Hi everyone! By way of introduction, I have just had my baat pakki a few weeks ago and I’m just overwhelmed, which brings me to you lovely folks! My fiancé is based in the UK, I’m based in NY. We are planning on having a quiet engagement at home, followed by a wedding in spring / summer 2015 Inshallah in NY!
I am am looking for help on: sangeet books, mehndi ideas (venues on Long Island or queens), baraat ideas (venues on Long Island), makeup artists, and videographer/photographers!
We are hopefully going to Pakistan in May inshallah so please let me know if You think it’s too early to shop for wedding clothes! Thank you all soooooo much in advance xoxoxoxoxoxo
Re: NY - Long Island Wedding (Inshallah) Help Please!!
Hi everyone! By way of introduction, I have just had my baat pakki a few weeks ago and I'm just overwhelmed, which brings me to you lovely folks! My fiancé is based in the UK, I'm based in NY. We are planning on having a quiet engagement at home, followed by a wedding in spring / summer 2015 Inshallah in NY!
I am am looking for help on: sangeet books, mehndi ideas (venues on Long Island or queens), baraat ideas (venues on Long Island), makeup artists, and videographer/photographers!
We are hopefully going to Pakistan in May inshallah so please let me know if You think it's too early to shop for wedding clothes! Thank you all soooooo much in advance xoxoxoxoxoxo
Try Laaj Dulhans or Makeup by Huma
For photography, I'ld stick with Laaj or EBM
Everyone and their chacha gets married at Sterling or Antun's if you want a one stop shop. Otherwise you can try Crest Hollow or Leonards. Depends on how much in debt you want to go.
Re: NY - Long Island Wedding (Inshallah) Help Please!!
May is not too early if you plan on getting a Bunto. She books a year in advance. For everyone else, I would place my order 8 montha in advance. 6 is too short given the halaat in Karachi, the load shedding, etc. Plus their local wedding season is December and everyone is booked up for that for local brides.
Re: NY - Long Island Wedding (Inshallah) Help Please!!
Try Laaj Dulhans or Makeup by Huma
For photography, I'ld stick with Laaj or EBM
Everyone and their chacha gets married at Sterling or Antun's if you want a one stop shop. Otherwise you can try Crest Hollow or Leonards. Depends on how much in debt you want to go.
LMAO about the sterling or antuns bit! Do you think Leonard's would be significantly more? Have you seen any recent brides get married at hotels and catering in?
Ill have to check laaj out and try to get quotes, as we would need them for 3 days :(.
Re: NY - Long Island Wedding (Inshallah) Help Please!!
May is not too early if you plan on getting a Bunto. She books a year in advance. For everyone else, I would place my order 8 montha in advance. 6 is too short given the halaat in Karachi, the load shedding, etc. Plus their local wedding season is December and everyone is booked up for that for local brides.
Perfect - that makes me feel a bit better. Everyone (in the family as well) keeps telling me it's all going to go out of fashion, but surely wedding lengha are generally the same(ish) in a year? :-/
Re: NY - Long Island Wedding (Inshallah) Help Please!!
I highly doubt fashions will change that drastically. People love the long shirt look and it is very elegant and if all else fails, go for a classic gharara with a knee length shirt. Always lovely and will never be out of fashion. I'd rather wear something timeless anyway, no?
Re: NY - Long Island Wedding (Inshallah) Help Please!!
I would say you would probably be adding about at a minimum 30 per head if you go to Leonard's. A lot of people also have been getting married at the Hilton near Melville. You can call the hotels/country clubs to see what caterers they prefer and then call the caterer to get a better rate/package.
There is a place right next to Antun's that has all the traditional jhulas and dholis and stuff or if money is no issue, go wit Design House. If you need a dhol wala, Bhutta is the best (in my opinion).
Re: NY - Long Island Wedding (Inshallah) Help Please!!
Venues : depends on your budget. Antuns and Sterling, World Fair Marina are very economical and popular for tight budgets. Others include Crest Hollow, Leonards, Terrace on the Park, Marriott at uniondale, and Islandia Marriott.
Decor : located next to Antun's is Fern & Decor - wonderful people to work with.
Photo/Video - House of Talent in Hicksville, so very professional and wonderful people to work with.
MUA - Riffat Khan. She doesn't have a big social media presence but her work speaks for itself and by word of mouth. Excellent person to work with, very humble, down to earth. She travels to you, makes you feel very comfortable. Only downside is that she's here in NY area only 6 months out of the year, the other time she's in Lahore.
When you speak to any Vendor, nearly the first question they will ask is about the venue. And price changes accordingly depending on how upscale or not the venue is.
Re: NY - Long Island Wedding (Inshallah) Help Please!!
I highly doubt fashions will change that drastically. People love the long shirt look and it is very elegant and if all else fails, go for a classic gharara with a knee length shirt. Always lovely and will never be out of fashion. I'd rather wear something timeless anyway, no?
Yes, agreed!! I am thinking of getting the classic ghazals with a knee length shirt for the baraat, and possibly a long gown with a back tail for the walima!!
NY - Long Island Wedding (Inshallah) Help Please!!
Auntun's and sterling are the two most popular venues. Leonard's is superb but extremely pricy. I think per head price is 50 dollars without food.
My biggest suggestion is plan a small to medium wedding with less than 150 guests. Try to include only very important ppl at your wedding and plan your wedding with big focus on budget. No one wedding is perfect so don't aim for one. Shop around allocate you funds to things that are most important to you.
Re: NY - Long Island Wedding (Inshallah) Help Please!!
Venues : depends on your budget. Antuns and Sterling, World Fair Marina are very economical and popular for tight budgets. Others include Crest Hollow, Leonards, Terrace on the Park, Marriott at uniondale, and Islandia Marriott.
Decor : located next to Antun's is Fern & Decor - wonderful people to work with.
Photo/Video - House of Talent in Hicksville, so very professional and wonderful people to work with.
MUA - Riffat Khan. She doesn't have a big social media presence but her work speaks for itself and by word of mouth. Excellent person to work with, very humble, down to earth. She travels to you, makes you feel very comfortable. Only downside is that she's here in NY area only 6 months out of the year, the other time she's in Lahore.
When you speak to any Vendor, nearly the first question they will ask is about the venue. And price changes accordingly depending on how upscale or not the venue is.
Hi!! thank you sooo much for posting. I am in love with riffats work, and as soon as the wedding date is finalized inshallah, she'll be the first one I reach out to. For mehndi makeup, I was thinking of keeping it less heavy and going with a Mac artist (less Asian bridal).
Photo/video - I'm really trying to find a company that can add a storybook feel with clean picture... I tried HOT since others have referred me there too, but I don't jump up and down for it as I do with riffat.. Any other ideas? I would refer you to a video I Love so yiu can see what I mean, but I don't know how to :(
Re: NY - Long Island Wedding (Inshallah) Help Please!!
Auntun's and sterling are the two most popular venues. Leonard's is superb but extremely pricy. I think per head price is 50 dollars without food.
My biggest suggestion is plan a small to medium wedding with less than 150 guests. Try to include only very important ppl at your wedding and plan your wedding with big focus on budget. No one wedding is perfect so don't aim for one. Shop around allocate you funds to things that are most important to you.
Absolutely agree... I'm even thinking about getting in touch with some invitation publishers in Pakistan and working with them over the next few months (while relatives travel to and from)!
would you happen to have a price range for sterling? It's insane but I'll have 150 with just family, so I'm looking at 200-225 for the baraat day :(
Mehndi ro to be smaller with just family and closest friends!
Re: NY - Long Island Wedding (Inshallah) Help Please!!
Best of luck buddy !!! most welcome Pakistan, and if u ppl, ur fiance’ and u, come together for shopping in Pakistan then both of u should visit some wedding planners and photographers also to get real&rich ideas to make ur Big Day exclusive like i can give u few numbers of good options, like to contact Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Srosh-Anwar-Photography/407714646008328?fref=ts
NY - Long Island Wedding (Inshallah) Help Please!!
I think sterling is a good choice as is Auntun's. Leonard's is lush and excellent but you or your parents will be in some serious debt unless you have money set aside. Remember there are so many added expenses. Go with a midrange place. Also Saturday is most expensive. So try going for a Saturday. Don't get fixated on any one venue or dress. Be flexible and stick to a budget. Allocate your budget wisely. A wedding doesn't have to be perfect it's just 1 day. Work on making the rest of your married life perfect. Again have a realistic budget and don't get carried away.
Re: NY - Long Island Wedding (Inshallah) Help Please!!
You’re absolutely right! I’m checking out a venue called “Obsession Banquet Hall”, went to a “Jassi’s” (which I didnt think much of), and a few others. I’ll let you all know what I think when I return!
Any thoughts on makeup contacts/mehndi/photography and videography?