Sonia Kaur spent almost two years planning her lavish Indian wedding, and like many modern brides, she often turned to the Internet for ideas and answers. While the World Wide Web offered an endless supply of information on things borrowed and things blue, Kaur discovered that ideas on mehndi and mandaps were few and far between. Though her July 2003 wedding went off without a hitch, Kaur was inspired to "create a web site where couples could go to find answers to questions they had about planning South Asian weddings in North America." Soon after her big day, 24-year-old Kaur left her job as an Internet specialist to devote her time and energy to IndianWeddingSite.com, a comprehensive portal for all things related to South Asian weddings.

Since its launch last December, IndianWeddingSite.com has quickly garnered positive attention. "We're overwhelmed by the response we have received so far. In our third month live, we have well over 4,000 visitors," says Kaur. The site offers planning tips, fashion advice, a comprehensive vendor directory and more. "Wedding vendors love our service because it gives them a way to reach couples through a targeted service," she adds. Of course, couples are thrilled with it as well—and will continue to be as the site grows. "We are going to introduce a multitude of new features and expand into new territories to make South Asian wedding planning easier than it ever was before."

Nirali talked with founder Sonia Kaur to learn more about IndianWeddingSite.com and get her top tips on planning a South Asian wedding in North America.

What does Indian Wedding Site offer that other sites or expos don't have?
We provide a place online for couples planning South Asian weddings in America. Our online directory currently boasts more than 1,300 nationwide vendors that cater to South Asian weddings. Brides and grooms-to-be can find contact information, view pictures and read reviews for these vendors. We also answer common questions through a variety of articles on every topic related to weddings. We follow the latest trends with feature articles and interviews with wedding industry experts. Our purpose is to make the wedding planning process easier for the modern bride and groom.

We are the only regularly-updated wedding web site that caters to South Asian American couples. You can find other web sites about South Asian weddings, but none have content specifically geared toward those living in America. We also offer couples the opportunity to create their own free wedding web sites, and our online forums provide a place for couples to talk shop with others planning weddings. Wedding expos are a great way to shop around, but they lack volume and variety. By visiting the IndianWeddingSite.com, you can find more vendors in your area and also find out which questions you should ask each type of vendor when you meet with them. You also get the benefit of reading reviews posted by other brides.

You're called IndianWeddingSite.com, so do you only cover Indian weddings? What about other South Asian cultures?
We write content for all weddings that include some form of South Asian culture. By this I mean the different cultures and religions represented in South Asia. Another area of particular focus for us is interracial or inter-religious weddings, which have become more frequent. We design content for those who are foreign to South Asian culture, as well as for those who have grown up in it.

What are your top five tips for soon-to-be-married desi couples?
Start planning early. Weddings take a huge amount of preparation, and many vendors are booked more than a year in advance. The minute you know the ring is coming, start researching! It doesn't hurt to look around and bookmark some web sites before you officially start planning. It will really help once the ring is on your finger and your checkbook (or your dad's) is ready to go.

Research vendors thoroughly. It's so important to thoroughly research every vendor you will hire for your wedding. For example, if you are meeting with a photographer, look through multiple albums they have created to judge their photography style. Don't just look at one album and book on the spot. Meet with multiple vendors for each type of service so you can find the ones that are perfect for you. The vendors you hire will have a significant impact on the outcome of your wedding, so take your time and decide carefully!

Involve your family and friends. Too often, brides take on too much responsibility and forget to ask for help. Remember that you have family and friends that are more than willing to help you out. In South Asian culture, weddings are just as much an affair for the families as they are for the bride and groom. If you are hesitant to hand over too much work, delegate small tasks or ask friends to come with you on your next wedding spree. Just don't take this advice too seriously and over-burden those you love!

Take advantage of IndianWeddingSite.com. Use the vendor directory to research vendors in your area and narrow down those you want to contact. Read through articles that walk you through the basics of planning a South Asian wedding. You will also find detailed questions you should ask vendors that you meet with. Print these out and take them with you to meetings so you don't overlook anything. Also, read up on the latest trends in the wedding industry to find unique ideas. Create a free web site about your wedding to share with your guests; and when you need a break, chat with other couples in our new forums or check out some real stories that will make you smile.

Remember to have fun! Planning a wedding will stress you out and there will be times when you will wish you had eloped. But hang in there and have fun with it. Plan relaxing weekends with the girls, spend quality time with your fiancé, and take breaks from talking about wedding planning. If all else fails, daydream about your honeymoon and starting your life together as Mr. and Mrs.