Sonal J. Shah Event Consultants, LLC

Cake Toppers

2012-01-27T13:35:00.002-05:00

A wedding is the ultimate proclamation of a couple’s identity. One way to make this day ultra-personal is with a monogrammed cake topper. Monogrammed cake toppers are a classy and elegant way of making every aspect of your day reflect who you are.

Here are some beautiful options:

Wedding Collectibles

Topper With Glitz

Monogram Cake Toppers

Just Cake Toppers

Top 10 Cake Cutting Songs

2012-01-27T12:20:00.003-05:00

The cake-cutting is a traditional symbol and one of the most romantic moments during your wedding! And because the first undertaking the couple will handle as husband and wife will be to cut the cake, their song has to be as special as the couple!

Here are some of the most popular cake cutting songs of all time.

1. Sonny & Cher - I got you babe

2. Dean Martin- That’s amore

3. The four Tops-I can't help myself (sugar pie, honey bunch)

4. Frank Sinatra - The way you look tonight

5. The Rolling Stones- Brown sugar

6. Armageddon- Aerosmith

7. Barry White- You're my first, my last, my everything.

8. The Beatles – I want to hold your hand

9. Bee Gees- How deep is your love

10. The Searchers - Sweets for my sweet

Favorite Mandaps from 2011

2012-01-26T16:40:00.004-05:00

2011 was a year of many beautiful weddings. Our clients took us all over NY, Miami, California, even the Caribbean. What we love is that no two weddings are ever the same from the decor to details each bride has her own look.

Here we share our favorite Mandaps from 2011, each one very different from the next.

Top 10 Floral Trends of 2012

2012-01-26T16:04:00.005-05:00

Every bride knows the importance of beautiful flowers at their wedding. When planning you big day make sure to keep in mind the top 10 Floral Trends for 2012!

The Rustic style was huge in 2011, but for 2012 look for that rustic style to have a more modern flare.

Unusual Bouquets

A return to simple elegance

Elements of surprise: plants instead of flowers, feathers, fruit, tree stubs.

Patterns

Bringing the outside indoors

Bright Colors

A touch of whimsy

Garden roses: the hot flower for 2012

White & green: Such a classic combination, this trend seems to be everywhere this year.

You’re in good hands !

2012-01-25T16:33:00.006-05:00

Because our brides deserve the best for their wedding day, here at Sonal. J Shah Event Consultant, we have made a fine selection of our favourite henna artists decorating an Indian bride. We love their work and professional services and we would love to share them with you !

Henna Studio. http://www.hennastudio.com/

Mehendi styling. http://www.mehendistyling.com/

Kenzi. http://www.kenzi.com/ArtistsBridal.html

Akiyo Henna. http://www.akiyohenna.com/

Mimixa. http://www.mimixa.com/

Garba Venues in NJ

2012-01-25T15:50:00.003-05:00

There are many pre-wedding functions in a Indian wedding. Among these, one of the most popular ones is the Garba. Many of our NJ brides like to have their wedding in NYC but choose to keep the Garba close to home. Here are our top venues in NJ for the Garba:

1. DoubleTree by Hilton, Somerset, NJ
2. Sheraton Meadowlands, East Rutherford, NJ
3. Hindu Samaj Mandir, Mahwah, NJ
4. Milan Banquets, Garfield, NJ
5. Akbar Restaurant, Edison, NJ
6. Chand Palace, Parsippany, NJ
7. Cedar Garden Banquet, Princeton, NJ
8. Royal Albert's Palace, Fords, NJ
9. Courtyard Edison Woodbridge, Edison, NJ
10. Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, Iselin, NJ

Let The Colors Speak

2012-01-25T11:41:00.013-05:00

When it comes to your wedding, yes, you do want to focus on your nails. Not only does it complete your wedding look but your nails are in almost every single wedding photo. And because photographers will capture the memories that will last a life time, your nails have to be perfect

Our suggestions to you :
Deep-Red BloomsWhat’s better than a Deep-red nail polish to accompany your roses!

Gold and Cream

 Nude polish tones are a sophisticated, modern way to set off these bright saris !

Good to know: The deeper the color, the shorter the nail, so if you love your length, go with sheer pink, cream, or champagne. !

Delicious in Pink.

In the summer, why not try an electric pink to give a pop to your dress !

Last but not least !

The french manicure : a classic you can trust whenever you want !

Photo and Video Teams

2012-01-24T15:37:00.006-05:00

We are always looking for new vendors to work with, especially for photo and video. These might be 2 of the most important vendors you will have to choose as they will capture the memories that will last a life time.

We love working with companies that do both Photo and Video. Booking a company that does both can be very helpful because they can combine elements of both for your final product. Plus you can always negotiate and get better pricing when booking both at the same time.

Here are a few of our favorite photo and video teams in the NY/NJ Area:

The Wedding Central

Unique V Studio

Dreamlife Weddings

Vig Designers

Guy Heart

Cute little cups !

2012-01-23T12:54:00.008-05:00

Check out these little cups we’ve found for you ! They are all made from favourite American dishes twisted in a different way !

A S’mores Bar.
Such a family friendly idea for your wedding !

Lasagna cups !
This is just the super cute version of plain lasagna.

Individual Seven-Layer Dips!
Perfect for parties !

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Shot Glasses :
Take your shot and eat it too!

From Our Photo Album

2012-01-20T11:56:00.007-05:00

We were reminiscing in the office this week about all the great Destination Weddings we had last year and we wanted to share some great photos with you guys.

Enjoy!

Miami

California

Turks and Caicos

Puerto Rico

Chocolate Swirl

2012-01-20T11:46:00.003-05:00

Are you looking for a super delicious dessert with a modern twist?

For our clients, we love having unique desserts. I found this great website www.TheChocolateSwirl.com. I saw their site and I have never been so pleasantly surprised. They have so many items and they are not just limited to their cakes. Take a look at their cupcakes, truffles, brownie pops and more.

Our Ten celebrity Hairstyles we love

2012-01-19T10:30:00.009-05:00

Hollywood beauties ... it’s a fact : we all like their movies, shows and music, and we all secretly desire to look like them. And moreover, we love their hairstyles !
Getting inspiration
for your wedding hairstyle is not an easy task ! And that’s why we truly know that we’ve made a selection of the most beautiful celebrity ha
irstyles for you ! We hope you will get some ideas for your wedding day !

Aishwarya Rai- Some beautiful light dark curls, this is Aiswarya’s hairstyle that we prefer!

Beyonce Knowles-Beyoncé’s hairstyle is dressed in perfectly defined waves

Kardashian- Kim's hairstyle is pinned up and off her face to expose her face and to give her hairstyle height.

Ang
elina Jolie- Angelina's effortlessly elegant hairstyle.

Eva Longoria-Parker- A soft and sexy upstyle for Eva

Nicole Richie - This pony has so much sexy volume—and works perfectly with Nicole's thick fringe.

Katharine McPhee- We loved this glossy, bouncy style—it's super-pretty without being too much.

Eva Longoria-Parker- Again, Eva always pulls off a great hairstyle into a glamorous style and heavy waves.

Keira Knightley- Because we don’t forget shorts hair, Keira is here to embodies the elegance.

Penelope Cruz- A beautiful one shoulder hairstyle exemple

New York Times

2012-01-18T17:29:00.003-05:00

We wanted to share this great article we found in the Global Edition of The New York Times about the Diwali event we helped plan for The Pierre last year!

This was such a great event, click HERE to read all about it!

Indian Food Trends

2012-01-18T11:18:00.002-05:00

Any Indian wedding is considered incomplete without delicious food.

Here are some food trends which I love for a lot of the Indian Events we are doing.

Mashed potato bar in martini glasses

Aloo Tikki Sliders

Masala Fries Station

Mini Grilled Cheese

Cake Push Pops

Milkshake Bar

Cheesecake lollipops

Pooja & Mitu Highlight Reel

2012-01-17T15:59:00.003-05:00

We wanted to share the amazing highlight reel our friends from Memories in Motion sent us of our couple Pooja and Mitu. They got married last summer at the Eden Roc in Miami and the video is gorgeous!

Enjoy!

Pooja & Mitu - Miami, FL from MILI GHOSH (http://in-motionstud on Vimeo.

Indian Dress Designers

2012-01-17T15:23:00.002-05:00

A wedding is one of the most important occasions in any person's life. Once we start planning for the wedding then shopping for a wedding dress is an important part of the wedding preparations. There are different kinds of wedding dresses that an Indian bride wears. Here are some of my favorite Indian Wedding designers.

1. Manish Malhotra

www.manishmalhotra.in/

2. Shyamal & Bhoomika

www.shyamalbhumika.com/

3. Neeta Lulla

www.neetalulla.com/

4. Rohit Bal

www.rohitbal.com

5. Ritu Kumar

www.ritukumar.com/

New Destinations

2012-01-16T17:43:00.003-05:00

New Year, new destinations.

Destinations are always a big hit for weddings, so if you are planning on taking your guests somewhere fabulous this year, consider one of these amazing resorts:

Nevis

- Nisbet Plantation Beach Club

Jamaica

- Couples Tower Isle, St. Mary, Jamaica

- Couples Swept Away, Negril, Jamaica

- Couples Sans Souci, St. Mary, Jamaica

- Couples Negril

St. Barts

- Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de France

- Eden Roc St. Barths

St. Lucia

- Ladera Resort

- Jade Mountain

- Jalousie Plantation, Sugar Beach

Antigua

- Curtain Bluff Resort

Turks and Caicos

- Regent Palms

Cayman Islands

- The Ritz Carlton

Barbados

- Sandy Lane

Anguilla

- Malliouhana Hotel & Spa

- Cuisinart Resort & Spa

Bahamas

- One & Only Ocean Club, Paradise Island, Bahamas

Which ever you choose make sure to pack the sunscreen and enjoy the sun!

Indian Invitations On This Side of The Globe

2012-01-11T18:01:00.006-05:00

Your wedding invitation is the first way you will set the tone for your big day. It will give your guests a glimpse at what they can expect at your wedding. For Indian weddings invitations are crucial as they are so many details that you need to give guests, from the number or guests, the number of events and the food options! Many of our clients choose to have theirs made in India, but not everyone has the time or budget to make the trip oversees. Here is a list of vendors state-side that we have used and have made some of our best invitations. They are affordable and are aware of the Indian traditions, taste and style.

Taking it Outside

2012-01-10T15:53:00.005-05:00

A big trend we have found amongst our brides and many weddings for 2012 is the love of nature. Many couples are choosing to forgo your traditional ballroom reception and are choosing farms and barns for their big night. When choosing and outside venue like this we suggest keeping the decor minimal and with a rustic touch. Clusters of small vases with flowers in white, lavender and green is ideal. And the more candles you can incorporate the better. Here are a few suggestions:

Desserts to Go

2012-01-09T17:10:00.003-05:00

After a fabulous wedding ceremony, amazing food and great dancing, what comes next? Delicious desserts!

Many of our brides love to have a grand Viennese display for dessert at the end of the night, and this is always a crowd favorite. However with so many options to choose from guests don't get a chance to indulge in all the desserts. Something we have been doing lately is offering guests tin take out boxes. This gives them the opportunity to try some there and take some home. You have invested so much money on the Viennese display, why let it go to waste?

Tin boxes are great because they are sturdier than your normal paper boxes, preventing spills and leaks. Check out this site that even allows you to personalize them.

New Year's Resolution: I Will Not Procrastinate

2012-01-06T13:27:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year!!!

With every new year come new resolutions. One of the most common ones people make is to stop procrastinating with daily tasks. This can be very true especially if you are planning your wedding this year! We tell all of our brides to be very assertive when choosing vendors. You need to remember that if you keep searching for different options you will get more confused and delay your decision. The longer you take to decide on something chances are that when you go back the price might have gone up or the vendor is already booked. Remember that just like you are planning your wedding there are thousands of more brides out there doing the same. We also suggest that you keep the decision making between you and your fiancee, the more people that get involved the more opinions you will get. Just think that the faster you book all your vendors the more time you have to enjoy the time before the wedding.

Happy Holidays!!!!

2011-12-21T15:53:00.004-05:00

This year has been full of amazing weddings and even better clients. We can't believe it is almost coming to an end. We are super excited for all the weddings we are working on for next year and can't wait for 2012!

The entire SJS Events team would like to wish you all and your families an amazing Holiday Season!

Home Sweet Home

2011-12-20T12:02:00.000-05:00

While we get lots of calls from brides who want to do a home wedding, it is definitely not the easiest “venue” to have for a wedding. Over the many years of doing weddings, we have found that there are some easy things to keep in mind to make your home event/ wedding successful:

1. Put up a tent no matter what—some clients think it is too much of an expensive but when it comes to weather, you really do not want to take chances. It is worth the investment.

2. Hire adequate staffing

3. Have enough alcohol and beverages

4. Make sure you order extra linen and napkins

5. Hire a cleaning crew to just clean during and after the event. Most of the time the serving staff does not do clean up.

Vidhi and Wamiz

2011-12-19T17:47:00.003-05:00

This past weekend we had our last wedding of the year and we couldn't be happier with how everything turned out!

The wedding took place at one of our favorite venues, The Eden Roc Miami Beach. The staff there is superb and always take such great care of us and our clients. They went above and beyond to make sure that everything was perfect.

The couple who celebrated with only their closest family and friends enjoyed an outside ceremony followed by cocktails and reception in the hotels Penthouse Floor which offered great views of Miami. Even though it was a small group, they made sure to enjoy the night and kept dancing into the early hours!

Once again Congratulations to Vidhi and Wamiz!

Miami Here We Come!

2011-12-15T16:08:00.002-05:00

The SJS team is heading to Miami for our last wedding of the year!

We can't believe another year full of weddings has gone by and that the last one is finally here. We are going back to The Eden Roc which is one of our favorite venues to work at, and this should be a fun one as it only has 40guests!!!

We can't wait to be back in the warm weather!

Welcome To Our Wedding!

2011-12-14T15:35:00.002-05:00

Whether you are planning a destination wedding or a local affair it is always fun to pamper your out of towns guests to show them your appreciation for traveling for your big day.

A great way to do this is to have a Welcome Bag waiting for them when they check into their hotel. Here is a list of welcome bag essentials:

- Welcome Letter with Schedule of Events
- Water and or Soda
- Map of the Area
- Local Snacks
- Your favorite Snack
- Hangover Helper Essentials
- List of restaurant and activity recommendations

Your guests will appreciate the thought no matter how big or small.

2011-12-13T12:58:00.001-05:00

Why Is It Less Expensive To Do Plated Dinners versus Buffet?

One of the first things to determine when you are planning your wedding is whether you want a sit down dinner, or a buffet. Both meal options give different feelings to your special day. To make your decision a little easier, we have broken down the different options to give you some pros and cons for each:

Sit Down equals Formal. Plated food is served to each guest. Table cards with meal selections and place cards are needed so that the catering staff knows what to serve to which guest.

The Pros:

- You can serve exactly what your guests want by giving them options for meals. They can get an appetizer to start, then their meal choice, then dessert.

- Food is hot right out of the kitchen.

- This is the more elegant way to present food at a wedding,

- There is portion control so your costs are and should be less than buffet.

The Cons:

- Sit-down service usually takes longer to get everyone fed.

- There is usually a 15-minute window between the first table and the last at a large wedding.

- If you are crunched for time, this might not be your best option as the focus is on the level of service and not on the speed.

Buffet equals Casual. Food is nicely displayed on a long table where guests serve themselves.

The Pros:

- In a less formal environment, this option is great for your guests to socialize and get to know one another.

- Guests can get their food at their leisure- Guests can also keep going back for more.

The Cons:

- Buffets can be hard to get around if they aren’t planned well.

- Sometimes, people and tables get in the way so you need to make sure the caterer plans a good place to set up the table.

- There are long lines for guests to wait for their food.

In the end, even though your pocketbook is important, choose your service by the look and feel you want on your wedding day.

Planning Trip to Puerto Rico

2011-12-12T17:18:00.002-05:00

Happy Monday! What an exciting weekend we had with our couple Deepti and Anup in Puerto Rico.

We arrived on Friday and did everything from menu tasting to viewing all of their decor to cake tasting.

I think it was very helpful to go there again and finalize all items for their May wedding. After months and months of planning, we are finally seeing it all come together.

Private Island Wedding

2011-12-09T11:03:00.002-05:00

When planning a destination wedding, some of our clients want to feel like they are the only ones at the resort. While most resorts have hundreds of rooms and lots of tourists, these resorts offer a change. Here, you and your guests will definitely be the only ones and taking over the resort, takes on a whole new meaning.

Peteri Island Resort
This resort is very private and can only accommodate about 150 people

Necker Island
It can accommodate up to 26 guests and is such a perfect setting for a destination wedding

Jumby Bay Resort
Jumby Bay holds 40 suites and 11 two-bedroom villas with private plunge pools.

Young Island
The only property on one of the private islands near St. Vincent in the Grenadines.

A Private Island
Off the coast of Belize

Guana
This 150-acre Bahamas getaway surrounded by sugary beaches can accommodate a private party of up to 24 people

2011-12-08T16:03:00.001-05:00

Managing Your Guest List and What A Wedding Can Really Cost You

It would be lovely to have the availability to invite everyone you know to your wedding. From that coworker that you barely know to distantly related cousins and their plus ones. For most, there are budget restrictions, people we don’t particularly care to include, space restrictions at your venue, and other possible limitations. It isn’t fun to cut people from your dream-wedding list, but sometimes it just has to be done. Here is some advice on how to handle this situation:

When making your guest list, you should organize it into priority groups. The first priority could include your immediate family, significant others of the groomsmen and bridal party, and close friends. The second priority could be your extended family, coworkers and acquaintances, and friends and colleagues of your parents. Your different groups may look varied depending on who is most important for you to spend your special day with.

If cuts become necessary, make them group-by-group, this way you aren’t inviting some of your coworkers but not others, or some third cousins and not others. Also, always keep in mind when you are making your list that some of your guests will decline your invitation.

No matter what the number ends up being, make sure that all the guests are those who you want there, and that will help to make your wedding much more special.

Keep An Eye Out For The Extras

2011-12-07T21:58:00.000-05:00

When signing your hotel room block it is very important to read your contract very closely and pay attention to the fine print. There can be a lot of small extra costs that can add up in the end. Here is a list of things to look out for:

- Wifi Charges
- Newspaper Charges
- Beach Towel Service
- Resort Charges
- Service Charges

These may all seem like small things but when you add them up your $140 room rate can end up being over $200!! Make sure to ask your sales rep about all extra charges so that you can inform your guests accordingly so that they are not surprised once they get their final bill.

2011-12-06T13:49:00.002-05:00

Sunset Times and Lighting For Your Outdoor Wedding

Being able to exchange your outdoor vows at sunset is a very romantic idea. But how can you make sure your guests are on time and able to share in the beauty of it?

A simple solution is that your invitations should have an earlier starting time-- about half an hour before your actual ceremony beings and the sun starts to set. A lot of brides forget to check the sunset time and figure out the appropriate lighting. To make sure that you can pin-point exactly when the sun will set, you can use an online sunrise and sunset calculator which gives you an accurate time no matter the date or place.

Once you have figured out the exact timing, you can talk to your venue and your photographer to make sure that you get the most out of the beautiful backdrop.

Grand Cayman Island

2011-12-05T07:53:00.002-05:00

Hello from the Grand Cayman Island! We are so excited to be on this beautiful Island again planning another wedding for our couple Mansi and Phil. Grand Cayman is a great spot for a destination wedding. The Island offers guests amazing sites, great activities, and a relaxing vacation. With numerous direct flights from the tri-state area, Grand Cayman is a stress free destination for any wedding.

Shoes For Your Special Day

2011-12-02T16:54:00.004-05:00

On your wedding day, everything needs to be perfect. You have picked out the perfect wedding dress, now all you have to do is find the perfect wedding shoes. They not only accent the dress, but they pull your entire ensemble up together and add that bit of elegance to your look. What better a time to splurge on a pair of shoes and really satisfy those designer desires than on your wedding day? Don’t be afraid to go high-end. Here are some of our favorite designers that that can help add to your special day:

1) Manolo Blahnik

2) Miu Miu

3) Prada

4) Jimmy Choo

5) Christian Louboutin

6) Roberto Cavalli

7) Alexander McQueen

8) Yves Saint Laurent

9) Moschino

10) Gucci

2011-12-01T12:06:00.001-05:00

Should You Do Multiple Events For Your Wedding?

When planning your dream wedding, it is easy to get carried away with the details. But with a little creativity and some research, you are able to cut costs without sacrificing quality and flare.

Here are a few ideas that can help you save:

1. Your Wedding Date: The peak wedding season is anywhere between April and September. If you pick a date that is between November and March, more resources will be available and you will cut costs. Also, more venues will be available.

2. Creative Centerpieces: Many brides purchase centerpieces from the decorators, which can be expensive, especially if the number of guests add up. But by being a little creative, you can create your own centerpieces that cost less. You can even visit discount stores or order things in bulk. You don’t have to have extravagant flower arrangements to project elegance and flare.

3. Lighting: If you have a budget that can’t include wall to wall lighting for each event, limit the special lighting to one of the events of your wedding. Also, opt to do four lights per wall to still give it a little bit of an effect.

4. Flowers: Asking your florist/decorator to reuse flowers is a cost friendly choice. In a different setting and lighting, the flowers will look different and unique. Don’t forget that you can use the flowers to decorate the room, bathroom, or even the cake.

5. Limiting Alcohol: Alcohol can take up a big part of your budget. You can cut the cost by limiting the amount you offer to your guests. It is not required for you to provide a full bar for all of your events. For cocktail hour, you can just limit it to select wines and beers. Maybe for the night before you do specialty drinks, like an assorted moito bar, or frozen drinks.

6. The Cake: To cut down the per slice cost, ask your bakery for only one or two real tiers of cake instead of all of your tiers. Most bakeries will give you the option of installing fake tiers for a minimum per tier charge. This option can easily help you save and still give you the cake you want. Also, maybe consider ordering cake for only half of your guests if there are also other desserts being offered.

7. Linens: If a full linen ensemble is not in your budget, you can get away with doing a runner on the table, charger plates on the table, or use just chair covers and sashes. Use the table linens provided by your venue and then rent the chair covers. To finish the look, select a chair sash to match the main color of your centerpiece.

Up Up and Away

2011-11-30T14:07:00.001-05:00

When booking a destination wedding you want to try and make the process of getting there a little easy for your guests. A great way to do this is by setting up a discounted airline rate. Most airlines provide a group travel deal, however they require a minimum of 10 guests and they all need to be on the same flight. Meaning traveling together on the same day, at the same time. Considering that everyone has such different schedules this can be a little tricky. This is why we love American Airlines group travel deal. American will offer you a discount code which will give all of your guests 5% off their air fare. Everyone gets to choose their own travel date and time. Visit aa.com and go to Group Travel, once you fill out the application within 4 days you will receive an email with your discount code. The great thing is that they extend the code to 5 days prior and 5 days after your wedding, so guests can take advantage of the discount even if they want to stay longer.

Happy Travels!

2011-11-29T17:08:00.003-05:00

The Pluses and Minuses To Having Indoor Fireworks

People often ask us about the safety and risk to having indoor fireworks incorporated into their wedding. Even though we love the fun and flare that they can add to your special day, there are a few things that have to be kept in mind:

- Collect all paperwork needed: Check and make sure you have the venue management consent, the venue management or production permit for event, approval of venue compliance with life safety standards, and that all fire protection systems, controls, and equipment are all up to date and working.

- Check fire fighting equipment: Make sure there is a minimum of 2 approved water fire extinguishers, other fire equipment as needed/required is there, and existing on-site fire fighting equipments and systems are all in check.

- Double check on your insurance: Make sure the fireworks you have chosen follow the rules of your venue as well as the venues insurance as well as your own is active.

- Make sure that you hire professionals: Get a fire marshal, as well as security for your event so that everything can be monitored as needed.

- Timing is everything: A run through or a rehearsal is sometimes your best bet in making sure everything goes off without a hitch on your wedding day.

- Use a suitable surface: To ensure the safe use of indoor fireworks, please light them on a suitable surface as recommended in the instructions.

- Handling indoor sparklers: Sparklers can get up to 5 times hotter than cooking oil, so they must be handled with care. Ideally, gloves should be worn when handling fireworks.

- Light fireworks with care: Light fireworks one at a time, using a long taper. Do not hover over the fireworks when lighting.

- Ensure each firework is extinguished: After the firework has finished, ensure it has extinguished fully and leave it to cool before disposing of it. Immerse in water if necessary.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T11:16:00.004-05:00

From our SJS Family to yours we want to wish you all blessings of health, happiness and success on this Thanksgiving and always.

Enjoy the turkey!!

2011-11-22T16:10:00.002-05:00

Whether you are planning a backyard wedding or need chairs/ rentals for your reception in a ballroom, renting furniture gives you more options when planning the decor for your event. Nevertheless, before signing with a rental company it is very important to review and understand their policies and terms.

1. Who is setting up all the rentals? Some companies will deliver the furniture and then set it up for you, while others will deliver and leave you or your venue to set it up. Make sure that the venue will not charge you extra for this.

2. Who is bagging and unbagging the rental chairs? Most rental companies will charge extra for unbagging rental chairs and putting on the cushions. The same holds true at the end of the night when they come to pick up. These charges can really add up and you need to be very clear who is taking this responsibility ( It is you? Is it the venue? Is it the rental company)

3. Even though it may seem unlikely that your rented furniture will become damaged at your event, you should still make it a point to find out from your rental company how much you will be charged if the furniture happens to become damaged. This is especially true for linen. It is very common for guests to spill food or even wine on rented linen. Are you the one who will be left with the hefty dry cleaning bill?

Asking some questions beforehand could prevent the possibility that the rental company might drive up and drop the furniture off at your location, leaving you to do all the hard work yourself. Just like all wedding documents, it is a vital read all the fine print prior to signing any rental agreement.

Devi's Closet

2011-11-21T17:09:00.002-05:00

One of our clients found this great website that we thought we would share with the rest of you!

Check out Devi's Closet, the easiest way to rent your outfit for your next big event. Yes, we said rent! They offer some of the top Indian designers for a fraction of the cost. Just rent your dream outfit and return it after your event... how convienent?

Here is how it works:
1. On their home page, choose the date of your event, your size and zip code where the item will be shipped.

2. All the available styles for that date will come up by price, style and occasion.

3. Choose the outfit you like and reserve it on the calendar (make sure to select a rental date of 2 days before the event to guarantee your order will arrive on time).

4. Make sure to select a backup size; you get this completely free.

5. Enjoy your outfit and once you are done, return it completely free. Just drop off your outfit at any blue USPS mailbox and you are done.

Happy Renting!

Your New Best Friend: The Concierge

2011-11-21T13:50:00.002-05:00

When planning a destination wedding your guests are going to have many questions:

Where can they go for dinner? Where should they go in the area for tours and sightseeing? What are the best places to shop?

This is when the concierge at your host venue becomes your best friend. They know the area better than anyone. They will be able to give you suggestions to the best restaurants, where you can find those perfect summer flip flops, and the best babysitting company for guests with kids. A good concierge can also help you with local vendor recommendations such as hair and makeup, tailoring, even the perfect florist.

We suggest reaching out to the concierge before you arrive and to get their email address and phone number. You could include some of this helpful information on your personal website so guests can plan their days. When you arrive make sure to ask them for maps to the area as these are great to add to your welcome bags.

The concierge has a wealth of knowledge and is always happy to help, so don't be afraid to ask!

Get Rewarded

2011-11-18T15:39:00.000-05:00

When planning a wedding no matter how big or small there will be many bills. Why not get a few rewards from everything you are paying!

Here are a few ways to get back some of what you spent:

1. Most big hotel chains have a rewards program. If you are not part of one make sure you sign up once you sign your venue. Many hotels will offer a certain amount of points or miles that you can later use to book your honeymoon at any of their sister properties around the world.

2. Other than points and miles, rewards programs offer many perks: free upgrades, late check outs, even discounts to the hotel restaurants and spa.

3. Get a credit card that offers mileage. Almost every airline is partnered with a credit card and most of them offer one mile to the dollar. Before you know it you have two free round trip tickets!

2011-11-17T16:37:00.001-05:00

What To Look For When You Are Doing A Group Reservation

When it comes to reservations for your wedding, there are quite a few. You need to reserve a venue, decorator, caterer, florist, and several others. But one reservation that is key to any wedding is the Group Room Reservation. Having a place for your guests to all stay, together, and for one price, often is a plus. So what do you look for when creating your Group Room Reservation?

Cut Off Date

The cut off date creates the amount of rooms in your group reservation to be available for a certain amount of time, for a special price (normally up until 30 days before your wedding date). Check the cut off date very carefully on your rooms contract.

Attrition

Attrition fees are applied when a group cannot fill at least 80%, or an otherwise agreed upon percentage, of the contracted number of rooms. Attrition fees are compensation to the hotel for the rooms that might have been sold had they not been removed from the market by contract. So, make sure you know what the attrition amount is for your block. (If you reserved 50 rooms for Fri and 50 rooms for Sat, then an 80% attrition means you are obligated by contract to pick up at least 80 rooms over those two nights)

Room types

When reading your rooms contract, make sure you know what room type you are booking. For example if the contract says "Run of House", this means it is the basic room type. So, if you think you are reserving Ocean view, or river view or lake view, this is not the case. Most of the premium rooms do not go into a rooms contract so pay attention to this.

Bed Size

Under a rooms contract, make sure the hotel has listed what bed types are being offered to the guest. You may want to tell them we need 25 king beds and 25 two double beds for each night so this is 50 rooms total but 25 in each category. Don't assume that just because you booked 50 rooms, all 50 will have two double beds.

Special Requests:

Before you sign a rooms contract make sure you are aware of the hotel's policies. This includes check in time, check out time, how many guests per room, are cots allowed, are cribs allowed, can one family member be on the same floor or next to another. Just because your guests arrive at 8am to check in does not mean the hotel will have a room ready if the contract states check in time of 3pm.

The moral of the story is to READ EVERYTHING CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU SIGN.

Serving Lunch and or Breakfast

2011-11-16T17:55:00.002-05:00

While serving breakfast and lunch to your guests at the hotel is a very nice touch, the expense can often times can be extremely high. This inevitably takes away from your wedding budget. When our brides us what they should do, we recommend these more affordable options to consider.

1. Ask the hotel if they can include breakfast for your guests. Get a rate with room and breakfast.

2. Take your guests out to lunch at a nearby restaurant. This way you will not have to pay the 22% or so hotel service charges.

3. Consider a hospitality suite where you can bring in your own food and snacks. A hospitality suite allows guests the leisure of coming and going as they please. You can order pizza, subs and bring other items to serve.

4. Another way to cut down on your cost is to ensure that you are reporting your numbers correctly. Though you may have 100 guests staying at the hotel, it is highly likely that around half of them will have other plans or be unable to make the breakfast/lunch. Thus, in this situation you would report that 50 guests would be attending or half of your assumed amount.

Be sure to consider these factors while planning to serve breakfast and/ or lunch to your guests.

2011-11-15T14:45:00.001-05:00

Ceremony Drinks.

When it comes to your wedding day, ceremony drinks are a must! There are so many different options for ceremony drinks that allow your guests to stay refreshed.

Sparkling Cider makes a perfectly good substitute for champagne.

You can be creative with mocktails that can match your décor by being any color you request.

What about pina colada and daiquiri mocktails for a more festive drink?

Another idea is to serve your guests coconut water, iced teas, juices, and lemonade, which can come several colors and flavors, as well as fun glasses.

Lastly, there is the simple option of sodas, seltzers, and water with different fruits.

Cheers!

Card Box Safety

2011-11-14T13:07:00.001-05:00

Now a days more and more couples are opting for no boxed gifts at their reception and instead choosing to have a card box. We personally like card boxes because it minimizes the clutter, they can blend in very nicely with your decor, and who would want to carry around gifts. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind for your card box:

1. Make sure it is placed somewhere that it is visible to everyone, we usually recommend putting it right next to the sweethearts table, this way no one can miss it and you can always keep an eye on it.

2. Make sure the box is completely sealed and not easily opened. We prefer boxes that have a lock and key.

3. Put someone trusted in charge of the box. This person can empty the box if it gets too full and they are responsible for giving you all the cards at the end of the night.

4. We have seen a few birdcages that double as the card box. Although they are beautiful to look at, they are not practical. It is easy for the cards to slip out, or for someone to just take them out.

5. Do not under any circumstances put your card box outside of the ballroom.

Lenox Wedding Planner Tour

2011-11-11T14:53:00.004-05:00

Earlier this week Ruth from out staff had the pleasure of attending the Lenox Wedding Planner Tour. This was a tour for wedding planner to visit the Lenox area of the Berkshires and visit some of their best wedding venues and learn more about the area. Ruth came back with many great stories and nothing but amazing things to say about Lenox. We will share more of those details next week.

One of the most exciting things of the tour was the Crane and Co. Table Design Challenge. Each planner was given the opportunity to choose a Crane and Co. invitation as inspiration for a table design. Ruth chose the Embassy Black Pocket Folder Invitation.

The invitation had somewhat of a Gothic feel, so based on the colors and the location she designed the table at (The Apple Tree Inn) she designed an Adams Family inspired table top.

Using some gorgeous Black Magic and Sexy Red roses she put together 3 vases of different heights surrounded by many votive candles and silver candle stick holders and both ends of the table. The Inn had a great bench that added the perfect amount of darkness to the table. She also used some great black sequins linen provided by Classical Tents and square white plates to add some dimension.

2011-11-10T10:18:00.001-05:00

The Do's and Don'ts of an Outdoor Summer Wedding

Having an outdoor, summer Indian wedding could be amazing, but you need to make sure you cover all of your bases:

Do make sure you cover the top of the Mandap. You want to make sure you are sitting in the shade; otherwise you run the risk of strange shadows on your face, and blazing sun

Do make sure you provide covering for your guests. You can set up canopies, or cabanas, and even big umbrellas.

Do consider your ceremony time. Having your ceremony in the afternoon might mean peak sun and hot guests. We recommend you plan for a ceremony in the earlier morning or early evening, and opt for a shaded area.

Do consider lighter food that complement the weather. Warm weather calls for lighter and more refreshing food. Consider items such as fruit salads, pasta salads, or cold gazpacho. For dessert, sorbets and ice creams.

Do consider heat relief. If you’re having the entire ceremony and reception outdoors, think about having a place that guests can get out of the heat and cool down. Make sure there are plenty of refreshments, cold washcloths on ice, sorbets, and iced beverages being served.

Do not have a white shiny backdrop. White shiny backdrops do not tend to work so well on hot summer days. They reflect against the sun and can be hard on the eyes and terrible for photographs.

Do not chance the weather. When it comes to Mother Nature, you don’t want to take your chances and end up having to move the wedding indoor. Speak to someone at the venue in regards to a backup plan.

Do not leave the cake in the sun. Spending money on a fabulous cake to then have it ruined from the heat is very upsetting.

Do not forget about bugs. If you are having an outdoor wedding, especially in the summer, chances are they bugs will be joining in on the festivities. The last thing you want is mosquitoes and bees all over your wedding. Talk to the venue about ways to prevent the bugs from being around.

Do not think that because its summer and outdoors that your wedding theme needs to be the beach. Sure, if you are near the water, then you might want to consider it. But if you are having your wedding on any other venue, why not explore all of the different options for themes? Make it unique and perfect for you.

Wedding Safety

2011-11-09T22:29:00.001-05:00

Your wedding is supposed to be filled with love, happiness and laughter. The last thing you should be worried about on your day is the whether your wedding is safe for guests; nevertheless, it is a very important component that should be taken into consideration while preparing for wedding. From long cable wires, to candle decorations, many weddings face an inevitably fire risk. Thus, it is valuable to think about the factors listed below when planning your wedding.

1. If you use candles as well as flowers, be sure the flame of the candle is far enough away from any flowers or other material to avoid fire.

2. Make sure that aisle ways are clear so that guests can quickly exit in the case of an emergency.

3. All fire extinguishers should be labeled and up to date. Most hotels require that all codes are taped down.

4. Electric wires should be tucked away and out of the way from guests.

5. Food should be prepared only in a kitchen or a safe place away from any flammable materials.

Consider these steps and ensure that your special day is safe and fun.

2011-11-08T11:59:00.002-05:00

To Be Wed App

Planning a wedding can be a lot of work, so why not simplify the process? With the help of Sonal J. Shah’snew app you can do just that! Sonal has teamed up with Apple to create To Be Wed, whichis a helpful guide to planning your special day!

On sale now for $0.99 for a limited time only, the Feature List includes:

1. Set Wedding date to automatically generate due dates for tasks.

2. Live Countdown to your big day.

3. Home screen quick view menu for access to To-do’s, Sonal’s social media links, and more.

4. Fully customizable To-do list.

5. Automatically created Schedule To-do list.

6. Share tasks with friends and family by email fromthe app.

7. Set alarms to remind you of task due dates.

8. Mark a task completed in the list itself.

9. Set priority levels for each task.

10. Expert advice/information available from Sonal for crucial tasks.

Whether you want a little help with where to start, are having trouble deciding on specifics that suit you best, or are simply stumped on how to finalize everything, To Be Wed is here to guide you!

Jalpa and Amish's Wedding

2011-11-07T22:36:00.003-05:00

This past weekend at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles, Jalpa and Amish tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony followed by a night filled with romance and fun.

As guests entered the ceremony there eyes were automatically drawn to the stunning Mandap which was draped in gold fabric and adorned with orange and red flowers. From the vases filled with orchids to the rose petals atop the aisle runner, the room was filled with a sense of romance.

The ballroom beamed candles and gorgeous centerpieces in shades of orange and red thanks to the amazing members of Da Vinci's Florist. After the striking ceremony, all the guests enjoyed a great night of amazing food from Tandoori Nights. The bride and groom along with their guests danced the night away thanks to the tunes provided by DJ Manan Shah.

We wish the couple nothing but happiness and love!

2011-11-04T08:40:00.003-04:00

What Does A Bride Need To Do About Changing Her Name?

Research shows that more women are taking their husbands names after marriage. Here is a checklist to follow in order to take on his name:

Marriage License- This is the mot necessary step because you won’t be able to change your name at all without this document.

Driver’s License- You’ll have to take your marriage license and current driver’s license to the DMV to get a new one issued with your new name.

Social Security Card- The Social Security Administration has specific requirements for issuing a new card- you’ll need a new application, proof of citizenship, legal name change, proof of identity, and proof of your old name. Visit their website for examples of accepted documentation.

Your Company’s Human Resources Department- Your employer reports your Social Security payments so you need to make sure to take this step immediately following your name change with Social Security.

Passport- The requirements vary whether you received your passport within a year of marriage or more than a year.

Miscellaneous- Online accounts, credit cards, bank and brokerage accounts, 401(k)…basically, anything you can think of that has your old name on it!

Non Floral Centerpieces

2011-11-03T14:32:00.005-04:00

If you are looking to add a unique touch to your wedding reception, how about opting for centerpieces without flowers? I know this might sound a little crazy but there are actually lots of things you can do to create an enchanting and memorable room without flowers. Here are some of our top ides:

Sand Castles

Candles

Ice Sculptures

Candy

Branches

Crystals

Tissue Paper

Fish Bowl

Feathers

Lanterns

The Perfect Wedding Slideshow

2011-11-02T16:33:00.004-04:00

Wedding slideshows have become more and more popular, especially during speeches. This is a great way to reminice about your individual childhoods and how your relationship came to be. Follow these 5 steps to create a slide show your guests will never forget.

1. Know Your Audience
Knowing who your intended audience is an obvious, but sometimes an overlooked step in the process of developing your slide show. For instance, you want to make sure to include some photos of your guests in your slideshow. This is a great way to show them that they have been special in your life. It's always a great surprise to see your self on the big screen.

2. Shorter is Sometimes Better
We’ve found that video montages that are between 5 – 7 minutes in length are ideal for wedding receptions. This usually works out to about 3 songs and 75-100 pictures. While you can certainly display more photos during your slideshow, you want to be careful not to subject your guests to an extremely long slide show.

3. Choose Quality Photographs
While recent advances in digital photo restoration have allowed torn and poorly developed photographs to be brought back to life, there is only so much that the software can do. Pictures that look great printed (correct lighting, framing, developed properly) will also look great while scanned. Another thing to keep in mind is that landscape pictures are better suited for this than portrait pictures. You can definitely use a mix of both but you should try using more landscape photos.

4. Give some thought to music
Choose music that has meaning to you; music whose lyrics go well with the pictures. Also pay attention to how long the music is. If you’re only showing 30 pictures, your music should go accordingly.

5. Test! Test! Test!
It is very important that you test your slide show BEFORE it needs to be played. The last thing you want is for the big moment to arrive and when you hit "play" nothing comes up!

Follow these tips and your guests will be sure to enjoy your little trip down memory lane.

Choosing the Right Priest or Pandit

2011-11-01T17:49:00.002-04:00

Your wedding ceremony should reflect the values of your relationship. The right officiant will take the time to understand your personalities so that he can set the tone of your big day. A pandit or priest brings his own personality to a wedding. It is important that the pandit’s personality and the personality of you and your fiancé as a couple align. When considering a pandit, you will need to discuss his or her beliefs concerning marriage and each person's role in the marriage. Below are a few questions that are important to ask your pandit.

1) Will we have to provide your travel and accommodations or will you take care of that on your own?

2) Will your have anyone with you (i.e. an assistant)?

3) Does you have a set program that you follow and what is the order of the events?

4) How long is the ceremony? Can he do a shorter ceremony?

5) Do you have to provide the items needed to perform the ceremony or will he bring this?

6) Can you recite your own vows?

Whomever you choose, make sure you are comfortable with his services and you both understand what has been agreed upon for the ceremony. Most priests or pandits do not have a contract but it is highly recommended that you have this.

2011-10-31T18:37:00.002-04:00

Cost Effective Flowers For Your Wedding

A big worry when it comes to weddings is cost. Whether you are spending your money on the basics, or decided to go all out, it’s always nice to realize there are a few places you can be cost effective.

One place you can be budget friendly is with your flowers. Brides are able to discover a ton of spots where they can obtain those low-priced flowers. You can check out the Markets for roses and carnations, along with other bouquets. There’s

always the Farmers Market and any other type of Farm. And then there’s the ever-reliable internet- where you can get a happy price reducing floral provider. What about your own personal garden? You can plant the seeds you want and end up with a beautiful homemade touch at the wedding!

Whatever you choose, make sure to take into account the styles, the season, and most importantly, yourself!

Body by Hannah

2011-10-28T14:36:00.002-04:00

Let's face it, on your big day you will be the center of attention. Everyone will be wondering what you are going to wear and how you will look. This can put a lot off stress on even the most confident bride. Enter personal trainer Hannah, she is a certified trainer based in NYC that can help you loose those extra 15lbs before the big day or just help you tone your arms so you can look amazing in your strapless gown. Whatever you are looking for Hannah will customize a special package and workout for your needs.

She is certified to train in home and is insured to do so. Her background in nutrition also adds a strong component to creating a more complete training program. She has been a contributor to Women’s Health Magazine, OneResult.com, and also many other fitness and beauty blogs like BeautySweetSpot.com.

Make sure to check out her website Body By Hannah.

2011-10-28T10:20:00.003-04:00

ESPACE

A common phrase heard in any business is “location, location, location”, and when it comes to event planning, it’s a very important detail. Finding and booking an amazing venue is one of the most crucial parts of any event because it jump-starts everything else.

Espace, located on 42nd Street, is the perfect location for someone looking to create a stylish affair. With their custom chairs, to their imported Briton carpet, modern meets elegant in this space.

You can contact Espace for further information, and they will help you with all of the attention to detail to ensure your event to be one of a kind!

Announcing the Launch of our App

2011-10-26T15:53:00.003-04:00

We are proud to announce to launch of our application To Be Wed. Put your worries aside and let this application take care of the rest. Sonal J. Shah has created this unique application that can help guide you through all of the right tasks that need to be completed to make your wedding planning stress free and organized. From its ability to automatically generate due dates for tasks to its innovative technology that allows you share these tasks with friends and family, this application is sure to come in handy while planning for your special day.

Welcome to the Party

2011-10-26T13:55:00.003-04:00

The hard part is over, you are officially husband and wife and now its time to celebrate. But before you get down on the dancefloor you need to make your grand entrance as Mr. and Mrs. Here are some of the most popular grand entrance songs of the moment:

1. "We Found Love" by Rihanna
2. "Party Rock" by LMFAO
3. "Beautiful People" by Chris Brown
4. "Night of your Life" by David Guetta and Jennifer Hudson
5. "Stereo Love" by Edward Maya
6. "Dynamite" by Taio Cruz
7. "With Out You" by David Guetta and Usher

Which ever song you choose make sure it reflects your personality as a couple and have fun with it!

Choosing the Right DJ

2011-10-25T16:32:00.004-04:00

The entertainment can make or break your reception. Long after the food, flowers and location of your reception have been forgotten, your family and friends will always remember if they had a good time! But how do you know which DJ to choose?

One of the first things you should do when searching for a DJ is to get references from get references from other brides who they have worked with. Once you have your recommendations, it is time to begin the interview process. You should interview 2 to 3 DJs for your big day. If you like their style and decide to pursue the interview further, here are some of the many important questions you should ask your potential DJ:

1) How many years of experience do you have?
2) Are you familiar with our venue?
3) Are you going to be the DJ we get if we hire you, or will it be one of your partners?
4) How many people will you bring to the event?
5) Will you cover your own parking (if in NYC or City with parking issues)?
6) What kind of power requirements do you have?
7) How many weddings do you do in a weekend?

A DJ's talent should be more than just getting the crowd pumped up or making announcements at the right time. They should know everything that is going on during your wedding, and be available to you when you call or email them. Therefore, it is important to follow these tips when hiring your wedding DJ.

Pamela and Subir Thank You

2011-10-24T18:23:00.001-04:00

Sonal and Ruth,

Subir and I just wanted to say thank you SO MUCH for all your help over the past few months and most especially the last two days. You and your team were meticulous, so well planned and had everything thought through. I honestly don't know how it would have all come together without you. Our stress levels were definitely kept at bay because I completely trusted that you guys were on top of each and every detail so we have to really thank you for that.

We had so many people come up to us and comment on your team and what a great job you did. And you were definitely a walking advertisement because I had a few engaged friends and almost engaged friends come and ask details=)

Thanks so much!
Love,
Pam & Subir

Pamela and Subir's Wedding

2011-10-24T18:10:00.003-04:00

As the year is coming to an end we had one of our last weddings of the season this weekend. Pamela and Subir invited their friends and family to a gorgeous ceremony at St. John The Baptist Church in New Jersey followed by a stunning reception at The Westin Jersey City.

The bride looked gorgeous in her Pronovias gown.

The couple had a big bridal party made up of 8 bridesmaids and 7 groomsmen.

After the emotional ceremony all the guests enjoyed a great night of dancing and amazing food from Bukhara Grill. The ballroom glimmered with many candles and gorgeous centerpieces in shades of purple and green put together by the amazing team over at Elegant Affairs.

One of our favorite parts of this event is that in lieu of favors the couple decided to make a donation in their guests name to the Shanti Bhavan Children's Project.

The guests danced the night away with amazing music courtesy of DJ Juicy and didn't end the party until early in the morning hours.

We wish nothing but the best to the happy couple!

The Fine Print

2011-10-21T12:30:00.001-04:00

One of the biggest hassles when planning a wedding are all the contracts you will have to sign, but at the same time this is the most important process to ensure that your wedding is a success. When getting ready to commit to a vendor, it is very important to read everything very carefully. From payment terms, to deadlines, to what exactly they are including in your package, you want to make sure everything is included and noted. When going through payment terms here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. How much of a deposit is required? Some vendors will say they don't require a deposit, but we suggest you always give one, even if its just $100. This makes the contract legally binding
2. When are payments due? You want to make sure you always pay on time. This helps to keep a good relationship with the vendor and if you ever need to add a little something to the contract they are more willing to do so.
3. When is your final payment due? We always suggest our brides to try and make their final payments before the big day. The last thing you want is your vendors hunting you down on the dance floor for final payments.
4. Please bear in mind that the person that signs the contract is the personal that i legally bound to all the terms. We suggest that both bride and groom sign all contract together.

Contracts are legally binding, just like any other contract your wedding contracts need to be thoroughly read and understood, it is also helpful to have more that one person read them to make sure that nothing has been left out.

Customized Aisle Runners

2011-10-20T17:01:00.005-04:00

Whether decorating your ceremony or having a grand entrance into any event using an aisle runner add to the occasion. Its presence makes any event appear more formal and lively.

The Original Runner Co. offers brides a plethora of options from personalized runners to runners with patterns and glitter. You are sure to be pleased and amazed! The runners are customized to meet the bride’s needs and are made from a cotton/polyester blend fabric. When purchasing a runner from Original Runner CO. you will not have to worry about slipping while walking down the aisle. THEIR exclusive, non-slip foam backing WILL help TO keep the runner flat and smooth throughout the entire ceremony.

The Original Runner Co. has designed runners for numerous celebrities including the weddings of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries, Fergie and Josh Duhamel, and many others.

Be sure to check out their website at http://originalrunners.com/ for more information on how to get a customized aisle runner for your dream event. I know I was amazed!

Award Wallet

2011-10-19T17:52:00.001-04:00

Are you always loosing track of how many miles you have or how many reward points you have left at your favorite hotels? Make sure to check out AwardWallet.com.

AwardWallet is a free service that helps you manage your reward balances and travel itineraries. With 414 programs in their system this is one easy way to keep track of all your accounts including- air, hotel, car rental, credit card and others.

If you are like us you have mileage with different airlines and a lot of these miles go unused because half of the time we don't even know we have them! When it comes time to planning your honeymoon these miles will come in handy when booking your flights! The same goes with Reward Points from hotels. Most hotel venues will give their bride and groom a certain amount of reward points for booking their wedding with them. With these points you can book your honeymoon hotel any where in the world!

Award Wallet also helps you keep track on when miles expire or when you need to renew your accounts all in one place, and it will send you email reminders so you don't forget. In today's world when we have so many different accounts and passwords its great to be able to keep track of everything in one place!

Thank You from Nimali and Mayoor

2011-10-19T11:10:00.000-04:00

Greetings from Bora Bora!

Just wanted to thank you for all that you did to make our wedding so special and amazing! It was such a beautiful day.... Absolutely perfect and we owe it all to Sonal and her amazing team! We keep getting calls from our guests about how elegant and beautiful everything was! You guys are the best!! I've already spread the word... If you want a flawless and amazing wedding then Sonal and her team are the perfect choice!!!

Thank you again for making such an important day in our lives so memorable and beautiful!

Love,
Nimali & Mayoor

Taj Book Release at the Pierre Hotel

2011-10-18T22:24:00.007-04:00

Taj Hotels hosted a star-studded book party at New York City’s Pierre Hotel on Monday, Oct. 17, for “The Taj At Apollo Bunder,” a book that details the 108-year history of Mumbai flagship, The Taj Mahal Palace. Celebrity guests included Michael Douglas, Adrien Brody, Tory Burch, Salman Rushdie, Paul Theroux, Fareed Zakaria, Suhel Seth and Anand Giridharadas. Each of these special guests took part in reading an expert from the book during the ceremony.

Upon entering the rotunda, guests were blown away by the elaborate decorations provided by Atlas Floral and help from Sonal J Shah Event Consultants. Escort cards fell from the branches of a 10ft tree placed in the middle of the room, which was adorned in all types of red, orange, and pink flowers. The sweet smell that filled the air was a precursor of the night to come. As guests made their way up the grand staircase that was lined with orange and red candles, they were greeted by photographers from Patrick McMullan* The cocktail area and reception room were equally as extravagant as the rotunda. From the Ganesh that was garnished in purple, orange, and pink flowers to the purple and gold tones that filled the reception room, the night was striking. To top it off, guests were invited to continue the magical evening with a dance party in the rotunda.

The event was extremely exquisite and as one guest put it, “one for the books.”

*http://www.patrickmcmullan.com/site/event_detail.aspx?eid=39014&home=1

Wedding Insurance

2011-10-13T15:41:00.004-04:00

The decision to purchase Wedding Insurance can often be a difficult one for many couples – a financial decision that is an additional cost for your wedding budget, but will protect you from unforeseen disasters and mishaps. Given that the average cost of a wedding tends to be around the same price as a new car and is continuing to rise, wedding insurance is becoming more of a necessity. After all, you wouldn’t buy a new car that cost that much without insuring it against damage.

K&K Insurance offers a short term insurance plan for special events that protect you from, personal or advertised injury, medical expenses, damage to the premise rented to you, and the liability incurred by a contractor. Each year they insure over 250,000 events and organizations. K&K Insurance offers competitive pricing and a great success rate with 200,000 successful claims resolved over the past decade. With over 50 years of experience, K&K Insurance has been recognized as one of the leading insurance providers.

Don’t be left with a hefty bill for a disaster rather than a special day. Consider wedding insurance and check out K&K Insurance’s plan for special events.

www.kandkinsurance.com

Photo Booth Fun

2011-10-12T17:39:00.001-04:00

Photo booths are a fabulous way to entertain guests and capture priceless memories at your wedding reception. You'll get great pictures that will give you a cool behind-the-scenes look at your own wedding. Photo booths are available for rent, and allow the guests to print out their pictures instantly and take them home. Here are a few photo-booth rental companies for you to explore…..

Video Guestbook by Ish Events (888-340-9190)
This photo-video booth puts a literally meaning to the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words.” This unique photo and video booth allows guest to record a two-minute video message in addition to the usual stills leaving you and your guests entertained. ($799 for 4 hours, including unlimited 4x6 prints)

The Modern Photo-booth (917-386-8747)
Trying to fit all of your friends into a small four-person photo-booth can be rather difficult (if not impossible.) Thus, Kevin Norris has created a solution- a photo-booth that fits 25 people! Packages include unlimited prints, high-res CD, an online gallery, and a guestbook. (from $1,000)

The Majestic Photobooth Co. (800-940-1050)
This classic photo booth is sure to bring out smiles. With its traditional appearance and plush bench seating, guests are given a photo strip as a memorabilia of the night’s festivities. (from $1,195)

NYC Photobooth (800-531-3727)
With four different photo-booth styles to choose from, guests are sure to be pleased. These vintage style photo-booths deliver six images per sheet, which can be customized with the bride and groom’s name’s and wedding date. (from $1,450)

Benefits of Paying with a Credit Card vs. Checks

2011-10-11T15:36:00.002-04:00

We all know weddings are about celebrating the love between you are your fiancé, but let’s face it—figuring out how to pay for all of it, is an extremely important part of planning a wedding. When it comes to deciding what form of payment to use for the wedding services, it is valuable to weight out the pro’s and con’s of each type. Traditionally, many couples prefer to pay for their wedding services with checks; nevertheless, using a credit card can present numerous benefits…..

1) The convenience and hassle free nature of using a credit card can be very calming amidst an extremely stressful time. Companies can automatically charge your card when payments are due, leaving you worry free and ensuring that all your payments are made on time.

2) When you pay by credit as opposed to check or cash, you are getting a guarantee on your goods and services not only from the vendor but from the credit company as well.

3) Credit cards create a paper trail allowing you to keep better control over your spending.

4) The biggest perk that comes from using a credit card is the potential rewards that certain credit cards offer. If you have a rewards card, you may be able to accumulate enough points to pay for a portion of your honeymoon, be eligible for hotel and airfare upgrades, and many more benefits.

Even though you may be paying with a check, it is important to consider the possible benefits of using a credit card.

Nimali and Mayoor

2011-10-10T17:07:00.003-04:00

This past weekend was gorgeous in NYC! The weather was perfect for an outside wedding. And that's exactly what our clients Nimali and Mayoor had. The pier at The Hyatt in Jersey City was the perfect location for their afternoon wedding. With blue skies and breathtaking views of NYC guest enjoyed the beautiful ceremony.

After the ceremony guests got to continue enjoying the gorgeous weather and view with cocktail hour in the outside terrace of the Hyatt with delicious food provided by Moghul Caterers.

As the sky turned dark and the lights of NYC started dazzling guests headed to the Manhattan Ballroom at the Hyatt for an evening of dancing to celebrate the couple. The ballroom looked amazing with decor by our friends at Elegant Affairs. And the floor to ceiling windows provided a stunning view of the NYC skyline.

Nimali and Mayoor are one of the nicest couples we have ever worked with and we want to wish them nothing but the best.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

The Art of A Thank You

2011-10-07T17:36:00.003-04:00

Your wedding has come and gone and you are now left with thousands of memories and many people to thank. From friends and coworkers to relatives many people were integral to making you big day a success, so its important to show them your appreciation.

When sending a thank you note you want to try and be as personal as possible and all notes should be sent out no later than 3 months after the weeding.

Make sure that the note is hand written and if the person gave you a gift other than cash you should mention it on the card and make a cute comment about how it has come so handy. Even consider including a photo of you and your hubby using such item.

Many of our couples get stationary printed at the same time they get their invitation done, this way its easy to start them as soon as you are back from your honeymoon. Remember to keep the note short and sweet.

Meghna and Harish in Maharani Weddings

2011-10-07T17:31:00.001-04:00

We are super excited that our couple Meghna and Harish were featured in Maharani Weddings this week!

This wedding was a little over a year ago but the photos and event were so amazing that they are still getting press on it!

Click here to enjoy the post!

2011-10-06T11:42:00.002-04:00

Food Is But A Number

A full course dinner is when your meal consists of multiple dishes, or courses. It can range from simply three or four courses, or it can be a little more formal consisting of five, seven, either, ten, or even twelve course. The courses are all carefully planned to complement each other, as well as please the guests. Here is how a 3, 5, and 7-course meal are laid out,

3-Course Meal

1. Appetizer

2. Soup/Salad

3. Entree

5-Course Meal

1. Appetizer

2. Soup

3. Entrée

4. Salad

5. Dessert

7-Course Meal

1. Appetizer

2. Soup

3. Fish or Shellfish

4. Palate Cleanser

5. Entrée

6. Salad

7. Dessert

No matter the size, you are going to get a delicious and satisfying meal!

2011-10-04T16:56:00.004-04:00

A Wedding With A View

A seaside wedding can easily include beautiful things: shiny pebbles, gorgeous skies, and sparkling seas. We found a few great locations for a New Jersey Seaside Wedding venue for a very romantic and charming event,

Ocean Place Resort & Spa

http://www.oceanplace.com

“How do you envision your dream wedding? Will you recite your vows on the beach while the sun melts into the blue Atlantic waters behind you? Maybe you're planning a beachfront affair with the waves crashing in front of the ceremony as a gentle sea breeze drifts through the air. Or do you dream of a more regal setting in a grand ballroom? At Ocean Place, the possibilities at this exquisite New Jersey beach wedding location are endless. Let our experienced wedding coordinators plan each stage of your celebration, from the rehearsal dinner to the last dance. Whether you request a huge indoor gala for 1,000 or an intimate ceremony on the beach, we'll help you fashion the nuptials of your dreams.”

Oyster Point Hotel

http://theoysterpointhotel.com/

“The Oyster Point Hotel is the ideal location for a waterfront wedding. Whether it’s your special day or renewing your vows, our completely remodeled, luxury boutique hotel offers the perfect setting for your celebration. Envision your cocktail reception over the banks of the Navesink River and dancing the night away in our waterfront ballroom. Incredible water views, impeccable service and great food are all components that create an unforgettable Wedding.”

The Southern Mansion

http://www.southernmansion.com/

“The Southern Mansion offers something different that the typical wedding hall or hotel so couples can showcase their special personality or blend into this Victorian splendor. Imagine getting the best this mansion has to offer: make a grand entrance from our spiral staircase, enjoy our exotic lush gardens for your ceremony and cocktail hour, having a delicious gourmet dinner in our large solariums with the garden view, and moving to a different room for music and dancing! Want to surprise your guests with something unique, and have a wedding that your guests remember and talk about for years to come? Infused with stunning beauty and original character The Southern Mansion is your perfect wedding venue.”

Washington Inn

http://washingtoninn.com/

“Voted by New Jersey Monthly Magazine as one of the top Five Most Romantic Places to be married in the state, the Washington Inn prides itself on creating very personalized receptions. Weddings at The Washington Inn Weddings at The Washington Inn are just as romantic and special as you have heard or imagined. Voted as one of the top five "Most Romantic Places to be Married" by New Jersey Monthly Magazine, our gracious 1842 plantation-style mansion in the Historic District of Cape May boasts five unique dining rooms.”

Windows On The Water

http://www.njwindowsonthewater.com/

“At Windows on the Water we are committed to excellence and most importantly to your happiness. A family owned facility that is located at Surfrider Beach Club; we have orchestrated weddings, and family affairs with perfecting in every detail over the years. Windows on the Water is your Once in a Lifetime occasion location.”

All of these, and more are beautiful locations just waiting to host your very special day!

25 Meals, 1 Bag

2011-10-03T21:04:00.002-04:00

Last week we talked about great gifts that keep giving. We wanted to add one more to that list!

The new Clarins FEED 25 Bag. In support of humanitarian values, Clarins is working with FEED projects to help fight hunger worldwide with the Million Meal Campaign, which pledges to provide one million meals in two years through the United Nations World Food Programme.

This is a great first for bridesmaids, or for your mom or future mother in law, 25 meals will be donated when you purchase the bag ($90) which includes some amazing full size iconic Clarins products: One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, Beauty Flash Balm, Smoothing Body Scrub, and Moisture Rich Body Lotion.

Another great gift is the Clarins FEED 15 Pouch ($30), which will donate 15 meals to the WFP.

2011-09-22T10:07:00.004-04:00

Give A Gift That Keeps On Giving

Everybody loves wedding favors, and if you want to give wedding favors to your guests that are special to you, check out some of these amazing organizations that allow you to give to charity while giving to your guests:

Partner up with GAP and Join (RED):

(RED) is a simple idea that transforms our incredible collective power as consumers into a financial force to help others in need. Why not choose one of their red colored products from the Apple store like the iPod Nano, or the first-ever (APPLE)^RED Smart Cover for iPad 2. There are also the (PRODUCT)^RED™ Special Edition Lucky bracelets from Carolina Bucci, which are designed to capture the spirit of childhood friendship bracelets within the world of fine jewelry.

Global Goods Partners:

Global Goods Partners offer handmade gifts that support women. They have a lot to choose from, such as Jewelry such as Wooden Bangles, Beaded Bracelets and More To Support Women Artisans. Scarves which are all fair-trade, handmade and eco-friendly. Home décor, such as African Baskets, Unique Candles, or even Hand embroidered coasters. All of these gifts are dedicated to empowering women, alleviating poverty, and promoting social justice.

Marie Claire:

Marie Claire offers feel good gifts that give back. Check out their website to see an extensive collection of fun and charitable gifts that can double as favors for your wedding. Why not get Aveda's Destined for Smoothness Set, an all-in-one package that comes with two of their best-selling products: the Smooth Infusion shampoo and the style-prep smoother; with part of the proceeds going toward saving the Colombian Rainforest. Or you can get aFEED Guatemala 3 Large Ikat tote, not only are they stylish, but these versatile tote bags are handmade by Nest, a nonprofit organization that empowers female artisansaround the globe

There is a lot of struggle and hardship that is happening all around us,and with all of the love being spread around on your special day,why not share a little bit with the world?

2011-09-20T12:06:00.004-04:00

Questions to Ask A Church

When it comes to weddings, the most traditional option for your ceremony and venue is a church. But before you can booka church as your venue, there are questions that should be asked about things you can do, and more importantly, a few questions about what you cannot do. Here are a few:

1. Are there any restrictions regarding flowers or candles?

2. May petals be thrown?

3. May a fire be present during the ceremony?

4. Are there restrictions regarding ceremony attire?

5. Can we decorate the church the way we want?

6. What are your photography/videography restrictions?

7. Do we have to use the church music?

It is important to get all of the information before you make a final decision, so always make sure to coverall your bases.

2011-09-16T13:12:00.006-04:00

Forget Diamonds, FLOWERS are a Girl's Best Friend!

When it comes to your wedding, a lot of brides simply don’t know what flowers to use. Do you choose flowers based on their appearance? Whatabout their scent? Or simply based on colors? Here are just a few of our favorites for bouquets, and arrangements:

Stargazers:

Hydrangeas:

Roses:

Calla Lilies:

Orchids:

Whichever you choose, from our selection, or your own, the final product will be beautiful!

2011-09-15T12:48:00.002-04:00

5 Gifts for your Groomsmen!

A gift for the Groomsmen is a nice way to say thank you for not just being a friend, but for wearing the expensive tuxedo, for ushering the guests down the aisle, and for not revealing your deep dark secrets during the reception toast. But what type of gift do you get for someone like that? Here are a few suggestions for Groomsmen gifts:

A personal touch is a good way to go -- add a monogram a set of cuff links. A simple, and well-placed set of initials can give something ordinary a little flair.

Go for guy stuff -- it's as easy and classic. A flask is one of the greatest groomsman gifts. It’s continuous, yet practical, with a shameless male-bonding quality.

You should avoid gifts that are ridiculously cheap -- but this doesn't mean you have to choose something extremely pricy either. A monogrammed mug is a great reminder of your friendship that he will have every morning.

You could go for something sleek, and convenient like a watch. It’s not something too outrageous, and your groomsmen will constantly use it.

Remember that your gift doesn’t need to be something you can hold – it could be something you hold onto. Why not invest in a personalized money clip?

These, plus many more, are great ideas for giftsfor your buds. Make sure to steer clear of anything that has any relation to the bride because this is a man-to-man gift. This gift should simply say “thanks dude, and enjoy”.

Great Bridesmaids Gifts

2011-09-14T15:52:00.003-04:00

You've made the decision to ask some of your closest female friends or relatives to support you as bridesmaids through the wedding process. Now comes the hard part of picking out the right bridesmaids gifts for your bridesmaids. Here are several ideas for giving that perfect bridesmaid gift to those great women you're lucky to have in your life.

Lifetheraphy Pulse Point Oil Perfume
What we love about Lifetherapy is that they have a variety of scents to choose from. Each scent corresponds to a mood, so choose the one that best matches each of your bridesmaids. Choose from escape, chill, fun, flirty or vacation.

Swarovski Crystal Bracelet with Monogram Charm
A great way to incorporate their gift into the wedding is giving them jewelry. This Swarovski crystal bracelet is a great option. You can choose a color that matches their dresses and even have the pendant engraved with their initials.

Personalized Toiletry bag
This is a great option if you are doing a destination wedding. Embroider their names or initials and add a few of their favorite travel size toiletries.

Personalized Wine Box
Who doesn’t love wine! Get each bridesmaid’s a bottle of their favorite wine and put it in a engraved keep sake box. After they have drank the wine the box will all serve as a reminder of the wedding.

Personalized Robe
Consider booking a spa day for all your bridesmaids the week of the wedding, upon arrival gift them all with personalized robes. Every girl loves to get cozy after a nice bath!

2011-09-13T11:07:00.003-04:00

Leading Hotels of the World!

Need someone who understands the finer points of luxury and hospitality? The Leading Hotels of the World is the place to look! Maintaining offices in 22 cities around the globe, The Leading Hotels of the World is the representation of the world finest. Headquartered in New York City, with more than 450 members in 80 countries, they offer the largest collection of luxury hotels, resorts and spas where first class service is never an exception. Whether you want a family getaway, romantic escape, or a wedding of your dreams, look no further. The Leading Hotels of the World features hotels that cater to whatever you need, business or pleasure, all while indulging you in a 5 star lifestyle with unmatched comfort.

How does a hotel become part of this elite? In order to be included, a hotel must be in the category of deluxe/luxury, meeting the most exact standards with value to the accommodations, cuisine, service, employee behavior and amenities, and in short, all aspects involving guest comfort, convenience and mood. The properties admitted to The Leading Hotels of the World are the world’s most distinguished, and are always adhering to the organizations standards of high value.

The Leading Hotels of the World gives absolute service, attention to details, and expert support all of which make every experience that much more memorable.

For an easy hotel reservation, visit: http://www.lhw.com/ and be one click closer to luxury!

Unforgettable Bride, Unforgettable Shoes

2011-09-12T18:42:00.009-04:00

We gals know the importance of having a fierce shoe game. Admit it, sometimes we just love saying the names of our favorite shoe designers just to get that shoe craving satisfied. But when better a time to splurge and really satisfy those designer desires than on your wedding day? Ladies, never forget that one of the most important parts of your wedding ensemble are your shoes. They not only accent the dress, but they pull your entire get up together and add that élégance et goût to your look. Don’t be afraid to go highend either. Everything from your video, photos, and wedding favors to your wedding accessories and your wedding dress are all pricey investments, why not make sure that your shoes are included? Here are some of our favorite designers that speak the language of “highend shoes”:

1) Manolo Blahnik (What, you thought Carrie Bradshaw was the only one allowed to splurge on these?)
2) Miu Miu
3) Prada
4) Jimmy Choo
5) Christian Louboutin
6) Roberto Cavalli
7) Alexander McQueen
8) Yves Saint Laurent
9) Moschino
10) Gucci
Check out these fashion foot favorites so that on your wedding day everyone will be saying that the bride was stunning literally, from head to toe!

Damali NYC Hair, Makeup and Spa

2011-09-09T12:43:00.006-04:00

Fresh, new, innovative…relaxing, exquisite, and chic. These are just a few words that you would use to describe Damali NYC Spa’s ambiance and services. Whenever we look for different hair and makeup vendors to work with, we require a certain caliber, competence and essence in them and their work. When first walking into Damali NYC, you feel like you are walking into a typical high end New York City spa. With a decor that merges regal Western European taste with metropolitan modern edge, it is no wonder that so many clients from all over the country hail Damali NYC as a New York City favorite for hair, makeup and spa treatments. With Damali NYC servicing everyone from the bride next door to celebrity clients, it amazes us how down to earth and inviting they are! With this beauty and concierge studio being run by a commendable and delightful sister duo, it is really easy to feel like one of the family. They offer an array of beauty services with everything from spa treatments to hair and makeup, to “Girls Night Out” girlfriend and bachelorette parties right from their space! http://www.damalinyc.com/

2011-09-08T13:09:00.001-04:00

The Importance Of A Timeline On Your Wedding Day

There are many things that can help make sure that your wedding day runs smoothly, but the most important among them is having a wedding timeline. Planning a wedding takes a lot of thinking ahead, but when it comes to the day of, nobody ever really knows how much time he or she really needs throughout the day. That’s where a timeline really comes in handy, it helps the day run smoothly and keeps everyone organized and ready without chaos and confusion.

Some key points to have in your timeline are:

1. Make sure to include a hair and makeup schedule.

2. Make sure to add in vendor arrival and departure times.

3. Make sure to note any transportation pickups and drop-offs.

4. Make sure to include all walks down the aisle and grand entrance lineups.

5. Make sure to include all songs such as music for walk down the aisles, grand entrances, first dance, cake cutting, and last song of the night.

Nobody wants to be overwhelmed on their special day, and there are a lot of things to think about when it comes to your wedding. Having a timeline creates a stress free wedding day all while keeping things moving and makingsure that everyone and everything happens according to plan.

2011-09-07T20:55:00.006-04:00

Gaurav and Beatriz's Wedding!

The roses werered, the sky was blue, and everything was perfect, including the “I do’s”!

Combining a historic landmark with modern simplicity, Sonal J Shah Event Consultants was able to createthe perfect romantic mood for Gaurav and Beatriz’s wedding on September 4th. The vivacious floral arrangements complimented the lively table settings, all of which were decorated in shades of red and gold.

There wasn’t a dullmoment during the Baarat, whether it was from the excitement of the music and dancing, or from the Hollywood movie being shot right next door, both events seemed in constant competition fighting over which event was the bigger attraction.

The wedding aisle was adorned with rose petals leading up to an elegantly decorated Mandap, which followed the theme of red, with hints of gold and cream.

The happy couple danced the night away to the vibrant music from both the live band and DJ who made sure to play all the hits, classic and new. The deliciously prepared food and bubbly drinks were enjoyed while love and laughter was shared listening to speeches from the Bride’s sister, the Groom’s sister and brother-in-law, and the father of the Groom.

At the end of the night, guests weregiven gorgeous favors, which included silver picture frames, and decadent chocolates to take along with their memories from a fantastic evening!

Magnolia Cupcakes

2011-09-02T15:51:00.000-04:00

Where can you go to have someone help you create a beautiful and memorable wedding? Magnolia’s Bakery! Specializing in custom cupcakes, cupcake trees, deconstructed wedding cakes, and dessert tables, Magnolia Bakery works very close with the bride and the groom by offering many different selections and options that will help in creating the perfect look for your wedding.

Specializing in hand crafted classic American desserts; Magnolia Bakery makes everything fresh from scratch in small batches throughout the day using only the best ingredients. Baking the old-fashioned way without using preservatives or stabilizers, their desserts are extremely enjoyable.

Whether you are looking for Packaged Cookies that are delicious and custom to your personal specifications, or lovely Cupcake Boxes for your wedding, Magnolia’s Bakery provides all of this with their creatively frosted cupcakes which peek through the clean windows of their cupcake favor boxes. Anything you want, and anything your sweet tooth may desire on that special day is ready and available with Magnolia!

You can check out all of these special ideas and more at their website:
http://magnoliabakery.com/home.php

Colors We Love for Fall Weddings

2011-08-31T17:30:00.015-04:00

Fall weddings are some of the most coveted weddings to have. Not only do you have the great weather and the amazing wedding deals, you have the beautiful colors that make Fall the wonderful season that it is. With its bold greens, illuminating deep oranges and fiery reds, it’s no wonder why brides book weddings in the Fall once they say their “yes”.

Some favorite Fall colors include:

1) Deep to burnt oranges
2) Apple reds
3) Vegetable greens
4) Deep sea blues

Some other favorites are:

1) Bright lemon yellows
2) Sunset pinks
3) Evening purples/ Aubergine eggplant color
4) Chocolate browns

If you center the theme of your wedding around these illustrious colors, then you will truly set the bar for the perfect Fall wedding!

The Steps To Hindu Wedding

2011-08-31T08:30:00.004-04:00

Marriage is a sacred event, and when it comes to Hinduism, marriage is synchronized with the Vedas, the holy scripture of the Hindu religion. What’s uniquely special about the Hindu wedding is the collection of rituals that are performed not only by the bride and the groom, but also by their respective parents and close relatives. During these rituals, there are five offerings that are made,

1) Fresh Flowers: to signify beauty.
2) Coconut: to signify fertility.
3) Rice, Jaggery (brown sugar), and other grains: to signify food, necessary for the sustenance of human life.
4) Ghee (clarified butter): to feed the Sacred Fire.
5) Kumkum (red powder used for marking the forehead): to signify good luck.

The Hindu wedding ceremony takes place in the Mandap, the four-pole canopy at center stage. There are five stages to the ceremony,

1) Barrat and Milni: The reception and welcoming of the Groom and his family. At the entrance gate of the Wedding Hall by the bride’s family.
2) Jaimala: The bride welcomes the groom where they exchange garlands, which symbolize the bride’s acceptance of the groom as her husband. They are then escorted to the Mandap.
3) Kanyadaan: The bride’s family now moves indoor to the Mandap and they perform the Kanyadaan in which they give their daughter away to the groom in marriage.
4) Saat Phera: The bride and the groom’s hands are joined and they then walk the seven steps around the Havan (sacred fire) and take the marriage vows, which symbolize the obstacles that life may throw at them but that they will overcome them together.
5) Badai: The bride is leaving her parents home to build a new life with her husband and members of immediate family with tears of joy and sorrow but carries the blessings of all who witnessed the marriage ceremony.

One stage of the ceremony that really stands out is the Saat Phera—the couple walks seven steps together while reciting hymns, which express their principal household duties. The seven steps are,

1) To provide for the household, keeping a purer diet and avoiding those things injurious to their health.
2) To develop their physical, mental, and spiritual powers.
3) To increase their wealth by righteous means and proper use.
4) To acquire knowledge and happiness and harmony by mutual love, respect, and trust for each other.
5) To be blessed with strong, virtuous and heroic children.
6) For self-restraint and longevity.
7) To be true companions and remain life long partners by this marriage.

All of these unique steps lead to a magnificent beginning!

Getting Your Wedding Guests to The Celebration-Booking Shuttle Transportation for Your Wedding

2011-08-29T16:50:00.015-04:00

When the big day arrives, you want to make sure that all of your guests are there to celebrate with you. This is why figuring out transportation for your guests is an important and essential part in having a smooth event. If you are looking at a larger group that will be traveling for your wedding, along with encouraging your guests to schedule their flights around the same time, things will run a lot smoother if they all happen to land around the same time too. Below are some key questions that any transportation company of interest should be able to answer for you:

1) How often does your shuttle run?
2) How many passengers per trip can fit on their shuttle?
3) What is the fee for booking their service?
4) Are there any discounts for special occasions such as weddings?
5) Can you book under a flat rate?
6) How many minutes will it take to transport your guests from the airport to the final destination?
7) What is their safety record?
8) Request to have your name put on the shuttle busses. Can they do this to let your incoming guests know that that particular shuttle is for the wedding party

Once these answers are ready and checked, it’s time to let all your RSVPs know that you will see them there!

Backing Up Your Wedding: Why Getting Insurance is a Smart Idea

2011-08-29T15:05:00.006-04:00

Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados and floods. When it comes to Mother Nature, you can’t put up much of a fight. So one way to stay secured and protected for your big day is to get insurance for your wedding. I know that a lot of people may think that natural disasters and sudden turn of events can never happen to them, but the unfortunate reality is that these things happen all the time. For example, this past weekend with Hurricane Irene proved that no matter how much preparation that you put into your wedding, there are circumstances that are just out of our control. The last thing that you want to do is find out that because of the unpredictable, your wedding will not be taking place. But if you have your wedding insured, you can rest assure that your money, your contracts, your venues and your vendors are safe, and the only thing you will have to redo is reschedule your ceremony day.

NYC Indian Themed Restaurants

2011-08-25T20:13:00.016-04:00

The Indian culture, décor and style has always been known for its eccentric colors, bold taste, and fascinating themes. If you are looking for the perfect Indian themed dinner place, New York City is the prime location to find such. Places like Tamarind Tribeca for example. If you are looking for a place to celebrate with all of your closet family and friends, Tamarind Tribeca certainly has the space for it. With its elegant ambiance and decedent style covering more than 10,000 square feet, this is a place where one can experience true crème de la crème cuisines from the many regions of India. With that sophistication that we all know and love, it has never failed to be a New York City favorite.

It is no surprise that when NYC folks look for festive South Asian food with modern and edgy style, they flock to Taj on W 21st street between 5th and 6th Avenue. With its upscale yet traditional menu, one cannot help but applaud the life and flavor that Taj brings. http://www.tajlounge.com/. Last but not least don’t hesitate to explore the Vermillion Restaurant on Lexington Avenue. Talk about a chic atmosphere and a fantastic Indian menu! With the amazing fusion of Indian and Latin dishes, be warned: only go if you enjoy flavor, spices, and fun! http://www.thevermilionrestaurant.com/.