A long distance relationship isn’t easy for those who have experienced it, but in the words of our groom, Eboo, “she is well worth the wait.” The stunning and Bollywood fanatic couple, Rozmin and Eboo had a wedding celebration spanning over four days, where they celebrated their wedding with color, dancing, and style.

The guests were treated with fun dining and nights of festivities where everyone expressed their joy and well wishes to Rozmin and Eboo on their new life together!

We showcased a same-day edit at the wedding themed like Mission Impossible, one of the groom’s favorite movies. The same day edit included the Phiti night, when the groom is kidnapped and trashed by his friends with eggs, chocolate syrup, and many more cooking ingredients.

And the excitement didn’t stop there! The bride and groom were shuttled in their limo with a police escort from their wedding ceremony venue to the reception site. All in all, this was a great fun weekend for the couple, their families, and all of us involved in the celebration.

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Valliani! We, at Hakim Sons Films wish the newly wed couple all the happiness in the world! Enjoy this sneak peak at their wedding.

Other Vendors that made this possible:

Photography: Z Molu Photography

Lighting: Occasions by Shangrila / DJ Jaz

Florist: Occasions by Shangrila

DJ: DJ Jaz

Make Up: Design by Carime

Hair: Melissa

Event Designer: Vallico Productions

Caterer: Cafe Bombay

Cake: Perfect Wedding Cake

Mehndi Venue: Occasions Event Center

Phiti & Reception Venue: Grand Atrium at 200 Peachtree

Nikkah: Northeast Ismaili Jamat Khana

Get ready to fall in love with Lauren and Spencer as they say their “I do’s” in their wedding ceremony at the Perkins Chapel at the Southern Methodist University on December 10, 2011.

In a black tie affair, came the gorgeous bride walking down the aisle with her father at the university, where she first met Spencer and where he proposed to her on campus.

The ceremony was followed by a beautiful and elegant reception at the Rosewood Crescent Hotel filled with many surprises. The night ended with delicious warm chocolate chip cookies, and Santa making a surprise appearance and passing out gifts to the guests.

From the emotion clearly seen in Spencer’s eyes as they were declared husband and wife, to the heartwarming speeches, this wedding was one that will leave you all wanting to see more.

Congratulations Lauren and Spencer from the entire Hakim Sons Films family! We would like to thank you both for allowing us to be a part of your special day.

Other vendors that made this possible:

Photography: Andrea Polito Photography

Wedding Coordinator: DFW Events

Lighting: Absolute

Florist: The Garden Gate

Entertainment: Limelight, Band

Hair/Make Up: Maitee Miles

Ceremony Venue: Perkins Chapel, Southern Methodist University

Reception Venue: Rosewood Crescent Hotel

Caterer/Cake: Rosewood Crescent Hotel

Sana and Nassir are such an adorable couple! The stunning couple had a three event wedding which included their Nikkah, Mehndi, and Reception.

Their wedding was filled with laughter, color, and dances all around. The bride and groom’s family and friends performed amazing and well choreographed performances which the entire crowd loved!

The entire Hakim Sons family had an absolute blast shooting their special day and being able to to tell their beautiful story. Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Khan from the entire Hakim Sons Films family!

Other vendors that made this possible:
Photography: Harvard Photography
Wedding Coordinator/Lighting: Ethnic Essence
Make Up/Hair: Ziba Beauty
Caterer: Haveli Indian Restaurant & Manohar’s Delhi Palace
Pasteries: Assal Pastry
Mehndi Artist: Nisha Amin
Nikkah Ceremony Venue: Islamic Center of Irvine
Mehndi Venue: Pacific Hills Banquet Hall
Reception Venue: Richard Nixon Presidential Library

The beautiful couple, Diana & Brad had a one of a kind day which reflected who they are as a couple at the Ritz Carlton. The couple wanted their wedding to have an elegant and romantic ambiance and the wedding did absolutely have that.

The thoughtful bride and couple had a halo located above the dance floor which included a yellow butterfly and a lady bug in the remembrance of their grandmothers.

The Hakim Sons Films team would like to thank Diana and Brad for trusting us with their big day and for being so wonderful to work with. We would like to wish the happy couple an eternity filled with happiness.

Other vendors that made this possible:

Photography: Greg Blomberg
Wedding Coordinator: Paige Chenault
Venue and Caterer: Ritz Carlton
Lighting: Absolute
Florist: Garden Gates
Entertainment: Emerald City
Make Up: LB Rosser
Hair: Salon Pompeo
Cake: Fancy Cakes

Vicki and Matt are one amazing couple, and their wedding was incredibly wonderful. They had a traditional Catholic ceremony at Good Shepherd Catholic Church followed by a unique football lounge and a reception at the Southlake Hilton Hotel, where the ambience was filled with laughter and excitement.

The wedding was filled with special details such as Vicki’s bouquet being held together with a piece of her mother’s wedding dress. Also, the priest who married Vicki and Matt is the same priest that married Vicki’s parents 33 years ago.

Best wishes to Vicki and Matt from the entire Hakim Sons Films team! We hope that this marriage will be a bond of lifelong friendship and eternal love.

Other vendors that made this possible:

Photography: Joseph Mark Photography
Dessert: Marble Slab
DJ/ Lighting: Brian Prescott
Entertainment: Emerald City
Ceremony: Good Shepherd Catholic Church
Reception: Southlake Hilton
Wedding Coordinator: Stardust Celebrations- Staci Freeman
Florist: The Garden Gate
Makeup/Hair: Elan Makeup Studio
Cake: Dallas Affaires Cake Company
Photobooth: Booth Booth
Linen: Ducky Bob’s

Stacey and Jim’s wedding day was truly breathtaking. The wedding ceremony and reception was held at The Mansion. While celebrating their new year’s eve wedding day, they had a countdown of the upcoming new year. What an amazing way to celebrate their wedding day! The start of a new year and a new beginning for them as well.

Stacey and Jim have a very sincere love for each other, which make their wedding film even more memorable. We loved filming and working with the newly weds and their amazing family and friends, including the bride’s three beautiful children.

Congratulations to Stacey and Jim from the entire Hakim Sons Films Team.

Other vendors that made this possible:

Photography: Thisbe Grace
Cocktail Party Venue: Stoneleigh Penthouse
Wedding Ceremony Venue: The Mansion on Turtle Creek
Wedding Coordinator: Paige Chenault
Lighting: Absolute DFW
Florist: Junior- The Garden Gate
Entertainment: The Project
Make Up: Lenore
Hair: Sonia Trevino
Cake: Fancy Cakes by Lauren

The sky was covered in clouds, barely revealing the beautiful blue background that lay underneath. The birds chirped away, and the sun glistened over the water. The priest was chanting in the background as Pramel listened closely for the sound of the gong, which would allow for the curtain to fall, and when he would finally see his beautiful bride. “Bang, bang, bang,” and the curtain fell. They smiled big, both looking into each other’s eyes, happiness overtaking the moment, while their parents were overwhelmed with feelings of pride and love. The air was perfect in Cozumel, Mexico that day, and we were so delighted to have been there to capture the union of Amita and Pramel on film.

Pramel, Amita, and their families opened their arms to us as we joined them for a 5-day cruise celebration. We were especially excited because this was our very first cruise wedding! This cinematic trailer portrays the love our couple shares for each other. All in all, this was a memorable 5-day party and celebration, where everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves during each and every moment.

Hakim Sons Films recently made an identity film for the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners (AACWP). The AACWP is a professional organization for trained or certified wedding planners. The organization provides support, resources and networking for wedding planners, as well as professional development, certification and continuing education. These experienced wedding planners are confident and are motivated to accomplish the wedding that the bride and groom have envisioned. AACWP was started in 2006 and has grown tremendously since. The Hakim Sons Films family loves working with the members of AACWP and we continuously look for more opportunities to collaborate with these planners. AACWP takes the weight off the bride and grooms’ shoulders, and they have never failed to deliver on their promise to make the wedding memorable.

For the second year in a row, Hakim Sons Films wins the “My Favorite Vendor Award” from the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners (AACWP). The AACWP is a reputable team of certified wedding planners and we are honored to be recognized by them for the “2012 My Favorite Vendor award.”  We received the award at the fifth annual My Favorite Vendors Awards dinner, which was held at the Rosewood Crescent Hotel on February 28th, 2012. We thank all of the wedding planners that are part of the AACWP for this prestigious award and look forward to working with them and their clients in the years ahead.

Get ready for the ultimate showdown! At Hakim Sons Films’ we are hosting our first ever Editor Showdown on March 14th and 16th, 2012 at our studio. The editors will be competing for a $500 cash prize and an opportunity to work with us. There are only 16 contestant spots are open and only one can be the winner. Do YOU have what it takes? You do not want to miss this amazing chance. Contact us today!

How to enter: Email us at EDITOR@HAKIMSONSFILMS.COM. Include your name, contact information, a brief paragraph about yourself and why you want to compete in this contest.

So you’re probably asking yourself, ‘what is a jib?’ Well, in cinematography, a jib is a boom device with a camera on one end, and a counterweight and camera controls on the other. It operates like a see-saw, but with the balance point located close to the counterweight, so that the camera end of the arm can move through an extended arc. A jib permits the camera to be moved vertically, horizontally, or a combination of the two. (source: Wikipedia)

Now, you’re probably thinking to yourself, ‘Wow, that’s cool but how does the film look when a Jib is used?’ Well, we’ve got you covered there too! We put together a short video to help our clients understand how a Jib can add some really cool footage to their wedding film. Take a look for yourself and share with us what you think.

For most brides, picking the right wedding dress can be a big challenge. But for our lovely bride Annie, the search became a cherished memory. “I was so excited when we found the dress,” she said at her wedding.

“My dad and i started dancing around the store and everybody was gathered at the window and they for cheering for me—it was just a very cute moment,” she added.

Annie and Carl tied the knot on November 19th in a Catholic ceremony at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, which was followed by a reception at the Rosewood Crescent Hotel. Their wedding cake also had a unique touch: a layer of Pillsbury Funfetti!

The love between Annie and Carl is truly something to aspire to, but what is more important is the warmth of their families. From the lighting to the music to the atmosphere, this wedding was at the pinnacle of elegance with a spark of romance. We hope this spark will light the lives of Annie and Carl as they begin their journey as husband and wife!

The clock keeps ticking. Time slows down. The anticipation builds.  And then with the blink of an eye, it all changes. The beloved walks in, tapping your shoulder, and you know the moment has arrived.

The moment of the reveal varies from couple to couple, but its essence remains the same. The reveal, or the moment of the “first look”, marks the beginning of a bond between husband and wife. Like the rest of their wedding, Hannah and Walker’s moment of the big reveal was also very special. The couple celebrated their big day with a ceremony at the Saint Michael and All Angels Church followed by a reception at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.

We at Hakim Sons Films are really thankful to have been part of Hannah and Walker’s wedding festivities. We hope that their marriage will be a bond of happiness, strength, and unwavering friendship.

Other vendors that made this possible:

Ceremony : Saint Michael and All Angels Church
Reception: The Ritz Carlton
Photographer: Edmonson Weddings
Wedding Planner: Paige Chenault
Lighting: Absolute Entertainment
Floral: Junior at Garden Gate
Gown: The Bridal Salon at Stanley Korshak

The runway was assembled, the models were ready, and the guests were on their way; but Ruby Bhandari’s fashion show was missing a key component: her designs.

The massive ash cloud in Europe was about to become a “showstopper” on Ruby’s runway – literally. Her cousin, who was responsible for personally delivering designs from India, was stuck in the midst of flight delays following the Icelandic volcano eruption. With airport hubs closed in Europe and her designs stuck in transit, Ruby and her team were frantic.

This time, though, the show did go on. Ruby’s cousin rushed into the venue just hours before the big show with all of the designs in his suitcases. Talk about saving the day!

Reflecting back on the experience, Ruby described it as “blood, sweat, tears, laughter then joy.”

Ruby Bhandari, the President of Silk Threads, has been in the fashion industry for years. Her story is one of dedication, talent, and vision. This month, we would like to feature Ruby and her inspiring journey.

In college Ruby worked part-time at JCPenny, but she did much more than just assist customers – she taught them how to dress.

Ruby’s passion for fashion went beyond just sales, though. She wanted to be a designer. Opportunity came knocking when her college sweatheart, Raj, proposed for marriage. Shortly thereafter, Ruby left for India to design her own wedding trousseau. Her first set of designs quickly became popular, and requests for garments came pouring in.

Now, 20 years later, Ruby dresses clients with designs from her own clothing lines, Silk Threads and The Socialist, her latest venture.

Ruby Bhandari’s work reflects her Indian heritage and her Western sensibility. Silk Threads features two in-house designers and serves the fashion needs of the Indian and Pakistani community, while The Socialist offers a fusion of Eastern and Western styles.

Ruby has worked with numerous brides to design their wedding trousseaus and treats every client like family. Her down-to-earth personality is truly an inspiration for us here at Hakim Sons Films!

Ruby is also a firm believer in giving back to the community. She regularly hosts fashion shows, the proceeds of which benefit nonprofit organizations.

In fact, we had the honor of capturing an exclusive Silk Threads fashion show just last year, the proceeds of which benefited the American Cancer Society. Take a look at the film from the event.

While Ruby’s business mind is influenced by her mother’s confident and compassion personality, her designs are influenced by gardens.

“Combinations presented in a flower show designs that can be put together in clothing,” Ruby says.

Our friends at Silk Threads are visionaries in the world of creativity and fashion. We at Hakim Sons Films are so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with Ruby and her team. We hope to cultivate this friendship for years to come!

Here’s the story straight from CW 33 TV. You can read the full story below & watch the news segment on the channel’s website.

Music Industry Cracking Down on Wedding Videographers

By: Giselle Phelps

December 15, 2011
DALLAS, TEXAS—

If you’re a bride in the market for a wedding video, listen up! Records labels are cracking down on videographers who use mainstream music without the rights. It means the chances of your wedding soundtrack including your favorite artists may be slim.

We spoke with a local expert in the Dallas wedding film industry. They say this has become a huge in the last six to eight months. They’re choosing to stay clear of popular music, because buying the rights to someone’s favorite song comes with a big price tag.

Rachel Verville and her husband Greg have been married just seven months. They couple still loves watching their wedding video.

Verville says she wanted just the right music to capture the big day.

“I didn`t want anything that would take over the video,” said Frisco resident Rachel Verville.

The couple chose to stay away from popular music, opting for licensed instrumentals; a move more brides have to make.

“It`s a very new territory, it`s intimidating, it`s scary,” said Hakimsons Films Managing Partner Shezad Manjee.

The partners at Hakimsons films in Dallas say the music industry has been cracking down on the use of unlicensed songs in wedding videos.

Earlier this year, a video of Cowboy’s quarterback Tony Romo’s wedding with a Coldplay soundtrack went viral.

The band’s label reportedly sued the Austin-based filmmaker.

“It`s not unusual for one of our films to get tens of thousands of views on YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook,” said Manjee.

Manjee says that’s where the problem lies.

“When thousands of people are watching your film and you if don`t have the rights to the music that certainly puts you in a very troublesome spot,” he said.

Hakimsons films say they hire composers to produce original pieces and educated couples on the importance of using licensed songs.

“I can go online and search through thousands of songs and for under $100 d purchase music that I can use for streaming and syncing, full licenses,” said Manjee.

Even though Rachel and her hubby decided to play it safe, they say they couldn’t have been more satisfied.

“It was one of the happiest days of our lives and they can see the love between us,” said Verville.

The company that made the Romo wedding film reportedly settled with Coldplay’s record label.

Hakimsons Films say they want to avoid that kind of litigation all together.

In 2010, we gifted a Christmas gift to 12 individuals from all across the country who entered into our Holiday giveaway contest. And now because we’ve gotten requests from our friends and fans to bring this back, so we’re doing it again!

Are you ready for the Holidays? There are less than 12 days left til Christmas and we’re going to help you get in the spirit of the Holidays. We’re giving away a GIFT EVERYDAY to someone who tweets us their favorite Holiday movie on our twitter handle — @hakimsonsfilms . Hope you enjoy this little Holiday greeting from our family to yours!

Here is the official contest video from Santa himself…

You turn on the TV and flip through channels until a bright football field lights up the screen. During the commercial break, you quickly place an order for a pizza delivery. To many Americans, this Italian dish is an integral part of the football tradition.

But Italy has more to offer than just pizza, pasta, and Snookie. Italian culture is warm, vibrant, and very family-oriented, which is best-reflected in Italian wedding traditions. See what our friends at theknot.com have to say about Italian weddings:

When: In Italy, wedding festivities usually kick off in the morning, ideally on a Sunday. According to regional Italian folklore, you should never marry (or leave for your honeymoon) on a Friday or Tuesday, or you’re bound to have loads of bad luck, while Saturdays are reserved for widows getting hitched to husband number two (or three, or four…).

source: weddingwithaview.biz

Attire: Don’t bother with makeup since in addition to a white gown, you’ll wear a veil — a symbol of virginity (don’t worry, it’s just for show). Tearing the veil, however, is considered good luck (Why? Just use your imagination). Meanwhile, the groom can lug a piece of iron (preferably a small one) in his pocket to ward off evil spirits.

Activities: Traditional Italian brides and grooms forgo the limo and make it to the chapel on foot. In certain villages, residents throw symbolic obstacles in your path to suss out your future as man and wife: If a broom lands at your feet and you pick it up, for example, you’ll be one helluva housecleaner. After the wedding ceremony, the couple shatters a glass or vase — and does their best to pulverize it, since the number of pieces represents the amount of years they’ll stay happily married. If someone hands you a double-handed saw, you and the groom must cut a log in half to prove you can work together without driving each other insane.

The Food: A roasted baby pig or lamb accompanied by wanda, bow ties of fried dough dipped in powdered sugar. Women sip Marsala wine, men guzzle the much stronger grappa (go ahead and guess who’s in store for a hangover). Confetti — sugar-covered almonds (or Jordan almonds, as we know them) representing the bitter and sweet of life — serves as snacks or, yes, projectiles thrown at the newlyweds as they make their exit.

The Music: Possibly a jaunty jig called the tarantella. Legend has it that a woman who was once bitten by a poisonous tarantula cured herself by shakin’ her booty better than Beyoncé on a very good day. The least it can do for you is to keep you from passing out due to too much Marsala.

Added Perk: Money — lots of it. Forget toasters and towels: Guests place cold, hard cash in a white satin bag called la borsa.

Weddings solemnize a bond between two individuals, and people of different cultures have different ways of celebrating this union. Last week, we discussed Catholic wedding ceremonies. As promised, today we will take a closer look at some Hindu weddings customs, which rely heavily on three key values: harmony, happiness, and growth.

Couples typically get engaged in a ceremony referred to as the “mangni” or “sagayi” months before the actual wedding. The engagement ceremony typically involves an exchange of gifts and sweets among the families of the bride and the groom, and an exchange of rings between the couple.

Although Hindu traditions vary from family to family, the date of the official wedding is usually finalized in consultation with an astrologer. This is to ensure the wedding will be held at an auspicious time in keeping with the three values mentioned above.

Ceremonies leading up to the day of the wedding include the Mehndi (or Henna Application) Ceremony, the Haldi (Turmeric Application) Ceremony, and a Puja (offering of prayers).  These vary by culture and region. Mehndi, or Henna, signifies the strength of the bond between the couple to be wed. It is believed that the darker the color of the Henna, the stronger this bond will be. Haldi, or turmeric powder, is ceremoniously used for cleansing and beautification of the bride and groom prior to their marriage.

On the wedding day, the groom’s family partakes in a ceremonial procession to the bride’s house. Hindu weddings in America may be slightly different though. The wedding may take place at a rented venue instead of the bride’s home.

The wedding ceremony commences with an exchanging of garlands between the bride and groom to mark a gesture of acceptance and mutual respect.

The kanyadan, which translates as the “giving away of the bride” is initiated by the bride’s father. Here, the father places his daughter’s hand in the groom’s hand in a gesture asking him to accept her as an equal partner.

Hindu wedding ceremonies are conducted around a ceremonial fire, which is considered sacred in Hinduism. After offerings to the sacred fire are made, a close family member places scarves around the couple and ties a knot, again signifying their bond.

Next, the bride and groom walk around the sacred fire four times. After each round, the bride and groom will stop to touch a stone in their path with their feet, which symbolizes the obstacles they will face in life as a couple. The circling around the fire represents four goals in life: religious and moral duties, prosperity, earthly pleasures, and spiritual salvation.

Now the couple will take seven steps around the fire together, each of which symbolizes what is expected of the couple as husband and wife. Here is a summary (source: weddingwire.com):

• First step: To respect and honor each other
• Second step: To share each other’s joy and sorrow
• Third step: To trust and be loyal to each other
• Fourth step: To cultivate appreciation for knowledge, values, sacrifice and service
• Fifth step: To reconfirm their vow of purity, love family duties and spiritual growth
• Sixth step: To follow principles of Dharma (righteousness)
• Seventh step: To nurture an eternal bond of friendship and love

Another key aspect of Hindu wedding is the vermillion ceremony, in which the groom places a pinch of sindoor (or vermillion) on his bride’s forehead. Vermillion is a traditional red cosmetic powder that is adorned by married Hindu women and is first applied to the woman by her husband on the day of her wedding.

It is customary for the couple to seek the blessings of the priest (the “pundit”) and the couple’s elders to solemnize the marriage. At the conclusion of the wedding, the bride’s family and friends bid her farewell as she embarks on a new journey with her husband and his family.

image by Greg Blomberg

Greg Blomberg picked up his first camera when he was just seven years old. And by the time he was eleven, young Greg already knew what he wanted to be when he grew up: a professional photographer.

“I’ve been in love with photography since I picked up my first camera. It’s my life, it’s my passion,” Greg says.

The creative mastermind of Blomberg Weddings and Greg Blomberg Photography, Greg Blomberg has worked with both film and digital cameras, which attests to the valuable experience he has in the industry.

Although Greg began his career as a photojournalist in high school and later as a commercial photographer, he eventually found his way into wedding photography.

The team at Blomberg Weddings stays on the cutting edge of technology, while trying to think ahead in terms of what will capture a bride’s eye.

Greg is a dear friend of ours here at Hakim Sons Films. We are always marveled by the sincerity in his work and the spark of humility in his eyes.

Greg doesn’t just point, shoot, and print; he goes out of his way to take a shot that is meaningful by keeping technicalities and the bigger picture in mind: his couple’s story. In fact, he has even become associated with the tagline of “telling your story” over the years.

“Every couple has their own story, and I try to portray that through the use of images,” Greg says.

image by Greg Blomberg

As filmmakers, we have had the pleasure to capture an array of marriage ceremonies that vary from couple to couple. In essence though, a wedding is the culmination of a lifelong bond between two individuals.  It is an expression of love, commitment, and tradition.

Today we will highlight a few key aspects of a Catholic wedding.

image source: http://www-wedding-s.com/2011/10/catholic-wedding-mass/

A typical Catholic wedding begins with an opening prayer led by the priest. Here the couple asks for God’s blessings on their wedding day. Next, verses from the Bible are recited. The couple’s close family members usually read these passages. A short sermon on marriage by the priest follows. In the next set of rituals, the congregation—the people at the ceremony—stands to witness the exchange of vows between the couple.

Vows are a key sacrament of the Catholic marriage ceremony. Symbolizing consent, the vows form a covenant among the couple and depict the couple’s commitment to each other. The vows of a Catholic ceremony are typically as follows (see an example here):

Priest: (Name), do you take (name) to be your wife? Do you promise to be true to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and honor her all the days of your life?

Groom: I do.

Priest: (Name), do you take (name) to be your husband? Do you promise to be true to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love him and honor him all the days of your life?

Bride: I do.

Catholic wedding vows may also take the following form:

Groom: I, (name), take you, (name), for my lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.

Bride: I, (name), take you, (name), for my lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.

After the bride and groom have exchanged their vows and have said “I do”, the best man will hand the bride’s ring to the priest. The ring will be handed to the groom to place on the bride’s finger after is it blessed by the priest. After a similar set of rituals, the groom’s ring will be handed to the bride and the rings will be exchanged.

Another aspect of the Catholic ceremony is the decision of the couple whether or not to hold Mass. If the ceremony includes Mass everyone shakes hands with their neighbors when the the priest asks for a “sign of peace.” Holy Communion follows. Finally, a concluding prayer is recited and blessings for strength and protection for the couple are sought.

Look out for our next blog post, in which we will take a closer look at the rituals of a traditional Hindu marriage ceremony.

I came across this blog post in BridalBuzz by DMagazine today and hope it will be useful as you plan your big day.

“Wedding Advice: Don’t Let The Details Get You Down

Thanks to Marissa Benners for today’s wedding wisdom:

‘I wish I had not spent so much time obsessing over all of the little details during the planning process. Everything really will fall into place, especially if you choose the right vendors. Enjoy the experience and don’t let the stress wear you out. And finally, live in the moment and soak it all in because after spending so many months, and even years planning, it all goes by in the blink of an eye.’

Are you a South-Asian bride preparing for your ‘Big Fat Indian Wedding’? Indian weddings are colorful, full of flair, and pack large reception halls around town. Hakim Sons Films has been blessed to be working with South-Asian brides, grooms & their families for the past 11 years.

We have work with brides and grooms of all different nationalities, cultures, faiths, and unique preferences. We have filmed so called ‘Indian’ weddings all over North America and we are excited to share with you our latest reel from these events.

Our experience in South-Asian cultural weddings makes us the “GO TO PROS” for many of the top wedding professionals across the country and we’re thankful to all of them for their continued love & support.

We have filmed in places of worship for many of the world’s religions and we understand cultural events & family dynamics. Feel free to connect with us to discuss your family’s next wedding.

From searching for hours on Google to tirelessly flipping through magazines, finding ideas for your wedding can get a little tough.

There is still over 1 month until the New Year, but that hasn’t kept future brides from making plans for 2012 weddings. In fact, our brides have even started commissioning us for 2013!

We’ve been part of countless weddings, and we know what goes on behind the scenes at a wedding. We know about the overwhelmed sighs and raised eyebrows.

So to help you out, we’ve compiled a list of top 2012 wedding trends (This is our take from a great article that we recently read on the Weddings InStyle blogspot).

Source: Weddings InStyle Blogspot

Wedding gowns:

·      From corsets to chokers to high-collars, 2012 will enter in style, bringing back the lavish full-length skirts. Get ready for weddings inspired by Victorian styles!

·      There doesn’t seem to be an end to the separate reception dress. Many brides will choose an ornate dress for their wedding ceremony, and will change into something more casual and manageable for the reception.  The reception dress will feature a more relaxed and funky look.

Colors

·      While some couples will settle on bold color themes (think deep pink and sunny yellow), others will opt for a more tranquil color palette like pale blue and beige.

·      Nature-themed weddings are becoming increasingly popular, and a lot of brides will choose real flowers or exotic plants for centerpieces and décor. This also means that many weddings will feature more natural, earthy color palate.

Décor

·      Though it isn’t a new fad, do-it-yourself is the latest trend in weddings. Homemade wedding invitations and décor are no longer seen as money-saving techniques. In fact, they showcase your personality as a couple to your guests. You can create centerpieces, escort cards, guest book alternatives, photo booths, favors, and even table numbers through the DIY technique to personalize your wedding.

Food

·      Pies.  Cupcakes. Brownies. Yum! 2012 will showcase full-on dessert tables with homemade treats. Some couples will also plan for an additional “Goodnight” station at the end of their reception to pamper their guests. The send-off treats can range from doughnuts to traditional ice cream sandwiches to bagels or even heart-shaped cookies.