Best of 2015 by Shawna Gohel

T H E V E RY B E S T

2015

January 2016 Photo:

issue N o. 5

Banga Studios

YOUR DAY

ALL YOUR OWN Walk down the aisle of iconic luxury. Customize your wedding experience and infuse your personal style with the picturesque sands of paradise. Mix & match any of 9 spectacular collections by celebrity event designer Colin Cowie, including a COMPLIMENTARY COLLECTION* featuring gorgeous designs at no additional charge. Once you’ve chosen your look, let us handle the details. Our Wedding Specialists can book rooms and flights, arrange events, and manage all the ins and outs of planning a destination wedding. Keep the fun in full swing after the wedding with one of 3 signature Honeymoon Packages including the COMPLIMENTARY HONEYMOON PACKAGE, which comes standard. We’ll even set you up with $1,800 LIMITLESS RESORT CREDIT** to spend any way you want: unlimited golf, nearby attractions, or even a couples massage at the legendary Rock Spa® — it’s up to you. For more information, visit hrhweddings.com or call 855.762.5255.

*Additional restrictions apply. **A 20% service fee will apply over the final price of all transactions using the Limitless Resort Credit promotion on all services or products available at Hard Rock Hotel Cancun, Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana and Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta. Service fee can only be paid with cash, room charge and credit card. Service fee cannot be paid with the remaining Limitless Resort Credit promotion balance. Other restrictions may apply. Please refer to website for full Terms and Conditions.

ROCK THAT WEDDING

AFTERGLOW The next level of paradise begins after they take their vows. Introducing three breathtaking honeymoon packages inspired by celebrity event designer Colin Cowie.

Give your clients the ultimate in luxury as they sip sparkling wine, dine by candlelight at a honeymoon dinner for two, and enjoy breakfast in bed. What happens in between is entirely up to them. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all part of the COMPLIMENTARY HONEYMOON PACKAGE*, included with their wedding. Or turn up the luxury with the unparalleled elegance and extras of our other select honeymoon packages.

Get up up to to Get ** 20%SERVICE SERVICEFEES FEESAPPLY APPLY 20% For more information, visit hrhweddings.com or call 855.762.5255.

SquareRootDesigns.com 949-380-3320

where nature meets art

LUXURY TENTS for VERY SPECIAL EVENTS

Raj Tents' range of Luxury Tents for Indian Weddings is available for intimate celebrations in California, nationwide, and beyond.Each of our luxury tent settings is carefully planned to address our client's particular wishes and help make the special day more personal, glamorous and memorable.

www.RajTents.com Los Angeles: 310 329 8222 San Francisco: 510 667 0887 Hawaii: 808 732 6011

TA B L E OF CO N T E N TS

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 10 FEATURED WEDDINGS:

New York, New York

Buckhead, Georgia

Los Cabos, Mexico 40 Dallas, Texas

Amelia Island, Florida 68 Sonoma, California 80

Rancho Palos Verdes, California

MaharaniWeddings.com

LETTER from the

EDITOR

As the last few holiday ornaments find their way into boxes, we pat ourselves on the back for another year in the books and a job well done. 2015 was an exciting year for South Asian brides, which made it a spectacular year at Maharani Weddings. We were overwhelmed, in the best possible way, by the amount of amazing events we received from all across the globe. Our brides are becoming more courageous when it comes to making their special day truly one of a kind. From their unforgettable portraits and performances, to the breathtaking fashions and decor, there wasn't a dull moment. As much as we love receiving submissions for some of the most extraordinary South Asian weddings in the world, we love being able to share them with our readers and brides-to-be even more. We're always incredibly grateful to the brides and grooms that allow us to feature their weddings, and continue to pass along what inspired the day of their dreams. We know that turning that dream wedding into a reality is no simple task, and are in constant appreciation of the hard work and dedication that expert vendors deliver to their couples. They are the composers, the architects and the builders of these sublime celebrations you see on our site, and without them, these dreams would only ever live in the dreamer's mind. The pages of this sixth issue are filled with some of the most beautiful details we saw last year, and there's a little bit of something for everyone â&#x20AC;&#x201D; no matter your Maharani style. Maharani Weddings continues to strive to be the ultimate source for South Asian brides and grooms, and we look forward to bringing you another year of captivating content and valuable vendor resources. Thank you for joining us on this journey! Love,

MaharaniWeddings.com

REVEL IN THE JOY OF CELEBRATION From the first taste to the last toast Rich in sophistication, paired with modern elegance. Innovative Specialty Menus to meet your every need. Dallas’ most esteem wedding and reception venue to entertain up to 800 guests. Let us create the perfect atmosphere for your enjoyment. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 972.934.9494 OR VISIT THEWESTINGALLERIADALLAS.COM

THE PERFECT SETTING Start your lives together with a perfect day at The Westin Stonebriar Hotel & Golf Club. With delicious cuisine, picture-perfect locations, and personalized service, every detail of your Westin Wedding is carefully selected to reflect your individuality. Your Westin Wedding specialist will ensure that every nuance of your event is attended to, leaving you relaxed and energized to revel in the joy of your celebration.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT OUR WEDDING SPECIALIST' SHANNON.WALKER@WESTIN.COM / 972.668.8792 OR VISIT WESTINSTONEBRIAR.COM

2016 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Starwood Preferred Guest, SPG, Westin, and their logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc, or its affiliates.

karishma

kinjal

august 22, 2015 New York, New York

MaharaniWeddings.com

Photo: Charmi Pena Photography

MaharaniWeddings.com

"The only thing more exciting than marrying Kinjal, was shopping for the perfect lengha and jewelry!"

MaharaniWeddings.com

"I'll never forget the feeling of walking down that aisle. Seeing my soon-to-be husband in his handsome sherwani, standing at the most stunning mandap...it was like a dream."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"I picked vendors who specialize in Indian weddings, and my dream team really brought my vision into reality. Our reception was so luxurious and out-of-this-world."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"Our reception wasn't just a celebration of our marriage, it was also a celebration of a successfully planned event that came together so beautifully."

Featured Vendors:

Baraat: Equishare / Cakes & Treats: City Sweets & Confections / Catering: Bukhara Grill / Cinematography: Unique Visions Studio / Floral & Decor: Design House Decor / DJ: DJ Manan Shah of IEDJs / Hair & Makeup: Cinderella Bridez / Mehndi Artist: Ruchi Shah/ Priest: Ishwar Shukla / Photo Booth: My Fun Booth / Photography: Charmi Pena Photography / Planning: Sonal J. Shah Event Consultants / Rentals: Alan Party Rentals / Sound/Lighting: Bentley Meeker / Venue: The Plaza Hotel

MaharaniWeddings.com

Celebrate the start of your new life together with a wedding celebration in a luxurious hotel setting. The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center welcomes you to our luxurious hotel located in the heart of The Woodlands near fine dining and shopping, with easy access to entertainment venues and just 30 minutes to downtown Houston. Our hotel features a convention center with over 70,000 square feet of flexible function space that easily accommodates groups of all sizes with distinctive settings for all social events. Enjoy a generous array of amenities, including luxurious bedding, outdoor pool and hot tub, Fitness Center, and Spa. Dream weddings don't just happen, they're planned. At the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, our Marriott Certified Wedding Planners are trained to help! Each Marriott Certified Wedding Planner is qualified to coordinate weddings of all types and will work with you to determine your overall vision and execute each detail to perfection.

TO PLAN YOUR SPECIAL DAY, please call 281.367.9797 or visit www.woodlandsmarriott.com

ritika

vishal

april 25, 2015 Buckhead, Georgia

MaharaniWeddings.com

Photo: Banga Photography

MaharaniWeddings.com

"Vishal and I decided to include a lion dance, which was such a fun and exciting element to add to the festivities. Our guests loved it!"

MaharaniWeddings.com

"Nothing makes a bride feel closer to a real life princess than putting on a pink and gold lengha, some pretty bangles and topping it all off with a sparkling tikka!"

MaharaniWeddings.com

"I really wanted to play with a soft, yet modern style, so we chose to have a contemporary mandap decorated with pastel-colored florals and fabrics. Thanks to our design and decor vendors, everything turned out just as I had envisioned."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"Planning your dream wedding takes a lot of time and effort, and when it gets here, it's all one incredible whirlwind. I'm so glad I have these professional images to help me recall it all in detail."

Featured Vendors:

Band: Desi Swag / Bhangra: Karma Bhangra / Cakes & Treats: The Baking Grounds / Catering: Palace of India / Cinematography: WalkOnWater Productions / DJ: DJ Kilogram / Floral & Decor: Occasions by Shangrila / Fire Drummer: AFISHAL / Hair & Makeup: Ojas Rajani / Lion Dancer: Chien Houng / Lighting: Indaglow / Mehndi Artist: Manisha Panjwani / Photobooth: Social Box / Photography: Banga Studios / Planning & Design: KIS cubed Events / Priest: Haresh Mahraj / Sari Draper: Bridal Elements / Transportation: Atlanta CTS / Venue: Grand Hyatt

MaharaniWeddings.com

L.A. BANQUETS Your Day, Your Vision labanquets.com | 818-241-0888 | facebook.com/labanquets

dream come true ALLOW YOUR WEDDING TO HELP PAY FOR YOUR HONEYMOON.

When you host your wedding with Sheraton Arlington, you can earn bonus Starpoints速 to get you closer to the honeymoon of your dreams. Earn one Starpoints速 for every $1 of your wedding contract, up to 100,000 Starpoints速! Whether you are planning an intimate gathering for 10 or need room for 600 people to toast, cheer and share your special day, we'll help banish any wedding planning stress. Start planning the wedding of your dreams today! FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Maria Evans at (817) 261-8200, maria.evans@sheratonarlingtonhotel.com or SheratonArlington.com

At the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, we are dedicated to honoring your time-held cultural traditions and ensuring an exciting and authentic celebration. With over 90,000 sq. feet of banquet space including our unique Garden Courtyard, we are the ideal choice for a timeless event that will make for everlasting memories.

For more information: Sheraton Sales & Catering SheratonAtlantaHotel.com sales@sheratonatl.com (404) 586-3386

ÂŠ2016 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Starwood Preferred Guest, SPG, Sheraton, and their logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc, or its affiliates.

r u pa

sirish

s e p t. 5 , 2 0 1 5 Los Cabos, Mexico

MaharaniWeddings.com

Photo: Wedding Documentary

MaharaniWeddings.com

"Planning a destination wedding can be intimidating, but it's completely worth it. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat just to relive the entire extraordinary experience!"

MaharaniWeddings.com

"We had our first look on the beach in Los Cabos. The moment was exciting and surreal all at once. I'll never forget it."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"I picked a hot pink, gold and black color scheme for our reception which uniquely fun and glamorous, and my lengha was absolutely amazing!"

Featured Vendors: Cinematography: Wedding Documentary / DJ: Special Occasions / Entertainment: Cabo Entertainment Company / Floral & Decor: Del Cabo Event Design / Hair & Makeup: Suzanne Morel / Henna Artist: Buena Fortuna Tattoo Shop / Planning: Drish Couture Events / Photobooth: Dino Gomez Photography / Photography: Wedding Documentary / Sound/Lighting: Teeveen / Transportation: Transcabo / Venue: Fiesta Americana Grand

MaharaniWeddings.com

weddings

EXTRAORDINARY DETAILS

UNFORGETTABLE

for more information:

WWW.GREENWICH.HYATT.COM Nicole.Martin@hyatt.com | 203-409-4350

MCKINNEY, TEXAS, offers brides one of the widest selections of wedding and reception venues and services in North Texas. Whether you seek a posh and unique venue for your special day, or you are interested in something a little different like a rustic historic location or beautiful natural setting, McKinney will help provide you, your family and friends all the most memorable experience possible. For special transportation on your wedding day, McKinney is home to the popular Happy Trails Carriage Service whose white horses and carriage are very accustomed to working with Maharani bridal parties.

Contact

THE MCKINNEY CVB at 888-649-8499

to learn more about holding your big day in McKinney, Texas, and see why this city is becoming the

Wedding Capital of North Texas!

courtney

sandeep

s e p t. 2 6 , 2 0 1 5 Dallas, Texas

MaharaniWeddings.com

Photo: Hiram Trillo Photography

MaharaniWeddings.com

"My favorite design element from the wedding was the integration of elephants into the details. Our table card holders were elephants, and our programs were elephants. My favorite floral detail was the mandap, though. The flowers across the top and on aisle were incredible."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"Our wedding was unique in that we had two ceremonies. We had a very traditional South Indian Hindu ceremony and a non-denominational ceremony. It was important to us as a couple to have both ceremonies to signify the joining of two cultures and two families" MaharaniWeddings.com

MaharaniWeddings.com

"As I walked down the aisle I had so many emotions! I was so excited, but also a little scared. Scared of the future, of tripping and falling, of dropping the coconut! I was incredibly blessed to have so many of my closest friends and family with me to celebrate. I also felt the most beautiful I have ever felt."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"K.I. Weddings went above and beyond our expectations. They took our ideas and turned them into magic. They made the wedding planning process so much less stressful and worked very closely with the Ritz-Carlton to create such an incredible weekend."

Featured Vendors: Band Ceremony: Saravanan / Band Sangeet: Sound O Rama LLC / Cakes & Treats: The Ritz Carlton / Catering: The Ritz Carlton / Cinematography: Epique Cinema / DJs & Dhol: DJ Prashant / Entertainment: Reception Blue Flame ProductionsÂ / Floral & Decor: Elegant Affairs / Hair & Makeup: Ishnae & Co. / Harpist: Jenny Glass / Henna Artist: Sharmeen / Ice Luge: Sculptures of Dallas / Photobooth: Epique Cinema / Photography: Hiram Trillo Photography / Planning: K.I. Weddings / Priest: Brother of the Bride / Sari Draper: Draped 2 Nines / Security for Reception: CandleroomÂ / Wedding Stationery: K.I. Weddings / Venue: The Ritz Carlton 62

MaharaniWeddings.com

I DO WITH A VIEW

GET WED WITH A VIEW OF THE GLITZY DALLAS SKYLINE ALTITUDE WEDDINGS AT W DALLAS - VICTORY SEEING IS BELIEVING TAYLOR.MARTIN | SALES MANAGER, CATERING TAYLOR.MARTIN@WHOTELS.COM 214 397 4121 2440 VICTORY PARK LN. DALLAS, TX 75219

WDALLASVICTORY.COM/WEDDINGS

TRADITION at its best

ffering 200 lush acres of stunning landscape, this enchanting, world-class destination fulfills couples dreams of the perfect wedding, from an intimate ceremony to an opulent affair, highlighted by award-winning service and culinary expertise. Conveniently located only 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World速 and just minutes from all major theme parks and attractions, we are sure to be the destination for your friends and families. We pride ourselves on our Indian wedding venue in Orlando providing for ceremonies such as the Baraat, Varmala and Sangeet.

Make an appointment to book a tour and mention this ad as we would like to invite you and a guest to enjoy dinner at one of our award winning restaurants.

CON TAC T: Lois McGinnis 407) 239-4200 Lois.Mcginnis@Marriott.com

rubal

john

march 21, 2015 Amelia Island, Florida

MaharaniWeddings.com

Photo: Nayeem Vohra Photography & Films

MaharaniWeddings.com

"We were fortunate to have Suhaag Gardens on board and in charge of our decor. From the bright neon orange, yellow and fuchsia set-up during the mehndi night, to the romantic dusty pink and red satin theme coupled with beautiful flowers and elegant elephant figures at the wedding, to the teal and silver crystal reception, the decor was breathtaking."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"John proposed to me on a trip to the Bahamas, after a romantic dinner on a beautiful, moonlit beach. I was caught off guard, but couldn't resist his beaming blue eyes and warm, comforting smile. I knew he would always take care of me and protect me. That was one of the most happiest moments of my life."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"The most magical moment was when the sun came out shortly before our wedding ceremony, following a gloomy morning. I remember seeing my prince for our first look. He looked amazing and I confident that we had made the best decision of our life!"

MaharaniWeddings.com

"I picked an underwater theme for our reception, and our planner, Preeti Vasudeva, really created a sensational setting that surpassed all of my expectations."

Featured Vendors:

Cakes & Treats: Tabla Cuisine / Catering: Tabla Cuisine / Cinematography: Nayeem Vohra Photography & Films / DJ & Entertainment: Prime DJs / Floral & Decor: Suhaag Garden / Hair & Makeup: Tejal Henna / Mehndi Artist: Tejal Henna / Photobooth: TapSnap 1014 / Photography: Nayeem Vohra Photography & Films / Planning & Design: Preeti Exclusive / Priest: Mahesh Ghor / Place Cards: Coastal Calligraphy & Art Design Studio / Programs: Bindi Invitations / Venue: The Ritz Carlton

MaharaniWeddings.com

TURNING MOMENTS

into MEMORIES

In the heart of Uptown Charlotte, experience impeccable service, creative cuisine and amazing ambiance in our Piedmont Ballroom, Plaza or Clocktower.

222 East 3rd Street Charlotte, NC (704) 331-4380 weddings@hiltoncentercity.com www.hiltoncentercity.com/social-events/weddings

OneMasterpiece

Photo Credit: Studio Capture

Your Inspiration, Our Palette....

Photo Credit: Adam Nyholt

In the heart of the Galleria area, experience extraordinary ambiance, impeccable service and cutting edge cuisine in our majestic Grand Ballroom.

Call us today

to schedule a personal tour.

2001 Post Oak Blvd. | Houston, TX 77056 | 713-961-9300 www.houstonpostoak.hilton.com

HKA Kosher Catering and South Asian Services are our specialty

sajel

kash

may 23, 2105 Sonoma, California

MaharaniWeddings.com

Photo: Nadia D Photography

MaharaniWeddings.com

"We were inspired by the effortless elegance of Napa Valley. We wanted colors that were representative of nature, with rustic and timeless undertones. We picked a palette with bold blues, greens, fuchsia and gold, with a hint of sparkle!"

MaharaniWeddings.com

"Seeing my Raja on stage made me so excited to know that I was only a short while away from officially becoming his Rani."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"One of our most memorable wedding moments was the time we spent with our photographers and videographers running through vineyards, jumping over walls (in heels!) and climbing old, rusty trucks in the middle of the night."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"My Raja planned our dream wedding! From the table settings to the ceremony chairs, he hand-picked and personalized every detail with our wedding planner and they made most of the planning process easy and fun."

Featured Vendors:

Baraat - Horse: Hackney Horse & Carriage / Cakes & Treats: Crisp / Catering: Check In Catering / Cinematography: Velare / DJ & Lighting: Music Mantra DJs / Floral & Decor: River Oaks Flower House / Hair & Makeup: Beauty Mark Ink / Planning: Catherine Kelly Events / Photography: Nadia D. Photography / Rentals: Wine Country Party Rentals / Transportation: Napa Valley Limousine / Venue: Jacuzzi Winery

MaharaniWeddings.com

For more information or to book your mansion wedding, visit www.nottoway.com or call 225-545-2730

a ly s s a

rajat

j u ly 2 5 , 2 0 1 5 Rancho Palos Verdes, California

MaharaniWeddings.com

Photo: Andrena Photography

MaharaniWeddings.com

"Every second leading up to the moment I said I do was magical. Getting ready was especially unforgettable."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"Our traditional Hindu ceremony overlooked the ocean. The venue was breathtaking. Being there with Rajat, surrounded by the people we love most is something I'll cherish forever."

MaharaniWeddings.com

"We had the most magical ceremony at Wayfarers Chapel, and I feel so lucky that I literally got to wed my husband twice!"

MaharaniWeddings.com

"I think the reception was extra special because it celebrated not one, but two unforgettable marriage ceremonies. Every detail about that night was perfect as can be."

Featured Vendors:

Baraat: Enchanted Carriages / Cakes & Treats: Ocho Rios / Christian Ceremony: Wayfarers Chapel / Cinematography: Avec Lumiere Productions / DJ & Lighting: 3D Sounds / Entertainment: Flashback Heart Attack / Floral & Decor: Square Root Designs / Hair & Makeup: Design Visage / Officiant for Hindu Ceremony: Mahesh Bhatt / Photography: Andrena Photography / Planning: Blue Lotus Insights / Venue: Terranea Resort

100

MaharaniWeddings.com

101

Happily ever after e]f

Photo:

N ay e e m Vo h r a P h oto g r a p h y