What’s the latest trend in pre-wedding shoots? The ex!
What does every modern young couple aim for while getting their prewedding photo shoot done? To be able to do something novel, fun, and refreshing. And the latest trend to hit the town is a pre-wedding shoot involving a threesome… er, we don’t mean a ménage à trois — leave that for Woody Allen movies — but simply a shoot where an exflame is also included.
Did you just fall out of your chair? Get back up on it and read on. Gone are the days when exes couldn’t be friends — well, the ex-lovers don’t actually get to hug the bride or the bridegroom at the photo shoot, but they do get to show their emotions in other ways and be a part of these special memories.
Wedding photographers report an uptick in the trend. “I was amused when the bride told me that her ex-boyfriend would also be a part of the shoot. I was worried about issues, or even a fight, but the dulha was chilled out,” says Manmeet Singh. Another wedding photographer, Pulkit Kapoor, initially thought that the idea was fraught with peril, and that involving an ex could ruin all the shoot planning. But, he says, all three got along so well that “aisa lag raha tha jaise janmo puraane friends ho”.
Shweta Chawla and Dhruv Saini, an entrepreneur couple who wed last month, made his ex, Natasha, a part of their “quirky” pre-wedding shoot. “I had absolutely no issues,” says Shweta. “Ab agar woh dono break up nahi karte toh hum dono ki shaadi kaise hoti? I’m toh very grateful to her.”
Disaster does strike, though, as it did for Arshmeet Kaur, “when my ex and my fiancé started fighting over who’d get more prominence in the shoot”. Experts have a word of caution. “Do keep in mind the temperament of your partner before inviting the ex to the shoot,” says psychologist Pulkit Sharma.
For Manish Malhotra, the new year is an opportunity to take up a challenge. “The year 2018 is one for me to explore different avenues of expression and give my glamour narrative, new shades. The DNA of my work is Indian, with a dash of glamour, intermingled with global accents to give it that touch of modernism,” says the designer. “From helping a bride to choose her dream outfit to [doing the same for] the bride’s mother, friend or even a walk-in client — I, personally, look into all orders. My work is my life,” he says. “All three fashion shows this year have been different experiences. It all started with HT India’s Most Stylish with the Gold collection... to now a different venue in Singapore,” he adds.
In Singapore, the designer recently showcased his Summer Couture collection, which featured intricate floral detailing, his take on summer pastels, and his signature tassels and play with plumes.
“The reaction (to the show) has been absolutely spectacular. I thought Manish had outdone himself with his
Gold Collection, but he has surprised me again!” said actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, after turning showstopper for her selfconfessed “favourite”.
And Malhotra is in no mood to take a break. Despite being busy with work, his endeavour is to introduce freshness. “Clothes this year are getting bolder and sexier, and I am working on the construction, flow and cuts, while keeping in mind changing trends, body awareness and positivity. Also, my love for saris is undying. The idea is to innovate, so the young never give up on the beautiful garment.”