false lashes
- Loose gold glitter to enhance the golden eye shadow
- The whole look was set in place with Faces Atelier setting spray
Thank you for featuring us! Wishing all you lovely Indian brides out there a wonderful wedding and marriage ahead~!
{Vendors}
Organised & conceptualised by: Rio at www.brideclubme.com
Location: The Madinat Jumeirah
Photographer: JvR Photography
Make-up and hair: Make-Up by Dee & Dal
Henna art: Henna by Vandana Makar
Outfit (Anarkali Lengha) and jewelry: Anjali K Couture
such a gorgeous wedding gown!