Just married!

Out of my dreams and into your arms I long to fly I will come as evening comes to woo a waiting sky. Out of my dreams and into the hush of falling shadows, When the mist is low and stars are breaking through Then out of my dreams I'll go Into a dream with you.

Tying tin cans at the back of the car has not yet caught the fancy of Bangladeshi bridesmaids and their counterparts (the flirtatious groom's entourage), but this idea to taunt the newly-weds can become a trend any day now - an inevitability just waiting to happen.

It will most certainly be better than attaching shoes to the fender, which is how this western tradition initially began, but its real roots lay way back in history, and as with most wedding rituals, deeply immersed in superstitions.

In our society, it is and always has been quite ceremonial - the ride that takes the couple off to a new start!

Times have changed, the palanquin has been replaced long ago with classier versions of transport; yet even decades ago, when the groom did not own a car of his own, it was customary for a more affluent member of the family to gladly loan his prized possession to the next-of-kin.

Fast forwarding to this time and age - not that everyone can still afford a car, but the custom of requesting a relative for a 'lift' has been replaced by promotional offers from posh rental services, and not to mention, bundle offers from mushrooming, professional wedding planners, giving quick access to any design or model of car one can fancy.

If you have the money to flaunt, even a Beamer is within reach. Maybe if executive is not to your liking, choose something sporty or maybe even muscular, like a Mustang! However, nothing can still make a better impression that a classic Camry encased in garlands of mellifluent 'beli'.

These floral decorations have been experimented with, and truthfully, almost done to death. From floral strings of tuberoses that would span end to end of Corollas, punctuated with withered roses and marigolds, people now seem to opt for simplicity. An elaborate bouquet on the bonnet and some touch of colour. Done!

And when completed with the right amount of panache, it does look classy.

Make a cursory visit to Shahbagh and florists will hover around like swarming bees in their desperate attempt to sell 'unique' decorations, which you can well assume, have been tried and tested for the last decade or so.

As we see it, if you really want to carve your mark and make a real impression on the wedding scene, one can only opt to be a trendsetter forgoing all conventions.

Think out of the box, and it does not necessarily equate to being extravagant, putting a toll on your wallet. The idea is to think differently.

Shun flowers and add colours instead. Rather than using floral elements in your 'carriage' why not create an environment with profuse use of fabrics? Thick brocades in flamboyant designs may be chosen to cover the interior; the window sills can be decorated with sheer fabric – Jamdani, or Muslin, an overtone for the rich brocade used in the interior. 

The roof can simply be covered with monochrome fabrics; motifs like paisley and, creeping vines will work well. In fact, the 'tree of life' and other traditional, symbolic patterns can be a reflection of the journey that is about to begin. A much craved philosophical touch.

Tassels covering the dashboard and bordering of the ceiling, will add to the whole 'flashy look' one is trying to pull off. 

However, a word of caution: unless skillfully executed, there is a real possibility of turning everything into a gaudy mess. A good amount of planning should precede the real execution and one must take into consideration the overall theme of the wedding itself, and more importantly the selection of the wedding trousseau.

The tailour's sartorial skill will also play an important role. Be involved in each section of the execution of the overall look; assigning someone with some good understanding of design, colour and fabric will surely come helpful.

And lastly, as the final touch, let the bride be on the driver's seat for a change.

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Models: Shrabosti and Shoel

Make-up: Farzana Shakil's Makeover Salon

Wardrobe: Warez

Jewellery: Warez

Car-décor: Eskay by Saimul Karim