I knew that Chelsea Nicole would be perfect for this shoot and I was thrilled that she was interested in collaborating with me!  And if the model looks like me, it’s because I asked my twin sister Jennifer to spend the day with us in the cold so that we can get these great photos!

Here are a few other photos but check out the feature in Occasions Magazine for the full photo gallery.

Existing lounge furniture was used in place of traditional chairs for guest seating. The altar was created with red Chinese parasols, red fabric, red crystals and fresh flowers.

In the Chinese culture, instead of a wedding “reception”, a Chinese “banquet” with many many courses is the norm. I had Chinese owned stationery company Pink Orchid Designs from Boston create a printed banquet menu and add in very traditional Chinese courses. The chargers were from LTevention.

I love unique wraps for bridal bouquets and this idea for the frog button was an idea that just popped into my head one night. I love the way Enchanted Florist took my idea and created this gorgeous bouquet.

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

Papel Picado:

Photo credit: Design Sponge; Invitations by Avie Designs

Chinese Paper Cutting:

Photo credit: Artistic Chinese Creations

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

Origin India Restaurant & Bar is a modern Indian restaurant located just minutes from the famous Las Vegas Strip. Origin India hosts many weddings, fund-raising events, and corporate meetings. They are also available for off site catering events. I’ve had the opportunity to dine at Origin India on a number of occasions and have always enjoyed the food and service.

As described by the restaurant, here’s some additional information:

Origin India’s dynamic menu features the city’s only refined, modern Indian cuisine. Executive Chef Kuldeep Singh embraces the rich tradition of Indian cuisine, but creates dishes that more accurately reflect the diner’s sophisticated surroundings. The restaurant offers a full bar that includes a variety of signature cocktails created by resident mixologist, Jozef Letasi, that combine premium spirits, fresh juices and spices that compliment Chef Singh’s cuisine. Its wine list includes interesting choices from both the U.S. and abroad, while its beer list includes several hard-to-find imports including Piraat, Cantillion Rose de Gambrinus and St. Bernardu.

Widely regarded as the best Indian food in Las Vegas, Origin India was featured on Rachael Ray’s Food Network travel show “Rachael’s Vacation” and was also reviewed within her print publication, Every Day with Rachael Ray. Local critical acclaim has been bestowed upon Origin India Restaurant and Bar by 944 magazine, Las Vegas CityLife, Las Vegas Life, Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas Weekly.

Origin India Restaurant and Bar is open seven days a week from 11:30am to 11:30pm and features a weekday Happy Hour from 5pm to 7pm where all appetizers are buy one get one free* (except for lobster) and guests can enjoy our innovative signature cocktail menu.

Capacity – 92 people about 1,800 square feet
Buy-out price – Minimum of $7,000 F&B
Pricing – Catering prices ranges from $25 to $100 per person

Origin India Restaurant & Bar
Las Vegas, NV 89169
www.originindiarestaurant.com

Executive Chef Kuldeep Singh:

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

Name: Melissa Ure
Location: Las Vegas. Generally I travel to homes, parties, and festivals.
Number of Years in Business: 6
Website: www.vegashenna.com
Blog: www.vegashenna.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/vegashenna

How did you get started in doing henna for a living?
I got my start in henna after receiving henna at my sister in laws bridal shower. I was hooked! It was the first time I had ever seen henna done, and I knew this was something I had to learn how to do myself. I went home, and immediately looked up henna on the Internet so I could learn how to do it. After some trial and error I got the hang of things, and I’ve been doing henna ever since! It was definitely love at first sight.

What did you do prior to this?
Prior to becoming a henna artist, I was a kindergarten teacher. It was a crazy job, but I also found it very rewarding to work with children.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I think what I enjoy most about doing henna, is that every time I go to work, it’s a different experience. It never gets old or boring. Different locations, different events, different types of people all make for an exciting day (or night!). It’s also nice to have a creative job, and I get to make my own schedule!

If you didn’t do henna for a living what would you be doing instead?
I would probably teach. I love working with kids, and teaching keeps the creativity flowing. It’s a challenging job, but very rewarding as well.

What are some of your hobbies?
I really enjoy hiking and camping. I must say this is how I would prefer to spend all my free time. Traveling as well. Anything that takes me to a different part of the country, or to something I haven’t seen before makes me happy.

What is your inspiration?
Inspiration for me is really found just about everywhere. Flowers, plants, wallpaper, fabrics. I keep a little note pad on me at all times just in case I see something I can sketch while I’m out. Either that or I have my camera phone handy to snap some pictures!

Name an exotic location you’d like to visit soon.
There are so many places I would love to see. It’s hard to narrow it done to just one! India, Brazil, and Thailand are all at the top of my list!

What is the best piece of advice you can offer a bride and groom on their
wedding day?
Relax and enjoy! So much hard work and energy have gone into this day, now it’s your time to enjoy it. The day will go by so quick, take in as much as you can!

Anything else interesting you’d like to share?
When choosing henna for your wedding day (or any occasion) it should be a reflection of what you like! I’ve seen a lot of brides pushed into designs they would not have chosen for themselves because they felt pressure from their families and friends to have the henna look a certain way. If you like simple, then go simple! If you want intricate henna up to your elbows, then go for it! It’s your wedding day, do what you like!

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

Name: Yasmin Tajik
Location: Based in Las Vegas, but travel too!
Company Name: Shalimar Studios
Number of Years in Business: 1.5 years
Website: www.shalimarstudios.com
Blog: www.shalimarstudios.com/blog
Twitter: @shalimarstudios

How did you get started in photography?
I always had an interest in photography and how it documented the lives of my family members.  It gave me a sense of ancestry and where my family came from when I looked through old albums, especially since my parents migrated to the US from Pakistan.  Eventually as I grew older I took on the role of documenting and photographing my own family.  It wasn’t until I moved to Las Vegas 10 years ago that I met a good friend who shared a love of photography like I did.  Eventually I saved up and purchased my first DSLR.  That’s when I felt my photography skills accelerated as I would spend hours reading on the Internet and reading books how to use my camera and compose images.  I finally came across my mentor, Arica, about 4 years ago, and she took me under her wing.  My skill level rose exponentially and that’s when I started developing my own style and opened Shalimar Studios.

What did you do prior to this?
My first love was working with animals.  I graduated with a Biology degree from college and quickly found myself training and conducting research with dolphins and whales.  Unfortunately living in Hawaii on a minimal researcher’s salary wasn’t enough to support myself so I fostered my next love, photography.  I still aspire to take a safari to Africa and combine my two loves photographing the exotic animals of the Masai Mara.

If you didn’t do photography for a living what would you be doing?
Honestly, at this point I don’t know that I could say anything other being a photographer.  It is so rewarding to me that I can’t image anything else.

What are some of your hobbies?
Other than photography, I love to spend time with my family and I love to travel.  I’ve been very fortunate to have travelled to many countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  Each country has it’s own charm, and lessons to teach.  I always come back refreshed, grateful for what I have, and with a bigger heart.  I also love to read and play the piano.

What is the craziest experience you’ve ever had?
I recently photographed a wedding in Minnesota.  Just after we completed the couple, family and wedding party photos, it started to rain.  Plan B was to move the wedding indoor, and the only available space was a narrow hall in the club house.  The ceremony was standing room only, and afterwards we weren’t allowed into the reception tent due to thunder and lightning, but also a tornado warning.  I have to give credit to the bride and groom as they stayed calm and made their little adjustments throughout the day.  It turned out to be such a beautiful ceremony and reception.  One of my favorites so far!

What is the best experience you’ve ever had?
There are so many great experiences that I’ve had with my clients.  Each couple or family is different, and I really try to learn more about them throughout our time together.  The best is when we become friends afterwards and stay in contact through email, Facebook and Twitter.

What is my inspiration?
I am definitely inspired by people around me.  It is by watching their interactions and relationships that gets my mind roaring.  I think part of that comes from my international travels, and people watching in different countries.  I also tend to look towards more exotic imagery of people from different cultures and countries.  Just by looking at images of those faces, forces me to analyze who they are and figure out their life story.  As a photographer, I find myself looking at the world and at people in a completely different way than I used to.

Name an exotic location you’d like to visit soon.
Definitely the Galapagos Islands.  I’ve dreamed about capturing beautiful imagery of exotic and primitive animals in such a desolate location.  I’d also love to go to Egypt.

Why do your clients choose you over some of your competitors?
Each photographer has a unique skill-set and style.  I think those are what clients are initially drawn to.  It then boils down to my relaxed style of photography and taking the time to really learn who my clients are.  At our first meeting or first conversation on the phone, I ask them questions about themselves, where they come from, and I ask about their families.  Family means the world to me, and I can learn a lot about a person by asking about their parents, kids, and siblings.  Learning more about them and their life story gives me more tools to utilize in their sessions to bring out their personalities and style.

What is the best piece of advice you can offer a bride on her wedding day?
Take the time to enjoy the moments.  Even though you may have spent a year planning all the details, all those can change last minute.  What everyone remembers is the love and feelings of the day and that is what I want to capture for you.  Oh, and drink plenty of water the week before your wedding for flawless skin!

Anything else interesting you’d like to share?
I’m a little lady with a big camera and big ideas!  One of those ideas is photographing South Asian weddings, engagements and events here in Las Vegas.  I can’t wait to bring all that here for the local community to take advantage of.  And a big Thank You to Juliet for sharing my story.

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

Photos: Shalimar Studios

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

So that experience got me to thinking about how couples can incorporate aspects of other cultures into their wedding day.  For example, nowadays, non Jewish weddings are opting for chuppahs for their wedding ceremonies and it is perfectly acceptable.

Other ways to borrow from other cultures:

• Pick an auspicious day to get married (Chinese)
• Have your guests participate in the Tarantella traditional wedding dance (Italian)
• Hold a Mendhi ceremony have have your hands and feet painted with henna (Indian)
• Mix lavender into your bridal bouquet (Irish)

What are some of your favorite traditions you’ve seen at weddings?

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com


If you haven’t been able to make it out to Las Vegas to catch Bette Midler in action, you now have until January 31st of 2010 to do it! “The Showgirl Must Go On” has been one of the most popular Las Vegas shows on the Strip for the last two years thanks to Ms. Midler’s incredible knack for singing, dancing and comedy. Located at the legendary Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Bette Midler’s show is a combination of the glitz and glamour of Vegas with the singing and dancing of Broadway. Not only do people love Ms. Midler from her Hollywood days in movies like The Stepford Wives, The First Wives Club, Hocus Pocus, and Beaches, they also love the native Hawaiian from her Broadway stints on classic shows like Fiddler on the Roof.

On the official website for “The Showgirl Must Go On” Bette Midler wrote a personal message to her fans letting them know that if the President of the United States can make it out to Las Vegas to see her, then so can you! You can expect a lot of glitter and plenty of glam during this show as Bette surrounds herself with amazing showgirls wearing traditional costumes that she dons herself—you wouldn’t believe she’s 64 years old! Along with singing her own songs, Bette Midler performs as her trademark characters including Soph, the oldest Las Vegas showgirl. Throughout the ninety-minute show you will find yourself laughing, singing and reminiscing not only about Bette Midler’s successful career, but her great run on the Las Vegas stage. She even took to her website to give a funny farewell to all of her fans.

“For all of you who made the trek to Sin City, to see me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You were the best audiences ever and I had a great time. I begin my closing month on December 29th and play through January 31st, when the curtain will come down on the Showgirl for the last time. I’m getting a little misty-eyed just thinking about it — applying for unemployment is such a pain in the ass.”

If you would like to see Bette Midler’s amazing show, “The Showgirl Must Go On,” make sure you head to Sin City soon.

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

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Dane has always told me about his dream of opening up a tea room one day.  He and I share a love for tea however his knowledge is obviously much greater than mine. I’m so thrilled and proud that his dream has become a reality!

The Simple Elegance Tea Room is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 10:30 am for coffee, pastries, and scones.  Lunch is served from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Reservations are required for high tea which is served from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.  The Simple Elegance Tea Room is also available for private parties.  What a neat way to celebrate!

Location:
3655 South Durango Drive, #29
Las Vegas, Nevada 89147
(702) 647-2253

Congratulations Dane! I wish you much success!

Last year’s 08/08/08 was busy on a Friday but I don’t believe anything topped our lucky 07/07/07 which landed on a Saturday.  My Feng Shui expert actually mentioned last year that 8/8/08 fell on the Chinese Halloween month which is unlucky. However, it didn’t stop many Chinese couples from getting married on that day.

The number 9 is an auspicious date in the Chinese culture because the word is similar to the word for “forever” or “long lasting”.  In fact, when my sister got married, I believe a friend of hers from China gave her $99 as it is the number more widely used in weddings than the number 8.

Check out this Yahoo article on other reasons why “Why 09/09/09 Is So Special“.

How do you feel about these “lucky” numbers and dates?

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