The Platinum Guide Blog

Welcome back to the romantic saga of Nitika & Dominic's wedding at the illustrious Crystal Plaza, where early morning light kissed delicate blooms arranged by Tradition & Trends. Their love story blossomed amidst the intellectual rigors of Caltech, where shared passions for nature hikes, baking, and melodies by Taylor Swift wove them into inseparable companions. A touching moment during their Hindu ceremony as they exchanged personalized vows still echoes in their hearts. Nitika's beauty was exquisitely enhanced by the expert hands of Shades with Prithvi LLC. As the enchanting ceremony transitioned to a vibrant reception at The Merion, the air buzzed with excitement, heightened by the pulsating rhythms from DJ Sargam & Legacy DJs. Throughout this unforgettable day, every emotion and every tender exchange was captured in the evocative frames of Lightyear Studio. Their team captured stories, crafting compelling visual narratives that brought still images to life, allowing one to feel the laughter, joyful tears, and the warmth of embraces. Do not miss it!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?

My husband, Dominic, and I actually met while in graduate school at Caltech. He was working on his PhD in electrical engineering while I was working on my PhD in astrophysics. We had many shared interests that brought us closer -- we loved spending time on long hikes in the mountains together, experimenting with new baking recipes, and listening to Taylor Swift. It wasn't very long before we both just felt like each other's best friends, which we both think is the cornerstone to a wonderful marriage :)

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Dominic proposed at Cliffside Park in Santa Barbara, California. He had colluded with both of our families to plan and set everything up. On the day of, we were supposed to be heading out for a nice dinner and he suggested watching the sunset over the water before dinner. We walked to a pretty overlook point where there were fairy lights strung on the trees and flowers and a table set up with music playing in the background. After he got down on one knee (and of course, I said yes!), our parents and sisters jumped out from behind the trees where they were hiding to celebrate with us :)

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
For our wedding reception, I ended up choosing an Aisha Rao lehenga. We wanted me to wear something white for the wedding reception, and I knew I wanted to wear something unique. As a nature lover, when I saw this Aisha Rao lehenga, I was so in love with the embroidered trees and birds, and I loved the pops of color it brought to the outfit. It felt like an incredible fit to my personality, so I was thrilled with it.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Our wedding ceremony was a traditional Hindu ceremony, but we decided to exchange some personal vows in the middle as well. It was really special to us to be able to express our commitment to each other in our own words and to share the depth of our love with our friends and family. And I know we both nailed it with our vows because both of us kept insisting the other person's vows were the best ones :)

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
In the midst of the stress of wedding planning, it's so easy to feel like lots of little details are SO important - what color palette we should pick, which h'orderves we should serve, how I should arrange the seating chart, etc. The truth is, those things are not what makes the wedding special at the end of the day. Sure, of course, people notice that your decor is pretty and the food is yummy and such, but the #1 thing folks who attended our wedding told us was how obvious it was to them that we were over the moon to be together and that the love was tangible in the air. As a couple, that's what you'll remember too, just the joy of sharing that day together and then sharing forever together. Don't let all the little things bog you down!

We invite you to enjoy the stories that are available on our blog. Prepare to be swept off your feet!

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

Lightyear Studio VIEW PORTFOLIO

For more information on how Platinum Guide members are chosen, click here.

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.

DJ Riz Entertainment VIEW PORTFOLIO

Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West VIEW PORTFOLIO

For more information on how Platinum Guide members are chosen, click here.

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!

Aventography Photo & Video Studios is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

Aventography Photo & Video Studios VIEW PORTFOLIO

For more information on how Platinum Guide members are chosen, click here.

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. 

Looks by Jassi and The Rockleigh are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

Looks by Jassi VIEW PORTFOLIO

The Rockleigh VIEW PORTFOLIO

For more information on how Platinum Guide members are chosen, click here.

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.

Crest Hollow Country Club and Events Capture are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

Crest Hollow Country Club VIEW PORTFOLIO

Events Capture VIEW PORTFOLIO

For more information on how Platinum Guide members are chosen, click here.