The Platinum Guide Blog

Happy Tuesday, beauty queens! We are delighted to share Sindu & Kunj's wedding with all of you. So get ready to have a blast! One of the first things you have to keep in mind when planning your wedding is to have beautifully crafted invites to let your family and friends know that you want to have them with you on this special day. So, you need to choose them wisely! And that is what Sindu & Kunj did when they decided to contact The Royal Collection. The invites they sent were a work of art! But the invites were just the beginning, as today's featured wedding is one to remember. Thoroughly orchestrated by Urvashi Mishra, this celebration was perfect beyond words! Elegant Affairs decored the halls of The Marigold, and we absolutely loved the final result. The color palette, the floral arrangements, and all the ornaments were as elegant as captivating, creating a beautiful backdrop for this life-changing moment! And talking about beauty, let's take a moment to admire the fabulous look of our gorgeous Maharani after being pampered by Style by Susmita. The exquisite makeup and hairstyle, combined with the spectacular Mehndi by Mehndikalogie, praised this Maharani's beauty, making her look like a princess. After the wedding ceremony, there was an intimate reception party enlivened by DJ USA. And it was the perfect ending for this real-life fairytale. If you can't get enough of this wedding celebration, don't miss today's gallery by Zach Blum. It is a visual delight that will take your breath away, and we are sure you will get tons of inspiring ideas!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
It was the most magical, adventurous proposal ever - simple, but adrenaline-pumping. Kunj was doing a rotation during his medical residency near Allentown, PA and we were doing semi-long distance with him coming back on the weekends, while I worked in Philly. He decided to surprise me with a trip to the Poconos one weekend and planned a stay at a cute, rustic (not to mention healthy homecooking) B&B named Santosha on the Ridge. After we had breakfast there, he took me to a placed called Mountain Creek Riding Stable and we galloped off down a bunch of trails with each of us on our own horses. While I was busy trying to keep my horse named Boots steady, little did I know he was carrying a ring box in his pocket the entire time. As we brought our horses back to the stable, he got down on one knee (while I was still sitting on Boots) and revealed the most beautiful ring I had ever seen. I almost blacked out from sheer excitement before I said yes and Boots almost thought the ring was an apple. Haven't looked back since :)

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part was definetly planning the look and taste of the cake. I absolutely love dessert, especially cakes and have over-the-top visions for how a cake should look (brainwashed by those baking shows on the Food Network). When it came to my wedding, the whole theme was peacocks (the mandap, one of my blouses, almost everything was modeled after this theme). So, with the cake, I wanted to plan a beautiful pink cake with these gorgeous pink peacocks and silver garnishes. And it was so fulfilling to work with a baker in NJ (Palermo's Bakery) over virtual calls dishing ideas back and forth, especially as she tried to make my vision come to life by sketching out these cakes and showing pictures via text message. In the end, it not only tasted amazing but was also gorgeous to look at!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
During COVID time, my guests loved the fact that Kunj and I, along with our families, wanted so much to make this special moment one to remember for the ages. My mother along with the entire wedding planning team worked so hard to make this wedding that initially was meant for a larger group so special and beautiful, despite having a smaller number of guests. While they say Indian weddings are more about the family and not the individuals, I would beg to differ in this case. I would say our love and joy during this event was more about us even as we may have participated in rituals/traditions near and dear to our family. Our attitude in making the best out of the situation and having so much fun created an infectious, happy atmosphere that was rubbing off on everyone.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
When my mother took the microphone to say some words, she mentioned that even as a little child, I sought happiness over money and she was so happy i found a partner that shared that same vision - that happiness in life was more important to go after than any other standard or metric. That moment plays over and over in my mind as it reminds me that no matter what I do in my marriage and in life from here on out, I am always going to make sure that I am swimming in happiness. And most importantly my mother wanted to support me in that journey by recognizing the value of a quality that I had long thought no one in my culture growing up was also chasing. Here was my mother saying this to me and giving me the freedom to go explore and build a different type of marriage.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Don't let disappointments or stressful moments in wedding planning/the wedding itself bring you down. In the end, this is a day to celebrate you finding your partner and having your family welcome you into your new stage of life. And if you still feel that you missed out a key element of your big day, you can always plan another separate ceremony. With COVID disrupting my original wedding date and marriage license plans, I now am on my third marriage (zoom ceremony, hindu non legal ceremony, and the legal ceremony) to the same person - plenty of opportunities to celebrate.

That is all for today, darlings. We hope to see you tomorrow when we unveil a new love story!

The Royal Collection, Mehndikalogie and The Marigold are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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Happy Thursday, beauty queens! Our journey through the most spectacular South Asian weddings continues, and we have plenty more to share with you! So pour yourself a beverage, sit back, relax, and get ready to enjoy all the beauty surrounding Akila & Neil's wedding! Held at the Pleasantdale Chateau, this wedding was equally impressive as it was inspiring! But there is no surprise here, as Marigold Wedding Planners took care of everything down to the smallest detail. From the fabulous decor to the mesmerizing floral design by A Votre Service Events, everything exceeded Akila & Neil's expectations. And we have no words to describe so much beauty and flair! And talking about beauty, what about the ravishing look of our gorgeous Maharani? Amazing! She burst into the room, looking like a princess dressed in a dual-tone attire that we loved so much. And as if that was not enough, she complemented her final look with a spectacular Mehndi designed by Mehndikalogie. Beauty and tradition at its best! After the wedding ceremony, an epic reception party started. All guests celebrated along with the newlyweds and danced the night away to the beats of MVP DJs. Hands down, the perfect ending for this real-life fairytale. If you can't get enough of this lovely wedding, visit today's gallery and take a peek at the fantastic shots by Pivko Photography. You will be amazed!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Akila and Neil met in elementary school, when Akila was on the same swim team as Neil’s younger brother. There is an alleged online conversation between Akila and one of her bridesmaids where she confessed that she thought Neil was cute! The two re-connected after college and have been together since. Akila knew that he was the one after one month of dating,

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Neil’s proposal to Akila was sweet and sentimental. He took he out for dinner to the same restaurant they went to on their first date and proposed over pancakes, the same meal they ate on their first date! When they returned home, both of their families were waiting to surprise Akila and celebrate the wonderful news.

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.
The wedding planning was definitely a team effort. After the venue was selected, Akila took control of all of the bridal planning i.e. working with the hair & makeup stylists and outfits for the couple. Neil was the primary liaison between the families and the wedding planner. It is so important to have a good planner. Nitty, from Marigold Wedding Planners, worked very closely with us and helped us with vendor selections and communications, color palettes for the various events, and designed and styled our decor, which was so personalized and reflected our love for each other and what we enjoy.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Neil and Akila agreed that their favorite part of the planning process was the food tasting and sari shopping. Both of these allowed them to showcase their individual tastes. Neil particularly enjoyed picking the entrance music (they walked out into the reception to the Avengers theme!). The wedding also had a lot of special touches that were important to the bride and groom. As avid readers, they based each table theme on their favorite novel and each guest was given a beautiful, customized bookmark at their place setting.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
There are a few things that our guests have brought up to us as their favorite part of the wedding. People have mentioned that the venue was spectacular, their service was amazing, food was so good each night – the caterers did an amazing job. They have also complimented the customization and detailing of the décor. And finally, everyone enjoyed the heartfelt performances from our family and friends who traveled in from all over the world.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Saying our vows to each other...very very special!

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
The words of wisdom that we would pass down to all couples-to-be is that it’s very important to plan together. The bride and groom BOTH have ideas on how to make their day special and work with each vendor, as a couple. Throughout Neil and Akila’s wedding planning, Neil took a major role in planning while Akila was simultaneously studying for the bar exam. As stressful as the planning process is, the most important thing to remember is that you are getting ready to spend the rest of your lives together! If your families have specific requests or preferences, let them! The wedding is an important time for them as well. Don’t stress the little things because at the end, the memories will be better.

I don't know about you, but we are still sighing over the beauty of this wedding! For more inspiring and romantic weddings, make sure to join us tomorrow.

Mehndikalogie and Marigold Wedding Planners are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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Happy Tuesday, darlings! We are glad you could join us today because we have a romantic love story that we were dying to share with you, so let's get right into it! This time, Killer Creations Photography and Cinematography take us on a visual journey through Annapurna & Madhav's intimate wedding celebrated during COVID-19 times. Right from the start, we have to say that we absolutely loved every moment of this event, as it was a reminder that against all odds, love always wins! From the spectacular Mandap designed by Marigold Wedding Planners to the minimalist yet on-point decor crafted by Annapurna & Madhav's family and friends, everything was charming and ultra-special. Our gorgeous Maharani Annapurna burst into the scene looking like a princess thanks to Sandhya Sree Athmakuri and Makeup By JHobby, who took care of her hairstyle and makeup needs. And we have no words to describe such a stunning bridal look. The icing on the cake was the artistic Mehndi outlined by Henna Beauty by Krupa. Tradition and beauty at its best! Hands down, this was the perfect scenario for these lovebirds to join their lives in marriage. After tying the knot, Annapurna & Madhav celebrated along with their family and guests to the beats of Naveen Productions - DJ, Lighting, Entertainment and Photo Booth, whose endless repertoire is always a delight to listen! If you want to check more of this intimate celebration, wait no more and take a look at this awe-inspiring gallery. It will take your breath away, not to mention that you'll get tons of inspiration to plan your wedding!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I had just graduated nursing school, with a world of opportunities at my feet. My sister, Srivi, and I decided to go down to California for a few days to kick back, relax, and celebrate this huge accomplishment. We stayed with some friends and while we were there met various people but didn't think much of it. It was a pretty uneventful trip, and we joked about how crazy it would be if we met the person we were going to marry on that trip. We both thought there was absolutely no way that would happen. Oh how wrong were we. The last day we were there, we met Madhav's parents through some mutual family friends. Soon enough, Madhav and I were introduced and started talking and the rest, as they say, is history.  A few texts every so often turned to daily phone calls and FaceTime dates. Some words exchanged here and there quickly turned into conversations about life, our goals and dreams, plans for the future, our hardships and struggles, our successes, and what makes us who we are today. Every minute I spent with him felt natural and real, like we had known each other our entire lives. We quickly became best friends and realized that we couldn't spend our lives without each other.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
As much as I hate surprises, one thing I have dreamed about since I was 10 years old was my dream surprise proposal. Madhav was planning to come into town to visit, and we had made plans to go see Hamilton in Detroit, since it was one of his all time favorite musicals. What I didn't know was that he was planning to propose that night, and that his sister, brother-in-law, and parents all flew on the same red eye flight as him to be there for the surprise happening later that evening and hid in the airport until after I picked him up to leave. Madhav had made a huge deal about the show, saying we should go full out with getting dressed up, having my hair and nails done, and just getting all decked out for the show. I thought it was fun how excited he was about the whole thing and went along with it because who doesn't love getting dressed up?  We got to the venue and were taking pictures and having a great time. While the show was amazing, Madhav was acting super strange throughout. He would scoot me to walk in front of him so I wasn't directly beside him and wouldn't look at or talk to me during the course of the show. Naturally, I just assumed he was just so mesmerized by the show, even when he was shady and left me alone for a few after the show, which I later found out was to make some calls. What I also didn't realize was that during the show, my sisters and family had ventured to a beautiful local park where they created an ideal scene for the perfect proposal. Usually I like to know the entire plan of the day and was getting antsy that I didn't know what we were doing after the show, but I was attempting to be less uptight about plans and trying to play it cool, even when he randomly suggested that we go to "the park you always went to as a kid" to take some pictures. When we got to the park, I started telling Madhav tons of stories from my childhood that happened in that park, completely oblivious to the fact that he was very clearly not paying attention. As we were walking, he randomly pointed to a tree, which i soon realized was covered in lights and pictures of us throughout our lives. Immediately, I knew what was happening. Madhav made a nice speech and popped the question with a stealthy photographer capturing the whole thing. All parents and siblings joined in to finish the surprise and capped off this special day with a delicious dinner!

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.
Before COVID-19 hit, I had pretty much our entire wedding planned by the beginning of 2020. I love weddings and knew pretty much exactly what I wanted my wedding to look like and which vendors I wanted to go with well before Madhav even proposed. Because it was important to us to have a pretty traditional and religious wedding ceremony, both of our parents were able to help communicate with the temple facilities and the priest in making that all possible. I had been following the Indian wedding circuit in the Metro Detroit area for a while now so when it came time to book hair, make up, photography, etc., I basically knew exactly who and what I wanted so I had most of our vendors booked within a few weeks after we got engaged. Booking all these venues and vendors early on in the wedding planning process eased a lot of my stress as we moved forward. All our vendors were incredible in being flexible and helping us make our day incredible, especially with the date changes and uncertainty that COVID-19 brought with it. If it weren't for these amazing vendors, our day wouldn't have been as wonderful as it was.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
We chose to have a traditional Hindu Telugu wedding ceremony, and so I relied on my parents and in- laws a lot for help picking the clothes I would wear for all the traditional ceremonies. My mom and I met my in-laws in India, and we traveled to Kanchi, where I ended up picking the sari I wore for the first half of our wedding. Before COVID, I had found the most beautiful purple lengha in Hyderabad but it was too grand for the backyard reception we ended up having because of COVID. So I decided to wear this elegant periwinkle chikaankari lengha that I got stitched in India with the help of my cousin.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Although COVID-19 significantly altered our original plans of big venues with large crowds, with the amazing help of our closest family and friends, we were able to share something really special. Being able to turn my childhood home into a dream backyard wedding venue was incredible. We shared so many laughs and DIY moments together, and these are memories I'll carry with me for the rest of my life.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
We recognize that any sort of gathering in 2020 raises eyebrows and I think the one thing that guests loved about our wedding was the care we took in making sure everyone was able to stay safe. We had a temperature screening station where all guests had to be screened for COVID symptoms prior to entering the events, provided masks for all our guests, had hand sanitizer stations everywhere, placed chairs at safe distances from each other, and had CDC guidelines posted throughout the wedding. Also, because of COVID-19 guidelines, we had a more intimate, outdoor wedding that guests said they loved.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The two moments that still constantly play in my head are when I was carried to the madapam by my maternal uncles while sitting in a basket. It was such a cool feeling being surrounded by so many of my favorite people who I had known my entire life. The other moment was when the curtain separating Madhav and I was lifted and we got to see each other for the first time during the muhurtham. It was so surreal seeing each other and knowing we were going to be together forever.

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.
The theme for all the wedding events was simple but elegant, as all the events took place at my parents home. For the pre-wedding ceremonies that were more religious based, we tried to keep the decoration and outfits as traditional as possible. The decorations for our backyard reception were simple, with fairy lights illuminating all the trees and connecting the different tents spread out together. While our mandapam was rented and assembled by the kind folks at Marigold Weddings, the remainder of the decorations were a labor of love from close family and friends.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
In a world where everything is changing, sometimes you don't need a huge wedding with hundreds of people for your event to be special. Find the things that are most important to you and your fiance and focus your energy on that. No matter what, the day will always be special because it's your day. So try to find joy in all aspects of making it happen.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Because COVID-19 prevented so many of our closest friends and families from attending, we livestreamed all our events so those who were not able to attend in person could be a part of our celebrations from the safety of their homes.

That is all for today, darlings. See you tomorrow for more inspiring details to start planning your dream wedding!

Killer Creations Photography and Cinematography, Naveen Productions - DJ, Lighting, Entertainment and Photo Booth and Marigold Wedding Planners are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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Happy Thursday, Maharanis! Are you ready for a new and exciting adventure? If so, get your luggage and passport because we are taking you on a trip to a different continent. You read right! Today, we will take you to Sydney, Australia, to enjoy Priyanka & Sulabh's fusion wedding celebration. So get ready to enjoy it! Thanks to the visual masterpieces captured by Alan Khan Photography, we can start this day enjoying a cornucopia of beauty and traditional flair that we are sure you are going to love. Thoroughly designed and decored by Decore Shaan by Neeta Tanna, this wedding celebration was equally beautiful as mesmerizing. The color palette and the ideal placement of all the ornaments enhanced the beauty of the Miramare Gardens, providing the perfect backdrop for Priyanka & Sulabh to start their everlasting married life! And we cannot talk about perfection without mentioning the spectacularly ravishing look of our gorgeous Maharani Priyanka! She walked down the aisle looking like a vision of beauty after being fully glamorized by Apoorva Bridal, who showcase all their talent and expertise in making a lovely bride looking like a goddess for her big day. To crown this fabulous look, Henna by Hura outlined an artistic Mehndi design that was utterly impressive, not to mention that it added an extra touch of traditional flair to this already jaw-dropping look. If you can't get enough of this wedding bash, make sure to check more of this fantastic event in today's full gallery!

We hope you've enjoyed today's featured wedding as much as we did! Don't forget to join us tomorrow for more.

Apoorva Bridal is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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Welcome back, Ladies! We are glad to have you back because we are about to unveil all the beauty surrounding Fatima & Zain's enchanting wedding celebration, followed by a magical reception hosted at the exclusive Hyatt Regency Houston Galleria. This event was entirely orchestrated by Lavender Pearl, and let me tell you that you will love with all your heart how the flair and elegance overflowed from every single corner of the room. So, let's wait no more and take a look at this fantastic event through the amazing shots captured by MnM Photography. Right off the bat, we have to say that we absolutely adored the decor crafted by Dream Decors Design House, who took it into a higher level and prepared just the right stage for the right moment. Just amazing! The mesmerizing look of our gorgeous Maharani, who burst into the room looking like royalty, captivated everyone. But there is no surprise her as she was fully glamorized by Bridal Makeup & Hair by Affaf, who highlighted Fatima's natural beauty. Especially Raja Zain couldn't hide the admiration and love that he feels for his bride, and we don't blame him, as he married a real beauty! Remember that you can always relive this phenomenal moment, by taking a look at today's gallery. You will love it!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met at a mutual friends wedding and I knew he was the one after dating for a few months and seeing that he loves me for who I am, never asked me to change a thing, and how I could never get enough of his company!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We went to Banff and because Im a fashion blogger i wanted to shoot some couple pics on Lake Louise so I made him pack some fancy clothes, I packed a dress, and when we got to lake Louise his friend was taking our pictures and directed him to “get down on one knee” and I was totally shocked and surprised! He proposed to me at a Dream location and I didn’t even see it coming, my photo shoot turned into a proposal shoot and I still can’t believe it!

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.
I hired Lavender Pearl as my wedding planners and they did amazing! I shared my vision with Sonia and Arsheen and they set up meetings with vendors who could deliver my vision and they couldn’t have been more perfect. The venue was great, they were so accommodating! My hair and makeup was done by HCBridal&beauty by Affaf and she did sooo good, i looked like myself and felt comfortable all night! My outfits were from all over but my favorite was my reception look from Republic Womenswear in Lahore, all done through WhatsApp which I talk about on my blog!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I searched and searched for inspiration on Pinterest and found a picture where I fell in love with the outfit, I found the designer and they remade it for me with some changes and it was perfect.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The catering tastings & outfit planning!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
From what they say, they loved the decor, my clothes, the food, and how organized it all was.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
There’s a few - my first look with Zain, my bridesmaids pictures, Zain & I’s first dance, & at the end of the night finally being able to call eachother husband and wife.

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.
For the mehndi, I had lots and lots of color and me and Zain wore white and gold to stand out from the colorful decor! The reception was really classy, blush pinks and gold with champagne, all matching my outfit. The dances were my favorite, so well thought out and all my best friends participated and I am so glad they made me do a surprise dance for Zain because it was so much fun!

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Whatever you do, don’t stress out! It’ll all be perfect on your big day, just aim to be happy and it’ll show on your face on stage and you’ll glow!

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
My jewelry was all from Diamonds Unlimited, I got it custom made for my outfit and could not have been more In love! I shared the entire process on my blog - http://www.fatimaaqil.com/ & y’all can read all the questions I’ve answered there :)

If you was inspired today. Wait to see what we have prepared tomorrow. So stay tune! 

Hyatt Regency Houston Galleria is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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