It’s been a little while since we have shared a destination wedding with you…and fortunately, that is about to change. Recently, our travels took us to beautiful Cancun, Mexico where we filmed at the tropically luxe Moon Palace Resort as we covered Franky and Neema’s 5-day wedding affair.
For those of you who are familiar with South Asian wedding planning, you’ll know that destination weddings can be an added challenge when trying to coordinate all of the crucial, colorful often complicated particulars that are such a regular part of our wedding festivities. Somehow, (with much credit to Neema’s excellent organization skills) this destination wedding seemed to set a new standard when it came to mishap- free functionality. Both bride and groom were relaxed, nothing felt overly hurried or drawn out and the overall atmosphere was one that induced a feel- good attitude.
Neema’s vision for her wedding was elegant and understated. Their decor, wedding attire and choice of venue were perfectly flattering to her concept and breathtaking for their uniqueness.
Hear more from the couple themselves on season 2 of The Wedd Lounge. Until then, mix yourself a fruity concoction, add a paper umbrella and drink in the Cancun sunshine as Franky and Neema show us how traditional meets tropical in this wedding film
Many of our Wedd Lounge regulars will recognize this couple- Ashley and Manny- stylish, collected and sharp (watch their episode here). Nerves can tend to get in the way where weddings and cameras are concerned, but this next-day edit serves as evidence that these two were comfortable and just as much fun to work with on-screen as they were off.
The weather was picturesque for their outdoor wedding, a perfect spring sunshine radiated upon them as they exchanged their vows in two ceremonies- South Indian and Sikh- both occurring on the same day. Ashley was very particular about what she wanted, and it was her desire to ensure the day’s events were efficiently executed and exactly what her and Manny hoped it would be. Ashley had her make-up artist on site as she sported a different look for each ceremony, and given the constraints of time and a few glitches throughout the day- they managed to create two separate but equally stunning looks for her. Manny, was more laid- back and relaxed in his manner. He laughs first and solves later, and it was an attitude that came in handy when he discovered that he had forgotten his pants for his wedding attire on the morning of the wedding. Thanks to the speedy problem- solving skills of their reliable planners, Arora Weddings, they were able to find an alternative that as per Manny’s style, kept his worried bride calm and… you guessed it…smiling.
It was an intimate affair in the most quaint of settings. Ornate structures were set against a backdrop of gorgeous pastel fabrics, with delicate floral touches throughout the venue. They celebrated their union in the presence of close friends and family, and true to the objective of all healthy marriages, even when things did not always run smoothly during the day, Ashley and Manny were heartwarmingly supportive of each other, and smiled together, when it was needed most.
In our line of work, we are called upon to do all kinds of weddings. Big, small, extravagant, minimalist…you name it, and we’ve probably had the luck of capturing it. As a result, we have travelled across the world and have bore witness to many unique traditions and cultures. Days can be just as long as nights, jet lag must be quickly overcome and rest between trips is a commodity that is used sparingly. But when you love what you do, you learn more each time you do it- and Emy and Nancy’s wedding in particular, reinforced that for us in a very real and meaningful way.
We were no strangers to this family, as we worked with Emy’s sister four years ago and filmed her wedding celebrations in Nigeria (click here) and Toronto (click here). A large, lively bunch with a lot of love to go around…we were excited to be a part of their lives once more. The day before the wedding, we had another ceremony in Vancouver we were working on which ended at 11 pm. A next-day edit needed to be complete by the following day, but our team had a flight to Calgary at 7 am in order to make it to Emy and Nancy’s ceremony. By midnight, we set to work on the next-day edit, completed it by 5 am, rushed to the airport and within minutes were boarding our flight to Calgary. We reached our destination right on time and headed to meet Emy and Nancy as their wedding festivities were scheduled to begin shortly afterward. Thanks to the wizardly film-making skills our team has acquired over the last few years… we successfully managed no sleep in a total of 62 hours. (Loving what you do is definitely key for pulling something like that off. Not to be attempted otherwise.)
Emy and Nancy had a beautiful church ceremony and Nigerian style reception to follow. Their wedding was full of character, replete with colorful splendor, tasteful decor, and fantastic energy. To interested brides and grooms- there are lots of fashionable pieces to keep watch out for as well. Feathers are a big trend this wedding season and no wonder, when they look as gorgeous as Nancy’s feathered skirt does. She looked perfectly divine as she floated down the aisle in the halo of feathers that frothed around her bodice. Emy’s exquisite shoes made it very clear whose special day it was, and it’s always nice to see grooms take as much pride in their wardrobes as brides are wont to do. Red was the color of the evening, and it created a strikingly romantic and bold ambience. Tall crystal vases, glittering chandeliers and sumptuous florals were everywhere one turned. The many fabrics, textures and ornate headdresses donned by the bride and ladies in attendance were also eye- catching in their appeal. Every minute detail was worth noting.
In Emy’s touching address to his mother, we saw a side to him that is often difficult for grooms to reveal. His voice was still that of the little boy who needed the comfort his mother’s love, the gratitude he felt as a young man to her and the eagerness to share a new kind of familial love with the beautiful bride by his shoulder.
When one has the chance to capture life’s moments like that for a living, and forge strong bonds with different people as they experience milestones in their personal journeys…no sleep is not much of a price to pay.
If there were ever an award for an outstanding display and range of colours in a wedding- Ali and Komal’s would be a top contender. Their use of mouthwateringly bright, invigorating colors is the quintessence of every decorator’s dream. Their switch to sheer, shimmering fabrics, glowing candlelight and cool, elegant whites for their reception decor was the perfect finish to their week of vibrant events.
The couple had a very traditional muslim ceremony and stylish modern reception. A visible chemistry shared between the bride and groom was noted in each event, for despite the conservative tone of certain rituals- the energy in the air was full of excitement and a new, sacred kind of love. Komal wowed their guests in her spectacular bridal attire and there was hardly a moment that Ali was not smiling. Both were looks that wedding fashion police would applaud.
Ali and Komal are both very family- oriented and it was clear that each of them had long desired a large, stylish wedding. It was indeed an occasion with plenty of family, good cheer and fun married with uniquely feel-good aspects like group performances, adorable messages for the couple, a breathtaking fireworks show and floating Japanese lanterns. It was truly a whirlwind of colors and deep emotions which even for us, too soon, came to an end. Congrats to the couple!
When you watch this wedding film, you’ll understand why Monica and Christian’s fusion wedding is one of our favorites. It was an interesting medley of French and Indian influences that was entertainingly original and tastefully put together.
The wedding took place at the stately Graydon Manor Hall, with the ceremony held outdoors against an intimate backdrop of private gardens, tall floral arches and crisp greenery. The sun shone down jubilantly on this couple as they pledged their vows in the company of their on-looking friends and loved ones. Our groom Christian had gone above and beyond to make sure everything went exactly as Monica wanted on her special day and one can tell by the immensely satisfied looks on their faces, they both got just that.
Monica scored major bride points as she made quite a statement with her choice in the design of blouses and jewelry she wore. Glamorous from head to toe, she turned heads wherever she went. In addition, her bridesmaids were a perfect complement to her ornate red and white lengha in their dazzling gold sarees. The jewels create a kaleidoscope of color when they are caught in the sunlight- an awesome style tip for outdoor brides looking for bridesmaid wear. The bride and her girls weren’t the only ones to inspire wardrobe ideas however, as Christian and his groomsmen had a few tips of their own to share. As you’ll see in the video, they were full of solutions that afternoon as the men quickly searched YouTube just moments before the ceremony on how to make handkerchiefs. What better than men dressed sharply in suits who are as handsome as they are resourceful? Another point for Monica.
There was no shortage of entertainment that evening, with French and Indian inspired dances, a Gatsby-style performance and a romantic piece by the couple; guests watched on in awe in between visits to the poker table, the bar and the incredible culinary arrangements on site. Amidst all the merry-making, the event was not without its mixed emotions for the bride and groom. Christian had lost his father and Monica her mother, so although it was an occasion to look to the future, it was also a time of reflection for them both. The song used in the video highlights this, and is particularly significant as it discusses the trials and tribulations a couple faces before they reach a unifying stage in their relationship. Hats off to Monica and Christian for an exquisitely poignant evening.
What makes marriage so extraordinary is its unifying quality. It’s ability to transcend differences. Be it between two lives, two families and sometimes even cultures. Paul and Yashi’s wedding captures and celebrates the very spirit of this.
A very humble and soft- spoken couple -as evinced by this trailer of their wedding- many of its’ most poignant moments are the loving glances and physical affection they share that seem enough to make the world stand still around them.
Paul was very openly new to Yashi’s Sri-Lankan culture and practices, but his friends and family were equally excited to help him get involved and participate in the rituals. Yashi was just as magnificent in her efforts as she transformed from sri- lankan beauty in a traditional bridal sari to a fabulously fitting and detailed white gown, becoming of her fusion of tastes and styles.
For this couple, the magic of their festivities truly lay in the pride and happiness that shone in their eyes each time they looked at eachother. Throughout the entire weekend, there was hardly a more captivating aspect of decor, attire or moment of typical wedding fanfare to admire than that.
When it comes to wedding planning, couples like to have the luxury of time to coordinate each detail to perfection for their special day. In our experience, 12 to 18 months is usually the happy medium. Ever so often however, we meet individuals who get right down to business- knowing exactly what they want, how they prefer it and when it needs to happen. Enter Reshma and Sunjay.
Within 6 months their entire wedding was planned, every vendor they wanted was hired and they coordinated with us frequently to produce a one of a kind concept film. From the initial stages of our creative brainstorming together, Reshma had a solid vision of what she desired. Energetic, artistic and eager to get started she let us know that she was passionate about Spanish culture and wanted their concept film to reflect that. Sunjay’s primary concern was that his lovely bride got exactly what she asked for, but he was completely trusting, cooperative and excited to see the end result.
Their same day edit was nuanced with artistic edge. The song used was written, composed and performed exclusively for the the couple and same day edit. The video is enhanced by aerial views made possible by our remote-controlled helicopters with cameras beneath them. The couple’s organized style and unique tastes make for a statement wedding. Just see for yourselves.
One of the biggest challenges couples face with the modern-day indian wedding, is striking a happy balance between including everyone on their guest lists while still maintaining a personal, intimate atmosphere. Sanjay and Semira decided to not have to choose, and what resulted was a delightful, trend-setting way of having one’s cake and eating it too. Literally.
Both our bride and groom are from Toronto,Canada but wanted their ceremony to take place somewhere fun and tropical. As per Sanjay’s suave, stylish personality they held an engagement party in Toronto that was a most elegant affair. Replete with family dances, touching speeches and great dining, for all in attendance it was a memorable night to herald their upcoming union.
For the ceremony, off to sunny, lush Jamaica they went! Semira is all kinds of bubbly and colorful, and their choice of destination seemed to perfectly compliment the bride’s style. Their ceremony took place under an outdoor mandaap, against a backdrop of dancing palms and blue ocean. As the couple wished it, their closest family and friends were witnesses to their marriage and as per the age-old tradition, Sanjay displayed superior negotiating skills when it came time for him to barter with the bridesmaids for his highly coveted shoes.
Despite the differences in size of each event, both projected a buoyant mood of strong ties and deep family bonds; core values of South Asian practices and culture. So who says you can’t add the right dash of modern flair to the traditional indian wedding? Sanjay and Semira show us gratifyingly exactly how it is done.
Just a few months before their wedding, enthusiastic groom Prashant contacted us all the way from Kohlapour, India to see if it was possible to hire us to film his wedding. Usually, we ask that local couples give us notice at least 9-10 months in advance of their wedding date, so Prashant’s proposal immediately sent us into an exciting trajectory of planning and packing.
It is impossible to travel such distances and not be persuaded to capture the locale, architecture and wildlife. They encompass a multitude of expressions, sights and sounds that are at the very heart of indian weddings. Prashant and his bride Prema, we discovered, were a very romantic couple and there are scenes in this official trailer that embellish it with a particularly appropriate Bollywood feel .
Due to her demanding schedule, we did not have the chance to meet Prema until the wedding, but Prashant was an impressive groom for taking the reins in organizing their ideas, communicating and coordinating with us. When we met him in person, we learned that he was a humble member of a very large family. Many of the festivities, including the wedding ceremony, were held at his home and this added a very loving, familiar feel to the mood of the events.
Together, Prashant and Prema upped the ante to the wedding weekend with a phenomenally choreographed performance at their Sangeet. Contemporary sounds fused with traditional colors and tastes- it was truly a feast for the senses. Now, millions of miles and memories away, here is a taste of that majestic weekend.
Every bride wants her wedding to be uniquely special and worth remembering. Some stand out because of breathtaking decor, others for a mouthwatering menu and then there are those weddings that are admired especially because of the love so noticeably shared between the couple and their families.
Alia and Zuhair’s wedding was memorable because it so beautifully encompassed each of these components, if not more.
Alia designed four of her outfits, including that of her wedding ceremony and reception. A hugely successful decision on her part, for she wowed all present. Her desire to do something creative was demonstrated at every event, from menhndi, to sangeet to wedding ceremony.
Ultimately, what made Alia and Zuhair stand out as a couple was their strength of confidence and attention to detail, as this Next Day edit illustrates. Zuhair’s calm, collected demeanor is the perfect balance to Alia’s bubbly personality. In our opinion, this couple had an ideal harmony of elements to make their wedding definitely worth remembering.
One often hears of couples who meet through mutual friends or family and as luck would sometimes have it- things can progress over a simple cup of coffee. However, it is not quite so common to hear of two people falling in love at a coffee convention .
Yes, you read that correctly. Gemma and Kartik, both owners of Second Cup franchises met at a conference in Costa Rica – and as they both can now attest, the coffee beans weren’t the only thing there worthy of captivating another’s attention.
Gemma is a very sweet young woman with a distinctly appealing British accent. She is a huge fan of Bollywood and her rocking dance moves at her Sangeet were a testament to that. Although the viewer catches only a quick glimpse in this next day edit, our vibrant bride thoroughly enjoyed herself and danced alongside almost every single guest at the hall.
Her groom Kartik, on the other hand is a bit more discreet about his love for Bollywood dance moves and classic tales of love. He is a straightforward guy who loves family and because of this, is even more noticeably devoted to Gemma.
Although they have different personalities, what they certainly do have in common is an extraordinary knack for dealing with pressure. Their wedding ceremony was held outdoors and unfortunately, the heavy downpour of rain hindered a few plans. They did not have their photo shoot and the outdoor sound system could not be utilized, but the couple would not let Mother Nature get the best of their day. We like to think it was the beauty of the Costa Rican sun in the memory of their very first encounter- that caused their hearts and eyes to keep shining in the face of a little bit of rain on their special day.
In our 6 years of producing wedding films, we have met a wide variety of couples. Each unique, from character and personality to the style of wedding they desire, and even the finer details in between like their tastes in music.
When Ruchi and Sunny met us a year ago, they made it very clear that they are both a “Bollywood”- oriented couple. Ruchi’s personal flare easily convinced us of this, but it was a little bit harder for us to notice this trait in Sunny. His job with the United Nations did an especially good job of masking this, as it seemed to us that you couldn’t find a more humble, unpretentious guy.
We met once in person, and due to their very busy schedules, we relied heavily on Skype to coordinate throughout the year. During the course of our meetings, we also came up with an exciting concept film idea that would take us to Europe all the way to the warm Caribbean. Unfortunately, due to conflicting schedules that did not quite materialize as planned.
However, after a year of conversations over Skype, their special day finally arrived. Their Sangeet was held at the Eglinton Grande and it definitely encompassed the Bollywood-theme. Among numerous memorable moments, the event’s main highlight was unquestionably Sunny’s singing of “Tujhe Dekha to Ye Jana Sanam”- just so that he could be allowed in by his blushing bride’s family.
As Bollywood weddings go, the Sangeet heralded an incredibly fun, colorful and traditional wedding ceremony and reception. Since it was our job to capture the magic of these moments on film, we did our best to do so by employing an approach that, to our knowledge, has not been previously used.
So sit back, relax and enjoy our Bollywood-inspired special.
