Maharaniweddings com best of 2014 by Shawna Gohel

DREAM south asian

WEDDINGS

February 2015

Photo:

Nadia D Photography

issue N o. 5

I n s i d e this I s s u e p. 5 6

p. 7 0

p. 2 6

MaharaniWeddings.com

letter from the editor

We've turned 5! Five years is a pretty significant milestone. It means we've had the extreme honor of sharing wedding inspiration across the globe with South Asian brides for half a decade now! We've had the utmost pleasure of connecting brides with amazing vendors and building a lasting community of experts and professionals who continue to produce the most spectacular wedding events for Maharanis far and wide. We've had the honor of spreading ideas and inspiration, and most of all, sharing experiences. I love hearing from brides who have seen their weddings featured on our site and are so pleased and excited that their big day has been shared with countless other brides-to-be. I love seeing comments from readers on our social media accounts expressing how much they love a certain element or idea from a wedding they've just seen on our site. That's what we're all about. That's why we do what we do. And that's what makes our job so special. I'm so excited to share some of our most favorite wedding celebrations from the past year with you all in this issue. Our editorial team has compiled eight of the most memorable and breathtaking South Asian wedding events we've come across and I can't wait for you to flip through the pages and get inspired. Some of the highlights that I love most are a hot air balloon exit in Utah, a destination wedding in Hawaii with stunning views, and a luxuriously themed Gatsby wedding reception in Virginia. It goes without saying that none of these phenomenal wedding events would be possible without the incredibly talented teams of vendors who make it their mission to help Maharanis realize their dreams. We love and appreciate the work by all of our industry experts that we get to share with our readers, and I look forward to bringing you all even more for years to come. Love,

Photos by Wedding Documentary

MaharaniWeddings.com

CELEBRATE YOUR WEDDING AT WEsTIN AND EARN A COMPLIMENTARY HONEYMOON Let your special day be inspired by the newly redesigned Westin south Coast Plaza Hotel. Entrust us with your dream, and let us handle the rest. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be left free to focus on the vows you take and the memories you make. Book your wedding reception at The Westin south Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa and earn bonus starpoints at contract signing, redeemable for free nights on a honeymoon at more than 1,050 hotels worldwide. The bonus is 1 starpoint for every $1 contracted, up to 100,000 points. Offer valid for wedding contracts signed by December 31, 2013. Visit westinsouthcoastplaza.com/wedding, or contact our wedding specialist, martha hsu at 714.662.6637, who is ready to work side-by-side with you to plan your new beginning.

ÂŠ2013 starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All rights reserved. Westin is a trademark of starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. see westinsouthcoastplaza.com/rivieraterms for full terms and conditions.

L.A. BANQUETS Your Day, Your Vision labanquets.com | 818-241-0888 | facebook.com/labanquets

MaharaniWeddings.com

Henna for aĆ&#x2019;Ć&#x2019;

hennaforall.com monitabijoriya@hotmail.com 516 351 4828

snehali

neil

Palos Verdes, California

MaharaniWeddings.com

T H E WE D D ING STYLE "The wedding style I was after was a touch of traditional, with a splash of contemporary and all around glamorous. My bridal lengha was the perfect embodiment of all those things."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"Our reception was a sophisticated celebration, with white, black and gold as the color scheme and large marquee letters in our initials as the focal point. It was incredibly FA B ULO US!"

MaharaniWeddings.com

"The entire day was just such a magical experience. And to share it all with my best friend, the Raja of my dreams, that just made it a fairytalecome-true."

Featured Vendors:

Cakes & Treats: Los Verdes Golf Course / Catering: Rasraj Foods / Cinematography: Alumiq / DJ: Special Occasions DJ and Lighting / Floral & Decor: Shawna Yamamoto Event Design / Hair & Makeup: Beauty by Lishma / Lighting: Special Occasions DJ and Lighting / Mandap: Shawna Yamamoto Event Design / Mehndi Artists: Beauty by Lishma / Photography: Hitched Photo / Planning & Design: Planning Elegance / Venues: Los Verdes Golf Course

MaharaniWeddings.com

nisha

rishi

San Jose Fairmont California

MaharaniWeddings.com

"Getting ready, I felt like such a real-life princess. I wanted to savor every moment of it. Having my bridesmaids by my side and being able to share those memories made it extra significant."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"WALKI NG DOW N TH E A I S LE , I didn't want that feeling to end, but I also couldn't wait to get up there and be side-by-side with Rishi!"

MaharaniWeddings.com

"Being able to say I'm his (Rishi's) wife makes me feel like a million bucks. I hope every Maharani gets to experience what I did that day at least once in their lives."

Featured Vendors:

Baraat: Hackney Horse & Carriage / Cakes & Treats: Fairmont San Jose / Catering - Sangeet: Milan Indian Cuisine / Catering - Wedding & Reception: Silver Spoon / Cinematography: Wedding Documentary Photography & Videography / DJ: DJ Salim / Floral & Decor: Laura Little at Floramor / Hair & Makeup: Artistry by Christal / Lighting: Sean Shay - Got Light / Mandap: Sekos Chair Covers / Mehndi Artists: Ravie Kattaura / Photography: Wedding Documentary Photography & Videography / Planning & Design: Laura Little at Floramor / Priest: Dr. Vinay Chaskar / Venues: San Jose Fairmont 32

MaharaniWeddings.com

DREAM WEDDINGS - THE KIND THAT INSPIRE.

marriottscottsdale.com | (480) 419-2111

MaharaniWeddings.com

"My sangeet was at my dad's airplane hangar, and it was a Moroccan-themed party. Despite the hot summer night,

EVERYO NE H AD SUCH A BLAST !"

MaharaniWeddings.com

"Every little girl dreams about getting married to a Prince. That day, I actually got to. I'm one lucky girl because my dream came true."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"We had a Bollywood-inspired wedding theme, so our reception was bright and colorful and over-the-top amazing! It's a party I'll

NE V E R FO RG E T."

Featured Vendors: Baraat - Sangeet & Reception: Dholi Jupji at Dhol Beat International / Catering - Reception: The Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain / Catering - Sangeet: India Deli Palace Pheonix / Cinematography: NoBox Films / DJ: Wicked Entertainment / Floral & Decor: Wild Child Floral Design / Hair & Makeup: Scarlett Rai / Invitations & Wedding Stationery: Celebrations and Paper (Scottsdale) / Linens: Southwick Linens / Lighting (& Sound): The Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain / Mandap: US 2 You Party Rentals / Mehndi Artists: Purvi Galiya / Photography: Sameer Soorma Photography / Planning & Design (& Styling): Suzanne Taussig Wedding & Event Design / Reception Gown: Hapreet Narula / Rentals: US 2 You Party Rentals / Transportation: Mountain View Tours / Venues - Ceremony: The Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain, Marana, AZ / Venues - Reception: The Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain, Marana, AZ / Venues Sangeet: Millionair Tucson, AZ

MaharaniWeddings.com

OneMasterpiece

Photo Credit: Studio Capture

Your Inspiration, Our Palette....

Photo Credit: Adam Nyholt

In the heart of the Galleria area, experience extraordinary ambiance, impeccable service and cutting edge cuisine in our majestic Grand Ballroom.

Call us today

to schedule a personal tour.

2001 Post Oak Blvd. | Houston, TX 77056 | 713-961-9300 www.houstonpostoak.hilton.com

HKA Kosher Catering and South Asian Services are our specialty

farihah

misho

New Rochelle, New York

MaharaniWeddings.com

"I remember getting ready that day and feeling like I just couldn't wait to see Misho â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and I couldn't wait for him to see me either."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"THE F LO RAL PEACO CK S CU LPT U RE

was unbelievable. The tail feathers were completely made of white orchids. It was the perfect, luxurious addition to our sweetheart stage. I wish I could've kept it forever!"

MaharaniWeddings.com

"All of the planning and anticipating was completely worth it. Having such a talented team of vendors was so essential to me realizing my wedding day dreams."

Featured Vendors:

Bridal Fashions - Sari Fashion: Pashmina, NY / Bridal Fashions - Gown Designer: Pinky Chopra from Karigari / Cakes & Treats: Leanne's Speciality Cakes / Cinematography: PhotosMadeEz / DJ: DJ Victor Vargas / Floral & Decor: Elegant Affairs / Hair & Makeup: SV Bridal Concepts by Sanjana Vaswani / Mandap: Elegant Affairs / Photo Booths: PhotosMadeEz / Photography: PhotosMadeEz / Planning & Design: Nobility Events / Rentals: Alan's Party Rentals / Venues - Holud: Chateau Briand / Venues Nikah/Ceremony: VIP Country Club 60

MaharaniWeddings.com

SIMPLY STUNNING LOCATIONS FOR YOUR MIAMI WEDDING

TURNBERRYISLEMIAMI.COM

(305) 932-6200

REVEL IN THE JOY OF CELEBRATION From the first taste to the last toast Rich in sophistication, paired with modern elegance. Innovative Specialty Menus to meet your every need. Dallas’ most esteem wedding and reception venue to entertain up to 800 guests. Let us create the perfect atmosphere for your enjoyment. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 972.934.9494 OR VISIT THEWESTINGALLERIADALLAS.COM

AV N I

ABHISHEK

Salt Lake City, Utah

MaharaniWeddings.com

"It was hard to believe that the day had finally arrived, and it was really happening. It's all so wonderfully surreal and happens so fast. Thank goodness for photo memories!"

MaharaniWeddings.com

"We exited our ceremony in a hot air balloon. We wanted to do something unique, and it was so exciting for us and our guests!"

MaharaniWeddings.com

"Everything about that night was perfect. My dress, our first dance, our friends and family... I can't imagine it any other way."

Featured Vendors: Band: Jashn / Baraat & Balloon Security: Salt Lake PD / Bridal Fashions - Wedding: Jade by Monica and Charisma in Mombay / Bridal Fashions - Sangeet: Manish Malhotra for Kalki / Bridal Fashions - Reception: Shantanu & Nikhil / Cakes & Treats: Grand & Little America / Caricature Artist - Reception: In The Event / Catering: S3 Catering / Catering - Small Ceremony at the Temple: Saffron Valley / Cinematography: Pacific Pictures / DJ: DC's Dynasty / Dhol Troupe: Punjab-di-Awaaz / Floral & Decor: Occasions by Shangri-la / Hair & Makeup: Bridal Elements / Horse: Boulder Mountain Ranch / Hot Air Balloon: Vegas Balloons from Las Vegas, NV / Ice Cream: SubZero Ice Cream / Invitations & Wedding Stationery: KIS (cubed) Events / Lighting: Grand & Little America / Lighting - Additional: Alliant Events / Mandap: Occasions by Shangri-la / Mehndi Artists: Bridal Elements / Photography: Nadia D Photography / Planning & Design: KIS (cubed) Events / Staffing/ Cleaning/Service/Valet: Premier Events / Rentals: RSVP Rentals / Transportation: Haroon Transports / Le Bus / Snow Country Limo / Travel Concierge: KIS (cubed) Events / Venues - Sangeet Wedding & Reception: Grand America Hotel / Rentals - Additional: Luxe Event Rentals

MaharaniWeddings.com

Rangoli Weddings LET US DESIGN YOUR

dream wedding www.rangoliweddings.com 732 . 372 . 5588

sonia

dave

Vienna & Chantilly, Virginia

MaharaniWeddings.com

"It snowed a night or two before our wedding ceremony, which added an extra dose of enchantment to the big day.

WE CO ULDN' T H AV E T I M E D I T BE T T E R."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"We wanted to bring a bit of the outdoors in for our ceremony, so we had flowers and branches incorporated into our mandap design. It was so beautifully elegant."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"For our Gatsby-themed reception, we worked in lots of pearls and feathers and made the night as lavish and fun as possible for our guests, and us!"

Featured Vendors:

Baraat - Horse: Carriages of the Capital / Cakes & Treats: Edibles Incredible / Catering: Bollywood Bistro / Cinematography: Gmuse Studio / Dhol Players: Ram Viswanathan & Avneet Basra / Avneet Basra / DJ - Ceremony: DJ Kaser at LSE / DJ - Reception: Planet DJ Productions / Floral & Decor: Sachi at Partyland Flowers / Hair & Makeup: Suman Khosla at Bridal Elegance / Lighting: Planet DJ Productions / Mehndi Artists: Suman Khosla at Bridal Elegance / Photo Booths: StoryMotion Studios / Photography: StoryMotion Studios / Planning & Design: Sumeet Bagai at Dream Shaadi / Rentals: Elegant Decor / Transportation: Rasheed at Washington Sedan Services / Venues - Ceremony: Atrium at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens / Venues - Reception: Westfields Marriott

MaharaniWeddings.com

If you can imagine it...

Pink Rock E vents

can create it.

We are a premier wedding planning firm specializing in South Asian and destination weddings within California. We pride ourselves on our creativity and design ensuring your wedding is a truly unique and magical event. Each of our clients receives two event designers/ planners working exclusively on their dream wedding guaranteeing no detail is overlooked. Every event, exclusive of budget, receives the white glove service it deserves.

www.pinkrockevents.com info@pinkrockevents.com 714 . 924 . 4773

aysha

tony

Kauai Marriott Resort Hawaii

MaharaniWeddings.com

For eons I threatened my parents with elopement should I deign to marry. Well, my deflection fell apart like a house of cards when I fell madly in love with Tony."

MaharaniWeddings.com

100

MaharaniWeddings.com

"I feel so fortunate to have gotten married to the love of my life in one of the MOST BR EATH TAKING LO CAT I O NS in the entire world."

MaharaniWeddings.com

101

MaharaniWeddings.com

103

Unforgettable

Destination Weddings

Courtyard Kauai Resort | 650 Aleka Loop, HI 96746 | 808.822.3455 Online | CourtyardKauai.com & CourtyardKauaiResort.com Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;hana | Facebook, Twitter, YouTube & Pinterest

mira

devin

Sacramento, California

106

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MaharaniWeddings.com

Ca ke s&Tr e a t s : LePe t i tGa s t e a u/Ca t e r i ng-We ddi ng : Bukha r aGr i l lRe s t a ur a nt/Ci ne ma t og r a phy : J oi eEl i e Phot og r a phy/DJ s : DJSuj /Fl or a l& De c or : Ama r y l l i s Ev e ntDe c or/Ha i r& Ma ke up: Sha i l iSha h/Ma nda p: Ana i sEv e ntPl a nni ng& De s i g n/Phot oBoot hs : Na s hI ma g i ng , LLC/Phot og r a phy : J oi eEl i ePhot og r a phy/ Ve nue s -Ce r e mony : TheRoc kl e i g h

MaharaniWeddings.com

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A MAGICAL OCEAN-SIDE SETTINGâ&#x20AC;Ś As the sun kisses the horizon and you are bathed in golden light, your vows are lifted by eternal trade winds and scattered over a million miles of Pacific Ocean. Whether your dream is an intimate ceremony under the swaying palms, or a grand affair under the stars, our esteemed wedding consultants defy any impediment to providing you memories to last a life time. You and your guests will be pampered with the Spaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apothecary, golf on a Jack Nicklaus signature course, laze pool side or on the white sand beach or create an active adventure by land or sea. All this surrounds you as you celebrate your magical day. Where nothing else matters. Experience the aloha of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai the only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star resort on Hawaii Island. Contact our Wedding and Special Event Consultants at 808-325-8000 www.fourseasons.com/hualalai/weddings www.fshualalaiweddings.com

MAHARANIWEDDINGS.COM

Photo:

hitched Photo