SOUTH AsianBRIDE Winter/Spring PRINT+DIGITAL 2013
BE INSPIRED
Winter/Spring
The most beautiful trends of the season
2013
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Photos by 5 West Studios
A Royal Estate of Affairs Celebrating the art of entertaining since 1919
Weddings & Celebrations A Castle to Call Your Own with Just One Wedding a Day 32 Guestrooms & Suites 路 Fine Dining 路 Golf & Tennis On the Gold Coast of Long Island between New York City and The Hamptons 135 West Gate Drive 路 Huntington NY 11743 路 631-659-1400
www.oheka.com
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DITOR'S NOTE
I want to express my sincerest gratitude to all those who contribute to help create South Asian Bride Magazine. The brilliant event coordinators, designers, decorators, florists, lighting specialists and of course the photographers. Thank you to all the brides and grooms who support us, share their memories with us and use SAB as their guide in their wedding planning process. We strive to live up to your expectations each and every time. --Sadaf H. Kherani, Publisher | Editor in Chief Credit: nadia d. photography, | www.nadiadphoto.com, Make-up: Corinne Fairley , Location: St. Regis, Atlanta
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18 | Editor’s Note 68 | Real Wedding
N THIS ISSUE
34 | Catwalk 72 | Canoe Love
48 | Fashion - Charmi C. 78 | Boho Glam
58 | Real Wedding 86 | What's Hot
64 |Real Wedding 88 | Trend Alert
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90 | Jewelry
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N THIS ISSUE
92 | Cakes
94 | A Modern Bride
98 | Kamiar Rokni
108 | East meets West
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N THIS ISSUE
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114 | Invitations
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116 | Hotels
120 | Real Wedding
126 | Real Wedding
130 | Tablescapes
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SOUTH AsianBRIDE WINTER/SPRING 2013
www.southasianbridemagazine.com
South Asian Bride Magazine, Inc. PUBLISHER
Sadaf H. Kherani
EDITOR IN CHIEF/PUBLISHER Shruti Sharma
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Tara Arrowood Dina Douglass CB Art Shahid Malik Esther JuLee Photography Nadia D. Photography Life Images Vasia Photography Gene Higa Photography Braja Mandala Wedding Photography Keith Cephus Photography Maram & Aabroo
PRODUCTION IconicStyle
SOUTH ASIAN BRIDE MAGAZINE 1100 HAMMOND DRIVE | SUITE 410A-146 ATLANTA, GA 30328 info@southasianbridemagazine.com
ADVERTISING: 404.591.4142 | 888.956.6661
SOUTH ASIAN BRIDE is printed bi-yearly by South Asian Media Group and bimonthly in digital form. Please send address changes to: South Asian Bride Magazine, 1100 Hammond Drive, Suite 410A-146, Atlanta, GA 30328 Copyright South Asian Media Group. No material herein or portions thereof may be reprinted without the consent of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. Views/Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the paper and no liability is assumed by the publisher thereof. Advertising copy and artwork are the sole responsibility of individual advertisers.
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212-684-3161 www.ShehnaaiUSA.com Like us on Facebook . Follow us on Twitter
Catwalk
NOMI ANSARI Photo: Kamran Naqvi | www.kamrannaqvi.com PANTENE BRIDAL COUTURE WEEK, Pakistan
NOMI ANSARI Photo: Kamran Naqvi | www.kamrannaqvi.com PANTENE BRIDAL COUTURE WEEK, Pakistan
JJ Valaya Aamby Valley India Bridal Fashion Week
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JJ Valaya Aamby Valley India Bridal Fashion Week
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A ni t a D on g r e "Urban Princess" at Lakme Fashion Week
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S h an t an u & N i k h i l Aamby Valley India Bridal Fashion Week
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L a C h an t a l
by
Saba
BRIDAL COUTURE WEEK, Pakistan
K e e msa k e s
by
Reem
BRIDAL COUTURE WEEK, Pakistan
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L aj w an t i BRIDAL COUTURE WEEK, Pakistan
Neelo Allawala
L aj w an t i
BRIDAL COUTURE WEEK, Pakistan
BRIDAL COUTURE WEEK, Pakistan
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H ajra H a y a t
M e h di
BRIDAL COUTURE WEEK, Pakistan
BRIDAL COUTURE WEEK, Pakistan
A z va Aamby Valley India Bridal Fashion Week
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N omi A nsari Photo: Shahid Malik | www.shahidmalikphotography.com Pakistan Fashion Week, London
R ani E maan Photo: Shahid Malik | www.shahidmalikphotography.com Pakistan Fashion Week, london
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Charmi Creations
Charmi Mandavia is the name behind Charmi Creations. She graduated from London College of Fashion in 2001 and with her unique collection of personally tailored wedding attire and one to one service has been wining the hearts of British Asian brides and grooms ever since. Her unique flair for combining traditional designs and embroidery with quality fabrics, chic cuts and innovative styling offers a truly refreshing choice for today’s discerning bride and groom. Made to measure garments that are perfectly created to form works of art are complemented with a contemporary range of co-ordinated jewellery and accessories. With each piece individually designed, you can really stand out from the crowd. Website: www.charmicreations.com International Enquires: international@charmicreations.com Phone Number: +44 (0) 7831 154121 Location: Charmi Creations RESIDENTIAL BOUTIQUE Pooh Corner, Sandy Lane Northwood, HA6 3HB London, United Kingdom
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Red raw silk 10-panelled lengha with pearl, diamond and antique gold embroidery.
Brocade silk knee length sherwani with diamante and antique gold embroidery with ivory English trousers
www.charmicreations.com
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www.charmicreations.com
Ivory raw silk bridal gown with two tone peacock blue/green velvet bodice with a long train. southasianbridemagazine.com 51
Gold tissue silk bridal lengha with maroon patchwork and turquoise blue blouse
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A colourful lengha with 4 multicoloured borders, on a brocade silk skirt along with gold sequined blouse.
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Real Wedding
Sonia + Philipp
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hen Sonia Sharma first bumped into Philipp Reker, it was a classic case of east meets west. Sonia is a wedding planner with Punjabi roots and Philipp is a marketing executive born and raised in Germany. The couple met at a wine bar in Venice, California, while waiting in line for the restroom. After some playful banter, this chance meeting led to a date at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art the very next day, and their relationship blossomed from there.
The couple chose the Smog Shoppe in Culver City, California, for their culturally blended wedding because it looked and felt like a home that could be custom designed with personal touches. The venue had a rustic and industrial feel that was in line with Philipp’s taste and was filled with vintage flea market decor with a large succulent wall that Sonia appreciated. Instead of transforming the space into a something that it wasn’t, Sonia and Philipp wanted to work with the space and its preexisting ambiance. The couple tapped Shawna Yamamoto of Shawna Yamamoto Event Design to design a modern yet eclectic look and to take the décor to the next level. Ever the creative, Shawna Yamamoto provided Sonia with a set of shoes covered entirely in succulents. Sonia also had Shawna do some Edward Gorey-inspired drawings on the bottom of a second pair of shoes. When the day of the wedding finally came, the weather took a turn for the worse and it ended up being the rainiest day of the year (charting seven full inches of rain). Workers toiled outside in the pouring rain to tent the outdoor ceremony area, and Sonia added chandeliers to the tent to add a bit of glam. Shawna used live moss and succulents to create a ceremony aisle that complemented the lush succulent wall that served as the backdrop for Sonia and Philipp’s vows. The intimate ceremony – during which Sonia and Philipp exchanged their own vows -- was officiated by Sonia’s uncle.
The décor for the dining room tables was inspired by the Smog Shoppe’s book shelf, which is filled with vintage books, décorative items and oversized letters. Sonia and Shawna created a bold color palette with orange, yellow and green florals and props serving as a contrast to the steel, brick and wood walls inside the venue’s dining area. It was a marriage of colors and textures that reflected both an Indian and German aesthetic. Many of the décor items – including the colored glassware, metal table numbers, bird cages and pieces of vintage luggage -- were purchased by Sonia at flea markets and various online stores during the months leading up to the wedding. For the entertainment, the couple hired Ajay from Special Occasions LA to mix hip hop, electronica and rock with the percussion of the dhol. In addition to the music, Ajay projected vintage Bollywood films and Steve McQueen movies simultaneously on the large screen behind the dance floor. The couple served Indian cuisine for dinner, along with German beer. The food, décor, music and projected film images all enabled the guests to experience a true fusion of Indian and German cultures.
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Venue: The Smog Shoppe, Los Angeles Photography: Dina Douglass & Yoshi Morimoto Design & DĂŠcor: Shawna Yamamoto Event Design Hair & Makeup: Jeannie Jeffries, Couture Beauty Videography: Imagique Cake: Cakes by Ruben DJ & Lighting: Ajay Manaktala, Special Occasions LA
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Real Wedding
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t was a beautiful Saturday. Slightly overcast with the sun peeking out of the clouds. It was the perfect kind of day that makes any photographer excited to be shooting outdoors. Meanwhile, inside, the hotel was being dressed in vibrant colors preparing for us to be married. Neel and I met online, but not on a dating sight. It was actually very random, and when we finally met, we were NOT interested in one another. However, time, good fortune, or sheer luck brought us together (and considering we were living in different cities—me in NYC—Neel in Chicago, it was pretty amazing). Three years later, Neel proposed at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. He waited till we were in a secluded part of the park and began quoting lines from one of my favorite novels, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. He paralleled this classic love story with our own modern day love affair. Like the main characters in Pride and Prejudice, Neel and I did not feel love at first sight (or even after several sights), but despite the odds, our initial feelings of dislike or disinterest ultimately turned into long enduring love and respect. Eight months later, Neel and I found ourselves walking towards the mandap. Getting to my wedding day was not easy: my mom was battling terminal cancer, and the doctors said she would never make it to my wedding day. However, with the help of family, friends, and the grace of God, she was indeed able to see me get married. By far, there was nothing more meaningful on my wedding day than having my mother there. Not only was she there, but Neel and I were blessed to have family and friends (almost 600!) come from all over the country and abroad to wish us well on our special day. We are so grateful to all of them, but most of all, it’s our parents who made our day the most memorable. Time is the most precious thing we have. After all the music fades and the dancing comes to a close, this was what the wedding is really about: Spending time and celebrating with those you love. And those that love you.
Amy + Neel
Vendor LIST
Venue: Renaissance Waverly Hotel Atlanta Photographer: Esther JuLee Photography Event designer: Ragini Patel of Weddings InStyle Wedding Coordinator: Nancy Fields of Elegant Weddings and Affairs Hair & Make-up & Mehndi Artist: Nirjary Desai of KIS Cubed Videographer: Ray Roman Films Sangeet Music: Latitude Steel Drum Band Baraat Horse: Nottingham Shire Carriage Officiant: Mr. Amit Bhatt Cake: Frosted Pumpkin Gourmet DJ & Chiavari Chairs: Party Over Here Productions
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Real Wedding
Supernita + Vivek
S
avannah, with its historic charm and picturesque setting has always been one of our favorite weekend getaways. After we got engaged there, we couldn’t wait to share the experience with our loved ones – making it an obvious choice for our wedding destination. Recognizing that this meant that some of our guests would have to travel long distances to celebrate with us, we wanted to show our appreciation and gratitude by making the experience as intimate and personable as we could. To make the event memorable, we included lots of small touches like goodnight notes; personalized thank you cards; welcome boxes filled with local Savannah favors; and a hand-crafted walking tour of Savannah featuring our favorite spots. We also tried really hard to reflect our cultural stance as a couple, by blending traditional Indian cultures with some of our own interpretations and personal touches throughout the wedding.
The Westin Savannah Harbor Resort provided us the perfect backdrop for capturing the beauty of the river and historic Savannah, while providing us the flexibility of indoor and outdoor spaces that we wanted for our spring wedding weekend. The events kicked off on Friday evening for the Mehndi and Sangeet, which were held in the lawn overlooking the river. The magical setting – with the colorful ethnic décor, the live action stations, the henna ladies and traditional lounge seating – made the ambience fully reminiscent of the sights, scents and sounds of a traditional Indian wedding. As we walked into the lawn after a photo session in historic Savannah, both of us were awestruck by the amazing amount of love and energy we felt as we joined our guests for the festivities. The DJ and dhol player added some energy to the evening by revving up the crowd to their beats and pulling everyone to the dance floor, while fireworks across the river added a special touch. To help our guests to mingle and relax and enjoy the full resort experience at the hotel, we started off the next day with a brunch along the beautiful backdrop of the river. Our afternoon wedding remained a much more understated and relaxed event, with the love between our families and friends being the focus. Music from the sitar player; floral arrangements in different shades of pinks; and a bridal party in fuchsia and orange complimented the natural setting of the clear blue skies and the Savannah river. After the wedding, we hosted high tea for our guests on the lawn, giving us an opportunity to spend time with them as a newly married couple. Following the wedding, the reception took on a more formal, non-traditional feel with a backdrop of candles on the stage. A neutral color palette of antique gold, along with many intricate touches, helped create a regal ambience. The tablescape included gold linens and chargers, favors in blue velvet boxes tied with gold ribbons, abundant candles and oversized white florals. Each of our guests walked to their seats to be greeted by a rose bloom and a personalized thank you note, giving us an opportunity to individually express our gratitude for their presence. Custom designed oversized silk flower on each chair back added drama to the overall decor. Surrounded by candles, flowers and love – how could a girl ask for a more perfect evening?!
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Vendor LIST Venue: The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa Wedding Planner: Fusion Event Planning Photo: Nadia D. Photography Video: Blue Poem Studios DJ: DJ Jaz (Jasmeet Singh) Decorations: Weddings In Style by Ragini
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Canoe Love [ Inspired by Tuck Evelasting ]
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Alex Albojer of Life Images, Thadshiga Jayaseelan and Thad Jayaseelan of Dreamers Events, Gaurav Sawhney of CTC West, and Prashanna Jayaseelan of p-your vision and Design 2 DĂŠcor teamed up and coordinated a South Asian creative shoot that embodied both western influences and eastern traditions. The inspiration for the creative photo shoot was pulled from the film Tuck Everlasting, a story that captures eternal love; a theme found often in the South Asian culture and films
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Creative Concept/ Inspiration Board: Dreamers Events Photography: Life Images Creative Designer + Florals: Design 2 DÊcor Cinematographer: p-your vision Bride's Lenghas and Groom’s Sherwani: CTC West Grooms Reception Attire: Garrison Bespoke Makeup and Hairstyle: Amplified Soul Mendhi: Fresh Inc. Mendhi Stationary: Barbara Kua Calligraphy Vintage Rentals: Hazlitt Vintage Rentals Rings: Thamor Jewels Models: Ben Ezra and Kamal Chuhan Canoe: Langford Canoe Venue: Scotsdale Farm 78 southasianbridemagazine.com
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BOHO Ahsan Design Studio
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GLAM Photography by Shahid Malik Make-up: Eesha Ali Hair: Mariam Ali
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What's Hot
www.etsy.com/shop/sofisticata
Shoe Clips
Fashionable bridal shoe clips are the hottest new way to re-vamp and dress up your shoes. Most shoe clips can be attached at the front, side or buckle of your shoes. Simply, just clip it. You don't have to spend money to buy a new pair of shoes, just dress up your favorite pumps and you are good to go. Great for brides, bridesmaids and even wedding guests to dress up their shoes and create a one-ofa-kind look. SHOWN HERE Sofisticata by Hirjalda Mobley, ETSY www.etsy.com/shop/sofisticata
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Trend Alert
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1. ww.bountifulhome.com 2. www.maxandchloe.com 3. www.maxandchloe.com
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11 9. www.maxandchloe.com 10. www.neimanmarcus.com 11. Linens www.wildflowerlinens.com
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4. Prada, www.pursepage.com 5. www.lunabazaar.com 6. www.wildflowerlinens.com
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Rainbow Sherbet Produced by Sonia Sharma www.soniaevents.com
7. Manolo Blahnik shop.nordstrom.com 8. MAC, Show Orchid www.maccosmetics.com
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Jewelry
A
hallmark in the global gems and jewelry industry, Notandas was instituted by Mr. Kishen Jagwani in Mumbai, a name epitomizing quality, trust and value. Located in Bandra, the three storied store has a plush and opulent ambiance that lets the cutomer indulge into a true jewelry shopping experience.
Today, Notandas has captivated clients including celebrities, socialites, industrialists, politicians & jewelry connoisseurs from UA, Indonesia, Spain, USA, UK and the likes around the world. The exquisite collection has won Notandas accolades from De Beers and the Milennium Diamond Designs and they have exhibited their ensembles at fashion shows for Ritu Beri & Arjun Khanna. The unique and striking jewelry ranges from gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires as well as semi-precious stones.
Notandas
Jewelers www.notandas.com mumbai . new delhi
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Cakes
Bedazzle my Bonbons!
W
hatever the occasion or event...there is always an excuse to add a little BEDAZZLE! Bedazzle My Bonbons are the ULTIMATE party accessory and have added a whole new element and color to the world of chocolate! From corporate gifts, party favors, cake decorations, sparkling centerpieces and even customized colored bedazzling bonbons-everyone is finding an excuse to incorporate a little extra Bedazzle into their events! Bedazzle My Bonbons has proven to be one of the hottest products to hit the market in decades. With orders coming in from around the world, it is no surprise there has been quite a buzz behind our famous bedazzling treats! The bonbon coating is a combination of sanding sugars and food coloring, that has absolutely no texture or taste to it and is completely safe for all ages. The main ingredient in the product is starch based (similar to gum arabic), however, it is truly the PROCESS, and not the product used that creates the "Bedazzled" effect...and that is their trade secret!
www.bedazzlemybonbons.com 321-327-5550
The chocolate is the company's own custom blend of both a Swiss and Belgium chocolate, and is manufactured exclusively for Bedazzle My Bonbons. The bedazzle coloring needs just the right chemistry of cocoa butter... and diary products for it to stick, so the actual chocolate is the "secret" recipe and then they bedazzle the bonbons! Each and every order is specifically bedazzled for each individual event. YOU decide exactly what colors and flavors YOU want YOUR bonbons to be! There is no additional charge for mixing and matching, so have FUN with it and get CREATIVE! In addition, the people at Bedazzle My Bonbons know how essential color is to any event so if you can't find the perfect shade to match your color scheme, they will be happy to match any swatch of fabric, flower or table linen and create the PERFECT color for your event at NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE! Simply send them a swatch, and we they will customize a BEDAZZLING new color JUST FOR YOU!
The
MODERN BRIDE
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Photography: Vasia Photography | www.vasia-weddings.com Design, Decor, Planning + Production: Petite Pearl Events | www.petitepearlevents.com Bridal Attire (Indian Formalwear): Private Collection Boutique | www.pcboutique.ca Henna/Mehndi: Mehndi Designs by Iti | www.mehndidesigns.com Bouquets: The Flower Factory | www.flowerfactory.ca Makeup: Charrisse Mae Makeup Artistry | www.charrissemae.com Hair: Dee of Lure Salon | www.luresalon.ca Location: Opus Hotel | www.opushotel.com
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“Fashion celebrates life. It is an expression of our cultural, personal and artistic identity. A great outfit is a leap of the imagination, an adventure and it has the power to transform us and the world we live in.” – Kamiar Rokni & Tia Noon
Photography, Coordination and Makeup: Maram & Aabroo Model: Neha
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T
he House of Kamiar Rokni combines the design talents of Tia Noon and Kamiar Rokni. The duo launched the House of Kamiar Rokni in late 2007 and in the short span of one year, the company had grown to be recognised as among Pakistan’s premier fashion design houses offering both Prêt a Porter and Haute Couture. Indeed the luxury brand label draws inspiration from their Pakistani cultural heritage giving it their own unique and modern twist be it in Prêt, Couture or Wedding wear. The House of Kamiar Rokni is perhaps most coveted for its focus on wearable, chic and fun clothes that have an international flavour, where each design bears testimony to excellence in cut, workmanship and quality. Indeed the fashion house strives to provide an immaculate essence of style in all their creations, designing signature one of a kind pieces that evoke a sense of individuality and elegance in the people that wear them. The House of Kamiar Rokni has received an over whelming response from a trusted clientele with the team now designing for clients in places as diverse as Italy, Holland, USA, England, France, Canada, Dubai and Greece to name a selection. The luxury label’s Prêt a Porter and Haute Couture collections hit the runways in Karachi and Lahore between 2008 - 2010 to receive critical acclaim, at both PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Weeks in Lahore and Karachi, Fashion Pakistan Week in Karachi and internationally, exhibiting at Paris Fashion Week. In 2008, the label had the much coveted honour of having been nominated for Pakistan’s biggest style awards, The Lux Style Awards, as the best Prêt wear category and again in 2009, this time for the prestigious Couture category. In 2010, the fashion house was awarded the first ever Libas Heritage Award at the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week for their inspired approach of turning traditional craft into contemporary fashion. In April 2010, the fashion house proudly debuted their affordable diffusion “Tia” line of Ready to Wear separates for women. In 2010 the house of fashion was also nominated for best Prêt wear category for 2010 Lux Style awards. In January, 2011 the design house showcased at Islamabad Fashion Week debuting their menswear separates and showcasing their bridal and trousseau couture on the ramp for the first time and also showcased at Fashion Week in Maurtius. In April 2012, The House of Kamiar Rokni showcased at PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week in Lahore showcasing 'The Sweetest Taboo' - a pret a porter collection based entirely in floral prints. In July 2012, the fashion house won their first Lux Style Award for Achievement in Fashion Design - Pret. www.kamiar rokni.com www.facebook.com/TheHouseOfKamiarRokni
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E meets west ast
Photography: Braja Mandala Wedding Photography | www.mandalaweddings.com Photography: Gene Higa Photography | www.genehiga.com Event Planner: Wedding Elegance by Nahid | www.weddingelegancesd.com Tuxedo: A Better Deal Tuxedo | www.abetterdealtuxedo.com Plates and Chargers: Classic Party Rentals San Diego | www.sandiego.classicpartyrentals.com Linens, napkins, chairs: Concepts Event Design | www.conceptseventdesign.com Indian wedding outfits: Frontier Heritage Venue : Grand Del Mar | www.thegranddelmar.com Elephant: Have Trunk Will Travel | www.havetrunkwilltravel.com Henna: Henna San Diego | www.hennasandiego.com Flowers: Isari Flower Studio | www.isariflowerstudio.com Makeup: Jellis Faces | www.jellisfaces.com White wedding gown: M Bride | www.mbridesalon.com Paper goods: Simply Posh Design | www.simplyposhdesign.com Cake: Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. | www.sweetcheeksbaking.com
The vision Photographers Braja Mandala and Gene Higa, along with the styl-
ing expertise of Nahid Farhoud of Wedding Elegance by Nahid wanted to create a photo shoot where East meets West. Since most of their brides and grooms who are getting married are from the East but live in the West, they wanted to combine the color and culture of the East with the modern edge of the West in a photo shoot that would last for two days.
The making of the photo shoot With two months of planning, emailing and phone calls, Nahid
gathered all of the top vendors in the San Diego area to create her vision. The first day started with hair and makeup by Jellis Faces. The concept with the hair and makeup was to keep it natural and fresh, with a smokey eye and nude lip. After hair and makeup Braja Mandala and Gene Higa drove about two hours through heavy thunder storms to Perris, CA to photograph the couple with Tai the elephant from Have Trunk Will Travel. Just the day before Reese Witherspoon was there taking photos with Tai for the cover of Vogue Magazine to promote their movie Like Water For Elephants. Our couple wore the latest in Indian bridal fashion from Frontier Heritage in Los Angeles, the bride had beautiful henna designs of flowers, peacocks and paisley patterns from Henna SD, and they were adorned with garlands of red roses and yellow and white flowers from Isari Flower Studio. It was a rainy day but the clouds broke for just enough time that they were able to capture truly unique photos with Tai the elephant. The second day took them to the Grand Del Mar, which is one of the country's premier resorts, earning a Five Star ranking from the Forbes Travel Guide and a Five Diamond ranking from AAA. With the dramatic Eastern look of the ceremony site, which looked made perfectly for an Indian wedding, and the furnishings of the West the venue was the perfect blend of the East and West. The bride wore a custom dress from M Bride and the groom wore a custom tailored tux and classic bow tie from A Better Deal Tuxedo. Braja Mandala and Gene Higa took the couple throughout the Grand Del Mar and photographed them in the lavish hand laid marble hallways, the chapel and even on their grand staircase. While Braja and Gene were busy photographing, Nahid and her team went straight to work on setting up her vision for the bride and grooms table. Bejeweled orange, gold and red dinner menus and place cards were created by Simply Posh Designs. A royal Indian bride and groom's chair, along with custom made red chavari chair covers that were made the day before were brought in by Concepts Event Design. The red, gold and white plates and chargers were from Classic Party Rentals SD. A red and white henna inspired cake that was hand piped and worked on until the early hours of the morning was made by Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. The table was brought together beautifully with the finishing touches of Isari Flower Studio's exotic floral center pieces. They brought in the vibrant colors of the East with yellow orchids, red roses, orange tulips and put a touch of Western whimsy with in with citrus fruits.
East meets West By combining the rich colors and traditions of the east and mod-
ern aspects of the West, Nahid and her team had outdone themselves, the months of planning and organizing a two day photo shoot throughout Southern California showed the beauty in joining the two cultures together.
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Invitations
SOULFUL MOON
Soulful Moon is a socially conscious stationery business focused on the South Asian market that donates a portion of every transaction to charity. We just love how one our customers described our style: ethno-chic invitations and greeting cards with just the right balance of east and west! How it all began: The founder, Salwa Ansari Datoo, left a seven year career in banking to transition to nonprofit work. After leaving Wall Street in late 2006, she volunteered at an international development foundation for a year and spent some time abroad in Africa doing fieldwork. She fell in love with the idea of a career that gave back and aggressively began looking for a full time non-profit job upon her return to the US. However, the recession had just hit and nonprofits were struggling and freezing all hires. So she then realized it would be wiser to launch a business that was financially self-sufficient rather than donor based, that used their profits to give back. So she began looking for the perfect product! Soulful Moon's Launch: Soulful Moon came about by accident! She was well into the research phase of a completely different business idea when a family member had a large celebration that required a large amount of invitations. So she designed an invitation for fun and it generated so much excitement because it was contemporary but also Eastern. So she then realized that she had found her product. And before the website was even up, she had a large corporate order for invitations. And that's how it all began! Soulful Moon’s goals: Our immediate goal is to keep expanding our stationery product line to serve the South Asian markets. We are deepening our collection of stationery that caters to weddings and related events, bridal and baby showers, kids events, graduations, photo card birth announcements, save the dates, corporate events, religious functions, etc. We are also working to create a line of related products that compliment the themes of our current cards such as small gift
items and party favor items. Our long term goals are to expand into other minority markets that are underserved by the current mass market stationery companies but we’ll be solely focused on the South Asian markets in the near future. Lastly, but most importantly, the motive for starting this business was to give back. And as Soulful moon grows, so will our charitable giving! So that will remain a key focus. See below for a list of some of the efforts we’ve supported since Soulful Moon was launched in April 2010. The Children's Health Clinic - Long Beach, CA (July 2010) Project FEED - fed 1000 homeless people (August 2010) UNICEF Pakistan Flood Relief (August 2010) Feeding America (August 2010) “Berhane Hewane” -Ethiopian project that aims to reduce child marriage through education - funded 3 girls for a year – (February 2011) “Schools On Wheels” Donated a backpack of school supplies for a homeless American Child (February 2011) Patricia Miranda: Academic Coaching for Foster Kids - Donated academic materials for 1 year to an American foster child (February 2011) ARC's Japan Earthquake Relief – (March 2011) UMMA Clinic - Los Angeles (August 2011) Project FEED - fed 500 homeless people in (August 2011) Girl Effect Project -Funded a mobile library in a Bombay Slum (February 2012) Girl Effect Project- School Supplies for 100 girls in Uttar Pradesh, India through a child marriage preventions program (February 2012) Girl Effect Project- Provided capital for a woman in an Islamabad slum to start her own business (February 2012) Sabatrust - Orphanage for little girls in Pakistan – (April 2012)
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Hotels
Banyan Tree, Seychelles
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Architecture
Banyan Tree Seychelles’ 60 stunning pool villas combine contemporary, colonial and 'plantation' décor to create a unique style which redefines Seychellois architecture, with its high sloping ceilings, airy verandas and louvered doors to ethnic woven textiles. The eclectic villa interiors provide a true sense of place - allowing you to experience Banyan Tree's signature blend of romance, rejuvenation and exotic sensuality in luxury.
ROMANTIC GETAWAY * Discover The Deep Blue anyan Tree Seychelles offers an intimate retreat experience featuring Banyan Tree Seychelles offers guests the chance to set sail in style in the Banyan Lagoon 1, a its own signature blend of romance, rejuvenation and exotic sensuality. The philosophy behind the resort is based on providing a place for rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul – a sanctuary for the senses.
On the ground where the resort now stands, Peter Sellars, the famous British actor of the Pink Panther movies, and George Harrison, a member of the Beatles, first bought the site to make it their home in the Seychelles, attracted by the island’s warm shores and ideal climate, in 1974. After a period of political turmoil in the late 70’s when most of the island’s private properties were reclaimed by the state, the Banyan Tree Group saw the touristic potential of the area and decided to build the resort known today as Banyan Tree Seychelles in 2002. To preserve the original architecture and history of the site, in 2000 Banyan Tree enlisted the help of long time resident of the island, Madame Suzanne and her son Paul, who helped restore their former homes to the original state. Though Madame Suzanne has now retired, Paul still tends the ground and is happy to share interesting anecdotes of the famous celebrities he had the opportunities to meet during their stay at the Seychelles. The family commitment to the preservation of the island heritage continues to this day with Madame Suzanne’s granddaughters who recently joined the Banyan Tree family – Betty as an operator and Sherrile as a Bar Waitress. 116 southasianbridemagazine.com
47-foot twin-hulled catamaran, the epitome of Seychelles cruising. Enjoy breath taking views and quality bonding with your loved ones as catamaran staff, an on-deck skipper and a personal host cater to your every whim. * Moonlight Gazebo Make overtures to your loved one as you savour the best of epicurean dining on Intendance Beach. Dine under an atmospheric wooden pavilion draped with white awnings for a night to remember. *Champagne on the Rocks Embark on a short climb and sip champagne with your loved one amid breathtaking views on a cliff overlooking Banyan Tree Seychelles. Watch the sun set into the horizon as a private butler serves you in this natural enclave, ensuring a heightened dining experience to remember. *Sea & Stars Take in spectacular views as you dine with your loved one by the private poolside of the Presidential Villa with the Sea and Stars experience.
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Banyan Tree Spa Seychelles
Soothe your senses in a lush tropical forest setting, home to the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa Seychelles. Against the backdrop of majestic granite mountains facing the deep azure Indian Ocean, relaxation comes easily at Banyan Tree Spa’s luxurious hillside pavilions nestled within virgin jungle vegetations. Take time out at the Banyan Tree Spa, where highly skilled therapists devote attentiveness to treatments based on Asian healing traditions dating back centuries. The therapists’ innate grace, attentiveness to detail and instinctive sensitivity to guests’ needs sets Banyan Tree Spa apart from the rest. Banyan Tree Spa therapists undergo formal training at Banyan Tree Spa Academies in Bintan in Indonesia, Phuket in Thailand or Lijiang in China.
Banyan Tree Seychelles Dining
Discover epicurean delights from across the world with a range of restaurants and experience an authentic taste of the Seychelles with the Destination Dining experiences. *Au Jardin d’Epices
An eclectic restaurant with a homely, African ethnic feel to it, Au Jardin d'Epices serves international favourites in a casual setting overlooking the bay. Full buffet breakfasts are on offer in the mornings, a selection of snacks, sandwiches, salads and light meals for lunch, and some fine international cuisine for dinner. Au Jardin d'Epices looks out onto the turquoise blue Indian Ocean and the idyllic surroundings of Anse Intendance - the perfect place for a relaxing meal. *La Varangue
La Varangue is the perfect spot to relax with an invigorating cocktail. This intimate lounge bar serves a good selection of light snacks, pizzas and light Thai specialties, as well as a wide range of refreshing alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. It is an enchanting place for casual moments during the day or aperitifs and after dinner drinks in the evenings. *Saffron
Saffron tantalizes with award-winning Thai cuisine and Southeast Asian specialities. Discover the culinary arts of South East Asia, Thailand in particular, at Saffron, where the chefs prepare authentic dishes using traditional recipes and cooking methods. Unique Southeast Asian touches are incorporated into the service style and atmosphere of the restaurant. Like the countries of Southeast Asia - multi faceted, exotic and intriguing -
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the cuisines of Southeast Asia make up a mosaic of styles, each one as different as the social customs and age-old traditions that have shaped it. *Chez Lamar
Chez Lamar offers an exhilarating journey of Creole cuisine filled with an irresistible blend of spices and flavours. Set in a beautiful colonial style house that exudes old-world charm, guests enjoy the natural splendour of Seychellois’ wetlands while experiencing authentic Creole cuisine lovingly prepared with the freshest ingredients. Drawing its influence from West-European, African, Caribbean and native Indian cuisine, Creole dishes are prepared with exotic spices with a unique cooking style and flavour.
Overview of the Villas
Commanding a majestic view of the Indian Ocean, the 60 luxuriously furnished pool villas are perched on hilly terrain amid exotic flora and fauna. These villas combine the very best of Seychellois architecture – contemporary, colonial and 'plantation' decor – from high sloping ceilings, airy verandas and louvered doors to ethnic woven textiles. *Hillside Pool Villa
If you prefer an elevated position high on the hill with glorious ocean views and serene rainforest all around, the Hillside Pool Villa is the perfect choice. The villa’s inspired architecture and interior furnishings reflect the natural style of the Seychelles through the use of indigenous materials. A small private swimming pool, veranda with sun loungers and open-air pavilion invite you to let the world pass by while spending leisurely days taking in the panoramic environment. Amidst the canopy of sheltering trees, privacy and tranquillity are easily found. Snuggled high along a granite mountain backbone, each of the Hillside Pool villas offers glorious views of the Indian Ocean and the surrounding rain forest. Thoughtful details such as the submerged 'couple seat' in the private dip pool, and an indoor sunken bathtub make up this romantic haven for two. *Pool Villa By-The-Rocks The Pool Villa by the Rocks is evidence that nature is the world’s greatest architect. Surrounded by the ocean and a sea of artistically shaped boulders, this villa lets you hear the white surf gushing over the rocks and have sumptuous meals while gazing at the waves in their natural splendour. From your private pool, jet pool and living pavilion this spectacle is a magnificent sight to behold and hypnotizes you with its rhythmic play of the elements.
their natural splendor. From your private pool, jet pool and living pavilion this spectacle is a magnificent sight to behold and hypnotizes you with its rhythmic play of the elements. *Beachfront Spa Pool Villa Kissing the silky sand of the Intendance Bay, the luxuriously appointed villas offer direct access to the beach. At the Beachfront Spa Pool Villa the pervasive ésprit of the Seychelles fills the air. You can't fail to be enchanted by the sights and sounds of the ocean – from the powerful swell of the sea breaking on the shore to the refreshing breeze. The one-bedroom villa is extremely luxurious and spacious; giving you the convenience of a private swimming pool, massage pavilion, sprawling veranda, outdoor jet pool and steam room. Local artist George Camille was commissioned to produce unique art pieces based on the legendary coco-de-mer, the world’s largest nut, adding to the exotic splendour of these romantic villas. A delightful villa garden offers direct access to the silky soft beach. *Intendance Pool Villa Excluding the tropical old world charm, the Intendance Pool Villa is a classic example of traditional architecture.
From the spacious terrace of the five exclusive Intendance Pool Villas, you enjoy a stunning bird's eye view of the Indian Ocean, Intendance Bay and the lush tropical mountain greenery surrounding Banyan Tree Seychelles. Featuring a private jet pool and swimming pool, a set of walkways and stairs connects your villa, living pavilion and pool with a separate sundeck and jet pool – set at different levels into the hill in between imposing granite rocks. Breathtaking views are the trademark of the lofty Intendance Pool Villa, which has been inspired by the exotic charm and elegance of local colonial architecture. For spa aficionados one Intendance Pool Villa on top of the mountain also features an additional massage pavilion.
No expense has been spared at this secret hideaway; so you can explore the Seychelles in style. You can entertain family and friends on a lavish scale – the Presidential Villa can be combined with the adjoining Hillside Pool Villa to create a sprawling two-bedroom complex. Soak in the dramatic scenery and let the magic of this awe-inspiring Seychelles villa hotel cast its spell on you. Tucked away in a private cove with a sweeping view of the Indian Ocean, be pampered by the finest in hospitality at the exclusive Presidential Villa. www.banyantree.com/en/seychelles
*Presidential Villa For the ultimate in luxury, exclusivity and privacy, stay at the exquisite Presidential Villa at Banyan Tree Seychelles resort, which occupies its very own private cove by the water’s edge. southasianbridemagazine.com 119
Real Wedding
Shivani + Rueben
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he bride Shivani Dhingra is a fashion entrepreneur and daughter of Delhi-based business baron Sudhir Dhingra who is the Chairman and Managing Director of Orient Craft and Manju Dhingra. Shivani tied the knot with Reuben Bajaj, the son of Washingtonbased IT entrepreneurs Kavelle and Ken Bajaj. The Sangeet Celebration for Shivani & Rueben was held at the Ritz Carlton, Washington DC. The king of bhangra, Daler Mehndi, performed at the sangeet leaving tons of memories for the guests, families and for the couple. Celebrity wedding planner and bridal fashion designer, David Tutera, turned the ordinary ball room into a peacock theme wonderland, draped with white and blue colors. DJ, Jag Singh from EVENT EQ painted the ballroom with his talent of lights and made it look like a dream.
The dream spring-summer wedding in Delhi created and conceptualised by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla and produced and executed by Jai and Sonali of E-Factor Entertainment (P) Ltd left an indelible mark on everyone’s memory. The concepts evolved over a period of six months during their various intensive meetings and creative discussions. The next event was Reception of baraat, which was the biggest of all the events. The work started at this site also about 20-22 days before. 14000 sq ft of the event area had to be created along with 2500 sq ft of special VIP enclosure. The entire set was made in fiberglass and then was finished off with special paint finishes done by the special painters. Rueben made his grand entrance on a horse along with the showcase of fireworks. The palace feel of the reception décor inspired the designers to do a very regal princess-like look on Shivani as her looks and jewellery complemented their views of an Indian princess — very soft and ethereal with soft and dewy makeup. The event was followed by a performance by Mika Singh. The Anandkaraj was an early morning event. The back lawn of the Orient farm was used to host the ceremonies. Two marvellously done up mandaps in the form of a gurudwara and a temple formed the prime essence in this ceremonial
area. The huge Chandelier made of flowers made the entire venue look just amazing and grand. The pink color scheme was carried throughout the entrance to the mandaps. Rueben made his entrance with his groomsmen to the ceremony area, while Shivani made her entrance with her parents. Both Sikh and Hindu wedding ceremonies were performed. Washington D.C.’s National Building Museum was the site of a glorious Indian wedding that began in New Dehli, India and ended in our nation’s capital. David Tutera transformed the museum into a modern Indian wedding reception ballroom with gold and purple details and lots of draping to enclose the dinner and coctail areas. Jay Sean, the British singer, made his appearance on stage and entertained guest with his vibrant music. A wedding no one will soon forget...
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Vendor LIST Photography: CBArt Photography & Cinematography US Planning & Design: Evoke US Events Floral & Decor: David Tutera Catering: Moghul Caterers US DJ's & Entertainment: Events EQ US Venues: Ritz Carlton, National Building Museum (DC) Delhi Events Created & Conceptualized by: Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla Delhi Events Produced and Executed by: Jai and Sonali of E-Factor Entertainment (P) Ltd Delhi Music: DJ Gaurav Malvai Delhi Wedding Choreography/Music: Praveen Makeup Artist for the Sangeet: Jyoti Kumar Makeup Artist for Baraat and Anandkaraj: Ojas Rajani Entertainment: Mika Singh, Daler Mehndi, Jey Sean
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Real Wedding
Monica + Shail
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hen you imagine an Indian Destination Wedding, Monica & Shail’s incredible extravaganza is what you see!! Picture it five days on a beach resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, unbelievable weather, gorgeous scenery, amazing vendors, a barat that not only comes in by horse but also boat, an end of the night bon fire and one of the most amazing couples sharing their love and laughter! The planning started some eight months before when Monica and Shail hired Trisha Cranor of Working Brides Wedding Planners! Monica a Doctor and Shail an Investment Banker both residing in NYC are two busy people, trying to plan a destination wedding was just not a fete they wanted to tackle alone! So Monica reached out to DC based planner Trisha! They had a connection from the first call and quickly moved on to the planning! Originally a Puerto Rico wedding was the vision, but once the Half Moon Resort in Mo Bay was introduced it quickly became a front-runner! Wedding Planner, Trisha Cranor, adds one of the most important pieces to planning a destination wedding is certainly heading out to the property to get a good feel for it! After the first trip out Monica, Shail and Trisha knew this was the one! The varied rooms styles was one of the highlights for sure! Guests could choose to stay in Beachfront cottages, Spa Suites or even opt to rent Villa’s containing 4-7 rooms. These Villa’s created just the right at home feel that all Indian weddings need! They decided to get at least two Villa’s so that immediate families of both Monica
and Shail could stay together! Here is where individual mendhi parties and more occurred! Both sets of families were so happy to have these large “Houses” to be able to welcome all of the International travelers. The week started with a Welcome White Party, which doubled as their Sangeet!! Having all the guests decked out in white and greeted by a Steel Drum band and cool Coconut Water was a hit! Trisha stated “The guests were welcomed to the island and the weeks events in style from the start! It was a gorgeous sunset on the beach and with the Steel Drum band playing you knew you were in for a true Caribbean treat” Another vital piece to a destination wedding Trisha says is selecting the right vendors! Some vendors she just would not do locally, such as Photography, Video and DJ! Monica & Shail adhered to her advice and flew in some of the United States finest! None other than, Keith Cephus did photography! This man is a talent like no other and his out of the box thinking took the couple to another resort on Mo Bay that they (the couple & planner) had considered but at the time was under renovations! “Keith found it on his own and scooted my bride and groom over to the ruins on the property and here is where he captured some of the most jaw dropping photos I have ever seen during the couples trash the dress”, Trisha says. Monica & Shail were blessed to also have Pacific Pictures on board! The talent and final product from this cinematography team are second to none. Not that Monica needed any help at all, but Susmita Patel of Studio Sush was flown in to do Makeup, Hair, Mendhi and Dresssing of the bride, a luxury that all just invest in! Finally DJ Suhel from NYC rounded out the US team that helped to create this once in a lifetime dream come true! For décor the couple opted to go with a local designer Mrs. Henry. Monica’s inspiration for the ceremony actually came from right here in the pages of SAB! She wanted it to be as close to the picture as possible and Mrs. Henry did all she could to achieve that! Monica and Shail are huge fans of Bollywood movies and decided no better way to share their “cheesy” passion then to incorporate it into their wedding! So they hired designer Randall Santiago of Purple Robot to design there wedding stationary. They brought their passion for movies in by doubling movie billboards as their table numbers yet replacing the movie stars faces with their own! A touch that
their wedding guests certainly noticed and had a ball looking at! At the end of there busy wedding week, everyone left Mo Bay with smiles and stories! It was certainly a wedding that went down as a favorite for all!
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Vendor LIST Planner: Working Brides Wedding Planners Photography: Keith Cephus Photography Cinematography: Pacific Pictures Hair, Makeup & Dressing Susmita Patel Music: DJ Suhel Linens: Partyland Linens Decor: Paulette Henry Decor Caterine: Chef Ravi Catering Venue: Half Moon Bay Resort- Montego Bay, Jamaica
ALICE IN WONDERLAND Planner: Pretty Lovely Events Floral Design: Bokchito Flower and Gifts Photography: Studio One Photography Chair Covers: Wildflower Linens Macarons: Stacked Studio Cake Designs
DEsSERT POP Event Designer: Sonia Sharma Events Floral Design: Bloom Box Designs Photography: Dina Douglass | Andrena Photography Rentals: Bountiful Home Location: Viceroy Hotel, Santa Monica 132 southasianbridemagazine.com
SAB TABLESCAPES
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L AV I S H B L U S H Photography: Terri Rippee | Rippee Photography Rentals, Linens and Others: Karen Tran Florals and Events Chairs: Chameleon chairs
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F L O R A L lu x e Event Planner: Nikki & Madiha Khan, Exquisite Events Floral Design: Sunny Ravanbach, White Lilac Photography: Joy Marie Photography Rentals: Classic Party Rentals Linen: Youngsong Martin, Wildflower Linen Table setting: Nikki Khan, Exquisite Events and Sunny Ravanbach, White Lilac Location: Hummingbird Ranch, Santa Susana
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