We are going to pause our Film-y Friday fun for a little Maharani announcment.

Anand and I are thrilled to annnounce that we are expecting our first baby in December!  We are completely over the moon!

I have always been excited to be a Mommy, but a little nervous to be pregnant. Morning sickness and expanding uncontrollably in all directions did not sound like my idea of a magical time. I would take shopping for a bridal lengha over maternity jeans hands down. I always thought that being engaged was the most fun time of my life, and I am thrilled to report I was totally wrong!!!

Being engaged was fantastic, and being a Maharani even better, but the only thing that edges out both of those experiences is expecting a baby.  You know the excitement in your BFF’s eyes when you told her you were engaged and showed her your new sparkler?  Imagine getting that type of jumping up and down enthusiam from your dry cleaner, barista, and complete strangers you meet on the street!

So, a non-alcoholic cheers Maharanis….to life getting better and better and better!!!

And, I will keep you posted on whether the newest addition to team Maharani turns out to be pink or baby blue!

I remember when we featured a New Jersey Indian wedding by Design House Décor a few months ago, that left my head spinning. I still can’t believe that Design House Décor was able to take something as traditional as a Hindu ceremony and spice it up with a modern spin that still looked authentic.  Well, with today’s New York Indian wedding they have blown me away once again.  The clean lines, lush flowers, and magical lighting have transformed a basic ballroom into a pink and purple wonderland.  I love how this feminine design perfectly complements the beautiful bride.  Take a look at the fabulous images by Damion Edwards Photography.

More Maharani fun on the way….back in a bit!

I know, I can hardly believe it!  My heart is doing back flips with excitement as we look for a few Maharanis with a fabulous sense of style and great vocabulary to help showcase the best in Indian weddings.

As my little Maharani Weddings learns to fly, I have to take on more roles of expanding our brand and growing the website to the ultimate Indian wedding planning tool.  So, I am looking for some amazing editorial help.  I will still be writing on what makes my heart sizzle and swoon, but a fresh voice, with a fresh perspective is what we need around here.  And, I mean, how many more times can you all really hear me say I am OBSESSED with something?

So, here is how to apply :

1. Send us an email to editors@maharaniweddings.com by July 1st with the following info :
2. Current Resume
3. A  brief letter introducing yourself and a list of your favorite blogs and why you love them
4. Writing sample : Choose one image from Maharani Weddings and write a paragraph on how you would present this image to our audience.
5. Just a tip : make sure your personality shines through!  We dream of writers who love Indian weddings as much as we do, so if you have mandaps, lenghas, and jewelry on the brain this is the job for you!

This is a part time position 2-5 hours per week.  We are a small, fast moving company so there is always room for growth, so this position is a long term position.

I can’t wait to find the next Maharani Weddings editor!

There is just SO much excitement today, and it keeps getting better and better! It’s time for my favorite contest EVER, that’s right ladies, it’s Maharani of the Month time!

We are looking for our June, Maharani of the Month, and she will be crowned the Maharani Weddings Facebook Avatar for the month of June, AND win a $100 dollar gift certificate to Exclusively.In.

From our May, Maharani of the Month, Neha :

“ I love Maharani Weddings because as a meticulous bride, it was a blog I read daily when I was planning my big day. Seeing the diverse ways that people planned their wedding gave me tons of tips and inspiration. I hope to provide the same for my fellow South-Asian bride-to-be’s!”

How to Enter:

Absolutely anyone can enter.  Past finalists, Mrs. Maharanis, or you don’t even have to be engaged! Simply upload a picture of yourself “Lookin’ like a Maharani” onto our Facebook Fan page, and let us know what you love about Maharani Weddings. Just a tip : color images work best for this contest.

The Details :

Maharani readers will vote for the Maharani of the Month, by liking their favorite picture on our Facebook Fan Page.  The contest will run on the Maharani Weddings Fan Page until May 31, 2011 so make sure that you enter today!

The Prize :

The lucky winner will be featured on Maharani Weddings and be crowned the Maharani Weddings Facebook Avatar for the month of June, AND win a $100 dollar gift certificate to Exclusively.In.

So, don’t forget to bribe your Facebook friends to vote for you!

Good Luck and I can’t wait to see all your gorgeous faces!!!

Hi Maharanis! I am back!  Everyone keeps asking me what I am doing for my birthday today, and I keep telling them all the things that I love….blogging, yoga-ing, and getting my chips & guac ON later this evening.  Now that you have had a chance to dance around the site, I thought I would show you some of my  absolute favorite three new features.

First off, the Idea Gallery.  This is exactly what I was dying for when I was planning my own wedding because it’s customized with ideas just for Indian brides. I know I would have spent hours scroll through mandaps, taking a look at different color combinations of saris for my bridesmaids, or even how to have an Indian inspired wedding cake.  Yep, it is all there, and we are constantly adding more ideas & images, so make sure you check back often.

Second, we stepped it up BIG TIME in the comments department. We have an amazing community of Maharani readers, and finally we have figured out a great way to hear your thoughts and opinions. I am a Facebook addict and based on our surveys all our Maharani readers are too!  So, what better way to comment on our blog that run our comments through everyone’s favorite stay connected tool  - Facebook.  You don’t have to create another annoying ID, if you are logged into Facebook {in another browser} you can simply gab away with your fellow readers! It’s that simple!

And, last but not least,  our Wedsites! Finally, Indian brides can have a free wedding website with some gorgeous, ethnic flare.  And, here is the BEST part, you can get matching invitations, place cards, menus, EVERYTHING to match your Wedsite! It makes for a thematic, coordinated event that has your signature style everywhere.

Invitation by Zoya Couture

I am really loving the Regal Rani…which one is your favorite?