The Platinum Guide Blog

Lauren & Kam's wedding unfolded as a mesmerizing blend of cultures, love, and celebration in the heart of the vibrant W Philadelphia. The festivities reached a crescendo, with the Monaco Experience leading the Baraat. Meticulously orchestrated by Evenings of Elegance, each detail, from the splendid decor by Abhishek Decorators to Lauren's stunning look perfected by Flawless Beauty by Pauline, contributed to the enchantment. The culinary delights by Moghul Caterers tantalized every palate. This vibrant and spirited procession encapsulated the essence of joy and community, setting the stage for a day filled with laughter, dance, and heartfelt moments. With their impeccable DJ services, Shilpa Entertainment ensured the music resonated with the couple's journey, their beats and rhythms crafting an atmosphere of unbridled joy and celebration. Capturing every glance, every smile, and the myriad of emotions that painted the day, Lightyear Studio captured every fleeting moment, every smile, and every emotion that painted the day when Lauren & Kam tied the knot. Through their masterful lens, cinematography, and photography, they documented the event and told a beautiful story of love, family, and the union of two worlds. Enjoy this stunning masterpiece of love.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I worked as a Cardiac ICU nurse and Kam was finishing up his last year of Cardiology fellowship when we first met. We both lived in Philadelphia and decided to explore the city together. Our favorite hobbies are still finding the best spots in Philly to eat at and visiting cocktail bars and wine lounges.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Kam lived in Rittenhouse his last year of fellowship and we enjoyed many days hanging out at his rooftop. When proposal time came around, he recruited my best friends to take me out to brunch. They recommended we go out to Kam's old building to see a mutual friend, and to my surprise, Kam was waiting at the rooftop with both our families and closest friends.

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 wanted a wedding that celebrated both our cultures and us as individuals. We decided to have a traditional Hindu ceremony followed by a chic black-tie reception. We chose W Philadelphia in Center City and could not have been happier. W Philadelphia provided multiple sites for our Sangeet, Ceremony, and Reception with modern elegant backdrops.

Nazranaa in Edison, NJ was crucial in helping us with our outfit selections. They went above and beyond in helping Lauren's family wear traditional Indian attire. It was a fun experience for Lauren's family as it was their first time wearing traditional Indian clothes.

Many guests complimented our DJ for the weekend, DJ Shilpa. Our Baraat down Chestnut Street with DJ Shilpa blasting music was a memory many people would never forget. Our dance floor at the reception was packed from the beginning due to DJ Shilpa.

My bridal make-up artist, Pauline from Flawless Beauty by Pauline, helped me feel like the most beautiful version of myself for all of the weekend's events.

Abhishek Decorators built the most beautiful sets for our Sangeet, Mandap, and wedding reception. They truly created the exact vision we wanted for all the events.

Nathan Dang's team from Lightyear Studio provided photography and videography. They were able to capture all the events perfectly and encapsulated the energy and love present all weekend.

And, of course, our weekend would not have turned out so well if not for Evenings of Elegance, run by Dharmi Shah, who was our Wedding Planner. We worked with her for over a year before our wedding day, and she kept us on track in meeting deadlines while navigating our hectic work schedules. Her wealth of knowledge and contacts helped us make decisions, even when we couldn't decide. Due to her attention to detail and timeliness, we were even able to start our ceremony early and finish ahead of schedule (who is able to say that!).

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
All of our guests commented on how seamlessly each event went without any hiccups or problems. This is 100% attributed to the work, dedication, and planning of our Wedding Planner/Coordinator, Evenings of Elegance. There was almost no stress on our part during the weekend, knowing we had Dharmi Shah from Evenings of Elegance in our corner.

Their wedding was not just an occasion but a vivid tapestry of love, joy, and unity.

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Good morning, Maharanis! In the enchanting prelude to what promises to be a breathtaking wedding, Hirali & Hiren's engagement session was nothing short of a fairy tale. Hirali, the radiant bride-to-be, dazzled in every frame, her joy and anticipation palpable, a testament to the magic that Memories Films skillfully encapsulated through their cinematography. Each photograph and frame by R.A.G.artistry spoke volumes of their love story, a narrative woven with joy, anticipation, and unspoken bond threads. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the couple, Hirali's beauty was elevated by the impeccable artistry of Erica Bogart Beauty, whose expertise in hair and makeup rendered her not just a bride in waiting but a vision of love's most beautiful promise. The day was seamlessly orchestrated by Envi Event Planning, whose meticulous attention to detail and flair for design transformed the engagement session into a vivid tableau of romance and elegance. As the chapter of their engagement session closes, the anticipation for the wedding day grows, promising a continuation of this love story that will undoubtedly be marked by beauty, emotion, and the unforgettable charm that only an Indian wedding can embody. Enjoy the gallery!

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Today, we're unfurling the vibrant tapestry of Shena & Daxesh's wedding. The Best Western Hotel & Resort set the stage for their ceremony, each corner whispering tales of romance. Shena seemed to glide thanks to the masterful artistry of Lauren Berlingeri Makeup, her beauty accentuated by the intricate patterns from Hennafly that adorned her hands like delicate lace. Captis Events by Shena ensured that every planning and design detail was steeped in personal meaning and grandeur. The floral arrangements by Mandap Milap set a magical scene, transforming the venue into a dreamscape. But what truly captured their day's essence was the Kaptured by Krunal lens. More than just photographers and cinematographers, they were the storytellers who froze moments in time, turning them into a mosaic of memories. Each photograph was a testament to their craft, encapsulating emotions and details with such clarity that they'll be transported back to those precious moments every time they gazed upon them. Relieve and enjoy the magic of this wedding.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
In May 2021, I received a connection request on a dating website. At first, I didn't answer the connection - she hadn't heard of Daxesh and wanted to find a mutual friend who might be able to vouch for him. After some time, a friend was able to confirm that Daxesh ('Dax' for short) was a great guy, very likable and well-known. Shena took the leap and, on the second connection request, clicked ‘accept.’ One connection request and the rest is history.

I knew Dax was the one after our first date. After a long few months of texting and talking over FaceTime, we decided to meet up in Washington, DC. Our first date consisted of two things we love dearly - Art and Food! After attending the Van Gogh immersive experience, we headed over to a restaurant for lunch. After our first date, I remember walking away feeling safe, feeling like I could be myself around him, and knowing that this guy would make me laugh and smile for the rest of my life…I just knew he was the one!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
R. We were planning a cabin staycation at Cloudland State Park in November 2022. As the date came near, Dax saw an opportunity to execute the surprise - and I know at certain points that week I got on his nerves with my Type A, planner personality. He had hired a photographer and dusted off his drone skills. As we went outside to look at the mountain scenery in the morning, Dax swept the drone up and smoothly landed on one knee as I turned around. It was absolutely perfect! You can see the video on my Instagram!

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.
Many know, and for those who don’t, I currently work in the corporate world, but I also am at the beginning of my journey to start my side business as an event planner. Saying that, you can imagine the crazy Type A personality I had when planning our own wedding. Leading up to our wedding, Dax and I worked hard to break down each detail and be on the same page. This really helped when talking to all our vendors and families. The effort put into the planning in the months leading up to the wedding definitely paid off during the week of the wedding!

Our wedding could not have been possible without our amazing vendors! Each one of them took such care in helping us plan out each detail, and when the weekend came, they showed up with their A-game. Each of our vendors was easy to work with and stayed flexible when things changed! Leading up to the event, they worked hard with us to make sure they could achieve our vision (and within budget). My coordination team took all the details I had planned and executed everything perfectly! I think I am one of those rare brides who didn’t stress about if things were getting done because the coordination team was always on top of it, even when there were last-minute changes.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Call me weird, but I did not want to go with the traditional red. Anyone who knows me well knows that when it comes to Indian outfits, I like to wear stuff that is unique. Dax and I looked for inspiration for months. We finally found a color that we really wanted to incorporate into our outfits - sage green. Walking into Thakur’s, I knew I would have to keep an open mind. We didn’t have much time to get custom-made outfits, so I would have to choose something ready-made. After looking at a few outfits, the lengha, which was brought out last, was the one I fell in love with. It had a sage green color and incorporated the red brick color as well.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
I loved the planning process! I believe my favorite part was planning the small details. We really wanted to make sure that our guests enjoyed the weekend. Guests at any event remember two things the most - the food and the experience. Dax and I made sure we thought about those two things in the most detail when planning. We had an in-depth conversation with our caterer to build a menu that was different for each meal. We wanted to make sure there was variety the entire weekend, and being foodies ourselves, it was important to us that our guests enjoyed the food!

For experience, we tried to have meaningful experience-related pieces throughout the entire weekend. We wanted to showcase our favorite things throughout the weekend while adding the element of guest experience. We planned unique event signs (our love for art and design), flower pithi (our love for fun and fresh floral), sparkler exit, baraat dances (our love for music and healthy competition, as we had a dance-off between both families), late night games (our love for board and card games) and much more! I’m so happy we put time into detailing these pieces because it made the weekend much more enjoyable and memorable.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Even today, the two things I hear the most about from our wedding guests are that the food is some of the best food (if not the best) they have had at a wedding in the US and that they have never been to a wedding which has had been as punctual and organized as ours. Everyone had a blast and was able to enjoy the moment!

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Obviously, it is hard to choose just one moment. Of course, the entire weekend revolved around my husband and I, and each of those moments was special. However, there is one special moment that stands out to me. Over the past few years, I have been giving this piece of advice to my friends, family, and bridal clients:

During your wedding, choose a random chunk of time and walk around the venue. Use this as a moment in time to observe and let the emotions soak all in. I chose to do this twice, once on the Wednesday before my wedding and once on the Friday before. These moments will remain so special to me because walking around I saw all the individuals - family and friends - who came together just for Dax and I. Each one of them worked together to help make our weekend possible. These moments showed me that the weekend was about Dax and I, but it was also about the relationships we have forged with each guest who attended. I will be forever grateful for these relationships and remember these moments!

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
When you look back at your wedding and the months leading up to it, you don’t want to be reminded about hating the process. Wedding planning can be stressful, but only if you make it more stressful than needed. There is no right or wrong way to plan a wedding. Plan your wedding with the method that works best for you and your fiance because it will make the process that much easier. If you wanna get all the easy stuff done first and then work on the large pieces, do that. If you want to plan the little things and have a planner do the large pieces, then hire a partial planner. If you don’t care much about certain things and want to hand them off to family members so they can help, then communicate that and get the help. If you need help from others, get the help. At the end of the day, do what works best for you!

Obviously, Indian weddings have a HUGE family element to them, and for many, that could be the stressful part. However, always remember that communication is key. Keep everyone on the same page on what you and your fiance envision and what the budget is/should be. Also, take the time to understand the different ceremonies and traditions.

Lastly, I have seen a lot of brides recently becoming stressed during wedding planning because they keep thinking about what others will think. Always remember that the weekend is about you and your fiance. Plan the details in a way that showcases your relationship.

Join us in reliving this majestic celebration, where every moment is a story and a testament to love.

Kaptured by Krunal is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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Join us as we witness the magical union of Shivani & Aakash at the enchanting Legacy Castle. This grand affair, meticulously orchestrated by Wedding Elegance NYC, radiated a charm that left everyone spellbound. Their planning and design expertise transformed the venue into a celestial paradise, perfectly reflecting the couple's vision. The floral & decor by Partyland Sajawat Decorator added a touch of elegance and vibrancy, encapsulating the essence of a blooming love story. Shivani's attire, a masterpiece from Sabyasachi Weddings, captured the essence of traditional beauty. Susmita Style by Susmita worked magic, creating a hair and makeup ensemble that was nothing short of perfection. As the day progressed, the air was filled with the musical beats and rhythms by M4U Events, who didn't just play music but created an experience, a symphony that resonated with the couple's journey and love story. Their DJ set the perfect backdrop for the celebrations, making every moment memorable and ensuring the dance floor remained the center of joy and celebration. House of Talent Studio captured the pinnacle of this enchanting event exquisitely. Their photography was not just about capturing moments; it was about encapsulating a feeling, a memory, a fleeting glance of love. Each picture tells a story of love, laughter, family, and the beginning of their forever. Enjoy it!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Aakash and I met over 10 years ago while in medical school in Grenada. We were friends until we graduated and then moved to different parts of the country for residency. As fate would have it, he matched into fellowship in New York and asked if I wanted to go for dinner to catch up one night. We immediately hit it off! For our third date, we went to the San Gennaro festival, where we spent the entire night eating, drinking, and laughing. I couldn’t imagine spending my life with anyone else.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Aakash and I had made plans for one weekend in November, and the night before, he called to tell me that he forgot that he was working, and we had to cancel. He knew I would be upset, so he told me the next day he would make it up to me. This was how he was able to dress up in a suit and make all these grand plans without making me suspicious. We went for lunch at Palma SoHo before we were supposed to meet Aakash’s friends at a speakeasy to celebrate their passing fellowship boards. When we got to The Lofts at Prince, the entire rooftop was decorated, and Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” was playing in the background. He then surprised me by having our parents and my friends there!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I knew I always wanted to wear red, but I was convinced I would look better in a dark red. I went to five or six stores in India, and the last store my parents and I went to was Sabyasachi. I fell in love with the traditional red lenghas that they had. I spotted my lengha in the mirror while I was actually trying on another dress, and once I put it on, I knew it was the one!

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 my Sangeet, I really wanted to have a Jaipur theme and make it as traditional as possible. I love Garba, and Aakash loves Raas, so we wanted to have a live singer for part of the event. Moghul did an amazing job with the menu, like letting me have khichu, and we also had a gola stand!

I have to give credit to my husband for the theme of our reception. He wanted to have a stark contrast with the ceremony decor, and the decor was very elegant.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Enjoy the planning process!

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
My hair and makeup were done by Susmita, and she is absolutely the best. A huge shoutout to all of our vendors; they truly did an amazing job and made our dream wedding come true!

Let the allure of new love stories inspire your fairy-tale moments. See you soon with more!

House of Talent Studio, Sukhadia Caterers and Wedding Elegance NYC are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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Welcome, sweeties, to a magical journey through Neha & Raja's enchanting wedding at the MGM Detroit. Every moment of this grand affair, from the vibrant Baraat in charge of Sky Films and Productions to the heartfelt vows, was meticulously planned and designed by Marigold Wedding Planners. Neha's was accentuated by the skilled hands of Beauty by Ekta Kansara, her smile a beacon of joy and love. Kiran Patel's Mehndi, on her hands, told tales, weaving in symbols of their shared dreams. Sky Films and Productions took center stage, transforming the wedding into an electrifying celebration of love and joy. Their expertise as DJs was evident in every beat, creating a symphony that resonated with the hearts of everyone present. Sky Films and Productions, wielding their cameras with artistic finesse, masterfully captured the essence of this wedding, turning fleeting moments into timeless memories. Each photograph was a testament to their skill in encapsulating the day's emotion, beauty, and vibrancy. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for being at the right place and time, they chronicled every laugh, tear, and tender exchange. Relieve the magical moments!

Remember, every wedding is a story of love and dreams. Come back tomorrow for more stories!

Marigold Wedding Planners is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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