February Round Up ...

February has been quite the whirlwind, with wedding features, wedding planning advice and plenty of inspiration and suppliers to keep your brainwaves stimulated.

We heard the announcement of the Miss India Competition, eventhough we have already congratulated her, we must say another well done to Deana Uppal for her pretty honorary title. Valentine’s day was among the highlights of this month, where plenty of you treated your other halves out for dinner where roses were the symbolic gift of the night. Shaadi-Esque are troopers for spunking things up so we created an inspiration board of pretty peaches and lovely orange and pinks. It is our alternate vision of Love – everyone has one.

We featured two pretty amazing Weddings this month; M&R Photography shared with us the elaborate traditional Hindu Wedding of Shivani and Gurdeep. They blew me away with their beautiful attire, their lush Mandap and their striking decor. The atmosphere was light and traditional but there was most definitely a spark or two of fun and mischievousness.

M&R Photography also shared with us the wedding of Tina and James; their fusion wedding really sparked my interest as it is primarily this that Shaadi-Esque feels so strongly about. It was the intertwining two cultures and the adjoining of two separate roads as one. Tina’s peach infused gown with Indian-felt embroidery made my heart skip a beat. It was an elegant and completely unique gown that suited Tina from the start. This bride and groom really knew how to have a good party and it was this that gave their wedding the fun element.

I loved both of these weddings just as much as each other. There were elements of everything, fun, tradition, fusion, culture and all with their own little spunk!

As you might rightly know that Shaadi-Esque is an advocate for chic new wedding styling, it is this reason we bring you these pretty suave inspiration boards for you to admire and use. This week’s Navy Couture Inspiration board was a take on a royal and regal theme. The blue is a royal navy blue and it reflects a serious, proud theme, but don’t be afraid of this – you can down play or up this theme however way you want. ***But the important thing is that when you come across one of these theme’s – print it out, add it to your bookmarks – save them, add them to your wedding scrap book!***



You may want to refer back to something that you liked – so it’s good to keep it nearby or in a safe and easy to find place.

Along with this Navy Couture inspiration board, we also had another board this month which we called ‘Purrty in Pink Chic’, because it is exactly what it says it is. It is a super pretty, and chic wedding inspiration with just the right amount of pink to make it classy and not a Barbie’s fun house.

As a team of wedding planners we aim to help our readers with all and every wedding planning situation out there,  last month we gave you a breakdown of all the Hindu Wedding Ceremonies, which we got some great reviews so we thank you for taking the time to let us know your kind thoughts. So we thought we would bring you the equivalent Sikh Wedding Ceremony breakdown and you guys loved it just the same.

Attending and planning weddings, we have put together some Bridal Etiquette faux pas for your consideration and at the request of a reader we have prepared some questions you should ask your venue coordinator. It’s all so handy when your wedding planner is writing your inspiration blogs!

*** REQUEST FOR GUEST BLOGGER ***

We are a ground-breaking, modern bridal inspiration hub for the changing face of British Asian Weddings. With our continued growth and need for fresh zesty new blood, we are calling upon your own experiences or expertise. If this sounds interesting to you, then take a look here (Guest Blogger Lookout) for further details on how you can get involved.

I hope you enjoyed February's coverage and I look forward to the rest of the year!! Don't forget that if you want to speak to a wedding planner in regards to your wedding, drop us an email at mail@rsweddingconsultants.co.uk.

Keeping you inspired!!! Have a lovely weekend!!!

Rachyeta xxx

{Wedding Feature} Tina and James' Perogative

This morning on the blog, I bring you a gorgeous couple who ooze style and know how to enjoy the moment. Tina and James' wedding was a soiree of fun, frolics and plenty of love.

Tina and James have turned their multicultural wedding into a beautiful elaborate do. In the settings of a Grand mansion house, surrounded by serene landscapes and gardens, the couple infused Tina’s Asian background with James English Heritage. A fusion wedding is what it was.

The Bride adorned a pretty peach fusion gown with silver and crystal embroidery and a rouge red scarf covering her head in a glamorous chic, modern way. She most certainly went ethnic with her jewellery as she worked her bindi. Her bridesmaids wore western knee length rouge red, strapless dresses with Asian infused jewellery to make a perfect match to Tina.

The Groom worked a very suave tux with a deeper red tie and pocket square. A dashing groom he was as his face lit up on the arrival of his bride.



Special credit goes to M&R Photography for sharing these amazingly gorgeous photo's of Tina and James.

{Don’t forget that if you are looking for a wedding planner or have questions relating to wedding planning, our experts are on hand – just comment on the blog or email them at mail@rsweddingconsultants.co.uk – Enjoy!!}

Keeping you inspired!!

Rachyeta xxx

{Wedding Feature} Shivani and Gurdeep

This morning I have a special treat for you, I have a classic Hindu Punjabi wedding to get you into the weekend mood, although we are one day away - it can't hurt! The fabulously gorgeous Shivani and the handsome Gurdeep share with us their magical wedding and reception. What a stunning couple.

The couple both dressed in beautifully chic, classic cream and gold attire, with the matching gold jewellery and fitting smiles. Individually they strut their own looks and identities. Shivani is like an old-school Bollywood princess, with her simple yet very classic, but not light weight sari. And Gurdeep is a modern looking mogel, with his detailed sherwani with deep maroon undercoat. Together they are a picture perfect couple (below) as they look deep within eachothers eyes - their future awaits them. (Mushy feeling)

The Mandap inspiration is very much the same as their attire, the couple have kept the colours simple and kept a continuum going which is lovely to see. There is nothing distracting the eyes away from the beauty of the room, the setting and the gorgeous couple. They either had a great wedding planner or are fabulous planners themselves.

I shall let you indulge in this wedding and I will stop talking now, for it is one to be admired and adorned!

If you are planning a Hindu Wedding ceremony, then you must read our 'Hindu Ceremony - From Head to Toe' it'll take you through all that you need to know and what you should prepare for.

For more images of the perfect wedding ceremony and wedding reception, please see below.

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I hope you fell in love with Shivani and Gurdeep's wedding as much as I did, and found some great inspiration ideas for you to take to your own wedding planning.

Special Thanks goes out to M and R Photographers for their images of this special wedding. They are phenomenally shot and captured throughout the wedding. Do visit their website and view more of their weddings. Quote "Shaadi-Esque"!

Keeping you Inspired!!

Rachyeta xxx

Don't forget we offer fab Wedding Planning Expertise also, get in touch with us - mail@rsweddingconsultants.co.uk

January Round up ...

January saw the start of a fresh new year and a truly awakening spring in The RS Bridal Group’s step. Not only can we welcome some fabulous Brides and Grooms to our Wedding Planners Books, but some more clients destined for great weddings who have booked themselves with rs Weddings’ Theme Design Packages.

But what you really want to know and what I really want to tell you about is how phenomenal Shaadi-Esque has been doing just this past month. Designers, Charitable activities, Wedding features, Chinese New Year, Musical Talent and our very first lifestyle feature. It has been a very busy month for Shaadi-Esque and indeed the RS Group.

We celebrated alongside Charmi Mandavia, designer and owner of Charmi Creations at the launch of her fabulous chic new Boutique in Pinner. We showcased Raishma’s designs and took a little look at how she has evolved as a designer and above all made her brand individual and highly regarded. The final designer showcased this month was Sati Takhar, whose couture pieces really made a mark with Shaadi-Esque and we really look forward to seeing what is in stall for all the designers and suppliers who feature with us.



Most recently we witnessed the Chinese New Year which was highly regarded as the Year of the Dragon.  Auspicious and longevity are symbolised by the Dragon, so this was one year we didn't want to miss out on. We featured three bright and beautiful rouge Dragon inspired boards which blew our readers away, they were fusion, individual and outright spunky!



Shaadi-Esque joined The RS Bridal Group in some rather selfless acts this January. We joined forces to bake some delicious yumminesses for the homeless shelter in the London Borough. For dessert that evening they enjoyed 'Lilac Cupcakes and Ordo Brownies'. Making me drool thinking about it. (Oh boy!)

We went so far as to feature a talented duo as they debuted their new track 'Lohri' which took the iTunes download charts by storm. Shaadi-Esque's little nugget of showbiz-nes!!

Let's not forget our new Lifestyle feature, of which Dishoom in London got their first serving. It was all about the bollybelini's. And then some! :)



We have featured some amazing weddings and some even more fabulous bride's and groom's. We love sharing special weddings, unique ideas or just special moments. A picture does say a thousand words, and Shaadi-Esque readers know it!



Specially for January we were fortunate to attend an engagement party for which we were thoroughly impressed with, we observed, thoroughly enjoyed, and blogged at our hearts content.

So What a busy and pretty phantasmal month January has been. Quite the start to the year and there has been some fond, memorable posts that we wish to continue with.

If you are a photographer/ Bride or Groom / Wedding Supplier and you would like to feature your weddings or services then just visit our submissions page or get in touch on blog@rsbridalgroup.co.uk.

If on the other hand you are a bride and groom and you would like a write up of your wedding or engagement,  much like our Attended Wedding, on Shaadi-Esque or to keep in your album - get in touch also. Words can be valuable even without pictures.

Looking forward to February and all 2012 has to offer. Best of luck to all of our suppliers and features for 2012 is the one to watch!

Keeping you inspired!

Rachyeta Singh (Wedding Designer and Founder of RS Bridal Group)

xxx

{Wedding Feature} The Attended Engagement

My weekends are filled with appointments and weddings, so when I attend a wedding with Jazz and spunk I have to share it with you. Today’s blog post is all about an engagement party I attended the Saturday just past - experience this with me.

There are no images for this post, so you will need to do some serious visualising – got it? Good!

In the back of your mind ♥

Just to give you some visualisation prompts - let's think rouge, a sophisticated version of Moulin Rouge. Just hold on to that thought - just until the end of this post...

My first impressions ♥

Upon entering The Radisson Blu in Portman Square; in the lobby laid out beautifully on the table adjacent to the entrance were several fish bowls with purple toned lilies folded within, submerged in water. As well as these fish bowls were tall wider vases with tall flowers (the names of them escape me). So not only were there different dimensions to this table layout, they were a welcoming touch that I most definitely appreciated as a guest.

Within the table of fascinating floristry was the sign pointing us in the right direction – so we followed suite, and up in the lift to the first floor. (Yes that's right I took the lift to the first floor, only because my sari prevented me to move a lot). So - we arrived to the reception area where there were tall bar-like tables draped in black linens with a sprinkling of rose petals. The bar and food area were on separate sides of this room which was great for traffic.

N.B. People tend to clump around the bar area whereas the food table is always free flowing. Definite easing of traffic!

Starters ♥

Munching down on our starters which were; Chicken Tikka, Kebabs, Aloo Tikki, Fish Pakora, Paneer Tikka, and an assortment of chutney's and sauces. The Caterers were Laguna, their food was impressive to say the least. Tasty, well made, and a really good selection to get the party started.

The Next Part ♥

We were kindly requested to move to the main hall. Walking into this large hall - at this moment I paused, exhaled and continued walking. The entire room was laid out so wonderfully, with black table linens, black chair covers and red sashes. Now those who know me as a wedding planner will know that I detest chair covers completely, but in this case - they boded well with the continuum of the colour theme.

The centrepieces on every table were a long tall milkshake glass, filled with red coloured water and one of each of Anturio and Heliconia. Tables were numbered as to not confuse us, the old biddies or the humourless. The couple had their thrones set upon the black LED dance floor, cream and white pieces or woodwork. You can't really complain about a throne - I mean that should be some sort of unwritten rule or something.

Anyway whilst the engagement rituals were being conducted and the family and friends queued up to give their blessings - the rest of us sat by and enjoyed the bliss of the couple whose presence we were in. Shortly after, mains were served.

The Main Meal ♥

Laguna have these pretty neat looking brass rings which they sit the Karahi's of food on which actually looks really smart. While the food was being dished out, I was increasingly hungry at this point. On the menu was Kali Dhal, Palak Chicken, lamb curry and one other vegetarian dish. Oh that meal was rather tasty, I grew increasingly fond of Laguna as the evening progressed. Laguna are not a Caterer I have ever used before, but it is at events like these that you can truly appreciate a great supplier at work!

The Afters ♥

The music was extraordinary. I don't particularly make an effort to keep up to date with Bhangra or Indian music - but there was a really fab mix of English, Bhangra and Bollywood classics (that even I had heard of). I must say the DJ’s really knew how to please the crowd, I don’t think that dance floor was empty at all for the rest of the night. DJing were Sting London - MC G, DJ Arun and Gurinder.

Dessert ♥

Oh and this wedding had a dessert table! I love dessert tables, they are such a quirky take on cake and kulfi. Haha. This was the best bit. Pistachio Kulfi, Gagar Halwa, Wedding Cake and two great Karahi’s filled with Khara Prashaad. Oh what a combination. What a Combination!

THE CAKE! It followed the 3-tier format, and the colours coordinated well with the theme with reds and oranges on white marzipan. Ultimately the cake tasted like any cake should have- pretty dang good. It was a great looking cake, it suited the theme well and it was a fun not to serious type of cake – which seemed to bode well with the couple – who were a quirky fun pair.

Commendable ♥

There are two things I must commend this wedding on. Firstly, the caterers Laguna, were spot on, delightful staff, and not forgetting the food, it was just wonderful. Perfect temperature, laid out well, presentable and oh so yummy. {www.lagunarestaurant.com} And secondly, the DJ's were what this night was all about. Sting Roadshow stole the show and their team were phenomenal at getting the party started and retaining that vibe all the way until the end. Sore feet and grins all around is all that I could see. There is always something to appreciate about a dj when they can keep people dancing until the nights up! Even I was up on the dancefloor which very (very very) rarely happens. So I must give credit to Sting Roadshow and their team. {www.stinglondon.com}.

I hope you enjoyed today's random blog feature, but some weddings are worth blogging about!

Keeping you inspired!

Rachyeta xxx

{Wedding Feature} Seena & Vishal

So rarely do you come across a photographer who allows you to see a great couple and feel as if you are there sharing their precious moments alongside them. Jason Pierce-Williams of A J Williams Photography has done a remarkable job in stylistically creating a momentous collection of imagery that speaks volumes.

Seena and Vishal in today's wedding feature, I have never met them before in my life, but remarkably, they have made me fall in love with them. Every image of the wonderful couple is another insight into how perfect and joyous their day has been. I truly thank them for sharing their momentous day with Shaadi-Esque.

This wedding, like the others we feature on Shaadi-Esque are full of new ideas and stunning beauty. Innovative and incredible are two words I like to associate with the blog in all its glory. Enjoy these images and engulf yourself in the spectacle of the day.

Photography Credits: A J Williams Photography

A stunning bride and a handsome groom, the quirky couple have the time of their lives whilst sharing this with their family and closest friends.

Please feel free to contact our wedding planners who are excellent wedding designers and great stylists on mail@rsweddingconsultants.co.uk – alternatively join the community on facebook where we are spoiling you with wedding resources.

Keeping you inspired.

Rachyeta xxx