The Platinum Guide Blog

Maharanis, let's enjoy the enchanting tale of Anisha & Kaustubh. This celebration blended tradition with tropical charm at the exquisite Planet Hollywood Cancun. Pyaar Planning meticulously planned every aspect of the wedding. Tulipania & Zuñiga Deco Cancún transformed the venue into a floral paradise. Anisha looked stunning in her different attires from Binari Art, Panache by Sharmeen, and Label Anushree, each ensemble speaking volumes of elegance and cultural richness. Dani Delgado Beauty Experts accentuated her beauty, and Loto Mehndi's skilled hands created intricate henna patterns for her big day. As melodies filled the air, courtesy of Awaaz Entertainment, guests were enveloped in a symphony of joy and celebration. Sweet Caribbean Photo captured the allure of this magical day in timeless frames, ensuring that every heartfelt smile was preserved forever. The seamless travel arrangements handled by Indian Destination Wedding, Inc. added a layer of comfort and luxury, guiding guests through their journey to this idyllic location with utmost care and precision. It was a grand escapade that celebrated love in the lap of paradise. Check out the gallery. 

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met on Hinge, and I knew within a week of chatting he was special. It was only a matter of months after getting to know to each other that I knew he was “the one.”

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
It was a surprise engagement during a trip to Jamaica. The events leading up to the proposal were a comedy of errors. The groom had a wardrobe malfunction, and we got caught in a major rainstorm and were soaking wet. But, despite the evening not going how he wanted it to, the skies cleared up, and it was the perfect setting for the most perfect proposal.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Luckily for me, I knew exactly what I wanted. I found a designer local to Atlanta, GA, Binari Art, who helped me design my wedding outfit from design detail to fabric and colors. For my reception, I knew I wanted a Seema Gujral outfit. I visited Panache by Sharmeen in Houston, TX. My appointment there was one hour, and within that hour, I found my reception and sangeet outfits right away. There was no doubt in my mind once I put them on that they were the ones.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
A year later, we still have guests tell us how much fun they had at our wedding. It was very important to me and my husband, and we brought a lot of energy to our events. As a result, our guests would feed off our energy and were equally having as much fun as we were. The tequila in Mexico helped as well! The other two things we kept getting feedback on were how much our guests loved all the food and music.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
The wedding comes and goes so fast! The best thing any bride-to-be can do is make sure the entire process is as stress-free as possible. Appoint someone to be your “go-to” so that any questions anyone has to go through them before you. And if you’re needed, you only have one person bothering you! It’s going to give you the best shot at being the most relaxed and truly getting to enjoy your big day!

Darlings, don't miss out on the exclusive content that showcases the best weddings. See you soon!

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Let's delve into Natasha & Jonathan's enchanting wedding day. Held at the majestic Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West, this venue transformed into a breathtaking paradise, where modern elegance met classic charm, offering a spectacularly picturesque backdrop. Events by Hala orchestrated every detail, ensuring that the day unfolded seamlessly. The guests were mesmerized by the lush floral arrangements created by Birch Event Design. Natasha, a vision in her exquisitely crafted Manish Malhotra gown, radiated grace, complemented by the intricate designs of Sheetal's Henna Designs Dallas and the flawless touch of Ms Painted Lady's hair and makeup artistry. Renowned caterer Gaurav Anand treated guests to a diverse and delightful gastronomic journey. DJ Riz Entertainment set the evening alight, spinning tracks with everyone dancing till the wee hours. The beats pulsed through the venue's heart, echoing the vibrant energy of a love that was meant to be celebrated. The talented Peter Nguyen Studio immortalized the night's incredible moments, whose lens captured the essence of their joy, the warmth of their smiles. Enjoy!

Darlings, experience the romance and beauty and find inspiration for your dream wedding.

DJ Riz Entertainment and Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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Welcome back to relieve Mounika & Shantan's wedding, unfurled like a timeless tale of love. Nestled in the grandeur of Loews Philadelphia Hotel, it stands as a beacon of luxury and elegance. Its majestic architecture and sophisticated interiors provide a canvas where dreams are painted in hues of love and celebration and wrapped in the elegance of Abhishek Decorators' exquisite setups. Posh Creations orchestrated a flawless wedding, creating a masterpiece of unforgettable experiences. Mounika's beauty was enhanced by the artistry of Makeup By Anu Sarin, whose skill in hair and makeup captured the essence of elegance and grace. The air resonated with the beats from Amplifire Entertainment to the melodies that filled the air, whose music and DJ services ensured the night was alive with rhythm and dance, crafting an unforgettable soundtrack to their love story. Classic Cake Philly added a touch of sweetness with their meticulously crafted confections. Knotty Filmer immortalized the laughter, dances, and tender exchanges with their exceptional cinematography and photography, capturing the essence of these fleeting moments. Check out the gallery and enjoy it!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met through our parents after they saw we weren't having much luck on our own. My medical school roommate also went to college with Shantan and put in a good word for him. I took the initiative and reached out to Shantan, and he texted me back right away. I found so many similarities between us during our first text conversation that I thought he might be "the one" even before we met in person! It was love at first text!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We got engaged within a year of meeting. I had told him we didn't have many pictures together, so he said we could dress up one day and take photos at sunrise. I was suspicious that it could be a proposal, but the day before it looked like he hadn't put much thought into it because I suggested a park we could go to, and he instantly agreed. The next morning, we went to Herman Park and tried to find someone to take a photo of us, but the joggers weren't particularly happy to stop for us. Just when I said we should leave, I saw the setup for the proposal, and soon after, our families both joined us for a photoshoot! It was just a coincidence that the park I suggested was the one he had planned on.

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 reached out to my friends who got married in the New Jersey area for vendor contacts since my wedding was in Philly. Our venue, the Loews Hotel, also gave us some contacts for whom they worked in the past. Abhishek decorators just have so much experience in the field that we gave them some photos of what we wanted, and they helped embellish each event into something more beautiful than we had imagined! Our "day-of" event planner, Posh Kreations, made sure that everything ran smoothly and helped us come up with a timeline two months before the wedding. We had a few events at my house, but the sangeet, baraat, wedding, and reception were all at the Loews Hotel Philadelphia. Our venue was perfect to hold about 400 people for each of the events!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Since I had to plan my wedding during residency training, I didn't have time to go to India, so my mom and mother-in-law just FaceTimed me before they bought my wedding saris in Kanchi. I ordered my reception lehenga from Seema Gujral online, and it fit perfectly!

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
I enjoyed how all my family came together and got really hyped before the wedding! Wedding planning was a long process, but it was all worth it!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The food and DJ were a big hit! We were lucky to have Southern Spice from NJ cater all our events. The baraat outside City Hall in Philly was also quite memorable as it was a gorgeous day outside.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
I remember my dad coming into my hotel room to practice our father-daughter dance right before the reception and how ready he was to dance in front of hundreds of people for the first time in his life!

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 worked with a choreographer from India who held dance practices over Zoom for a few weeks leading up to the wedding.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
It's nice to have a few things that you are particular about, but be as flexible as possible so you don't stress about all the details and enjoy the process more!

The love between the couple shines brightest, weaving a bond that transcends time and tradition.

Makeup By Anu Sarin and Loews Philadelphia Hotel are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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Today's tale of love transcends boundaries, where East meets West in a spectacular fusion of cultures at Alex & Ali's wedding. Alex, a radiant Russian beauty, was embraced wholeheartedly by Ali's large, exuberant Pakistani family, marking the beginning of their enchanting journey together. The Whistling Gardens served as the idyllic backdrop for their ceremony, meticulously orchestrated by Cloud 9 Events. As Alex walked down the aisle, the air was perfumed with the scent of bespoke arrangements from In Bloom Flowers. On her wedding day, her cousin-in-law Fatima, from Beaut by Far, worked magic, turning Alex from a Slavic princess into a dazzling Pakistani bride, complemented by the elegant bridal fashion by Zainab Salman, and the heirloom jewelry from the groom's mother whispered stories of love and legacy. Ali, dashing in his attire by Mohsin Naveed Ranjha, stood as a proud groom, his eyes reflecting his love and admiration for Alex. Immediately following the ceremony, the daytime reception was a delight for the senses, with Zauq Live Barbecue serving up delectable delights and Laroque Weddings capturing every precious moment with their lenses. 

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Ali and I met in London, England, on our first day of work at Bain & Co., a consulting firm. Over time, we became close friends. One day, I hosted friends at my house, and Ali seamlessly took on the role of co-host - filling up our friend's glasses and even taking out the trash. The next day, he asked me out, and I said 100% yes.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Ali knew how important family is to both of us, so he looked for opportunities to include them in the proposal. The two of us and his brother went to visit my parents in Florida. One evening, we went for a sunset walk on the beach, and Ali surprised me by getting down on one knee! He claimed he had allergies, but I could tell he was tearing up. We all celebrated together that evening.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I picked out my dress with the help of Ali’s mom and sister. I wanted a white dress with a touch of red. I found one at Zainab Salman, but it came with a heavy and expensive velvet dupatta. Luckily, they were able to make a custom dupatta for me that was lighter and a better fit for our outdoor wedding.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Doing activities together - such as going to see venues or trying out tasting menus. The parts we planned together are by far my favorite!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
They really liked the outdoor venue - Whistling Gardens is a sprawling garden where guests can go on walks, birds (swans, chickens, and even exotic birds) run wild, and the venue plays a custom fountain show for all the guests. Guests also commented on the food from Zauq. We knew we wanted to have a live barbecue prepared in front of all the guests, and Zauq was fantastic both in terms of the flavor of the food and working with their catering group.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
My two favorite moments were grounded in tradition. First was the Arsi Mushaf, when Ali’s family lifted up my head covering, and we saw each other for the first time in the mirror as man and wife. We have the mirror hung up in our home now, and it makes me smile every time I pass it. Second was the Eastern European bread and salt ceremony, where the bride and groom simultaneously took a bite of decorative bread. Whoever takes the biggest bite becomes head of household (me, of course!)

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Enjoy the process and do as much of the planning together as you can. I have equally happy memories of us picking out parts of the wedding as I do of the day itself!

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 make-up artist, Fatima from Beauty by Far, did an absolutely fantastic job! I don’t wear a lot of makeup, so I asked her to give me a natural look, and she truly delivered. I felt gorgeous, and my husband couldn’t look away!

Revel in the beauty, the traditions, and the love that shines through in every detail of our features.

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Sweeties, gather around and let me whisk you away into the ethereal tale of Kantha & Krishna's enchanting wedding at the Lasso the Moon. Each detail and moment was breathed into life by the magical touch of Cristi G Events. Events by Nicky lent their floral artistry, weaving blossoms, and dreams into a garland of affection and Lavish Event Design spun décor that whispered tales of royal courts. Kiss This Makeup LLC, with brushes that unveiled Kantha's intrinsic allure. The artful inscriptions of Henna by Sumaiya Waheed spun the yarn of their impending conjugal symphony. As nightfall kissed the skies, stars bore witness to the reception at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami. A gathering so sumptuous, every flavor and aroma crafted by Saffron Caterers sang ballads of a confluence where cultures and souls met. Thanks to the soul-stirring rhythms by Awaaz Entertainment, every step was harmony. A silent sonnet was captured each moment, not just in lenses but in the soulful artistry of Sona Photography. Each portrait of Kantha is imbued with an ethereal glow, capturing the essence of her soulful connection with Krishna. Each frame is a narrative; each snapshot is a ballad, echoing the timeless romance of this sweet couple. Check out the lovely gallery!

Darlings, keep an eye out for our upcoming posts. Until then, happy wedding planning, my friends!

Sona Photography is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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