South Asian Songs (Courtesy of Amrit Minhas of Bollywood DJ’s)

1. Kal jisne janam yahan. Vivah (Father/Daughter)
2. Baabul ki duaayein leti ja. Neel Kamal (Father/Daughter)
3. Mere ghar aayi ek Nani pari. Kabhie Kabhie (Father/Daughter)
4. Yaadein (title song). Yaadein. (Father/Daughter)
5. Papa ki pari hoon mein. Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon.  (Father/Daughter)
6. Maye ni maye.  Hum aapke hain kaun.  (Mother/Daughter)
7. Maa Da laadla (also avail. in remix). Dostana (Mother/Son)
8. Meri Maa. Dasvidaniya. (Mother/Son)
9. Tu Kitni Achhi hain. Raja Aur Runk. (Mother/Son)
10. Meri Maa.  Taare Zameen Par.  (Mother/Son)
11. Khushiyon ka din aaya.  Beta.  (Mother/Son) 

Western Songs

1.  Unforgettable.  Natalie Cole
2. The Way You Look Tonight.  Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett
3. Butterfly Kisses.  Bob Carlisle
4. What a Wonderful World.  Louie Armstrong
5. I’ll Stand By You.  Pretenders
6. Father and Daughter.  Paul Simon
7. My Girl.  The Temptations

While Mr. Dedhia’s success story might be what is known as an ‘outlier’, the Wedding Industry is definitely a latent market for aspiring filmmakers. Especially in New York, with Wedding Videographers charging anywhere between $1,000 to more than $10,000 for a wedding package.

However, if you don’t want your wedding videos to cost more than the wedding itself, here are some ideas to lower the cost, especially for your Sangeet, Mehndi or Puja -

Craigslist: This is usually kind of hit-and-miss, but you’re sure to get a few good responses with the right kind of listing. Post an ad with your requirements, and what kind of budget you’re looking at.

If you have your own video camera, you might be able to find a film student or someone who is looking to expand their portfolio, and will do the job virtually free. If you don’t own any camera equipment, mention in the ad that you’re looking for someone who has his or her own equipment.

Buy a Camera: Keeping in mind that the average professional videographer charges the equivalent of an Indie film budget, you might as well just buy your own camera and have a friend or a relative handle it during the wedding. This can actually turn out to be better than hiring someone, since a familiar person is likely to get more candid footage than a stranger.

Collage (a la Up in The Air): Remember how George Clooney’s sister asks all the wedding invitees to take pictures with a cardboard cutout of the couple, as a sort of wedding present? Why not ask around and see which of your guests has a camera or camera-phone, and encourage them to take footage at the wedding. You could request your guests to send in their videos or photographs, and create a collage as a gift to the lucky couple.

You could even ask your guests to send in photographs or recordings of the couple that they might already have, and put together a little something to screen at the reception!

CitySaheli met with Deborah Lauren, owner of City Sweets & Confections, who specializes in South Asian inspired cakes by using original flavors and designs with an ethnic flair.  Deborah loves to work with Indian spices and has created one of a kind masterpieces for brides all over the world.  CitySaheli spoke with Deborah about her love for creating custom cakes and asked her to share some tips with our brides.

Deborah has been designing and creating magnificent wedding cakes for more than 10 years.  She is a graphic designer who translated her passion for the arts into cake making and designing.  Once she started designing cakes, she just couldn’t go back.

Deborah’s Indian great-grandfather was a significant inspiration in her life and is one reason she ventured into Indian inspired cakes.  Deborah offers the traditional flavors as well as chai tea, chocolate chili spice, masala spice, cardamom, pistachio, rose, and chocolate curry (just to name a few!).  She also can make anything gluten free, egg free and vegan. 

You may be wondering, do these flavors taste as good as they sound?  Well, yes! CitySaheli sampled many of Deborah’s specialties, and was amazed by the delicious yet unique taste of each (including the chai tea, rose and cardamom).  In addition to wedding cakes, CitySweets makes cupcakes and favor sized treats, making these flavors a great addition to any special event. 

Here’s a sample of just a few of Deborah’s outstanding designs.

 
While CitySaheli met with Deborah, we asked her important questions for today’s bride.  Here’s what she had to say.

What are the top 3 qualities to look for when searching for your cake designer?

1. Hire a cake designer with a proven track record.  Word of mouth is fine from someone who has used them, not just heard of them.  A reputable well know wedding website with reviews is also a good way to go.

2. Hire someone who makes you feel comfortable and you get along with.  If you like each other, you can be certain the designer is going to want to do a fabulous job for you and go the extra mile.

3. An absolute must: a designer who offers a cake tasting.  Many cakes do not taste as good as they look.  This is very important.  You don’t want to be unpleasantly surprised on your wedding day.  Many times a cake is included in the package the venue offers.  Insist on a tasting.  Not only is it fun, but you’ll know what you’re getting!

How important is the wedding cake a bride chooses?

I always say there are three things every guests remember after wedding. 1. The Bride; 2. The Cake; and then 3. The Groom.  Sorry grooms.

What tips can you offer to bride’s or bridal party members looking to do it themselves?

Keep it simple, don’t get too fancy.  Choose a simple flavor and the best ingredients possible.  Also, don’t over bake.  It’s always better to under-bake than over-bake a cake.  Finally, timing is really important.  Be sure not to set the cake out too early.

To contact Deborah check out the City Sweets website.

CitySaheli interviewed the international photographer to get an inside look at what inspires him and what he recommends looking for to select the perfect photographer.

CitySaheli:  Can you describe some of you inspirations?
Tomko:  I have always thought of inspiration as the place where art begins and I am inspired by many things everyday. Energy inspires whether it be a bride and groom, dance music or just generally watching people come together to celebrate and have a good time.  The passion that fuels my creativity can also be very inspiring.

CitySaheli:  What inspired you to go into photography and specifically wedding photography?
Tomko:  I have always had a great love and appreciation for visual arts.  Even when I was a child I always enjoyed visiting museums, drawing and of course taking pictures.  I love to capture emotions in the medium of photography, so that organically led me to wedding photography.  As we all know emotions can run high at a wedding!

CitySaheli:  How would you describe your working style? And your photography style?
Tomko:  My working style is very organized yet creative.  I understand the importance of getting all the traditional “parent pleasers” shots but when a bride and groom hire me they are looking for that little bit of edge in their photos.  I also think that a fun, upbeat personality and good sense of humor allow the clients to feel relaxed and at ease.   The end result is awesome relaxed “candid” images instead of stiff, boring poses.  As far as my photography style, I am not a photo journalist, which means and I don’t stick to one style of photography.  I adapt my style to whatever the bride and groom want and what works best in the given situation. 

CitySaheli:  How many South Asian/ South Asian fusion weddings have you shot, how have they been different from other weddings?
Tomko:  I have photographed approximately 20 South Asian/South Asian fusion weddings.  The amazing décor, bright colors and different traditions make photographing a South Asian wedding an awe inspiring experience.  I love the fact that even in 2010 the traditions and ceremonies of South Asian weddings and still alive and well.  Talk about inspiring!

CitySaheli:  If you were looking for a wedding photographer, what questions would you absolutely ask potential photographers?
Tomko:  These days a lot of people with a digital cameras and computers call themselves a photographer.  The first thing I would want to know from any potential photographer is how many years of experience they have in the industry.  I would also want to know if the photographer is going to be shooting the entire wedding.  For example, some photographers will only shoot eight hours and then charge overtime fees for anything beyond the scheduled eight hours.  You also want to make sure your photography package includes albums for you and your family, proofs and post production work (i.e. retouching, color correction etc.)  It is usually best that the photographer who attended the wedding conduct the post production work as he is familiar with the true to life colors of the decor. 

CitySaheli:  Can you share with us some of your favorite memories you have captured at a wedding?
Tomko:  One of my favorite memories is from a wedding I photographed in Goa, India.  The bride was telling me about her elderly grandfather.  She mentioned that he was planning to attend the wedding even though he had been ill lately.  As soon as he arrived we decided to take some quick shots right before the ceremonies were about to begin.  The grandfather sat down in a chair and the bride kneeled down behind him and draped her bangle arms and mehendi covered hands around him.  At that very moment the grandfather’s eyes filled up with tears and I was able to capture an image that conveyed love, pride and pure happiness like I have never seen before. 

CitySaheli:  Can you tell us about the advantages of producing pictures in black and white versus color?
Tomko:  I wouldn’t say that there are any distinct advantages to shooting in black and white versus color, it all just depends on how you use the two styles.  I like to use black and white photography to capture candid moments because it gives the images an artistic feel.  I like producing color images when I am shooting the actual wedding ceremony.  A lot of works goes into creating a theme for a wedding and color is a big part of that, I like to make sure to capture that. 

CitySaheli:  How many photographers do you recommend having at a wedding?
Tomko:  I usually recommend two to three photographers, but it really depends on the size of your wedding.  When selecting a photography team it’s all about quality not quantity.

CitySaheli:  Do you have any tips for our readers to ensure the best lighting for photography?
Tomko:  Typically natural light is the most flattering.  In the world of photography there is something called “sweet light” which is natural light at either sunrise or sunset when the sun is at it lowest point in the horizon.  At this time of day, the sun shines a golden light that highlights the facial features and gives your skin a glow.  When natural light is not possible, a video light as opposed to a flash makes the facial features pop and adds incredible dimension to the images.

To contact Gerard Tomko, please visit www.gerardtomko.com

CitySaheli has come up with a handy acronym to ensure wedding guest perfection – GET DOWN!  Listed below are some tried and true suggestions – from selecting an appropriate wedding gift to deciding what you should wear to the big day.  So, without further ado, some tips to help you GET DOWN!

G – The Gift
If a couple has a registry, don’t hesitate to select items from that list; however, if nothing suits your budget or catches your fancy, a gift of cash is always a great option.  The bride and groom will appreciate a check or bill neatly tucked into their card, and this is perfectly acceptable (and sometimes preferred) at South Asian weddings.  If you know the bride well, we encourage you to fight the urge to get her a gift because of your close relationship.   If you can find something that is perfect for the couple – great.  If not, you had the bridal shower and the bachelorette party to make her feel special, this time be practical.  .

Make the wedding gift about the couple.  Try a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant.  CitySaheli also likes the idea of gifting cute house wares and accents, found during trips to India.  Check out places like Good Earth

If you don’t have a trip planned this year, you can peruse a variety of online stores in India from your desk. We like Tresorie and Shopper’s Stop.

E – Your Energy
South Asian weddings are full of life!  We cannot overstate that an aura of jubilance separates a great guest from just another guest. If you are genuinely enthused for the union of the two people you are celebrating, you will dance, you will sing and you will generally make very merry.  South Asian weddings are typically very large, and the bride and groom have rounds to make, hands to shake, and first dances to dance, so they can’t entertain you in addition to the myriad tasks required of them on their big day.  Your ability to mix, mingle, and generally keep the mood light and joyous will add to the tapestry of memories they create. It helps if you figure prominently in the photos and video wearing a big smile and showcasing coordinated dance moves.

T – The Trip
If you’re attending an out-of-town wedding, you’ll want to book a hotel room well in advance. If you are traveling, organize a group of friends to share rooms with or stay at the same hotel as – this can ease transportation and non-wedding related event planning.  Make the most of the trip. Use it as an opportunity to reconnect with your spouse, take a getaway with a significant other, or reunite with old friends.  While it’s not your big day, it doesn’t mean you can’t make a few great memories of your own as you rejoice in the good fortune of the new couple.

D- Your Date
If you’re married or seeing someone seriously, this is less of an issue, but if you’re a single gal we urge you to choose your date carefully – if you are invited to attend with a date.  Weddings can be a time to spend with close friends and family, and sometimes can be emotional.  The last thing you want to do is bring someone you aren’t seeing seriously to the wedding of a family member or close friend.  You’ll end up having to baby-sit your date and miss out on many of the fun, carefree aspects of attending someone else’s wedding.

Open Bar+Married Friends=Date Disaster 
Factor yourself out of this equation and opt for a close friend or go solo.  Weddings provide an opportunity to meet singles outside your circle. Why bring a random date when you could be dancing with night away with your charming future beau?

O – Select Options Early
Be courteous.  RSVP ASAP.  Decide early who you will invite as your date and give them enough time to take time off and rent a tux if needed.  If you’re asked to choose a meal – asking your date what he’d like for his meal instead of choosing your favorite option is considerate – be considerate!
Make sure you log into the registry early, so you have options for the gift. If you are going off the registry, think about the new couple and be judicious in picking a gift that best suits their needs and your budget.  Don’t leave your gift giving till the last minute.
Book the car/plane/train and hotel as far in advance as you can.  Be sure to take time off if need be. Your boss will appreciate the heads up and so will your co-workers.

W – What to Wear
Now, choosing your wardrobe is critical to any woman attending any wedding. We recommend steering clear of white, red or black. Wear something colorful and you will fit right in!  Typically, South Asian weddings are more formal and colorful than a traditional western affair.  For non-Indian weddings, CitySaheli also suggests daring to don indo-fusion. You will stand out as exotic and beautiful in addition to adding ethnic flair.  For Fall and Winter weddings, we suggest colors like camel and olive in heavier fabrics.  For Spring, try lighter pinks, oranges and even soft golds.  Keep in mind, weddings vary in level of ostentation; make sure to check with the bride or bridesmaids if you aren’t sure of the finery expected of invitees.

N – Their Night
And, we know this is obvious, but remember that this is their big night.  Above and beyond how much fun you have, you’re invited to bear witness to a newly formed family.  Show your support by smiling for photos, dancing with gusto, and bring down the house!
JUST GET DOWN..GET DOWN….

CitySaheli interviewed the world renowned DJ Sharad to get a look into his career as a DJ and to ask him his advice for brides looking to choose their perfect wedding DJ.

Check out this video to get a taste DJ Sharad’s fantastic beats!

What inspired you to become a DJ?

I was always interested in music growing up. My father is into the arts (music, movies, etc) and always had music playing in the house. I also fell in love with hip hop at a young age. One of the 4 elements of good hip hop is the DJ.  I really couldn’t rap, dancing was not my strength, and graffiti would have gotten me in trouble – so I turned to DJing.

My love for all types of music almost immediately allowed me to DJ at all types of events – including clubs, weddings and birthday parties. When I first started, I would DJ anywhere I could, so I learned and study all types of music and cultures.

What type of events do you generally cover?

To this day, I still do every type of event. I have developed a team of DJ’s who have been hand picked and trained by me, which allows me to be more selective about the gig I personally spin and allows me to pair certain DJ’s with the type events they specialize in.

Sometimes the client is a bride at a wedding who is very particular about her playlist, sometimes the client is a nightclub where only certain music types are allowed, sometimes the client just wants us to do our thing, it always varies!    The DJ’s who are part of my team all love what they do.  They spin because they genuinely enjoy the art form and most importantly because they enjoy putting smiles on peoples faces.
 
Do you cover parties in other cities/states/countries?

All the time! This year alone we hit events all over the world, including US, Chile, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, India, Bangkok, Spain, Sri Lanka, London.  I love traveling!  I used to travel a lot more but since I manage the team of DJs it has become harder for me to travel and manage efficiently.  I do try to book as many out of town jobs for the members of my crew as possible.

Can you tell us about a particularly memorable moment in your career as a DJ?

There are so many to tell, but two instances stand out in particular! One was when I was spinning at a party in St. Maarten with a packed dance floor. My cousin was a guest at the event and brought me a drink to the DJ booth. She tripped over a wire and the entire system turned off. Being booed by a crowd of 700 on a Caribbean Island is one of the worst feelings I have ever had as a DJ. From that night on I made a rule: No one in the DJ booth PERIODDDD!

Another time was recently, when Marisa Tomei was at an event I was spinning! I went up to her and asked her for a picture. She said “That’s funny I wanted to ask you for a picture because you are the best DJ I have ever heard spin!” That was a great feeling!

How has the South Asian scene changed during your career?

That’s a tough question but I will answer it in regard to Music and DJism (yes DJism). There are so many factors for this change but if I can sum it up, it’s due to the fact that over the last 10 or 15 years South Asians have assimilated more into main stream America, just like many of the other ethnic communities that preceded them.

Our parents came to this country with hopes of doing well for their families, educating their children, and making money. My parents never really said go to hip hop concerts to learn about America. They said “let’s go see the Empire State building for the 50th time beta!”

Over the years, though, the outlook of our community has changed. Our generation and the generations below us have become a vital part of American culture as a whole. A South Asian kid years ago growing up had only doctors and businessmen to look up to. A kid who is 10 years old today can look at an artist like Jay Sean and say “wow when I grow up I want to be an R&B singer”. It’s clearly possible today for a South Asian kid in this country.

From a DJ’s standpoint, the scene has changed because younger DJ’s, including me and my crew, have made it our mission to embrace and play all types of music at our gigs! Many years ago playing at a wedding meant we were playing bollywood all night long -and if American music was played it was a little MJ and maybe the Macarena and maybe Murder She Wrote (lol)!

What is your advice for South Asian brides in their search for the perfect DJ?

My advice would be to do your research! Every DJ is different, as is every party. The DJ you select should not only be able to play music he/she likes, but also play music that is custom tailored for your event. Many people slap the letters “DJ” in front of their name in order to book parties or get famous, but a true DJ is true to the art form and is able to bring the art to life at events! Interview your potential DJ, make sure he or she can adapt to your party, make sure they are insured, make sure they provide back up equipment, and make sure they have a back up plan incase the particular person you booked is unable to make it on the day of the event. There are so many things to look for, but these tips should help someone who is getting started with the process!

To contact DJ Sharad, please visit www.DJUSouthAsia.com

This one of a kind dhol ‘n’ brass band melds bhangra with brass for a unique sound.  Based in New York, this group can perform traditional Punjabi, Bollywood, as well as their own distinct sounds.  The group has delivered memorable performances at the Chicago World Music Festival, Madison World Music Festival, Lincoln Center, DJ Rekha’s Basement Bhangra and more!  Check out their website to hear their album and view performances.

Deep Soundz 

This vibrant and energetic team play great tabla and sitar music which will be sure to hypnotize your audience.  CitySaheli listed Deep during a cocktail hour and was dumbfounded by the eclectic sounds played.  Deep Soundz is an excellent addition for those hat like the classic sounds of South Asia but also want a Western vibe.

This dynamic husband and wife duo have performed at venues around the country and are perfect for any pre-wedding party.  Reena has studied the Indian classical dance form, Bharat Natyam.  She performs this traditional dance and provides percussion using her traditional Indian ghungroo anklet bells, as her husband, guitarist and vocalist, Todd Michaelsen, sings popular western tunes.  Their performance is a beautiful combination of two distinct cultures, and sure to have a beautiful impact on any event. 

If lush, lavish, extravagant and eye catching is your style, don’t think you need to be rich and famous have your dream wedding.  CitySaheli put together a few stylish tips, inspired by Shetty’s memorable affair, so you too can get married like a Bollywood star – only without the hefty price tag! 

Invitations

The ornate gold embellishment displaying the couple’s initials told Shetty’s guests that her soon-to-be affair was going to be extravagant! Heavy embellishment’s can be costly, though, if purchased directly from the card designer.  To cut cost, consider purchasing simpler invitations and adding the embellishments yourself.  Your guests will never know!

Jewelry and Attire

Shetty’s ornate red creation for her ceremony, and golden gown embellished with Swarovski crystals for the reception, were designed by top designer and friend Tarun Tahiliani.  Her wedding jewelry to accompany this apparel was worth more than RS 3 crore (that’s more than $600,000,000!).

Don’t quite have that budget?  If there is a particular designer you love, choose photos from his or her collection and look for similar designs in more affordable shops.  Or consider have something similar made by a designer within your price range.

Also, celebrities often get jewels worth thousands of dollars on loan from famous jewelry designers.  Borrowing jewelry from friends or family, or raiding Nani’s jewelry box, is a wonderful way to create your own distinctive look.

Reception

Shetty’s wedding was held at the villa of Shilpa’s close friend Kiran Bawa. The entire place was elegantly draped in flowers and lights.

To obtain a similar look at a lower cost, consider renting or purchasing inexpensive ornate fabric to use as your ceremony backdrop.  This cuts the number of flowers needed but will still achieve the dramatic red carpet look you’re looking for!

CitySaheli spoke with Shawna Gohel, a wedding professional from Maharani Weddings, who gave us the scoop on the favorite colors for this fall.   “The best way to chose your color palette is to cozy up with some chai and go through wedding magazines,” says Shawna, founder of Maharani Weddings.  Shawna likes to use floral bridal magazines, since she gets distracted by the dresses, shoes, and everything else wedding related! “When you flip through the pictures, suddenly certain colors will speak to you, and you will continue to go back to them. That is when you know you have found YOU. The color palette you choose for your wedding is the foundation for creating a wedding that uniquely represents your personality as a couple.”

Shawna pointed out that one of the biggest mistakes that Indian brides make is choosing too many colors (sometimes four or more!), which can make a wedding look like blocks of color and make the event lose fluidity. Indian brides should remember to utilize a layering technique.  By layering colors, you create a cohesive wedding with depth, dimension and something visually pleasing for your guest’s eyes. 

Shawna’s top wedding color palette picks for the fall:

Black tie, elegant affair. Opt for  deep and rich colors, such as:

• plum with champagne and black
• burgundy and bright yellow
• rose pink and gold

Formal, festive event. Opt for energetic and vibrant colors brighten up the atmosphere, such as:

• turquoise and yellow
• kelly green and brown
• fuschia with lime green

Casual event. Opt for colors inspired by the beach, such as:

• soft blue with mustard yellow
• peach and yellow
• white on white & white