Sweetheart Sunday is here, Maharanis, and true love is in full force! I absolutely adore these glowing engagement images from William Bichara Photography; they’re super romantic and totally filled with emotion. Just look at bride-to-be Anokhi’s misty, twinkling eyes as she holds her Raja tight! That is a face that says, “I have found my happily ever after.” Her wispy emerald dress is perfect for this bright afternoon and groom Amit is cool and casual in a button-down with jeans. They are simply too cute! And there’s such a classic elegance about black-and-white portraits that elevates simple photos to pure sophistication. I can’t wait until the big day is here and we get to see this sweet duo officially tie the knot. Until then, you’ll find me in the gallery!
See you tomorrow, lovely Maharanis, with an exquisitely fabulous Indian wedding!
When it comes to my list of favorite things, Indian weddings, lenghas, and baking are at the very top. So, when it comes to my choice of cake—red velvet—I mean business. My birthday happens to be the same week as Memorial Day, so I use it as an excuse to make these beloved red velvet cupcakes. The recipe is easy to follow and so delicious it will give Magnolia and Sprinkles a run for their frosting!
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon fine salt
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring (1 ounce)
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In another large bowl, whisk together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.
Using a standing mixer, mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined and a smooth batter is formed.
Divide the cake batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups. Place the pans in the oven evenly spaced apart. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through the cooking, until the cake pulls away from the side of the pans, and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 22-25 minutes.
Remove the cakes from the oven and cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack before topping with the frosting.
In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand-held electric mixer in a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, sugar, and butter on low speed until incorporated. Increase the speed to high, and mix until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. (Occasionally turn the mixer off, and scrape the down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.)
Reduce the speed of the mixer to low. Add the vanilla, raise the speed to high and mix briefly until fluffy (scrape down the bowl occasionally). Store in the refrigerator until somewhat stiff, before using. May be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days.
I am a stickler for presentation, but as a new mom, time is something I don’t have a lot of, so I love that I can quickly frost these using a Ziploc bag and then put a few blueberries and raspberries on top. In minutes they look professional and festive. For Fourth of July, I might try to assemble these cupcake kabobs. Cute, huh?
I would love to know, what’s your favorite dessert?
For today’s third sensational Indian wedding, we are whisked away to Long Island, New York by the always-impressive film team at Camrafair Studio. This is a glamorous fusion event that blends Western and Eastern traditions and the results are entirely exquisite. After the ceremony, newlyweds Susan and Mattson take an interlude on the beach for some flawless portraits and I totally love that this Maharani even steps in the ocean with her gown on! Soon enough the adorable duo will be slipping back into their shoes to start the luminous reception at The Sands Atlantic Beach and hitting the dance floor with plenty of tunes from Bollywood Djs. Watch out, Maharanis, this video may make you want to dance!
If you missed any of the Indian wedding loveliness this week, here are a few of my favorite posts:
You’re gonna want to grab your inspiration notebook, Maharanis, because this Indian wedding is sheer magic. It’s a day of seriously striking style and this décor of crystals, white roses, and elaborate paper butterflies (yes, delicate and dreamy paper butterflies!) is the definition of gorgeous. Film Art Pictures Cinematography takes us inside as the design teams put each detail perfectly in its place and soon the bride is making her grand entrance with flawless hair and makeup by Musarat Ahmed of Makeup by Mus. The venue at Bolton Excellency Exhibition Centre is entirely transformed into an enchanting wedding wonderland and I just have to hit rewind and watch all the beauty again. It’s that incredible!
Glittering heels embellished with bows, a set of bridal jewels that absolutely gleam, and the most gorgeous shimmering makeup that a Maharani has ever worn: I just can’t decide what I like best about this radiant Indian wedding! Dolled up by Lulu does a phenomenal job making this bride look like a true princess and the amazing cinematographers at Robles Video Productions keep the cameras rolling for the big—and extremely beautiful—event. Under the mandap, there is not only a crystal chandelier but also two rather glorious glass pillars filled with flickering flames! The design teams at Blue Lotus Insights and Capri Flowers knocked this one out of the park. You gotta see all the splendor!
I gotta grab a chai and then I’ll be back with another inspired Indian wedding!
