Photo Finish Skin Without Makeup

I know everyones ultimate goal is to feel comfortable in their own skin without makeup, but the harsh reality is, that as we get older or skin just doesn’t look as good as it used to. I had amazing skin in high school but during the end of my senior year into college and even a part of grad school I struggled with some acne and scaring. Then into my mid 20s I had clear skin again for the most part. My BIGGEST skin issue has always been enlarged pros, especially the skin next to my nose and around the cheeks.

I think I have achieved what I would like to think of as my ideal skin. I have gone though a lot of face products in general and I think I have finally found the combination that works for me. I am hoping that by changing products you can also achieve skin you want. Also, my routine is NOT difficult. I personally don’t have time for a 30 minute two times a day skin routine. This picture was taken at night without a filter after I washed my face. As you see the pores on my face have shrunk, If I can find a better before picture of my skin I will upload it. As you can see the picture on the right shows my enlarged pores (this was about 2 years ago)- my skin didn’t have acne but it just looks dull and sad. The picture on the right is my current skin without anything on it. First I am going to go over some obvious way you can modify your life to make sure your skin is glowing, then I will go over the products I use on a daily basis (or periodically) to achieve this skin.

  1. Healthy Diet: Consume a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and antioxidants. Nutrient-dense foods contribute to overall skin health.
  2. Adequate Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. Hydration is crucial for maintaining elasticity and promoting a radiant complexion. I try to drink at least 80 oz of water daily.
  3. Adequate Sleep: Ensure you get enough quality sleep. Lack of sleep can contribute to skin issues such as dullness and dark circles. Your girl needs her sleep. I probably sleep 8-10 hours per night.
  4. Regular Exercise: Physical activity promotes blood circulation, which can contribute to a healthy complexion. Just be sure to cleanse your skin post-workout to remove sweat and prevent breakouts. I honestly notice changes in my skin when I stop working out.
  5. Stress Management: Chronic stress can take a toll on your skin. Incorporate stress-reducing activities such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises into your routine. It is no joke that stress causes blemishes!
  6. Limit Alcohol Intake: Excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact your skin’s health. Moderating alcohol intake can contribute to a healthier complexion because obviously alcohol is dehydrating, so imagine the impacts on your skin.

This is MY FAVORITE product ever, my husband and I have been using it few months now and it is literally amazing. His face has completely cleared up and I think the is what is the #1 contributor to shrinking my pores. This paired with the resurfacing facial wash makes a great combination to achieve smooth skin and reduce pore size (both products are linked).

The next product that I swear by is a product that pretty much remove that layer of dry dull dead skin every time you put it on. It was a jelly like texture, there is nothing exfoliating in it but it is magic. It is the deep sleep overnight cleanser. It is put on at night, I put is on after washing my face and using the pad. As you put it on it drys on your face, and if you keep rubbing you can sloth off excess skin, kind of satisfying, kind of gross. Or you can just wear it overnight like a normal person and when you wash your face in the morning you can feel the difference. I would have to say I agree with these statistics. You just have to try it and find out for your self.

During the day I barley wear makeup anymore. I usually do sunscreen and bronzer for my daily look. I use the Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, this is a primer + sunscreen. I follow it up with the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer, it is made from 100 percent real cocoa powder, free of  parabens and phthalates and cruelty free. I like to wear something like this for daily wear knowing it doesn’t damage my skin, although the Supergroop sunscreen is NOT that good.

Lastly something I use on the daily (or at least a few times a week) is this Elemis Superfood sleeping cream, but I don’t use it at night. Since I have a solid nighttime routine, I actually use this during the day. I sometimes put it on after my sunscreen, or if I’m home and not going anywhere I wear this alone all day without any sunscreen or makeup. It also smells amazing. This product is a Prebiotic cream that leaves dry, thirsty skin feeling silky soft, radiant and replenished with moisture.


Honestly, skincare is hard, it requires routine to see benefits but it is something that you can accomplish if you put your mind to it. Plus, if you see the fruit of your labor pretty quickly if you put your heart to it. I also want to try other products in the Elemis line over time, I have yet to be disappointed in the line.

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Honeymoon

We wanted to go on our honeymoon right after the wedding, so we left the Wednesday after the wedding. It gave us a few nights to rest and recover from the wedding week madness. We decided to go to Antigua for our honeymoon and it was absolutely beautiful. You best believe I got us matching T-shirts for the honeymoon which I still insist we were on occasion.

We stayed at the Cocos Hotel in Antigua. The resort was really nice, we had our own bungalow with a private pool and there were 2 beaches on property. We also had access to the kayaks on the beach. We spend most of our time on the resort, but we did venture out for an excursion to swim with the stingrays and then we also visited the highest point on the island.

We took our excursion through Xtream Adventure on the island, we not only went to stingray city, we also went to an island for lunch and had the opportunity to snorkel. We also floated in the water and drank rum punch.

The second time we left the resort was to go the the highest point on the island called Shirley Heights. The locals go here and we were able to hear a steal band play and have fresh BBQ. We actually had a couple from our resort join us, and the tour guide on our excursion drove us up there on his day off. The island it self is very safe.

The food at the resort was very good, they had fresh food all day. The lunch and dinner menus were different every day, so it was nice to get a variety of food. They also had room service if you wanted food to be sent to the room.

Overall we had the best time, we would love to come back to the island for an anniversary one day. The culture and the people on the island were so nice.

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What we Would Change

Obviously when planning a wedding, there are things that we would probably do differently when looking back at the planning and there are things we wouldn’t change. My husband and I have compiled a list of things that we would do differently vs. things we wouldn’t change.

Things we would change Things we would keep the same
After working with our venue we didn’t really like how they handled anything and would probably suggest spending more time finding a venue who is willing to work with you to make your dreams come true. We went back and fourth on the contract many times and though we finalized it like we needed and when we realized there were things we needed from them, they were not accommodating because “it wasn’t in the signed contract”. Ultimately get it in writing or they will not make it happened because they never promised it. Getting a wedding planner early on was a great decision. It was beneficial to have them along from the beginning and they knew exactly what was going on the entire wedding planning process. They were involved with literally email we send out to our vendors and they knew real time what was going on. They also helped us negotiate the contracts with our biggest vendors.
Get a quote on fresh flowers earlier rather than later, we felt that the price of the fresh flowers were extremely inflated. We didn’t have that much time to shop around because we were only a few months out from the wedding. 13 months to plan wedding was a great time frame. We didn’t feel rushed. Most of our larger contracts were signed in 2021 before the holidays and we went into 2022 with the small details and small vendors left. We also only had our outfits left as far as large things that were left to do.
Make sure you plan food out ahead of time, we had our tasting pushed a few times and it seemed like it was too close to the wedding. We also felt like we didn’t have an allocated person from the caterer at the venue who knew what was going on which should have been discussed to prior. We loved our DJ, wouldn’t change that for the world!
Put a budget in place and stick to it. We did have an initial budget then we added so may expenses at the end that we had not discussed in the beginning. For example a 360 Photo Booth and live paan station. I loved how all the decor turned out, however I personally spend a lot of time to make sure that my vision appropriately came to life.
Discuss needs and wants with your partner. There are things that both people absolutely will need at their wedding and they should be able to get that. On the other hand, the wants are not as high priority.
Pick out clothing and coordinate sooner. We started looking for my outfits at the end of January for a June wedding. After my clothes were bought my husband still had to get custom clothes made and shipped from India. The time frame seemed a bit tight.
My husband though that the grah shanti and pithi should have been combined and it would have been more fun, but I preferred it to be separate.
If time allows, split up the wedding day and the reception. Have them be on 2 separate days so it gives everyone a chance to relax and enjoy both events.

We will update this information over time if we remember anything else. I think overall the wedding planning can become stressful, but I was lucky that my husband let me have my dream wedding. He was involved in all the decisions but he let me pick want I wanted and I am thankful for that. I loved everything about our wedding day!

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Wedding Day

Wedding Day

There are some things that you want to remember the day of your wedding, you want to ensure that you actually enjoy the day and these are ways to achieve that.

  1. Relax and Breathe: It’s your big day, and the morning can be filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. Take a moment to breathe deeply, center yourself, and appreciate the significance of the day.
  2. Delegate Tasks: Don’t hesitate to delegate responsibilities. Whether it’s assigning someone to handle last-minute details or ensuring everyone is on schedule, sharing the load will ease your stress and allow you to focus on the joy of the occasion. We had a wedding planner, but we assigned the planner point of contacts so they can get help on the day of the wedding if they needed.
  3. Nourishment is Key: If you are not fasting make sure to eat a balanced breakfast that includes both protein and complex carbs. You’ll need the energy to keep you going throughout the day. Hydration is equally important, so keep water nearby. I was fasting, so I had water in the morning, I didn’t really have an apatite in the morning.
  4. Stay Connected: Surround yourself with positive energy. Spend time with loved ones, whether it’s your bridesmaids, family, or even a few moments alone. Share laughs, stories, and enjoy the company of those who mean the most to you.
  5. Time for Yourself: Take a little time for self-care. Whether it’s a quick meditation, a calming shower, or just a few quiet moments to collect your thoughts, having a moment of solitude can be rejuvenating. I took a long shower at 4:30 am before my hair and makeup started.
  6. Trust Your Team: You’ve spent months planning, and you have a team of vendors and helpers. Trust that they’ve got things under control. Avoid getting bogged down by last-minute details; instead, focus on the joy of the celebration.
  7. Emergency Kit: Prepare a small emergency kit with essentials like safety pins, tissues, makeup for touch-ups, and any other items you might need. It’s a simple way to handle any unexpected surprises that might pop up. I was fortunate enough to have my wedding planner and decor take care of this.
  8. Capture the Moments: Have a photographer or a friend capture candid moments of the morning. These shots can be incredibly precious and provide a beautiful narrative of the lead-up to your wedding ceremony.
  9. Enjoy a Moment with Your Partner: If possible, share a quiet moment with your soon-to-be spouse. It could be a sweet note, a quick video call, or just a few minutes together to savor the excitement before the whirlwind of the day begins. The best moment we had was reading our vows together alone after the wedding.
  10. Positive Affirmations: Remind yourself why you’re getting married. Whether it’s a personal mantra, a note from your partner, or simply reflecting on your journey together, positive affirmations can set the right tone for the day.

The night before the wedding, I hung out with the family since they checked into the hotel as well. I had taco bell at 7pm, showered and headed to bed by 9/10pm with a hydrating sheet mask on my face. I had an alarm for 4:20am so I could be showered and ready for my hair and makeup which started promptly at 4:45am. It was a nice and quiet morning to my self. I didn’t let anyone wake up until their hair and make started around 7am. That was when my sister and mom joined me in the room, as well as my bridal party.

At 8:15am it was time for our first look and it was a very precious moment. I was so excited and nervous to see Chaitan, but seeing him made everything feel so real. I still remember the first look like it was yesterday!

After the first look we took family portraits before Chaitan’s Baraat started. When the baraat started I went inside and patiently waited till it was my time to walk down the aisle.

After I came in, we proceeded with the wedding ceremony. It was beautiful, I loved every moment of it. If I could go back, this was the best part of the day, it was like there was a room full of people, but I only saw one person, and it was Chaitan.

After the ceremony, we had the Vidai. After we drove around in out getaway car, we came back at took portraits with the bridal party before having some lunch. After lunch we went up to our room were we exchanged out vows. We were originally going to read the during our ceremony but forgot. I very much appreciated that we had a moment alone to exchange the vows.

After we had a moment alone, it was time for me to get ready for the reception. The flip wasn’t as bad as I had anticipated. My favorite look was the reception look. Bushra did an amazing job!

We ended our wedding day with he best reception, danced the night away with out family and friends. Our DJ had a packed dance floor until the end of the night. This was truly the best day of our lives!

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Photo/ Video

Photo/ Video

The photos and videos were very important to me obviously but we also did not want to spend a ridiculous amount of money on those things either. We got some quotes for 10k for just photo coverage for all our events. For my mendhi, we used France Malate Photography. We absolutely love his work, and he did our engagement party, my mendhi and my sisters engagement party. We really enjoyed working with him for all those events and his portraits are absolutely amazing!

For the garba, grah shanti, pithi, wedding and reception we hired Joseph Kang, he did my cousins wedding and I loved his work. He was very easy to work with, and he did an amazing job capturing the week of events. The pictures turned out stunning.

The videographer was the vendor that was getting very expensive from videographers we reached out to in the Chicagoland area. We had family friends who had recently gotten marred in Tennessee who used 148 Films formally known as Axel Marshall Productions. Their wedding was the first Indian wedding that Axel did and I fell in love with the wedding video when I saw it. He was also able to do a same day edit video for us that was shown at the reception.

Next Day Edit
Full Wedding Video

We also did a pre wedding video, which was shown at the reception. Our good friend Metan did our pre wedding video. We went to Michigan for a weekend to do all the filming in the dead of winter. We literally froze to death but it was totally worth in after watching the video. We went with Metan, his girlfriend and my sister (my makeup artist LOL) and it was a memorable weekend. The video turned out absolutely amazing. We didn’t watch it until the reception and it was more than we ever expected.

I loved all our photos and videos from our wedding and I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to capture the moments!

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Wedding Outfits

Unfortunately, my grand plans for jetting off to India for an epic wedding shopping spree got massively derailed thanks to the double whammy of COVID-19 and the dengue outbreak in the early months of 2022. The dream of navigating through those vibrant markets and snagging the perfect blend of traditional and trendy attire came crashing down as travel restrictions and health concerns took center stage. No hopping around bazaars, no haggling with local vendors—just the harsh reality of a pandemic putting a damper on what was supposed to be an Instagram-worthy shopping extravaganza.We first checked out Chicago, where I likes absolutely nothing, then we traveled to Indiana were we went to a few shops, but again, I didn’t love anything. I then decided that we would travel to Jersey to do my wedding shopping. I went to a couple of places with my cousins wife, we went to a boutique in someone’s house in North Brunswick. I actually liked a few things at this place, but decided that it wasn’t heavy enough for my own wedding. There are actually a lot of people who have shops out of their homes in NJ, you just need to know the right people to show you the right places.

Then we went to Edison (little India) with my husbands uncle were I found all my outfits in ONE DAY. It was honestly a miracle that I found all my dream outfits in one trip.

I got both my garba and wedding outfit at Fashion Queen Bridal Couture and my reception outfit at Ashwarya which is 2 doors down.

I had three other events, mehndi, grah shanti and pithi. My mendhi and pithi outfits came from India with my family’s clothes for the wedding events and my grah shanti outfit also came from India when my parents went there in 2019 before covid.

My husband got his garba and wedding outfit custom made in India once I purchased my outfits, and he obviously rented a tuxedo for the reception. Overall I was very pleased with all the looks.

I know you all are wondering the price deference between my shopping in NJ and the prices in India. My sister just got married in India so I know first hand the price difference. It is substantially cheeper to get your outfits in India, but I think it will end up being the same if you factor in a $1000-$1800+ airline ticket to India as well as potential costs in getting the outfits back to America. Each outfit can potentially take up 1 bag due to wright and size, you don’t want to crush the skirts in the bags.

The only benefit of wedding shopping in India is the vast choices, you will definably find your dream outfits no doubt.

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Miru

We went to Miru, a high end Japanese restaurant, a few nights ago with some friends. Located at the end of the Chicago River walk in The St. Regis with breathtaking views of Navy Pier and the lake. They have an amazing outdoor terrace, but unfortunately it is closed in the winter. The restaurant offers an ambiance that’s truly captivating. As you step inside, you’re transported to a tranquil haven. The soft, warm lighting and minimalist design create a serene atmosphere. The gentle hum of conversations mingles with the soothing melodies, adding to the sense of authenticity. The exquisite use of wood, bamboo, and subtle earthy tones infuses a sense of calm, making it the perfect setting for an immersive culinary journey through Japan. Miru’s ambiance is a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to providing an authentic and memorable dining experience.

The food was absolutely amazing, the flavors and textures are just something I can’t even describe in words, you just have to trust me when I say it was great. They suggest 3-4 plates per person and everything is intended to share, we listened to our servers food recommendations, and were pleased.

Vegetables: We started with the Shishito Peppers and the Grilled Avocado. The peppers were perfectly cooked and flavored and I absolutely loved the texture of the creamy grilled avocado, not to mention the dressing over the top made it taste amazing and fresh.

Signature Raw: We ordered the Hamachi & Lemon and the Tai Snapper which were both recommended to us by our server, and I absolutely loved them. The hamachi had a lemon foam over it which was very good and the tai snapper had a sesame citrus dressing over it. I think I liked the tai snapper better then the hamachi if I had to pick one.

Crispy Rice: When ever Miru came up in my Instagram feed, they always talk about the crispy rice being amazing. All three options looked good but we ended up trying the King Crab Crispy Rice which was made with gochujan aioli, and wasabi tobiko. I was nice a creamy, but I would like to try the avocado crispy rice next time.

Robata Skewers: We ordered the Tako which was a skewer of charred otopus and heirloom potatoes. I think my favorite part of this dish was the green cilantro sauce that the skewer was served over. It reminded me of a sauce that is often served with indian food.

Crunchy: We ordered the tempura rock shrimp which was served with a tobanjan lime sauce. The shrimp was fresh and fried to perfection.

Rice & Noodles: We ordered the wild mushroom sizzling rice and it was amazing, literally came to the table sizzling. I love mushrooms, and this rice was the perfect amount of mushroom paired with garlic. There were almost burnt or crispy pieces of rice in the bowl which were my favorite.

Seafood: We got the diver scallops, these were the largest scallops I have ever seen. They were cooked to perfection and very fresh. I loved how they were served over a broth, it kept them very moist and tender.

We got two rolls and one order of nigiri / sashimi, honestly I know that one of the items we ordered was the chutoro with was the medium fatty tuna, and this is the first time I have ever tried sashimi and let me tell you, it was great! It just melted in my mouth.

We barley had room for dessert, but we made it work. We ordered the black sesame mochi charcoal-vanilla ice cream which had black sesame praline over a mochi sponge. Probably my favorite dessert in a while. It was warm mochi topped with cold ice cream and crunchy praline. It was so many different temperatures and textures in one bowl.

In conclusion, this amazing Japanese restaurant offers a culinary journey like no other. With its exquisite dishes, attentive service, and authentic ambiance, it’s a place where every visit feels like your first. Whether you’re a sushi aficionado or seeking new flavors, this restaurant’s diverse menu has something to delight every palate. So, if you’re in search of a remarkable dining experience, make sure to visit this gem of a restaurant.

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Wedding Decor

We went with Ovation Decor & Events to do our Garba, Wedding and Reception Decor. I had a vision on what I wanted my decor to look like, but I didn’t complete my vision until I walked the warehouse to see what kind of inventory they had, and to see how I wanted everything set up. Since we had 3 events, it was in our best interest to reuse things each day, this means if I have a certain piece of decor at the garba, I can repurpose it into the wedding and/or reception to get the best out of the equipment I have essentially rented from the decor company.

First the garba, I wanted bright blues, greens and purples (peacock colors) with some yellow and fuchsia contrast. Our decorator made a blueprint of the venue and we went off that. I also made a trip the the warehouse to take pictures of all the decor I had picked our and put it on a document because I am very TYPE A. We had the cutest heena lounge that Kayla created for us! Overall, the venue looked AMAZING! I think my favorite was the stage draping and the draping behind the Jhula (swing).

Next was the wedding, I think I had the most fun creating this look, my dream was a plain gold mandap with wisteria hanging down and flowers around the top. This is the exact reason I said no to one of the first decor vendors we met with, she only had wooden structures and told me she could possibly have this structure made. When we walked into the meeting with Ovation decor, the first thing I spotted was the gold mandap I have envisioned.

I wanted the half circle arrangement with an additional isle for guests to find their seats. I wanted the colors to be as neutral as possible, blush and cream for the most part. This is where we were able to save some money. Fresh flowers are expensive, but we knew we wanted fresh flowers at the wedding. We used fake flowers on the mandap that exactly matched real flowers down the aisle (yes our decorator killed it). Then for the reception, these fresh flowers were used in the centerpieces.

Finally was the reception, and I wanted to incorporate greenery and navy blue into the evening look. We also had the stage decor as well as a sweetheart table with a full backdrop so we didn’t have to move for performances. We also had to make room for a 360 photo booth, the live paan station and the lounge area that was made for us. Kayla had this lounge are for the wedding and reception, which was super nice for guests to chill on. The reception was stunning!

I really enjoyed watching my dream turn into a reality with all the decor we had at the wedding. This was probably the thing that I personally spend a lot of time on and I was impressed on how it turned out. Special shout out to Kayla and her team for pulling off such a beautiful wedding.

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Picking Vendors

Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you want everything to be perfect. One key element in achieving that perfection is selecting the right team of wedding vendors. With an overwhelming number of choices available, it’s essential to make informed decisions. In this guide, I will try to take you through the steps to ensure you pick the ideal vendors for your special day.

  • Setting Your Priorities

You want to start by figuring out what your wedding priorities are, what is most important to you and what is most important to your spouse when it comes to their dream wedding. I knew my priority was the decor whereas my husbands priority was the food and music. Also, together we decided we were going to prioritize photos higher then video on our budget. After you set your priorities you want to make a list of must-have and nice-to-have vendors to guide your search.

  • Research and Recommendations

You want to start by gathering recommendations from friends, family and recently married couples in your network. The wedding industry is HUGE on referrals and word of mouth. Second, expand into the online wedding communities, forums and social media groups to seek recommendations and read about others’ experiences.

We got most of our vendors from referrals from our friends and our wedding planner. A good thing was picking vendors that our planner had worked with in the past, this honestly made all our events go by seamlessly.

  • Meetings and Interviews

You want to schedule meetings or consultations with your potential vendors, we were lucky to have a wedding planner before we started looking for vendors, so we had an experienced person joining us on most of the calls with our vendors. You also want to prepare a list of questions to ask during these meetings, such as their availability on your wedding date, their experience, and their pricing structure.

  • Portfolio Assessment

You want to examine each vendor’s portfolio or previous work, or essentially stalk them on social media. Pay close attention to the style and quality of their offerings. You want to make sure that what they are offering aligns with your vision. I spend a lot of time looking at things my vendors were tagged in on social media to evaluate their work, rather than looking at what they posted themselves.

  • Reading Reviews and Testimonials

You want to read reviews and testimonials by utilizing online resources like Yelp, Google Reviews, and wedding-specific websites to find reviews of your chosen vendors. You want to take both positive and negative reviews into consideration and weight the overall sentiment. I was lucky enough to have vendors who I was introduced to by credible sources, so I did not have to do research of my own on them.

  •  Budgeting

You want to establish a realistic budget for each vendor category based on your priorities. You want to set a realistic amount and a max amount you are willing to pay for that vendor. Don’t hesitate to discuss pricing and potential discounts with vendors during negotiations. Almost 95% of our vendors gave us an initial quote which was over our budget, and we then negotiated them down to a price we were comfortable with. I also feel like the wedding industry has become so competitive that vendors often don’t come down in price, especially if you are getting married in peak wedding season because they know they will get booked by someone sooner or later.

  • Contracts and Agreements

Once you’ve made your decisions, ensure you have clear, written contracts with all vendors. The contracts should include important details such as services to be provided, payment schedules, and cancellation policies. We signed all the contracts, and had the vendors counter sign them. Keep all your contracts in a safe place, accessible to you and your wedding planner incase they have to be referred back to at any point.

  • Vendor Coordination

THIS IS WHY YOU NEED A WEDDING PLANNER, OR AT LEAST A MONTH OF/ DAY OF PLANNER! Coordinate your selected vendors to ensure they can work together seamlessly on your big day. Each of them will need different things from the venue, small things like coordinating time to arrive at the loading dock need to be considered when thinking of the big day. You want to share timelines and contact information to guarantee smooth communication. I had a Google doc with an explicit timeline that was distributed to all the vendors and family members who need to help with things. The top of this document had every vendor listed, with contact information incase they had to reach each other for any reason on the day of the wedding.

  • Preparing for the Unexpected

Always have backup plans in case any vendor encounters an emergency or is unable to fulfill their duties. Luckily, another perk of having a wedding planner, they will make sure to take care of the issue that comes up. This means you can just sit back, relax and enjoy your day. You can also consider wedding insurance for added protection depending on how big your event is. We did not have wedding insurance.

  • Trust Your Instincts

Trust your gut feelings when making the final decisions. A positive connection and open communication with your vendors are often signs of a good fit. You are putting a lot on these vendors to come together and put together a wedding that you have envisioned for over a year in some cases. I think we connected with all our vendors immediately, and we knew they would make our dreams a reality.

In the journey of planning your dream wedding, choosing the right vendors is a critical step. By setting your priorities, conducting thorough research, meeting with vendors, assessing portfolios and reviews, staying within budget, and ensuring clear contracts, you can create a team that will help turn your dream into a beautiful reality. Remember, your wedding day is about you, and with the right vendors by your side, it will be an unforgettable experience. Now I am going to take a moment to list all my vendors if you at in the Chicago area and need THE WORLDS BEST VENDORS!

Wedding Planner: DVS Events
Decor: Ovation Decor & Events
Wedding Venue: The Westin Chicago North Shore
Garba Venue: Hanuman Temple of Greater Chicago
Bridal Garba Look & Bridesmaid Wedding Look: Chicago Makeup Artist
Bridal Garba Hair & Bridesmaid Wedding Hair: Chicago Makeup & Hair Pros
Garba DJ: BigNC
Bridal Wedding & Reception Look: Bushra Abbasi
Groom & Groomsmen Wedding Day: Groom Therapy
Wedding Day DJ: MX Entertainment
AV: Chicago Audio Rentals
Bridal Henna: Chicago Henna Artist Nausheen
Videographer: 148 Weddings
Photographer: Joseph Kang Photography
Wedding Floral: Shamrock Garden Florist
360 Photo Booth: Light Up Photo Booth
Live Paan Station: Paan Caters
Cold Sparklers: Axis AV Chicago
Catering: Ashyana Events & Catering
Bridal Wedding & Garba Outfits: Fashion Queen Bridals NJ
Bridal Wedding Jewelry: Forever Jewels India

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SIFR

A few weeks ago, my dining experience at Sifr, the new restaurant in Chicago, left me absolutely awe-inspired. From the moment I stepped through the elegant doors, I was enveloped in an ambiance that effortlessly blended modern sophistication with warm hospitality. Sifr truly sets a new standard for culinary excellence in the city. I was excited to try this spot because it was from the same master minds who brought Indienne to Chicago.

The moment I settled into my seat, the attentive staff made me feel like an honored guest, welcoming us with some champaign. Their genuine enthusiasm for their craft was evident in their impeccable service, enhancing the overall dining experience. They expertly guided me through the menu, offering insightful recommendations and ensuring that every dietary preference was taken into account.

The menu itself was a masterpiece, showcasing a thoughtful fusion of global flavors and locally sourced ingredients. Each dish was a work of art, meticulously presented with vibrant colors and exquisite attention to detail. It was evident that the chefs at Sifr had mastered the delicate balance between creativity and technique, resulting in a symphony of flavors that danced harmoniously on my palate.

One standout dish was the pan-seared scallops served over a bed of cauliflower purée. The scallops were perfectly seared to a golden hue, their delicate sweetness complemented by the smooth and velvety purée. The combination of textures and flavors was nothing short of divine.

The attention to detail extended beyond the culinary creations, as the beverage program offered a wide selection of expertly crafted cocktails and an impressive wine list. Honestly if I could, I would have tries all the cocktails. We tried #1, #3, #7 and #8 and they were unique and tasted amazing.

Sifr’s commitment to excellence also extended to the decor. The stylish interior design, with its clean lines, tasteful lighting, and comfortable seating, created an inviting atmosphere that was perfect for intimate gatherings or celebratory evenings.

Sifr is a culinary gem that has raised the bar for dining in Chicago. With its impeccable service, creative cuisine, and captivating ambiance, it delivers a five-star experience that will leave you longing for more. Chef Sahil came to our table at the end and talked to use about the meal and the restaurant, which is always nice, he really showed us his passion food. Whether you’re a seasoned food connoisseur or simply seeking an unforgettable dining experience, Sifr is an absolute must-visit.

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