The Platinum Guide Blog

From awesome pre-wedding celebrations to the big wedding ceremony, Shivani and Jigar had the glamorous and spectacular wedding they had always dreamed of, thanks to Michelle Perez Events. Integrating elegance with traditional elements, Wedding Design produced a glorious aisle that featured tall floral arrangements and a superb carved white mandap that combined to perfection with the grand crystal chandeliers of the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel’s hall. Jigar arrived dancing in a cream silk sherwani surrounded by his entourage and had a warm welcome by the bride’s side before the ceremony. The charming groom met the beautiful Shivani looking like a goddess with an exceptional makeup created by the top beauty expert Makeup By Mansi. The bride incorporated stunning kundan jewelry to complete her look. The highly sought-after photography team of Lightyear Studio documented the couple’s best scenes and shared with us the imagery in our full gallery!

More splendor to come, don’t go anywhere ladies!

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Set in the sunny Orange County, California is The Richard Nixon Library, this timeless elegant venue held Shivangi and Vikram’s wedding affair. A lovely pool-side ceremony beautifully decorated with majestic floral arrangements by Three Petals marked the beginning of the most important stage of the couple’s life. The beautiful Marathi Bride Shivangi was brought to the mandap wearing a ravishing two-tone silk saree and a flawless makeup by the professional team of My Fair Bride who took care of all her wedding bridal needs! I was blown away by Vikram’s stylish attire, the groom showed off a white sherwani, perfectly light and elegant for an outdoor ceremony. The golden hour provided the best natural light for Aaroneye Photography to take the most spectacular shots of the couple becoming husband and wife and also added an extra romantic mood to the atmosphere! Here, in our full gallery, are some of the best scenes of this blissful Maharashtrian wedding. Take a look!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met Vikram in 2011 through a nonprofit organization we both volunteered for. We formed a friendship, and over the years the friendship turned into love. We finally made things official in 2015, and never looked back! I knew he was the one after we met each other's families shortly after we started dating. It was then that I knew we share the same values, and that our families and lives fit perfectly together. 

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Vikram proposed to me on December 30, 2016. The day before, we did a Pacific coast drive from LA to San Francisco (where we both live) with a couple of close friends which was beautiful and so much fun! The next day was the day of the proposal. Vikram convinced me that we were just going to grab some brunch in a new neighborhood we hadn't yet explored. He told me we had a reservation so we got there a bit early and had some time to kill. He took me to a nearby beach looking out at the Golden Gate Bridge. 

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.
All of my vendors were amazing! My hair & makeup artist was my favorite: Farah Manekia from My Fair Bride. My decorator was incredible and truly made the venue look even more dazzling thanks to her classic and breathtaking style for the mandap that was blush pink and nude with classic white and pink roses and hydrangeas, and the reception was even more stunning from big candles and white floral centerpieces. It matched the classic ballroom look that the venue offered with chandeliers and soft, warm lighting. Our DJ, DJ Umair from Riamu Entertainment, definitely turned our baraat and reception into a party and was so easy and accommodating. Our caterer, Manohar Delhi Palace, was incredible and I still have friends and family talking about the food. The venue we selected, the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, CA, was the best decision we made, and the staff was incredible. Our friends and family said it was the most unique and beautiful venue they had ever been to - we thought so, too!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I did a ton of Pinterest searching, but in the end, I definitely had a vision. I wanted to reflect where my husband and I are from for the wedding ceremony so went with a traditional silk saree, and gave it my own touch by finding a gorgeous veil to go with it which made it a bit more modern, too. My reception dress really fit the venue. The reception was held in a ballroom that was a replica of the White House ballroom, so I wanted to go with a really deep, royal outfit. I ended up getting a custom-made outfit that was midnight blue in raw silk and had gold work all over it. I wanted an accent color so ended up doing a hot pink border and a light gold dupatta to bring it all together. 

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Figuring out how to involve our loved ones on the wedding day. I wanted my closest family members and friends to have a part in our day because they've really been the biggest support and influence on our lives. Having them be there and be involved in the process was really special. From our siblings and dads giving speeches at the reception, to two of our closest friends singing our first dance song live, to our best friends getting ready with us in the morning, to our cousins and extended family being involved in the nights leading up to the wedding, it really felt like our entire family and friends became one big family that weekend.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
They loved the venue and the food the most! The venue was so beautiful, and we had picture perfect southern California weather which allowed for an amazing outdoor ceremony and a really pleasant evening cocktail hour. They loved the variety and quality of food, citing the appetizers to be the best! 

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The ceremony was probably my favorite part. It allowed my husband and I to sit down with our parents next to us and really be present in the moment, and give each other our full attention as we engaged in the ceremony and exchanged our vows. After a year of planning, sometimes you lose sight of why you're doing everything. So seeing our closest friends and family members in the audience showering us with their love and support made it even more special.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Just enjoy the day. It flies by and before you know it, it'll be over! So take in every moment and be present. :)

After completing the marriage blessings these happy newlyweds were ready to dance! See all the party pics in our next feature!

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Time to pop the cork and dance, Maharanis! So many beautiful elements came together for Kripa and Kirthan’s wedding reception at the Hyatt Regency Houston/Galleria. The lovely couple opted for a night of glam, and to bring their vision to life Prashe Décor created the most elegant floral designs and candles to festoon the centerpieces! The main focal point of the night was the perfectly divine wedding cake courtesy of Who Made the Cake, it flawlessly matched the entire venue décor. Tying all the glam together exquisitely, Bride Kripa opted for a maroon lehenga outfit and Kirtan chose to wear a classic black tie tuxedo. The rhythms of Dhol Beat International provided a unique entertainment and endless dancing for the bride and groom and all the guests. Schwartz & Woodward are the planning experts who helped the newlyweds to start the rest of their lives organizing all their mind-blowing events! Swoon over these pics from this splendid wedding in our full gallery by Tomas Ramos Photographers & Film Production!

Bravo to this wedding story! Keep perusing our real love stories in our next features!

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Welcome back Maharanis! We’re here to spill all the glittering details from Chandani and Rohan’s masquerade inspired reception extravaganza. Chandani looked like a goddess for her reception day in a lacy white and gold gown that shimmered subtly from head to toe. J Torry festooned the bride with flowing locks and soft, glowing makeup. Her lip color of choice for the party was a soft pink that fit the romantic ambiance inside the Fort Smith Convention Center venue perfectly. Divine Decor transformed the ballroom into a mysterious oasis, filled to the brim with candles, chandeliers, and masquerade masks. What a cool touch! Guests escaped to a land of romance and adventure, and had the time of their lives noshing on dinner by Annapurna Catering Company and treats by Confectionately Yours. Organizing a wedding combining Indian traditions with modern flair is no easy feat, but Urvashi Mishra, Wedding & Event Planner planned and designed Chandani and Rohan’s wedding beyond their wildest dreams. We have tons of gorgeous images captured by Digital Shaadi Films - PMistry Photography collected in the full gallery for your perusal!

See you all bright and early tomorrow with another fab Indian wedding feature!

Urvashi Mishra, Wedding & Event Planner is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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It is a rare treat when an Indian wedding from Arkansas lands on our editorial desks at Maharani Weddings. Chandani and Rohan’s special soiree was full of color and modern flair intertwined with rich cultural traditions. This sweet and savvy duo ensured all their wedding visions came to fruition by enlisting planning extraordinaires from Urvashi Mishra, Wedding & Event Planner. On the day of her wedding, Maharani Chandani wore a bright red lehenga which is customary for a Hindu ceremony. J Torry was the makeup artist for the day and made our bride glow with rosy cheeks, shimmering eyes, and scarlet lips. Chandani’s lip color perfectly complimented her bedazzled lehenga. This beautiful bride opted for sparkling kundan jewels with a sheer dupatta layered on top of her voluminous updo. What a bombshell! As Chandani and Rohan met outdoors near some multicolored murals, we squealed in delight while witnessing the love this playful duo share. Soon, they entered the Fort Smith Convention Center venue, where an elegant gold and pink mandap erected by Divine Decor stood proudly in the center of the royal space. All the beautiful rituals, colors, and fashions can be found in the full gallery captured superbly by Digital Shaadi Films - PMistry Photography.

Reception fun coming right up!

Urvashi Mishra, Wedding & Event Planner is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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