Malta: Must-See Honeymoon Hot-Spot

The Islands of Malta are south of Sicily and are located in the exotic Mediterranean Sea. Crystal blue waters, twelve luxurious hotels, and spa amenities that will have you and your new partner completely rejuvenated when returning to the real world. According to the CIA World Fact Book, the islands equal to about twice the size of Washington DC. The pictures look divine and the weather is perfect during the summer.

The “Visit Malta” website has so much to consider, when it comes to all the different activities that are offered. There is the nightlife that couples can enjoy with a variety of festivals, concerts, clubs, and wine bars. There are casinos, cinemas, fantastic theaters and an opera house for guests to be entertained by. A special tab, on the website, is set up for honeymooners, describing the perfect ventures couples can take part in: private dinners by exquisite chefs, luxurious yacht excursions, couple’s spa treatments, and even scuba diving. This romantic island will be just what you need to start a new life together. This is the place to be for your honeymoon…just look at the pictures and you won’t want to be anywhere else.

Visit Malta Travel Website: http://www.visitmalta.com/main?l=1

Corinthian Hotel St. George’s Bay: http://www.corinthia.com/Malta_StGeorgesBay/about-the-hotel/our-hotel/?gclid=COOfqoPwpqoCFcWA5QodYV4cVw

Grand Hotel Excelsior: http://www.excelsior.com.mt/

While Negotiating....

When negotiating venue contracts for our brides we always try to keep their best interest at mind and try to get them as many extras as possible. Remember that you are giving the venue a lot of business and ample opportunities for future clients, therefore keep in mind this short list of amenities that the hotel would be please to offer complimentary or at a discounted rate.

1. Complimentary Bridal Suite for the night before the wedding.
2. Complimentary Honeymoon suite for the wedding night.
3. Complimentary parking passes for you and your parents.
4. Complimentary upgrade for both the rooms of the parents of the bride and groom.
5. Complimentary upgrade to a premium bar.
6. Complimentary cake.
7. Discounted room rate for your guests.
8. Discounted parking rate for your guests.
9. Complimentary water stations if the event is being held outside.
10. Discounted rate at any of their properties for your 1st year Anniversary.

The Timing of Your Special Day

Grand entrances, the romantic first dance, heartfelt speeches, and cutting the cake are crucial aspects of a wedding reception. Guests expect them and marvel at how eloquently each activity is performed. We have done several weddings with different variations of the typical wedding to-do’s. Below are a few of our suggestions for different wedding reception schedules you might be interested in using:

Variation 1: Grand entrances, first dance, father/daughter dance, cake cutting, speeches, dinner, open dancing, dessert

Variation 2: Grand entrances, first dance, open dance floor for thirty minutes, speeches, dinner is opened, open dance floor, cake cutting when dessert comes out

Variation 3: Grand entrances, first dance, father/daughter dance, dinner is opened for forty minutes, speeches, after speeches the couple is invited to cut the cake, open dance floor, dessert is served.

Overall, the flow of a reception is greatly important to the effectiveness of an event. Either sequence you decide to choose, just make sure to make it your own and something you will look back at with a smile for years to come.

The Timing of Your Special Day

Grand entrances, the romantic first dance, heartfelt speeches, and cutting the cake are crucial aspects of a wedding reception. Guests expect them and marvel at how eloquently each activity is performed. We have done several weddings with different variations of the typical wedding to-do’s. Below are a few of our suggestions for different wedding reception schedules you might be interested in using: Variation 1: Grand entrances, first dance, father/daughter dance, cake cutting, speeches, dinner, open dancing, dessert Variation 2: Grand entrances, first dance, open dance floor for thirty minutes, speeches, dinner is opened, open dance floor, cake cutting when dessert comes out Variation 3: Grand entrances, first dance, father/daughter dance, dinner is opened for forty minutes, speeches, after speeches the couple is invited to cut the cake, open dance floor, dessert is served Overall, the flow of a reception is greatly important to the effectiveness of an event. Either sequence you decide to choose, just make sure to make it your own and something you will look back at with a smile for years to come.

Neema and Mike Aruba Wedding

On the “one happy island,” of Aruba was our amazing, sunset, beach wedding this past weekend. SJS had the pleasure of working with Neema and Mike on their picturess destination wedding that went flawlessly. The weekend started off with a romantic tiki cabana welcome dinner for friends and family. The live acoustic band played and the guests danced the night away along the beach. The next day, everyone woke up to glorious weather. For the evening events on the beach, with the sand beneath the guest toes, they watched as Neema and Mike said their vows of ever lasting love. Followed by a sunset beach cocktail hour, all the guests followed a lantern lit walkway to the reception room where they danced the night away. From the bottom of our hearts we would like to congratulate Neema and Mike.

Best Bridal Magazines for Ideas

Adding personal touches is what makes someones big day truly special. From your invitations, favors and signature drinks, guests will always remember the little things. We ourselves get inspired every month by reading some of our favorite wedding magazines.

If you want the latest trends, diy ideas, and suggestions on those little things make sure to pick up the latest issues of the following magazines:

- Inside Weddings
- South Asian Bride
- Wedding Style
- Martha Stewart Weddings.

Also make sure to check out their websites!

Signature Cocktail of the Summer!

The hot, summer weather calls for not only a refreshing drink but a sassy cocktail. The newest rage is the "Champagne Sorbet Cocktail." Martha Stewart, The Food Network, as well as Continental Airlines Air Magazine all feature this delectable drink. Pair your favorite, fizzy champagne with a scoopful of fresh sorbet. There are hundreds of recipes online for different flavors of sorbet as well as a step-by-step process. Check out these recipes we found:

• Key Lime Sorbet and Champagne by Sugar and Charm: http://www.sugarandcharmblog.com/2011/05/key-lime-sorbet-cocktail.html
• Pink Grapefruit Sorbet and Champagne by The Daily Meal: http://www.thedailymeal.com/pink-grapefruit-champagne-sorbet-cocktail
• Strawberry Sorbet Champagne by About.com: http://frenchfood.about.com/od/sorbetrecipes/r/champagne.htm

This drink would be great at summer weddings. You can use the sorbet to compliment the colors of your wedding. Guests will love this drink and be impressed with the creativity. Enjoy!

Seychelles. Period. Need I Say More?

Seychelles consists of 115 islands that decorate the Indian Ocean and offer newly married couples lush resorts and luxurious natural recourses. It is a perfect honeymoon spot that will provide the relaxation and seclusion a couple is looking for.

The islands are blessed with year round warm weather. October through March offer very few winds, however from May through September, there are stronger winds which are great for those interested in sailing. The best months for in-water activities are April, May, October and November.

Within the Seychelles travel website are great suggestions for larger hotels, luxury villas, spa hotels, marina hotels, budget hotels, etc. The luxury villas would be perfect for honeymoon couples. The Round Island Luxury Villas in particular look amazing and with just eight rooms available, couples will get the privacy they desire. The Desroches Island Resort has a beautiful spa, small guesthouses and offers several activities.

If you are the type that likes to mingle and meet other couples, you can go on boat rides, go to one of the island’s casinos, or participate in island water sports. For private activities, couples can go diving with an instructor or snorkel in the clear, shallow, blue waters.

All in all, Seychelles is the perfect destination for a honeymoon!

A Step-By-Step of an Indian Ceremony

Indian weddings possess a true beauty within the traditions and vows exchanged between the bride and groom. Over the years, guests have attended ceremonies and have been confused by the religious rituals performed. Below is a brief outline of how a ceremony might go and the meanings behind each stage:

• The Baraat: the arrival of the groom on either a horse or an elephant (we have done both). This is a fun event that allows the groom’s side to dance and celebrate before the coming ceremony.
• Meeting of the Families: the bride’s family greets the groom’s family at the end of the baraat. At this time the bride and groom exchange garlands, called the Milni.
• Ganesh Puja: the ceremony has begun and the Pandit begins with a prayer to Ganesh.
• Kanya Aagman: this is the arrival of the bride. She is escorted to the mandap, where usually her parents, the grooms parents, and siblings are seated.
• Jai Mala: the bride and groom exchange the sacred garlands.
• Aachman: this is the purification of the bride and groom. They take water and drink it from the palms of their hands.
• Agni Pradipan: the sacred fire is lit, signifying the power and purity of the ceremony.
• Madhuparka: the bride’s family offers yogurt and honey to the groom with a prayer, signifying that he will work to be pure and kind.
• Kanya Daan: the bride is given away to the groom by placing the bride’s right hand in the groom’s hand. The groom is now entrusted to care for the bride and love her.
• Shila Rohan: the rock ceremony is for the bride to show her courage by stepping on a rock and proving she will support her husband throughout their life together.
• Mangal Fera: the bride and groom walk around the fire four times, each time signifies something different; duty, prosperity, love, and spiritual liberation.
• Saptapadi: the seven sacred steps are the first that a couple takes together in their new life.
• Mangal Sutra-Sindoor Daan: a beaded necklace is tied around the bride’s neck and the sindoor (red powder) is put onto the bride’s scalp symbolizing she is married.
• Kansar: the exchanging of the rings is the final step to show the unity between the bride and groom.
• Ashirvaad: the Pandit gives the final blessing for the future of the newly married couple!

Each ceremony varies as well as everyone’s traditions. The steps each have a great deal of meaning and to witness this union is an experience you won’t want to miss.

Top 10 NYC Rooftops

Summer is here and NYC would not be complete without visiting one of the city’s many rooftop bars and outdoor gardens. Rooftops offer a very relaxing and fun environment for the perfect engagement party or rehearsal dinner. Here are our top 10 options in the city.

1. The Hudson's New Sky Terrace
2. Salon de Ning
3. 230 Fifth Rooftop Garden
4. Cantor Rooftop Garden at the MET
5. Rise at the Ritz Carlton-Battery Park
6. The Park- Garden & Penthouse
7. Highbar Rooftop Lounge
8. Rare View
9. Jimmy at the James Hotel
10. The Empire Hotel Rooftop

Melissa and Rishi Thank-You Note

Dear Sonal & Team:

First of all, we want to express our sincere gratitude to each of you on Sonal's team. You guys were awesome! You made our lives so easy for all of these months and made everything flow so smoothly on our wedding day(s) :).The team was very attentive--my questions and concerns were always carefully addressed. I know for sure that we would not have been able to handle it all by ourselves. Everyone was raving about the details and organization--which I made clear to them that you guys handled. Now that I know how much easier things were with planners I am more inclined to reach out for help for other events we are planning. We are so grateful for all the time spent working on our wedding and all the patience everyone had with all of our questions, requests and concerns. It was an amazing experience because of you guys and one that we will never forget. Thanks for helping us get our dream wedding.

Melissa and Rishi
The Crescent & Oheka Castle
July 1, 2 2011

Pooja and Mitu Wedding Photo's

We just wanted to share the breath taking pictures Maloman took for our wedding at the Eden Roc in Miami. Please check out Malomans website to see more pictures and slideshow.

Lights, Camera, Engagement Shoot!

An engagement is an exciting time: planning the party of your life, preparing for a life with your best friend, and everyone close to you can’t stop talking about you getting married. The engagement shoot brings the reality of you getting married to an entirely new level of anticipation. There are several reasons more to why you should have an engagement shoot:

1. An engagement shoot allows the couple to get to know their photographer. The photographer learns what type of lighting you look best in, and what you feel comfortable with before your wedding day.

2. This is a great time to learn how to take pictures with another person. Not many people just take pictures with one other person and this allows you to learn how to pose together.

3. During the engagement shoot, the photographer will direct you, this is a perfect time to learn what those directions mean. The photographer might tell you to find the light, tilt your face, etc. What do these directions mean? Once you understand the directions your pictures will go more quickly and your wedding day photos will be flawless.

4. Brides can get their trial hair and makeup done for the engagement shoot and see how it translates in the pictures. The wedding day shots are lifetime memories that a couple will want to cherish, the trial hair and makeup will help gurantee that your wedding day photos will look spectacular.

5. Lastly, this is a great time to see the photographers style, look at pictures of yourself, and prepare for your big day. Find your good side!

All of these reasons insure that your wedding day photos will go quite smoothly and you will look spectacular in every frame. Once you look at the pictures from your engagement shoot your excitement for you special day will multiply!

Hard Rock Cafe in Time Square

To be dining in Time Square is monumental but to hold an event in Time Square at the Hard Rock Café will take an event to an entirely different level. The atmosphere allows guests to feel like they are U2 and being treated like rock star royalty. We had the pleasure of receiving the VIP treatment from Melyssa Mercado, the Sales & Marketing Manager at the Hard Rock. From the Live Theatre Venue, that holds a 600 person party, rocking guests, to the NY room, for the sophisticated rocker, this event space ups the ante when it comes to the overall experience. Whether the event be a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or a Sweet Sixteen all ages of guests will be entertained by the mind-blowing built-in lighting, sound and special effects this venue holds. An added bonus is the Marquee on the outside of the building, where a personalized message can be displayed for all of Time Square to see as well as arriving guests. This is the venue that will pamper you like your Bon Jovi and provide an overall experience that you will never forget.

The Tasty Side of Weddings

Everyone looks forward to the food served at weddings, it's always tasty, unique, and one of the main conversation topics. What couples tend to overlook, when it comes to the food, is the organization of how the food is given to guests. We recently did a wedding in Miami and could not have been more impressed with the caterer or the bride for the effort they put into the presentation of the food they served, and the taste did not disappoint. Below is a list of items to keep in mind when it comes to serving food at your wedding:

1. Create stations for the food. Guests won't be crowded in one buffet line but will have the ability to pick and choose items throughout your event. For example, our bride used eight different stations for her sangeet. The stations were placed all along the walls of the room leaving plenty of space between each station.

2. For each station, create a unique name that will floor your guests with your sassy creativity. For example, one of our brides had names like: Kati Korner, Shah's Sweet Stand, and Aloo Tikki Bar.

3. Have a staff member working each station. Guests will feel special and it will add to the overall experience of your event. For example, our bride had staff members making the food, at each station, in front of the guests. They loved the personal touch.

4. Desserts are the main event of any meal! This last bride served her wedding cake AND a long table full of different dessert choices that had guests going back for thirds and fourths. Here is just a short list of what was available: ice creams, petit fours, pastries, individual cakes, several types of cheesecakes, Mithais, and more. She also converted the place card table into a "Cookies and Milk" station.

5. Have one station that serves a "unique" dish that fits your personality or just leaves guest's taste buds impressed. For example, this Miami bride served a baked potato bar in martini glasses. This was unique and different from the Indian food that had been served throughout the events. Guests could not get enough of this station.

Food is one aspect of your wedding you know guests won't be able to get enough of and the more variety you have the more impressed your guests will be. Pay attention to detail and make your guests feel special. More so than anything, make sure you give yourself some time to get a plate of everything being served during your wedding! You deserve it.

Kim and Her Perfect Vera Wang Dress...

This past week, Kim was spotted with family friend Vera Wang. Wedding bells are in the air for Kim, and Wang is the perfect designer for the gown she will be walking down the aisle in on her special day. It is rumored she will have two to three different custom dresses. The photo, above, illustrates the close relationship between the two. After Khole's dream wedding gown we all can't wait to see what Kim's wedding will bring!

Ring The Alarm

Fire signifies the burning and everlasting flame between a man and a woman but to a venue and a planner this flame represents a list of what ifs and possible emergencies that can ruin anyone’s special day.

There are various occasions and situations that SJS has encountered over the years that might be a problem. Below is a list of some of these issues and how to prevent them so that your big day is a safe day!

Havenkund
For all Indian weddings having an open flame at the Mandap is a big must, however many venues will not allow this. A great way to get around this is to use a votive candle instead of the open flame. This will help contain the size of the fire and prevent from producing a lot of smoke. The last thing you want is for the alarms to go off and your wedding to have to be evacuated!

Linen
When planning your décor make sure to talk with your decorator about the linens that they will be using. It is important that all linen is flame retardant. Most centerpieces will have candles and the last thing you want is for one to spill over and your whole table to go up in flames.

Candles
As we mentioned before candles are a big part of décor. From centerpieces, to backdrops, to accent décor candles will be everywhere. Make sure these are all securely placed in all their containers. If doing a backdrop all candles should be securely taped, using LED light might even be a better solution. If using candelabras make sure to use the correct size of candle and that it properly fit in the holder.

Open Flame Food Stations
Live food stations are always a great attraction and fun to see, however they can be a bit dangerous if you get to close. Work closely with your caterer so they take all the necessary precautions. Especially when working with hot oil. It can be dangerous not only to your guests but to the staff as well.

Extra tip: Always keep plenty fire extinguishers on hand in case of any emergencies.

Fairytale Wedding-Melissa and Rishi

From the flawless weather, at the pristine Crescent Beach Club, to the elegant and regal Oheka Castle, the wedding this weekend was quite similar to a fairytale wedding. SJS Staff had the divine pleasure of working with Melissa and Rishi to make all their dreams come true. From the flower arrangements, which had endless amounts of pink and purple roses with diamond jewels dripping down to the infinite amount of candles on the table. The words, “this is the most breath taking wedding I have ever been too,” was a reoccurring statement heard from guests throughout the event. The cake was cascaded with diamonds and the champagne was glistening in the beautiful summer sunset. This wedding was one of our most memorable weddings and SJS would like to congratulate Melissa and Rishi on the next chapter of their life

together.