The Platinum Guide Blog

Welcome to Reena & Nachiket's wedding at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington, filled with tradition and love. A Country Wagon's baraat horse, a symbol of tradition, pranced to rhythmic heartbeats of attendees. Janel Ellfsen of Occasions LLC weaved magic, transforming every corner into a sanctuary of elegance and charm. M&M Decorations' created an elegant atmosphere with their floral artistry and decor. Reena displayed ethereal beauty with every strand of her lustrous hair and stroke of makeup crafted by the talented Gurpreet Kaur. Her hands were adorned with exquisite mehndi artwork by Jazz by Henna, telling tales of enduring love. The aromas of delicious dishes from Saffron Restaurant filled the air, promising an unparalleled culinary experience. DJ Rocky's melodies guided the souls present through moments of exuberance, reflection, and unutterable affection. Moments by Shubha didn't just capture images; they immortalized emotions. She weaved the ethereal essence of love and unity into visual symphonies, with each masterpiece photograph encapsulating the intricate dance of emotions and colors unfolding in real-time. Shubha transforms the ephemeral into the eternal, ensuring that every glance, smile, and tear of joy is forever engraved. Check out the gallery and enjoy!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
The stars were aligned, and who knew what fate had in store for these two hopeful romantics?! It was early September 2018, and Reena and Nachiket happily swiped right on each other's pictures, and the conservation began. Reena’s opening message was an amazing one-liner that reeled Nachiket in. For those who want to use this message in their future endeavors, it was ‘Hi, How are you?’ This one-liner worked so well that they met up about 2 weeks later, and the journey began.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Nachiket asked Reena to go hiking on a hot summer day. He took Reena to one of their earliest date spots, Seattle's famous Discovery Park. After hiking in the heat, Nachiket got down on one knee in a picturesque spot on the beach and popped the question! To Reena's surprise, along with strangers who were cheering and clapping, jumping out of the bushes came some of their closest friends, whom Nachiket had invited to join for 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.
Our overall experience went mostly pretty smoothly once we figured out the venue that the groom and I were really excited about hosting our wedding. We found the DJ (Rocky Virk, @rockthedhol), and Photographer (@momentsbyshubha) very early on, and they recommended our wedding planner, Janel Ellefsen (@occasionsllc), and decorator (@mandmdecorations). I found the makeup (@thepreetartistry) and henna (@hennabyjasmin_seattle) artists on my own on IG. The decor theme came along naturally as we looked at pictures and fabric samples. We decided on a white mandap with white flowers and draping as the wedding was outdoors, and we went with a Blue and Gold overall color theme for the reception, which our guests really loved.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
We went to sample wedding outfits, and I decided I liked their traditional pinkish-red lengha with gold embroidery and peacocks. I saw an outfit I really liked, standing on a mannequin, and I knew that was the one I wanted. My mom got the bride and groom's name embroidered on my lengha as a surprise!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
People really loved: 1) the Venue, the Hyatt Lake Washington, as it was pretty unique compared to most Indian weddings due to its location on the Lake Washington waterfront with picturesque Pacific Northwest scenery. 2) The Bride and Groom's entrance prior to the Baraat on a boat, as this was a unique Pacific Northwest touch to an Indian Wedding that almost none of the out-of-town guests had witnessed before. 3) The wedding was held on Seafair weekend, and people loved the Blue Angels airshows that continually happened around the time of the ceremony. And lastly, 4) people absolutely LOVED the catering from Saffron Grill (located in Seattle's Northgate neighborhood), and 5) the overall party and festive atmosphere, which was greatly accentuated by the amazing job done by DJ Rocky Virk (@Rockthedhol)

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
There was no single special moment, just the entire week and wedding weekend experience with family and friends who were here to celebrate with us from all over the globe! Many of our friends and family told us this was the best wedding they'd ever been to! Having the bride's grandma being able to fly over from the United Kingdom was extra special for her as she was the only grandparent able to attend the ceremony!

My darlings, I hope you enjoyed reading about our Maharani brides and their inspiring weddings! 

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Thanmayi & Depak's nuptials unfolded in the elegant View at Bluemont, surrounded by lush landscapes that converged into a paradise. Diego Stuart's masterful cinematography captured every smile and glance shared under the tender, amber glow of the sun. It was a dance of light and shadows echoing the eternal dance of two souls in love. Darcey Generazio's adept planning and design brought celestial allure to every detail. Petal N' Bloom's flowers and decor created a tapestry of colors that infused romance into the atmosphere. Thanmayi was clad in stunning creations by Mokshaa, making her the queen of Deepak's heart. Beauty by Oni's expertise in hair and makeup transformed her into a celestial being, radiating grace under the starry night sky. DJ Kabir's music from Desi Beatzs Entertainment filled the air with promises and dreams of matrimony. Ishan Fotografi captured ethereal moments, where the weave of tradition and profound intimacy portrayed a painting of love. Each photograph testifies to a bond that transcends time. Every frame is a sonnet, and every smile is a verse in this poetic rendition of love. Explore the gallery for more details. Enjoy!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!

Picture this: The glimmering NYC skyline, a mesmerizing sunset, and a rooftop filled with my best friends. Absolute perfection! And oh, those butterflies? 100% real! Even though I had a hunch it was coming, the effort Depak put in was heart-melting. He didn't just book any spot; he got an NYC rooftop, ensuring every detail was on point. And can we talk about the ring? The dreamy sapphire and diamond combo I'd always wished for!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?

Shoutout to my mother-in-law - Mala Kumar for being the ultimate wedding fashion guru! My vision was a beige-pink South Indian Kanjivaram saree, which we magically found in Chennai. And for the lehenga, I wanted to go all in - a royal blue stunner with silver work. I wanted a bolder color for the reception vs. the ceremony. It was the perfect contrast to the morning hues. The quest was for countless months, endless facetime sessions with different clothing store owners, and many late-night chats because of the time zones.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Our mission was to find THAT ONE venue where our loved ones would be spellbound! Everyone helped to find the perfect venue including both our families and friends. From chic wedding halls and plush hotels to enchanting vineyards and rustic barns, our weekends were packed with back-to-back venue tours. The moment I stepped into our chosen venue - The View at Bluemont, it was Love at first sight, thanks to the breathtaking view! We immediately stopped searching after that tour.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?

Our guests were head over heels for our mountain-top venue in the picturesque valleys of Bluemont, Virginia. All the guests appreciated the finer details of all our customizations, such as handheld fans with our names on them, a table seating arrangement chart with our picture hidden under all the names, an audio guestbook, and a wedding newspaper (this was the biggest hit!)

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?

With Depak hailing from Sri Lanka and me, from South India, our wedding was a vibrant cultural fiesta! Despite our cultural differences, all the family members embraced each other's customs and beliefs, which made it more memorable. From the NYC skyline making a cameo in my bridal mehendi to the hilarious moment when Depak’s friends tore his kurta post-haldi (his shocked face: priceless!), it was a rollercoaster of emotions. The playful garland duel, the electrifying baraat with dhol and ghana – every moment was cinematic. And Depak's dance? Who knew he had those moves hidden up his sleeve? But one thing remained consistent - my ear-to-ear grin, which was pretty much permanent!

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?

Just have lots of fun.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)

Mehendi included – the NYC skyline, our first date spot – Dominic Ansel bakery, Pikachu, Elephants – depaks favorites, and our favorite show – Ted lasso.

We opted for traditional temple jewelry for the ceremony and a beautiful diamond set for the reception.

The venue was first founded by my father-in-law from Sri Lanka. He found it online and after looking at the venue it was so difficult to say no. It was majestic.

All the pre-wedding events were done by my aunt - Neelima Gogineni at her home. She put in tremendous effort in getting the backdrops and doing a trial run with all of them before the actual event.

Witness the love, laughter, and breathtaking moments of South Asian weddings. Come back for more!

Ishan Fotografi | Husband & Wife Wedding Photographers and Diego Stuart Films are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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Good morning, ladies! Get ready to enjoy because we're taking you on a love journey through Supreet & Kabir's wedding festivities. If the name of this lovely couple sounds familiar, that's because their wedding was already featured in our Video Blog thanks to the fantastic film created by Studio KSD. Supreet's journey to find the perfect outfits was made effortless by Heena Surani, her shopper. For her wedding day, Supreet fell in love with a lehnga from Dolly J Studios in her favorite color, Rani pink. One of the most memorable events was the Sangeet, held at the exquisite venue, The Rockleigh. As soon as the guests entered the stunning venue, they were transported into enchantment and grandeur. Its magnificent architecture and opulent interiors provided the perfect backdrop for this vibrant and joyous celebration. Urban Dancera orchestrated all the sangeet dances, including Supreet's solo performance and the couple's dance. Raj Minocha from Platinum Roadshow was one of their favorite vendors as he helped light the dance floor on fire! The Sangeet focused on Bollywood music, and the Mehndi and Jaago, where Supreet wore an outfit from Abhinav Mishra, leaned more toward traditional Punjabi. Equishare Baraat Horses brought a delightful touch to the wedding as Kabir made his grand entrance on a stunning horse, and the spectacle was truly breathtaking, leaving everyone in awe. Chandai Events ensured that the entire wedding journey was a seamless and unforgettable experience. Their creative vision, organizational skills, and dedication allowed the couple and their families to relax and fully immerse themselves in the joy of the celebration. Studio KSD had the important task of capturing the essence and beauty of this wedding. With their artistic prowess and technical expertise, they transformed fleeting moments into timeless treasures. Their talent and dedication resulted in breathtaking photographs that will be cherished for generations!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Heena Surani from @houseofchicofficial was my personal shopper and a BIG help when it came to picking out all of my clothes, as well as my mom's and my sister's. We didn't go to India to shop, so I really needed someone I could trust to coordinate with designers and ensure that everything fits perfectly. Heena works closely with many of India's top labels, which made the process smoother than I could've ever expected, especially given the fact that Kabir and I planned our wedding within 6 months.

I knew I wanted to get married in Rani pink, but I fell in love with the ombre Aaliyah lehnga from Dolly J Studios. Luckily, they were able to send me swatches of pink and custom-made the lehnga for me in that color. The swatches also made it easier for Kabir to incorporate the same shade of pink in his ensemble as well.

My sangeet was one of my biggest events and had the most people. I had really struggled to find my look for this event as I wanted to stand out and look bridal but still have fun and feel comfortable enough to dance. Coincidentally, the Rang collection from VVani had just launched, and I fell in love! Once again, I asked for a custom red color (Kabir's favorite!), and Vani was kind enough to give me multiple options on threadwork that would go best with the red. Vani and Heena really helped me every step of the way, offering suggestions and best practices.

My Mehndi outfit was the easiest of them all, as I liked it as is and didn't have to go through any customizations! I'm a traditional bride through and through and knew I'd want to wear yellow.

Lastly, my reception outfit was the most difficult! I wanted a different look while still feeling bridal. I had chosen such heavy outfits for all the prior events and didn't want to fall short at the reception. Our reception was more intimate, so originally, I had picked a taupe color with silver embroidery. Once it arrived, I decided it didn't have the same wow factor as my other outfits. Again, House of Chic came to the rescue and worked with the wonderful Seema Gujral to rush order me a reception outfit in a custom sapphire blue. This one was BREATHTAKING. My makeup artist, Karuna Chani, helped me style the dupatta in the more modern cape style, which allowed me to dance freely and take it off halfway through the night.

All in all, for bigger weddings, I think it's worth splurging on your bridal clothes. You want to stand out amongst a crowd and feel like a princess!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Definitely the food and the DJ!! I come from a big entertaining/ foodie family, and food was definitely a top priority during the wedding. We served over 2,000 lamb chops during our wedding week! Each day had an expansive menu filled with stations from around the world (Thai, Mexican, Sushi, etc.). The wedding day at the Gurdwara had a completely vegetarian menu, but we were able to incorporate traditional South Indian food, juices, smoothies, etc., to make it more special.

Raj Minocha from Platinum Roadshow was one of our favorite vendors. He helped light the dance floor on FIRE! Each event had a particular musical theme to keep things different. The Sangeet focused on Bollywood music, the Mehndi and Jaago leaned more toward traditional Punjabi, and we had told Raj to turn our reception into a club! He delivered all of the above and beyond.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Our toy poodle puppy, Romeo, was able to make it to the reception and take family photos with us. His doggy daycare Doggie Shrink was super accommodating and coordinated with our wedding planner to make an appearance. Romeo is very special to Kabir and me since we met on the same day I brought Romeo home. Having him in our wedding pictures was magical, and he got to see his mommy as a bride!

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.
Karishma Tanna, the owner of the Indian luxury wedding choreography company Urban Dancera, coordinated all of my family's sangeet dances as well as my solo and Kabir and my dance. She was wonderfully accommodating and taught us all via Zoom from Mumbai. I had seen her dances on youtube and Instagram and had known for years that I'd want her to choreograph my dances. In my opinion, the dance companies in India have more unique, modern steps than the ones based here in the States. The icing on top of the cake was when Karishma flew in from Mumbai to have one last in-person dance rehearsal with all of us before the wedding.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Find vendors that you truly love and connect with! One bad vendor can really sour all of the hard work and effort you put into your wedding, and no one wants that. Taking the time to meet with multiple vendors until you find "the one" is really tedious, yet important.

I also delegated a lot to my parents and my sister. My mom and dad were really passionate about food and decor, and I trusted their opinions completely, so they led those conversations and took those tasks off my hands.

Have a go-to person outside of your family to help run last-minute errands or be on bride duty in case you forget something the day of. I chose a few close family friends and bridesmaids to be my go-to people while my mom, sister, and I were in hair and makeup for 5 hours getting ready.

Lastly, find moments to sneak away with your husband! Those were some of Kabir's and my favorite moments! Our photographers would take us to various locations for pictures, which allowed Kabir and I to catch up and get a few moments to ourselves away from the spotlight.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
We had the @thepaanwala at the Sangeet, which was a big hit with our guests. @urbandancera choreographed all of my wedding dances.

Loves, I hope you have enjoyed this lovely wedding. Do not forget to come back tomorrow for more!

Studio KSD, Chandai Events, BEAUT by FAR, The Rockleigh and Equishare Baraat Horses, Rickshaws and Carriages are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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Hello, sweeties! This time, we will join Khushbu & Akash at their wedding celebration, and we are sure you will love every detail of it. You will be captivated by it, and you will feel how this event makes your imagination and inspiration flow hard! This couple wanted an exquisite and modern look within a budget, and their vendors could give them everything and more for every event. So without any further ado, we'll take you to Shree Umiya Mataji Mandir Temple to witness this magnificent wedding. We love how the talented crew from Mandap World demonstrated all their expertise and showed all the essential aspects of their culture in this celebration! Simply amazing! All this could not have been possible without Ardour Events, who took care of the planning and design of this wedding bash, delivering nothing but utter perfection. Our gorgeous Khushbu looked breathtaking, thanks to the stylish and exquisite makeup that Anisha Shajan created for her. In case you were wondering, Custumise designed her incredible outfits. And they are a dream come true! They created an outfit with exceptional designs, premium quality, and phenomenal craftsmanship. Every detail enhances our lovely bride's delicate and natural beauty. They are the ones you need if you want to look like a goddess! We also love the exquisite jewelry that Kiian Silver selected for Khushbu since this praised her while giving her a perfect touch of elegance and style. Every one of the guests had a great time, and we are sure that you will also have a great time while looking at the fantastic gallery captured by Bhowmik Dave Films & Photography. So get ready to enjoy this love story! 

How did you meet your Groom, and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met my husband (Akash) through his older sister (Bhumi), who was my best friend at the time. I had known her for many years but only knew of Akash through stories. I never really got to see him much because she was married and living with her husband when we met. We stayed friends but didn't get to see each other as often because I had moved to Atlanta for college. I was very introverted and never really wanted to be social or go out and do the "college" things, but after a few years or lots of studying and working a job, I realized that I needed to push myself to be more open to new experiences and enjoy life. Right around this time, Bhumi called me and invited me to a Beyonce concert in Atlanta very last minute, and I decided to go because this would be the perfect start to my new journey plus, Beyonce is my all-time favorite artist, so it was perfect. Akash ended up coming as well, and this was the first time I started crushing on him, but I tried to play it off because I wasn't looking to be in a relationship at the time, and I also felt like he was too good of a catch and that I was way in over my head. A few weeks later, Bhumi called me and invited me on a weekend trip for her birthday. I was very tempted to decline and just take the weekend for myself, but I knew that I would never get those experiences if I didn't push myself out of my comfort zone, so I decided to say yes. Akash ended up coming on the trip as well, and apparently (according to his cousins), was flirting with me the whole weekend, though I never realized it. I knew he would be the perfect guy for me on this trip because we just connected so naturally, and it felt comfortable, and fireworks exploded at the same time. I still didn't say or do anything because I wasn't sure if he liked me. On the last day of the trip, we had our cheesy Bollywood moment when we hugged goodbye, and our keychains interlocked and tugged us back together as we were coming out of our hug. I left and got back to Atlanta when I noticed that he had texted and asked me on a lunch date. I was so upset that I didn't check my phone while I was driving because he lived about 3 hours from Atlanta. Thankfully a week later, he ended up having some job interviews in Atlanta and asked me to dinner. We went and knew that we were the ones for each other and, a week later, introduced our families and never looked back.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
I had told Akash that I didn't want to know anything about the proposal and that I wanted it to be a complete surprise. He definitely kept me on the edge of my seat as we had already set a wedding date, and he still hadn't proposed. Finally, when there were only seven months left before the wedding, the big day came. This worked out well for him because I had so many moments leading up to the day where I thought he was going to propose but didn't so by this day, I was more in the mindset that it was not going to happen anytime soon. It was Valentine's Day weekend, and he told me that he had planned a surprise getaway for us. He told me to go ahead and get dressed up as he had reservations for us at a fancy restaurant once we got there. He told me what to pack, and we spontaneously hit the road. I began to have some suspicions that he could propose but was not sure of any details or that it was even going to happen. We reached a cabin on the lake, and there was a steep heel down, so I told him I was just going to change into my slide while we unpacked the car and then change back for the restaurant, but he told me to keep my heels on and at this moment I had a strong suspicion that it was about to happen. He ended up helping me down the driveway and told me to wait in the front while he went to "grab the keys." A few minutes later, my sister and Bhumi (now sister-in-law) opened the front door, and that's when I knew it was happening. We all burst into tears and had our little moment before they walked me down to a spot on the deck while the sun was setting, where I watched a video Akash had put together. I made my way down the hill onto a deck on the lake where Akash was waiting for me. We had our special moment, and then I turned around and saw all of our family and friends waiting on the porch. It was the perfect celebration with our loved ones and is one of the most memorable days of my life
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part of the planning process was getting together with family and friends to do small things here and there, such as making gift bags, signing invitations, etc... It was so much fun getting together and goofing around. Watching my favorite people come together with Akash's favorite people and all have so much fun together was so nice and fulfilling. Dance practices were also one of my favorite things, as it was another way to get everyone together. Just seeing all of the love and support we had from our family and friends and watching how excited they were to be a part of this process was amazing.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
The best advice I got from everyone was not to stress about the small things and that no one is going to know that something didn't go as planned if you never tell anyone. Any big event is bound to have some things that don't go exactly as you planned but don't allow this to ruin your big day because, at the end of the day, the purpose of a wedding is for you to create memories with your lifelong partner, family, and friends that you will cherish for the rest of your life. Looking back, those things that didn't go as you planned will be minuscule to the joy you will have from your big day.
And that's a wrap for today, lovely Maharanis. I'll see you tomorrow for the next grand romance!

Bhowmik Dave Films & Photography is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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If you just said yes to the man of your dreams and are actively seeking wedding inspiration. Today we have the most lovely wedding to get you in the mood! Mina and Evan are a couple of charming new yorkers that decided upon a fusion wedding to tie the knot. House of Talent Studio, the South Asian wedding experts, elegantly captured the emotions of the unique affair. The Hilton Huntington's gardens served as a scenario for an adorable pre-wedding portrait session, where Mina and Evan could show off their traditional looks for the first time. She flaunted a stylish deep red embellished lehenga paired with a matching dupatta while her classic red lip makeup gave a touch of serious glam to the look! Evan looked sharp in a gold sherwani he paired with a velvet scarf and turban. The bridesmaids donned beautiful blue lehenga ensembles and charming deep purple gowns for the western ceremony. They all looked incredibly stylish!  A stunning Hilton Huntington ballroom locale harbored the ceremony that was no less than a floral wonderland thanks to Exclusive Events NY (Florista Decor). The decor team created a magnificent open mandap design and adorned the aisle with opulent floral pedestals. What a wedding fantasy! Soon after, the duo slipped into their second outfits and shared vows once more in a heartfelt western ceremony. Mina and Evan rejoined their loved ones and kicked off the celebration that was animated by Exclusive Events NY's DJ and catered by Bukhara Grill. The couple relied on wedding planner experts Chandai Events to take care of every detail and ensure every event ran smoothly. And what a great job they did! Every function was a huge success and was a true reflection of the couple's vision. These authentic images by  House of Talent Studio testify to that. Click here to unveil more of this fusion fete!

I hope to see you in our next real wedding story! 

House of Talent Studio and Chandai Events are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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