Groom: Rasha, 24

Matches aren’t made in heaven–they’re made through friends! Shoshi and Rasha first met in November 2004 at a mutual friend’s house. They became friends and started hanging out and staying up late nights talking on the phone, pretty frequently. On June 3rd, 2005, they finally went on a movie date. The next day, Rasha went down on one knee with a single red rose in his hand in the middle of a busy street and asked Shoshi to be his girlfriend.

Shoshi and Rasha have had a whirlwind romance and wedding celebration with events in Bangladesh and New York City! Check out their creative post-engagement photshoot (and the super adorable Louis Vuitton bag that Rasha got her for Valentine’s day!). Rasha’s brother, Romy Chowdhury, an amateur photographer, came up with the idea of a photoshoot in downtown Manhattan because trendy NYC areas such as Soho and Union Square deftly defines this cute and stylish couple. Beat this, Central Park!

Stay tuned for Shoshi & Rasha’s wedding photos!

Groom-to-be: Ali, 27

They met on: July 3, 2006

Ali Proposed to Farah on: April 10, 2010

Wedding date (tentative): June 25, 2011

Farrah met Ali during her senior year of college. Although they had crossed paths multiple times during their overlap at UCLA, it was not until Ali met Farrah off-campus that sparks flew. The two struck up a conversation at her cousin’s wedding in 2006, where she asked him to dance! Ali was crashing that wedding since his older brother was the only one  invited, and the rest is history. He first noticed her when she sang “Amazed” by Lonestar, a country song she performed that evening.

Fast forward four years! This couple overcame medical school and residency, graduate school and work, and a long distance relationship. Ali took Farrah on a vacation to Big Sur, California. The couple decided to “unplug” and unwind from their busy and hectic lives and enjoy the natural beauty of the central coast. They spent the weekend in a cabin with no internet or cell phone reception, went hiking, bathed in natural hot springs, and simply enjoyed each other’s company.

Ali took Farrah on a vacation to Big Sur, California. The couple decided to “unplug” and unwind from their busy and hectic lives and enjoy the natural beauty of the central coast. They spent the weekend in a cabin with no internet or cell phone reception, went hiking, bathed in natural hot springs, and simply enjoyed each other’s company.

Ali proposed to Farrah over dinner at the Nepenthe Restaurant in Big Sur, CA. Beautiful ocean views surrounded the couple as Farrah said “yes!” Congratulations from other diners and a few drinks on behalf of the owner made the night a success!

Ali and Farrah celebrated their engagement Saturday, April 24th, 2010 with close family at Farrah’s parents house in Bakersfield, CA.

Colors, Colors, Colors!

BridalGal founder, Lilly Rivera giving a guest a pretty new makeover

About the Designers
Shyamal & Bhumika are a designer husband-wife duo that took the Indian fashion scene by storm at  Lakme Fashion Week in November 2006. Bhumika’s training at the National Institute of Fashion Technology and Shyamal’s research of Italian Design in Milan led them to create amazing bridal couture and pret collections. They are based in Ahmedabad and Mumbai, India and showcased their designs for the very first time in the United States this year. According to Shyamal, they are looking for opportunities to open up retail stores all over the United States, mainly where there are large South-Asian American populations, so American brides might have closer access very soon!

The Sari-Clad Bride editor, Farah, with Shyamal!

Shyamal’s Bridal Fashion Tips for Fall/Winter 2010

• Velvet is everywhere this season.
• Muted Indian colors such as beiges, icy blues, muted pinks, greens and yellows are a hit.
• Traditional bridal colors such as reds, rani pinks and mustards will always be in.

The Sari-Clad Bride team absolutely fell in love with Shyamal & Bhumika’s Indo-Mughal collection. When we asked Shyamal where the influence for this collection came from, he told us that he researched South Asian history (particularly the Mogul era) in order to come up with this collection. “I spoke with nobel families, went to museums and talked to curators”, explained SShyamal.

“But, my real inspiration is the modern girl/woman on the run”, said Shyamal. “A woman who is always juggling a lot.”

the perfect red bridal sari, from the “gaam collection”

The event was a total hit with brides-to be’s, mother of brides and fashion lovers alike, all rifling through the amazing collection. We found a particularly enthusiastic bride, Sonalee,  from Edison. New Jersey.  Sonalee is getting married on July 21st, 2010 and came to the event to shop for a Garba outfit for her Rajasthani wedding event.

“I’ve been following Shyamal & Bhumika for the past couple of years” gushed Sonalee. “I’ve been eying this lehenga-choli since the runway show!”

Bride-to-be, Sonalee with a gorgeous Lehenga Choli

The Sari-Clad Bride team with some of their favorites from the collections

If you missed last night, you can catch the trunk show this Saturday, April 24th, 2010 at Shaadi Studio’s midtown location in New York City.

ShaadiStudio
336 West 37th Street, Suite 600
New York, NY
1pm – 5pm

As much as The Sari-Clad bride loves to bring you fun and sometimes kitschy ideas for your wedding, sometimes we just have to get real with you guys. Silly rituals are a built-in feature in most weddings but we feel that the following traditions are definitely worth avoiding.

Discloser: At the same time, it is YOUR wedding, so if any of these traditions are near and dear you, all the more power to you!

Having a bridal shower AND bachelorette party. Pick one event and save your bridal party’s sanity and wallets.

Bridesmaid uniforms. We know the idea of all your bridesmaids wearing the same sari/lehenga/salwar kameez/gown is nice in theory—but it’s horrid for the girls themselves. Give them a color scheme or particular dress style instead—everyone will be much happier.

Matron/Maid of Honor. What if your best friend happens to be a guy? You can definitely have a ‘Best Man’ or skip the tradition all together and keep all of your besties on equal footing.

The bouquet toss. We’re convinced that these two were invented to make single people feel awful. Believe it or not, most of the single ladies at your wedding have no desire to get onto the dance floor while you shove your ‘Ha, I’m married and you’re not!’ memorabilia onto them.

Eating old cake. We think that the idea behind saving the top tier of your wedding cake for your one-year anniversary is sweet, but the thought of consuming it is icky. Have your baker make you a fresh version of the top layer of your wedding cake for your anniversary.

Skipping nooky before the wedding. Wedding-night sex will be special no matter what, because it will be the first time you’ll be together as husband and wife, so don’t starve yourselves beforehand! Unless your opting for an arranged marriage and have never been intimate together–in that case, good luck!

An immediate honeymoon. Don’t skimp on your travel plans because the wedding ate up your honeymoon budget. Take a few months or even a year to plan a full-scale honeymoon and go on a smaller getaway right after the wedding.

Niki:

Hello, I am writing you from Vancouver, Canada. I just recently got engaged to a man from France. We are planning a Hindu ceremony for this summer close to his hometown in the south of France. I am finding many obstacles in arranging a Hindu ceremony from so far away and in an area that does not have a large Indian population. The first hurdle that we have encountered is trying to find a Pundit (Hindu Priest) to perform the ceremony. So far, the only Pundit that we have found lives in Germany. Do you have any ideas? Thank you for your time and any assistance you can give!

Dear Niki,

First of all, Congratulations!! The Sari-Clad Bride is always excited to hear about new couples tying the knot! Thank you for contacting us and we would definitely like to help you jump over those hurdles of planning a wedding from so far away. We do have some ideas that may help you. First of all, we would like to inform you about the Hindu temple in Paris listed below:

This is one of the larger temples in Paris. Please contact the temple for their Pundit availability. I am sure it will be cheaper for them to travel within France rather than bringing someone from outside the country.

Since the distance and expenses are usually the big issues with planning a destination wedding, the Sari-Clad Bride also suggests you contact local wedding planners in France to help you with finding a pundit as well as other necessities locally. Remember, a planner provides all types of service and you can pick and choose what you need – you don’t have to spend a lot of money on having a planner plan your whole wedding but he/she can help you with planning certain aspects of the wedding. Some planners we recommend are:

Additionally, if you need to fly someone in and flights are cheaper from England to France than from Germany, below is the information of a great priest from UK who does travel for weddings depending on availibility:

Keep checking us out as we will soon bring you vendor spotlights on some of these contacts that may help you make a wiser choice!

Recently one of you asked the following:

Where can I find Gujarati singing groups for a wedding on the East Coast (US)? Please help. Thanks. Looking for a group of live singers and musicians for a Gujarati Hindu wedding — a group that performs traditional Gujarati geet (songs) and Gujarati garba and Hindi film songs. Please post groups, website links, and contact information if possible. Thanks.

Let me start off by saying how happy we are that you asked us to inquire into this. Too many people are used to DJs at weddings. While a DJ/MC is necessary for the after party of the wedding to be official, we seldom appreciate the fun and joy a live wedding band or singer can bring to the wedding. Not to mention it makes the experience even more unique. So below please find two very well-known and very professional wedding singers/bands based on US East Coast who not only specialize in traditional Gujrati geet and garba, but Hindi film and pop music as well:

Natwar Thakkar

999 Enterprises Inc.

58 Hillcrest Avenue

Iselin NJ 08830

732-404-1098 / 732-283-0256

info@999enterprises.com / natwarthakkar@hotmail.com / kaushal_n_t@yahoo.com

Ritesh Rathod / Rupali Acharya

Medley Entertainment Inc

291 Pinelli Drive

Piscataway, NJ 08854

347-385-8587 / 732-356-1204 / 347-724-5202 / 718-205-2016

1-866-9MEDLEY

party@medleyentertainmentinc.com

We would like to thank our awesome friend the world-renowned DJ Magic Mike from Magic Sound for providing us with all the information! Thanks Mike!

There are many parts that go into creating the perfect wedding such as the venue location, the dress, the catering services and decorations that cost a lot of money, but one part that should not be forgotten is spending big money on an impeccable wedding photographer. While it is partly true that anyone can pick up a digital camera and shoot away because of how accessible photography has become in this day and age, it is still not the same as hiring an actual photographer who has the experience, passion and eye to create the lasting moments that a client deserves. Below are five points we at AA Creation Photography believe why it is important to spend the big money on hiring a good wedding photographer versus hiring a relatively cheap photographer or a family member that owns a digital camera.

1. The low rate photographer versus the high rate photographer- A good photographer will have the eye or vision for creating images that a person just owning a digital camera or  a low rate photographer will not have. The low rate photographer will likely only own one camera and lens while standing in the same position for the entire wedding ceremony and reception and essentially doing the bare minimum. The high rate photographer although pricey will give you lasting memories through the photographs created. A high rate photographer compared to the low rate photographer will have several cameras and lenses such as a fisheye or wide-angle lens to give a whole new perspective. The high rate photographer will also offer new angles from high and low and ultimately be well worth the money spent.

2. Established Trust- Being able to trust in the photographer hired for your wedding is very important. There have been too many instances where a bride has hired a low rate photographer and they have either been disappointed in the images or even worse the photographer failed to show up. There are also the feared questions of “Will their personality work with my event?”, “Will there be an album and if so, will it even look well put together and presentable?” and “Will they nickel and dime me?”. These are important questions to consider when selecting a photographer for your wedding/event. Typically when spending the money for a high rate photographer there will be no issue about trust because these photographers have insurance and know the proper protocol when being hired as your photographer.

3. Photographer with 40 weddings a year versus Photographer with 120 events a year- While it may seem that the photographer with more events has more experience and even may have the better portfolio as a result of having more jobs, the truth is that the photographer with less work is the better photographer and the one you should hire for your event. A photographer that has more 2 or 3 more jobs at a time or more events a year, treats your special day as nothing more than a job where they come to shoot and then go home.  You want someone who is passionate about their art and style and only books one event per weekend.  You want someone who is running around and wants to stay longer, so he or she can capture more moments and emotion to tell a story.

4. Labor Costs- While most think that a photographer’s job is done once the event is over, it actually is not. Their work continues once they return home to post-process countless amounts of images, so you can get a wide array of shots, angles and edits to tell a story of your special day. The difference between the low rate and high rate photographer in this circumstance is that with a low rate photographer you are lucky if they even own the latest adobe editing software such as Photoshop CS4 and Adobe Lightroom much less even use these programs to full enhance your best images. With the high rate photographer you are guaranteed they have the latest editing software, are skilled in their craft or have a photo editor on their staff that knows how to use Photoshop and Lightroom as well as their job is to only edit photos. In the end it is worth spending more money to ensure your photographs are the best of the best.

5. Know how to work equipment- Generally a low rate photographer is a photographer that is just beginning and ultimately that can a lot of times mean they do not know how to work their equipment. Now is that someone you want to trust to photograph your special day? I do not think so. Out of focus and sloppy images are not even worth $500. The high rate photographer will undoubtedly have the best equipment and will have had either some sort of technical training through classes of how to work their equipment or they have served as a second shooter in the past gaining knowledge through experience.

In the end paying the pricey rate for the top of the line photographer is beyond well worth it because your special day only happens once and to have it ruined because you wanted to save some money will leave you disappointed and full of regrets.

A little tip to remember is that the general rule of thumb of deciding how much to spend on your photography is to reserve 10% of your budget on the photographer. For example, if your budget is $35,000 then the budget for the photographer should be $3500. Don’t be surprised if you cannot get the kind of photographer you are looking for when all you have is a $800 budget.

Click here to contact us about your wedding and event photography

Bride: Aekta Erry

Groom: Faizal Thobani

Aekta: We met in Washington DC, where I live and he had been working for about a year as a software consultant. We met at a random bar. I noticed him, but didn’t think twice, because I just thought he was another cute indian guy, no big deal. We continued to pass each other looks for a while. An hour or two into the night, he mosies down to my side and asks me what I’m drinking and smiles. I’m thinking that he is CLEARLY trying to pick me. He asks me “So…..my friends over there wanted me to ask you if you think I’m cute……so do you?”……and started to laugh…what he said was cute, (corny, but cute) and he got what he wanted, my number. He introduced himself as “Sam”, which is what he does with everyone, because he thinks the name “Faizal” will be butchered. So, being hindu, I assumed it was short for a punjabi or another hindu name. He called and we went out, later coming to find out he was Muslim. Growing up in a very close, conservative hindu/punjabi family, I knew there would be problems with my family in the long run. But we just fell in love with each other and now I just can’t see the rest of my days with anyone else. After getting to know Faizal and knowing that I am happy, my family supports us. Needless to say, we worked through it all and we are now engaged!!!!!

The wedding will take place in Dallas, TX.

(Tentatively, the Omni Mandalay, in Las Colinas)

Aekta and Faizal's Engagement

Aekta and Faizal's Engagement

Aekta and Faizal's Engagement

Aekta and Faizal's Engagement

Aekta and Faizal's Engagement

Aekta and Faizal's Engagement

Aekta and Faizal's Engagement

Thank you Aekya and Faizal for sharing the wonderful news! We congratulate you and can’t wait for the wedding!!

DIY Centerpieces and Stages seem like a tough task at first, but when you choose simple designs and easily accessible flowers–the task at hand becomes a lot easier.  I would suggest  that as a bride you do not do it all yourself, but if you have a creative bridesmaid, cousin, aunt, friend–give her the task of giving you a great visual display at your wedding!

When it came to the centerpieces, I wanted to use flowers that were the same color my sister-in-law would be wearing at the reception and when I found out it was a salmon–that as my the color of my flowers.  My mother and I loved traditional roses and they actually are a lot cheaper than other flowers such as hydrangeas, orchids, etc.  When we had our decision made, we headed straight to the Flower Mart in Downtown, Los Angeles.  Buying flowers wholesale in bulk can save you lots of money.   Also, to avoid costs always buy domestic flowers instead of imported flowers.  Domestic roses, I learned, have a scent and are cheaper while imported roses do not even have a scent and cost much more! My total cost ended up being $10 for two dozen roses–what a bargain!!

Ordering the flowers was the easy part… next came the vase.  Should we do taller centerpieces? Square vases? Circular vases? Shorter vases?  My mom and I wanted to keep it simple and chose a shorter vase that looked very clean and elegant  The centerpiece was quite easy–I suggest you have helpers that can assist you in de-leafing flowers.  We cut the flowers at a length that was perfect for the vase,  tied them with plastic ties (you can purchase these at your local Home Depot, or use flower ties–I find plastic ties easier and they stay tighter), and placed them in the vase.  Also, add Sprite or carbonated water to make your flowers last longer.  Lastly, add a special touch that makes your centerpiece stand out.  I had bought gold glitter sticks from Wal-Mart and cut them and placed them in the centerpiece.

And Viola! The final product of the centerpieces:

The centerpieces were the easy part, but I had set my heart on using manzanita trees, which have become increasingly popular in the wedding industry, for the stage.  Manzanita trees are hard to come by (if you’re not already a decorator), but I had found them again in the Flower District in Downtown, Los Angeles–purely by chance.  They are usually very expensive at stores, but you can get a great deal if you find a wholesaler.  I bought the base, the trees themselves, and sponge balls to put my flowers in.  I also bought beads from a local craft store to put on my tree.  This tedious process produced the most beautiful trees!  I also rented two simple white columns to place the trees on and created a very simple, yet elegant stage!

My total budget for the decor, the flower, and rentals for the reception added to approximately $350!! That is certainly a lot less than what you would have to pay an arm and a leg for a decorator to do!

Stay tuned for DIY Decor Ideas for your Sangeet/Dholki/Mehendi/Holud!

A special thank you to Ahmed at AA Creation Photography for these fabulous images!

And the final product for the stage & manzanita trees:

mintphotography.com

As we all know, photography is a very important element of all great weddings. After all, your wedding pictures will be the memories of your union which you will reminisce over at old age and share with your grandchildren someday. You want to make sure you capture the moments that made your day all so special. The recent press release from Tina of Tina Shah Doshi Photography provides great insider information as to what goes into beautiful wedding photography. She explains that, it is not only about choosing the right photographer but the little things the couple should do which are essential to create lasting memories. The Sari-Clad Bride is very excited to share her tips with you! So read on ladies!

· A few months before the wedding, schedule a couple shoot or studio sitting. According to wedding photographer, Tina Shah Doshi, “sessions prior to your wedding are a great way for your photographer to learn your personality and style.” It’s also a great way for you build additional rapport with your photographer, and get more comfortable in front of the camera lens. Most couples really have not worked with a photographer since their school pictures. Not only will a pre-wedding session get you more comfortable, but it will also prepare you for how the photographer will give you direction on your big day.

· Know your style. Tina Shah Doshi knows how to work with all styles including the traditional, candid, and photojournalistic. Let your photographer know in advance if you have a preference towards one or the other. Keep in mind that great wedding pictures are made up of a combination of all styles. Its important to capture those special emotions and glances that no one else may see, but its important to have a selection of formal and group shots as well.

· Plan enough time for group pictures. Your wedding is a special time for all of your friends and family to come together. Many of them have probably traveled quite a bit to be apart of your celebration. It’s important to schedule enough time during the wedding for group pictures. If group pictures are not planned for accordingly, they may delay your actual wedding day itinerary significantly. Plan for at least 5 minutes for each group picture, and be sure to delegate a family member to gather all of the groups. Since your photographer will not who is who, a family member assisting with the group session will make sure the shots go a lot smoother.

· Plan enough time to get ready. When you, your sisters, your mom, and all of your bridesmaids are getting ready in the morning, this can take a significant amount time. A delay with your stylist can set you behind for your entire day. The last thing you want to feel on your wedding day is rushed. Be sure to schedule enough time to get ready. Plan your day with a few time buffers. Therefore, even if you are running late, everything should work out fine. “You may want to also consider having your photographer there while you are getting ready,” recommends photographer Tina Shah Doshi. Getting ready shots are great part of the story telling aspect of your day.

· Include time for just the two of you. Schedule at least 30 minutes with just you and your photographer. You will want to make sure you get those romantic shots that everyone loves. This session should be a closed session in order to truly capture those intimate moments. No other guests or family members of the couple should be present. This will allow you the opportunity to be more relaxed and comfortable with each other. According to Tina Shah Doshi, “I find many times that these are the most favorite pictures chosen by couples. It’s usually after the ceremony, and they can be the most relaxed if they have a few moments to themselves.” Be sure that your photographer can really take advantage of the location of your event.

· Be comfortable. If you know you have a preference for wearing your hair and make-up a certain way, why deviate significantly on your wedding day? The best photographs are when you look natural and comfortable. Be sure your style on wedding day is who you are. When a Bride is uncomfortable, it will show in the pictures. The more relaxed and comfortable you are, the better your photographs will be.

· Know that nothing goes perfect. “Some of the best photographs I have taken are when the Bride and Groom are smiling and laughing all day,” say Tina Shah Doshi. Don’t let a small mishap with your florist, caterer, DJ, any vendor, or even a guest ruin your special day. “I think because some brides put so much pressure on themselves to make sure every detail is just right, they can get easily disappointed if something goes wrong,” says Tina Shah Doshi. Just know in advance some details may not go exactly as planned, and as long as you set on going with the flow of that day – there is no reason why you shouldn’t be wearing a smile all day long. No matter how artistic a photograph may look through angles, composition, or lighting – a Bride will always look at how she looks in that photograph first. If she is smiling and happy, she is bound to love that photograph that much more.

· Be mindful of how much you drink. Weddings are celebrations. If you want to enjoy a few drinks, just keep in mind your tolerance level. Remember you will be photographed and possibly even videotaped all day. You won’t want to look back at photographs where you appear to have had one too many. Be sure to keep your energy levels up, and have a great time with all your guests. Stay hydrated.

· Be sure your photographer knows your wedding day itinerary in advance. When your photographer knows your itinerary in advance, this will help them to plan better key and creative shots. It will also let them know when they have sufficient time to recharge their equipment if necessary.

· Have a great time. Smile. Nothing is more important than having a great time on your special day. “I tell every one of my couple’s that I am there for them on there special day,” says photographer Tina Shah Doshi. They shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Just be sure to delegate any special tasks, and everything will fall into place. Enjoy your day.