tanaRi events’ wedding: Madhavi and Kunal

tanaRi events had the distinct honor of showcasing Madhavi and Kunal’s love story. The more we got to know about the two, the more we fell in love with their love story! The charming couple are not just two of the sweetest people we know, but are a power couple; Madhavi is a scientist and Kunal is a finance managing director! Apart from that, Madhavi and Kunal are a Jain couple, followers of a religion that preaches tenants of harmlessness. Adhering to their cultural values and preferences, tanaRi events were given strict orders on making sure nothing during the wedding weekend is wasted.

They first kicked off their pre wedding celebration on the Aqua Azul yacht with family and friends at sunset, setting a beautiful and romantic start to their wedding weekend. The next day on the way to the wedding ceremony at Tribeca Rooftop, family and guests followed the specially made pedicab from Rickshaw Revolution, dhol player, and band into a fun filled celebration. Over 200 guests were first served delicious food from Kailash Parbat pre-wedding and then  watched the exchanging of the vows surrounded by natural ornaments.

Cress Florals used earthy tones and inspiration from environment, and let nature truly be at its best with adornments like imported succulent plants from California that were placed under terrarium glass containers. Retro styled glass bulbs were also used to enhance the mandap area for an artistic vibe. Keeping the decorations to a minimum, the couple had requested to use second hand flowers instead of fresh ones, knowing that usually flowers get thrown out after the wedding day.

The wedding venue place had then shortly transformed into a reception area, where Dimple Bombay Talk served their famous savory dishes and Erin McKenna’s delectable vegan Dessert Doughnuts. The beautiful night then ended with the couple rolling out of the wedding in style, with a Rolls Royce where Kunal surprised Madhavi with a penthouse loft in Brooklyn at the Wythe hotel  for their honeymoon night!

We are grateful to all the guests, vendors, and the lovely couple for helping put on such a magical night!

 

 

 

Photographer: Karin von Voigtlander

Luxury Car: Ecstasy Limo

Henna Artist: Mehndikalogie (Dhara)

DJ: Desi Junction DJs

Hair/Make Up: Erika Franco

Vendor Spotlight: Pinch Food Design

Back in March, we had the pleasure of meeting the team at Pinch Food Design! We love that they’ve found a way to turn the catering business on its head and give wedding couples a creative way to serve guests their food while keeping the party going! With veteran employees having combined expertise in the food & events businesses respectively, their unique furniture to serve high quality funky foods allows guests to quickly grab bites without disrupting the flow of the celebrations. Plus, it makes for fun decor and wedding photos!

Instead of our typical Q&A format, we thought the best way to showcase their work was to provide some examples of their work. We asked them to create a sample wedding menu that helps visualize the unique concept they’ve established for their clients, along with some descriptors! In the menu, you’ll see the emphasize on “tapas” style bites, served with fun forks, wooden hooks and other creative use of silverware.

RIRI WEDDING SAMPLE INTERACTIVE MENU

• Appetizers & passed hors d’oeuvres

PFD: Each hors d’oeuvres you see in the menu are all paired with certain trays in order to keep the integrity of the way they are plated. In addition to this, we have ‘pop-ups’ otherwise known as moments throughout the cocktail hour where guests will experience an interaction with a beautiful design piece + food items that are a bit larger than your average hors d’oeuvres.

• Main course

PFD: What we’ve shown you in our menu, is pinch’s {inter}course. This ‘interactive dinner’ allows guests to play with their food! It’s a great way to start conversation at the dinner table. This menu is not always combined, often brides + grooms will choose 1 {inter}course along with 2 regularly plated courses.

• Dessert 

PFD: We offer fun + quirky ways to serve sweet treats as guests are mingling and dancing throughout the night! Roaming style dessert has become very popular among our weddings, as we all know guests love to dance & celebrate!

Visit their Facebook | Twitter for more information about the company, sample food menus/design and more! Please contact us with any questions on wedding food or to set up an appointment!.

Last Minute Tips – Hosting The Best Oscars Party!

It’s that time of year… Oscars Time! Great fashion, beautiful people, excellent films – it’s one of the few award shows we all enjoy watching (until it gets to the lull in the middle where they announce the categories most people don’t care about!) Nevertheless, any excuse to have a party and celebrate friends is always worthwhile! Below we give you some last minute tips for a fun, creative Oscars party!

Attire: for a “formal” evening, tell your guests to dress black tie (suits & gowns). For the more low key evening with friends, black tie casual should do it!

Decor: keeping in theme, we recommend sticking to black, white, gold & red! Offer up a fun “red carpet” carpet that your guests can walk into by using simple red construction paper at the front door entrance! Also, you can buy some red velvet fabric and hang it up around a TV as curtains. It will look just like a movie theater!

Food/Drinks: Keep it classy with some bottles of wine & champagne. Throw in some fruit at the bottom of the glass (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) for a dash of color! Also, you can’t watch a show about movies without some salty snacks!  Add another DIY touch with creating mini popcorn bags you can leave out on the table for guests to grab. Simple microwave popcorn will do the trick and then you can divide up into the mini bags. For a sweet treat, you can make cookies or cake pops in various colors and assortments. Throw in a bow tie, gold stars or the Oscars statue!

Games: We realize this is a 3+ hour long show that will lull from time to time. To keep things entertaining for the guests, there are various fun games to incorporate with the awards show. How about a running list of picking your favorite awards and have everyone guess who should win.  In addition, a Bingo board can be a unique way to incorporate the actors, directors, writers and other nominations of the evening. Or, to get the whole group together in one activity, you can divide into teams and play catchphrase! Set up index cards with words/names/things associated with the Oscars. You can create a prize for each game that the winner can bring home!

Other fun details to add to your night: traditional film rolls, DIY “movie tickets”, gold star stickers you can put around the room and/or use for game pieces.

Lastly, we think keeping some disposable cameras around the party can make for fun photos and can be kept for scrapbooks and other fun memories!

Check out some visual inspiration of our ideas on tanaRi events Pinterest page! For any questions about planning social events, contact us at info@tanarievents.com!

DIY Diwali Celebrations!

We hope that everyone celebrating the holiday of lights is enjoying bright festivities today! There are fun, safe and easy DIY touches that you and your family can do to make this holiday even more exciting without breaking the bank! Here’s some fun ideas for you —

Decorate the house with some colorful scarves to give a room the bright touches it needs!

 

Use tea candles to celebrate the holiday of lights! They’re inexpensive, you can buy in bulk at your local supermarkets/drugstore and they burn out quickly. ALTERNATIVE: buy electric tea light candles (they come in all colors and all you need is batteries! Great for houses with kids!)

 

Get crafty and use sand art to do in the driveway or for a fun activity for your friends and family!

For more Diwali inspiration, click here!

Throw Your Best Halloween Party Yet!

Halloween is a time where the vampires, zombies and other “un-dead” come out in full force.  It’s also a reason for people to dress up, have a drink and enjoy the tricks & treats!

It’s  a fun time of year and why not make the most of your decorating! Here’s some of our suggestions for making your Halloween party celebrations one for the record books:

• It’s a party after all! Make sure there’s enough alcohol/non-alcoholic beverages (especially if your hosting for young children/party.) Fun Halloween theme cocktails always help start the party!
• Keep within a fall color theme – oranges, greens, white, black and for good measure, throw in some red for “bloody” slashes on the bathroom mirrors and shower (Psycho style!) Add some holiday light for an extra eerie touch when you dim the room lights later on.
• Good props to keep at your house to emphasize the holiday – cotton spider webs with fake spiders, pumpkins (carves or drawn on), skeleton heads/bones, headless figures, rubber eyeballs and/or toilet paper streams to throw around the house/apartment.
• Nothing helps a good party more than a good music playlist. Find your favorite movie/TV theme songs (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Twilight Zone, True Blood). It will help get guests in the Halloween mood!
• Be creative! You don’t need to break the bank making the most festive party. Simple things you can do are buy construction paper and yarn – cut out pictures of ghosts, bats and other Halloween figures and hang them from the ceiling or tape to the walls. Also, buying large packs of candy (chocolate, worms, etc.) at discount will ease everyone of their hunger and keep their sweet tooth satisfied. In addition, guests won’t come empty handed – expect people to bring over some drinks & sweets of their own to be gracious to your hosting duties!

Good luck and have fun! RT us on Twitter (@tanaRievents) with your pictures and let us know how we can help plan your next party! Contact us here for more info.

Image via Martha Stewart, Decodir, A Blissful Nest, Fun Costume, Martha Stewart

Celebrating Navratri!

Friday marked the first day of Navratri! For those who celebrate in the Hindu religion, it is a nine night/ten day rejuvenation period which marks the beginning of the autumn season. This “fresh-start” mentality is exactly how people celebrate during this time. They may fast (from daily physical & emotional needs) , sit in prayer, meditate and do other relaxing activities until the dancing begins (known as “Garba”). Different regions in India may celebrate the holiday differently, but all have the same intentions of renewal and purpose.

The Garba is a celebratory dance and is performed during Navratri. It is usually women who wear elaborate sarees and other decorative clothing and dance in a circular motion. In modern times, men also participate dancing at the Garba!

What we love about Garbas is that they can be incorporated into other important life events as well. Gujarati wedding tradition usually involves a Garba night before the wedding – decadent and colorful decor combined with celebratory music to celebrate the wedding couple. Here’s some wedding Garba inspiration for you: http://bit.ly/15ciWiD

For those in NYC, be sure to celebrate Garba in The City at Chelsea Piers today! It’s a great way to meet others celebrating and learn more about the Navratri holiday & traditions.

Image 1: festivals.iloveindia.com

Image 2: theguardian.com

Image 3: idiva.com

Image 4: dhiendra.wordpress.com

Hello Kitty Birthday DIY Party Celebrations!

It’s a pleasure for us when we take a brief hiatus from the wedding world to reminisce of our childhood and help plan a HELLO KITTY birthday party! Our adorable birthday girl, Anayaa, celebrated her 3rd birthday with family, friends & Hello Kitty cake pops, balloons, cupcake toppers and big birthday cake by the amazing team at Bittersweet NYC! Bright colors, candy & pom poms filled the room at the Trump Building as kids enjoyed a sugar rush and face/body paint! Yummy dessert bar & delicious catering for the kids was done by our friend at Love me to bits’!

It was a wonderful party and perfect theme for the young birthday girl. There are so many ways to be creative with this theme – from the food to party favors & stationery! We owe a big thanks to Chetan Patel Photography for capturing the fun that everyone had in these beautiful photos below!

Also, don’t forget to check out our Pinterest page for some amazing Hello Kitty inspiration: http://bit.ly/1eJ19ps.

For any questions or inquiries, feel free to contact us by clicking here!

Wedding Themes Based on Your Favorite TV Shows!

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…which is why we are dedicating this post to some of our favorite film & TV shows that we think would make some great wedding themes & inspiration! We’re spanning various centuries, countries & cultures to bring you the best in unique wedding themes:

Downton Abbey – our favorite British royal TV family, we’ve seen family drama, relationship scandals, war – machinations for the perfect TV series. But forget that, let’s talk about the wedding details! Traditional long-sleeve, flow-y gowns with lace, buttons & a tiara or ornate head piece would be great touches for the bride. Guests should have lots of brooches, big hats & decor should include gold and lots of tall candles & chandeliers! A chateau couldn’t hurt either..

The Great Gatsby/Boardwalk Empire – we may be talking about the same time period as Downton Abbey, but it’s the US during the 1920s. Prohibition, outlaws, the first talkies – it’s very scandalous, yet glamourous all at the same time. What we love about these shows is the extravagant outfits for women – lots of feathes, pearl necklaces, red lipstick and silk dresses. Men wear crisp three piece suits & you should enjoy barrels of liquor and champagne!

Dallas – the re-boot of this family drama was one of the best things to happen to mainstream television! Not only does it bring back the true sense of “family drama” but it reminded us of how great southern weddings are and how even if we don’t live there, we can make one for ourselves!

Girls – a TV show about twenty-something girls living in Brooklyn trying to survive the real world. Who wouldn’t relate? With a shotgun wedding in the first season finale, it taught us that Brooklyn weddings are nothing but ordinary. Beautiful city street photographs, views of the Brooklyn, Manhattan & Williamsburg bridges make a for a beautiful sight. You can even have your reception at a bar – how fun is that?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image 1 – Image 2 – Image 3 –  Image 4 –  Image 5 – Image 6 –  Image 7 –  Image 8

Spice Up The Holidays In a Winter Wonderland!

If you’ve been following us for a while, you know that holiday season is one of our favorite times of the year! It gives us a chance to share with you some of the creative ways to keep your holiday experiences fun & festive! Whether you’re hosting a fete or will be the perfect guest at one, here are some last-minute holiday party recommendations to give you the ideal winter wonderland!

Snowflakes – snowflakes are a simple reminder of the winter season. It’s a statement that could be added to any part of the party – hanging decor, snacks and a tree! Snowflakes are a great DIY activity if you want to curb costs — all you need is some white paper, markers & scissors!

Silver/blue/white lighting – it helps to lift the winter mood by providing color tones that provide a winter feel. To avoid making the atmosphere too dark or ominous, opt for neutral colors that give a “cooling” winter effect — white, silver, blue, purple, magenta. These are great for a touch of color, but done correctly & can provide the winter decor you’re looking for!

Playlist of holiday songs – nothing says holiday season than playing your favorite holiday tunes — “All I Want For Christmas”, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” or “Dreidel, Dreidel”. Adding these to your party playlist will entertain you & your guests and potentially make for some good sing-a-long’s or karaoke (if there’s enough alcohol involved!)

Hot (spiked) beverages – nothing beats cold weather than a nice hot beverage. Provide your guests with non-alcoholic & alcoholic beverages to cater for specific wants & needs of your guests. Get into the holiday spirit and find drinks that taste delicious with or without liquor! Hot chocolate and apple cider are a few of many great suggestions!

Lights/candles – to set the mood, lights & candles can add the “romantic” element to any activity. String gold lights along the walls/ceiling or set floating candles along a fireplace, dinner table or bowl of fruit (apples, cranberries, strawberries make a nice touch for some holiday red!)

DIY desserts (s’mores), Secret Santa or karaoke are a few of some fun party activities to enjoy while you enjoy your winter party celebrations!

Contact us for more party & or wedding decor ideas in any season! Happy holidays!

Photo credits (from top – bottom) Image 1; Image 2; Image 3; Image 4; Image 5; Image 6; Image 7; Image 8

tanaRi events – Top Five Cocktails for Cinco de Mayo 2012!

When is it ever a bad thing to find cause for celebration? Do as the Mexicans do this Cinco de Mayo and participate in the festivities this coming Saturday, May 5! Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla. Here in the US, it is a day of celebrating Mexican heritage and pride.

After scouring around for our drink picks, we’ve narrowed it down to a list of five flavorful choices that encompass the essence of Cinco de Mayo. In this list, we combined traditional Mexican cocktail recipes along with specific restaurant signature drinks. Use this list as a rough guide to pick your cocktail of choice at your upcoming dining celebrations or try these recipes right at home while you’re making homemade chicken quesadillas & guacamole and hitting the piñata with your friends!

[Margarita cooler; image via fitnessmagazine.com]

1. Coco de Mayo: a signature drink created by the team of experts at Rosa Mexicana! Infusing ingredients from both a Pina Colada and Margarita, you get the best of both traditional cocktails and feeling as if you’ve been whisked away to your favorite island in Mexico laying on a beach!

Recipe courtesy of My Fox

image via southmexico.blogspot.com

2. Horchada: a drink whose origins date back to as early as the Egyptians, it has been popularized by Spanish & Latin America cultures through its existence. Horchada is meant to be a “cooling” cocktail in those hot, summer days based on its unique ingredients of milk, oats/barley/rice and cinnamon. While this drink typically doesn’t require alcohol, you can tweak the recipe to your liking by adding Rum or Tequila!

Recipe courtesy of Serious Eats

3. Michelada: a fusion of beer, lime juice and elements of a blood mary – need we say more?!

image via foodrepublik.com

Recipe courtesy of bookcooker.blogpost.com

image via foodnetwork.com

4. Frozen Margarita: The go-to Mexican cocktail. While some believe that this is an “Americanized” version of the drink, it is known that you are almost always guaranteed a good frozen margarita when you dine at your favorite Mexican restaurant! Fresh or frozen fruit (although not essential for a delicious margarita) does play an essential role to the bright color and flavor that makes this drink so irresistible!

Recipe for Strawberry Frozen Margarita courtesy of Guy Fieri/Food Network

image via cowtownchow.blogspot.com

5. Sangria: no one can celebrate Cinco de Mayo without sangria! Using wine (red or white) as the base for this cocktail, it is usually best to make a large amount at once and put in a pitcher or jar (so the ingredients intertwine with one another!) Chop up fresh fruit of your choice (apples, oranges, lemon) along with fruit juices and honey to give it an extra sweet favor.

Recipe courtesy of Taste of Home

Should you enjoy Cinco de Mayo celebrations enough to keep the Mexican flavor going past May 5, be sure to keep these ingredients handy in your kitchen cabinet when you’re feeling saucy!

• Tequila
• Ice
• Kosher salt
• Fruit
• Beer
• Orange juice
•  Rum
• Lime juice