The Platinum Guide Blog

All posts with Color "Salmon"

Frisco, TX Indian Wedding by Biyani Photography

March 6, 2020 Posted by: Shawna Comments

It is Friday, Ladies! We've reached the end of this fabulous week, and we are here to give you the last shoot of inspiration for this week. Today, we are pleased to bring you the magical wedding festivities between Saranya & Nirav. The grand Omni Frisco was the chosen venue by our lovebirds to tie the knot! Every single moment of this magical wedding planned and organized down to the smallest detail by Electric Karma International's crew was outstanding! They delivered nothing but excellence during the nuptials. And, let's not forget the fantastic decoration crafted by Décor One by Nalini, who created such a luxurious and warm environment that surrounded every corner. Everyone was captivated by the beauty that Saranya reflected during the ceremony as she looked ravishing thanks to the fabulous saree draped and tied by JJ Drapes and, of course, the gorgeous look designed by the talent of Ms. Painted Lady. This winning combination praised Saranya's innate beauty and made everyone sigh. It was spectacular! Lucky for you, we have everything captured in a phenomenal gallery, thanks to Biyani Photography, who did a fantastic job portraying all the beauty of this ceremony. If you need a little extra, remember that you can also relive the cinematographic delight by Epique Cinema, previously showcased in our Video Blog. You are going to love it so much!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?

We both decided to meet up with some friends at a local social event. Mind you, we had been to several of these gatherings over the past couple of years, so we really weren’t expecting anything different. I was talking with my friends and Nirav joined in on the conversation. We got to talking and he asked to add me on Facebook. It took him 3 weeks to start a Facebook conversation with me, which was a corny pick-up line--but I like corny!

We started dating long distance when I went to California to begin my clinical psychology Ph.D. program. Being halfway across the country made it much more challenging for us, though Nirav working at Southwest Airlines definitely helped! After 3.5 years and the multiple barriers we faced (personal, cultural, you name it), we realized that we have what it takes to conquer this life together. He never gave up on me and vice-versa, so I knew that no matter what life threw at us, we would figure it out together.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!

Now let’s be real…the real test was the proposal. I told Nirav that I’m pretty perceptive and it would be incredibly difficult to surprise me, but my main criteria for the proposal was to be surprised (you see why this was the real test?). Nirav knew that I’m not too fond of the mushy, gushy, sappy kind of affection. Thus, his escape room proposal was perfect. We planned a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona with our friends over Labor Day weekend months in advance. Since we always do a yearly trip with our friends, Nirav thought it would be the perfect opportunity for an unsuspecting proposal. He suggested doing an escape room (knowing I would say yes – before he was hoping I would really say yes). In fact, to make it less suspicious, he even joked to me and my family a couple of times about proposing at the end of an escape room (to which I annoyingly responded that it would have been the perfect proposal and he now somehow had to top that idea). He found an escape room with the goal of heisting a diamond and worked with the owner to include mementos from the past three years as clues throughout the room. When we made it to the last clue, I opened the case and found the diamond ring. Funny enough, it still hadn't hit me that he proposed because I was thinking it was hilarious that he had joked about this happening—only to turn around and find him down on one knee. I was speechless and beyond surprised. I didn’t know if it was real—and then my sister walked into the room and it all hit me!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?

My grandmother asked me to be a traditional South Indian bride, and that is exactly what I wanted. We went to Chennai, India to find a South Indian bridal saree. I had seen a picture online of a bright orange/red mixed color that I loved, so we set out to find it and eventually found the perfect saree at Kanakavalli.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?

The most enjoyable part of the planning process was seeing our families work together to integrate and create a spectacular event full of love. He's Gujurati and I'm Tamil, so seeing our families showcase the most important aspects of our heritage into one fun-filled weekend brought so much joy to my heart!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?

I believe our guests loved seeing both the fusion of Indian culture and the heartfelt meaning behind all the details of each event. We cherish our ancestors who fought like hell to come to America to give us a better life. Our families made sure that aside from the elegance and details, we showcased our gratitude to our family and friends who are responsible for the life we have today.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?

Seeing my family practice for the Sangeet dance. We had members come from near and far, and we knew we couldn't keep up with the adeptness of Gujaratis, particularly on Nirav's side. However, I had a few cousins in my arsenal that managed to wrangle our family together in a short period of time and teach them multiple steps. While we looked completely disorganized compared to Nirav's family, we had the absolute best time and I will always look back and cherish that time together.

Don't miss the magical outcome of this celebration. So, make sure to stick around!

STYLE
GUIDE style
Traditional
Ballroom
Romantic
season
Summer
color

Planning & Design: Electric Karma International | Photography: Biyani Photo & Cinema | DJ: DJ Riz Entertainment | DJ: DJ Riz Entertainment | DJ: DJ Riz Entertainment | Draping/Styling: JJ Drapes | Cinematographer: Epique Cinema | Sangeet Venue / Ceremony Venue / Reception Venue: Omni Frisco | Floral & Decor: Décor One by Nalini | Hair & Makeup: Ms. Painted Lady | Catering (Mehndi): Chuy's Tex-Mex | Catering (Sangeet & Wedding Banana Leaf Lunch): Chennai Café | Catering (Reception Dinner): Saffron House | Bollywood Performers & Instructors (Sangeet): Arya Dance | Bollywood Performers & Instructors (Reception): Infused Dance | Bridal Fashions (Mehndi): Anita Dongre | Bridal Fashions (Sari Blouses/Bridesmaids Lenghas): Tamaara Chennai | Bridal Fashions (Reception): Shyamal & Bhumika | Bridal Fashions (Wedding Sari): Kanakavalli Sari | Bridal Fashions (Groom's Outfits): Shreeman | Bridal Jewelry: Vummidi Bangaru Jewlers | Cake & Treats: Frosted Art Bakery | Invitations & Wedding Stationery (Bride's Invitations/Scroll/Menu): Menaka Cards | Invitations & Wedding Stationery (Groom's Invitations): Sarvoday Cards | Live Music: Violinist: Nadaswaram | Mehndi Artist: Bridal Henna Mehndi and Makeup by Zohra

Toronto, Canada Indian Wedding by Plum Pictures

August 6, 2019 Posted by: Shawna Comments

After a ceremony for the ages, it was time for the incredible reception that Shikha & Janak prepared for their guests. The rollercoaster of emotions from the nuptials demanded a planner that our couple could trust. Lucky for them Chic Events by Sonia was there and the influence can definitely be felt! Such a talented planner and designer, indeed! The newlyweds arrived at The Chandni Grand with all the Indian noblesse flair that definitely gave a new meaning to the word style. So much going on for this gala that we strongly suggest you browse through today's gallery fully, ladies! A loving shout out to the team from Plum Pictures who were kind enough to share them with us! So, let's get to it!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?

How did we meet:

It's true when they say, your perfect soul mate comes when you least expect it. Janak was introduced to me when I was at a strange point of my life, through a friend. I was finishing up my undergrad, trying to determine what best to do with my life afterwards, unsure what would happen or where life would take me - the typical undergrad crisis. A friend introduced me to Janak who I avoided speaking to for months. Finally, I gave in and met him for our first date (bubble tea at Sweet Dreams Tea Shop in Waterloo) for some bubble tea and Jenga. The moment we met, I knew he was the one. What sweetened the deal was that he did not let me win at Jenga (and still doesn't), but I still won.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!

After dating for almost 4 years, Janak popped the question on a cold February afternoon (-23 degrees). We walked around our favourite hangout spot (Port Credit in Missisauga) by the water, where he asked me to marry him - just as two beautiful swans swam by!

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.

Since Janak and I are two different cultures (I'm Punjabi, he's Rajasthani), we had to find a medium that would work with both cultures. We both have fairly large families, so we needed a venue that would accommodate. Janak and I started playing golf together, so we felt that having our ceremony at a golf course only fit! Our decor style was very royal and Rajasthani palace-esque, beautifully designed by Karma Design Studio, with reds and golds as our main colours. I walked in under a beautifully made floral canopy made by BloomenBrides that caught a lot of eyes and added to the royal feel of my entrance.

For our reception, we took a midnight palace stance, with whites and florals.

We wanted to emulate the royal feel throughout, so ensured that every accent piece (from cake, to floor wrap, to stationary/signage) met that feel.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?

I knew I wanted to wear red. When else in your life are you EVER going to wear a red lengha? I flew to India and found my perfect outfit on my first day shopping in Chandni Chowk, New Dehli, from Om Parkash (https://www.instagram.com/omparkashjawaharlal/?hl=en) in a reddish/pinky tone with accents of mint green and peach.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?

CAKE TASTING! We chose Fine Cakes by Zehra for our cake vendor, who not only made our cake a visible work of art, but the flavours were amazing! We chose Skor and Strawberry Shortcake to serve and Ferro Rocher to save for ourselves.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?

Our guests loved our ceremony, especially our venue. There was an indoor mandap, and a beautiful outdoor back patio that overlooked the golf course that our guests loved taking pictures on. The food, from The Host, was enjoyed and complimented thoroughly. They also appreciated the little touches of personalization we provided. Every male from the bride's side wore a red stool, and the groom's side wore a red Rajasthani turban. Our ceremony programs walked through everything about the ceremony, and the priest through in some light humour to make the actual prayers enjoyable.

During my mehndi night, we asked everyone to wear yellow or green and provided floral jewelry to each woman attending.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?

Our first look at the wedding ceremony is something that replays all the time. I had no idea what Janak's look would be, and he had no idea what mine was. We were both blown away when we saw each other for the first time, and I still remember the smile on his face.

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.

Sangeet - keeping performances at the sangeet made that function more enjoyable as it tends to be more close family. I chose to wear a silk lengha, and go big and fun with my make-up. I used BombayHair extensions and went for large Hollywood curls, with pinky/purple eye make-up.

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

1. Find a way to be apart of the cocktail hour at the reception! I don't recall seeing 75% of guests at the reception because it all happens so quickly! The cocktail hour is a great way to see EVERYONE and thank them for coming in a personal way.

2. Have a planner. It is SO crucial to have someone solely responsible for the schedule of events and all the small items that are required throughout the ceremony.

3. Work with vendors that go above and beyond for you. If you aren't vibing with them from the start, find someone else. If your gut is telling you this vendor isn't the right choice, find someone else. You don't have the time, nor should you take on the stress, of dealing with a difficult vendor during your wedding.

4. Start early! This way, you can evaluate multiple vendors and plan ahead. My goal was to be hands off for the entire month leading into the wedding because that's when the family was coming into town. Spend time with them instead of worrying about final details before your wedding date because once the wedding events start, everything happens so quickly.

5. Don't go back to work right away. Even if you don't want to go on a honeymoon, you and your partner need some time to relax and rejuvenate after the wedding. It took me one week to recover.

6. Don't push your grooms to do something they don't enjoy. Instead, loop them into things they will so they actually enjoy the planning process (cake tasting, food tasting, etc.) The last thing you want to deal with is a grumpy groom.

6. Ask for help!! There are a lot of things you can delegate off to family and friends. USE THEM! Don't feel like you have to do things on your own.

7. Follow all your vendors on Instagram. It makes for easier consults, and they all post their work on their feed and stories. This is a great way to stay up to date on what's trending, their work style, and see other vendors.

8. Keep some things a surprise from EVERYONE. It's amazing to see people's reactions when they don't know what to expect. :) I didn't tell anyone about my decor, nor my outfits for the wedding and reception.

9. Book your mom with you for MUAH. She will appreciate the private bonding moments with you, especially since the wedding festivities get busy!

10. Have a bridesmaid, sister, friend, whomever, help you get changed after the ceremony and reception. You may be looking for some private, romantic moments with your new husband, but having him spend an hour helping you get out of the heaviest outfit, take off your jewelry and help with all your bobby pins isn't as romantic as one would think :)

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

Mehndi - HennaByDivya spent 7 hours designing beautiful henna on my hands that added very beautiful personal touches throughout (a Rajasthani Bride and Groom, Groom holding a basketball, the Toronto Skyline, a mini rendition of my tattoo).

IAMALLTALK - We hired a professional MC for our reception who kept the crowd energized and engaged the entire night

Chic Events by Sonia - Having a planner was key to help keep everything organized!

We streamed the Raptors game during the reception as we knew our guests would be watching that instead of enjoying anyways.

BloomenBrides - Jasmine hairpieces, floral canopy, bridesmaids bouquets - all beautiful touches to add an extra layer to your wedding.

CanvasMUAH - going above and beyond helping me with 3 different looks for my big 3 events.

Mehndi night - I went for a short lengha, so I could enjoy singing and dancing with my family while they were all dressed up, without ruining my own outfit.

Fine Cakes by Zehra - delicious cake and so beautifully designed, I did NOT want to cut it!!

Plum Pictures - loved working with them as they were readily available, easy to work with, and let Janak (who is a bit camera shy) be the most comfortable.

Jewelry - I wanted to go all out for my wedding look, like a typical traditional bride. Matapati, nose ring, big earrings, double necklace, everything! I chose a contrast of dark green to go with my red lengha.

Stick around for more!

STYLE
GUIDE style
Romantic
International
Cinematography
season
Summer
color

Chic Events by Sonia is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

Chic Events by Sonia VIEW PORTFOLIO

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

Toronto, Canada Indian Wedding by Plum Pictures

August 6, 2019 Posted by: Shawna Comments

We have reached the first week of August and we know that a couple like Shikha & Janak is exactly what you need to kick start the month. Today, we head down to Toronto to witness a glammy gala that was a total dream. Our friends from Plum Pictures sure did an amazing job capturing everything that went on for today's gallery! The bride, for the main ceremony, came out looking absolutely incredible. She rocked the traditional ruby lengha with the details in gold and soft tones of baby pink. I particularly love the color palette chosen for her makeup! So stunning! What was also stunning was how smooth everything went. The reason? The planning and design skills of Chic Events by Sonia of course! You know your bash is going to be grand when they in charge! True pros! So, ladies, what are you waiting for? Below the details!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?

How did we meet:

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!

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.

Since Janak and I are two different cultures (I'm Punjabi, he's Rajasthani), we had to find a medium that would work with both cultures. We both have fairly large families, so we needed a venue that would accomodate. Janak and I started playing golf together, so we felt that having our ceremony at a golf course only fit! Our decor style was very royal and Rajasthani palace-esque, beautifully designed by Karma Design Studio, with reds and golds as our main colours. I walked in under a beautifully made floral canopy made by BloomenBrides that caught a lot of eyes and added to the royal feel of my entrance.

For our reception, we took a midnight palace stance, with whites and florals.

We wanted to emulate the royal feel throughout, so ensured that every accent piece (from cake, to floor wrap, to stationary/signage) met that feel.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?

CAKE TASTING! We chose Fine Cakes by Zehra for our cake vendor, who not only made our cake a visibile work of art, but the flavours were amazing! We chose Skor and Strawberry Shortcake to serve and Ferro Rocher to save for ourselves.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?

Our guests loved our ceremony, especially our venue. There was an indoor mandap, and a beautiful outdoor back patio that over looked the golf course that our guests loved taking pictures on. The food, from The Host, was enjoyed and complimented thoroughly. They also appreciated the little touches of personalization we provided. Every male from the brides side wore a red stool, and the grooms side wore a red rajasthani turban. Our ceremony programs walked through everything about the ceremony, and the priest through in some light humour to make the actual prayers enjoyable.

During my mehndi night, we asked everyone to wear yellow or green and provided floral jewelry to each woman attending.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?

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.

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

2. Have a planner. It is SO crucial to have someone solely responsible for the schedule of events and all the small items that are required throughout the ceremony.

4. Start early! This way, you can evaluate multiple vendors and plan ahead. My goal was to be hands off for the entire month leading into the wedding because that's when family was coming into town. Spend time with them instead of worrying about final details before your wedding date because once the wedding events start, everything happens so quickly.

5. Don't go back to work right away. Even if you don't want to go on a honeymoon, you and your partner need some time to relax and rejuvenate after the wedding. It took me one week to recover.

6. Ask for help!! There are a lot of things you can delegate off to family and friends. USE THEM! Don't feel like you have to do things on your own.

9. Book your mom with you for MUAH. She will appreciate the private bonding moments with you, especially since the wedding festivities get busy!

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

IAMALLTALK - We hired a professional MC for our reception who kept the crowd energized and engaged the entire night

Chic Events by Sonia - Having a planner was key to help keep everything organized!

We streamed the Raptors game during the reception as we knew our guests would be watching that instead of enjoying anyways.

BloomenBrides - Jasmine hair pieces, floral canopy, bridesmaids bouquets - all beautiful touches to add an extra layer to your wedding.

CanvasMUAH - going above and beyond helping me with 3 different looks for my big 3 events.

Mehndi night - I went for a short lengha, so I could enjoy singing and dancing with my family while they were all dressed up, without ruining my own outfit.

Fine Cakes by Zehra - delicious cake and so beautifully designed, I did NOT want to cut it!!

Plum Pictures - loved working with them as they were readily available, easy to work with, and let Janak (who is a bit camera shy) be the most comfortable.

Stick around for more!

STYLE
GUIDE style
Romantic
International
Cinematography
season
Summer
color

Chic Events by Sonia is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

Chic Events by Sonia VIEW PORTFOLIO

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

Torrance, CA Indian Engagement by Michael Santos Photography

July 29, 2019 Posted by: Shawna Comments

What is more exciting than knowing that soon, you will be married to your significant other? Life has its milestones, and marriage is a big one. For that reason, Gunjeeta and Arun's incredibly lovely engagement session was a true ode to style and excitement. 2020 is quickly approaching, and these two lovebirds know that it is going to be quite a year for both of them. Their gala, which will take place in India, will be this traditional affair with all the elements of a Punjabi and Sindhi Wedding. Truly an event not to miss and that we hope to have here in Maharani Weddings for all of you! In the meantime, let's warm those glitter engines with their gorgeous engagement party fully planned by Detailed Affairs Team, coming to us thanks to Michael Santos Photography for today's gallery, let's get to it.

More glam and glitter, tomorrow!

STYLE
GUIDE style
Engagement
Photography
season
Spring
color

Planning & Design: Detailed Affairs Team | Photography: Michael Santos Photography | Hair & Makeup: Oscar Makeup | Family Makeup: MakeupTanyaa

Detailed Affairs Team is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

Detailed Affairs Team VIEW PORTFOLIO

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

Torrance, CA Indian Engagement by Michael Santos Photography

July 29, 2019 Posted by: Shawna Comments

Good morning, ladies, and happy Monday! To kick start the final week of July with all of our glam senses finely tuned, we have an engagement session that was as beautiful as the real deal. Gunjeeta & Arun decided to have an intimate yet lavish affair to celebrate their upcoming nuptials. Luckily, Michael Santos Photography was there to capture the dreamy photoshoot and everything that came after it. I particularly loved how the makeup of Maharani Gunjeeta, created by Oscar Makeup, made her exuberant eyes glow even more! This Indian beauty truly stole the show with her gorgeous ruffle rose-toned dress and overall aura as well. Just like it should be! So beautiful! Head down to today's gallery and let yourself be smitten by this lovely pair. Don't forget to check Raja Arun's incredibly trendy satin black sherwani! Some serious style going on! See you there!