Dharmi Shah of Evenings of Elegance, a South Asian wedding specialist in Princeton, shares with us 5 things you need to know before planning your South Asian wedding in N.J. 

1.Guest Count. We all know that South Asian weddings can become pretty large without planning on it. The first thing you need to do is to decide how large or small of a wedding you would like. The idea of a small South Asian wedding can be intimate and exciting, but don’t forget what “SMALL” means for a South Asian weddings! You are still looking at approximately 180 to 250 guests. On the other hand, a large wedding can be anywhere from 400 to 700 guests, and has a certain charm about it.

2. Venue. Once you figure out your guest count, you can choose your favorite venue. If your wedding is on the larger end, your options will not be as varied, but New Jersey has some great locations. Make sure you connect with your catering sales manager and enjoy working with them, since you will be spending a lot of time planning your big day with them. Some of my favorite venues include The Mansion on Main Street in Voorhees, The Hyatt Regency Princeton, the Westin Princeton and the Renaissance Hotel Woodbridge.

3. Vendors. South Asian Weddings require a lot of vendors. Make sure you choose vendors wisely. Your vendors will not only make your special day spectacular, but they will also be the ones to capture your day for years to come. Make sure your vendors understand your vision and know exactly what you are looking for.

Diane and Ari’s wedding at the Stone House at Stirling Ridge.                             Ajit Singh Photography

4. Décor: Flowers, candles, glitz and glamour. Create your vision with the perfect decorator. You want a decorator who will listen to you and help you make your vision a reality!

 

 

5. Tradition: Uh, oh, here comes the big one! Tradition is HUGE in South Asian weddings!  Make sure you and your family sit down to discuss the traditions most important to you. You will then want to sit with your fiancé and figure out which traditions both sides have in common and what you may need to add from the traditions of each family. Don’t forget, this is your big day—but don’t sweat the small stuff.