Shaadi.com Blog

A Happy Couple: Nikhil and Deivyani

Shaadilive — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:00:41 +0000

Deivyani and I connected through Shaadi.com. Though skeptical on whether the concept of an online matrimony would work, we decided to give it a shot and I can now definitely say that it does work! I sent out an interest to Deivyani on the day I registered as a paid member and from there on things moved really fast.

Acceptance on Day 1, we spoke on Day 2 (based out of separate cities), parents met on Day 3, skyped on Day 5 and we were all set! So much so that we met for the first time just a day before our planned Roka! We finally tied the knot on 9 December, 2012. A big thumbs up to Shaadi.com!

- Contributed by Nikhil

In Love With a Vegetarian?

Shaadilive — Mon, 20 May 2013 01:00:31 +0000

It’s not easy dating a vegetarian, we understand! It becomes all the more difficult when you plan to go out for dinner. Some vegetarian partners wouldn’t like you calling for non-veg food, while some are comfortable as long as you’re not forcing them to eat. Here are 5 tips that will ensure a smooth date on the food front…

Check the Menu First
Just because it’s your favourite restaurant, doesn’t mean you take them there. First find out if they serve veg food and if yes, do they have a wide selection of meals for vegetarians? If they don’t, there’s no point going there. Not only will your partner be disappointed, you may find that they won’t want a second date.

Don’t Try Sneaking Meat in Their Food
This is downright disrespectful, trust us! You might do it just for fun, but that’s not funny. Sometimes people can go really violent if they haven’t eaten meat in years. So, don’t even think of having fun like this.

You Could Turn Veg For Sometime
We know you’re a hardcore non-vegetarian but there’s no harm in enjoying some veg meal once in a while. They aren’t bland or tasteless like they’re usually portrayed. Your partner will love you for this and don’t forget that veg meals are lighter on the wallet.

Don’t Expect Them to Change Their Eating Habits
This is not right! You can’t question someone about how can they not eat meat? or tell them that it’s high time they change themselves and turn non-vegetarian. If they are comfortable eating veg, let them. And if your partner has no problem with you enjoying a steak or burger in front of him/her, you should be happy. Who says it’s important to change your eating habits in a relationship.

Don’t Wave Meat in Their Face
Yes, this may seem like common sense to most people but it happens more often. You might not realise it while you’re talking to them. So, if you must have non-veg, get your etiquette right or you’ll look like an idiot.

- Vipasha Pillai

5 Tips to Plan Your Wedding

Shaadilive — Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:23 +0000

Your wedding day is one of the most important day in your life and planning this special day can be quite a stressful task. If everything is well-planned, things can be less stressful. So, here are a list of things to consider while planning your D-day…

1. Select a Proper Date

In Hindu weddings, the wedding date is finalized by the priest depending on the horoscope. But before you settle on your wedding date, it’s important for you to discuss this with your family members, relatives and close friends to make sure they’re able to attend your function and block their dates.

2. Have a Budget Planned

You need to decide on whether you prefer a grand or a simple ceremony, and make arrangements accordingly. If you have the budget and want to celebrate this day in a big way, you need not worry much. But yes, if you have a strict budget, it is important that you figure out exactly how much money you have to spend on your wedding.

Once you have an idea of the funds available, you’ll need to prepare a list of all the important things. The key to such a budget is to establish priorities. For instance, what’s more important to you, starting right from your wedding date and outfit to the food menu. Choose one item that you’re willing to invest a little extra in. Then, plan for the rest of your wish-list in order to accommodate the money on hand.

3. Reservation and Bookings

Once the date is finalized and you know the type of ceremony you want to go for, start hunting for a good venue without wasting time. People book their wedding venue almost six months in advance. Even if there are only limited booking spots left at a venue, you may want to ask if they could hold the date for you for a week so that you can review the contract and get back to them.

This tactic doesn’t always work in your favor, but at least you won’t be pressured into signing a contract only to find that with ‘hidden costs’ it far exceeds your budget. You can then figure out other important things like hiring a good caterer, etc. All this is quite time consuming, so get moving well in advance.

4. Sending Across an Invitation

The next step is to send out all invitations. This very much depends on timely bookings and deciding upon date, ceremonies, time and venue. Never send across your wedding invitation to people assuming that they are not going to show up. They may very well not come, but you need to be sure that it is all right with you if they do come.

5. Share Responsibilities

It is recommended that you have a to-do list ready well in advance for this day. Also, divide the responsibilities among the family members, just to make sure things are smooth and organized. Planning a wedding is definitely not an easy task, so getting your family members and close friends involved can make this day successful and memorable.

- Manoj Varma

4 Things Men Notice on the First Meeting

Shaadilive — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:00:50 +0000

Some men are smart enough and can notice certain things instantly in a woman on the first meeting. Wondering what? Read on to find out what are those 4 things…

1. The Way You Look at Men
Men do keep an eye on their woman when a good looking guy passes by or if he’s sitting somewhere close to her. So, you better not have a roving eye or you are sure to be rejected. It’s your first meeting with your prospective spouse , so instead of wasting time checking out other men, please concentrate on your partner.

2. Your Attitude
The way you behave does matter to him. Every guy wants a partner who’s understanding, caring, loving and trustworthy and not someone who’s careless, immature, over possessive and loves throwing attitude. You got to appear smart in front of him. So, think twice before you say or do something. Don’t forget that your man is observing you.

3. Your Attitude Towards Kids
Do you like kids, how well can you manage them, etc are some things men always want to know first about women and they need not ask you these things. Men are smart enough to find out. If there’s a kid around who’s crying and you start making faces saying, “I hate kids, they’re so irritating,” etc, it obviously means you’re not fond of them. So, be careful! If you like the guy, act wisely.

4. Your Dressing Sense
What you wear for your first meeting really matters. It’s best to avoid wearing anything that’s revealing or an outfit that’s too Indian. So please save your favourite saree for your best friend’s wedding ceremony. First impression is the last impression, so if your dressing is not right, it will be your last meeting with the guy. It’s best to wear something that you are comfortable in and goes well with your personality. Lastly, stick to a natural look with minimal make-up.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Chetan Bhagat Turns Matchmaker

Shaadilive — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:52:48 +0000

Indian author, Chetan Bhagat will now be seen fixing matches with Anupam Mittal, CEO of Shaadi.com. Chetan, who believes in love stories, miracles and the institution of Marriage will be seen narrating Shaadi.com’s success stories to the world in the new TV camapaign with the tag line – ‘Love, Arranged by Shaadi.com.’

The ad has been created by the advertising agency JWT and will be aired on all the leading channels from 17 May. Chetan’s stories are mostly based on real life stories and Shaadi.com is all about real people and their real stories. As a brand, Shaadi.com believes in ‘Spreading Happiness through Togetherness’ in peoples lives and celebrates love, life & marriage. “Chetan Bhagat is a youth icon who is known for his honest writing. Happily married for years, he is a strong believer in the sacred institution of marriage, and so are we,” says Anupam.

He further adds, “In a way, both represent how modern India is falling in love. He believes in love and at Shaadi.com, we make love happen by bringing people together.” Ask Chetan about his association with the brand and he says, “Shaadi.com has been constantly helping the youth find their special someone for over 16 years now. I often played matchmaker with my friends in college, but I never knew that I would be doing so on a national level with a trusted brand like Shaadi.com. It feels great.”

Here’s a glimpse of our new TVC!

Men Say ‘I Love You’ First, Finds Study

Shaadilive — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:00:37 +0000

The three little words — I Love You can either be a relationship milestone or prove to be the exact opposite. And guess what — men are more likely to say it first. A recent study conducted by a dating site, found that at least 76 per cent men say ‘I Love You’ first. “Men are often perceived as emotionally reserved compared to women,” said Brandon Wade, CEO and founder of the site, a date bidding site, in a press release. “This survey completely contradicts this stereotype, proving that men are as emotionally invested as women in any serious relationship,” he says.

But where do these men drop the L-bomb? The study found that 81 per cent of men said it in a private setting (often in the bedroom), 11 per cent said it over a phone call or text and eight per cent said it in a public setting. Thirty per cent of women, on the other hand, end up saying ‘I Love You,’ in a bedroom or private setting and 67 per cent of us say it over text messages or phone calls. And let’s not jump to conclusions right away.

A January study found that men do say ‘I love you,’ first — but not for the right reasons. The study by Pennsylvania State University found men were only trying to get their partners in bed, according to The Daily Mail. For whatever the reason may be for saying ‘I love you’ first, most of us don’t say it right away. Another survey revealed that most people don’t actually exchange the three words until they reach date 14.

Courtesy: Huffingtonpost

5 Qualities to Look For in Your Life Partner

Shaadilive — Tue, 14 May 2013 01:00:45 +0000

Marriage is a life-long commitment, so it is important that you find someone who’s just perfect for you. There is a common belief that marriages are made in heaven, but when it comes to selecting a life-partner it can’t be left to destiny or luck, right? You need to make an effort to know the person better and have shared interests. Here are some qualities you should look for in your prospective partner…

1. Maturity
This is one important quality you need to look for in your partner. S/he should be mentally prepared to take on responsibilities of a family and should be capable of taking independent decisions at the time of crisis. Physical, emotional and intellectual maturity can be termed as ingredients that will lead to the stability of a relationship in the future. So, find out how matured and mentally prepared s/he really is before getting hitched.

2. Good Family Background
This is of utmost importance and can’t be ignored, as marriage is not just the coming together of two individuals but two families. Religion, culture, traditions and values play an important role when it comes to marriage and living under the same roof. A rift can occur and scar the relationship forever if even one of the two families is too orthodox or too broad-minded. Lifestyle, food habits, religious sentiments, etc are few important factors to be considered.

3. Financial Stability
Your partner should have a stable income. What if one of you lose your job, due to some reason after marriage? So, it’s important that both of you are equally stable. You don’t have to feel uncomfortable discussing money matters ahead of time. For instance, you could talk about your spending habits and find out where you both feel your money should go, etc. This can prevent disagreements later. Also, discuss how you and your partner feel about buying, saving, and sharing bank accounts (if needed).

4. Sense of Humour
Having a partner with good sense of humour will ease out your worries in difficult times. This gives one the courage to take things light-heartedly and adds zeal to a marriage. Believe it or not, but when the going gets tough, good sense of humour can take you smoothly even through rough situations. Life is so much fun when your partner has a good sense of humour and knows how to be there for you to put a smile on your face.

5. Emotional Compatibility and much more…
Be it, good personal hygiene, adjusting nature, physical and emotional compatibility, etc these are all important factors that determine the success of a marriage. Mutual trust and respect helps you share things openly, as a couple. Also, ease of communication leads to a long-lasting relationship, which in turn helps you to resolve the issues in a mature manner.

Now you know, what to look for in an ‘ideal’ partner and a happy married-life ahead.

Akshaya Tritiya: An Auspicious Day

Shaadilive — Mon, 13 May 2013 01:00:47 +0000

Akshaya Tritiya is an auspicious festival that falls on the third day after Amavasi (no moon) in the Hindu month of Vaishakha. The most popular legend associated with Akshaya Tritiya is that of Sudama visiting Lord Krishna with the hope of solving his poverty. On his visit, Sudama offered Lord Krishna the only thing he had at that time – a handful of rice.

The moment Krishna tasted it, Sudama became rich overnight. It is also believed that Vyasa began writing the Mahabharata on this day. People wait for Akshaya Tritiya to invest in gold and conduct Lakshmi puja in the presence of their family to bring in the good fortune.

May you find your life partner during this festival of prosperity and abundance!

Quick Facts» Akshaya Tritiya is also known as Akha Teej
» The word Akshaya means ‘that which never diminishes’
» It is believed all investments made on this day continues to grow and brings prosperity

Know more about other festivals, events and important days:

Happy Mother’s Day!

Shaadilive — Sun, 12 May 2013 01:00:17 +0000

Mother’s Day is celebrated across the world to recognize mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds in general, as well as the positive contributions that they make to towards the society. It is usually celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

One of the early calls to celebrate Mother’s Day in the United States was the ‘Mother’s Day Proclamation’ by Julia Ward Howe in 1870. Even though the month and date on which Mother’s Day is celebrated is different in every country, the idea is to pay tribute to mothers for all their love and support and to make them feel special.

Here’s wishing all the mother’s a very Happy Mother’s Day!

Quick Facts» This day emerged from an ancient Greece custom of mother worship.
» UK and Ireland follow the old traditions of Mothering Sunday.
» This day was declared by the US President Woodrow Wilson on 8 May, 1914.

Know more about other festivals, events and important days:

10 Ways to Make Your Relationship Work

Shaadilive — Fri, 10 May 2013 01:00:36 +0000

If things aren’t going too well between you and your partner, don’t you worry! Here are some tips to keep in mind for a successful relationship with your partner. Top 10 things that make a relationship work and deepen the bond…

1. Spend Time Together
Take out at least half an hour from your busy schedule everyday to speak to your partner. Make it a point to spend some quality time exclusively together and go out atleast once a month. It helps, trust us!

2. Two-way Communication is Important
Communication is the key to success in any relationship. The more you communicate, the better it is for the two of you, as it helps you understand each other better. But, remember interaction implies action on both sides. Therefore, every interaction should be two-way.

3. Learn to Compromise and Adjust
There’s no harm in compromising and making some adjustments to make your relationship work. In fact, won’t it be rude if you don’t compromise in any way and every time your partner has to adjust? So, make that extra effort for your partner. Remember, a good relationship is always built on compromise and a great deal of give-and-take from both sides. Also, adjustment is part and parcel of every long-lasting relationship.

4. Continue to Compliment
In most cases, the couple compliment each other only in the initial days and then it all suddenly stops. If it’s the same in your case too, start complementing your partner again and s/he will love it, trust us! The compliments should continue even after a few years of the relationship to keep the chemistry alive.

5. Don’t Try to Change Your Partner
If you really love your partner, accept him/her unconditionally. Instead of trying to change some characteristics about your partner, you have to learn to accept your partner the way s/he is.

6. Forgive and Forget
All couples have their share of ups and downs in life. If your partner has hurt you in the past and since then things have changed between the two of you, it’s best to forgive him/her. Remember, forgive and forget is the key to a better relationship. So, try this and things will soon get back on track.

7. Keep Smiling
You need to learn to do that one thing that’s most likely to restore good feelings in your relationship. Wondering what? We’re just talking about giving your partner a genuine and loving smile every time you see him/her or whenever your partner is around.

8. Speak Up
If there’s something that’s bothering you, say it. Learn to express your problems to your partner and try sorting it out at the earliest. Bottling up your feelings can only make the situation worse and affect your relationship.

9. Work Out a Budget Together
Conflicts over money matters is a common problem. How to save or how to spend is what creates fights. For a relationship to work, you have to listen to each others point of views. Managing finances well and paying heed to your partner’s advice is the best thing to do to avoid fights. Yes, you should make the most of your time now, but also plan for future if you really want to spend rest of your life together.

10. Everyday is a New Day
Yes, we mean it, as everyday you’ll get to know something new about your partner, especially when you happen to meet someone online. Life will be full of surprises and each day will be a discovery. The journey can be as exciting as the destination. So, enjoy the opportunity to discover each others flaws and merits. Way to go!