# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
"""
Aakriti Events V2 — Blog Data Utility
All blog post data lives here. Each post is a dict with a unique `slug`
field used for URL routing.
"""

BLOG_POSTS = [
    {
        "slug": "how-to-plan-a-luxury-wedding",
        "title": "How to Plan a Luxury Wedding Without the Stress",
        "category": "Wedding Tips",
        "date": "June 15, 2025",
        "read_time": "6 min read",
        "image": "/theme_aakriti_v2/static/src/img/wedding.png",
        "excerpt": (
            "Planning a luxury wedding can feel overwhelming, but with the right team "
            "and timeline in place, your dream celebration becomes effortlessly achievable."
        ),
        "content": """
            <p>A luxury wedding is more than just a big budget — it's about creating an experience
            that feels personal, intentional, and effortlessly beautiful for every single guest.
            The secret to pulling this off without stress lies in three core principles:
            <strong>early planning, the right vendor network, and clear communication.</strong></p>

            <h3>Start at Least 12 Months Out</h3>
            <p>The most sought-after venues, photographers, and floral designers book up quickly.
            Starting your planning journey 12–18 months before your date ensures you have access
            to the very best. Begin with a clear vision board and a realistic budget conversation
            before you book anything.</p>

            <h3>Build Your Dream Team First</h3>
            <p>Your wedding planner and creative director are your most important hires.
            A great planner will have an established vendor network, negotiate on your behalf,
            and manage your timeline so you never have to worry. At Aakriti Design, we handle
            every detail — from mandap construction to guest flow logistics — so you can
            simply be present on your day.</p>

            <h3>Design Around Your Story</h3>
            <p>Luxury isn't about excess — it's about meaning. Every floral arrangement,
            every lighting choice, every table setting should reflect who you are as a couple.
            We begin every wedding design consultation by listening. Your cultural background,
            your favourite memories, the mood you want guests to feel walking in — all of this
            shapes our creative direction.</p>

            <h3>Plan for the Guest Experience</h3>
            <p>The difference between a good wedding and an unforgettable one is how guests
            <em>feel</em> as they move through the day. Think about arrival moments, cocktail
            hour flow, the reveal of the main reception space, and the energy of the dance floor.
            Every transition is an opportunity to create a memory.</p>

            <p>Ready to start planning your dream wedding? <a href="/contactus">Reach out to our
            team</a> for a complimentary consultation.</p>
        """,
        "author": "Paarul Ladd",
        "author_title": "Founder & Creative Director",
        "tags": ["Wedding", "Planning", "Luxury"],
    },
    {
        "slug": "multicultural-wedding-design-tips",
        "title": "Multicultural Wedding Design: Blending Traditions Beautifully",
        "category": "Design Inspiration",
        "date": "May 28, 2025",
        "read_time": "5 min read",
        "image": "/theme_aakriti_v2/static/src/img/cultural.png",
        "excerpt": (
            "Designing a fusion wedding that honours two cultures with equal beauty and "
            "respect requires deep creativity and cultural sensitivity. Here's how we do it."
        ),
        "content": """
            <p>Multicultural weddings are among the most beautiful and complex celebrations
            to design. When two families bring different traditions, colour palettes, rituals,
            and aesthetic expectations to the same event, the challenge is to honour them
            all — without making the event feel like a compromise.</p>

            <h3>Start with a Cultural Discovery Session</h3>
            <p>Before we pick a single flower or choose a fabric, we sit down with both
            families separately and together. We ask about rituals that matter most, colours
            that hold significance, and moments they want guests to witness and remember.
            This forms the emotional foundation of the entire design.</p>

            <h3>Find the Visual Thread</h3>
            <p>Every beautiful fusion design has a unifying visual language — a colour, a
            texture, or a motif that bridges both traditions. For an Indo-Western wedding,
            this might be ivory and gold paired with lush greenery. For an African-South Asian
            celebration, it could be rich jewel tones with intricate pattern work. The thread
            makes the event feel cohesive rather than divided.</p>

            <h3>Zone the Ceremony Thoughtfully</h3>
            <p>When a celebration includes two ceremony types — a Hindu ceremony and a Christian
            blessing, for example — how you transition between zones matters enormously. Lighting,
            floral drops, or even a simple walk through a beautifully designed corridor can create
            a meaningful moment of transition between rituals.</p>

            <h3>Communicate with Vendors Early</h3>
            <p>Caterers, musicians, officiants — every vendor needs to understand the cultural
            context of what they're contributing to. We brief each vendor thoroughly and ensure
            all timelines account for the natural pace of different ritual formats.</p>

            <p>We've had the privilege of designing some of the most extraordinary fusion
            celebrations in the region. <a href="/contactus">Let's talk about yours.</a></p>
        """,
        "author": "Paarul Ladd",
        "author_title": "Founder & Creative Director",
        "tags": ["Multicultural", "Wedding", "Design"],
    },
    {
        "slug": "stage-decoration-trends-2025",
        "title": "Stage Decoration Trends Dominating 2025 Events",
        "category": "Trends",
        "date": "May 10, 2025",
        "read_time": "4 min read",
        "image": "/theme_aakriti_v2/static/src/img/stage_decor.png",
        "excerpt": (
            "From dramatic floral backdrops to architectural LED installations, "
            "stage design in 2025 is bolder, more immersive, and deeply personal."
        ),
        "content": """
            <p>The stage is the centrepiece of any celebration — the place where memories are
            made, photographs are taken, and families gather. In 2025, stage decoration has
            evolved dramatically, moving beyond standard floral arches toward fully immersive,
            architectural experiences.</p>

            <h3>1. Organic Floral Cascades</h3>
            <p>Tightly packed, symmetrical floral walls are giving way to organic, cascading
            arrangements that feel wild and lush. Think trailing jasmine, oversized garden roses,
            and dramatic foliage draping from asymmetric frames. The effect is romantic without
            feeling rigid.</p>

            <h3>2. Mixed Material Backdrops</h3>
            <p>Combining fabric draping with metallic accents, geometric frames, and live
            botanicals creates stages with depth and texture. The interplay of softness and
            structure creates a visually rich backdrop that photographs beautifully from
            every angle.</p>

            <h3>3. LED and Projection Mapping</h3>
            <p>For evening events and corporate galas, projection mapping onto stage structures
            allows dynamic, programmable visuals that transform throughout the event. From a
            soft warm glow during dinner to an energetic light show for the reception, the
            technology adds theatrical impact.</p>

            <h3>4. Custom Monogram and Typography</h3>
            <p>Couples and brands are increasingly requesting custom typographic elements
            integrated into stage design — neon or acrylic lettering, laser-cut name panels,
            and illuminated monograms that serve as both decor and branding.</p>

            <h3>5. Sustainability-Forward Design</h3>
            <p>2025 is also the year event design gets more sustainable. Rental flower walls,
            reusable structural elements, and seasonal, locally sourced florals are becoming
            standard practice for conscious couples.</p>

            <p>Want to see how these trends could work for your event?
            <a href="/contactus">Book a design consultation with us.</a></p>
        """,
        "author": "Paarul Ladd",
        "author_title": "Founder & Creative Director",
        "tags": ["Stage Design", "Trends", "Decor"],
    },
    {
        "slug": "corporate-event-design-essentials",
        "title": "Corporate Event Design: Making Brand Moments Unforgettable",
        "category": "Corporate Events",
        "date": "April 22, 2025",
        "read_time": "5 min read",
        "image": "/theme_aakriti_v2/static/src/img/corporate.png",
        "excerpt": (
            "A corporate event is a brand experience. Every design decision — from "
            "the entrance to the stage — should reflect your company's identity and values."
        ),
        "content": """
            <p>Corporate events are often treated as purely logistical exercises — a venue,
            some food, a speaker. But the most impactful brand moments happen when design
            is treated with the same care as content. When a space feels right, guests
            pay attention, they engage, they remember.</p>

            <h3>Design That Communicates Brand Identity</h3>
            <p>The moment a guest enters your event, they should feel your brand. This means
            your colour palette, typography, and visual language need to carry through from
            the signage at the entrance to the centrepieces on the tables. We work closely
            with your marketing team to ensure design coherence at every touchpoint.</p>

            <h3>Entrance Design Matters Most</h3>
            <p>The entrance moment sets the emotional tone for everything that follows. A
            dramatic brand-installed entrance arch, a branded photo wall, or a thoughtfully
            lit arrival corridor creates a sense of occasion and signals to guests that this
            event is special.</p>

            <h3>Stage and AV Integration</h3>
            <p>For conferences and product launches, the stage design and audio-visual
            production need to work as one unified system. Screens, lighting rigs, speaker
            positions, and branding elements should be designed together, not assembled
            separately. We coordinate closely with AV teams to ensure a seamless result.</p>

            <h3>Networking Spaces Deserve Design Attention</h3>
            <p>Breakout rooms and networking areas are where conversations — and deals —
            happen. Comfortable, well-designed networking zones with good lighting and
            thoughtful furniture arrangements significantly increase guest engagement and
            event ROI.</p>

            <p>Planning a corporate event or brand activation?
            <a href="/contactus">Let's create something exceptional together.</a></p>
        """,
        "author": "Paarul Ladd",
        "author_title": "Founder & Creative Director",
        "tags": ["Corporate", "Brand", "Events"],
    },
    {
        "slug": "birthday-celebration-ideas-adults",
        "title": "Elevated Birthday Celebrations: Beyond the Ordinary",
        "category": "Birthday Events",
        "date": "April 5, 2025",
        "read_time": "4 min read",
        "image": "/theme_aakriti_v2/static/src/img/birthday.png",
        "excerpt": (
            "Adult birthday celebrations deserve the same creative attention as weddings. "
            "Here's how to design a milestone birthday that guests will talk about for years."
        ),
        "content": """
            <p>A milestone birthday — a 30th, 50th, or 60th — is a significant life moment.
            It deserves to be celebrated with intention, beauty, and personal meaning.
            Gone are the days of a standard restaurant booking. Today's elevated birthday
            events are intimate, immersive, and deeply personal.</p>

            <h3>Choose a Theme That Reflects the Guest of Honour</h3>
            <p>The best birthday events tell the story of the person being celebrated.
            Are they a lover of travel? A fashion devotee? A nature enthusiast? Let their
            passions and personality drive every design decision — from the colour palette
            and centrepieces to the entertainment and menu.</p>

            <h3>The Importance of the Reveal Moment</h3>
            <p>One of the most powerful design tools for a birthday celebration is the
            reveal moment — when the guest of honour first sees the decorated space.
            A well-designed reveal, with controlled lighting and a dramatic entrance, creates
            an emotional peak that guests carry with them forever.</p>

            <h3>Intimate vs. Grand — Both Can Be Extraordinary</h3>
            <p>An intimate dinner for 20 can be just as visually stunning as a party for 200.
            In fact, smaller gatherings allow for more intricate, personal design details —
            custom place cards, hand-written menus, personalised table settings, and curated
            sensory experiences that wouldn't be practical at scale.</p>

            <h3>Commission a Signature Cake</h3>
            <p>A custom birthday cake that reflects the guest of honour's aesthetic is one
            of the most photographed moments of any celebration. Work with an artist-baker
            to create something that becomes a conversation piece — and the centrepiece of
            the dessert table.</p>

            <p>Ready to design a birthday celebration as special as the person it honours?
            <a href="/contactus">Let's begin the conversation.</a></p>
        """,
        "author": "Paarul Ladd",
        "author_title": "Founder & Creative Director",
        "tags": ["Birthday", "Celebration", "Design"],
    },
    {
        "slug": "event-decor-colour-palette-guide",
        "title": "The Art of Choosing Your Event Colour Palette",
        "category": "Design Guide",
        "date": "March 18, 2025",
        "read_time": "7 min read",
        "image": "/theme_aakriti_v2/static/src/img/gallery1.webp",
        "excerpt": (
            "Your event colour palette sets the emotional tone before a single guest "
            "arrives. Learn how to choose a palette that feels intentional and cohesive."
        ),
        "content": """
            <p>Colour is the most powerful emotional tool in event design. Before a guest
            reads a single word of signage or takes their first bite of food, the colour
            palette of a space has already communicated the mood, the personality, and the
            intention of the event. Choosing thoughtfully matters enormously.</p>

            <h3>Start with the Emotional Goal</h3>
            <p>Ask yourself: how do you want guests to feel when they walk in? Romantic and
            intimate? Celebratory and energetic? Sophisticated and calm? Different colour
            families evoke different emotional responses. Warm terracottas and earthy tones
            feel grounded and welcoming. Cool blues and silvers feel refined and elegant.
            Jewel tones feel festive and rich.</p>

            <h3>Choose a Dominant, Secondary, and Accent</h3>
            <p>The most successful event palettes use three layers of colour. A dominant
            colour (60% of the visual space), a secondary colour (30%), and an accent
            (10%). This structure creates visual harmony without monotony. For a luxury
            wedding, this might look like: soft ivory (dominant), dusty sage (secondary),
            and burnished gold (accent).</p>

            <h3>Consider How Colour Behaves in Different Lighting</h3>
            <p>A colour that looks perfect in a mood board can behave completely differently
            under warm uplighting, natural daylight, or cool LED wash. We always review
            fabric and floral samples under the actual event lighting conditions before
            finalising any palette decision.</p>

            <h3>Cultural Significance of Colour</h3>
            <p>In multicultural events, colour choices carry symbolic weight. Red is auspicious
            in South Asian traditions; white is associated with mourning in some East Asian
            cultures. Understanding the cultural context of your guest list ensures colour
            choices feel respectful and celebratory.</p>

            <h3>Test Before You Commit</h3>
            <p>We always recommend a mock-up table setting or a small test arrangement before
            finalising large orders. Seeing colours together in a real-world setting — with
            real fabrics, real florals, and real lighting — often reveals refinements that
            digital mood boards miss.</p>

            <p>Working on an event and unsure about your palette?
            <a href="/contactus">Book a design session with our team.</a></p>
        """,
        "author": "Paarul Ladd",
        "author_title": "Founder & Creative Director",
        "tags": ["Design", "Colour", "Tips"],
    },
]


def get_all_posts():
    """Return all blog posts."""
    return BLOG_POSTS


def get_post_by_slug(slug):
    """Return a single blog post dict by its slug, or None if not found."""
    for post in BLOG_POSTS:
        if post["slug"] == slug:
            return post
    return None


def get_recent_posts(exclude_slug=None, limit=3):
    """Return recent posts, optionally excluding one by slug."""
    posts = [p for p in BLOG_POSTS if p["slug"] != exclude_slug]
    return posts[:limit]
