Welcome to Maharani Weddings

Get ready for mehndi madness, Maharanis!  It's time for our annual Mehndi Maharani Contest where awesome mehndi artists submit their BEST henna designs and we feature them for all to admire! So who decides on the ultimate winner? That's a two-part job done by always-fabulous celebrity artist Ash Kumar and YOU! That's right, lovelies, we are leaving the final vote up to our beloved readers!

So, Mehndi Artists, here are some important dates and all the info on how to enter:

Go to the Mehndi Maharani Submissions Form and submit 8 to 10 images of your most sensational work. Submissions must be received by October 21st.

During our wildly wonderful "Mehndi Week" (October 28th through November 1st) we'll feature a handful of submissions on our website curated by yours truely and our editorial team, so our fantastic readers can vote for their favorite artist. Readers, when casting your vote, be sure to do so by leaving a comment cuz we can't track "likes" or multiple votes. On November 6th we will announce the top three winners!

Check out these incredible prizes provided by Ash Kumar!

First place: $350 CASH, a $250 Ash Kumar Gift Basket, and a two-page spread in our upcoming E-magazine!!!

Second place: $200 CASH, a $125 Ash Kumar Gift Basket, and a two-page spread in our upcoming E-magazine!

Third place: $100 CASH, a $75 Ash Kumar Gift Basket, and a two-page spread in our upcoming E-magazine!

Let the games begin and may the most lovely mehndi artist win! Submit your beautiful henna work today to be crowned the Mehndi Maharani Artist of 2013! 

Your carriage awaits, Maharanis! You are about to be whisked away to a sensationally luxurious, newly expanded dream wedding venue perched in the sprawling Santa Monica Mountains. The grand 17,500-square-foot grounds of Herscher Hall and Guerin Pavilion— two incredible additions to the Skirball Cultural Center— offer an opulent ballroom, terraced garden courtyards, gourmet catering and premium bar services, and a bridal suite that will have you slipping out of your glass slippers (or sparkling Jimmy Choos) and into a world of wonder. Gasp! 

Warm, natural light pours into the majestically arched ballroom from 100 custom-designed skylights, while a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows looks out onto a sea of Japanese maple. Swoon! Featuring dramatic lighting, modern architecture, flexible indoor and outdoor event spaces, and a neutral palette that will suit any fabulous floral and decor you can imagine, this 15-acre campus is the absolute ideal in Indian wedding venues. Plus, their team of experts will help you bring your fantasy day to life!

Bookings for this incredible new event location begin in November and if I were you, I'd be reaching for my phone right now! This perfect package— venue, catering, and specialty planning all in one—is about to be the talk of the town! It's Maharani-marvelous; I can't wait to see images from your weddings held in this lavish location!

Skirball Cultural Center is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

Skirball Cultural Center VIEW PORTFOLIO

For more information on how Platinum Guide members are chosen, click here.

Get ready for mehndi madness, Maharanis!  It's time for our annual Mehndi Maharani Contest where awesome mehndi artists submit their BEST henna designs and we feature them for all to admire! So who decides on the ultimate winner? That's a two-part job done by always-fabulous celebrity artist Ash Kumar and YOU! That's right, lovelies, we are leaving the final vote up to our beloved readers!

So, Mehndi Artists, here are some important dates and all the info on how to enter:

Go to the Mehndi Maharani Submissions Form and submit 8 to 10 images of your most sensational work. Submissions must be received by October 21st.

During our wildly wonderful "Mehndi Week" (October 28th through November 1st) we'll feature a handful of submissions on our website curated by yours truely and our editorial team, so our fantastic readers can vote for their favorite artist. Readers, when casting your vote, be sure to do so by leaving a comment cuz we can't track "likes" or multiple votes. On November 6th we will announce the top three winners!

Check out these incredible prizes provided by Ash Kumar!

First place: $350 CASH and a two-page spread in our upcoming E-magazine!!!

Second place: $200 and a two-page spread in our upcoming E-magazine!

Third place: $100 and a two-page spread in our upcoming E-magazine!

Let the games begin and may the most lovely mehndi artist win! Submit your beautiful henna work today to be crowned the Mehndi Maharani Artist of 2013! 

Your glamorous, princess-worthy venue is booked, your dress is being sewn to perfection at the boutique, and your red roses are in the trusted hands of your florist. Phew! Now all you need is a bounty of fabulous food to serve to your family and friends! So, where does a girl turn for the best tips on planning a wedding menu to remember? Look no further than these top 5 trendy bits of advice from the experts at S3 Catering, the sister alliance of the always-exquisite KIS (Cubed) Events.

#1. Create an inspiration board. Use a site like Pinterest to help convey your dream wedding food style to your caterer. This will allow you to visually show your menu planner what you have in mind and will give you a convenient platform for putting together a stunning feast!

#2. Consider the number of people who will be eating at your event. While you may absolutely LOVE spice-crusted monkfish in tomato sauce, it may be a daunting task for your kitchen staff to create 500 of them at the high-quality standard you deserve. So, be mindful of how many of each item your chef will need to prepare and keep quality as the prime entree.

#3. Make your food a conversation piece. Serving unique, one-bite items that are catered to be cosmetically chic but culinarily taste-bud-tantalizing is a surefire way to keep guests more than entertained between courses.

#4. Get creative with your presentation. Imaginative food displays make a dramatic visual statement. At a recent dinner, event guests were wowed with spoon-filled mini desserts served by a stilt walker. The stilt-walking server carried an acrylic wall specially fitted with slotted spoon holders that doubled as a unique photo op and decor element.

#5. Go international! Ethnic is big: Middle Eastern, Asian,  Mexican, and of course Indian.  We’re not doing the international fusions anymore. We’re doing international foods, but we’re doing them in an authentic way as possible. We’re going from very simple street foods and authentic home cooking to haute cuisine.

How deliciously decadent! When in doubt, turn to the experts, I say, especially those in our Platinum Guide! What are you planning to serve at your big event, Maharanis? Let me know and I'll see you tomorrow!

KIS (cubed) Events and S3 Catering are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

KIS (cubed) Events VIEW PORTFOLIO

S3 Catering VIEW PORTFOLIO

For more information on how Platinum Guide members are chosen, click here.