Orange County Indian Wedding by Robles Video

It's a sniffle-y day on Maharani today, but we are definitely going to go out with a bang.  This next highlight film, by Robles Video, is exceptionally dream-y.  It’s got it all…beautiful Southern California cliffs, a glittering red bridal lengha, and the couple’s unbreakable bond that makes you feel like your know them.  So, refill your morning tissue stash, and click play.  You won’t want to miss this one!

 

 


And, the whole Maharani Team wants to congratulate the newest Maharani, Miss April Robles, on her engagement!  Congrats April! We wish you love, laughter, and happily ever after!

Finally, just a reminder for all Bay Area Maharanis! 

I am thrilled to personally invite each and every one of you to the attend the San Francisco shopping event of the year.  Brought to us by our friends at Exclusively.In, it's your chance to get the best of Indian fashion, travel, and housewears, all without using your passport.

The Exclusively.In sale is jam packed with perfect items for every Maharani....Saris, suits, and bridal lenghas from names like Manish Malhotra, Ritu Kumar, Payal Singhal & more! 

So, come and have a glass of bubbly with me on May 22nd, and make sure that you click here to RSVP and use the code "MAHA" for special coupons!

 

 

Florida Indian Wedding by Jose Ortiz Films

When people hear the word Indian wedding some words that come to mind are…Color! Music! Food! Elephants!  And, sometimes it sounds more like a circus than a wedding.  Well today’s Film-y Friday pieces have been hand selected because they show off the delicate beauty and artistic pageantry of Indian weddings.  As with all the Indian weddings we feature, they do have their share of eye candy, but the focus of the films today is on the couple and the bond that they share.  

First up is a REAL tear jerker by Jose Ortiz Films. I was completely bawling, like a baby, within the first the seconds of this Florida Indian wedding from the Ritz Carlton, Sarasota. If you are a wedding sap, like moi, make sure that you have a tissue in hand! 

 

Just in case you forgot your waterproof mascara today, you have just enough time to dash out and grab some before the next feature.  See you in two shakes Maharanis!

 

Bahamas Rock the Dress Session by G + H Photography

Coming from a girl who wore a wedding dress, wishes she could wear it every day and wants to sleep with it each night, the idea of trashing a wedding dress is so foreign to me I can't even wrap my little head around it.  The totally awesome team of G + H Photography took our Maharani and her Raja out the day after their wedding for a "Rock the Dress" session.  I mean, I can't think of anything better!  One last hooray for your wedding dress before you press & package it for years to come.

From the totally fab Garima of G + H Photography : 

We wanted to create timeless romantic, nostalgic imagery, capturing this time in Anita & Dhanu’s life & the time they spent by the Love Beach in Bahamas.

It's been a sun shiney day on Maharani today!  See you all tomorrow for some Film-y Friday action.  Toodles!

Hindu Wedding Ceremony in the sand by G + H Photography

Okay Maharanis, take off your shoes, close your eyes, and pretend those perfectly pedicured little toes are in the sand.  That’s right, this destination Indian wedding from the Bahamas, actually had their ceremony on the beach!  When I first heard about this Bahamas Hindu Ceremony from Garima, the G, in G+H Photography, I had a feeling it was going to be great.  But, when I saw the mandap ACTUALLY on the sand, I literally thought I was dreaming.  How funny right?  Western weddings take place on the sand every day of the year, but for Indian weddings it’s a spectacular first!

From G+H Photography :

I have to admit this wedding was the most beautiful & intimate wedding that we have ever documented. And I say that not exactly because of the number of guests that attended, as the guest count was in upwards to 125+. But because the day of the wedding ended up being a very windy day, And, as you will see from the images, it got quite hard to ignite the fire & also to keep it going to carry on with Anita & Dhanu’s Hindu wedding ceremony. So, the priest asked all the guests to gather around the bride & groom to hold the wind back & provide protection to fire from the wind. It was simply amazing.

Finale coming right up!  Trust me, you won't want to miss this one!  It's SOOOO awesome!

Destination Indian Wedding by G+H Photography

I have a bomb to drop today…not only do we have a breathtaking Indian wedding by the Toronto superstars of G+H Photography, but it was also set in...drum roll please…the Bahamas!!!  This dreamy beach wedding actually took place in. the. SAND. It’s something we don’t see very often with Indian weddings, so if there is ever a day to join us over and over again, today is definitely that day!

We have some killer stuff coming up, so make sure you check back with us in a bit.  See ya later alligator! 

 

Traditional Sikh Wedding meets Chic

With the American Idol final three tonight, it’s a little hard to concentrate today.  But, what I did notice, is that all the finalists are singing classic songs, but putting their own modern twist on them.  Identical to any Indian wedding, taking something traditional and owning it, and I mean really OWNING IT, is what blows everyone away.

Big thank you to Sameer Soorma Photography for this submission!

Traditional Sikh Wedding with Modern Style

Today’s Sikh Indian wedding, photographed by Sameer Soorma Photography, proves that you can still maintain modern elements and style, without compromising traditional details. Red with gold work will always be the quintessential choice for the classic Indian bride, but how lovely is this bride with her mandap picking up the accent of royal blue in her lengha’s border?! This is what true wedding style is all about…taking something ordinary and giving it your own signature touch. So cheers to our Maharani, Neelam! 

From Sameer Soorma Photography :

This was a traditional Sikh Punjabi Wedding that took place at the Niskam Seva Gurdwara Sahib in Phoenix AZ. I will briefly go over the ceremonies that we covered from the bride’s side for my non Indian friends and for anyone that would like to know more about Punjabi wedding. 

Neelam had her “Chuda chadana” ceremony in the morning, a day before the wedding. This is a ceremony that takes place at the bride’s home with her mama (mother’s brother) gifts her with the traditional bangles called Chuda. Before the bangles are worn they are soaked in ‘kacchi lassi’ (buttermilk) overnight. During the ceremony friends and cousins of the bride-to-be gather around her and sing and dance. 

Her Lady Sangeet was a night before at the beautiful Castle. It is such a beautiful venue for any occasion! “Lady Sangeet” is a pre-wedding party held by the bride’s side of the family. Just one of many different ceremonies to celebrated before the wedding. 

We were bright and early at Neelam’s house on the day of the wedding to capture her getting ready shots. Then we headed to the Gurdwara for “Milni” which is a ceremony that takes place with both families exchanging well wishes on meeting each other. This is followed by light snacks and tea before the religious ceremony “Anand Karaj” (Wedding). Their wedding was full of vibrant colors and festive ceremonies! Both Sonia and I had and awesome time capturing such precious moments for our gorgeous couple to cherish for a lifetime! 

Finale on the way...back in a bit!

Arizona Sikh Wedding by Sameer Soorma Photography

Sikh brides you are in for a real treat today!  This stunning traditional Sikh Indian wedding  took place at the Niskam Seva Gurdwara Sahib in Phoenix, AZ and has the whole office swooning about.  Enter a drop dead gorgeous Indian bride, adorned with a beautiful red lengha, an insanely gorgeous emerald necklace, and top it off with a stttttrech Rolls Royce. With all this excitement can you blame our hearts for fluttering? I mean, this is one Indian wedding that has Maharani written all over it!

Images by Sameer Soorma Photography

I just love the hint of blue in this red lengha's border.  It adds a touch of style while maintaining the traditional look. Okay Maharanis, grab a tissue, grab a coffee, and grab your wedding binders!  We will be right back with more traditional inspiration!

 

Announcing…Sweetheart Sundays

A Maharani Confession….I never did an engagement session.  I couldn’t imagine dragging my long distance fiancé out on the beach to skip around and do the Bollywood-movie-style running toward each other shot, when we only had two Saturdays a month to spend together. To give up pancakes in bed for a windy, San Francisco beach, I said, "No way."  And, BOY, did I make a mistake.  I see my friend's homes flanked with images from their engagement sessions and I feel a twang of regret. 

You all know that we I am obsessed with Indian weddings over here, but because I never did an engagement session I love, love, love seeing sweet E-sessions from all over the globe. From hip, cool, and urban to props & pansies, creative e-shoots that are a reflection of the couple are a total ten in my book.So, I put together a collection of my favorite little engagement sessions, called Sweetheart Sundays which will be launching on June 5th.  And, here is a teaser of our first Sweetheart Sunday by Simran Studios...

So, all you engaged Maharanis grab your groom, grab your photographer, and make sure that you send us a submission for Sweetheart Sundays!