Whistler, Canada Sikh Wedding by Deo Studios

Hello Maharanis, it's a real honor for us to pay homage to all those couples who had to change their wedding plans during the last year, but their strong desire to tying the knot remained strong despite the circumstances! Today we unveil the wedding story of one of those determined couples Harpreet and Manjot. This lovely duo proves that saying I Do during the coldest time of the year can be utterly magical. Eventopia Weddings & Events planned and helped bring to life an "Enchanted Magical Winter Wonderland" wedding at Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center. (That, believe it or not, was initially designed as a summer elopement!)  First, they had a touching first look before their Anand Karaj ceremony; thankfully, Deo Studios was there to capture the striking shades of their beautiful outfits against a snowy backdrop!  We are crushing over the picturesque snowy landscape. Maharani Harpreet picked a mauve-pink lehenga design from Sunnys Bridal Gallery with the most exquisite pearl embellishments we have seen. In case you were wondering, Pristine Allure Studio did her hair and makeup while Munira's Mehndi adorned her hands with a custom-made mehndi pattern. She was the epitome of grace and elegance! The happy couple stood before a stunning mandap wrapped in white roses provided by Didi's Flowers that created a winter garden theme designed by the talented  Universal Decor. The idyllic ceremony was live-streamed by Open Aperture Cinema, and Brellow filmed the entire soiree.  After the I do's, an intimate reception dinner was held at the  Fairmont Chateau Whistler to honor the newlyweds. This exclusive venue was also picked to accommodate the small group of guests who witnessed how the lovebirds looked totally glamorous for their last event. They couldn't stop glowing on their wedding day. Style by Sarai designed Manjot's impeccable dinner look, and we are obsessed with Harpreet's breathtaking ballgown. Everything about this couple is so pretty and shouts perfection!  Make sure to see more of this seasonal Sikh soiree visiting our complete gallery.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met Manny on a blind date, which was actually orchestrated by my grandmother and his mother! They live a few doors down from each other and are great friends. I was visiting Vancouver, BC from Toronto, Ontario, when I received a message from Manny. We had a great first dinner and managed to go out a few times after that before I returned home. We kept in contact over the months, and after numerous flights to each other’s cities, we became very close. I knew Manny was the one when saying goodbye, due to the long-distance component, became so tough. I had never missed having anyone around so much. It was evident our connection was special.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Manny told me he was flying in and we were going to a Gala, he requested I go shop for a new dress. I found a dress rather quickly and began researching the Gala. I was able to locate it and gain some knowledge of the event. I picked him up and we both got ready, and as we left for the “Gala” I realized we were going the wrong way, he covered this up by saying he needed to quickly grab something from a client first. We got to Polson Pier, a beautiful waterfront with a stunning view of Toronto’s skyline, and Manny told me his client was running late. As we admired the view, I noticed him getting nervous- which is very rare. He, romantically as ever, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was shocked, and even more surprised when he pointed at our photographer whom I had mistaken for a tourist the whole time. It turned out Manny had never actually been to this spot before and relied on a map with an X on it to know exactly where to bring me for the best view and the proposal. It also turned out that we never actually going to that Gala. After that, he recreated his first evening in Toronto with me and took me to the places I had taken him. The proposal was very personal to us, as he joked that I would always, without hesitation , manage to find and point out the CN tower to him when he visited.

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 initially chose to get married in Tulum Mexico, with about 200 in attendance. However when Covid 19 hit, being determined to keep our date, we had to pivot in terms of location. We decided to get married in breathtaking Whistler, BC at the Lil Wat Squamish Centre. We were able to maintain our getaway vision and achieve a nature focused backdrop, despite having to switch from the sand to the snow. Eventopia, our amazing wedding planners, helped us maneuver through every change (regulations changed quite a bit during our planning process) and prepared with us accordingly. Our wedding planners also helped locate quality vendors who went above and beyond to create our vision. Universal Decor created our enchanted winter garden themed ceremony. Pristine Allure Studio dolled me up twice in one day, and stayed with me through a photo shoot for touch ups. Sunny’s Bridal did an amazing job dressing Manny and I for our morning ceremony. Style by Sarai crafted Mannys dashing reception dinner look, while Blushing Bridal Boutique helped me find my dream Mila Nova ball gown for the night. Both Deo Studios and Brellow worked like true artists, capturing the perfect moments for us to look back on and relive. Open Aperture Cinema did a great job with live streaming the ceremony. Our vendors were phenomenal in their respective crafts and so effortless to work with.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I kept an open mind and did not limit myself to a colour or style at first. I made several bridal appointments and stumbled upon my dream lengha at Sunnys Bridal. My lengha was a mauve- pink with rose gold detailing and pearl embellishment. I knew it was the one instantly when I first tried it on- I felt like a princess! However, I still chose to think about it and came back a day later because it was still on my mind. Also, it was the only lengha I tried on that made my sister emotional, that was another sign for me!

The dress I wore at night was from the Royal Collection of European design house Mila Nova. The dress, named Augusta, was a champagne coloured ball gown made of delicate net, lace, and intricate embellishment. The train was grand and dramatic, it was truly a statement piece. I found this dress at Blushing Bridal Boutique in Toronto and could not just leave it there.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
For me, the most enjoyable part of the wedding planning process was going through it with Manny. While being tested with the various obstacles that come with planning during a pandemic, we were able to utilize each other's strengths, be extra supportive, and creative together to make our micro wedding happen in a way that was most sincere to us.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Our venue consisted of a small handful of our family, some of who had to watch from a distanced viewing room. Everyone else was invited to tune in via live stream. The guests watching from home commented on how comfortable watching our wedding had been for them. Those in physical attendance commented on how intimate and memorable the experience had been for them. Overall, they all enjoyed being part of our micro-wedding.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Manny and I wrote each other wedding vows which we had exchanged earlier. I started our wedding morning by reading his vows for the first time. Apart from making me emotional, they made the morning even more special and the anticipation to get to our ceremony even greater.

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.

Due to covid 19 related circumstances, we were unable to have a reception with dancing. Instead, we had an intimate dinner in the private room of Wildflower restaurant at Fairmont Chateau in Whistler. Given it was just 10 of us, the night allowed for everyone to say a few words which made it even more special.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
If you’re getting married during uncertain times, be flexible and open to adapting. Reflect freely with your partner, and determine your main objective before postponing or keeping your wedding date. Over-communicate with everyone involved when necessary. Also, If you have a busy schedule, I would recommend hiring a wedding planner to help with the process. Lastly, enjoy your wedding as much as possible.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)

Instead of having a wedding registry, Manny and I initiated a wedding fundraiser dedicated to Vancouver’s youth in need through Covenant house. With the gifts from our friends and families, we were able to make an impact, raising more than our initial goal.

My bridal set, which was from Moorni Jewellers, was a kundan style rose gold piece with off-white pearls, accompanied with a matching tikka and a custom-made passa. My mehndi was done by the very talented Munira Motani, she tastefully included a dulhan, groom, mountains and the CN Tower to tell our personal story through my henna. My bouquet, made by Didi’s Flowers, was elegantly modern with a mix of dried grasses and fresh flowers. Our wedding cake, Cardamom Dream made by Just Cakes Bakeshop, was two tiers in white fondant with romantic muted florals cascading down one side.

Our wedding ceremony took place at Lil Wat Squamish Centre, a stunning venue with oversized windows that truly brought in the brightness of the white snow outside, they also showcased the mountains. Our families and us stayed at Fairmont Chateau in Whistler, where the suites and service were both impeccable. Manny and I received the most memorable personal touches after our ceremony, including shower gel and shampoos labeled with “Newly Weds” and “Mr and Mrs. Bahia”. Overall, despite all of the changes, our wedding was our dream come to life.

More truly dreamy traditional soirees are ready to be unveiled! Don't miss our blog tomorrow.