The Platinum Guide Blog

Welcome to the mesmerizing tale of Kiran & Ajit's wedding. Their celebration began with the Sangeet at Chateau Crystale, an evening filled with music, dance, and laughter, setting the tone for the festivities. The Sikh Center opened its doors to a ceremony that was nothing short of magical. Kiran & Ajit exchanged vows under a canopy of divine decor by Divine Decor, creating a moment so serene that time stood still. The reception at ULH Event Center was a testament to their enduring love. Henna Vative's mehndi art adorned Kiran's hands with patterns as intricate and profound as the journey of love they embarked upon, while DBI's music filled the air with melodies that echoed the couple's happiness. Aventography Photo & Video Studios, renowned for their ability to capture the essence of each moment with a blend of creativity and authenticity, brought their story to life through their lens. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, their photography and cinematography went beyond mere documentation, encapsulating the unforgettable moments of the day in a way that each photograph and video invites viewers to relive this union's joy and beauty. 

Join us tomorrow to relive sweet moments, incredible details, and emotions. See you soon, loves!

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In today's fairytale, Deanna illuminated the sangeet venue, Hilton Pearl River Hotel, with her radiant smile as she embarked on her journey to a dream celebration. Amidst the enchantment, the ceremony and reception venue, The Rockleigh, stood as a testament to their union, adding an extra layer of magic to their unforgettable day. Its spacious ballrooms, with opulent decor and state-of-the-art lighting, transported guests into a world of enchantment. The meticulous planning and design by Events Cherished and the decor by Wedding Design transformed the venue into a magical wonderland, setting the stage for a day of romance. Looks by Jassi's blended tradition with contemporary beauty trends resulted in a look that was both timeless and modern, perfectly encapsulating the essence of the bride and the fusion of cultures that the wedding celebrated. Pandya Photography, the masterful storytellers behind the lens, captured every emotion and tender moment, etching them into timeless photographs. Relieve the magic of this feature.

This wedding was a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, a romantic symphony of love. 

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Sweethearts, get ready to relieve the enchanting wedding of Melissa & Akash. The wedding, orchestrated by the meticulous Platinum Celebrations, unfolded like a dream. Golden Terrace, NY, transformed the venue into a paradise of flowers and lights. The Crest Hollow Country Club, a gem in the heart of elegance, was the perfect backdrop for the enchanting reception. Guests entered a luxurious and welcoming venue with twinkling lights on sprawling lawns and grand ballrooms featuring opulent chandeliers and plush decor. The reception welcomed guests to indulge in Le Sucre Vanille's cupcakes and KLN Events' charcuterie cups. Laughter echoed as memories were captured in the Fun Times Photo Booth, each click preserving a moment of happiness. The air buzzed with melodies from Vicadi Singh Official & Tony Cuttz, their voices weaving magic into the night. But the true essence of this unforgettable day was captured by Events Capture Photography. Their photographers moved like silent storytellers, knitting through the laughter, tears, subtle glances, and grand gestures, ensuring no precious moment slipped away unrecorded. Enjoy today's feature!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
In the midst of the deadly COVID-19 outbreak, Akash and I found a rare bright spot. We had been scrolling through dating apps as the world was in lockdown, and let's face it, the dating scene as we know it had changed. Akash stumbled upon my Facebook dating profile and knew he had to take a chance.

Akash and I spoke every day for almost two months before actually meeting in person. I was captivated by Akash's charming words, and I had a feeling there was true genuineness behind them. Akash was impressed by my sense of independence and how accomplished I was. We would go on virtual dates; playing video games together was one of our favorite pastimes. Akash even let me beat him in Mario Kart, but only one time.

We finally went on our first real date on December 8, 2020. Akash took me on a romantic dinner. After that first date, I knew this was the beginning of something special.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
On Akash's first trip to Canada with me, he decided he wanted to propose to me in my favorite country. Unbeknownst to me, Akash and my family were secretly planning the fairytale proposal. On October 10, 2021, Akash took me to Casa Loma, a castle in Toronto, Canada, and said to his princess, "Babe, I know you always wanted to get married in a castle, but since we can't, let's do the next best thing." With our families watching in-person and virtually, Akash dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him. Without any hesitation, I said YES!

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.
I had been planning my wedding for as long as I could remember (long before I found my groom, LOL)

I knew I wanted my Hindu Wedding at Golden Terrace Catering Hall in Queens, NY, because not only could it hold up to 700 guests, but they also catered food and provided decor, including a beautiful royal mandap that matched my theme.

I also knew that I always wanted to have my reception at Crest Hollow Country Club on Long Island, NY. This venue is beautiful! The back area for cocktails is lovely, as guests are surrounded by a pool. The ballroom inside is also very large and can accommodate many guests. Crest Hollow had preferred vendors for decor. I decided to go with Stylish Events as they had the royal and blingy theme that I was going for.

For hair and makeup, I knew I wanted someone who could do hair and makeup for all my events. After researching and pricing out different MUAs, I went with Rebecca Bhagwandin (bexxalicious), and I was not disappointed. She made me feel like a beautiful princess for all my events!

For my Hindu wedding bridal entrance, I wanted to go for a Bollywood theme. Zamandari Inc. choreographed a beautiful entrance with my choice of songs. We left everyone, including my groom, in tears!

For photo and video, I also researched a bunch of vendors, but Events Capture had the best package. I am so pleased that we went with them because they captured everything we wanted and more!

For entertainment, we hired our family friend Jay Ramkishun and his team at FantaCSoundz. They kept our guests rocking for all our events!

Finally, our wedding was coordinated by Shivie Sookdeo at Platinum Celebrations. Shivie's execution of all my requests and needs was top-notch; he did not disappoint! I am so happy that I hired him and highly recommend his services for all weddings. Our wedding would not have gone so smoothly without him!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
For my Hindu wedding, there was no other place I wanted to go than to Nazranna. I made my family watch Nazranna's diaries every weekend until my appointment. I worked with Shia to find my royal and blingy outfits. And made sure that my groom's outfit complemented mine.

For my reception, I had always wanted to Kleinfeld. I used to watch Say Yes to the Dress with Mom for years! To my excitement, on the day of my appointment, my bridal consultant was Lisa! I was so excited because I was a fan of hers. After only trying on 4 dresses, I found my dream gown and said yes to the dress!

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
I loved working with all of my vendors! Everyone delivered and made our whole wedding a dream come true!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Everyone loved my attention to detail and how beautiful everything was.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
My Hindu Bridal Entrance.

I will never forget being carried in on the doli with my hubby waiting under the mandap, and he was crying! I never thought he would cry because he is a very jovial person. I had to try to contain myself when I saw him crying. I have never felt so loved by anyone in my life, and I will cherish that moment forever.

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.
We hired Omadevi Somai as a dancer for our entertainment. She is one of our favorite dancers in the West Indian community.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Limit your guest list. We had about 400 people at our wedding, and it was overwhelming and exhausting because everyone wanted to take pictures with you! Additionally, the more people you have, the more costly things tend to be.

If I had to do things again, I would definitely cut my guest list in half!

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
I got all my jewelry from Nazranna as well. It looks really good when you match your jewelry and outfits together.

Darlings, join us in reliving a new fairytale, a tale of love that will echo through the ages.

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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.

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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, Wedding Elegance NYC and M4U Events are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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