The Platinum Guide Blog

Greetings, lovely Maharanis! We have Vanessa & Harman's captivating tale that will transport you to a realm of pure romance. The air was electric with anticipation as the lively beats of MSB Different's Dholi resonated through the streets, heralding the arrival of the Baraat. The Loews Philadelphia Hotel stood proudly, its elegant facade serving as a magnificent backdrop for their momentous occasion. This iconic venue, renowned for its timeless charm and impeccable service, provided the perfect setting for their wedding festivities. From the moment guests entered the hotel's magnificent doors, they were greeted with a sense of awe and wonder. With meticulous planning, design, exquisite floral arrangements, and awe-inspiring decor by the talented Vikram Panicker and Elegant Affairs, every corner of the venue was transformed into a veritable paradise of beauty and luxury. Vanessa graced the wedding ceremony adorned in the breathtaking creations of Manish Malhotra. Flawless Beauty by Pauline worked magic enhancing her features with an ethereal charm. Henna by Pallavi adorned the bride's hands with an artistic Mehndi design. The festivities continued with the rhythmic beats from DJ Insomnia, and DJ Gaurav Kumar ignited the dance floor, setting the scene for a night of unrestrained revelry. Check out all the incredible shots captured by Salwa Photography, their lens preserving every precious moment for eternity. You'll love them!

May this feature inspire you to believe in the magic of love! Come back for more tips, darlings.

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Darlings, we hope you are ready because a full flair traditional love story is coming! So, please sit back, relax, and enjoy Astha & Chintan's wedding. As the radiant sun adorned the sky, the groom arrived in a grand procession, his Baraat led by majestic horses from Seaton Hackney Stables. The Legacy Castle was the perfect setting for this ceremony and reception. Urvashi Mishra, Wedding & Event Planner, crafted a masterpiece, flawlessly weaving traditional elements and modern aesthetics together. The venue was transformed into a haven of luxury, radiating warmth and grace in every corner. Wedding Design worked its magic, adorning the space with exquisite floral arrangements that mirrored the bride's ethereal beauty. The skillful hands of Flawless Beauty by Pauline elevated Astha's beauty to new heights. Mehndi by Anuja delighted everyone's taste buds with their sumptuous culinary creations. With a carefully selected playlist blended traditional tunes with contemporary hits, M4U Events had every guest grooving and moving to the rhythm. Their expertise and passion for music elevated the wedding experience, leaving the guests with memories of a night filled with non-stop entertainment and exhilaration. Memories Studio, the ever-talented photographers were present, capturing the essence of love and happiness. Experience the magic through their gallery. 

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
So it was March 19th, 2021, our two-year dating anniversary, and Chintan said he planned a special dinner in NYC. He told me we were going to stop by at our favorite rooftop in Jersey City (Rooftop at Exchange Place) and then make our way into the city. So we get ready and head over to the rooftop, and as I enter, I hear music, and I get a glimpse of all our loved ones waiting for us on the other side. Then Chintan takes my hand and walks me to the center of the room, and immediately breaks into dance! He planned a whole flash mob Bollywood-style proposal with my favorite songs and favorite people dancing! All of my family and friends joined him for some songs, and he ended the dance with “Marry Me” by Bruno Mars. He took me to the front of the room and proposed with the New York skyline as our beautiful backdrop and with our family and friends cheering us on!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
So we went to Mumbai for my wedding shopping because my family is from there so we had a lot of stores to visit in mind. My mom had this dream of me wearing a Sabyasachi lehenga, and I told her if I loved something, I would definitely consider it. So we enter the store; the beautiful surroundings and vibes are definitely enchanting! We look at a couple of outfits, and I see this red outfit that my aunt and mom selected for me. I was actually against wearing red because I didn’t like that color much, and the outfit they showed me was red, but I decided to try it on anyways. I try it on, and the rest is history! I bought that outfit right away, and I ended up wearing a beautiful red lehenga for my wedding :) everything changed when I wore it, so I’d definitely recommend trying different colors even if you don’t like them. I only tried one bridal outfit, and that’s all it took for me!

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.
So I was always clear on what kind of styles and themes I wanted for all my pre-wedding events, and because I’m a classically trained dancer and loved dancing and choreographing, I planned out all the dances, songs, and the whole program of all the events. My first event was the Mehendi which I wanted to be a “mela,” bright, colorful carnival style! We had lots of gifts, giveaways a whole Chudi bazaar full of bangles, turbans, bindis, purses, earrings, and many more items. They all were customized with our hashtag, and our guests loved it and took everything home! I did two dances in the mehendi, and my friends performed “mere yaar ki shaadi hain,” which was so fun! The Sangeet was that night, and we had a live singer Rex D’Souza who set the dance floor on fire! Everyone had the best time of the whole weekend on the Sangeet night! He was singing non-stop for 4 hours, making everyone dance which was an absolute blast! We also had 9 performances in the Sangeet with all our family and friends, and it was a complete Bollywood-style Sangeet. Chintan and I have loved Bollywood since we were kids, and we knew we had to incorporate it in our wedding, so we chose a whole Bollywood theme with a red carpet and all the decor being posters of Bollywood movies as well. The Sangeet truly was a Bollywood dream come true! For my haldi, I decided to do something a little different, I decided to do an entry song with all the uncles and aunties that I’ve grown up with and chose to dance with each couple for a few seconds as I entered the hall. Choreographing this and all 15 of us dancing together was such a memorable memory that I’ll never forget!

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
I think the biggest thing I would say to all future brides is to have a clear vision of what you want and work towards fulfilling that. Because there are so many options, so many vendors, and so many small details to get overwhelmed and confused over, the sooner you can make firm decisions quickly, the sooner you can get to planning all the fun stuff and not be overwhelmed! I also advise you to prioritize what you and your partner want, from decision-making to incorporating small details in the wedding, like writing your own vows or giving gifts to each other before the wedding. At the end of the day, it’s the wedding of you two, and you should be perfectly content and happy with everything you choose to do. On the day of the wedding, if something goes wrong or doesn’t go according to plan, the best thing to do is to just move on and not let it affect your mood/smile because the camera captures everything! The photographers are always going to be with you, and everything gets captured, so if you let one thing affect you, everything will fall apart, including your pictures!

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
The first thing we locked down for our wedding was our venue! We absolutely loved The Legacy Castle and just knew that’s where we wanted to get married! Our hashtag comes from that venue as well! It’s AC which stands for Astha and Chintan, and ki Legacy means “their legacy,” which was a word play on the venue and also the beginning of our legacy! #ACkiLegacy. We even decided to do an outdoor jai maala on the legacy castle terrace, which had never been done before! We tried to do something unique and make the most of our venue, which turned out to be a beautiful ceremony with the drones above us capturing every moment! Our planner Urvashi Mishra was amazing from the beginning of our whole process! She was with us since before Chintan even proposed and helped him out with those details, along with our engagement party, bridal shower, and wedding! She took care of everything during those events over 2 years, and it made wedding planning a breeze! Our amazing photo video team, Memories Studios, has been with us since our engagement party, our engagement photo shoot, and the wedding! They brought their whole team and went all out! They showed off their amazing skills with the same-day edit in the reception, and everyone was left stunned! Our caterer, Moghul Caterers, knocked every meal out of the park! Food is something that is so important in every wedding, and we managed to incorporate almost every cuisine during the whole weekend, and they pulled it off beautifully! For our decor, we had Ravi from wedding design and decor, who took all of my visions and brought them to life! I drew out every single decor setup from the mehendi to the Sangeet to the haldi and wedding and reception, and he did it exactly as I had imagined! Having a vision of what I wanted for all the setups was extremely helpful because all he had to do was just explain to me how it was going to work and then just do it. For my makeup and hair, I had the amazing Pauline, who was my partner in crime for 4 days! Waking up and keeping me awake and excited at 4 am is no easy task, and she did it so effortlessly, along with also working and giving me 4 beautiful looks! Anuja, for my mehendi, was amazing! She also took my vision of what I showed her from a photo and made it come to life. She was so calm, and we had the best time together ordering our pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks at 3 am! Sheraton Parsippany was a great venue to host all of our guests and to have all of our pre-wedding events! It was the best idea to have everyone stay in one place for 4 days, and all the events be in the ballrooms of the same hotel. Super convenient and stress-free because traveling was completely eliminated!

This lovely wedding was such a pleasure to see. I enjoyed every minute of it! See you tomorrow.

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Dear Maharanis, we hope you are ready for a new adventure to Cancun, Mexico, to peek at Swathy & Abhishek's wedding. So, get your luggage and passport, and enjoy this story. The enchanting Moon Palace Cancun served as the picturesque backdrop for their ceremony and reception, captivating everyone with its breathtaking beauty. Indian Destination Wedding Inc. was the ultimate travel concierge for this wedding. With their expertise and attention to detail, they flawlessly orchestrated every aspect of the couple's destination wedding, from coordinating travel arrangements for guests to arranging accommodations. The celebration became a remarkable and stress-free experience thanks to these South Asian Wedding Experts. Swathy radiated beauty adorned in a stunning wedding saree from Kalyan Silks. Her hair was decorated with exquisite Vivek Flowers floral arrangements, and the intricate henna designs by the talented artists at Loto Mehndi adorned her hands. She wore beautiful jewelry from Parakkat Jewels to add a touch of regality. Not to be outdone, Abhishek exuded timeless sophistication in his Zegna tuxedo, the epitome of elegance that perfectly matched Swathy's grace and beauty. The reception was grand, with Dolly J's exquisite bridal fashion taking center stage. Federico Salmeron's Photo captured every precious moment, immortalizing the love and emotions shared between the couple in the incredible gallery we shared today. Enjoy it!

Thanks for your visit today! Don't forget to be back for more inspirational stories every day.

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Welcome, dear Maharanis, to the enchanting wedding of Krishna & Amish. Set against the stunning Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort backdrop, this wedding extravaganza exuded charm and elegance at every turn. This luxurious venue provided a magnificent festive background with breathtaking ocean views and elegant ballrooms. The team went above and beyond to ensure that every detail was meticulously executed, from the flawless setup of the Sangeet to the seamless flow of the ceremony and the enchanting ambiance of the reception. Krishna entrusted her beauty to the talented hands of Beauty by Ami Patel, who expertly adorned her with a bridal look that radiated timeless grace. Her bridal ensemble, carefully crafted by Annu's Creation, showcased intricate details and opulent fabrics that complement her natural radiance flawlessly. Dhruti Patel's detailed patterns weaved a tale of love and tradition, beautifully capturing the essence of South Asian heritage. The bridal look is only complete with the exquisite jewelry from CH Jewelers, which added a touch of brilliance to every step she took. The ballroom, transformed into a wonderland by the creative minds at Abhishek Decorators, dazzled with an array of colorful blooms and enchanting décor elements that mirrored the couple's vibrant personalities. JP Entertainment set the mood with an eclectic mix of melodies that had everyone on their feet, celebrating their love in rhythmic harmony. The grand wedding unfolded like a fairytale, orchestrated flawlessly by Elite Dream Creations. They facilitated an organized, seamless, and elegant event. They were the best ally! Fine Art Productions captured the essence of every precious moment, immortalizing the love, laughter, and tears of joy that filled the air. Relive every magical moment by checking the gallery of this magical celebration. Check it out!

How did you meet your Groom, and when did you know he was "the one"?
I first met Amish from California when he was scheduled for a layover in Orlando, FL, on his way back from his trip to Trinidad and Tobago with his brother-in-law. I remember thinking to myself and saying out loud the phrase, “Catch flights, not feelings.” During his layover, he had planned our first date at Walt Disney World, in which I quickly noticed his brainy personality, sharp wit, and shrewdness. He was always a true gentleman. Our conversations felt relaxed and easy, we felt comfortable in each other's company. By the time his layover time was coming to an end, I was wondering what the practicalities were of how this would work, considering he’s from California. I’m from Florida, but I already knew he was the one I wanted to marry. At the same time, I wanted everything to be secretive before it accelerated to the world; however, sure enough, the news soon spread quickly amongst our families, and it seemed kind of like a novelty.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Shortly after graduating from Family Nurse Practitioner school, I made a trip to Morro Bay, California (where Amish is from) as my last chance to visit before studying for my board exam and diving deep into wedding planning, which had started even before he proposed. On the day of the proposal, Amish suggested a plan to go to Petra in San Luis Obispo for lunch. However, when we got there, it was very crowded, and I was ready to leave, so he insisted we should grab our food to go and have a picnic instead of dining in. Skeptical about the “picnic” since we didn't have any picnic-related accessories in our car, I agreed with our plan because I thought to myself, “Maybe we can find a bench somewhere, and we can sit down and eat there.” He drove us up to the top of Prefumo Canyon, which was very windy that day, and hiked up a small hill that had stunning views of the entire region, including San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. It was so windy, and not being accustomed to the CA weather, I was quite cold and suggested that maybe we eat in the car. To my surprise, when I turned around, he was on one knee and asked his me to be his forever. Despite the absolutely freezing weather, I didn’t let it get in the way of getting a chance to say yes to marrying My Amish!

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.
We hired a full-service wedding planner, Elite Dream Creation (Rikti and Umangi), on November 2021. I would highly recommend having wedding planners for large Indian weddings as it helps facilitate an organized, seamless, and elegant event.

The venue was picked for the convenience of accommodating a large number of people indoors and providing food from a vendor of our choice. I was born and raised in Daytona Beach, FL, and my father owns motels in the area, so it made sense to us geographically to host everyone in the area as opposed to transporting guests to a further location. The entire mom’s side of the groom's family is from Florida as well, so Florida was our middle ground.

Pre-wedding events:
Mendhi- Open draped concept, pleated drapes throughout the structure, which are orange, hot pink, & green complimenting brides lehnga. Hanging knitted kites tied to drapes. Gold sankheda swing, 2 end tables with lanterns, 30 ft pleated backdrop champagne color behind the structure. stage covering fabric gold. stage lighting- natural.

*Bride entrance with brother Tere saath hoon mein from the movie Rakshabandan

Ganesh- Open draped concept, pleated yellow, gold sequence, and green drapes. Pleated valences along the top frame of the structure, Gold medallion tied to drapes, 4 low chairs, 2 bajoth, 2 patla, & 1 havakung. 30ft pleated backdrop champagne color behind the structure. Stage lighting- natural
Grashanti
Bride- Red floral Ganesh at the back, brass bells, and change draping style. Decorative Ganesh table with votive candles and diyas for all days. Location- Brannon Center, New Smyrna
*Laadki male version song played when the bride got on stage to sit with parents

Grashanti
Groom-open draped concept, pleated drapes throughout the structure (dark red, ivory, and gold sequence), and pleated valences along the top frame of the structure. floral Ganesh hanging from the frame with brass bells at the back. Gold medallions tied to drapes. 4 low chairs, 2 bajoth, 2 patla, 1 havakung, 30 ft pleated ivory backdrop behind the structure. Location- Hilton, Daytona Beach

Garba- 3 Gold laser cut arches (24 ft wide)e, 24ft Gold Moroccan arch, velvet green backdrop, 9 Moroccan hanging lanterns, which include 3 hanging from each arch. A cluster of flowers at the base of the pillars & end tables. Green velvet decorative couch. 2 gold end tables on either side of the couch. Stage lighting was natural, stage skirt & covering was satin gold. Modern decorative food carts on wheels. Decorative colorful Radha Krishna statue on the right side of the stage with votive candles, brass diyas, and flower clusters. lanterns with votive candles & flowers inside the kettle & 6 glass chai cups in a holder with fresh rose petals inside. Traditional oil lamp centerpieces decorated with gota jewelry.  A unique touch to this decor is it was drawn out on the borders of the Bride and Groom outfits, which were made by  Annu Creation.
Groom side entered with pallu with the song Ghunghat Mein chand hoga by Kavita

Wedding Day:
Indoor event
Time of day- am
Decor-Open Haveli-inspired structure. Aged stone finish throughout the structure.
Staggered stone columns with a decorative arch in the center. 2 decorative archways on either side. Banister-style
molding along the top frame. Stone finish banister railing in front of side archways. Custom-built stairs lead
up to the sage. Stone finish facade in front of the stage.30 ft pleated velvet green backdrop 2 bridal chairs white
crystal, 4 parent chairs medium crystal. 2 bajoth 2 patla, and 1 havakund white Ganesh table with votives. Baraat
gate with drapes and valences with 4 teardrops. Stage lighting- leko. Asymmetrical flowers across the structure
and greens. Blush pink, lavender, and white, white greens accent of red. The white acrylic finish on the catwalk &
mandap stage raised platform. Flower canopy for the bridal entrance.

Reception-
Mirror structure with white and gold marble walls. 2 pillar gold mirror structure, 10 ft by 10 ft white and gold marble wall behind bride and groom. 6 tiered white and gold marble walls were placed on either side of the mirror structure in a staggered pattern. Flower arrangements perched on marble walls asymmetrically. red/dark red with springeri & red amaranths. Flowers are designed at the base of end tables. 30 ft pleated black velvet backdrop behind structure with black velvet bridal couch. stage lighting- natural, 2 end tables with votive candles. Decor for cake, card placement, & gift table with votive candles.

Groomsmen entry- confetti cannons song Morni Banke by guru randhawa
Bridesmaids entry- Letter signs for each bridesmaid spelling K-R-I-S-H-N-A + champagne bottle and sparklers with song Peppas by Farruko
Grooms sister, brother-in-law, nieces- Abhi toh party shuru hui hai
Grooms sister & brother-in-law- Bachna hai casino
Grooms sister & brides brother-
Grooms parents- Jaanu meri jaan
Brides parents- Main se Meena se
Bride & Groom entrance- Love Tonight by Robin Schulz remix. Sparklers started when the bride and groom reached the dancefloor.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
We got so much feedback from our audience. Everyone genuinely wanted to be there.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Royal and elegant experience, perfect ambiance, food, good company, vibes, FUN, and well-organized event.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
All of the audience phone cameras out to see all of my entrances.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Enjoy the process!

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
The photographer's name was also Amish, which made it quite confusing during photo sessions because neither could tell which Amish was being spoken to.

Thank you for taking the time to read this love story, Maharanis. Stay tuned for more features.

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Lovely ladies, let's enjoy the beautiful tale of Melissa & Mushfik's wedding. Beginning with a mesmerizing Sangeet ceremony at the exquisite Crowne Plaza Princeton, bathed in twinkling lights and adorned with delicate blooms. Events Capture Photography & Cinematography expertly captured each moment, preserving the essence of Melissa's infectious laughter & Mushfik's loving gaze in timeless frames. The grand wedding ceremony occurred at The Marigold, where love blossomed like the most exquisite flowers. All Event Decorators worked their magic, creating a breathtaking ambiance that transported guests to a realm of pure enchantment. Farzana & Samiul Amin orchestrated every detail flawlessly, ensuring that every celebration aspect was perfect. The skillful hands of Divine Beauty by Vaishali enhanced Melissa's ethereal beauty, who took charge of her hair and makeup, ensuring that every detail was flawless. With precision and artistry, they created a stunning hairstyle that perfectly complemented her bridal ensemble. Also, her expertise in bridal draping and sari tying brought an extra elegance to Melissa's attire, ensuring that every fold and drape fell gracefully, making her a vision of grace and beauty on her special day. Her bridal ensemble from Style World was a masterpiece, and Natalia Zamparini's artistic mehndi designs were outstanding. The celebration reached its zenith with the delectable cuisine provided by Moghul Caterers, leaving hearts satiated. Finesse Entertainment set the mood, enchanting the guests with vibrant beats. M&R Photo Factory skillfully captured every fleeting moment, immortalizing the joy and love that permeated the air. Enjoy the shots we have compiled for you today! It's stunning.

How did you meet your Groom, and when did you know he was "the one"?
Our story is pretty simple and not unusual: we met at work.
We were employed at the same financial consultancy, but he reported in New Jersey, and I was in New York.  One year, we had a serendipitous meeting at our company holiday party, making a connection that would last years. We were very curious and smitten with each other, but we decided to build our friendship first as that was most important to us. We knew we had something exceptional after chatting on the phone countless nights and attending several concerts together. I don’t have a specific moment when I knew he was the one. It just happened slowly, organically, and over some time. When he proposed, we were leveling up into something beautiful, realistic, and worth living for.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
The proposal was lovely and endearing. He planned the proposal on our dating anniversary, which would give him an excuse to make plans. I could tell he was fussy and nervous that day, and it crossed my mind that a proposal might happen. We spent the afternoon walking along the shore near our apartment; the view was fantastic. When we stopped to admire the sunset, he spoke to me and then dropped to one knee! After I said yes, we went to a spa for a couples' massage, and then we went to a nice dinner. It was perfect because it felt easy.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
There was a lot of pressure to keep things super traditional, so a red sari was the only way to go. The dress was purchased overseas, so I didn't choose it, but I was delighted with the selection.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The design process was a lot of fun. Working on the color schemes and the decor and visiting the vendors was exciting. The best part is the day of the wedding when the vision comes to life. You get to see the completion of your hard work; it's satisfying.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Our guests told us our wedding was fun because it was relaxed and unpretentious. We ensured the essential aspects, like the food, music, and entertainment, were top-notch. We released fun-loving, playful energy that day; maybe it rubbed off on our guests.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
My best advice is to remain as flexible and open-minded as possible. Your special day is full of moving parts, and there is always a chance that something can go in a different direction than initially intended. On your wedding day, focus on the rest of your life instead of the rest of your day.
Darlings, I hope you enjoyed today’s feature. Leave us a comment, and keep coming for more stories!

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