DOs and DON'Ts of Bridal Registry

I found a great article on wedding registry “DON’Ts” on CNN’s website. It’s straight to the point about the things you should and shouldn’t worry about while registering. There are great tips - from making sure your groom is involved (even if it’s just a little), to what to do if you receive something you don’t want or need.

I’ve also put together some helpful “DOs” and additional “DON’Ts” to also keep in mind while registering. Check them out below:

1. Do be organized.
It’s easy to get scanner-happy, and start scanning items you may not have been planning on wanting beforehand, so make sure to keep a list of what you want and what you have already registered for. That way, you won’t end up with three of the same wine glass sets.

2. Don’t choose too many stores.
It’s perfectly fine to register at more than one store, but don’t overdo it. Giving your guests up to four registries to choose from is a great idea; try choosing one store for china, one for furniture, one for bedding, etc.

3. Do make a day of it.
Registering can be very stressful, and that’s why you shouldn’t rush through it. Make sure to plan to be in the store or seated at your computer for a long time (or at least a few hours). To help make it more fun, treat yourself and your partner to a nice meal before or after to congratulate yourselves on a job well done.

4. Don’t follow the trends.
The seasonal items may look great right now, but in a few months time (especially if your wedding is many months away) they may be out of style, or out of stock. It’s best to register for items you know will still be in the stores by the time your guests decide to start purchasing. Try to keep it classic, and you won’t go wrong.

5. Do register for what you want.
Even though it is smart to keep classic choices in mind while registering, it is becoming popular to register for interesting items, too. Even if your guests might not want to pitch in for your honeymoon suite, you can still register for it!

6. Don’t be picky, be gracious.
If a guest buys you a surprise gift that you don’t like, try not to stress over it. You may find that in time, it will be in style, or can be used in the household. Make sure to thank them as graciously as you would for a gift you love.

7. Do know the return policies.
Make sure to check the return policies of the stores you are registering with. Some stores allow returns for up to three months after the wedding, but some have earlier dates. A few stores have even been known to set the return date for the day of the wedding!

8. Don’t forget to send thank-you cards.
After the honeymoon is over—literally—you and your other half should get yourselves ready to thank everyone who supported you during the wedding, and especially those who took the time to pick out a gift. Hand-written cards always seem more personal, but keep it simple by thanking them for attending and/or their gift. By keeping the message short and sweet with a personal touch, your guests will appreciate your gratitude.

Unique Wedding Favors

Wedding favors are an important aspect of your wedding; they are a way of saying thank you to your guests, and with increasing travel costs it is really a great way to show your appreciation. However, it is important to find something all of your guests will enjoy, and also has a special touch.

Edible wedding favors are always terrific gifts for your friends and family. By picking out a few favorite chocolates or candies, you are sharing your personal tastes. Another idea is to pick out a few of your favorite coffees and teas for guests to try. You can get these products from wedding vendors, such as http://www.americanbridal.com/, and they can even be personalized to match the theme of your wedding.

One different idea is to give each guest a bottle of your favorite wine. But instead of handing out a common wine found at any liquor store, get more creative. Research the area around where your wedding is taking place and see if there are any vineyards close by. With every sip, your guests are reminded of the great memories of your wedding!


Some couples give back to the community on their special day. Instead of a gift for each guest, the newlyweds will use that money to donate to their favorite charity in the name of their guests. Not only does this show gratitude to your guests, it also benefits the community. One option is to pick the charity yourselves, or at the reception give your guests a few different organizations to choose from, and after the wedding make a donation in their name.

Another wedding favor everyone loves is a candle. You can take a simple votive candle and have it monogrammed to commemorate your special day. With the many different scents and colors candles are available in, the options are endless. Gel candles can even be made with decorations in them, like seashells for a beach-themed wedding.



Whatever way you choose to thank your guests on your special day, try and add some sort of personal touch, it really shows your appreciation they were there and they’ll have a reminder too!

(Photos Courtesy of:
http://images.theknot.com/blimages/1110996592210676m.jpg
http://www.fantasticfavors.ca/images/seashell%20gel%20candlesmall.jpg)

New Color Schemes

With an Indian Wedding, almost all of our clients want to do new color schemes instead of the traditional Indian colors of burgundy and gold or red and gold. For the ceremony, it is ok to go with other colors! We have been telling our brides to take a fresh approach to color. I mean, come on, how many Indian Weddings have you been to where the colors are Red and Gold?

In recent months, especially with Fall just around the corner, we have been recommending colors that are more daring. Hear are some ideas:

Rust orange and gold
Bright orange and brick
Hot pink and light pink ( my personal favorite)
Yellow and Fuchsia with accents of gold (looks stunning outdoors)

For the reception, you can really go wild with color. For example:
We love the peacock color scheme of teal and royal blue
Orange and grey was one I read about in Bride's Magazine
Aubergine (purple) and teal with gold is very dramatic
Light pink with royal blue is another

I always hear from our brides, "I want my wedding to be unique". The best way to do this is to stay away from color schemes that are used by the majority. Be creative and take a chance on color. Remember to get a great lighting company to help you create a magnificiant overall color in the room. Your guests will walk in and be amazed! Isn't that what we all want?

A Day at the Spa—the Perfect Stress Reliever!

Weddings can be stressful, and it’s natural to want some rest. It’s also the perfect excuse to spend a day at the spa. Pre-wedding pampering is always a great stress reliever before your wedding day, and it’s an amazing gift to show your appreciation to your bridal party for all their help and dedication throughout the nuptials.

I recommend that my brides take at least one day to relax before their weddings. With the tranquil atmosphere found in many spas, believe me, you will leave feeling refreshed and anxiety free.

There are so many spas that have great wedding packages that are not only therapeutic (facials, massages and wraps) but also cosmetic (manicures, pedicures, hair and makeup). They even have group packages for your entire wedding party to take advantage of!

The best luxury spas can be found near your wedding location. I’ve found that nearly every hotel and resort has one, so finding somewhere to accommodate you and your bridal party is simple, just make sure to book one in advance.

Here’s a helpful website that you can search for reputable spas near you:
http://www.spafinder.com/spas/day-spas.jsp
My favorite spa in the whole world is…
http://spa.jwdesertridgeresort.com/

Creative Centerpieces

Centerpieces play a huge part in setting the theme for the reception. Lately my brides have been making very unique choices when it comes to these decorations. I decided to compare some of the ideas that I’ve encountered and give my opinion on what looks good.

This centerpiece is one of the larger ones. It makes a powerful statement when guests walk into a room. The vases are tall, and there are only a few on each table, which can make a distinct impression. All of the linens and chairs are white, so the pink crystals stand out. The crystals, colored to match the flowers, create a beautiful effect in the evening as they reflect the lighting. I really like the color pink, but what also appeals to me is the use of the crystals to offer different moods throughout the night, especially if you are going to have lighting changes.


This centerpiece is elegant and sophisticated. The white hydrangea give the room a very romantic feel. The orange flowers color this centerpiece, making it a little more modern. I like that the vase is not filled in this centerpiece, as it is easier for guests to see one another across the table and enjoy each other’s company. Along with the chocolate linens, this centerpiece offers a romantic, warm feel for the reception.

The trend is also to do mixed centerpieces. It is best to be able to give some height to the room but also do low centerpieces with a variety of vases. This is yet another very modern look we see around New York City.

You can always save on the flowers and do candle centerpieces. I love this one that we saw a photo of..

The main idea is to keep your centerpiece unique and reflecting your taste.



A new trend for centerpieces is the use of fruit; I showed an example earlier how Nishma and Neerav used oranges in their centerpieces, but any fruit can work. The whole centerpiece can be just fruit or fruit can be mixed with flowers to create a great focal point for the table. By alternating the fruit in vases filled with water, the fruit stays fresh. It also adds color and brightness to the design. I have to say that this is a great idea for a more modern couple.

Bridezilla!

I read this in a magazine when I was on a plane...

"My coworker is getting married, and she's turned into a complete bridezilla. I could write a movie script about the living hell she's put all of us through. In spite of my total lack of interest in such things, I've learned about "hot colors" and theme consultants and catering contracts and handmade stationary and persnickety musicians who break their contracts in favor of better -paying gigs. The only part of this wedding I am looking foward to is when she leaves on her honeymoon.
She hasn't done half her job for the past month. She has a special "wedding" cell phone. and although I might wait for days for a response to a simple email query, that wedding phone is answered in a nanosecond, even if we're all in a meeting and even if the boss is visiting from upstairs.
I'm a single guy. I don't have kids. I don't date anyone from work. I just do my job and don't complain. I don't understand why certain people have these insane priviledges just because they have sick kids, get engaged, have an attack of melodrama, or whatever. Should I start a movement for non-prima-donna right? Any advice on how to cope would be appreciated."
-Weary in New Jersey

Why label a bride a "bridezilla"?

This week, I have heard so many people refer to a bride as a bridezilla. It kind of throws me off as there is a lot of details when it comes to planning. So, does questioning, negotiating and calling 10 times a day make you a bridezilla?
The answer is NO!

I have brides who try to negotiate prices and they are called "Bridezilla".
I have grooms who are highly involved and they are called "Groomzillas".
I always find it funny how these labels come to be.

I really feel that this is a special, and most of the time, a very expensive day. A bride or a groom has the right to be demanding in their needs. I know I drove everyone around me crazy when I was getting married. It can become overwhelming for a bridde. Many people do not realize that planning a wedding can be or become a full time job. That's why hiring a wedding planner (like us, of course) can help! Our goal is to get the bride (and family) organized, allow her to focus on her career and not drive the groom crazy! We also give the bride an outlet to talk about her wedding and voice her concerns without being critical.

We want everyone to have a happy planning experience!

Trouble For Destination Weddings?

The most exciting weddings to attend are destination weddings. Are destination weddings as fun as fuel becomes more expensive? We will have to learn to cut corners without making your wedding day less special.

Recently, some domestic airlines introduced new charges for checking baggage. The first checked bag is $15, second checked bag is $25, and so on. If you have to check a bag, then pick an airline that does not charge for the first checked bag. Click here to see which airlines do not currently have fees.

I have been thinking of ways to make destination weddings less expensive for my clients. Here are a few tips:

· You could send a package via FedEx. The two-day shipping service ranges from $10 to more than $80 depending on where the package is being shipped. If you choose this option, do not leave it to the last minute. You wouldn’t want your veil arriving two days after your wedding! And be sure to track everything you ship to avoid losing important items. Also, be careful about what you decide to ship and ask for advice on the best way to package things; your place cards won’t be much use if they are damaged on arrival.

· If your guests are only staying for a few days, advise them to take a large carry-on. One that is packed correctly can hold a few days of clothes, avoiding the expensive checked baggage dilemma. Be aware that some airlines make exceptions for mothers and they are often allowed to take an extra ‘babybag’ on board- use this to your advantage if it applies!

· In order to ensure that you only pack what you need, be sure to check weather information before leaving for your trip. Hotels do have a laundry room so another option is to pack less and wash your clothes at your hotel.

· Try not to bring wedding programs and table name cards if you can get them made on location. It will be one less thing to worry about when traveling.

Destination weddings do get expensive for guests especially if there are more and more unforeseen expenses that pop up.

Our Washington D.C. wedding gets featured in The Washington Post!

On Saturday, June 14th our team went to DC to coordinate the wedding of Swati Raval and Manan Shah at The Ronald Reagan Building and ITC . This was one of the most anticipated events of this year for us. We had been planning this wedding since 2006! I could not believe how the entire day came together.

To my surprise, the next day, June 15th, The Washington Post published “Groom Turns Heads With an Elephant of an Entrance”, an article that featured Manan’s attention-getting entrance on an elephant! You can read the article here. We were so honored to be featured in The Washington Post!

Manan decided against using a white stallion in his baraat, in favor of an elephant, something he said he had always wanted at his wedding. His three year old nephew joined him as people gathered and took photos. It was very exciting! We had all the people in Downtown DC at a standstill-- traffic, joggers, tourists and of course, the guests who had no idea of any of this! It was perfect… a total surprise to everyone.

I had the pleasure of dressing Minnie, the name that we gave the elephant. I decided to get a picture with her.. who could resist? She is so cute and gentle. I told my husband, Jay, I want one in the backyard!! HaHa

Swati was truly a vision in a gold and cream lengha. She looked soooo beautiful. I got a tear in my eye when she walked down the grand staircase at the Ronald Reagan Building.
Her makeup and hair was done by one of my favorites, Bridalgal.

The entire ceremony area was changed to RED, RED, RED for the reception. The Bride wore a red lengha with a long train in the back…. Really a new look that you will not find in India. The red and gold colors complimented each other perfectly.

Swati and Manan took their pictures in front of the Jefferson Memorial and The Capitol Building. Aren’t they the cutest couple? I love the DC shots.. my favorites. The bridal party wore rust orange and gold.

From start to finish, the day was stressful but worth it. I really could not feel a thing after the 6 Tylenol that I had to take from all the walking! A day in the life of a planner…