The Platinum Guide Blog

Welcome! We are glad to be back with Aarti & Rushan's love story! The grand entrance of the Baraat horse, provided by Southern Breeze Equest Center, set the tone for a majestic celebration at the enchanting Hilton Charlotte Airport. As guests entered the venue, they were greeted by a breathtaking display of floral decor crafted by the team at Abhishek Decorators. The seamless planning and design, orchestrated by Epic Everlasting Events, ensured that every element came together flawlessly, leaving everyone in awe of the sheer beauty and grandeur of the occasion. Aarti radiated joy as she wore, donning breathtaking ensembles from Agam Beats, Lashkaraa, and Annu's Creations. The skillful hands of Makeup By Pallak created a mesmerizing look that amazed everyone. The air was filled with tradition and artistry as Henna4Happiness by Minaz graced Aarti's hands with intricate henna designs during the Mehndi ceremony. Her artistry added a touch of magic to the festivities, leaving an indelible mark on the bride's journey to matrimony. Maa Vimla Catering delighted the senses and satisfied the guests' palates. Their culinary prowess was evident in every bite, as they presented a feast showcasing their cuisine's richness and diversity. They left no stone unturned in creating a truly unforgettable gastronomic experience. With their artistic vision, Catch Motion Studios captured memories that will be cherished for future generations. Enjoy!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met Rushan during our Freshman year of college at East Carolina University during Bhangra Tryouts. During that time I had a huge crush on him but at the time he didn't feel the same! Haha. Over the years we got closer and closer as best friends and from being on various dance teams, classes, and just hanging out - it really became true to both of us that we were made for each other. We finally started dating our junior year and it was only uphill from there.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Rushan took me to the Outer Banks of North Carolina - it was supposed to be just our '5-year dating anniversary trip' but turned into something much more. I had small suspicions but never imagined being proposed to in the perfect way during COVID. He proposed to me near one of the lighthouses that evening during the most beautiful sunset & also had hired a photographer who secretly took pictures of the entire moment. It was truly one of the most incredible days of my life. When we got back home the next morning - all of our closest friends were waiting for us as a surprise and ended up throwing a party that day.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
They loved the decor, food & music. Everyone raved about all 3 of these things which were also the most important to us. Shoutout to Abhishek Decorators, Ma Vimla Catering & Dhol Beat International (BJ Josan & AgamBeats) for making our wedding absolutely spectacular.

Although these 3 were talked about nonstop, everyone also loved the incredible photography/videography that was done by CatchMotionStudio. And of course, everyone loved our outfits too - our wedding outfits were by Annu's Creation from Vadodara Gujarat. I had been looking since 2017/2018 and had run across the outfit back then and it was everything I could have ever wanted.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The Dancing.........Rushan & I have always loved dance so much that it was such a vital part of our wedding. I keep thinking of all the performances, the Sangeet/Garba & just having a blast on the dance floor at every single event. We were in pure bliss and it was just so surreal to have all of our friends and family share the energy that we had every single night.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
If you're a girl that has FOMO, try to lessen the time in the makeup chair and get ready so that you can take your pictures a little earlier and attend more of the event itself.

For pictures - make sure you have every type of scenario written out about how you want your pictures made (Bride + Groom, Bride + Bridal party, etc.) so you can have everything organized and done exactly how you want to.

With gratitude and love, we thank you for reading about this unforgettable wedding. See you!

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Darling Maharanis, we are delighted to share a new fascinating love story and wedding celebration. The love between Ekknoor & Chandandeep blossomed like a vibrant garden, and it was only fitting that their Sikh ceremony took place at the picturesque Garden State Sikh Association Gurudwara. Events by Srishti, known for their impeccable planning and design expertise, wove their magic throughout the festivities. Through their meticulous planning, creative design, and flawless execution, they turned the couple's dreams into reality. Their dedication to creating extraordinary experiences is unparalleled, and their ability to weave dreams into reality is truly awe-inspiring. The result was a wedding celebration that will forever be etched in the memories of all who attended. Tradition and Trends, known for their exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, transformed the venues into ethereal wonderlands. Every element was a testament to their artistry, from cascading floral arches to meticulously arranged centerpieces. Events by Srishti's expertise in event design ensured that every detail, from the color palette to the placement of decor elements, harmoniously complemented the overall aesthetic. The celebration continued at the splendid reception held at The Marigold. Moghul Catering delighted the guests with a delectable feast that tantalized the taste buds and left everyone yearning for more. Kurani Studios took charge of the music, ensuring the dance floor remained alive with joy and infectious energy throughout the night. Deep Sanan Photography immortalized each precious moment, capturing the raw emotions and intimate glances that whispered of the eternal love between Ekknoor & Chandandeep. We invite you to experience the incredible gallery, where every frame captures the essence of their love story. 

Dears, remember that we have inspiring stories every day. Make sure to join us tomorrow for more!

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Hello, ladies! Let's prepare for a full inspiring day by reading Bharti & Shiv's love story. This sweet couple's Indian wedding perfectly blended elegance, fun, and happiness. Everything was done with care and attention to detail, from the planning to the decor. The wedding held at The Dearborn Inn was planned by the incredible Marigold Wedding Planners. Their goal was to help Bharti have fun and enjoy every second while still adhering to the plan. With this fantastic team, you won't need to sweat the small details because they will handle everything! It was all a cornucopia of beauty and traditional flair thanks to Marigold Wedding Planners, who transformed the halls of this venue into a magical and almost surreal setting. Sky Films and Productions helped them capture the occasion with their cameras and lenses and, above all, the incredible talent resulting in the stunning shots we can enjoy in today's gallery. During the ceremony, the bride and groom dress in traditional Indian wedding attire. The bride looked gorgeous in her crimson red Sabyasachi-style lehenga with a gold embellishment after being pampered by Cecilia Kashat and Ekta Kansara. To crown Bharti's magnificent look, Radhe Henna outlined an artistic Mehndi design that was utterly impressive, not to mention that it added an extra touch of traditional flair. The reception theme was sparkle and glamour, and Lama's Florist was responsible for the incredible floral arrangements. The color themes were ivory and shades of lavender, so her outfit was an all-silver, sparkly lehenga by Seema Gujural. Bharti & Shiv got the perfect reception setup with Sky Films and Productions. DJ Vic from Sky Films and Productions had a lot of energy and got the crowd into the event. They handled everything smoothly, and the playlist was based on the guest's energy. Everyone danced with the DJ vibes and had the time of their lives! Throughout the reception, all guests enjoyed the culinary experience that Saffron prepared. Hands down, a sweet ending for this charming story! If you can't get enough of this wedding bash, check out more of this fantastic event. You will love every detail of this wedding.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met in Chicago through one of the most common modern ways - over a dating app. Specifically, Coffee meets Bagel. In the first couple of months of getting to know each other, we created a strong bond of friendship that helped set the foundation for our relationship. Very early on, our relationship turned into 9 months of long distance, with lots of FaceTime dates and traveling to visit each other as I completed my medical rotations all over the country. This truly put our relationship to the test. But once I was back in Chicago, I made the decision to apply for jobs locally and be close to Shiv (my husband) as he completed medical school rather than start a fresh journey in a new city. I just knew he was the one because while we were going through our long-distance phase early on, he patiently waited for me to finish my rotations while also making an effort to keep our foundation strong.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
One of my greatest desires was a boating experience on the Chicago River. With the help of friends, Shiv (my husband) tricked me into thinking that they got a boat trip set up as a get-together. The next part of the plan was convincing me that this was a fancier occasion rather than a casual boat party. So with the help of my younger sister, I was guided to wear an outfit that I had had my eye on for a while.
Then it was finally the big day. My husband wanted all our close friends and family to be there at the proposal, so he invited his brother, his brother's girlfriend, and some of my best friends for brunch before getting on the boat. Next came the yacht. We all met at the Chicago River docking station, and finally, the yacht set off on the sunny shores of Lake Michigan. Shiv got down on one knee and popped the question with the Chicago skyline gleaming behind us. Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost! Shiv had another surprise awaiting. He took me to his family's home, where my parents, my husband's family, and more friends gathered to continue the celebration.

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 planning process for the wedding started about 10 months before the wedding date. We first started with finding a venue in my hometown of Detroit, MI. We wanted to keep our mehendi and haldi more intimate, so those events were planned on our own at our home. The larger events, such as the sangeet, wedding ceremony, and reception, were held at the main venue. As the bride, I was looking for something with glamour and charm. We decided on Dearborn Inn by Marriott because it has an old rustic feel with elegance. The hotel interior also made the entrance of the ballroom and lobby a spectacle to behold.

Planning our wedding was a family affair alongside our wedding planner, Tina Singh. We had a great experience using both of our families' insights and visions. We wanted to use themes for each of our wedding events and design the decor for each event accordingly. For example, the sangeet’s theme was the royal bazaar. So we went with decor that displayed a large gold swinging bench decorated with flowers, with two large life-like trees in the background. The food was set up as stations all around the entrance of the ballroom that mimicked a bazaar with bright, vibrant ethnic tents. We had a program of dances by family and friends, so we set up multicolored cots along the dance floor area for people to sit and enjoy the program. We also incorporated Punjabi and Gujarati traditions in the sangeet, so we ended the night off with traditional garba. Since this was a royal bazaar-themed event, the outfit I went with was a lehenga, which was wine purple in color with gold frame embellishments as well as peacocks and birds on the skirt. My makeup artist Cecilia (Blush Salon in Commerce township), did an amazing job by adding extensions to my hair and putting pearls into a braid to give it a unique look. She used multiple colors on my eyeshadow makeup to match sangeet vibes. She also did the makeup and hair for my sister, my mom, and my MIL’s. Everyone loved their unique touch. Shiv matched me with an Indo-western, burgundy, velvet Sherwani.

For the wedding ceremony, we wanted to use the beautiful outdoor lawn of the hotel which was decorated with greenery and fresh flowers. We set up the mandap there with fresh red, pink, and ivory flowers, and we matched our wedding outfits accordingly. Our wedding was during Labor Day weekend, and we were blessed with beautiful weather. We had so much natural scenery around us that we felt the mandap did not have to be overdone. We went with a mandap that was rustic in nature to match the outdoor scene. Our bridesmaids and groomsmen entered with matching custom sage green outfits to start the wedding ceremony, and from there, it transitioned into the traditional Hindu ceremony. Each bridesmaid carried a fresh-flower bouquet down the aisle. For the bridal entrance, my uncles and cousins walked me on a red carpet under the Phoolon ki Chadar, custom decorated by our Florists by Lama in Dearborn. My hair was put in a loose bun, while my makeup had tones of gold with a bright red lip to match my wedding lehenga. Altogether it looked stunning with the jewelry hand-picked from South Delhi Jewelers, with green and light pink beads to match the veil and gold embroiderings. Our wedding was recorded by our video team, who used multiple drones to capture the beautiful footage.

Our reception theme was all about sparkle and glamour. The color themes I chose were ivory and shades of lavender. My outfit was an all-silver, sparkly lehenga by Seema Gujural. Shiv wore a custom-designed tuxedo. For the decor, we went with gold frames on our stage, with chandeliers dangling on the sides and an ivory bench in the center. All our guest tables had fresh flowers, bouquets, and candle arrangements following the theme of ivory and lavender. We had a LED light stage in the center of the ballroom where all the performances and speeches took place. I also came up with a Photo Booth area near the entrance of the ballroom with a LED sign that said “It Was Always You,” placed on a green wall and surrounded by cherry blossom trees. Our dessert table consisted of assorted bite-size pastries decorated with a life-size white peacock with a tail made of lavender flowers. Last but not least, our DJ and photography team, Sky Films and Productions and DJ Vic did a spectacular job at all our events to capture each moment. They kept our wedding reception open dance floor flowing with energetic music so that we danced until we dropped. Even today, we keep replaying our same-day edit video and reliving our wedding each time.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I originally wanted to go with pastel colors on my lehenga. But after trying on several pieces, I decided the traditional red color looked best on me. After shopping around in New York and India, I decided on a crimson red Sabyasachi-style lehenga with gold embellishment that I found in a unique boutique in Delhi. I custom-designed a light peach veil with a wave border to match the lehenga.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part was having substantial input on how each wedding event would run and planning the decorations. My wedding planner was instrumental in helping me decide which of my ideas was realistic and reasonable to bring the themes of each wedding event to life. I took pride in knowing that each event had an original touch of my personality. I also had a significant role in choreographing all the dances  I performed in. I have been dancing and choreographing for my other friends' weddings in the past, and now it was finally my turn to showcase at my own wedding.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
We received numerous compliments about the high energy in the room during each of the events, how in tune and invested our guests were with the program going on, and how much detail our events were decorated. Last but not least, we received so many compliments about how AMAZING the food tasted. Our guests kept telling us how they kept going back for more.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The most special moment for me was walking down the aisle to the mandap with all the guests' eyes on me, and seeing the joyful yet somber faces of my parents, knowing that I was entering a new phase of life. That is a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
To each bride-to-be:
Planning your wedding is one of the most stressful times that you and your family can go through.  At times it may seem that things are about to fall apart, and last-minute details are still not finalized. But at the end of the day, you will get to your wedding day and realize it all worked out. Trust the process and do the best you can, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Stress only causes tension in your loved ones and yourself. Enjoy each moment of planning because it always turns out beautiful, no matter what.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Venue: The Dearborn Inn by Marriott - Event Planners @ Venue: Paulette OConnell and Christie Dixon
Wedding Planner: Tina Singh (Marigold Wedding Planners)
Photography/Videography/DJ: Sky Films and Productions and DJ Vic
Reception Gown Designer: Seema Gujral (Delhi, India)
Groom's Clothing Designer: Diwan Saheb (Delhi, India)
Bridal Jewelry: South Delhi Jewelers
Hair and Makeup Artist: Cecilia Kashat (Blush Salon in Commerce Township)
Mehndi Artist: @DreaminginHenna by Sandy (Michigan)
Reception Florist/Wedding bouquets: Lama's Florist (Dearborn, MI)
Sangeet Catering: Punjab sweets and Indian Cuisine (Michigan)
Wedding Breakfast Catering: Krishna Catering and Restaurant (Michigan)
Wedding Lunch Catering: Krishna Catering and Restaurant (Michigan)
Reception Dinner Catering: Saffron (Michigan)

Getting ready for "I Do? Visit our blog tomorrow for more inspiration for your own big day! 

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

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Hello Maharanis! I can't think of a better way to start the day than with this lovely wedding! Thanks to the incredible Bhuvana Dhinesh Photography, we are able to enjoy the elegance and gorgeousness of this lovebirds' special day, as their lens was able to capture the most amazing and playful moments of this breathtaking and colorful celebration. This time, Canyonwood Ridge hosted an event that was full of energy, laughs, and emotions. Maneesha & Clayton were having the time of their lives while they were sharing with their family and friends. You can see how these lovebirds had their first dance as husband and wife while the great Nachle DJ Entertainment - DJ JAG played the perfect melody to sweeten up this moment. Definitely, a versatile DJ that was able to keep up with the different activities that were taking place at the reception. All of this was delightfully complemented by the elegant and stylish decoration that Divine Decor of Dallas prepared. The colors, the dim lights, the fancy chandeliers, and the overall decoration helped in making this a memorable event. The grandeur of the occasion was reflected in the couple´s breathtaking looks that were echoed in Maneesha's delicate and stylish lehenga, very well complemented with the flawless makeup and hairstyle designed by Threading Bar Salon and the beautiful Mehndi outlined by none other than the talented Nipa Desai. And we love every bit of this marvelous and fashionable look! If you want to relive all the magic and emotions of this ceremony, make sure to visit today's gallery. You will love it!

And that is a wrap, dear ladies! Do not forget to come back soon to enjoy more love stories and tips. 

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Happy Tuesday, beautiful Maharani! If you were looking for inspiration, you've come to the right place! Rohini & Vatsal's big wedding festivities, orchestrated by Detailed Affairs Team, packs all the things we love and so much more. So get ready to enjoy it! Guests were invited to the festivities with beautiful formal wedding invitations thanks to The Royal Collection. It all started with a colorful and fun-loving Sangeet at the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights, where everyone had a great time. Hands down, it was the perfect preamble to set the mood for the gorgeous wedding ceremony that united these two lovebirds in marriage. And we have to say that we adored every single moment of the charming and solemn ceremony officiated at The One and Only Westmount Country Club. As you scroll down through this feature, you'll be amazed by the spectacular shots captured by Lightyear Studio, who immortalize every moment of this long-awaited event. The soft-colored hues on the mandap, the elegant attires, and the love these two radiated were all a winning combination that created magical scenes that we cannot stop seeing. Rohini looked ravishing on her red lengha, very well complemented with the Mehndi art by Mehndikalogie. But she was not the only one looking elegant and fashionably! Vatsal also embraced a traditional style with an elegant Sherwani that made his inner Raja come out! After the ceremony, there was a glamorous reception enlivened by M4U Events, whose endless repertoire put everyone on their feet! The only time the dancing stopped was to enjoy the sweet and delicious cake baked by Baonanas. If you can't get enough of this lovely couple, don't miss the gallery we have prepared for you today. It packs tons of beauty and glamour that it wouldn't be a bad idea to have your pen and notebook handy to take some notes!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We first met through a set up by my sister and her friend from high school, who happened to be my now-husband's employee. They thought we would be a perfect match, and they were right! Our first date (despite several last-minute cancellations on my part) was at a speakeasy in NYC. It felt like we knew each other forever. I appreciated his corny jokes and he appreciated my sass. I don't think there was ever a moment I knew Vatsal was the one - our entire relationship felt so natural and just felt like we were always meant to be together.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We were in Morocco on a ten-day vacation. Our final stop in Morocco was the Sahara Desert. Little did I know, but Vatsal had initially made several plans including a beautiful layout and a private photographer, which were all thwarted by last-minute cancellations by the local vendors. This did not stop him, however, and the morning after our stay in the desert, he asked a local man to take our photo on his iPhone at sunrise. As the sun rose over the sand dunes, he got down on one knee, and the proposal was absolutely perfect!

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 began planning soon after our engagement and our first stop was to find the venue. The minute we set foot into Westmount Country Club, we fell in love. We felt so at home there, and could picture our wedding there. Bobby from Westmount was with us every step of the way, and even through the pandemic, was able to ease our worries. Everything fell into place after that. The rest of our vendors were chosen similarly, with intuition, and we usually went with our gut reactions. We chose vendors that we felt we meshed well with, and the vendors almost felt like friends (and really were at the end of this process!). Nate and Thanh from Lightyear studios made us feel so comfortable and are true artists - we both feel awkward in front of the camera but we knew Nate and Thanh would put us at ease! They were truly amazing, and their work speaks for itself. Pauline from Flawless by Pauline did my hair and makeup, and was able to help me achieve the clean, light on makeup look that I desired. Dhara from Mehndikalogie did an amazing job with my intricate mehndi. Matt from MDL events made beautiful floral arrangements. DJ Vik and the rest of the M4U events team produced a banging party. And finally, our day-of coordinators led by Arun from Detailed Affairs made our wedding day seamless. Despite being only a day-of coordinator, Arun was with us throughout the month leading up to our wedding, calming our nerves. All our vendors were truly outstanding, and helped us to have a perfect wedding day.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I really wanted a red lehenga, but one with pink accents to make it a little different than the typical wedding lehenga. Because of my work schedule in residency, I was unable to go to India to get my outfits, but my amazing sister looked for me (when she was conveniently getting her own!). Through 2am facetimes, I was able to choose a beautiful red and pink lehenga purchased from Delhi.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Cake tasting - because I have a huge sweet tooth!
In reality, wedding planning can be extremely stressful, but I tried to enjoy the moments I got to spend with Vatsal talking about our wedding. It was exciting to think about our future and spending the rest of our lives together.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The hype and the party! All guests were vaccinated and restrictions in NJ were just lifted, and this was the first time in over a year that many were attending an event. It was so exciting to see family and friends. DJ Vik and the M4U events team put on an amazing party, and our guests were dancing all night!

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The first look was the most special moment for me. Neither of us are criers, but we both shed (more than a few) tears when we first saw each other. It was really the only moment we had with just the two of us, and felt so intimate and personal. It was a perfect moment to start the rest of our lives.

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 our Mehndi night, we wanted a Moroccan themed evening since we got engaged in Morocco. Abdel Habibi Morocco NY was amazing - he brought stunning decor and even went above and beyond to set it up last minute. He made our night so special and so reminiscent of our engagement!
Our sangeet night was held at a local hotel, and was filled with performances by friends and family, and ended with a garba/raas dance that all guests joined!

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Easier said than done, but try not to stress about the small things on your wedding day! There were certainly a few things on my day that didn't go as planned, and there will be in yours too, but in the end, ZERO people noticed the things that went "wrong" and only remembered the amazing moments such as walk down the aisle, exchange of garlands, first dance, partying on the dance floor. Don't sweat the small details and try to enjoy every moment, because it's over before you know it.

There are more inspiring stories coming this week, so make sure to join us tomorrow!

Detailed Affairs Team and Lightyear Studio are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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