Friday, April 29, 2011

Where Did The Sound Go?

Years of planning weddings has taught us how important having the correct sound is! Though you may not necessarily focus on this in your planning process, it plays a major role in the success of your wedding.

Having the wrong sound equipment can cause unexpected glitches with your microphones and speakers. The last thing you want is a microphone going dead in the middle of a big speech! When booking a DJ or sound company, make sure you check their references and reviews. It is better to go with a reputable company versus a lesser known one that is simply offering a better price.

It is also important that your venue and other vendors work closely together to ensure that you have enough power. With a big wedding, there is a lot of equipment involved from the lighting to the music to the video (which also needs to connect to the sound). All of this working simultaneously can cause an outage if you don’t have the correct amount of power. So make sure you go over your needs with your venue and order extra power, if necessary. It may come at an added charge but its well worth it! It’s also important to make sure that the power is distributed evenly. There is no point in having extra power if all of it is connected to the same power strip.

So keep these tips in mind to ensure that no one pulls the plug on your wedding!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Amazing Honeymoon Locations

You feel a big sense of relief after your wedding has finally come and gone. All the hard work you put into planning was well worth it but now it’s time to relax and enjoy each other’s company. Finding the perfect honeymoon location all depends on what you want to do and what you can afford. Some prefer a staycation while others want a luxurious honeymoon. Here are two fantastic locations that some of our recent couples went for their honeymoon.

Viceroy, Anguilla www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/anguilla/ This luxury beachfront resort in the Caribbean sits on both Barnes and Mead Bay. It offers you all the amenities of a luxury resort while allowing you to relax in its laid back Caribbean atmosphere. Choose from the private oceanfront villas, beachfront suites and blufftop guestrooms, all with private pools. This getaway is both modern and sophisticated and is for the couple looking to stay in luxury and style.



Eden Rock, St. Barths www.edenrockhotel.com/
This luxury boutique hotel was once a private residence for vacationers, including Hollywood’s rich and famous. Now a chic luxury getaway, the Eden Rock sits high atop St. Jean Beach and has numerous suites and villas with beautiful ocean views. It also overlooks coral reefs and is surrounded by twin crescents of sandy beach. It is a great choice for the couple looking for a relaxed atmosphere with great cuisine.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Top 10 Questions To Ask A Venue

Looking for a venue can be overwhelming especially when it comes to asking the right questions. Below are our top 10 questions we use to inquire about a possible venue for our brides.


1.) Are you available on the following date(s)…?

2.) How many Indian Weddings have you done in the past?

3.) Do you allow a horse or elephant on the premises?

4.) What is your capacity for a ceremony and reception?

5.) Do you provide a stage for the ceremony and reception? How about chairs, tables, and linens?

6.) Do you allow outside vendors/catering?

7.) Do you generally have the ceremony and reception in the same room? If so, how much time is needed to flip the room from one to the other?

8.) What complimentary services can you provide for the bride and groom?

9.) Do you have a recommended/preferred vendor list?

10.) How does parking work for guests and vendors? Is there a charge?

If you and your fiancé are looking for a specific venue then address the right questions in the beginning stages to ensure that your wedding day is everything you dreamed of and more.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Color for Your Reception

The details of a wedding are always fun to plan. A lot of couples have been choosing to go all white or a neutral monochromatic theme. Although you can make any event spectacular no matter the color scheme, why not have some fun and go for bold, vibrant colors and patterns?

Colors can help set the mood and tone for your event and can dramatically add more life to your photos.

Some great color combinations are:

Hot Pink and Orange
Lime Green and Calipso Blue
Gold and Green
Black and White Damask with Red, Hot Pink, or Yellow Accents





Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Pros and Cons of a Beach Wedding

This past year, many of our couples decided to have destination weddings, and more specifically, beach weddings. Having planned so many of these recently, we know there are many factors to consider before making a decision. It is very important to keep all of these in mind, as failing to do so can leave you unpleasantly surprised on your wedding day!

The "Pro’s"
- Being on the beach provides a casual setting for your guests, which means they can dress comfortably and affordably. Even if it is not a destination wedding, but simply a beach near your home, your guests will feel like they are on a mini vacation.

- A beach wedding is a refreshing change from the traditional church and ballroom weddings. It allows you to really show your personality and makes for an event your guests will never forget.

- The beach and the sun provide the perfect backdrop for spectacular photos, especially if the ceremony is later in the afternoon.

- Like we mentioned above, a beach wedding really allows you to personalize your event. You can be creative with everything from fan programs to flip flops to your favors.

The “Con’s”
- The number one rule when planning a beach wedding is to remember that Mother Nature can change her mind at any time. Your day can be sunny at one moment and rainy the next. It is important to always have a back-up plan in case you have to make changes at the last minute.

- You will need to discuss your plans with local authorities as most beaches require a permit for any staging, music, or food that will be used.

- Keep in mind that many beaches are public! Depending on the time of day, you can have anywhere from a handful to dozens of curious bystanders looking over your wedding. And there is nothing you can really do about the ‘uninvited guests’ as it is illegal to ask them to leave the premises.

- Like we mentioned above, Mother Nature can be very tricky. Besides the possibility of rain, you also have to prepare for excess heat and sunshine. So you will need to make sure you have lots of refreshments, cold towels and shade for your guests.

Private Island Weddings


We were talking with one of our brides, Manisha who lives in Belize, and she told us about this great idea of getting married on a private island. All around the Caribbean, there are these small, secluded islands with sandbars. It is a great way to surprise your guests and share this special moment with a simple yet gorgeous ceremony. It also allows the bride and groom to just focus on each other while starting a new chapter in their lives.



Monday, April 18, 2011

Nina and Vinay's Puerto Rico Wedding

We just got back from Nina and Vinay’s beautiful Puerto Rico wedding at The Ritz Carlton San Juan. It was an event filled trip.

On Thursday evening, the festivities started with the Mehendi event taking place outdoors by a lovely fountain surrounded with rose petals, making for a truly romantic setting.




Friday was our tropical Sangeet on the Vista Mar Terrace, where the couple enjoyed family and friends, and some wonderful dance performances.



Saturday was an exciting and fun-filled day starting with the Baraat, followed by a delicious lunch for all guests to enjoy along with the spectacular weather. A sunset ceremony on the beach was the perfect start to a new chapter in Nina and Vinay’s life. The couple danced the night away in the breath-taking ballroom at The Ritz Carlton. Congratulations to the happy newlyweds!


Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Shaadi Trend Bridal Show


This past Sunday, we had the pleasure to be a part of the Shaadi Trend Bridal Show at The Westin Jersey City Newport. With the help of Elegant Affairs, our booth looked amazing! We had such a good time meeting with future brides-to-be and answering any questions they had. It was also great catching up with many of the vendors we have worked with in the past. And the delicious food provided by Mogul Caterers only added to the fun. All in all, it was a terrific networking event and an opportunity to build some great relationships. We would like to say, Congratulations to all the brides-to-be.




Friday, April 1, 2011

Keeping Cool

Fan programs are an excellent way to keep your guests informed while keeping them cool. You want your friends and family to be comfortable and enjoy the day as much as you do. Program fans are especially useful for destinations weddings taking place on the beach or anywhere else outdoors. (They are also great for keeping children entertained during the ceremony.) Here are a few different fan options:


Standard Fan

These are great if you are looking for an inexpensive option. They are standard church fans that come with a handle which makes them easy to grab. http://www.littlebridalshop.com/wedding_fan_programs.htm



Single Panel Fan

If your program does not contain too much information, choose a single panel fan. Get creative with the design and make sure to match the colors to your décor.



Multi Panel Fan


If you are having a longer ceremony with many details, choose a multi panel fan. These come with anywhere from 4 to 8 panels. They are held together by a grommet and ribbon which also makes them functional.