“The beauty of every wedding is much like each couple we plan them for,” says Preeti Shah of Spotlight Style. “The possibilities are endless, and you are only as limited as your imagination will allow. The visions of our brides inspire us to shape each event according to their distinct styles and tastes.”
Animate Your Engagement ... One of their couples had a unique engagement and wanted to share their story. “We created a wedding website for them with an animated video of how they met online and then got engaged — during a hot air balloon ride in Africa!”
Shake Up The Seating ... Want to eliminate the physical separation of traditional seating arrangements? Try integrating the tables. “At one recent wedding,” says Preeti, “we took long rectangle tables and put them into X shapes with round tables in between. By intertwining the tables, guests were able to better interact with one another, and they loved it!”
Personalize Your Traditions ... Although chuppahs and mundaps are cultural traditions, there are still ways to make them your own. “The day before the wedding, we customized one couple’s chuppah using different paints and fabrics. We had friends and family cover it with their handprints. On their wedding day, the couple wed underneath a rainbow of hands dear to their hearts, and now their chuppah hangs as a painting in their home!”
Design With Lighting ... Using unique lighting can completely transform an event. “For one recent reception, we created a customized design and projected it across the walls. As an added touch, lights in the vases on each table added a special glow. Paired with the projection, it gave the room a unique ambiance.”
Involve Friends & Family ... The people in your wedding party aren’t the only ones in your life, and you may, like one bride working with Spotlight Style, want everyone at the wedding to somehow take part in the nuptials. During the ceremony, Preeti and her team arranged to have the wedding rings passed around to each guest, so they could give them their blessing. “It became a very emotional experience for everyone who attended.”
Keep The Tradition, Break The Norm ... “Most brides want to stay true to family traditions,” says Preeti, “yet still have a trendy flare that fuses together the old with the new. Many people believe you can have only one or the other, but if you incorporate cultural customs in a modern way, you can create an unforgettable affair that speaks to your past, present, and future.”
This type of creativity does require extra focus, which Preeti recognizes. “That’s why we’re open 24/7 for our brides, and why we do not take more than two full-service weddings a month, to ensure each bride gets our undivided attention.”
To better serve their brides, they’ve also created a time-saving online RSVP system. “Your guests receive a link to the site and can instantly RSVP, telling you how many are attending and noting any dietary requirements. Our brides can then see summaries of what’s happening. They love it, because it saves them time and keeps them organized.”
Combine East & West ... Coming from a South Asian background, Preeti is familiar with the traditions, customs, and designs unique to her origins, as well as those that are uniquely American. “It can make for an exhilarating combination of East and West. “Whether it’s a destination wedding halfway around the world or the marriage of two people from different continents, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to experience ceremonies through the eyes of many different cultures.
“Think of what’s most important to you,” says Preeti. “Even if it’s not part of your culture, if you like it, incorporate it. Then it becomes your own!”
Before she got into event planning, Preeti worked as a financial analyst. “I remember looking at my husband one day and telling him I wanted to use my creative talents to do something more meaningful. He told me to do what I do best: plan a party! I have truly found my passion.
“We love helping our brides express their personalities in their weddings, by taking something ordinary and making it uniquely extraordinary.”
Spotlight Style, 917.655.2837, www.spotlightstyle.com
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