Rita & Tricia: 2011 “Couple of the Year”!

city clerk Rita & Tricia: 2011 Couple of the Year!

Rita (at right) and Tricia in Front of the NY City Clerk's Office

Here are Rita and Tricia, our “Couple of the Year” for 2011!

They were completely convinced that they would be relegated to having a civil ceremony in the clerk’s office, not that there is anything wrong with that! When they contacted us, the call began with “I’m sure you probably can’t help us, but…”  Marcinho kept asking them what they needed to make this wedding a dream come true for them. It came out that they were both practicing Hindu devotees and that their religion was a critical part of their lives together for more than a decade.  They hoped, beyond hope, that they could have their wedding performed by a true Hindu Pandit (Priest).

After several refusals from other Pandits and temples, cutting it down to the wire, Marcinho scoured the New York Metro to find a Pandit who would perform their ceremony for them— with an open and gentle heart and allowing the couple the dignity and gravitas their wedding deserved!  We even found a way for them to have a Baraat on horseback, in an area of the city where horses were not even permitted! Rita and Tricia were selected as our “Couple of the Year” because their love was indisputable and strong.  They survived Hurricane Katrina, lost their home to the horrifying levee breach, rebuilt on the very same plot of land and made it through that challenge, as a team!  The depth of their love and devotion, their twelve year partnership, intense dedication to each other, against all challenges— and their loving, precious and compelling story of life together earned them this title.

They called us with less than a month to design their event.  The plane tickets and hotel had already been booked.  They were thinking that their only option to become legally married would be at the clerk’s office waiting room— and nothing more.  Maybe dinner out, afterward.   They were working with a modest budget of their hard-earned money, and we chose to simply make it happen for them.  No matter what.  Everything that Marcinho eventually was able to get them to fantasize out loud, and even things they hadn’t considered which he, and Sonia, recommended and suggested.

With the magnificent help of our South-Asian Weddings Coordinator, Sonia Dhaliwal, we were able to take their event from an office with a clerk— to the Hindu wedding they only dreamed about, right at their hotel, with all the tools and accoutrements required of a Hindu ceremony, including a horse!  A Mehendi night, hair and makeup, and assistance and transportation to one of our genius Indian jewelry studio friends in New Jersey!  The Mangalsutra necklace, a rather costly, yet mandatory part of the event, was created for them at a discount!  We even got them a private booth at a high-end Indian restaurant for the couple and their guests.

But enough of what we’d say about it all!

Here’s what they had to say about their day!

“Whatever your dream wedding is, the folks at SavvyPlanners [.com] will make it happen“.

“Marcinho and Sonia took our humble idea of having our marriage legalized by the great State of New York at the Clerk of Court’s office, and turned it into a dream Hindu ceremony. We asked for the moon and they gave us that, along with the stars and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Our fervent wish to have a Hindu Pandit perform our ceremony seemed an impossibility. “Impossibility” is not part of Marcinho nor Sonia’s vernacular.

“They treated our event with the utmost respect, and collaborated with vendors who share their philosophy of customer service. Every detail was given careful consideration, from the venue of our dreams to the nuances of the Hindu marriage rite.

“We are still in awe of their professionalism and ability to go above and beyond our wildest dreams. (Their fee was nowhere near what they are worth.) It is because of Marcinho’s vision and determination to take yes as the only answer, that we recommend him wholeheartedly as a wedding planner [Designer].  He is a magician who pulls fantasies out of his hat. Only the fantasy becomes reality, and he will find just the right person to record it for you in case you wake up the next day thinking it was all a wonderful dream. (Which is what we are still doing.)

“And, oh yes, he will find the right people to make you look movie star glamorous for your special day. Did I mention that he found a way for my groom to ride a horse through Greenwich Village?

“Sonia’s work ethic, which is quite rare these days, her drive to accommodate our every wish, and her eye for detail makes her an invaluable asset to anyone planning their wedding. She arranged a mehndi party at our hotel room, and the artist festooned our hands and feet with beautiful designs.

“She took us shopping for our wedding jewelry, helping us find the very best deals for the most gorgeous pieces. And from the moment our special day began, I kept saying to myself, “I’m not worthy!” The makeup artists and hair stylist treated us like royalty. And when they completed their work, we looked like it!

“Marcinho was available to us during our entire trip, making sure we had everything we needed. He added special touches and provided the kind of guidance and support one would expect from family.

“Sonia created a beautiful setting for our ceremony, transforming a hotel lounge into an intimate mandap, complete with an altar, wedding garlands, sweets and all the necessary accoutrements. Our grandest wish, to have a Hindu Pandit officiate, was granted. Marcinho and Sonia transformed a humble formality into an exquisite and unforgettable event that is now a treasured chapter in our story.”

- R & T, New Orleans, LA

 

According to their on-site, day-of-coordinator Sonia:

“It was our pleasure to take what seemed impossible, and make it a, highly-personalized, creation they dreamed about. It was so much more than a client wedding for me. They were such a warm and amazing couple, it felt like friends getting married— this client truly became like family even though we only had a few weeks to get to know them from quite far away!

“We see lots of wonderful couples that are deeply in love, but it is rare to see the kind of teamwork and committment these two had!  It was an honor to help them”.

And from their event designer, Marcinho Savant:

“I am thrilled that we all agreed that Rita and Tricia were the embodiment of one of our “Couple of the Year” featured couples.  I really got to know them pretty deeply in our creation conversations.  I learned so much about their trials and incredible challenges.  They shared their passions and their pains with me.  THAT is what gave me the strength to kick down every obstacle that presented itself.  

“My babies had to have the perfect wedding in their sight!  They deserved it so much!  I couldn’t let them down!  I am so happy they were chosen.  It isn’t about the biggest budget or how much they pay us.  For me, it was about meeting such passionate, loving people with a dream they were convinced was completely impossible!  It was obvious how much each detail meant to them! It was also obvious that we had to make it happen.  

“Dreams matter!  Wishes matter!  Details matter! Love Matters!!

“Thank you Rita and Tricia, for showing what true teamwork and crazy love are all about!”

Take a look at the results of this unexpected, unlikely and very challenging wedding event!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150539628117149.376493.633132148&type=3&l=70b02e191f