Re: Texan Dulhans
I have lived in Houston all my life and have been to too many weddings to count! I am SO glad this thread was started! I feel like the wedding industry in Houston is booming with new vendors, and alot of them seem to charge an arm and a leg for services. This is a great way to talk about what they REALLY charge and what their customer service is REALLY like. With my wedding in the near future, I have done some research online and have been keenly observing and following these vendors on Facebook etc. Here is my take on venue, food, make up & hair etc. My apologies if any of these are repeated - I got too excited when I saw this thread and just had to word vomit all the knowledge I have accumulated in the past years!
As far as venue goes, Hilton Post Oak (my personal favorite), Westin Galleria, Hilton Westchase, Omni West, Hilton Americas, Hyatt Downtown, and Royal Sonesta (formerly known as Intercontinental) seem like popular desi venues. My sister got married at the Renaissance, and they were SO easy to work with. I would think that these venues do not uphold desi parties to the Food and Beverage minimum. Renaissance was between 18-24 dollars a person - we were able to substitute and deduct many items i.e the cake which we wanted to get on our own rather than through the hotel, deduct cheese/fruit appetizers since we were catering a great deal of food already. I am a little surprised and taken a back by these Food and Bev minimums as I did not know they existed at locations where desi weddings seem to be taking place quite frequently. I was positive they would work with you. I guess the only drawback would be that they would prefer to take an event that was using their catering, thus not locking in your date/reservation until 3-4 months prior? Is that how it works? eek..that makes me nervous.
Some venues I have been to fewer weddings at that are great locations are the Crowne Plaza by the airport - nice interior, Omni in Galleria area (I didn’t even know there was an Omni there but its really pretty on the inside and is a hidden gem) and Enchanted Cypress - this independent ballroom looks beautiful! Also, I am sure everyone in Houston knows that everyone and their mom has their mehndi at Chateau Crystale Ballroom. Its a nice venue with lots of space so I definitely see why people like to use it. I personally had my mind set on somewhere in the Galleria area - either Royal Sonesta or Hilton Post Oak - it has these cute chandeliers and mirrors on the site of the banquet hall which I think just look so elegant (coincidentally where I also had my high school prom!) I myself would like to do my mehndi at home, so my research mainly focuses on venues appropriate for weddings, receptions, etc. I am a little out of the loop as far as banquet halls go so if anyone knows of others please let us know!
Make Up - Look up Infinite Perfection on Facebook. This girl is awesome - she does make up, mehndi, and hair all of which are stellar. She has hundreds of pictures so you can see her work for mehndi looks, engagement shoots, wedding ceremonies, and receptions. She did my friend’s wedding in July over a scorchingly hot weekend and her make up endured the heat and sweat of the weekend. Make Up By Shazia Kazi is also a great artist, Make up by Shazia (another Shazia), Fashion Face, all look like great artists. Not sure if they all do hair though but Infinite Perfection does.
Photography - SB Image Studio seems to be used ALOT by desi ppl lately. She should also have a facebook group but here is her site: SB Image Studios wedding photography Houston Theres also Touch of Color studios. NICO photography over processes and photoshops their photos which I am not a fan of.
Videography - really it seems like A&A dominates here. I haven’t been able to find another vendor that does video like them - if there are any in Houston please let me know. The last time i heard their charges were close to 10 k, so I am surprised that someone was quoted 4-5k for their videography services. Nice to know they come down on their prices - 10K is SO EXPENSIVE!!!
DJ’s : Desi junction looks awesome. They do lighting packages as well and are ALWAYS booked. I have heard nothing but great things about them and they make your event look gorgeous. DJ Chani is awesome!
Food - Bombay Brasserie, Lazeeza, Mezban, India’s, Gourmet India are great options, although Lazeeza can really be hit or miss. I went to a wedding catered by Lazeeza recently and was so impressed. It was also a wedding with a large budget so maybe thats why - but they had fresh bbq beef and chicken cuts along with regular food which was just amazing - especially in the winter time. It was the first time I enjoyed the food thoroughly at a wedding and actually ate til I was full.
Decor: Prashe Decor, Decor One by Nalini seem to dominate here. I’ve heard Prashe is overpriced and her customer service is not the best but her designs are amazing. I have heard nothing but great things about Decor One. I am not sure on the price range for either vendor, but it seems like every other wedding is decorated by these two. They do lovely work and you can definitely find them on Facebook and online. If anyone knows how much they charge please share!
Wedding Planners - Electric Karma Events - I’ve been to a number of weddings organized by Therese at Electric Karma. I hear shes wonderful and the events I went to were flawless.
Clothes/Jewelery - this is where I am completely clueless. I went to UT Austin for college and then moved to Dallas for work, so I really don’t have a pulse on where to go for great jewelry and clothes and if there are any boutiques that custom make bridals and have great customer service while doing so. I hear Poshak is a great place to start but I am not sure on price ranges. If anyone knows anything about clothes and jewelry then please let us know!
ok whew thats all i have for now…gotta get back to work. yay for a Texas thread!