The Platinum Guide Blog

Andrea & Mihir's wedding at the iconic Chelsea Piers, overlooking the sparkling Hudson River, was nothing short of a fairytale. Hosted at The Pier Sixty Collection, this Indian-themed celebration blended timeless traditions with modern elegance, creating a magical day that no one will soon forget. From jaw-dropping fashion moments to a first look that left everyone a little teary-eyed, their wedding was the perfect blend of love, style, and fun. Let's dive into the details, shall we?

Every bride dreams of looking like royalty on her big day, and Andrea is no exception. But what happens when you have BridalGal, led by the legendary Lilly Rivera, on your beauty team? Well, magic happens! Lilly, known for her groundbreaking work in multicultural weddings, worked her artistry on Andrea, turning her into an absolute vision. As the morning unfolded, Lilly and her beauty magicians buzzed around, ensuring flawless every detail. And let's just say Lilly didn't just make Andrea look stunning—she made her feel like a queen.

With her skin glowing after BridalGal's personalized bridal facial therapies and her makeup perfectly in place, Andrea slipped into her NDNY and Vintage India-designed outfits. Mihir was all about classic elegance in his regal sherwani by Yesshwant Dresses, perfectly complementing his bride's glam. The moment everyone had been waiting for—the first look—was nothing short of a wow moment. Mihir stood at the edge of the pier, anxiously waiting, while the talented team from Ellie Mae Photo captured every heart-thumping second. As Andrea tapped his shoulder, Mihir turned around, and the look on his face? Pure love. Let's just say there wasn't a dry eye in sight.

Damselfly Designs knocked it out of the park with an elegant and enchanting setup. Picture this: a mandap draped in soft florals and twinkling lights, set against the backdrop of the Hudson River. Sejal from Trendy Henna crafted an intricate mehndi design. Each swirl and symbol in the henna was a tribute to their love, and Andrea's hands looked like a work of art.

Want more sneak peeks into their love story? Check out their stunning wedding photos on our Social Media channels! You'll want to double-tap on these swoon-worthy moments.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I first met Mihir in one of our neighborhood bars in 2019, except he was my bartender and I was on a date with another person. We hit it off before my date got there, but once the date officially started I didn't see Mihir again for another year. A year later, I bump into him again. And again, we hit it off. I start seeing him around the neighborhood over and over again to the point I started avoiding bars and cafes so it didn't seem like I was stalking him. Turns out he not only worked near my apartment, he also lived a few blocks away. Knowing that COVID lock-down was going to happen, I went out one last time before everything shut down in NYC on March 15 and was able to finally get his number. We talked everyday via Zoom as his parents took him back home to NJ and we didn't see each other for 6 months (until his parents gave us the ok!). So long story short - I knew he was the one when he surprised me with flowers at my apartment door. We hugged for the first time and it felt like I was hugging someone I knew a lifetime.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Honestly, there's no scoop! He popped the question 5 minutes before my therapy session because he got too excited after buying the ring. He was no longer able to propose in my hometown as our flight was cancelled due to a snow storm, so he improvised.

Tell us how you went about planning your wedding, and your overall experience with the Venues, Hair & Makeup, Outfits, Decor Theme, and all of the other important details.
It was important for my husband, Mihir, and I to find a venue that was accessible with all food diets. The second we saw the food menu with Pier Sixty/Current, we knew the were the right venue for us. We wanted a venue that was in NYC as we wanted our non-city family to be able to enjoy and love the city we adore. To have a venue on the water was just an added bonus!

All of our vendors were amazing, and would recommend them anyday.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I went to a few bridal shops in NJ and NYC, with both family and friends. I didn't have a favorite color in mind, but I was avoiding one color - pink. I purchased my lengha from NDNY in NYC and there was some miscommunication on the base color. When I opened the box, to my horror, it was all pink!

But Vaishali from NDNY convinced me to stay with the color vs purchasing a new lengha and I'm glad I did. I have never been one to wear colors other than black. Now, I see pink as a color that brings back wonderful memories of our wedding and I'm much more comfortable and happier wearing it. Thanks, Vaishali :)

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
So many things - we connected with our vendors a lot. Our photographer, Ellie Mae, had a few calls with us to chat photo ops but also to just check in on us. She was great and chatting with her always reminded us how much we love each other even if things felt stressful.

Lilly Rivera, my MUA, and I had so much fun during my hair and makeup trial that it lasted around 4 hours (oops)! We really did love our vendors and how down to earth they are!!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The food, the dancing, the music and the company. To this day, we still are told that our wedding was one of the best weddings they have been to.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Two moments, actually. The first special moment was when Mihir, my MIL and I had an impromptu dance scene once didi tera devar deewana started playing. Everyone thought we rehearsed it. People weren't expecting it, and honestly neither did we.

Second moment was when a guest convinced the DJ to stay at the venue to play Mr. Brightside. I had no idea people loved that song so much - everyone went crazy and it was the moment we both realized how much fun everyone was having.

For events other than your ceremony, please tell us as much as you would like about the decor, style, dances, and all the special details.

We wanted to highlight our Indian and Italian backgrounds when it came to the food at the venue and for the wedding favors. I'm gluten and dairy intolerant, so food was a huge detail when choosing a venue. The venue totally killed it and did an amazing job combining flavors, dishes and adapting on the spot to guest's dietary restrictions. People still rave about it to this day.

For our wedding favors, we chose brass elephant tea light holders and brass pomegranate dishes for guests to take home.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?

Take it a day at a time. Wedding planning can be extremely stressful and things will go wrong, that's just life! But when those moments where things go wrong happen, just remember that you and your partner are in it together. Those moments will be the ones that will strengthen and test your relationship.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)

Our henna artist, Sejal is the best! You can view her work at @trendyhenna.

Sweeties, don't forget to tag us and share your favorite moment from Andrea & Mihir's big day! 

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Shilpa & Maneesh wanted their wedding to reflect their vibrant personalities—full of joy, warmth, and timeless elegance. And they didn't disappoint! Hosted at the Hilton Long Island Huntington, their celebration was an experience that left guests captivated from start to finish. From Shilpa's stunning red bridal lengha to the intricate decor and the heartwarming moments shared between the couple, this Indian wedding was one for the books.

Let's start with Shilpa's bridal outfit—a striking bright red lengha from Sanjeela Fashions Delhi that turned heads when she walked in. She always envisioned wearing a bold red for her big day, and during a shopping trip to India with her mother, she found the perfect outfit at the first shop they visited. After trying on a few options, it was clear this lehenga was made for her with its intricate detailing and vibrant color. Maneesh looked dashing in his traditional attire from Silver Tulip Couture, complementing Shilpa perfectly.

If you're looking for a dream team to bring your wedding vision to life, Florista Decor and Detailed Affairs Team are your go-to experts! The decor, designed by the creative team at Florista Decor, was pure magic. Shilpa & Maneesh wanted an elegant, classy aesthetic, and with their help, they pulled it off flawlessly. From the intricate floral arrangements to the perfectly curated color palette, every detail exuded sophistication, turning the venue into a breathtaking masterpiece. The elegance of the evening was further enhanced by the expert coordination from the Detailed Affairs Team, whose detailed planning ensured that everything—from the decor to the delicious feast by Bukhara Grill—flowed seamlessly. And the fun didn't stop there! DJ Suhel kept the dance floor packed all night while Captured on Canvas's live painter created a beautiful, lasting memory of the day. These personal touches made this wedding truly special.

Each photo from Shilpa & Maneesh's wedding holds a story of love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Want to relive the magic? Follow us to enjoy the beautiful details from their special day. 

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met online, and after texting back and forth, we met for our first date in Brooklyn, where I lived at the time! We went out for dinner, and the conversation flowed naturally as we realized how much we had in common. I knew he was the one who had a similar personality, how he always made me laugh at silly jokes, and especially because we bonded over our common love language of sharing food!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
One of my favorite shows has always been The Bachelor/Bachelorette. Knowing this, he recreated a Bachelorette finale and proposed with a traditional Bachelor proposal! We were on our way to what I thought was his work holiday party, with plans to meet some friends at The Fleur Room in NYC beforehand. As we stepped into the empty rooftop, I assumed we were the first ones there until he played a video from Jesse Palmer welcoming me to my final rose ceremony and proposal! After I said yes, he surprised me with our parents, family, and friends coming to The Fleur Room to celebrate the night with us.

Tell us how you went about planning your wedding, and your overall experience with the Venues, Hair & Makeup, Outfits, Decor Theme, and all of the other important details.
We planned our wedding in about 8-9 months, and planning involved lots of checklists, Google Docs, and phone/video calls! We did a lot of research to pick our vendors, but once we did, everything fell into place really quickly. We were looking to have a traditional Indian wedding with modern and fun twists, and all of our vendors really helped us achieve this. For our decor and color scheme, the first thing we picked was the colors of my bridal, reception, and bridesmaids' outfits, and then the rest of the decor complemented those colors. Working with our decorator was amazing, she was so creative and really helped to bring our vision to life. We didn't have a specific theme in mind besides the colors and wanted to keep our reception elegant and classy, and with our decorator's help, we designed the perfect aesthetic. Our wedding planners were great and they were really essential for coordination amongst all the vendors for the day of the event. One of the best things we did during the planning process was a walk-through at the venue about one month before the wedding with the wedding planner, decorator, and venue. This really helped us feel at ease that everyone was on the same page for the timing and flow of events of the big day!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I always knew I wanted to wear bright red for my bridal lengha but never really had a design in mind. I went shopping in India with my mom and found my bridal lengha at the first shop we went to! I only tried on 5-6 outfits and instantly knew this was the one when I saw it! I loved the bright color and detailed work and knew it would stand out amongst the color scheme of the ceremony.

Darlings, for more wedding inspiration from this incredible day, follow @maharaniweddings.

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When tradition meets modern elegance, you get the breathtaking fusion wedding of Sadia & Marcus, celebrated at the stunning Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa. They outdid themselves in the delicious fusion menu, leaving guests raving about the food for days! This picture-perfect venue was the ultimate backdrop for a love story that brought together the best of both worlds – South Asian heritage and contemporary flair. With the waves crashing nearby and the sun setting on the horizon, it was a day straight out of a movie—cue the cinematic music!

Of course, this was only possible with the planning magic of Events By Nazzy, who orchestrated every detail seamlessly. Sadia was a vision thanks to the incredible Peace Love Sakina, who ensured her bridal look was flawless. And for those wondering how such a perfect day came together.

The breathtaking floral architecture, meticulously crafted by Calieventor's creative hands, set the stage for their union. Towering floral arches adorned with soft white roses and lush greenery, each bloom placed precisely to form a grand yet intimate space where Sadia & Marcus exchanged their vows.

Sadia's grand entrance was a sight to behold, like a queen walking down an aisle adorned with vibrant blooms and an ocean view. When Sadia arrived, their eyes met—cue the heart eyes emoji! The moment was captured with breathtaking precision by Reel Initiative—a team whose talent lies in not just documenting moments but turning them into cinematic treasures. Their expertise in photography goes beyond simple snapshots; it's about storytelling through every frame. It was a moment with everyone reaching for their tissues, including Marcus himself!

The party continued into the night, and boy, did DJ Davinder Jhaj know how to keep the dance floor packed! Let's say this wedding Is all about romance, tradition, modern vibes, and, of course, that WOW factor we all crave!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
One of our friends owns a lifestyle clothing brand and asked us months ago if we could model some of his merchandise in a photo shoot. So we agreed; on the day of, his friend told us I was going to start creating and editing videos and start my own content creation company on the side. Which was actually very believable, so he said if you guys don’t mind, I can use you guys to make a promo video. I still didn’t think anything of it. So we went to downtown LA, and he followed around all day and shot content of us on a “date,” etc. Towards the end of the day, he said I got some great content. I think it would be perfect if we wrap it up with a couple of shots of you two at the beach; my husband and his friend had an entire staged conversation in the car, deciding where to go and whatnot, and I totally believed it all. Once we got to Malibu, we started walking down the beach, and behind a little cliff, I walked into an entire setup of his proposal that he and my friends coordinated. They were all in on it; they even posted fake stories about being out of town, so I wouldn’t think anything was up. (See video for details) It was absolutely magical!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Before I even started my selection process, I knew my wedding lehenga had to be one of my favorite designers, either Sabyasachi or Manish Malhotra. I flew to New York with both of my maid of honor and went to Sabya's New York location. Sadly, they only had two wedding options to choose from, and none of them spoke to me. Plus because I knew i was going to be getting married by the beach I knew I wanted a lighter color. So i came home and started doing my research I fell in love with the paste; green color I saw on a model in Manish Malhotras page. I contacted them online and the rest was history, They were able to make adjustments to create the wedding Lehanga of my dreams. Ultimately, I ended up with the perfect Manish Malhotra piece.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
My best friends walked me to the aisle under a 'phool chadar' that my maid of honor handmade, under a veil that my best friend's mom is hand-made. My entrance to the wedding was so powerful it felt like time had stopped as I was walking out. The sky was perfect, and the song we used was perfect. My best friend holding the chadar to see me off was extremely powerful.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Dear future brides, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. All the emotions, stress, and joy you feel right now, you will remember for a lifetime. I know it’s hard not to stress over the little details to make sure your visions come to life exactly the way you pictured, but I promise you when it’s all over, all you will remember are the emotions you felt during this time. So, if I can leave you with anything, I would say, enjoy this time and be truly present so that later in life, you can reflect on how truly precious this time in your life really is.

This perfect blend of tradition made every intimate moment feel like a scene from a love story.

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Darlings, let's enjoy Shayal & Anup's Indian wedding at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, which uniquely blended tradition and modern magic. The stunning Pacific Ocean backdrop and the 'breathtaking' ambiance set a unique stage for this celebration, leaving guests in awe and with smiles long after the event.

Let's get to the first epic moment—Shayal's grand entrance. She walked into the ceremony draped in an exquisite red lehenga, perfectly styled by semi.s.gurung, with a look that left Anup in awe (we can't blame him!). The elegance was undeniable, and as the sun began to set, casting golden hues over the couple, you could almost hear the universe say, "This is it." Anup, looking dapper in his intricate white sherwani, could not take his eyes off her. The connection between these two? Unmistakable, as if they were in their romantic movie, scripted just for them.

Events by Sep, who transformed the venue into a stunning dreamscape with jaw-dropping décor, flawlessly curated the entire event, making every corner picture-perfect. Our Platinum Guide member, Dimpsi Mehndi, gets a special shoutout for the intricate, elegant henna art that adorned Shayal's hands—graceful, detailed, and oh-so-gorgeous! If Mehndi is on your mind, she's your go-to! Urban Phulkari Films was crucial in immortalizing every magical moment of Shayal & Anup's wedding. Their team was on point, ensuring that every tear, every laugh, and every stolen glance between the couple was perfectly captured.

But wait, there's more! Fast forward to the reception—cue the sparklers and the dramatic fog as Shayal & Anup danced their way into everyone's hearts. It wasn't just any first dance; it was the kind that leaves you reaching for tissues (while sneakily filming it for the 'Gram!). Beauty by Henda took Shayal's look to the next level, giving her a glam goddess vibe for the reception, perfectly complementing the mood. And can we talk about that beautiful guitar serenade by Anup? It was the kind of surprise that made every guest's heart melt. Yes, we were all in our feelings!

Want to see more from Shayal & Anup's special day? Head over to our Facebook! Trust us—you won't want to miss any detail!

A true celebration of love and culture—one we’re sure to be gushing over for years to come

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A magical day at The Rockleigh was nothing short of a fairytale infused with Indian traditions and heartfelt moments. A love story unfolded in cinematic grandeur, leaving every guest with awe and wonder. 

Wedding Design LLC's transformation of the mandap into a floral masterpiece was a sight to behold. The vibrant blooms cascading down ivory pillars created a dreamlike setting. The floral explosion design transformed the ceremony into a garden dreamscape. Pink, blue, and blush florals floated around the couple as they said their vows. It was like watching love bloom—literally. Every detail felt like it was crafted for a love story destined to be epic.

Unique Visions Studio captured the day's essence beautifully. Every shot tells a story, from the intricacies of Henna by Shweta to the candid laughs shared during the reception. These aren't just photos—they're memories frozen in time, each one more stunning than the last.

As the evening approached, the atmosphere turned into a pure celebration! MVP DJs had everyone tearing up the dance floor. The couple's first dance was a slow, romantic waltz that ended with a playful twirl, earning roars of applause from the audience. The magic that happens when tradition meets creativity, wrapped in a blanket of love. It was indeed a celebration for the ages!

A blend of tradition and elegance leaving lasting memories for everyone who witnessed its beauty.

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