Nikhil is a vascular surgeon and I am a general surgery resident. We met while operating together my first year of training. Over the next few years we got to know each other at work and eventually much better while skiing in Colorado.  On our birthday (we both have the same birthday), Nik planned a romantic dinner in La Jolla. At the end of dinner he had our waiter give me a card stating they were doing a port tasting down by the pool. We headed down that way and he pulled me onto a beautiful terrace instead.  He had the terrace decorated with a line of rose petals leading to a table with champagne and candles. We walked out there and he knelt down and proposed! Once I said yes, a cheer erupted from the balcony above us and I was surprised to see many of our closest friends there to celebrate with us.  It was amazing.

We decided to get married in Beaver Creek, Colorado as the mountains of Colorado hold so many special memories for us.  Our families and their faiths, Hindu and Methodist, were the most important part in planning our wedding so we decided to do a multi-cultural wedding. We were fortunate to have friends and family join us from around the world, most notably, India. We were blessed with a perfect Colorado summer weekend as we had multiple days of celebration planned.  In planning the wedding we used parts of both of our families rich traditions to make the weekend special for all. Our invitations were designed with the Colorado state flower, the blue columbine, and a henna design, the guest gift bags included goodies from the mountains but also Indian treats, the flowers were Colorado wildflowers, and the tables were named after places we visited on our honeymoon to Provence, France.

We kicked off the weekend with a cocktail hour with one of our favorite cover bands flown in from Long Island, NY. Our rehearsal dinner was in the Indian tradition called a Sangeet.  Traditionally the woman’s family has this party to wish the bride well as she leaves to join her husband’s family. In our case, we had a night full of dances, mendhi (henna tattooing on the women’s hands), drinks and an amazing Indian dinner.

Our wedding day started early, when we had the Barrat (Nik riding in on a white horse) to start the Hindu ceremony.  Our guests from all faiths joined in the ceremony and the cultures blended.  We later proceeded to the Beaver Creek Chapel for a beautiful Christian ceremony, where we ended as a married couple, after two ceremonies, walking out to “Signed, Sealed Delivered” by Stevie Wonder.

The celebrations than began as we had a cocktail hour, followed by dinner, and a reception at The Pines Lodge.  By the end of the weekend our guests had had the opportunity to get to know one another and many trips have been planned to India and back to the United States.

Photography: Autumn Burke Photography / Event Planning: Kelly Karli, Frosted Pink Weddings / Hindu Ceremony Location: The Pines Lodge / Ceremony Location: Beaver Creek Chapel / Reception Location: The Pines Lodge & Grouse Mountain Grill / Flowers: Kelly Carlson Designs / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Officiant: Pastor Tim Welbanks / Catering: Grouse Mountain Grill / Cake: Grouse Mountain Grill / Band: Soul X / Cake: The Pines Lodge / Henna artist: Hummingbird Henna / Hair & Makeup: Inga Cox and Laura Anzalone

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Autumn Burke Photography, Beaver Creek, Beaver Creek Chapel, Colorado, Frosted Pink Weddings, Fusion Wedding, Grouse Mountain Grill, Henna, Hindu, Hindu Wedding, Hummingbird Henna, Inga Cox, Jimmy Choo, Kelly Carlson Designs, Laura Anzalone, Mountain wedding, Pastor Tim Welbanks, Soul X, The Pines Lodge
Post categories: Cultural Beauty, Little Black Book Blog

From the bride … Our wedding was so large, we needed three days, two ceremonies, several venues, and a city like San Francisco to hold our celebration. I’m Hindu and my groom is Catholic Filipino, and our guests enjoyed elements of New York City and Indian themes, since I was proposed to in Central Park.

The Hindu ceremony was simple and fun with its dozens of rituals from a garland exchange to circling a sacred fire. The wedding party wore traditional Indian wedding attire. I chose a crystal embroidered, candy pink lengha choli instead of the traditional red. JB, my groom, was attired in an ivory and silver beaded sherwani. Dhol band players and the baraat dancers led JB in his customary Indian entrance to the wedding on a white horse. Along with them were our seven bridesmaids and nine groomsmen.

The multi-colored reception area was replete with towering arrangements of fresh flowers with hanging crystals, with lower yellow centerpieces — I love everything yellow!—and small ribbon-wrapped vases of roses. The embroidered table linens, silk photo frames with intricate beading, jeweled trinket box place card holders along with the burst of florals on each table enhanced the fusion theme we envisioned. A candy buffet and personalized photo booth pictures were elements that set the tone for an unforgettable event.

It’s true what every bride tells you: the pictures are ultimately the most important because they capture every scent, every kiss, every special moment. Joseph and Alex at IQ Photo were absolutely perfect! They captured details and emotions in a creative and artistic style. Joseph and Alex were awesome, so down to earth, creative, and humble.

My advice to brides is to enjoy the day because it goes by so very quickly. Be happy and carefree and don’t worry about the little things. It’s your day, you deserve to enjoy every moment! Make sure to thank your parents, siblings, and bridal party for all of their help!

Wedding Coordination / Wedding Coordination + Event Planning: Dreams on a Dime Events & Weddings + Jessica Goldblatt / Floral: An Added Touch Flowers / Catering: Turmeric / Rentals: Knights Catering, Inc. / Mandap Director: Prime Party Rentals / Dhol (Indian Drum): Satwant Samra / Horse Rental: Hackney Horse and Carriage / Entertainment: Spintronix / Lighting: Spintronix / Photo Booth: Perspective Photobooth / Cake: The Cakemaker / Ice Sculpture: Chisel-It / Photography: IQ Photo / Cinematography: AR Digital Media / Catholic wedding dress: Priscilla of Boston / Hindu wedding dress: JJ Valaya / Hindu reception dress: Frontier Heritage Design House / Shoes – Christian Louboutin & Jimmy Choo / Groom’s Outfit – Joseph Abboud / Groomsmen Suits – Selix Tuxedos / Jewelry – K.K. Jewelers / Invitations: Designs by Regina Johnson and Quad Express Printing / Henna: Ravie Keyuri’s

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: An Added Touch Flowers, AR Digital Media, Chisel-It, Dream Design on a Dime, Hackney Horse and Carriage, Hindu, IQ Photo, Knights Catering Inc., Perspective Photobooth, Prime Party Rentals, San Francisco, Spintronix, The Cakemaker, Tumeric
Post categories: Cultural Beauty, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography

“I’ve mentioned before that wedding video is changing, but it’s been a process trying to erase the stigma of how many people perceive it. As more and more studios are showing that they can put high production value and make a wedding video interesting, compelling, humorous and absolutely stunning … wedding filmmaking has been getting a lot more press through bridal blogs and even filmmakers outside of the wedding world. The term video is the baseline standard. The term documentary connotes a higher standard. The term art becomes the highest standard. Our couples come to us because they want a piece of art!”

Kristen goes on to thank all those who are spreading the wedding filmn’ love to educate the masses that wedding video is no longer boring, long and full of hearts and stars.

We’ve featured one of Artifact Documentaries’ films previously on The Little Black Book Blog … Namrata and Adam’s wedding encompasses the rich colors and traditions of a Hindu celebration of marriage and is a classic example of Artifact Documentaries approach to chronicling their day!  Enjoy …

Our most sincere congratulations to Kristen & Jeff of Artifact Documentaries for being a huge part of the avante-garde concepts that are sweeping the wedding world!

We would normally be signing off for the week … and what a week it’s been!! But we have three more studios to congratulate and to introduce you to, so please check back in tomorrow for three more amazing cinematography teams and some awesome wedding films!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Artifact Documentaries, Event DV, Hindu, New Jersey
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Cinematography

They sent us these gorgeous images from Bina and Andy’s wedding that are knock-your-socks-off sensational …

LOVE the henna-hands shot!

From the Bishop Photographers’ Blog, the beautiful bride, Bina said …

“We designed our own ceremony, fusing traditions from the East and the West, and selected the poems and songs with our friends and families’ help. We also wanted the parts of traditional weddings we most admire and that most represent our love to be part of the day!”

Yummy cupcakes by Cloud Nine Catering.

Andy, the groom, had to sing a song to retrieve each of his shoes!

The clear-tented reception outside the Coach Barn was simply gorgeous …

The beautiful florals are from A Schoolhouse Garden.

Aren’t these two just so-so-so cute!

Congratulations to Bina & Andy on a stunning wedding celebration!

To see all vendor credits, lots more of their wedding photos and some of the pre-wedding festivities at their Sangeet, head over to Daria & Andy’s brand-spanking new website and blog. When we say a blog is fantastic … you KNOW that we know what we’re talking about! BIG beautiful Vermont countryside weddings!

Thanks SO much to Daria Bishop Photographers for sharing the day!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Cloud Nine Catering, Daria Bishop Photographers, Henna, Hindu, Shelburne, Shelburne Farms, Vermont
Post categories: Contests, Inspiration Boards, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, The Blog, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Invitations & Stationery, Wedding Photography

Carla Ten Eyck is just that … amazing …

When you hire a photographer for your wedding, you’re not just hiring a picture-taker. You’re gaining a friend. You’re hiring someone who will be by your side on one of THE most important days of your life. That person will bring out the sheer beauty, the raw emotion … the awe in you. That’s what you get with Carla Ten Eyck.

Carla Ten Eyck captured Samar and Shane’s exquisite multi-cultural wedding that spanned three glorious days.  There is no way that we can do this incredible celebration justice. We simply want to show you, brag to you, how great Carla and her incredible team are.

Samar and Shane’s wedding weekend …

The wedding took place in Hudson, NY. It was a three day Pakistani and Irish wedding celebration. Friday night the family held a Mehndi ceremony in the beautiful barn at Oak Hill Estate in the Hudson River Valley. These celebrations are traditionally women only, but Shane and Samar invited the men to participate as well. During the ceremony they sat together in a swing while guests came up to offer them blessings. After the blessings there were traditional dances upstairs in the barn. Saturday was the formal wedding ceremony. Samar’s father officiated the ceremony, and the bridesmaids carried wooden bowls full of rose petals instead of bouquets. Floral decor was by Little Black Book member, Linda Baldwin Flowers.

Shane and Samar’s incredible celebration proves without a doubt that if you are lucky enough to have Carla and her team ~ Mike Romano, Katie Slater and Graham Scobey ~ you will have memories … and a friend who will last a lifetime!

Congratulations Samar & Shane on an absolutely phenomenal wedding! And Carla, well as we’ve said before … sheer beauty!!

For the rest of Samar & Shane’s story, take a trip to Carla Ten Eyck’s blog site. It … she … is totally awesome.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Barn, Carla Ten Eyck, Charmed Places, Graham Scobey, Hindu, Hudson River Valley, Hudson Valley, Katie Slater, Lily Of The Valley, Linda Baldwin Flowers, Mehndi, Mike Romano, New York Weddings, Pakistani, Rose Petals, Traditions
Post categories: Cultural Beauty, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Wedding Photography

Karina and Nehal were married at the St. Regis in Monarch Beach last fall. I can’t even begin to imagine how long it must take to plan a celebration like this! As Abby would say, “Sheer gorgeousness!”

Ooohh her shoes! Here’s a story from their fabulous photographer, Ryan Phillips’ Blog …

*Brides note about the shoes – Christian Louboutin Beverly Hills – I saw a photo of these shows in Vogue over a year before the wedding. I had to have them! I was on the hunt. I went to 2 shops in New York and checked Neimans and Saks. I was coming back from a meeting one day in Beverly Hills and I saw the Christian Louboutin store on Burton Way. I decided to pop in and there they were – glowing in the window. I bought the very last pair – luckily they were my size! Apparently they made very few of this style and they sold out fast. I wanted to wear them so badly that  I wore them around the house so I wouldn’t get the bottoms scuffed – they waited a whole year to make their debut!

{We also read on Ryan’s blog that the design of her reception clothing was inspired by these shoes! Pretty great.}

What an amazing venue … what an amazing couple … kind of makes me want to break into a My Fair Lady song …

LOVE LOVE LOVE the portraits …

These guys belong on a magazine cover. All photos courtesy of Ryan Phillips Photography. Fabulous!

Thanks so much to Ryan for sharing these images. Our congratulations to Karina and Nehal.

Stephanie Lairson is a highly acclaimed wedding consultant in Orange County. Just in case you missed her March feature on the Little Black Book Blog … you might want to take a look back at Victoria & Matthew’s Wedding. Totally different. Totally great!

You can also see lots more weddings on Stephanie’s website gallery. Thanks Stephanie!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 25 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: California Weddings, Christian Louboutin, Dana Point, Elephant, Hindu, Indian Wedding, Monarch Beach, Parasols, Ryan Phillips Photography, Sari, St. Regis, Stephanie Lairson
Post categories: Cultural Beauty, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Wedding Planners & Designers