SAB Summer 2013

SAB

SOUTHAsianBRIDE Summer 2013 Print/Digital Edition

Lively . Radiant . Lush

GREEN WITH ENVY The COLOR of the Year

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Photos by 5 West Studios

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Pure Emotions Photography

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691 N. Cass Avenue Westmont, IL 60559 630.777.4133 630.468.2869 www.charismaindia.com

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E

DITOR'S NOTE

I want to express my sincerest gratitude to all those who contribute to help create South Asian Bride Magazine. The brilliant event coordinators, designers, decorators, florists, lighting specialists and of course the photographers.

Thank you to all the brides and grooms who support us, share their memories with us and use SAB as their guide in their wedding planning process. We strive to live up to your expectations each and every time.

--Sadaf H. Kherani, Publisher | Editor in Chief Credit: nadia d. photography, | www.nadiadphoto.com, Make-up: Corinne Fairley , Location: St. Regis, Atlanta

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I

N THIS ISSUE

14 | Editor’s Note 74 | Inspiration Shoot

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36 | Catwalk 80 | Fashion

60 | Real Wedding 64 | Real Wedding 86 | Get the Look 88 | Trends

68 |Real Wedding 90 | Jewelry

I

N THIS ISSUE

92 | Inspiration Shoot

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98 | Cover Feature

108 | Real Wedding

112 | Real Wedding

I

N THIS ISSUE

116 | Real Wedding

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120 | Real Wedding

124 | Tablescapes

136 | Story

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THE INDIAN DESIGNER WEAR STUDIO 303 fifth avenue, ste. 1211 new york, ny 10016 t: 212 684 3161 e: info@shehnaaiusa.com w: www.shehnaaiusa.com f: www.facebook.com/shehnaaicoutureandevents

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SOUTHAsianBRIDE www.southasianbridemagazine.com SUMMER 2013

South Asian Bride Magazine, Inc. PUBLISHER

Sadaf H. Kherani

EDITOR IN CHIEF/PUBLISHER

SAB

SOUTHAsianBRIDE Summer 2013 Print/Digital Edition

Lively . Radiant . Lush

GREEN WITH ENVY The COLOR of the Year

Photo+Styling: nadia d. photo Model: Outfit: Shyamal & Bhumika, NJ MUA+Hair: KC Makeup Set: Design House Decor

SOUTH ASIAN BRIDE MAGAZINE 1100 HAMMOND DRIVE | SUITE 410A-146 ATLANTA, GA 30328 info@southasianbridemagazine.com

ADVERTISING: 404.591.4142 | 888.956.6661 SOUTH ASIAN BRIDE is printed bi-yearly by South Asian Media Group and bimonthly in digital form.

Please send address changes to: South Asian Bride Magazine, 1100 Hammond Drive, Suite 410A-146, Atlanta, GA 30328 Copyright South Asian Media Group. No material herein or portions thereof may be reprinted without the consent of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. Views/Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the paper and no liability is assumed by the publisher thereof. Advertising copy and artwork are the sole responsibility of individual advertisers.

SHOP AT: www.southasianbridemagazine.com

JSK

PHOTOGRAPHY www.jskphotography.com 209.996.2555

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Catwalk

Z A I N A B C H O T TA N I

Bridal Couture Week, Pakistan Photography: Ahmed W Khan | Photography www.facebook.com/awkphotography

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N A D I A C H H O TA N I J E W E L R Y

Z A I N A B C H O T TA N I

Bridal Couture Week, Pakistan Photography: Ahmed W Khan | Photography www.facebook.com/awkphotography

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SAIM

Bridal Couture Week, Pakistan Photography: Ahmed W Khan | Photography www.facebook.com/awkphotography

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AMNA AJMAL

Bridal Couture Week, Pakistan Photography: Ahmed W Khan | Photography www.facebook.com/awkphotography

AMNA AJMAL ZAHEER ABBAS

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RINA BUTT

Bridal Couture Week, Pakistan Photography: Ahmed W Khan | Photography www.facebook.com/awkphotography

LAJWANTI

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YASMIN ZAMAN

Bridal Couture Week, Pakistan Photography: Ahmed W Khan www.facebook.com/awkphotography

ANJALEE & ARJUN KAPOOR

RINA BUTT

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SANA ABBAS (left) NADYA MISTRY (right)

Bridal Couture Week, Pakistan Photography: Ahmed W Khan | Photography www.facebook.com/awkphotography

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TA B A S S U M M U G H A L NADYA MISTRY

Bridal Couture Week, Pakistan Photography: Ahmed W Khan | Photography www.facebook.com/awkphotography

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HSY (left) VASIM ASGHAR (right )

Bridal Couture Week, Pakistan Photography: Ahmed W Khan | Photography www.facebook.com/awkphotography

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AK - ISHTIAQ AFZAL KHAN (right)

MIFRA & ARSALAN IQBAL (below)

Bridal Couture Week, Pakistan Photography: Ahmed W Khan | Photography www.facebook.com/awkphotography

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rizwan ahmed

RIWAYAT by Alchemy Fashion @ royal festival hall South Bank Show Production: Riwayat Hair: Nisso International MAKEUP: Sadaf Khan Photography: Shahid Malik

rizwan ahmed

RIWAYAT by Alchemy Fashion @ royal festival hall South Bank Show Production: Riwayat Hair: Nisso International MAKEUP: Sadaf Khan Photography: Shahid Malik

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Z A I N A B C H O T TA N I

RIWAYAT by Alchemy Fashion @ royal festival hall South Bank Show Production: Riwayat Hair: Nisso International MAKEUP: Sadaf Khan Photography: Shahid Malik

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Real Wedding

Anita + Vishal

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he idea of an Indian destination wedding was completely redefined by Anita and Vishal last summer with their four-day wedding extravaganza in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Four Seasons Las Vegas was an unbelievable venue, and with gorgeous summer weather, amazing vendors, and hundreds of their closest friends and family from across the United States and abroad, the couple got the dream wedding experience that they cleverly referred to as “Vivah Las Vegas.�

For the busy bi-coastal couple, planning a four-day destination wedding was most definitely not going to be an easy task. So, the planning process officially began a full twelve months before the July wedding when

Anita and Vishal hired Ajita Chopra of Ajita Chopra Events. For tech savvy Ajita, communication is one of the most critical parts of the wedding planning process. She believes in prompt and efficient responses, and this is one of the many qualities that make her a preferred event coordinator in Southern California. After months of conference calls, emails, late night texts and numerous spreadsheets, the couple and Ajita’s team were ready for their work to come to life.

The weekend started on Thursday with the arrival of the couple’s

Vegas-inspired affair. Ramesh Maraj, the saxophone player of IndiSax Entertainment made a second appearance as he glided through the guests at the ice cream buffet, fresh donut stand, and bright cocktail tables around the pool.

Sunday morning marked the big day for Anita and Vishal. They got married at a majestic red and gold mandap designed once again by Shawna Yamamoto and ended their festivities that night at an elegant and classy reception also by Shawna. The photographers of Lin and Jirsa Photography and the videographers of Avec Lumiere skillfully documented the breathtaking ensembles, dazzling décor, and romantic moments of the entire weekend.

Ajita adds that the vendors that a couple chooses for their big day really make a world of a difference.

Anita and Vishal were lucky to have Ajita to guide them toward choosing these incredible Californiabased vendors that made the execution of their destination wedding so seamless. Their cooperation and flexibility really demonstrated their professionalism and made Anita and Vishal’s dream destination wedding a reality.

guests and the preparation and distribution of welcome letters and custom-designed welcome bags filled with treats for the weekend.

After settling into their rooms at the Four Seasons, the guests set out to experience their first night in Sin City while Anita enjoyed a night of pampering and henna.

Friday began with a delicious breakfast spread of pastries, teas, and Indian items. During the religious ceremonies that followed, we got the first glimpse of one of the many exquisite ensembles that Anita had planned for the weekend. Anita was also blessed to have the wonderful Lishma Patel of Beauty by Lishma to transform her hair and makeup looks for each event. Friday night was one of rich jewel tones and upbeat fusion music as the guests enjoyed a one-of-a-kind Sangeet filled with performances, colorful cabanas and couches, and a live saxophone player. The amazingly talented Shawna of Shawna Yamamoto Event Design converted the ballroom into a vibrant room of ethnic vibes with modern touches. The guests danced late into the night to the music played by the fantastic DJs of 3D Sounds, and they were thrilled to keep the dance floor occupied when their heels were replaced with the flip-flops that Anita and Vishal had thoughtfully provided for every guest.

You can’t have a wedding in Las Vegas without incorporating some Vegas glam into your events. Anita and Vishal did exactly that with a fabulous poolside soirée at the Four Seasons Pool. Glittering dresses, show girls, and a counterfeit Elvis were the perfect touches to this

At the end of the memorable weekend, the exhausted yet still excited guests headed home to share their stories of the exceptional wedding. It has almost been a year since Anita and Vishal’s marriage, and we would like to congratulate them on their one-year anniversary and wish them the best of luck for the years to come!

Vendor LIST Planner: Ajita Chopra EventsPhotography Photography: Lin and Jirsa Photography Videography: Avec Lumiere DĂŠcor: Shawna Yamamoto Event Design Hair and Makeup: Beauty by Lishma Music: 3D Sounds Entertainment: IndiSax Rentals: Persiano Events Catering: Four Seasons, Las Vegass Venue: Four Seasons, Las Vegas

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Real Wedding

Jaya + Nikhil

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ikhil and I met on a beautiful spring evening by the Riverwalk in Tampa, Florida, but what neither of us realized was that this ‘chance’ encounter was three years in the making. A few years earlier a close family friend mentioned Nikhil’s name to my mom, there was a single boy who was just moving to Florida to start his new job (how convenient, and she tried to encourage me to meet him then. Unfortunately, I was going to be moving away to California and besides the idea of being set up on a blind date by my mom, at the time, was not something I was willing to entertain. I forgot about the whole thing and moved across the country for grad school. Three years later, however, both Nikhil and I were still searching to meet that special someone and I started to become a bit more open minded about how I would meet my dream guy.

I still remember the first time we met; Nikhil came with his new dog, Cookie, and we walked her along the river, talking a bit about nothing in particular.

Neither of us was quite sure where this was headed, but I’m pretty sure that Cookie had already figured it all out since she never wanted us to leave. That one walk translated into many more long walks along both the east and west coasts and many hours of Skype and Facetime while we were apart. One year later, on Nikhil’s birthday I flew into Tampa to surprise him and received a counter surprise. Right when I landed at the airport, Nikhil came to pick me up with Cookie and much to my surprise there was ring on Cookie’s collar!

The next 8 months went into planning the wedding. We wanted the wedding to be an expression of art and creativity. As a young girl, I had always remembered traveling to the Iskon Temple in Alachua and being mesmerized by the paintings and flowers. Interestingly I had made a friend at the temple years earlier, Ganga Sheth, and came to know that she had started a bousouthasianbridemagazine.com 65

tique wedding dĂŠcor company, GanJams. So I quickly handed over the creative vision to her and her team of artists. They brought the same beauty that they decorated the temple with to our wedding mandap. My own addition was a lotus petal fire pit, havan kund, which interestingly enough I had made a year earlier in grad school for our wedding.

I had wanted the wedding to look like the gardens of Vrindavan, and reflect the images of Lord Krishna and Radha, just as I had seen in the temple. Naturally, all of the venues fell into place with the theme. For the Sangeet we chose the Florida Aquarium for its whimsical nature and stunning coral reef backdrops.

Our wedding, was at home in our backyard by the river. Of course, what would an Indian wedding be without a bit of chaos. We went into the day knowing that there was a 60% chance of rain and managed to get away with just a few sprinkles to bless the occasion. Being at home for the ceremony was great, especially since it made it feel smaller and more intimate.

Our reception was held at the Tampa Marriott Waterside on the very Riverwalk we shared our first date. Our entrance was unique in that we had pre-designated about 25 of our friends and family to get up on cue and start a flash mob on our dance floor and when they all froze and pointed at the door is when we entered!

DJ Firoz kept our dance floor packed all night and Pure Emotions Photography captured every amazing moment. I still remember laughing the day away with our loving family and friends (although the rest is a blur.

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Photography: Pure Emotions Photography Ceremony Event Décor, Event Planning, Hair+Makeup, Bridal Henna: Ganjams Ceremony & Reception Music: DJ Firoz Wedding Lunch: Udipi Café Wedding Dinner: Royal Sweets Bride’s Wedding Attire: Sabyasachi Bride’s Reception Attire: Malini Ahuja, Delhi LIST Groom’s wedding outfit: Millionaire Delhi Reception decor: Botanica Ceremony Venue: Bride’s beautiful home backyard.

Reception Venue: Tampa Marriott Waterside

Vendor

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Real Wedding

Vineeta + Navin

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avin Hemrajani & Vineeta Keswani’s wedding was a lavish two day affair at the beautiful St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort. Sonia Sharma Events was honored to work with this charming couple in creating their dream wedding weekend.

Vineeta’s background and love for dance was combined with Navin’s passion for the finer things in life at each event.

The weekend kicked off with a unique, Hawaiian & Indian fusion Sangeet. Guests were greeted to the Luau by Hawaiian hula dancers who welcomed guests with lei’s. Tikki bars served fruity concoctions in coconut cups with colorful umbrellas and the St. Regis created a custom menu that blended Indian and Hawaiian dishes. The bride surprised guests with a special dance performance that transitioned into Hawaiian hula and fire dance performances.

On the wedding day, Sonia Sharma Events and Capri Flowers created a different color palette for each area to keep guests on their toes. The ceremony was fit for a king and queen with red drapery and florals on the Grand Lawn. The groom entered the ceremony area with his baraat on an el-

ephant. After the ceremony, guests entered the Pacific Lawn for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The mood changed to cool colors with turquoise and blues that were inspired by the live peacocks that were walking in the area.

Vineeta & Navin wanted the black tie reception to reflect their sense of beauty and charisma. The décor was inspired by a painting of Krishna’s garden that Vineeta loved. Capri flowers created beautiful arrangements that were luxurious and organic to stay true to the garden theme. Brazilian dancers added a colorful flair and surprised guests with a sexy dance performance, while cigar rollers and a whiskey bar added a fun activity for guests in the outdoor lounge.

This reception was truly a lavish affair that celebrated both Vineeta & Navin’s passions and personalities.

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Vendor LIST

Wedding Planning & Design: Sonia Sharma Events Photography: Andrena Photography Location: St. Regis, Monarch Beach Florist: Capri Flowers Lighting & Drapery: Amber Lighting Rentals: Chivari Chair Rentals Video: Impressive Creations Brazilian Dancers: Hot Peppers Entertainment Music: Sound Nation Cigar Rollers: The Cigar Guys Hair & Make Up: Oscar Naranjo Cake: Special Cakes by Ruben

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Princess

for a day Kate Byars Photography

Creative Concept & Coordination: RĂŠve.ology Events Photography: Kate Byars Photography Cinematography: Life and Love Studio Decor & Design: Suhaag Garden Fashion Attire & Jewels: Anokhi Ada Maid Scene Jewelry: SamJam Jewelry Couture Floral Jewelry: tAnirika by Suhaag Garden Model: Chandni R. Patel Main Set MUA: Noorface, Noor F Main Set Hair Stylist: Samantha Gunn MUA & Hair Stylist (left): Dionka Scott - "Left" is assuming images and text will stay in the same location.

Venues: Biltmore Ballrooms Atlanta & BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Fashion Attire & Jewels: Anokhi Ada - Indian Fashion Boutique Model:_Chandni R Patel Venue: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

LABELS KARACHI . LAHORE . FAISALABAD

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Photography

Nadir Firoz Khan

Styling

Maha Burney

Makeup

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Hair

Hina Durrani

Jewelry

Sherezad Model

Ayyan Clothes by Nida Azwer for LABELS

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LABELS KARACHI . LAHORE . FAISALABAD

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LABELS KARACHI . LAHORE . FAISALABAD

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An admitted survivor of the Ugly Duckling Syndrome, Mehwish has dedicated her talents as an accomplished writer and makeup artist to equip women with the tools they need to look and feel their most beautiful.

She is the Founder and Creative Director of The Untrendy Girl: A Beauty Guide With Heart.

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Photography by Heather Talbert www.heathertalbert.com southasianbridemagazine.com 87

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Photography: Arrowood Photography | www.arrowoodphotography.com Venue: Westin St. Francis Hotel, San Francisco | www.westinstfrancis.com Planning & Design: Anais Event Planning & Design | www.anaisevents.com Floral Design: Anais Event Planning & Design | www.anaisevents.com Rentals: Anais Event Planning & Design | www.anaisevents.com Rentals: Celebrations Party Rentals | www.celebrationpartyrentals.com

Stationery: Shaadi Papery |www.shaadipapery.com Makeup & Hair Stylist: Babita Amar | www.ctcwest.ca Henna: Neeta Sharma | www.mehndidesigner.com Jewelry: Manjusha Jewels | www.manjushajewels.com Dress: Vastra by Namrita Chettiar | www.namritachettiar.com Model: Michelle Winn

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Cover Feature

GREEN WITH ENVY Lively . Radiant . Lush

The COLOR of the Year

Photography + Styling nadia d. photography | www.nadiadphoto.com Makeup & Hair - Karuna Chani, KC Makeup | www.kc-makeup.com Hair Extensions - The Virgin Hair Fantasy | www.thevirginhairfantasy.com Clothing: Bhamini Mehta | Shyamal & Bhumika USA | 908.420.3930 Clothing : Saahil, NJ | www.saahilexclusive.com Clothing: NzK Designer's Studio, NJ | 732.740.7997 Emerald Jewelry: Yael Designs | www.yaeldesigns.com | 415.989.9235 Set Design: Azizan Ali, The Design House | www.designhousedecor.com Behind the Scenes Video: Brian Choy, Thread Cinema | www. threadcinema.com Models: Emanuel Cukaj, Breanna Sankey/Click Models, NY) Shot on Location: New York, NY

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Clothing: Private Collection, Karuna Chani

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Clothing: Shyamal & Bhumika southasianbridemagazine.com 99

Clothing: NzK Designer's Studio

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Clothing: NzK Designer's Studio

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Clothing: Shyamal & Bhumika

Clothing: Shyamal & Bhumika

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Clothing: Saahil

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Clothing: Saahil

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Real Wedding

Debby + Sameer

T

he couple met Labor Day 2007 at a bar in Newport Beach through mutual friends. They dated for a little while, but it was ‘long distance’ - Debby lived in Aliso Viejo (Orange County) and Sameer lived in West LA. In 2009, Sameer was attending Wharton in Philadelphia for his MBA. He started flying Debby, a PR consultant, out with one-way tickets until she moved out there to be with him.

In April of 2011, Debby and Sameer went to The Box, a burlesque club, in New York City. Typically, someone in a bear suit revs up the audience before the show. Sameer arranged for a table in front – literally in between Kevin Spacey and Blake Lively – but he slipped away, unnoticed right before the bear got on stage. When the bear began his show and started taking off his costume – Debby realized it was actually Sameer in there surprising her with a ring in his pocket!

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The couple didn’t begin their wedding planning for a while, as they were moving back from the East Coast to open a bar in Orange County. When they did begin to plan, Debby booked Intertwined Events immediately.

She loved planning, especially detailing the color schemes as she infused traditional Indian wedding culture into the big day.

Couple’s favorite detail from the day: Debby and Sameer had 2 first looks.

One was pre-ceremony in a traditional white wedding gown and the other was as she walked down the aisle wearing a lehnga.

HIGHLIGHTS *Debby and Sam wanted to embrace the Indian culture with the Barat and vibrant wedding colors •Sam entered the ceremony site on the intricately dressed elephant during the Barat...the same elephant from Water For Elephants •Debby's Sari weighed in at 40 lbs •Their cake was suspended from the chandelier in the Mar Vista Ballroom •Entertainment was really important to the couple. Upbeat music and giant glowsticks started the reception off with excitement •Dolce Designs created an amazing look by draping the entire room with different colored and textured fabrics, which made for a dramatic setting •Lounge furniture and a hookah bar on the terrace made for a unique surprise and non-dancing activity for all guests •All of the bridesmaids had beautiful Hennas, or Mehndis, done which is a Hindu tradition •The elephant, which is an Indian symbol for good luck, was used at the start of the ceremony site, as well as on the escort card table and throughout the table decor.

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Vendor LIST

Photographers: Studio EMP Cinematographers: Elysium Productions Planning: Intertwined Events Photobooth: Pacific Photo Booths Elephant: Have Trunk Will Travel American Wedding Dress: Pnina Tornai Make-up: Ms Nicole Parejko-Mario Tricoci, Chicago Floral & Design, Rentals & Design: Dolce Designs | Karrie Broderick, Angel City Designs Head Table Linen: Wildflower Linen Chairs, Dance Floor: Chiavari Chair Rentals Lighting: Peterson Event Lighting Entertainment: Mixed Reactions Hookah: Hookah Cafes Cake+Venue: Pelican Hill Resort and Span

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Real Wedding

Ruma + Ashish

O

ur story began with Ashish's older brother getting married to one of Ruma's best friends from college. Because of them we have known each other for over nine years and have been around each other at family parties, birthdays, weddings, and at the same events but nothing more then just being good acquaintances. Fast forward nine years later, we both ended up at the same birthday party in downtown Chicago. That night something felt different between us, even with a crowd of people around us we kept coming back to each other to talk and hang out. From that night on our story started and now we are starting our life long journey together.

Usually Indian weddings are huge weddings with hundreds and hundreds of people we don't know. We knew we did not want to do the big traditional Indian wedding and definitely wanted to do something completely different. We started looking into different countries and locations but wanted to find a place that would make it easy for our friends and family to travel to and have an amazing weekend. After some time looking at all our options, Mexico seems liked the perfect destination for what we wanted for our wedding. While dating we always loved traveling and we had been to Mexico a few times and fell in love with the resorts, food, friendly people, and the amazing turquoise ocean water. The beautiful scenery is stunning in Cancun and after visiting a few more locations in Mexico we knew the Hard Rock Cancun was the perfect backdrop for our beach side wedding!

The main wedding events were on separate days. This allowed for a relaxed atmosphere that fit the resort feel. Unique aspects of the southasianbridemagazine.com 111

wedding included an oceanside Sangeet the first night complete with fire dancers. The next day, the Baraat progressed from the front of the Hard Rock Hotel, through the hotel itself to the oceanside ceremony. Later that evening, there was a relaxed dinner complete with Mariachi band.

The third day featured a full reception in the evening leaving the day free for guests to enjoy themselves. The final day was left open for additional photography/cinematography including a session in the ocean with our wedding clothing.

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Vendor LIST

Photographers: Christopher and Julie First, ZMEDIA Cinematographers: Escape Studios, Toronto Canada Hair: Ms Stephanie Whyte-Mario Tricoci, Chicago Make-up: Ms Nicole Parejko-Mario Tricoci, Chicago Clothing: Reception |Design Studios, Mumbai Wedding | Shefali Hedge Rai Shoes: Jimmy Choo Decorations: Zuniga Productions, Mexico, Lily AV Sound and Lighting: J & S AudioVideo, Mexico, Daniel Rodriguez DJ: DJ Ped Venue: Hard Rock Cancun

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Real Wedding

F

ate has a strange way of delivering you to the person with whom you belong. The story of how I met my husband started out quite innocently. Rochan and I were introduced by common friends, we spoke over the phone for a month, and then decided to meet in San Francisco. On our first date, Rochan planned a perfect evening in the city with dinner, drinks, and a walk along the Embarcadero. I’d like to say that we swept each other off our feet by the end of the night. Although Rochan and I were in a long distance relationship right from the start – me in Sacramento, he in San Jose -- our desire to get to know each other made the miles disappear. It did not take Rochan long to win over my heart with his chivalrous, ambitious, yet down-to-earth personality. Eighteen months later when Rochan proposed, he rented and decorated the rooftop patio at Hotel Vitale with candles and red roses.

When I walked in, I saw Rochan standing in the center of the balcony with a 360-degree view of the city skyline, the Bay Bridge, the water, and the Embarcadero … overlooking the neighborhood where we had our first date. It was magical.

Planning for a wedding is nothing short of a consuming, full-time job. For Rochan and I, it was important that our parents’ wishes were honored for the religious wedding ceremony, but that the reception be a reflection of ourselves. Even though we are both Hindu, Rochan comes from a South Indian Brahmin family and I come from an Indo-Fijian family. Attempting to merge our family traditions without compromising the integrity of each was a challenge, so we had two separate, authentic ceremonies on the same day in Sacramento and the reception on the following day in San Francisco. I had never been to a South Indian wedding and Rochan had never been to a Fijian Indian wedding so we had a lot to learn about each other’s traditions and customs when planning for our big day.

We wanted each ceremony and the reception to have a unique look and feel. For the South Indian ceremony, we chose the traditional colors of red and white flowers with sheer fabric to drape the mandapam and the oonjal, with classical Nadaswaram music filling the ballroom. A traditional South Indian breakfast and lunch were served before and after the ceremony with Rochan’s favorite dishes.

Racheal + Rochan

For the evening ceremony, we created a warm, romantic ambiance by hanging crystals from the top of the mandap, using clusters of candles to line the aisle and populate the backdrop of our mandap, and draping the stage with soft tones of beige and muted gold with just a touch of red. It was exactly how I imagined it would be since I was a little girl. As I walked down the aisle, Rochan and I looked into each other’s eyes and I felt butterflies in my stomach – it was like falling in love with him all over again. It felt so romantic.

We held the reception the next evening at the historic Bently Reserve in downtown San Francisco. Our cocktail hour was themed after our favorite television show, “Mad Men”. We used gray velvet draping, cranberry colored loveseats, mirrored coffee tables and end tables, and black deco bar tables to create a lavish 50s feel, and piped in our favorite classic 50s and 60s songs which played in the background. We wanted to personally welcome our guests with a hip, warm, and memorable cocktail hour – Rochan dressed in a black Nehru suit with red trim and myself draped with an original Shyamal & Bhumika Anarkali design – and it was such a joyous experience to unwind and celebrate the occasion with our dearest friends and family.

The location of our reception was especially meaningful to us because it was the very same area in San Francisco’s financial district where our relationship began and blossomed. The Bently Reserve Banking Hall was

opulent, timeless, and beautifully decorated – reflecting our own aspirations for the backdrop of our married life. As we waited to enter the hall, a video honoring our families and capturing the highlights of the previous day’s ceremonies was shown to the crowd. I will never forget the moment when Rochan and I walked down the staircase as we were first introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Rochan Sankar and all our family and friends welcomed us with applause and cheers. I felt so proud to have married the man of my dreams and celebrate our love with all the people who have meant so much to us. It was like a fairytale come true.

Rochan and I are incredibly blessed to be surrounded by the profound love of our family and friends. Our parents and siblings were instrumental in planning the religious ceremonies, but no less important were my four best friends and our wedding coordinator who worked tirelessly to implement every last detail of our vision for the wedding and reception. We delegated tasks to each of them to handle during the events. In my experience, it was very helpful to write everything down in a notebook so that no relevant detail is forgotten – I would encourage you and your parents to do the same.

In the end, when you see everything and everyone come together, all the design meetings, Pinterest boards, and the late night emails to your wedding planner will all be worth it. Just remember to plan the type of wedding that feels absolutely true to your personalities, and to have fun along the way!

Vendor LIST WEDDING Wedding Planning & Design: TanaRi Events Photography: The Memory Journalists Location: Double Tree Hotel, Sacramento Florist: Shaadi by Shivam Video: Silver Tie Films DJ: DJ Red Warning Stylist for Bride: Rukhsana's Beauty Place Bridal Outfit/Jewelry: Sari Palace Caterer: Mylapore (A.M.), India Oven (P.M.) Baraat Arrangement: Vintage Carriage

RECEPTION Wedding Planning & Design: TanaRi Events Photography: The Memory Journalists Photobooth: Screen Booth Location: Bently Reserve Florist: De Young Flowers Video: Silver Tie Films DJ: DJ Red Warning Lighting/IT Services: Hartmann Studios, NextArts Stylist for Bride: Rukhsana's Beauty Place Caterer: Global Gourmet Baker: Sweet Tooth Confections Bar: Best Beverage Catering Rentals: Hartmann Studios

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Real Wedding

Avni + Pratik

I

t is surprising that Avni and Pratik’s paths never crossed while they both lived in New York following college. Though New York City is home to over 8 million people, NYU & Wharton alums always seem to find each other in the small nooks and crannies of the New York City streets. As fate would have it, the pair met years later when they lived over 1,200 miles apart while Avni was finishing optometry school in sunny Florida and Pratik was working at a hedge fund in New York.

After Avni moved back to New York, Pratik surprised Avni with an amazing proposal in Turks and Caicos complete with their own cabana and butler on the beach and a photobook of their years together that ended with a special placeholder for their engagement photo from that evening. Moments after he asked Avni to marry him, Pratik handed the camera off to a bystander to capture this once in a lifetime moment. The passerby happened to be a wedding photographer, thus completing Pratik’s photobook of memories! While Pratik showcased his impeccable planning skills with the proposal, he really outdid himself by helping Avni plan their wedding - while Avni was the creative genius, Pratik streamlined the complex decision making process.

Pratik & Avni are so grateful they had so much help from their families to create a memorable wedding day that reflected them as a couple.

Avni and Pratik decided they wanted a contemporary yet personal feel for the garba-raas, wedding & reception. They wanted the New York City skyline as an integral part of their wedding weekend and managed to blend modern views with traditional

customs for their guests to enjoy. The creative team at Elegant Affairs was brought in to help turn their vision into reality and STAK Photography Duo was at every turn to capture each moment & emotion with skill and artistry.

Each of the couple’s events had an element of surprise, which was a welcome change for their guests. All of the guests were given welcome bags complete with snacks and a personalized map and itinerary of the weekend’s events. The garba-raas was held on Friday evening and Avni and Pratik had a Turkish theme, following a memorable trip they took together a year prior. The venue was adorned in eggplant, turquoise & saffron fabric and a spice station modeled after the Spice Market in Istanbul greeted entering guests. To enhance the Turkish theme, apothecary jars filled with colorful lentils were placed on each table alongside photos of Pratik and Avni at different Turkish landmarks. The highlight of the evening was a surprise flash mob coordinated by Avni and Pratik’s sisters and brothers-in-law involving over 100 guests from around the globe. Avni and Pratik were amazed at how such a difficult performance could be orchestrated without either of them knowing – the wonders of YouTube and meticulous planning!

The wedding ceremony was held outdoors overlooking the majestic New York City skyline from the iconic Empire State Building down to One World Trade. The sounds of Bollywood DJs filled the baraat with energy and the two families came together as one, with Panditji Prabhakar Sharma officiating the ceremony. Bold colors along with a custom floral aisle of circus roses and mango lilies complemented the bridal party in coral, gold and cream. One of the highlights of the ceremony, despite being a complete surprise to Avni, occurred just as Pratik was applying sindoor to Avni’s head. A plane whirled through the blue skies above the New York City skyline with a banner displaying Pratik’s love for Avni. Pratik could not have asked for better timing! Guests were able to enjoy 360-degree views of the New York City skyline during lunch catered by Moghul Caterers.

The color palette for the reception echoed that of a boutique hotel where the couple stayed in Bodrum, Turkey. Tiffany blue and red menu cards and table numbers accented silver chargers on the X and O shaped tables. Red roses and tiffany blue fabric

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surrounded large wood manzanita trees adorned with candles.

Family tables were elevated with white phalaenopsis orchids and red rose petals while the entire ballroom was awash with the glow of soft candlelight. A white dance floor with Avni and Pratik’s custom logo, the same logo imprinted on all of the stationary throughout the wedding weekend, was the focal point of the room. To continue with the Turkish theme, the couple’s signature drinks were aptly named “The Bodrum” and “The Istanbul”. At the toast, in lieu of champagne, all of the children were given milk and cookies and a custom made activity book depicting scenes from the couple’s wedding. The couple’s 500 guests dined on contemporary vegetarian fare by Amiya and were treated to the famous Wafels and Dinges from New York City, paan ice cream, a tiffany blue and red candy bar and a multitude of Indian desserts. Avni and Pratik wowed their guests by dancing to a medley of three different songs during their first dance, choreographed by Pooja Narang, the founder of Bollywood Axion.

Avni and Pratik are so grateful to have their dream wedding come true and thank their parents, sisters, brothers-in-law, extended family and friends who helped make their spectacular wedding a weekend to remember.

Vendor LIST

Photographers: STAK Photography Décor & Florals: Elegant Affairs Officiant: Prabhakar Sharma DJ: Bollywood DJs Hair/Makeup: Shaili Shah Caterers: Moghul Caterers & Amiya Restaurant Venues: Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson & Westin Jersey City Newport Bride’s Lenghas: Aishwarya Design Studio Mumbai Groom’s Sherwani & Tuxedo: Benzer Mumbai & Armani Collezioni

E M E R A L D natur E Event Design: Sonia Sharma Events Photography: Andrena Photography Floral Design: Butterfly Floral & Event Design China, Flatware and Glassware: Small Masterpiece Linens, Chairs and Napkins: Reflections Event Rentals Location: Langham Huntington Hotel, Pasadena

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EMERALD GLAM Event Design, Floral Design, Decor, Custom Linens, Chairs: Sachi & Sunita Sood of Partyland Event Styling Boutique Photography: Darling Photographers Photography: Erum Rizvi Photography Make Up: Lei Ahmed of Pretty Girls Make Faces Hair: Hair & Makeup by Ayesha Manzur Videography: Advanced Video Solutions Location: The Kentlands Mansion Model: Neha Mehta

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EMERALD GLITZ Event Design+Creative Concept+Production: Nisha Chandra Events Photography: DASTAN Studio Wedding Photography Cake: Cakes by Zehra Stationary: With an Indian Touch

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EDGY EMERALD Event Design+Planning: Sterling Engagements Photography: Christopher Todd Studios Floral Design: Shawna Yamamoto event design Bubble: Casa de Bubble Event lighting and Draping: Amber Event Productions Event Stationary: Prim and Pixie Linens: Designer Specialty Linens Rentals: Town & Country Event Rentals Venue: Peterson Automotive Museum

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Photojournalism

T

and what it means on your wedding day Taylor Roades, Wedding Photographer & Photojournalist www.taylorroadesphotography.com

he best photographs come from incredible moments; moments that can not be

posed, and emotion that can not be faked. A photojournalistic approach to wedding photography in its essence strives to create these exact photographs. Photographs that singularly tell a story, and compilations of photos from an entire day that from start to finish beauti-

a dance performance where the crowd is hidden behind screens. There is no emotion to capture when the father of the bride is so caught up in setting his camera right. Or a pre wedding henna night where the sister of the groom is hidden in her cell phone.

N itole

and

A shraf ’ s S tory A s C aptured

fully retell the reality of a South Asian modern wedding. Wedding photography is budding with photojournalists, a reproach from formally stiff posing photographers and a testament

to roots of weddings - union, family and love.

Ashraf; she had a box wrapped with a single chocolate, it was a wedding gift, a joke, a

memory for the two of them. I hovered with my camera looking for something authentic

What exactly is a wedding story and why are so many couples choosing to document their

the look, the thank you, the reason that there we had all gathered together family and friends

day this way? A photo story of a wedding day is a combination of shots that depict the

from across the world that day. It was the final wedding day of celebration and Nitole and

The night set in early in December in Toronto. Nitole sat anxiously awaiting

personality and character of you and

Ashraf were to see each other for

your families, the details - the dress,

the first time, married.

food, cultural heirlooms and traditions, and finally action - entrances,

Two days before Ashraf ’s aunt

exits, laughter, hugs, and emotion.

spread turmeric yellow paste on

These photos should flow togeth-

Ashraf ’s face laughing, reminiscing

er seamlessly in a final album and

to herself, seeing the young man

from start to finish remind you of

this boy she had known her entire

a day or multiple days that probably

life had become. Nitole and Ashraf

went by too quickly.

exchanged a look, and a smile, their family surrounded them. It was the

Wedding portraits, though they

first night of their three day wed-

don’t often fall into pure docu-

ding celebration and the Ontario

mentary journalism, are still an im-

winter was relentless. The storm

portant part of the wedding story

shut down highways outside but in-

and should not be forgotten about

side you would never know as food

completely. They fit nicely into the

was passed around, and the dances

collection of photos from the day

kept everyone warm.

when a photographer can evoke personality, set the scene, and keep the interaction authentic.

I walked the floor a little removed and yet involved. It is a duality of photojournalism that I love. I’m waiting and watching apart from the event and yet I’m bobbing to the music and

I am a firm believer in the beauty of the ordinary. Moments that make us laugh, cry, feel life

just as much a part of it as anyone.

for what it is... and sometimes those ordinary moments are so fleeting a photograph is all that is left to tie the moment to memory. That is why today so many couples are drawn to

The morning that followed - the ceremony itself brought everyone together again in Ni-

photojournalism work within wedding photography. The moment would play out whether

tole’s parents home. The front entrance way was filled with snow boots and the screen door

or not it is captured. It is a privilege to see those moments as a photographer when you are

opened and closed to the cold winter chill, and slowly but surely everyone filed in. Pictures

caught up living them, and to capture them in a story that weaves itself throughout the day.

of Nitole growing up sat on the shelves and mango smoothies were passed around in antici-

And that is what photojournalists try and do every weekend, every trip overseas, every time

pation. Nitole, Ashraf and their mothers sat together on the couch and the living room and

we pick up a camera.

in-front of family and friends and finally were married.

P reparing for a D ay of W edding P hotojournalism

And then all of a sudden it was day three, there sat the single chocolate wrapped up in a box as a memory, and Ashraf walked into the room. I could hear Nitole take a breath in and turn

Explain to family and friends that emotion and being there in the moment with them is the

around. It was this moment in the hectic three days that I could feel and photograph the

priority. Go ahead, take a few photos and then put your cameras, cell phones, and iPads,

anticipation, the immensity of the changes that would come to Nitole and Ashraf and their

down. You’ve hired a competent photographer to capture the day, so they should enjoy

families. The start of something special, and behind the lens I clicked the shutter hopefully

themselves and just being a guest. There is nothing more saddening than photographing

freezing the feeling, telling their story.

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N itole

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and

A shraf

Vendor LIST

Photography: Taylor Roades Photography Videography: Eric Yu Venues: Holud: Swagat Banquet Hall Nikah: Nitole's Home Reception: Verdi Convention Centre Makeup: Surekha Artistry

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