Indian Wedding Orange County

Heena and Azhar
Wedding: Jamatkhana; Reception: Richard Nixon Library
Photography: Lin and Jirsa
Videpgraphy; Avec Lumiere

What were your wedding events?
Our sangeet was on Thanksgiving at my parent’s home. Kamran Hussain Designs decorated our home as well as the reception at the Nixon Library and did a phenomenal job. I wanted this swing and the design he created to decorate it was stunning. We showed him photos of what we wanted and what he delivered was even better!

Our nikah was on Black Friday at the Jamatkhana.

Our reception was at the Richard Nixon Library. They didn’t charge us more because it was a holiday weekend. We also didn’t get discounts for getting married on Friday…because it was a holiday weekend. Normally the pricing for Fridays and Sundays is lower than Saturdays.

The ceremony was very private and small at the Jamatkhana in Irvine. After the ceremony everyone drove to the Richard Nixon Library for the rituals. Most guests arrived about an hour-hour and a half later for the reception.

The bridal party was in an underground room – it’s one area but has separate rooms where the bridal party could hang out and get ready.

This venue is strict about using one of their approved caterers. For Indian/Pakistani halal food they only have a relationship with Shahnawaz. Everything turned out very well. They did a really good job.

For the catering services you’re required to go through their company – Anaheim White House which provides all of the service staff and linens, silverware, china, bar setups etc. We were really happy with them. Everything was very professional and consistent.

The Nixon Library staff was really nice about letting me visit on days when they had weddings. Since I lived nearby I went several times by myself and every time I stopped by I loved it. I got to meet vendors and get ideas. I didn’t really look anywhere else. I knew I didn’t want to get married at a hotel.

I wanted something with chandeliers and an elegant look with character vs. a plain ballroom. I was taken away with this venue as soon as I saw it.

We enjoyed having lighting effects; and experimented with an aquatic gobo. It turned out really nice at night. We didn’t want to go way overboard with lighting as it would clash with the classic theme of the ballroom.

Overall I found the Nixon Library staff professional, accommodating, and easy to work with.

Where did you get your clothes?
My ceremony anarkali was from Yasmin Boutique in Artesia – Seema Gujral design.
At the time I couldn’t go to India or Pakistan so I went to Artesia every weekend to look for clothes.

I bought my reception gown from Cache and then I went to downtown LA and bought fabric to make sleeves to add to my dress.

How did you arrange the bridesmaids clothes?
The bridesmaids clothes were from Dreams Collections. They were awesome! I went to their store and she showed me a variety of ideas and swatch of colors and she got everything made in India. If the bridesmaid was local she went to the store and aunty took her measurements. For any non-local bridesmaids, they just emailed aunty their measurements and they shipped everything directly to each bridesmaid – which was very convenient!

And she let us customize the blouses with different designs. I think because it was monsoon season in India they hurried on a few of them and they didn’t come out right. What I loved about Sakshi Aunty was she worked with us until everything was perfect.

I also bought a few outfits from Maneka too.

What advice would you give to anyone planning their wedding?

I’d emphasize the venue. Find a venue you really like and build everything else around that.
Decide on a few focal points to stand out/spend more on.
I think you can do everything yourself. If you’re really into design.
I had a day-of planner and was happy to do all the legwork as I enjoyed working on lighting, centerpieces, the decor.
Hire a makeup artist dedicated only to the bride. Hire other artists to do family, the bridal party etc.; otherwise you’re likely to get late.
If you’re getting ready for the ceremony at your home, make sure you’re in a room with enough natural light. Also, tidy up the area where you’re going to get ready – beforehand. A wedding house is often chaotic, but photos and video of the bride getting ready are fun and memories you’ll have for a lifetime. You’ll want a nice background.

Our Wedding Professionals Team:

Cake: Portos. I went big on the cake and loved what they did for us. It was so delicious!

Caterers: Sangeet: Karachi Tandoori; They made fresh kabobs onsite which was really cool.

Reception: Shahnawaz

Decor: Kamran Hussain Designs; he was really good! I wanted a contemporary, clean crisp look and he did an excellent job. We showed him photos of what I wanted and he did a better job than the photos I showed him.

DJ: Sandeep Sandhu from Fusion Sounds

Makeup and hair: I got trials by two people. I went with Beauty by Linda from Beverly Hills. I found her on Instagram and felt like she really knows how to make you look like a bride. I did one look for the wedding and reception. She got me ready in the morning, set it really well and it stayed the whole day.

Mehndi: MMN Mehndi they did the gold flash tattoos. I wanted a really contemporary look.

Photo Booth: Make It Last Photo Booth: we were really happy with them. They made an album for us too!

Photography: Tim from Lin and Jirsa. He was always smiling and really active. He made me feel really comfortable and posed us which I appreciated because I feel awkward in front of the camera sometimes. He’d do anything to get the shot.

Transportation: Limelight Limousine