Garima Singh Blog

Last night we received some reeeeeeeeeeally exciting news regarding one of our FABULOUS couple from 2009, Hena & Omair’s wedding being featured on Wedding Bells!

Here is a little sneak peek of it, to read more  CLICK HERE!!!

Congrats Hena & Omair!

You guys might remember the Bridalicous contest that I announced back in February on the blog, well Tracy Thomas was the lucky draw winner of the contest and won herself an editorial styled photoshoot, beautified by Amplified Soul Makeup+Hair Couture, styled by CTC West : South Asian Bridal & Formal Wear & photographed by G+H photography – valued at $1500!

Thank you to all the following vendors that made this contest so awesome & glamorous. And a very special & BIG thank you to Tracy, for totally rocking the shoot! Tracy – are you sure you don’t want to consider modelling?!!!?!!

AND another big thank you to Christiana from Park Hyatt for allowing us to use those ‘oh so fabulous’ & uber expensive suites at Park Hyatt for this shoot!

I wanted to THANK you all again that attended  BRIDALICOUS yesterday. I don’t even know where to begin & what to say because we are all still on cloud 9. BRIDALICOUS was a HUGE success & all of us at G+H Photography, Arora Wedding & Event Planning, CTC West, Amplified Soul & Design2Decor can’t thank all our sponsors enough for supporting us & of course all the brides+ their guests that came out yesterday & above all Park Hyatt for hosting the very first Bridalicous.

Here are few images from yesterday, a big THANK YOU to my husband, Harp for shooting the event… -

So this is the BEFORE shot (below)of the Roof Salon @ the Park Hyatt, before it was fabulously transformed by Design2Decor ..

And here are all the AFTER shots after the transformation, we all wanted to keep the atmosphere & decor to very Miami Chic and Paras @ Design2Decor carried out the theme to every last detail…

While Paras was transforming the rooftop, in room 1508 the makeup & hair gurus from Amplified Soul, Shobana & Nirisha were transforming the models & all the vendors……Ahem! If you guys didn’t recognize me yesterday (all of you that were there..) it’s all because of these girls for doing such a fabulous job on my hair & make up..

Yes!! the house was FULL!! Ladies, if you missed out on the event this time around, make sure you R.S.V.P for the next show, the guest list again will be very limited to keep the event intimate & exclusive..

Workshop # 1 was presented by Gaurav @ CTC West. The entire workshop was based on educating the brides on everything Fashion..

Workshop  # 2 was presented by Richha & Reena @ Arora Wedding & Event Planning. The entire workshop was based on educating the brides on everything related to wedding planning, themes etc..

Workshop  # 3 was presented by Shobana & Nirisha @ Amplified Soul.  As you can imagine their workshop was all about beauty, hair, make up etc.. 

And lastly, the 4th workshop was presented by yours truly, myself, about wedding photography & answering a lot of questions that brides had around this topic…

Not only was there was lot of learning BUT also LOTS of winning with many giveaways …

And after Bridalicous all of us got to enjoy Toronto’s skyline from the Park Hyatt’s  rooftop…& here is a little glimpse of us all posing for Harp!!!

Hey Ladies,

Next weekend, I will be the host speaker of the wedding photography workshop at the BRIDALICOUS 2010 Event, being held at the Park Hyatt, Toronto. Along with myself, there will also be bridal wear workshop, hosted by CTC West South Asian Bridal&Formal Wear; Bridal Hair & Make-Up workshop hosted by Amplified Soul MakeUP +Hair Couture, Wedding planning & coordination workshop by Arora Wedding & Event Planning. And most of all Design2Decor will transform the Park Hyatt in to a chilled out Miami style lounge. It will be a very intimate  & interactive event, RSVP for your spot now by emailing me directly: garima@gandhphotography.com

Can’t wait to see you all there!! It will be a fabulllllllous event!!! And don’t forget there will be appetizers, drinks, & giftbags for all the brides attending!

I LOVE all things weddings!! I spend at least an hour each day just visiting  my favorite inspiration bridal blogs & reading about new wedding industry trends, products, vendors etc..SO recently while I was doing my regular thing  of “checking out fab bridal blogs” I came across Raana Chaudhry from SAPNA WEDDINGS‘ blog post, “Think outside the Mandap“… After reading the post I was very impressed by it & emailed Raana to see if she would like to share some info with my blog readers & to elaborate a little more. And Raana being the awesome wedding planner extraordinaire that she is, submitted the following.

So without further ado… Let’s think outside the Mandap by Raana Chaudhry

So now that we are working diligently on our 2010 weddings, we thought we would share some of our ideas and experiences that may help future brides out.

Couples are always asking us how to make the look of their wedding different, so we want to share our ideas of how to make your ceremony and reception stand out.  We’ll start by talking about the mandap and how to change the look of a very traditional wedding piece. Times have changed and rarely do we see couples opting for the traditional 4 pillars creating a 8×8′ or 10×10′ box. People have moved towards semi-open mandaps (semi circle set up) or in some cases a combination of the boxed mandap with extensions on the side, helping to create a 20 or 30ft wide stage.

We have seen our fair share of those, what else can you do to make your mandap different?

1. Play with colour!

Don’t be shy to move away from the traditional colour palette of gold/red/maroon/orange. Try new colour combos like pink and green and blue and red. These colours can add some extra punch and make for a vibrant looking mandap.

2. Add some height

Mandap pillars are generally restricted to 8ft or 10ft high. Don’t get me wrong, that’s pretty high, but why not get that extra “wow” factor by having your mandap 12-14ft high? Consider a fabric mandap which can be scaled to any height.

3. Combine the beauty of fabric with the presence of structure

Get the best of both worlds - use pillars AND fabric swag. You can arrange the pillars in a variety of combinations and add a large fabric backdrop in the back to really add some grandeur. Consider staggering the pillars in a trapezoid for a new semi-open look.

4. Use different height pillars

So you love pillars but still want to funkify your mandap. How about having different heights of pillars? Something like two 10ft pillars in the back and two 8ft pillars in the front arranged slightly open will make a difference. Or even consider an array of 4 or 6ft pillars with accessories on top like flower arrangements, lanterns or statues.

5. Accessorize!

Accessories make all of the difference. Different textured fabrics, beads and props may seem like small details but they really show on the wedding day. Hot new item of 2010? The Screen - a new way to incorporate structure and add depth to your project. Look out for decorators to be offering different types of screens or gates to beef up your mandap.

So now that the ceremony is over, let’s get ready for the reception…

The more weddings we do the more we see couples opting to take advantage of lighting design to add some flair to their wedding reception and we LOVE it! There are several different types of lighting options you can consider for your wedding, the most basic type that can be done at any venue is design lighting and LED up lighting. Design lighting can be provided by your decorator where patterned stencils are added to coloured or white lights and projected on the dancefloor, walls or ceiling. One of our favourite lighting options is LED up lighting. These multi coloured spotlights are lined up around the perimeter of the room and can change the look of the entire hall. Choose from a variety of colours to compliment your overall colour theme.

The second level up is table pin spot lighting. Pin spot lighting can be rented from an outside vendor or from the hall itself. Usually white lights, they focus on the centrepiece on each individual table and add a touch of class to the event. What better way to show off your stunning centrepiece then lighting it up for all to see!

The most impressive lighting option is only available at certain venues, these lights are built directly into the ceiling and can be focused anywhere in the room. They can offer lots of different lighting options, from full table lighting, pin lighting and table rim lighting to wall washes and dance lighting.  You can even create a lighting agenda to run alongside your event agenda! Every entrance, dinner course and presentation can be complimented with changing light colours.

Don’t underestimate the importance of lighting at your event. Whether you want the full show or want to create a romantic atmosphere with more subtle options, take the time to work lighting into your budget, you’ll be glad you did.

Images Courtesy of Dream Party Decor & Karma Designs Studio

{ONE BRIDE . TWO LOOKS . THREE HAUTE BOUTIQUES}

I was recently contacted by the uber talented & one of the leading ladies behind Amplified Soul, Shobana Lakkavally regarding BRIDALICIOUS 2010 contest that she is putting together for this year’s Suhaag Bridal & Lifetsyle Show taking place this Sunday, February 7th, 2010. After finding out more about the contest I was totally on board.  The contest features 3 boutique style vendors: yours truly (G+H), + Amplified Soul + CTC West to give one lucky lady an experience of her life time..So ladies (sorry fellas, girls only contest) here are the juicy details on how to enter, what you could win, rules regulations etc. etc..

CONTEST: One lucky bride will win an editorial styled photoshoot, beautified by Amplified Soul Makeup+Hair Couture, styled by CTC West : South Asian Bridal & Formal Wear & photographed by G+H photography – valued at $1500!

HOW TO ENTER: Visit the Amplified Soul Makeup+Hair Couture Booth @ Suhaag to enter!

CONTEST RULES: ELIGIBILITY. NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. THE CONTEST IS OPEN ONLY TO RESIDENTS OF TORONTO, 18 years of age or older at the time of entry and are brides to be. Employees, relatives or associates of the prize sponsor as well as employees and other representatives of Amplified Soul Makeup and Hair Couture , CTC West: South Asian Bridal and Formal Wear, and G+H Photography are not eligible to win prizes. All applicable federal, provincial and local laws and regulations of Canada apply.

ENTRIES: The draw will open on February 7, 2010 at 11:00 am and close on February, 7 2010 at 7:00pm. A winner will be selected on February,7 2010 between 7:01pm and 11:59pm. The prize winner will be determined by a random drawing from all eligible entries. A representative from Amplified Soul Makeup+ Hair Couture will contact the winner for their prize within 1 week of the draw date. All ballot entry forms must contain at minimum a first name, last name, and phone number. By participating in the contest, the winner agrees to provide proof of forthcoming wedding ceremony. Amplified Soul Makeup and Hair Couture is not responsible for any illegible entries or entries submitted with inaccurate information. Limit is one entry per person. Additional entries will result in the deletion of all entries from that participant.

PRIZES/ODDS: The odds of winning will depend upon the number of eligible entries received. The prize is not transferable, and no substitutions or cash exchanges are permissible. The prizes will be awarded “AS IS” .ALL FEDERAL, Provincial AND LOCAL TAXES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECEIPT OF ANY PRIZES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNER. If the notified winner fails to respond with acceptance of the prize within ten business days, fails to comply with the contest rules and regulations, or if the winner fails to meet the contest eligibility requirements, the notified winner shall forfeit his/her prize in full, and an alternate winner will be selected in the manner as defined above. The shoot is inclusive of two makeup and hair looks by Amplified Soul Makeup+Hair Couture; outfits provided by CTC West: South Asian Bridal and Formal Wear, temporarily per the shoot only and images provided by G+H Photography; quanitity, method and delivary based on G+H discretion.

DISCLAIMERS AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY: Amplified Soul Makeup and Hair Couture , CTC West: South Asian Bridal and Formal Wear, and G+H Photography and each of its parent companies, affiliates, employees, and representatives disclaims any and all liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, losses, or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the Contest or with the acceptance, possession or use of any prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries and losses related to personal injuries, death, damage to or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light). Except where prohibited by law, by accepting a prize, the winner releases Amplified Soul Makeup and Hair Couture, CTC West: South Asian Bridal and Formal Wear, and G+H Photography, and each of its parent companies, affiliates, employees and representatives from any and all such liability. If due to circumstances beyond the control of Amplified Soul Makeup+Hair Couture, any competition or prize-related event is delayed, rescheduled, postponed or cancelled, Amplified Soul Makeup+Hair Couture reserves the right, but not the obligation, to cancel or modify the contest and shall not be required to award a substitute prize. Decisions of Amplified Soul Makeup+Hair Couture with respect to the contest are final.

USE OF WINNER’S NAME, LIKENESS, ETC: Except where prohibited by law, entry into the contest constitutes permission to use winners’ name, likeness and/or prize information, without limitation, for promotional purposes without further permission or compensation. Except where prohibited by law, as a further condition of being awarded any prize, winners may be required to execute a consent to the use of their name, likeness and/or prize information, without limitation, for promotional purposes without further permission or compensation.

WINNERS LIST AND OFFICIAL RULES: The names of the winners may be posted on the Amplified Soul Makeup and Hair Couture , CTC West: South Asian Bridal and Formal Wear and/or G+H Photography website after eligibility is confirmed. By participating in the contest, the winner agrees to have an initial meeting with Amplified Soul Makeup+Hair Couture, CTC West and G+H photography if required.

So I am sure all of you that are friends with me on Facebook & follow me on twitter, must have received the feed from me last week on how excited I was and still am about 18,000 blog visitors per month consistently for last 5 months on my blog!! Well, today I have more GREAT news & another reason to celebrate, Desi Fashion Magazine, an Online Magazine that features fashion and beauty, as well as the health and lifestyles of South Asians living in the Western and Eastern World, has published an article on yours truly. As you can imagine we are beyond thrilled & excited about the publication. If you haven’t checked out the magazine, be sure to do so HERE. Our article is featured on page 72-73.

A special thanks to the editor & publisher in chief of Desi Fashion Magazine, Faiz & Shazia Khan

Cheers,

g

And here is a sneak peek of the article….

Enjoy! 

Still looking for a venue for your wedding? Well, make sure to check out Toronto’s own Toronto Botanical Garden, great location for your outdoor or indoor ceremony & reception. Perfect location surrounded by beautiful flower beds, lots of green works & lavish arches. We recently shot our client, Hanesia & Germain’s wedding this summer at the Toronto Botanical Garden (images from their wedding coming soon), and instantly fell in love with the entire setting. 

Here are 10 great reasons to hold your event here as listed on TBG’s website:

1. Competitive room rental rates to help you stay on budget
   
2. No corkage fees
   
3. Free parking
   
4. Tables and chairs included for all events
   
5. LEED Certified facility and environmentally friendly building
   
6. Choose from 8 outstanding caterers
   
7. Friendly and practical in-house staff to advise you on your event planning
   
8. Beautiful & flexible event spaces include kitchen, washroom and private patio
   
9. Rental revenues support the horticultural and environmental programs of Toronto Botanical Garden, a registered charity
   
10. Escape from city life without leaving the city
    

Even if you have already booked another location for your ceremony & reception, we totally recommend TBG for your next Engagement/Lifestyle or wedding day photo session, to get more information regarding obtaining a permit for photography, CLICK HERE. 

HAPPY PLANNING!!

g!

I think my job is pretty cool, like I mean REALLY cool. Even after photographing zillion weddings (that’s what it feels like some days), we still get excited before each wedding, & really some days I have a hard time sleeping the night before a wedding because of how much I look forward to it.. At weddings we get to literally hang out with the bride & groom all day, meet many guests, some travelling from different continents to be there & some awesome industry vendors.. And I personally love vendors that genuinely LOVE & truly enjoy weddings.

I met Afzia Shareef about a month ago at my studio, she came by to introduce herself to me and vice versa, and needless to say we totally hit it off!!! I can’t say that I have worked with Afzia at an event yet, but I already know how fabulous of an events planner she is! So this morning when I got an email from Afzia about how she blogged about me..ME??!!..yes ME, I was SOO flattered & thrilled. So make sure to check out Afzia’s Blog, and Afzia, thank you for your kind words, keep up the good work & the love for this industry, we need more vendors like you!

 Happy Friday!

g