In part 1 last week of How to Plan the Perfect Indian Wedding, Planning Elegance featured information about Pooja and Suraj, how & when to book a wedding coordinator and Pooja & Suraj’s Mehndi Party day. Part 2 of this article includes the next three days of this perfect Indian wedding weekend including their Sangeet Music Party, Ceremony, and Reception!

Indian Wedding Day 2: Sangeet Music Party

The goals of the Sangeet Music Party were to have live traditional Indian musicians, lots of dancing, and a simpler event than the ceremony and reception to come in the next couple days. This event was more casual, yet traditional and so much fun! It was perfectly planned so that during the day the families would stay at their respective homes with relatives relaxing and carrying-out any other small, intimate ceremonies that had not been performed the day before. In the evening, guests came in casually and enjoyed the music, appetizers, and bar. About one hour after the event started was the entrance of the bride and her family, this was followed by a very grand entrance of the groom and his family and close friends following behind them. The laughter continued throughout the night with a unique Indian food buffet outdoors, casual seating inside, and dancing in the center of the hall.

Venue: Yorba Linda Community Center because they wanted a more casual venue, lots of parking, a central location for all their local guests, and all the rentals provided by the venue (chairs, tables, bar, etc.).
Traditional Touches: The live musicians were amazing! At the beginning of the even they sang romantic Bollywood songs, than ramped up to more upbeat dancing Indian music and even a little garba.
Unique Twists: The live Indian musicians had a DRUMMER! That was amazing and added a grand twist of energy to the music. The buffet was outdoors and the caterers prepared food out there for guests to view and ask questions. Although the buffet was set outdoors, there was seating available indoors, this was a nice touch for the guests to be able to choose where they preferred to eat.

Advice to future brides:

• Not all of your events have to be fancy and formal with arranged seating and pricey centerpieces. Having an Indian wedding with several events can become costly very quickly, so choose which events you want to be simpler, less expensive, and still fun! Guests will enjoy the change of pace and appreciate at least one less formal event.
• Differentiate all your events. Think about how to best diversify the décor, caterers, type of food, and venues.

Indian Wedding Day 3: Traditional Hindu Wedding Ceremony

Pooja and Suraj purposely chose a long weekend for their wedding because of the early decision (made by Pooja, Suraj, and both sets of parents) to split up the ceremony and reception into different days. This was advantageous because the groom’s side was able to make many major decisions for the ceremony, while the bride’s side could do so for the reception day. They had a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony with beautiful outdoor weather, the baraat, all the small ceremonies within the marriage, all guests blessing the newlyweds, family pictures after the ceremony on the mandap, a traditional Patel-style wedding dinner, and the viddai. The ceremony day was from approximately 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm, it was advantageous for the couple, family, and guests to have a relatively early night at this event. The following morning, just as tradition follows, the newlywed couple went to Suraj’s parent’s home for breakfast and all the newlywed games.

Venue: The Hyatt in Newport Beach because there was an outdoor amphitheater large enough to accommodate more than enough guests for this large Hindu wedding ceremony.
Traditional Touches: The colors of this Indian Wedding were traditional shades of reds, oranges, and yellows. The ceremony encompassed so many wonderful traditional aspects that many Indian weddings in the United States no longer include in order to shorten the ceremony. Since these traditions were especially important to the groom’s side and since there was plenty of time without having a wedding reception on the same day, traditions such as the first garland exchange, each guest blessing the newlyweds, and extensive family pictures after the ceremony were able to be incorporated.
Unique Twists: The mandap for this ceremony was amazing because it incorporated the existing wooden structure at the front of the Hyatt’s amphitheater. The wooden structure was draped with beautiful fabrics and enclosed with subtle pipe and drape to match the festive canopy that kept the guests comfortably shaded during the ceremony.

Advice to future brides:

• When you have several events for your wedding, keep in mind that you, your family, and your guests need a break. Having your events on a long weekend and spreading the celebrations out over the course of a few days is a great way to incorporate everything you want without over-exhausting everyone on your wedding weekend.
• Keep your guests’ comfort in mind during longer events. If your ceremony is going to be lengthy, ensure your guests have plenty of water available and that they will be comfortable with the temperature, also consider providing refreshments during the ceremony. If your cocktail hour is going to be longer than an hour, ensure that your guests have several sources of entertainment during the cocktail hour.

Indian Wedding Day 4: Wedding Reception

The perfect Indian Wedding Reception was amazing! With several well-planned events, each person involved in the wedding planning had the opportunity to be able to incorporate some of their own ideas, personality, and desires into each event. For this event the bride got her wonderful idea of late-night french fry and donuts for the guests to snack on and well as a unique reception layout with rectangular tables. Everyone’s wonderful collaborations lead to a gorgeous outdoor and indoor cocktail hour, an amuse-bouche for the guests to clean their palates upon entering the reception hall, a flash-dance performance that was a surprise for the bride and groom, fresh naan served to the guests’ tables during dinner, and a night complete with on-going dancing!

Venue: The Fairmont in Newport Beach because of their beautiful ballroom, extensive experience with Indian weddings, and flexibility to accommodate our unique requests.
Traditional Touches: The beautiful two-dimensional floral Ganesh from the wedding ceremony was incorporated into the cocktail hour to carry-out the color theme and tie the events together.
Unique Twists: EVERYTHING from the grand centerpieces to the surprise flash dance to the non-traditional reception hall layout to the cucumber-avocado soup amuse-bouche served in shot glasses. This Indian wedding reception was far from textbook and definitely expressed Pooja and Suraj’s fun and loving personalities.

Advice to future brides:

• Making your reception unique doesn’t HAVE to be expensive, you just have to be creative and work with your wedding coordinator to make those ideas a reality. For example, simply fluctuating the layout of your reception hall doesn’t add any additional cost to your event, but it makes a big impact in the eyes of your guests.
• Diversify the entertainment for your guests to include not only speeches and great food, but performances, centerpieces that evoke conversation, and interactive things like a photobooth guestbook as well.  Some additional ideas are a thank you video that guests record throughout the evening, fun food trucks, a projected slideshow, a program for guests to read at each setting, or table numbers with fun facts about the couple on them.

Planning Elegance hopes you enjoyed and learned from this unique two-part article on How to Plan the Perfect Indian Wedding featuring one of our most successful and anticipated weddings from 2011. We would like to thank Pooja, Suraj, their families, and all the vendors we worked with to make this wedding weekend absolutely perfect, memorable, and breath-taking!

All images by AAcreation Photography.

Pooja and Suraj’s Indian wedding weekend vendors:

Wedding Coordinator – Planning Elegance
Ceremony Caterers – Jay Bharat
Ceremony Musician – Anis Chandani
Decorator/Designer – Shawna Yamamoto Event Design
DJ and Lighting – Special Occasions
Hair, Makeup and Dressing – Farah Manekia, My Fair Bride
Late Night Reception Snacks – The Fry Girl, Inc.
Limo for Baraat – Taj Limousines
Mehndi/Henna Artist – Minal Chaudhary, Mehndi-Henna
Mehndi Party Caterers – Lucy’s Tacos
Mehndi Party Musicians – Adrian Tapia’s Jazz Band
Photography and Videography – AAcreation Photography
Priest/Pandit – Mahesh Bhatt
Reception Caterers – Rasraj
Sangeet Caterers – Manohar’s Dehli Palace
Sangeet Musicians – Jayshree and Suresh

As we all know, Indian Weddings involve several days of celebration, weeks of relatives in town, and months of planning. Planning Elegance would like to bring you a special two-part feature about how to plan the perfect Hindu Wedding just as our clients Pooja and Suraj did earlier this year. Part 1 involves information on the couple, how & when to book a wedding coordinator and Pooja & Suraj’s Mehndi Party day.  Part 2 of How to Plan the Perfect Indian Wedding with the next three days of Pooja and Suraj’s perfect Indian wedding weekend including their Sangeet Music Party, Ceremony, and Reception! We will walk you through the various ways they selected venues, set their traditional events apart and brought unique twists to each event.

During wedding planning time, Pooja Mapara was doing her medical doctor residency working long hours with a very supportive family behind her. Suraj Akotia Patel is a licensed lawyer practicing law in Anaheim, CA with a family that holds in high regard cultural and family wedding traditions. They were high school sweethearts and were very excited to start the next chapter of their lives together. Pooja and Suraj are both very smart and knew that they had a challenge ahead of them in trying to balance so many wedding events into a few days. They chose to get married during Memorial Weekend 2011, which gave provided an extra day off for their guests, but a race to book a venue and good vendors for this high-demand wedding weekend.

How to Start the Indian Wedding Planning Process

This was going to be the first wedding in both Pooja and Suraj’s families, therefore the couple and their parents all quickly agreed to hire a wedding coordinator very early in the planning process. Suraj’s father contacted Planning Elegance first just for wedding and event venue selection advice. Upon a long phone consultation, he realized the value of hiring a coordinator prior to selecting the venues for their various events so that professionals could help negotiate pricing, review the contracts, make suggestions on which events to have where, and work with both families to educate everyone on the top priorities when selecting each venue.

A couple weeks later it was exactly 12 months prior to the upcoming wedding, Planning Elegance got a phone call from Pooja’s mother requesting an in-person consultation, explaining that they’d like to hire a coordinator immediately to assist with venue selection, lay out suggested deadlines for the planning process, and make vendor recommendations with detailed explanations of the pros and cons of each vendor option.

After the complimentary in person consultation at Planning Elegance’s office in Orange, CA, the couple and parents all agreed that hiring Planning Elegance was the right fit for their personalities and their needs. We went through the Planning Elegance booking contract thoroughly, answered all their questions, and got started with their venue search, to-do list, and vendor recommendations immediately. From there on out the parents were all definitely more relaxed knowing that they had a point-person to go to with every question and the bride and groom were happy knowing that all the planning pressure wasn’t on them, however that they would always get the opportunity to make the final decision on every detail.

Advice to future brides:

• Begin contacting wedding coordinators very early to be educated on what you need and where you need to go next
• Know WHY you want to hire a wedding coordinator
• Know what you want from a coordinator and tell them so that they can deliver
• Choose a coordinator who you feel very comfortable with and do not find annoying, you will be talking to them a LOT throughout the entire planning process

Indian Wedding Day 1: Pithi (Haldi) Ceremony, Ganesh Pooja, and Mehndi Party

Both families wanted to keep many of the traditional small ceremonies that go with a Hindu wedding, however had the challenge of having enough time to be able to accommodate all their events. After many discussions involving balancing pros and cons, everyone came to the consensus that the first wedding day would be a long one involving the traditional Pithi (Haldi Ceremony) at each family’s respective homes almost immediately followed by the traditional Gujarati Ganesh Pooja and Mandap Murath Pooja. After a few hour break, both families and more guests would celebrate a fun mehndi night full of entertainment and food to kick-off the wedding celebrations with smiles and laughter.

Venue: The Mapara Residence in Anaheim, CA because they wanted one event to have a personal and welcoming touch. With enough space and great themed décor, the best place to have the welcoming first event is the bride’s home.
Traditional Touches: Although the traditional Gujarati ceremonies held during the day were slightly shortened to be able to accommodate everything in one day, everyone was very happy to be able to keep those cultural and religious wedding traditions.
Unique Twists: The mehndi party in the evening was one of the most eventful parties that Planning Elegance has ever seen! With an outdoor poolside event, top-notch ambient lighting, Moroccan themed décor, 5 piece jazz band, and fresh Mexican food buffet, there was definitely something for everyone.

Advice to future brides:

• The mehndi event should be fun for you too. Take Pooja’s advice and get your mehndi done before all the fun starts so that you have time to mingle, dance, and eat comfortably.
• Personalize it! The tradition of henna on brides will last forever, however the actual mehndi party is a unique event that you should make your own. There are no set “rules” or boundaries for this event, it’s one that you can twist and turn to showcase your personality.
• Having an event at your home is great, but you have to do it right. It worked for Pooja and Suraj because they had a coordinator managing everything in the behind the scenes, plenty of décor to turn the Mapara home into a venue, ambient lighting to set the mood of the event, and a service staff to set-up, clean-up, serve food, tend bar, and stay throughout the end of the night to ensure that the family all enjoyed themselves.

Tune in to Planning Elegance’s blog next week for Part 2 of this article with the next three days of Pooja and Suraj’s perfect Indian wedding weekend including their Sangeet Music Party, Ceremony, and Reception! Keep up to date with our blog for new wedding ideas, trends & tips! Also, don’t forget to check out Advice for Indian Brides and Indian Wedding Fashion Tips.

All images by AAcreation Photography.

A really fun  and exciting theme that you can get creative with is Moroccan Nights!  Whether it’s for a corporate event, holiday party, birthday, music party, or wedding reception – this theme can be integrated into food, decor, attire, and music.  Let us inspire you with a past Planning Elegance Moroccan Themed Sangeet Party…

Coordination & Vision by Planning Elegance
Images by Harvard Photography
Decor & Rentals by Sheer Romance
Lighting by 3D Sounds
Venue & Accommodations by Long Beach Hilton

Planning Elegance would like to introduce you to one of our stellar couples…Deepa & Kiran Ghodgoankar!  Their wedding was on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Valencia.  Deepa, the bride, is Sri Lankan and by-far one of our most educated brides in her culture.  Working with her parents to ensure that the ceremony stuck to tradition was a very fun and educational experience for us.  Although traditional, this fun couple still incorporated plenty of American aspects into their wedding such as a bridal party & cupcakes.

Deepa and Kiran longed for an outdoor ceremony – just as most couples do, unfortunately – come their wedding day in unpredictable Valencia, CA the wind was raging and rain clouds loomed over-head, threatening to ruin their beautiful day.  Since their decorator built a custom mandap, we had to deem it un-safe to set-up for the ceremony outdoors due to the high winds and we all worked together to move the ceremony into the Hyatt’s large & beautiful foyer.  Although it didn’t rain through the duration of the ceremony, the high winds raged and would have created worries for anyone under the mandap – good thing we moved it indoors!  Although it was a little tight indoors, the ceremony was beautiful and the guests were comfortable and warm indoors.

The traditional Hindu Sri Lankan ceremony was followed by a fun cocktail hour with tea, cake & snacks to represent Kiran & his family’s roots in Britain.  This was such a nice and unique touch to personalize their special day!  After a while of sipping on tea & devouring the cute cupcakes – the bars started serving alcohol, the ballroom doors open, the grand entrances rocked the house and the fun kept rolling throughout the evening!  Of all the South Indian weddings that we have done – this was one of the most fun, lively and dancing crowds!  Through the Bangra, Hip Hip, Bollywood, 80’s, and Tamil music guests were dancing all night, even until Journey’s famous “Don’t Stop Believing” as the classic ending song of the night.

Deepa & Kiran’s Vendors

Wedding Coordinator – Planning Elegance
Decorator/Designer – Bloombox Designs
DJ & Lighting – Riamu Entertainment
Photography – Global Photography
Videography – Robles Video
Hair, Makeup & Dressing – Oscar Najaro, Ziba Beauty
Venue – Hyatt Regency in Valencia, CA
Caterer – Manohar’s Dehli Palace
Bakery – A Sweet Design
Horse for Baraat – Enchanted Carriages

The Bay Area has many great parks with amazing views. some of the parks you are able to have a wedding ceremony or reception, others do not. Some of the parks even have buildings to hold events in, which makes for an all around great wedding site! Below is a list of parks in the Bay Area with great views and great settings for weddings.

Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley

This venue is a beautiful venue for a wedding. The view looks out over Berkeley as well as San Francisco. It is a beautiful place for pictures as well as just a daily stroll through the park. It is rather hard to get to, but well worth it. During the winter months and possible the morning or late evening times you may find it to be rather foggy, which could make the view hard to see. This park is well worth the trip! For the venue you can have a sit down dinner for 150, buffet and casual seating 300 and cocktail and appetizers for 500. The building is huge, the parking is plentiful, and the space is amazing!

Legion of Art Museum

The Legion of Honor is a beautiful museum in San Francisco with an impressive display of ancient European art with a great view overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. This venue is a beautiful building that looks like it belongs in Europe. The view is amazing and venue is located right next to a beautiful golf course. Parking is not a problem and there is a beautiful fountain in front of the building. As for having a wedding there the rooms are big enough for large events. If you wanted to have the ceremony looking over the Golden Gate Bridge it would be rather small, however, there is enough space for some great pictures! If you are looking for a great drive, a great photo opportunity, and a beautiful place for wedding, this is a venue you should consider!

Muir Woods/Muir Beach

Both the woods and the beach would make a great place for a ceremony. If you are a beach lover or a forest lover both parks give you the best of both. The large redwoods of the forest and all the greenery makes this place very mystical yet romantic. When the sun comes through the trees it sets the most amazing mood. There is a great little bridge for wonderful pictures and ceremony. There isn’t a reception site; however, depending on how lavish you would like your wedding to be there is space for a small outdoor reception in the picnic area. Muir Beach offers a long stretch of beach for a wedding ceremony. There are also great fields overlooking the ocean for a ceremony or small outdoor reception. This park is absolutely beautiful on a sunny day! It is great for hikes and great for pictures! However since it is the beach the weather can be very overcast or cloudy depending on the month!

Tilden Park

Tilden is one of many parks that offers great views and wonderful scenery. This park offers great hiking and a wonderful place for a ceremony and/or reception. Through the park you can make reservations for your ceremony or reception. This is a park that should really be seen in person because of its magnificent views!

Image 1 via Sweet Smile
Image 2 via Da Travel Magazine
Image 3 via Hawthrone Photography
Image 4 via Hawthrone Photography
Image 5 via Allegro Photography

Whether your getting married in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Orange County there are many venues to choose from. Planning Elegance has compiled our 3 favorite wedding venues in the 3 major areas that we work in.  In the San Francisco area (the Bay Area) we have chosen Carmel Valley Ranch, The Julia Morgan Ballroom, and The Palace of Fine Arts. Our favorite venues in Orange County are Pelican Hill Resort, The Richard Nixon Library, and Laguna Niguel’s Ritz-Carlton. Our favorite venues in Los Angeles are The Langham Hotel, Long Beach Hilton, and Vibiana.

San Francisco and Bay Area Weddings

Carmel Valley Ranch is known to be an exquisite retreat to host any sort of a celebration. You can have a beautiful outside wedding surrounded by expansive mountains and flower gardens. They offer a golf course, tennis courts, and vibrant gardens. You can exchange vows on their tennis courts or dance underneath the stars. It’s perfect to add a bit of nature  and elegance to your wedding.

The Julia Morgan Ballroom is located in downtown San Francisco. It’s known to be a historic gem with a grand ballroom, lounge, and bar in a high-rise building. Julia Morgan was one of America’s most important architects and designed the Julia Morgan Ballroom, which offers your wedding a historic and unique feel. The elegant ballroom has light that flows through its windows where you can enjoy complete privacy and a view of the city at the same time.

The Palace of Fine Arts is a building that was built back in 1913.  Although the have held many concerts and events, it’s an increasingly popular venue for all kinds of weddings. The large theater allows more guests than most facilities with a capacity of 962. If you are a couple that loves art, theater, or the city – what could be better than getting married on a beautiful stage in front of all your guests. The Palace is undergoing renovations all of 2010 and will be unavailable for weddings – so if you’re planning on getting married in 2011 – you better jump on reserving this gorgeous facility!

Orange County Weddings

Pelican Hill Resort is located in Newport Beach. It is a unique and gorgeous resort located next to a golf course that has a 180 degree view of the Pacific Ocean. You can get married on their event lawn and enjoy your reception in one of their ballrooms. There are various ceremony locations on the property that will have you captivated by century-old olive trees and rows of lavender that surrounding you.

The Richard Nixon Library is a stunning replica of the historic White House. You can have a rose garden wedding with their 1,400 rose bushes that bloom in the spring. Their ballrooms include chandeliers, fireplaces, wood floor, and decedent ceilings. You can host your reception in the White House East Room and have one of the most talked about weddings in Orange County because this venue gets booked up way in advance.

The Ritz-Carlton is located in Laguna Niguel and offers breathtaking wedding ceremonies and completely unforgetable receptions. Your wedding ceremony can take place on the edge over-looking the never ending ocean. This venue is extremely flexible and can accomodate your sustainable green wedding dream, outside catering for cultural cuisine, and other facilities to hold wedding-related events or prayer needs.

Los Angeles Weddings

The Vibiana is located on South Main Street in Los Angeles. It’s known interior and grand proportions make a one of a kind wedding venue. It features high ceilings with white marble everywhere and beautiful architecture that take your breathe away. For a traditional wedding ceremony, they have many long rows with an old-style altar and classic confession stands. For an elegant reception – they have a completely unique ballroom that can be transformed to meet your style and needs.

The Langham Hotel is located in the city of Pasadena, right outside of Los Angeles. It was awarded one of the best hotel spas and has award winning dining. It offers 380 guestrooms, suites, and cottages near surrounding mountains and garden views along with stunning amenities. You can experience the timeless elegance of the landmark with the 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor facilities they offer. One of the most infamous things about the Langham is getting married in their Japanese Gardens with terraced ponds and waterfalls.

The Long Beach Hilton is one of the most accommodating venues in all of California.  From their excellent staff to their well-maintained facilities to their delicious food – you will feel completely taken care of if you have your wedding here. The Hilton ensures that their attention to detail and gracious hospitality combine to produce a wedding ceremony and reception that will be memorable and enjoyable for all your guests.

Any of these locations would be a wonderful place to host your wedding ceremony and reception. They are all different from each other and are known to be some of the most top rated venues in each area. Where ever you are looking to get married, ensure that you know how to find your perfect wedding venue. All wedding planners will suggest to look at several wedding venues before selecting your wedding site.  Enjoy searching for your dream wedding location!

_

Image 1 via Matthew May Photography

Image 2 via Geoff White Photography

Image 3 via Justin Jones Photography

Image 4 via Wedding Venues

Image 5 via OC Weekly

Image 6 via Lan Bui

Image 7 via AAcreation Photography

Image 8 via Langham Hotel

Image 9 via Samson Productions

Having your wedding in the city can add to the romance of your wedding day. The city can bring a different and unique approach to each wedding. As such, cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York have so many beautiful wedding venues for your ceremony and reception.

Getting Married in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a great city to have your wedding in. LA is home to an endless number of venues and sites. There’s an extended list of Los Angeles wedding ceremony sites from classic to unusual to help find your perfect venue. You and your husband could get married right in the center of the city near Beverly Hills and Hollywood. One highly recommended venue is The Albertson Wedding Chapel, which is conveniently located only five minutes away from Hollywood. Another unique idea for choosing a Los Angeles wedding venue would be to personalize your wedding favors with certain Hollywood actors or movies. It can be you or your husband’s favorite actors or actress or even both of your favorite movies. That way your guests will have something different and special that they can remember your wedding day by. It’s also a good way to include both of your personalities into your wedding reception.

Getting Married in San Francisco

What could be more beautiful than a Bay Area wedding? San Francisco has gorgeous scenery for outdoor ceremonies as well as for beautiful photos. From the historical elegance to the amazing views San Francisco has many venues to choose from. It has some of the most luxurious hotels which offer views and large ballrooms for bigger weddings. Some of the great views San Francisco includes Angel Island State Park, Aquatic Park Bayview Room, Carnelian Room, The Cliff House, McCormick & Kuletos in Ghirardelli Square and The Shadows. If your looking for a venue with more of a historical background there are many buildings that were built  in the 1800’s that would make for a unique atmosphere to your wedding venue. You could even get married or celebrate your wedding on a boat in the San Francisco bay!

Getting Married in New York

New York City is perfect for a chic, unique wedding. Getting married in New York City could add to the romance of your wedding or the fashionable outlook. New York City is all about the fashion. Instead of walking down the aisle it could feel like walking down a runway. A New York wedding can be nothing short of breathtaking. Central Park is known to be “a romantic escape for couples that are seeking a piece of nature in the big city”. Some of the best known venues to get married at in New York are The Central Park Boathouse, The United Nations Dining Room and Rooftop patio, and Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.

These three cities are just the beginning to add to your perfect wedding.  The city can put that special spark on your wedding ceremony and reception to make it a day that will be unimaginable and unforgettable.  Many couples meet in the city, so your wedding can be a representation of the continuation of the beginning of your relationship.  Before settling on a place to get married, make sure you consider all your options of destination weddings.  Getting married in a car off destination or the city can be romantic, exciting, & unique – Enjoy the city life!

Image 1 via Wed Now

Image 2 via  Arpia Photo

Image 3 via Belle Fine Photo

Image 4 via Luster Studios

Image 5 via A Brooklyn Life

Image 6 via Wedding Mapper

Use 2create designs to help them create your perfect wedding in the city!

What is the next step after a woman says “Yes” to the marriage proposal? It’s to plan the wedding such as the location, theme and color for the wedding. You even have to search for photographer, decorator, caterer and so forth. Here are some of the best wedding locations in the world…

Le Château d’Esclimont, France

The Le Château d’Esclimont is a beautiful historical valley that sits on 150 acres and is located about 45 minutes away from Paris. Getting married here is like living out your princess-marrying-her-prince-charming fantasy. Besides, your guests are able to enjoy some of their amenities such as fishing, hiking and horseback riding while awaiting for your wedding.

Images via JP Moser

California, U.S.

California is one of the most popular states in the world. It’s has everything from snowy mountains to warm and sunny beaches. Your romantic wedding can become reality at California’s enormous assortment of wedding venues, beaches, parks, and special event locations. There are many picturesque locations with beaches, hills, and cliffs which add to a perfect Californian wedding.  The abundance of talented vendors and entertainment wil enhance your wedding day like in no other country.

Bali, Indonesia

Bali is very popular with its exotic beach weddings and its authentic Indonesian culture, dancing and food. Many young couples enjoy having their weddings in Bali because they can hold their wedding and honeymoon together on a beautiful Bali Island of Indonesia.

Image via Bali, Indonesia

Image via Bali Exotic Wedding

Venice, Italy

Venice is located in the northern part of Italy. With its beautiful canals, gondolas and waterways, Venice becomes one of the most romantic wedding locations. It spells romance and it has the natural beauty. In Venice, there are so many wedding venues you can go for – such as Palazzo Cavalli, SS. Giovanni e Paolo and Venetian Palace. The charm of the city will definitely win your hearts over and this gives you lasting & romantic wedding memories.

Image via 4321

Image via Wedding Photographer

Image via Exclusive Italy

Fijian Islands

Fiji, a place you can hold your wedding in your favorite sparking waterfall, beach or tropical forest that gives you the perfect backdrop for wedding photos. Getting married in Fiji is very low cost because none of the resorts charge any fee in renting you a reception hall. They customize your wedding package that suits your budget. With over 330 different islands, they provide wedding and reception options galore! Fiji is most commonly referred to as the best place to get married in the world!

Image via Rhino

Image via Fiji Honeymoon

Florence, Italy

Florence, one of the most romantic cities in the world. The Grand Hotel is a very famous destination to get married in. It used to be an 18th century palace, then was converted into a luxury hotel. Instead of having your guests running around for your wedding and reception, you can actually hold both events at the hotel’s grand ballroom.

Image via Sky Scraper City

Image via Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Image via Perfect Wedding Zone

Tahiti, French Polynesia

Tahiti is located in the Eastern South Pacific and has gorgeous natural and uncrowded islands with beaches that go on and on. As a bride-to-be, the locals from the beach will treat you as a Tahitian Princess. Your day will start out with a soothing massage by your Tahitian bridesmaids. Meanwhile, the groom will be dressed in traditional Tahitian wedding pareu and a crown of tropical leaves. The couple will be greeted with Tahitian traditions of song and dance. Tahiti is named the best honeymoon location in the world over and over again, so start your honeymoon with your wedding ceremony!

Image via Beach List

Image via Tahiti Honeymoons

Image via Wedding Spacific

Napa Valley, U.S.

If your a couple that loves wine, Napa Valley would be a great place for your wedding. Napa Valley has countless beautiful vineyards and unique sights from San Francisco. It’s a premier travel destination with breath-taking views.  Your guests will love this destination wedding and the uniqueness and elegance of your special day will have people talking about it for years after your wedding is over!

The Bahamas

Bahamas weddings come in different styles and shapes, from beautiful outdoor locations on a hilltop with ocean views, to the traditional historical church to a private yacht to a unique world-renowned hotel. You are even allowed to get married underwater in Bahamas with all the fish surrounding you! So take you pick and tie the knot!

Image via Nearly Weds

Image via Dolphin Encounters

Hawaii, U.S.

Hawaii has many beaches and beautiful sites. It is one of the most popular locations to have a wedding because of its tropical islands, relaxing beaches, and gardens. There are a couple of islands to chose from such as the Big Island, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu to have your wedding ceremony or reception at.  The great thing about getting married in Hawaii is the abundance of wedding resources like hotels, planners, photographers, etc.  Additionally, you won’t need much decorations because of the vast amount of natural beauty!

Rome, Italy

Rome is another wonderful destination for a romantic wedding. It’s a place for couples to make the eternal commitment of marriage. Therefore, people also named the city the Eternal City. Rome is surrounded by rich architectural masterpieces, beautiful chapels and churches as well as incredibly historically significant monuments; hence you can have your wedding photos shot anywhere.

Image via Weddings in Rome

Image via Jules Photographer

Malibu Beach, U.S.

The city of Malibu is a 21-mile strip of Pacific coastline, which is famous for its warm, sandy beaches, as well as being known for being the home of many movie stars. Signs around the city proclaim “21 miles of scenic beauty”. Malibu would be a great location for a beach wedding. Topanga State Beach, Malibu Lagoon State Beach, and Zuma beach are just some of the options for a wedding venue. Malibu Country Inn is another venue perfect for an elegant intimate wedding or a courtyard reception.

Lake Tahoe, U.S.

Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevadas. It has surronding mountains on all sides and includes scenic charms. If you love the outdoors, Lake Tahoe would be a perfect place to get married at. You could get married over-looking the beautiful, glimmering lake with mountains and nature surrounding you and your guests.

London, U.K.

London is the heart of Europe and one of the most romantic places in the world to get married. It is famous for it’s unique churches and quiet gardens. Venues such as The Queen’s Club, Eltham Palace, and London Eye are just a few of London’s many famous wedding venues. Exchange vows at the top of the wheel at London’s Eye where you’ll be announced husband and wife at 135 meters above London.

Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany is well known for it’s rolling hills, picturesque vineyards, and magnificent architecture. It’s the best location to experience a real Italian-style wedding. Have a civil wedding in a historical building or say your vows in a beautiful Tuscan medieval castle. Have a country-side wedding where past and present merge into a pleasant harmony.  The possibilities are endless in Tuscany.

New York, U.S.

What could be better than saying “I do” in the largest city in the state, also known as “The Big Apple”? With its high-end fashion you could have a beautiful, elegant, and inspirational wedding. New York is home to many great wedding venues and wedding halls that are perfect for a unforgettable and romantic wedding ceremony and reception.  This city as any possible resource that you would need to make your wedding day unforgettable.

Miami Beach, U.S.

Miami is also a beautiful location to have a beach wedding. Miami Beach Botanical Gardens is an oasis of tropical palms in the center of South Beach. It’s a Japanese Garden for a Zen ceremony or an Asian style cocktail hour. From country clubs to Bontanic gardens at the natural beaches, Miami has many unique and stunning locations.

Bora Bora, Tahiti

Bora Bora can easily be described as the center of the romantic universe. With luxury resorts and spas and perfect white sandy beaches. It’s heard to be one of the most romantic islands in the world with dramatic scenery. Have the magical wedding you’ve always dreamed of with operatic sunsets above beautiful Bora Bora mountain peaks.

There are so many places to get married all around the world – whether it’ll be a destination wedding or in your home town – choose wisely.  The destination you choose should reflect your personalities, budget, and desires.  Have fun planning your world-renowned wedding!  More world wedding locations to come next week…

Wajiha and Ali met in Los Angeles, CA in 2008 through mutual friends and hit it off from the very beginning. They started their relationships with long phone conversations that turned into something deeper and more meaningful to both of them. Wajiha and Ali got romantically engaged in January while on a trip up to Northern California to visit Ali’s parents. Since then, they had their engagement party in Irvine, CA at Wajiha’s parents home (where Wajiha grew up and lived).

Wajiha and Ali had been spending as much time together as they could in between their busy jobs and planning their Muslim wedding. Ali is doing his residency in Urology at a hospital in LA, while Wajiha works as a regional sales rep for a pharmaceutical company. They hired Planning Elegance to help them plan their wedding as they worked hard with their families to plan their multiple events. The first big wedding event was the Dholki held in San Jose by Ali’s parents in honor of Wajiha.

The Milaad and Mayon were also held in San Jose another weekend. Wajiha couldn’t stop smiling as the beginning of their main wedding events unfolded. She enjoyed all the family gatherings and the fun preparations, not to mention the 6 hour road trip up to San Jose!

The most fun event of their wedding was their Mendhi celebration held in Orange, CA at Rupee Room. The Rajputs welcomed Ali along with his friends and family. The bride-to-be made her traditional grand entrance under a yellow dupata followed by her female friends and family members holding wet mendhi and tea lights. Wajiha’s siblings and close friends prepared a dance and a skit to entertain and welcome the Zhumkhawala family to Southern California. Then they danced the night away!

Now, we’re ready for the grand finale!  Wajiha and Ali had their wedding ceremony (Nikkah for Muslim weddings) at the Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach.  Their beautiful backdrop was created from Dream Decor Floral and their centerpieces and chair covers were provided by Planning Elegance.  Guests enjoyed beautiful music from their Pianist Anis Chandani and mouth-watering halal Pakistani food from Shanawaz.  AA Creation managed all of the photography and videography very professionally and beautifully.

“Sapna and Ashish are a fun loving couple that have had a long distance relationship for years. Sapna finally moved back to California when she landed her medical residency in Los Angeles and I could tell when I met them that they were so happy to finally be close to each other. Both of their families were so fun loving and I really enjoyed their wedding. From the beautiful mandap to the Italian samosas to when all their guests rushed on to the dance floor, it was a great experience.”

-Amy S. Patel
Owner & Head Coordinator
Planning Elegance

Wedding Date: Saturday, June 27, 2009
Venue: Long Beach Hilton
Photographer & Videographer: Samson Productions
Decor & Mandap: Manjit’s Flower Cottage
Florals: Conroy’s Flowers, Yogi Patel
DJ: Kumba, DJ Ajay
Hair & Make-up: Beauty Call Mobile Makeovers

A casual beach wedding could be the key to a perfect fun and informal event. Instead of dressing up for your wedding you can dress down for a change. Casual beach attire isn’t the only thing to fit a great beach wedding…unique favors, and beach decorations can set the perfect mood as well.

Casual Beach Wedding Attire

Most brides wear long, floor length gowns on their wedding day but for a casual beach wedding a simple strapless or spaghetti strap gown would do just right. When thinking about the length of your wedding dress you may want to consider walking in the sand and ocean water. Shorter length gowns may be easier to keep your dress looking nice for your wedding photos. For hair styles, having your hair down with loose curls or pinned half up would look great for the beach atmosphere. For the groom’s wedding attire, loose linen pants with a nice button up shirt sets a great look for the beach groom because it’s casual, but also sexy and sleek. Men love to be comfortable instead of having to wear those uncomfortable fitted suits then could also wear cotton pants and shirt with sandals. Cotton and Linen are the best way to go with choosing the groom’s and groomsmen attire. To keep the theme casual the bride and the groom could ask the guests to wear casual as well and maybe even come barefoot.  Women guests could wear short dresses with patterns or light weight skirts that go with the theme of the bride and the groom. Men should dress in comfortable linen pants and a button up shirt.

Beach-Themed Wedding Favors

Unique beach wedding favors can look great with things such as seashells, sandals, and sand. Glass coasters designed with seashells under each guests drink would be a great idea to add to the theme of a beach wedding. There are many other ideas such as seashell bottles openers, starfish wine bottle stoppers, flip flop tag favors, and personalized sand and seashell bottle favors. Each complimenting the romantic setting of the sea and sand. Also showing each of your personalities and unique style. If you want a more romantic effect, sand castle tea lights are a wonderful way to have a dim lighting romantic setting. Beach favors are a summer-y way to give each guest a memory of your special day.

Beach Wedding Food

The great thing about having a beach themed wedding is that no matter what, the food can be formal or casual and fun. Also, catering for a beach wedding is a lot less expensive than a more formal wedding. To start off for appetizers a display of tropical fruits would be best. For the main course there are many foods to choose from. You could keep it casual and fun with mini hot dogs and hamburgers. They can be dressed up fancy or just a plain old, traditional hamburger. Sushi is another choice for the main course because it’s fun food. What better way to stick with the ocean theme than raw fish! Shrimp kabobs on bamboo skewers can always be an unique way to serve your wedding dinner. There are many foods that go with the beach theme and many ways to serve it as well. A Hawaiian BBQ is a creative way to have a more relaxed dinner and allows your guests to sit and enjoy themselves with everyone else and to choose what they’d like to eat, like a buffet style.

Beach Wedding Decorations

With the right decorations for a beach wedding you can capture a beautiful beach theme ceremony and reception. Having a lot of shells and sand gives a more beach-y feel, you could even get colored sand to add more color to your wedding. Table laterns and tiki torches go good with sea shells and the ocean. Flowers are also a huge part in a beach wedding. Along the aisle that you are going to walk down, you can lay out a sort of rose petals to go along the sides of the chairs. The chairs can have white linens with bright colored ribbons around them to bring color out in your ceremony. When thinking of decorations, don’t forget that the beach’s climate is always unsure and maybe be windy to where it could blow away and mess up the decorations that are prepared. Also, when choosing beach decorations think of what aspects of the beach you would like to focus more on and try to incorporate it into your decorations to get the full affect of the beach atmosphere.

Beach weddings are fun, exciting, and always memorable. Enjoy planning you dream beach wedding and have fun on your wedding day with your toes in the sand and the perfect wind in your hair!

Several factors exist when searching for the perfect wedding venue.  The following aspects will help you prioritize what is most important for you in your wedding venue and make it easier for you to organize and select your venue.

Location

Within the consideration of the location, there are several aspects.  Distance is the first one to consider.  Choosing a venue that is close enough to your homes or a hotel you will be staying in is priority.  Second to that is the convenience for the majority of the guests to drive to your wedding venue.  Included in the category of location is the view.  If you are having an outdoor wedding, you should consider what the backdrop of your wedding is going to look like.  Some couples prefer the beach or a park scene, while others enjoy a golf course or lake look.  The view is going to be in all your wedding pictures, so this is very important when hunting for a wedding venue.  Amongst the location also lies the availability of parking and the safety of the surrounding area.  You don’t want your guests getting mugged while they are leaving your reception on a little buzz.  Although that’s an over-exaggeration, it is something to take into consideration when selecting a suitable venue.

Pricing

Generally, hotels and country clubs are more expensive than event venues and historical locations to hold a wedding.  Factor into the equation the cost of food.  If the venue is providing catering in the price, it may be cheaper than if you need to select an outside caterer to bring food on site and serve during your event.  Inquire about extra fees such as adding time on to your package, chair covers, decorations, and beverage fees.

Space

Your venue needs to be able to accommodate your guests comfortably.  This includes space for a dance floor, chuppah, mandap, extra decorations, stage, etc.  Any details that you would like to add to your wedding that would take up space in the venue need to be taken into consideration.  This is especially true for large weddings, like South Asian weddings, that have many guests, a buffet area, and decor that take up space in the venue.

Flexibility

Some venues are very stringent when it comes to their established rules and policies.  Ensure that they will allow certain aspects of your wedding that you need.  For example, if you need to bring in an outside decorator, they may need to possess a certain amount of insurances in order to work at that facility.  Additionally, if you have some sort of food restrictions and need an outside caterer, ensure that the venue will allow that.  Additionally, it is not uncommon for venues to prohibit fog machines, confetti, throwing raw rice, lit candles, and more.  Ensure that your dream venue can work with you to create the perfect wedding with all the aspects and details that you need.

Finding your perfect wedding venue is not easy.  You will need to visit several locations and ask the catering or evens director MANY questions.  However, a wedding coordinator can significantly ease the process for you since they have the resources and have worked with many venues themselves.  Additionally, if you are specifically searching for an outdoor wedding venue, there are different aspects to consider that affect your selection, you can check out our Advice for a Beautiful Outdoor Wedding.  Stay sharp and stay on top during your wedding venue hunt.

When picking your venue for your wedding day, you want to choose a venue that you’re going to remember forever. Many couples picture themselves saying “I Do” at an outdoor wedding venue. If you love fresh air, sunsets, and sticking your feet in the sand – a beach wedding may be perfect for you. California has some of the top beaches around and are beautiful to have your wedding at.

Wedding Attire

A wedding at the beach can be very romantic and relaxing for you and your guests. It’s a perfect way to have a more casual, yet intimate wedding ceremony. For the bride you can wear a shorter and looser dress that’s more comfortable and definitely more affordable. You also don’t need to worry about picking out your wedding shoes, barefoot is the best way to go when your walking down the aisle in soft sand. Grooms can also ditch the typical tuxedo and wear nice pants or shorts and a loose white T-shirt this makes for a gorgeous and unique wedding. Your guests can dress casually and comfortably as well and this can be an automatic theme wedding where the pictures will turn out great.

The Weather for a Beach Wedding

As beautiful as beach weddings can be, they may not be for everyone. We all know that we can’t control the weather and a wedding at the beach can always be a mystery. Beaches usually have a breeze and not everyone likes the wind in their hair. You also have to remember the tides, you definitely wouldn’t want a surprise from a high tide during your ceremony. Weather is a huge uncertainty for the beach, but a little breeze never hurt anyone. Make sure to check not only the date for the weather and tides, but the time as well. Before planning your wedding at a beach you should always check on the rules of the beach and what you’d be able to do on it according to your wedding day.

Creativity Comes with a Beach Wedding

The great thing about a beach wedding is that you can do more creative things with it more than a traditional wedding. For decorating your chairs or along your aisle you could string together sea shells together instead of having typical cloth draping. An interesting idea for your wedding favors could be to engrave yours and your groom’s names into a polished shell for your guests to keep. Also to add a romantic atmosphere to your wedding you can have your ceremony when the sun is setting, which would also make great photos. What could be better than saying ” I do”, looking into your beau’s eyes while the sun is setting right behind the two of you.

Image 1 via Sun Touched Weddings

Image 2 via Romantic Beach Weddings

Many people dream of the perfect wedding, they often picture it outdoors on the beach, in a garden, or in a park.  There are thousands of places to hold a wedding outdoors, however there are also several things to consider for an outdoor wedding that are different when planning any other celebration.  Here is some advice to think about when you are hunting for the perfect outdoor wedding venue.

• Choose your wedding date and venue according to the season and predicted weather conditions.  Most people do don’t enjoy snow or rain on their wedding day, others hate the sweltering heat…think about how you would like your day to look and feel.
• There are some restrictions to think about when selecting an outdoor venue.  Some outdoor sites don’t allow tents or may have size limitations.  Most parks prohibit tossing rice or birdseed.  Many places do not allow animals on their property, so think about that before you’re set on your man arriving horseback.  If some of these aspects are things you are looking forward to at your wedding, let your wedding coordinator know so that an appropriate venue can be arranged.
• Make a back-up plan for moving indoors in case it rains or it’s too windy.
• Considering the weather, you may want to arrange tents, heaters, air conditioners, or fans to make your guests feel more comfortable.

• One of the best things about outdoor weddings is the beauty.  Make sure you choose your décor with your venue in mind.  For example, if there are many flowers at your venue, you may not need as many floral decorations. Keep in mind the colors of your surroundings as well.
• Check the restrooms.  Sometimes outdoor venues aren’t equipped for a wedding and their restrooms reflect that.  If you have a large party, ensure that there are several stalls.
• If you will need electrical sockets, check the venue to make sure there are enough outside and they are reachable by extension cords.
• Check your surroundings.  If your venue is close by to a freeway or slightly loud area, make sure you use microphones during your ceremony so that your guests can hear.
• Make sure that the food is covered so that leaves and flowers don’t fall into it.  The best thing would be to have the caterer set up immediately before it’s time to eat.
• Check for insects around the site.  If there is a lake, there may be maybe mosquitoes.  Additionally, check for beehives and anthills.

Outdoor venues are beautiful and can create a peaceful atmosphere for your wedding.  Just keep these tips in mind to avoid possible problems during your wedding and you can be relaxed and ready.  If you have questions about an outdoor wedding venue that you’re interested in, just contact us with details and pictures of your venure and a wedding planner will give you some feedback for free.  Happy Hunting!