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This past weekend I had the pleasure of speaking at the Jamaica Bridal Expo in Montego Bay. Speaking in front of 250 guests was a marvelous experience. I wanted to share my expertise on destination South Asian weddings with all of the attendees and can’t wait to come back next year to speak again. Thank you so much to the …

As autumn is just around the corner, we look back at some of our favorite weddings from this past summer season. Our Bahamas destination wedding of over 600 guests, 4 days worth of events, and 12 SJS staff members was definitely one for the books! We are so excited to have this mega-wedding be featured in DWP Congress Insider! Click …

I had the opportunity to speak at the first ever PB Live hosted by the amazing Preston Bailey at Legacy Castle! He is globally known for his unique ability to transform ordinary spaces into lush, theatrical environments. His vision for PB Live was to educate industry professionals in everything needed to plan and design a successful event from start to …

Sparks flew this past weekend as SJS brought together fantastic vendors to pull off yet another amazing wedding weekend. Design House Decor worked their magic to transform the Bellagio Ballroom into the perfect romantic location to say “I do.” Ovando put together the perfect harmony of lush rose gold and bright pink roses and rare orchids to adorn the dinner …

An easy way to make your reception look complete is to rent your flatware. There are many companies on the market that rent out gorgeous gold, silver, and even rose gold flatware that will complete the perfect table setting. Renting flatware not only makes the table look put together, but adds a level of luxury to each place setting . Enjoy …

One of our favorite destination properties are the Aman Resorts. Meticulously designed to frame their natural settings, Aman destinations are renowned for space and privacy. Each welcomes guests as if to the home of a close friend, instilling a sense of peace and belonging amid some of the most diverse natural and historical landscapes. Today they have 34 resorts, hotels, …

There’s an important step missing in your checklist for the Indian wedding you are planning. You’ve gotten the caterer, the DJ, the decorator, and the henna artist. But how are you going to give the guests the best possible experience at this wedding and make sure the wedding photos look incredible? 1-3 months before the wedding, The Riya Collective will …

Come follow us as we embark on an amazing journey to Lake Como for one of the most epic weddings to ever take place in this region! Lake Como is one of the most exclusive places to travel, let alone have a wedding. From the vibrant blue waters to the lush green mountains, Lake Como has it all. We would …

Our book has been selling like crazy! The Complete Guide to Planning the Perfect South Asian Wedding: Advice and Tips From the Industry Expert is a step-by-step guide to help you plan the perfect South Asian wedding. From the mendhi event to the reception, everything is broken down into manageable tasks to plan a fabulous event. From invitation samples to …

We made dreams come true yet again this past weekend. Our Pakistani couple incorporated their culture to make for a colorful, vibrant, Sangeet. We have never seen so much personalization with all of their decorations including our favorite, the printed pillows. The flowers for the ceremony engulfed the mandap and was a sight to be seen. Along with thousands of …

This weekend we had another gorgeous wedding. The decorations were off the charts thanks to the fabulous team from Design House Decor. For the ceremony we were at The Plaza where guests were immersed in vibrant red, pink, and orange flowers to create a beautiful summer garden theme. The reception that took place next evening was a night of elegance …

Looking for something different to spice up your next event? Consider having your wedding set across the Manhattan skyline. Rooftop venues offer a beautiful unique view of the city that otherwise go unseen. The gorgeous backdrop is sure to make any event memorable for your guests. Enjoy these photos from some of our favorite rooftops in NYC! “Upstairs at the …

Our dreams came true last weekend as the SJS team and the crème de la crème of vendors descended on Lake Como Italy. What an stunning, breathtaking location! From the Dolce & Gabbana inspired sangeet to the delicious mouth watering food from Chef Gaurav Anand, everything was picture perfect. For the wedding and reception we could not have asked for …

Having photographers and videographers are the standard for any wedding, but have you ever considered hiring a live painter? Live painters capture a moment at your wedding with a work of art that is sure to be cherished forever. They work on the spot and use their immense skill to create a unique, beautifully detailed painting of your day. From …

Another item at your reception that can be completely unique and customizable are charger plates. Chargers are essential statement pieces that add that extra special touch to your tables. They can be made out of any material such as fine china, crystal, acrylic, and pearl. From laser cutting your wedding monogram to carving intricate designs, the sky is the limit …

There is no doubt that personalized items are one of the hottest trends, especially with weddings. We all want that special day to be glamorous, chic and most of all, well known that this is YOUR day. Embroidering your wedding napkins are a huge statement, which is why companies do it with their brands such as Gucci with its G’s, …

As much as none of like to wake up early – or stay up late – when it come to photo shoots, we may have no choice. We asked one of our favorite photographers, Alisa Ferris, for her expert opinion. Determine your ideal timing based on your desired outcome: First, troll through your photographer’s portfolio and determine which photos speak …

The selection of proper clothing for your couples’ photos is a critical factor in the preparation for a successful session with your photographer. “What should I wear to the photo shoot”, is a question we get asked all the time. We interviewed one of our favorite photographers, Priyanca Rao, and here is what she told us: Dark clothing tends to …

Last week we were helping one of our clients with what to ask a photographer when you meet them in person. Besides just seeing if your personalities match up, here are questions our expert team always encourages to ask: How many main shooter and secondary shooters do they bring? Are they a part of any professional organization? What are their …

Last week we kicked off Bridal Fashion Week with the amazing Reem Acra X Preston Bailey show. With the tunes of Madonna playing, we saw some of the most gorgeous bridal gowns for 2019. Check out these photos and videos.  

While we travel the world looking for new talent and exciting locations, we met Riccardo and his lovely wife, Barbara in Lake Como, Italy. Together with their team and the iconic, Atlantis, The Palm, we came up with a concept shoot which we could not be more proud of. Here are the gorgeous photos and the even more exciting video. …

We loved our fabulous weekend in Aruba! Besides the near perfect weather year round, this one happy island has an abundance of hotels to choose from for the perfect wedding. We had the pleasure of being at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, Aruba. What a magnificent place to say your I do’s! Enjoy these photos.