Jaime will be marrying Varun on 26th October 2019 at Hummingbird Nest Ranch, California, USA. Click here to read all Jaime’s planning posts to date.
THREE FACTS: (1) Jaime and Varun will be having a Jewish ceremony AND a Hindu ceremony – on the same day! (2) They’re planning a swanky but not stuffy wedding at one of our fave California venues, Hummingbird Nest Ranch! (3) Jaime is a member of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club!
So much has happened since the last time I blogged and I cannot wait to share it with you guys!
In December Varun and I went to California for the holidays and to spend time with family. Our first stop was LA where we had a chance to relax and restore. We also had both sides of parents meet in Los Angeles where we could take them to see our wedding venue and meet our awesome wedding planner Jenny!
We then headed to San Francisco to spend time at Varun’s parents’ house before leaving for Hawaii for a little R&R.
I’m finally engaged!
If you read our first blog you may remember that we did things kind of backwards – planning our wedding first BEFORE the engagement officially took place. Let me just say – it was worth waiting for.
Varun thought of literally every detail of the engagement!
For starters we stayed at the Four Seasons Hualalai which was one of the most amazing properties I’ve ever stayed at. The staff was amazing and the detail and ambiance of the hotel was absolutely top notch. Varun and I share many memories together at Four Seasons Properties so it was special of him to choose that property to make more memories!
I had a hunch that the engagement was coming but when the last day of our vacation rolled around – I was wondering “when the heck is it going to happen?” I knew that Varun had planned a special dinner because we met with the chef the day prior to let him know our tastes and food preferences – but I had no idea what Varun had in store.
On our last day – Varun had planned a spa day along with lunch. We got massages and I got a manicure because well – I had a feeling my nails would need to look just right!
He told me to be ready at 4:30 pm but I still had no clue what to expect. Then we were whisked away in a hotel golf cart over to a private beach when I saw this
Image by Fletch Photography
A private dinner set on a private beach – along with our very own ukulele player, Bradshaw! I was BLOWN AWAY.
We sat down for drinks and little did I know, Varun had planned the engagement to happen RIGHT at sunset. Just as sunset rolled around, Bradshaw began playing our favorite Coldplay song (‘Sky Full of Stars’), Varun told me to go look at the sunset – I got up to look and then I turned around and there he was on one knee. Next thing I knew a photographer was taking a bunch of pictures and we were engaged!
Images by Fletch Photography
The whole night was magical and we spent the evening having dinner and drinks under the Hawaiian sky – it was truly the best night of my life!
We were so pumped up with excitement that I was so sad to go home the next day – that is when Varun surprised me again with a trip back to San Francisco so we could spend time as an engaged couple with our friends and his family.
Image by Fletch Photography
Updates on Wedding Planning
After the engagement – we hit the ground running even more with wedding planning. Here are some more things that we have taken care of:
1. I asked my girls to be bridesmaids and one of my close friends from high school to be my MOH! They said yes – YAY! I decided to give them gifts ahead of time – even though the tradition is usually to do this at the wedding I really wanted to set the tone and the excitement. I ended up getting them the cutest initial bracelets from one of my most favorite stores in the world, XIV Karats!
2. We found our photographer, Clane Gessel! Ok, truth is – I had my eye on this guy for a long time! I have no idea HOW I found him (I just know it was on Instagram) – I just know that when I saw his pictures I FELL IN FREAKING LOVE.
Image by Clane Gessel
Not only is his work TO DIE FOR, but he is the sweetest and kindest person. He is always quick to answer me with any questions and his energy is so vibrant and full of life. We also booked a pre-wedding shoot with him that we will do in late April (I don’t want to give too much away now!)
3. We booked our videographer – Andher Visuals. Jenny and team recommended Alex from Andher visuals to us and after seeing his work – we knew we had to have him!
4. We picked out our wedding bands! It actually happened so coincidentally but we were traveling in NYC and happened to be there on Valentine’s day – which was actually the day that we chose them! 🙂
5. We have our Save the Dates (almost) ready to go! The design has been chosen and now we just need to finalize our guest list and have them sent!
6. Bridesmaid dress shopping date locked in. My bridesmaids and I will go to NYC in May for bridesmaid dresses!
Image by Clane Gessel
To Do List
Things need to be done next:
> Indian outfit selection – we will likely go with Vama Designs who is based in San Jose, California – she came very highly recommended to us!
> Book my first dress fitting in Israel back at Helena Kolan – my mom and I will go in June, yay!
> Choosing officiants for the wedding ceremonies!
> Hair and makeup artist selection
> Confirm hotel blocking
> Whatever Jenny Chang tells us we need to do (PS. it has been the best decision ever to have her to help us – we couldn’t do this without her and cannot recommend her enough!)
Image by Fletch Photography
Click here to read all Jaime’s planning posts to date.
Jaime & Varun’s Wedding Vendors booked so far:
Venue – Hummingbird Nest Ranch
Wedding planner – Jenny Chang
Bride’s dress – Helena Kolan
Engagement ring – Royal Jewelers
Photographer – Clane Gessel
Videographer – Andher Visuals
Bridesmaid bracelets – XIV Karats
Proposal – Four Seasons Hualalai
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