Some weddings leave a beautiful impression. Others, like Bhumi & Vivek's magical celebration in Bali, leave you completely speechless, with your Pinterest board crying happy tears and your passport begging for a renewal. Believe it or not, Bali wasn't even on the original list. But after months of venue research (and maybe a PowerPoint or two), Shanqh Events worked their planning wizardry and turned Bhumi & Vivek's dream into reality at the stunning Hilton Bali Resort.
Bhumi met Vivek during her junior year of college on the South Asian dating app Dil Mil. One right swipe, a shared love for family, life goals, and—most importantly—rotis that don't resemble Australia, and boom, sparks flew. Vivek's surprise visits and thoughtful gestures during their early long-distance phase sealed the deal. But for Bhumi, the moment she knew he was "the one"? When everything felt… effortless. Like they'd been part of each other's story all along.
Under a dreamy canopy of cascading florals by Tirtha Bali, Bhumi & Vivek tied the knot in a traditional Indian ceremony that was as sacred as it was stunning. Lavender, blush, and ivory blooms against Bali's cerulean sky looked like nature said "yes" to the big day. Bhumi glided down the aisle in a breathtaking lehenga shimmered with intricate silver detailing. Bhumi knew she didn't want to wear red. Her bridal lehenga told a story all its own—with moons representing Vivek's calming energy and birds symbolizing the lightness of their love. But the pièce de résistance? Her shimmering veil. Classy, elegant, and entirely "her." Completed with flawless glam from Skin & Tones by Pooja Thakkar and Style by Nishita, she was a vision of modern tradition. Dashing in an ivory sherwani, Vivek was all heart-eyes for his bride—and honestly, so were we. And let's talk about that baraat—led by the ever-energetic Raj Daffu—because when you start a wedding procession with that much rhythm and joy, you know the day will be legendary.
While Bhumi is a trained Bharatnatyam dancer, Vivek… is not. But love makes you do wild things—like learning 20+ dances for your sangeet, including a second proposal in full Bollywood style. Talk about commitment. And rhythm. (Okay, mostly commitment.) The sangeet and reception? A full-blown Bollywood production, thanks to the spectacular Soni Choreography team, who brought high energy and unforgettable performances. And let's not forget the beats that kept the party alive: MVP DJs brought the house down (in the best way possible).
All of this magic was captured through the lens of House of Stories, whose cinematic storytelling and photography turned every moment into a timeless keepsake. From the vibrant mehndi (featuring intricate depictions of Shreenathji and symbols of divine blessings) to the "we did it!" moment right after the ceremony, Bhumi & Vivek's love was immortalized in every frame.
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met Vivek during my junior year of college on the South Asian dating app called 'Dil Mil'. We both swiped right, and it didn’t take long for us to bond over our shared interests, life goals, and, of course, our love for our families. At first, we were in a long-distance relationship, about 2.5 hours apart, but Vivek’s constant surprise visits and thoughtful date nights made the distance feel like nothing. We seamlessly fit into each other’s lives, like two missing puzzle pieces coming together.
I knew he was the one when everything just felt effortless, like we had been part of each other’s story all along. It just clicked. But let’s be honest—there’s one big reason Vivek swiped right on my profile. It wasn’t just the shared values or the good conversations; it was my bio: “Swipe right if you like your rotis round.” And, well, the rest is history! Who would’ve thought that a man’s deep love for perfectly round rotis and a woman’s undeniable talent for making them would one day lead to a happily-ever-after?
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Vivek orchestrated the most unforgettable surprise proposal at Paterson Great Falls in New Jersey, surrounded by our closest friends and family. Knowing how much I treasured capturing memories, he made sure every detail was perfect, from the breathtaking waterfall backdrop to the thoughtful timing. As he dropped to one knee and pulled out the ring, it felt like the very falls and birds around us were joining in the celebration. It was intimate, magical, and a moment that will forever be etched in my heart. Simple, stunning, and completely unforgettable.
Tell us how you went about planning your wedding, and your overall experience with the Venues, Hair & Makeup, Outfits, Decor Theme, and all of the other important details.
We always dreamed of a big, fat Indian destination wedding, but it took us a solid 8-9 months to finally settle on the perfect place. Funny enough, Bali was never even on our radar—until our wedding planners worked their magic and suggested it. Now, we couldn't have imagined our wedding anywhere else!
A whole year before the big day, we visited our venue and met with our amazing team of local vendors—from caterers and henna artists to decorators. And get this: the rest of our vendors literally flew in from across the globe, including the USA and India.
As a detail-obsessed person (who may or may not have created a PowerPoint on the decor theme for each event), I was all in on the planning. Shopping for outfits about four months before the wedding was an adventure in itself. We ended up shipping over 200 kgs of clothes, favors, and all the wedding essentials. The whole experience was like shopping till we dropped—literally!
To this day, we laugh about the absurdity of shopping in a foreign country, hopping in rickshaws and local taxis with bags of wedding gear piled up to the ceiling. It was chaotic, unforgettable, and 100% worth it.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
From the very beginning, I knew I didn’t want to wear a traditional red bridal lehenga. As someone who loves to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the "extra" side of me, I knew my outfit had to reflect something unique, something that somewhat told our story. After countless rejections and endless searching, I finally found the lehenga that felt like it was meant for me.
This lehenga wasn’t just beautiful; it was meaningful. The intricate embroidery of moons, birds, and traditional motifs told a story of us. The moon, with its soft glow and serene presence, symbolized the calmness Vivek brings into our lives, grounding me in the most peaceful way. The birds, on the other hand, represented the freedom and lightness of love—how our relationship allows us to soar, explore, and grow together without ever feeling weighed down.
But what really made this lehenga THE ONE for me was the veil. The way it exuded classy and elegance and the way it shimmered caught my eye instantly, and I knew this was the one that would accompany me on the most important day of my life. It was a perfect blend of tradition and the unique essence of our bond—something I’ll cherish forever.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Our dance practice sessions are something Vivek and I will always laugh about! He’s the complete opposite of me when it comes to dancing (and, let’s be honest, Bollywood in general). Now, I’m not one to brag, but I was a professional Bharatnatyam dancer for eight years and absolutely love Bollywood dancing. Vivek, on the other hand, was born and raised in the USA with only a minimal understanding of Hindi and little experience with Indian dance.
But here’s the kicker—this man learned nearly 20 different dance performances for our wedding week! From all the thumkas to intricate footwork, he nailed every routine, despite it being completely outside his comfort zone. To me, that speaks volumes about his dedication and commitment to making me happy. It wasn’t just about the dances; it was about him being willing to do anything to make our wedding unforgettable.
Aside from the dancing, our time in Bali during wedding planning was equally memorable. We explored the local culture, sampled the incredible food, and had a blast shopping for snacks to fill our guests’ welcome bags. It was a mix of fun, adventure, and moments that made us feel even more connected to our wedding journey. All in all, every experience, from the dance rehearsals to the shopping sprees, was a beautiful reminder of how much effort and love went into making our special day truly extraordinary.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
THE FOOD! As they say, “food is the most important part of a wedding”… and honestly, where’s the lie? But let’s be real, it wasn’t just about the mouthwatering dishes (though, yes, they were amazing). What truly made our wedding special was the excellent hospitality. Our guests were absolutely blown away by the service from our wedding management team and the hotel. In fact, a year later, they’re still comparing every wedding they’ve been to since and can’t stop raving about how ours was one-of-a-kind. The uniqueness of our events? Oh, it’s still a hot topic of conversation at our family gatherings. From the stunning decorations to the flawless organization of the entire wedding week, our guests are still reminiscing about how everything came together so beautifully.
It was the perfect blend of incredible food, exceptional service, and unforgettable moments! Also, the DJ—I've lost count of how many times people have raved about him! Some even claimed it was the most dancing they'd done in years. All in all, it was a perfect blend of great food, unforgettable moments, and a dance floor that never quit.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
It was right after our ceremony, when we walked down the aisle for the very first time as husband and wife. That moment has stayed with me, forever etched in my heart. Amid all the noise and excitement swirling around us, Vivek looked deep into my eyes, and in that instant, it felt like the whole world faded away. With so much love and affection in his gaze, he whispered, “We’re married, baby. We did it!”
It was more than just words—it was a moment of pure joy and relief, a realization that all those months of planning, hard work, and countless decisions had led us to this beautiful, perfect moment. It felt like everything had fallen into place, and in his eyes, I saw the promise of a lifetime of love.
For events other than your ceremony, please tell us as much as you would like about the decor, style, dances, and all the special details.
We had a total of 5 unforgettable events, each one more unique than the last: the welcome dinner & mehendi night, the haldi carnival, the sangeet soiree, the wedding ceremony, and the reception.
Our first event was an outdoor tropical extravaganza, setting the tone for the weekend. We kicked it off with fire dancers and wrapped up the night with a jaw-dropping fireworks display. The Haldi theme was pure carnival fun with a dash of Holi color—think vibrant, messy, and full of laughter. Our wedding planners worked their magic, bringing our vision to life in the most unexpected, beautiful way. Guests had a blast with our Team Bride vs. Team Groom games, but the Holi surprise? Well, let’s just say no one saw that coming. Water balloons and colored powder flew everywhere as we all embraced our inner kids. It was pure joy, and everyone—from the little ones to the grandparents—was drenched in color and grinning from ear to ear.
The sangeet was next level. So many of our family members took the stage to perform for us, making it feel even more personal. Our dances weren’t just routines—they were a skit of our love story, with each song capturing a different chapter of our relationship. The highlight? Vivek’s second proposal (yes, you read that right!) was where he proposed to me through a Bollywood song, this time in front of all our loved ones. It was an absolute dream of a night filled with love, laughter, and dancing. Truly a night to remember!
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Trust the process and savor every moment—it’s easy to get caught up in the details, but remember, this day is about celebrating your love. Don’t be afraid to step outside the traditional box and make the day truly yours. And most importantly, take a breath and enjoy the journey—because it’s one you'll cherish forever!
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
My polki diamond necklace, worn during the sangeet, was a deeply meaningful gift from my in-laws. It’s not just a stunning piece of jewelry, but a cherished blessing that I will pass down through generations, carrying with it the love and tradition of our family.
As for my mehendi, it holds a special touch—woven into the intricate design is an image of Shreenathji, the god who has showered countless blessings upon Vivek and me, guiding us every step of the way. His presence in my mehendi is a beautiful reminder of how his grace has made this day—and this journey—possible. Additionally, the Nandi (cow) is a symbol of abundance and prosperity. It symbolizes divine blessings, purity, and a prosperous journey together, with Shreenathji guiding our path.
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