Asiana Catwalk Designed by Maz

Maz of Leicester were commissioned to produce an innovative and creative catwalk design for the Asiana Bridal Show 2012 at Riverbank Park Plaza Hotel. Thousands of Asian Brides and Grooms visited the show to meet wedding providers including Maz of Leicester, Madhu's, Kyles Collection, Monga's, Kudos and many more. The catwalk design of a giant rose in a sparkling silver garden and blossom style canopy created the stunning setting that the Asiana team wanted for the catwalk. The inspiration of the catwalk design came from nature and changing seasons which was replicated in the lighting that Delsonic so perfectly do.

Rita Chandarana at Maz of Leicester states, "The influence of the catwalk design is always the pursuit of delivering magical and fairytale weddings that the Maz events team understand so well!"

If you missed the Asiana Bridal show in Birmingham, come and visit Maz and the team at Asiana Birmingham on 5th February 2012.

We are moving soon

Come and visit us at our new showrooms and studio

First Floor,

87 Belgrave Road,

Leicester. LE4 6AS.

t: 0116 268 0822

Celebrating 50 Magical years

50 years on, we still lead the way forward in innovative and creative ideas for our events. Come and visit us to see what’s new and hot this season.

Events … we make them magical

Wedding Stage Ideas for 2012 by Maz of Leicester

Indian Wedding Stages are important features at Indian weddings. Whether the Asian wedding stage backdrop is simply there as a feature or whether it is required as part of a ceremony; there is one thing in common – they are always spectacular! There are many different styles of stages, some with shining gold to symbolise richness, wealth and general high quality in all aspects, and some red to symbolise love, luxury and again, richness. There are several specialised Indian wedding stages, each with its own individual name. Firstly, we have the Mehndi stage, this could be in vibrant and fun tropical colours, rich and Moghul with Arabic or Moroccan reds and burnt oranges or even daring even to add purple and turquoise to create a modern peacock theme. These are all endless possibilities for mehndi however there are a lot of intricate details designed into all the furniture, making the whole scene feel very personalised and special, and also brings value to the furniture itself, as it gives off the feeling of having had a lot of time and effort spent on it.

Next, we have the newly designed bespoke water feature, which focuses more on a white, silver, crystal and all things bling and glitter scheme. These clean cut, fresh colours blend well together, and create a tranquil and lavish setting for an Indian wedding. Aside from these, there are many other colour schemes and widely different styles for your Indian wedding stage to choose from. With some research you will find Indian wedding stages that suit the type of wedding you want to have, and the mood that you want to reflect accurately. Any wedding planner or designer specialising in Indian wedding services will meet with you to debate exactly what it is you are looking for, or if you are not too sure yet, will present you with plenty of suggestions. Using their experience and knowledge, they will be able to put together an Indian wedding stage which reflects the atmosphere and style you wish to present. Of course, Indian wedding stages are only a part of the overall decor and must go well with your wedding decorations on the whole. Coordinating the design, colour and style of your Indian wedding stage with table and chair covers, drapes, floral pieces and lighting is all part of putting together an overall look. Also, as the bride and groom, when you are sitting upon your Indian wedding stage, you will of course wish for it to go well with your wedding outfits. The bride must of course be the most elegant and breath-taking sight at the wedding. Maz Events are a team of creative Event Designers that create bespoke Indian Weddings. Our full portfolio is available by appointment only at our showroom.

Wedding Planning advice by Parvy Rakkar of Royal Court Hotel, Kersely

Planning an Asian Weddings can be a daunting task, which is why we always recommend clients leave the hard work to a trusted source. However, choosing the right person to look after your wedding is not exactly easy itself, so here are Parvy Rakkar, freelance wedding planners top 10 tips on choosing the right Asian Wedding planner:

Tip 1: Word of mouth. Having a friend recommend somebody is the best way to choose your Asian Wedding Planner because they will have experienced the Pro’s and Con’s of the service. However don’t just take their word for it, ask to come to an event and always check the quality of the services provided, from the Food to the Decor. Poor quality doesn’t always mean poor service, but poor quality could leave you unhappy on your big day.

Tip 2: Shop around. Follow your head not your heart, don’t just stick to the first Planner you come across, now matter how charming they might be. Talk to different Wedding Planners, see how they work and what they have to offer. Weigh up the positives and negatives of each one and go from there.

Tip 3: Meet in person. As with any supplier, never confirm your planner over the phone. Your Wedding Planner should invite you to their office/showroom or arrange to meet you at your venue. Always take time out to go and meet your potential Wedding Planner as this will allow you to get a feel for them and not have to commit to anything until you’ve met and gotten to know them

Tip 4: Ask for case studies. Your Asian Wedding Planner should have a host of weddings under their belt so always be sure to ask for a sample of their work. They should have plenty of pictures, videos and testimonials of previous events. Ask them if you can visit them on site at a venue and see how they set up and work.

Tip 5: The “M” word. Money. If they mention or ask for it before they’ve asked you in detail what you require, walk away. A real Wedding Planner will sit down with you, take a detailed brief, explain exactly what they are offering and also offer some advice. This is all before they’ve even asked for a penny.

Tip 6: ContractCheck/ask for a get out clause. This ensures you are not legally tied into anything should the event cancel or you feel unhappy with your Planner and wish to change. This should avoid any formalities down the line and ALWAYS read the small print.

Tip 7: Customer Service. The quality of the customer service you receive from someone you are paying to plan your wedding is paramount. Your calls should be answered, if not then returned as soon as possible. Your emails replied to and they should treat you like their best friend. Your relationship with your wedding planner is key in having the perfect wedding. Make sure they have your best interests at heart. You will know when they check up on you from time to time to ensure everything is running smoothly.

Tip 8: Budget planning. A good Asian Wedding Planner should work with all budgets, however big or small. If they can’t meet your requirements, they should recommend someone who can. Your Planner should have lots of contacts and should be able to find you the service you require without breaking the bank.

Tip 9: Effort. Your Wedding Planner must take maximum effort in ensuring you a stress free journey leading up to the big day. They must find suitable products/services you want for your wedding whether this means supplying it or sourcing it and they should be able to provide you with information from A-Z when needed. You’re the client so it’s up to them to ensure that you know exactly what is going on with your wedding and take responsibility to ensure you have acknowledged what they’ve done on a day to day basis.

Tip 10: Think outside the box. When getting married you will obviously have loads of ideas, some will work and some wont. Your Wedding Planner should have a whole bunch of alternatives up their sleeve should something you want be above budget or impossible to do. They should be able to think outside the box and suggest different ideas on the spot.

Parvy Rakkar is an expert Asian Wedding Planner and offers bespoke Wedding and Event Planning and Event management services for Asian Weddings and events. For help in Planning your Asian Wedding, call her or on where she will be happy to help.

Stunning top table and reception setting created by Maz for Kudos at Hilton Park Lane

An Asian wedding at Hilton Park Lane is like no other. If you’re looking for a magnificent venue for your wedding, few are more classy and elegant than the famous Hilton Hotel, on prestigious Park Lane. This is an ideal venue for a fabulous Asian wedding, being easily reachable by all of your guests, both local and out of town, or even for those coming from abroad, as London is well served with several airports. With a luxurious 5-star interior, all of the guest rooms at the London Hilton afford fabulous views over London, which is a reflection of the level of luxury available at the London Hilton, in the heart of respectable and fashionable Mayfair. Within easy reach of the musicals and theatres of the West End, the London Hilton on Park Lane is close to Hyde Park and just a stone’s throw away from Buckingham Palace. Guests with the time to take in the sights and famous landmarks of the capital will be very well placed at this fabulous and world renowned luxury venue. Already a truly world-class wedding venue, additional event theming by Maz Events team created a truly unique wedding day for our bride and groom. With the use of creative and beautiful Asian wedding decor, this Asian wedding at Hilton Park Lane was completely customised so that it is just how they wanted it to be. It is therefore no surprise that their reputation is second to none in providing an unbeatable setting for an Indian wedding, complete with theming or mandap from Maz Events. Venue theming will ensure that you can let your imagination roam free, and Maz Events can assist all Asian wedding parties in the understanding of their unique vision.

Is the phone really needed at traditional Indian ceremonies - Join the debate

You’re walking down that long aisle, gazing towards that handsome prince of yours who is waiting under the mandap to marry you – the music is playing, parents are smiling, the sun is shining and suddenly you gaze over at your wedding guests and all your friends and family are greeting you whilst taking a picture of you through their camera phone.

When your photos come back from your wedding photographer, all your guest shots include people looking down at their laps or into a phone camera instead of focussing on you - the beautiful bride and your handsome groom. People are smiling, but they're all staring at little screens texting away, putting messages on facebook and twitter or taking random pictures.

Welcome to the phone camera and social media frenzy, where, even if you've hired someone to take photos, every guest has a camera and an iPhone and they are busy writing on their wall about the whole event. They're present at your wedding, but are they really paying attention?

Be thoughtful to the bride and groom during their ceremony!

Lets face it, we have all become techno-mad but isn’t it just polite and respectful to take a few moments to be truly present at key moments? A traditional indian wedding where brides and grooms have meticulously planned a silent ceremony is an important moment when we should pay attention and just momentarily hold fire on what we do every minute of every day - play with our phones. When you discourage devices at your wedding, you encourage your guests to look up and interact with you or your family, which is why you called them!

While it is not customary to have a no camera policy at indian wedding ceremonies, we often hear our brides and grooms wish that people did — at least during the ceremony. We would love to hear from other people who think camera phones and texting during ceremonies should not be allowed. Or, do you believe that there is nothing wrong with it – send us your viewpoint by blog or Facebook.

What does the Maz of Leicester Team believe? – camera phones and social media have their place, but probably not in the middle of someone’s beautiful romantic moment that they have dreamed of and planned all their lives. Don’t spoil that Cinderella moment by jumping out like bionic man with your camera. As for texting, unless its urgent, can we not hold back on the beeps and rings for just 1 hour during the ceremony?

We would love to hear your thoughts on the subject, write to us and we will offer free portrait sitting at our new studio in Leicester.

Why a camera cant replace a profesional photographer

Why Choose a Professional?

While it is true that a professional photographer may set you back a lot more than those who is are hobbyists, there is a lot to be said for employing a professional especially when things go wrong.

What to expect from a professional?

A reputable company with industry qualifications and experience in the wedding market will give you with the following:

• A professional photographer or photographers for the event depending on timings
• Assurance with industry backing
• Professionals with insurance in the event something goes wrong
• They offer good back up plans when plans change and they can work to changes in plans as they have the experience to work under different conditions
• They can capture emotions and special moments in a unique and artistic way

The alternative is mamaji’s camera and to rely on him to capture all of those priceless memories as best he can. And while this option might save you quite a bit of money, later on when people ask to see your wedding album and all you have are a few fuzzy shots of someone dancing or key moments are missing as they were too busy checking the quality of the last shot, you will surely regret your decision.

That is why it is always a good idea to hire a professional to record your special day. Most professional photographers offer cheaper solutions such as CD packages so that you can start off with a great set of images on CD and then when you can afford it, you can always upgrade to an album. After all, you can always get a more expensive album later, but you can’t replace bad images.

What to look for?

The growth of Digital cameras make wedding photography an easy field to get into because it does not take a genius to use them. But it does take a genius to use them to take stunning images. People forget that it is not the camera that takes the pictures, it is a good experienced photographer. Professional photographers can have experience from a wide range of photography disciplines. For example, many of the photographers that work in the industry started out as serious photojournalists who worked for magazines and newspapers can get into wedding photography, but they have the technical know-how and understanding of photography to do this. In fact, over the past few years, the style of wedding photography has been greatly influenced fashion so photography is a lot more looser and fashion-led.

For instance, instead of shooting the old traditional arranged photos and portraits, Maz of Leicester have an affinity for action shots and fashion led images. You will find our photographers shoot as things happen, but also it is important not to forget the most classical images and heritage shots which are beautifully arranged and will be those that will be so precious in years to come.

Many couples love this ability to mix classical and contemporary as they want the choice, so choosing a wedding photographer who is professional enough to know the rules of classical photography and then able to break them for the modern helps. Experienced pros should be able to mix in a bit of photojournalism these days, at least at the reception. But when it comes to family shots and the bridal party, they often prefer to do some arranging and take still shots and portraits as opposed to action shots.

In the event that any aspects of plans change or equipment is not working well. A professional is able to judge very quickly what they should do and often can adapt to changes. Take for example lighting conditions- they can judge where to take images to get successful results. Or especially at Traditional Asian weddings where there are lots of people, professionals still don’t lose focus of the job at hand, which is to take great wedding photographs. They can conduct and manage the expectations of the couple to capture key moments and emotions as well as ensuring they work elegantly under pretty chaotic situations.

There are so many more reasons to choose professional over hobbyists – just ask the couples every year who live to regret booking their mates or mamaji’s who started just recently. We’re not saying they’ll never be great photographers one day but is your wedding really the best platform to test whether or not they can take great pictures now?

If you would like more information on indian wedding photography or professional wedding photography, then contact the Maz of Leicester team who can help you with Asian wedding photography, Birmingham and Asian Wedding Photography, London who will take you through all the options.

Rupal & Vishal – Westminster Park Plaza

Contemporary, clean and oozing with luxury, the setting for Westminster Park Plaza Hotel, which is located right on the riverside at the Albert Embankment in central London is a perfect venue for a classy Indian wedding and this is where our lovely couple Rupal and Vishal celebrated their wedding and reception. With a grand and impressive lobby entrance, your Asian wedding at the Westminster Park Plaza – is a perfect place for stunning and contemporary portraits. The backdrop and panoramic river views across the Thames allowed Maz to create stunning and dramatic images which are romantic and very sexy. For those extra special wedding photographs, Maz used the backdrop of the London Eye and the bridges of the Thames from just across the road from the Riverbank Park Plaza Hotel, as well as the glorious Houses of Parliament. What more iconic image could you choose as the setting for your very special day?

Park Plaza is also completely suitable for employing unique wedding theming and Asian wedding decor. There is plenty of room for the use of wedding stages or perhaps a mandap; each of which can be completely customised to suit your needs. With the use of opulent fabrics, fine table settings and elegant furniture, and by accessing expert florists Maz Events can guarantee the day of a lifetime for the bride and groom, and for all of their special guests. Dressing your mandap to your very own specifications is all in a special day’s work. Venue theming is an up-to-the-minute way to create a wedding to remember, and you can also add your own little personal touches to this special day, to create a truly unique wedding environment. Guests can stay over in state-of-the-art accommodation before or after the wedding.

Maz supports a Skydive to raise money for Ronald McDonald

Maz Supports a skydive to raise money for Ronald McDonald, an independent charity which provides accommodation for families whose children are in hospital outside their own city. It provides an invaluable ‘home from home‘ service.

Kit Rakkar and her family who are long standing clients of Maz's, they used the facilities of RMHC in Birmingham, when their son Ekam was seriously ill. Ekam is now doing well, he is back to school and his central line came out July 2011. RMHC is such a worthwhile charity that helps families with children who are in hospital away from home, with a place to stay, have some form of normality and some form of family life when everything else feels like it's falling apart.

Kit in honour of the chairty is now paticipating in aTandem Skydive on 07/07/2012. Please show all your support for such a worthy charity if you can

Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/events/126869820749814/ or

Just Giving link http://www.justgiving.com/Kit-Rakkar

All the best of luck Kit from team Maz.

Is peaches and cream the new colour for 2012? Wedding at Stapleford Park, Leicestershire

Peaches and cream is a beautiful combination, sweet, fragrant, subtle and very very chic. Combine this wonderful combination with pearls, sage green, lace or even pure white and you get a wonderful combination of shabby chic or romantic vintage styles. We encourage all our brides to be daring and adventurous in their choice of colours – Go on dare to be different and dress your indian wedding decorations with a western touch. This is a stunning drapes mandap that we created at the very prestigious – Stapleford Park. The theme was perfect for this very English heritage venue steeped in such history and splendour.

Candlewall Stage Backdrop at Asian Celebrations Exhibition at Leicester City Football Club

Maz displayed the stunning candlewall backdrop at Leicester City Football Club Bridal Exhibition. The Candlewall backdrop is a unique product designed and made by Maz of Leicester for Amit's wedding in 2008. Always with uniqueness and creativity in mind, the Original Candlewall backdrop has become another product only available from Maz of Leicester - pioneers of new and different idea's for weddings.

Promoting St Johns Hotel

"Celebrate Your Special Day With Us"

Congratulations on your forthcoming wedding or event and thank you for considering the St Johns Hotel for this occasion.

At St Johns we offer a comprehensive inclusive package and our aim is to make your day one to remember.

Our wedding and event management team have a wealth of experience and will be on hand to guide you every step of the way.

Our Park Suite with its adjoining bar area private entrance can accommodate up to 700 guests and is equipped with air conditioning and natural daylight. Alternatively the Brueton and Malvern Suite offer an ideal setting for events for up to 360 or 180 guests respectively.

We also have smaller suites available for ceremonies.

We hope the enclosed information will be of interest to you and we will contact you shortly to make an appointment to view our superb facilities. Our friendly and professional team will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

We look forward to welcoming you to St Johns Hotel and to making your day happy and memorable.

Click here to download St Johns Hotel Self Catered Wedding Brochure.

Chesford Grange Wedding Fayre - 29th January 2012

Groupon Deal - Bump to Baby Photo Shoot With Three Sittings Over 12 Months for £30 with Maz (81% Off)

Capturing a moment requires a steady hand, a zoom-enabled eye, and a fast finger to keep the moment from wriggling out of reach. Trap time with today's Groupon: £30 for a bump to baby photo shoot with three sitting over 12 months with Maz.

Capturing the best sides of portrait posers and special events, multi-award winning photographer Maz Mashru has over 40 years of lens experience under his belt. Winner of the SWPP & BPPA Traditional Portrait Photographer of the Year 2007, Maz flashes bulbs in the direction of newlyweds, mums-to-be and celebrities. A specialist in classic portraiture, the photographers work runs the gamut from elegant black and white to colourful nuptial celebrations.

Expectant mums will begin a course of burgeoning bump photos with a 60 minute photo shoot before the little one's birth. This will be followed up by two further shoots when the baby is newborn and another, up to six months later. Each shoot will last around one hour, with up to nine friends and family welcome to take part in the proceedings at one of the shoots. One costume change and one background change can be made, with the results becoming tangible in four 3" x 4" prints from across the three sessions.

Click here to view the deal: http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/leicester/maz-of-leicester/2633289?nlp=&CID=UK_CRM_1_0_0_12&a=22

Maz of Leicester

111a-113a Belgrave Road,

Leicester LE4 6AS

Asian Weddings at The International Centre in Telford

Engagement, Pre-Wedding & Wedding Parties - We have the venue you are looking for!

Maz of Leicester has worked at many venues in the UK and will be giving an overview of some of the favourites for this 2012 as far as Asian Wedding Photography and Asian Wedding Decor is concerned.

When it comes to large scale engagement, pre-wedding and wedding parties, the facilities at The International Centre offer the perfect solution. The Ironbridge and Ludlow Suites can both accommodate up to 1,000 guests, and we have a number of other suites suitable for arrival drinks or dressing rooms for the wedding party.

Thanks to the flexibility of our space we can create an event that's unique to you and your family - whatever your individual requirements, our team can help fulfil your dreams. We understand that catering is a key component of a successful Asian wedding and so we work with specialist Asian caterers to ensure dietary requirements are met. This means we can provide choice and authenticity for our customers, and ensure that the highest standards of quality are always maintained.

Finally, with three hotels within a few minutes' walk of The International Centre, a convenient location just off the motorway network, and ample on-site parking, we can help you start married life in style.

Contact our team to arrange a visit to our fantastic venue: 01952 281 500

For further information, why not visit our website: www.southwatereventgroup.com

'Like' us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Southwatereventgroup 'Follow' us on Twitter: @SWEventGroup

Congratulations to Lila on her MBE

Congratulations to Lila Thakrar on her MBE. Maz produced some beautiful portraits of Lila recently and the team would like to congratulate her on this achievement.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16368579

http://pharmacy.biz/community-pharmacist-honoured-in-new-years-list-1178.aspx http://www.pjonline.com/news/ordinary_community_pharmacist_recognised_in_new_year_honours_list http://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/9449845.South_Harrow_pharmacist__thrilled__with_MBE/

Maz of Leicester supports Everest Challenge

During April 2012, Maz of Leicester will be supporting leading specialist oral surgeon, Dr Amit Kotecha’s Everest Summit Bid in aid of Cancer Research UK. The target is to raise over £100,000 towards the cause. Cancer now affects 1 in 4 people and we all know of or have lost someone to this dreadful disease. Amit lost his mum to cancer over 20 years ago, so he has personal experience of the devastation this disease can cause. To mark the 20th year he has undertaken this monumental task.

His entire expedition will be self-funded so that every penny from sponsorship and donations go directly to Cancer Research UK. He will be leaving his busy dental practice based in Kirby Muxloe, his wife and children for over two months in pursuit of his goal.

On his return from the Everest Challenge, Maz of Leicester and various other prestigious sponsors will be helping to host a charity dinner at the Porsche Garage in Leicester. Sponsors and Supporters include Timo Restaurant, Eventologists, Bentley, Marks & Spencer Fosse Park, Lumbers and many others.

Donations can be made directly to this cause via the following link http://www.justgiving.com/amits-everest-challenge

Maz add their detailed décor touches to Hilton Park Lane

The Maz team sprinkle their magic at ballroom in one of Londons most prestigious hotels, The Hilton hotel for a special wedding venue. The guests were greeted by an outstanding piano performance in the foyer and were left speechless by the astonishing bespoke LED lights which beautifully lit up the dance floor and high ceilings - truly setting the mood of a highly elegant nightclub.

The soft lights perfectly highlighted the breath-taking décor of black chair covers which were delicately matched with the finest diamante buckles. These were complimented by the luxurious black crushed velvet table cloth along the well lit Savoy centerpieces all part of creating a truly memorable experience. But the biggest show stopper was the head table which was decorated in great detail with the rich black crashed velvet table linen being the main attraction of the decoration.

When it comes to music and entertainment, the team at kudos knows how to stretch that extra mile. The guest were spoilt for choice with a mixture of chart hits, bhangra, Bollywood, electro, house - the list can go on to infinity- by one of kudos professional DJ. The Kudos DJ will use nothing less than the state of the art console to arouse the party atmosphere.