Tabloid favourite Pippa Middleton, who got married recently, completed a three-month long bridal boot camp that set urban standards for brides-to-be, and has brought up numerous debates on how girls should prep for their weddings!
The camp, in general, includes pre-planned meals, classes involving dance, yoga, meditation, cardio training, Pilates and spinning, leg toning treatments and skincare. Though not so common in India, we take a look at how celebs, trainers and most importantly, brides react to this tradition — and if they would like to give it a try?
Actress Akshara Gowda says, “A bridal boot camp is intriguing. Every girl would want to go for a break before her big day. Apart from the dress fittings, makeup and hair tests, every bride-to-be should take some time off and enroll in some rejuvenating camps similar to this.” She adds, “It will help in combating pre-wedding jitters. Considering our big fat Indian weddings — the bridal boot camps should be pocket-friendly as well! That said, the brides can hit the gym and lose extra pounds.”
When we ask if she’d be game for this before she got married, Akshara replies, “Why not? I will definitely enroll if such programmes are there in our country. Who will say no to them!” City girl Asha Jhabakh, who is gearing up for her nuptials in July, has decided to dedicate some quality time for herself before the D-day — “The bride and groom will be busy with the wedding preps and won’t get time to relax. It’s good to have such camps — it’s a holistic approach. I am planning to keep myself tension-free, starting from at least a month before the wedding.”
With its emphasis on well-being, wellness programmes give bride-to-be an inner glow and keep them energetic. Fitness expert Sangeetha Gopal has a lot of clients coming in for weight-loss programmes. “More than the facial glow that you get from beauty parlours, it’s important to look beautiful from within. Daily exercises, yoga and meditation help you in attaining it. I prefer a three-month long training for the brides-to-be — their confidence level and mindset will change. It’s not just before the wedding, they should take care of their body even after the wedding, forever,” she opines.
Joining Sangeetha in her opinion is Alkhas Joseph, a fitness trainer who shuttles between Mumbai and Chennai. “The bridal boot camp is a beautiful concept. Not only before the wedding, a woman should take care of her body throughout her life. Women play a lot of roles in life — they should be mentally and physically strong in performing them. General wellness should be a part of life for both men and women,” opines Alkhas.
Shiv Dhanya, one of the renowned wedding planners in the city, also agrees that it is a fancy idea, but much depends on the duration and the feasibility — “Such programmes are needed for rejuvenation and it’s a must-try in Chennai! Days before the wedding are very stressful for most of the brides and grooms. It would be great if there are some similar projects within the city limits. A lot of youngsters, who are working, don’t even have time to come for sangeet practice! People are held up with work and pre-wedding prep. So, rather than going for a month-long programme, one can start off with a week or a 21-day session. It’s said that in 21 days, a person can change their habit.”
Well, we hope all the beautiful brides-to-be from the city take cue from Pippa, and prepare their body and mind for one of the most important days of their lives. It could be well worth it!
