E

Exquisite Events
N i k k i K h an

Celebrations are often steeped in tradition, with cultural or religious instructions shaping the décor, wardrobe, and

even cuisine. When dealing with Indian and Pakistani festivities, however, an intricate understanding of the culture’s nuances and sensitivities is even more crucial.

Few event planners have the necessary background to successfully carry off such an event, but Nikki Khan is more than qualified. Born in Pakistan, Nikki spent her

formative years in Switzerland attending an elite finishing school. She found designing tables and arranging flowers so appealing that even after beginning a career

as a clinical dietician in California, Nikki decided to follow her passion and work in special events.

Exquisite Events, formed in 2001, specializes in the type of elaborate, multi-day events that the Indian and Pakistani cultures are known for. Most of these parties

require at least a year of planning, if not more, and utilize every resource and spare ounce of energy Nikki possesses. To ensure the incredible attention to detail and

level of personal attention never flags, Nikki and her team produce only 12 events a year. But when you figure that each event encompasses roughly four separate

parties, the true number climbs much higher.

To help hotels and other organizations better understand these types of events, Nikki has joined the lecture circuit to share her insights and experiences all across the

nation. Educating venues and vendors from a first-hand point of view helps elucidate the most important concept: tradition is the lifeblood of culture.

Seven back-to-back events afford the opportunity to create different designs based on the
purpose and significance of each gathering. The keywords the bride came up with for her
ceremony and large sit-down dinner reception were "romance," "intimacy," and "English
garden." The sumptuous tent was converted from ceremony to reception while the guests
enjoyed cocktails in an adjoining tent.

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Photograph by John Solano Photography
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Photograph by John Solano Photography Photograph by John Solano Photography

Photograph by John Solano Photography Photograph by John Solano Photography

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Photograph by John Solano Photography

Before we even get to the wedding itself, prayers are held at the brides home before the
bride and groom’s parents each host a Sangeet. A Sangeet serves as the official kick-off for "All of the long hours and hard work
all the revelry about to come, with music, dancing, and fun lasting into the wee hours. A
henna party follows the Sangeet, then the ornate ceremony and reception take place, and are so worth it when you finally get to
it all concludes with the sophisticated grand reception.
see the host’s reaction."
—Nikki Khan

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 Photograph by Andrena Photography

Photograph by Andrena Photography

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Photograph by John Solano Photography Photograph by John Solano Photography

Above and right: I’ve never seen so many people enter a reception and marvel in awe in
the way they did for my enchanted forest design. Birds chirped from cages dripping with
flowers, lanterns and votives hung from live trees, and each table was named for a famous
couple from classic Eastern or Western love stories. The newlyweds’ sweetheart table, of
course, bore their names.

Facing page: A bride’s infatuation with Paris and all things French allowed me to bring in
ruffles and feathers, creating a grand reception that brought to mind can-can dancers and
glamorous bistros. Pink and amber lights glinted off the glossy, custom-made mahogany
dance floor, ropes of pearls hung from the stunning centerpieces, and special thought was
given to the napkin fold, done in the form of a rose. The men received vintage wine bottles
as favors, while the ladies were presented with silver dishes crafted in India.

Photograph by John Solano Photography

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 Traditional practices abound in a Sikh wedding, such as the ceremony always having to end
before noon. Other important elements include clearing all furniture for the ceremony—
since traditionally guests sit on the floor—and not allowing meat dishes or alcohol to be
served until the ceremony is concluded and the Holy Book removed from the premises.
Though once that happens, the corks get popped and the party really starts!
Photograph by John Solano Photography

Photograph by John Solano Photography Photograph by John Solano Photography

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Photograph by John Solano Photography
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Photograph by John Solano Photography Photograph by John Solano Photography

Photograph by John Solano Photography Photograph by John Solano Photography

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"Hosts should arrive at their own
event as guests, relaxed and ready to
enjoy the celebration."
—Nikki Khan

Right: The bride wanted to use the same structure employed at her Sikh and Hindu
ceremonies for her sweetheart table at the luncheon. The whole room was awash in a pink
and amber glow, and beautiful centerpieces of twigs were created with fuchsias, oranges,
and a hint of coral.

Facing page top: Some very important elements of a successful henna event include
marigolds, the colors green and yellow, and female guests dancing and singing traditional
songs. Touches of fuchsia give the space an added vibrancy. While the sunken center of
the room had only low furniture and a collection of brightly colored pillows, a stage was
erected to hold the bride, groom, and their families while they received their decoration.

Facing page bottom: I built a Sangeet entirely around the concept of peacock feathers.

V
The iridescent cobalt blue, turquoise, emerald green, and bronze provided a lovely starting
point for a room that eventually included swirling light projections and flower arrangements
studded with the feathers. A swing imported from India resided underneath a canopy built
from twigs and hung with lanterns.
Photograph by Andrena Photography

views Creating multi-day Indian events can be challenging and require

tremendous amounts of planning, knowledge, and hard work.
Since each event has a distinct personality of its own and no two
events are alike, keen vision, creativity, and unparalleled attention
to detail are required. I am lucky to have a team that is dedicated,
hard working, and understands the nuances and sensitivities of
Indian events.

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