Dana Point, CA Hindu Wedding by Duke Images

Greetings, my dears! Today we're swooning over Juhi and Neel's breathtaking wedding, filled with love and romance. The planning and design team at Elegant Events outdid themselves with Juhi & Neel's wedding. When guests arrived at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, they were transported to a world of enchantment. Eucharis Inc. adorned the venue with delicate white florals and draping fabric, creating a romantic atmosphere. The mandap was a work of art with intricate floral arrangements and elegant chandeliers. The reception space was equally stunning, with cascading flowers, twinkling lights, and luxurious table settings. Every detail, from the carefully chosen color palette to the custom signage, was thoughtfully designed to create a cohesive and memorable experience. Dolled up by Lulu made a stunning look for Juhi on her special day. Her hair and makeup perfectly complemented her bridal fashion by Sabyasachi. Together, they created a look that made Juhi feel confident, beautiful, and true to herself on her special day. The delicious food catered by Manohar Delhi Palace and the beats by 3D Sounds had everyone dancing the night away. The talented team at Duke Images beautifully captured every moment of this incredible wedding. Their photography style perfectly complemented the romantic and elegant vibe of the event with a mix of candid shots and carefully posed portraits. Check out the gallery of this dreamy wedding. Do not miss out on seeing these beautiful images and getting inspired for your special day. You will not regret it!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met my husband, Neel, during my undergrad years at UCI. We both were a part of the Indian clubs at our schools, UCI and USC. We became friends and remained friends over the next four years. When I started dental school at USC, Neel asked me on a date. We immediately hit it off and began a serious relationship shortly after. I knew Neel was the one because he would literally move mountains to make sure I was happy. He cared so much for my family and friends and made a huge effort with anyone I said was special. He can not only handle me at my best but also at my worst. Neel makes me a better person overall.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
My proposal day was November 14th, 2020, in the middle of the covid pandemic. Neel surprised me and did a beachside proposal with all our family and closest friends. He arranged for me to have my hair and makeup done and brought me to Newport Beach. I walked up to a flower arrangement and the words "marry me." Along the way, members of our family and friends held up Neel, and I's favorite pictures of ourselves through our 5-year journey. After I told Neel "yes," we went to our villa in the beautiful resort Pelican Hill and partied the night away. We had food, drinks, and lots of dancing. It was definitely a day I will never forget. I can truly say it felt like a fairytale proposal.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I always knew I wanted something different and softer than the traditional red color lengha. I always had my eyes set on a light pink pastel color, and I wanted to compliment my dress with bold jewelry. In early 2021, I went to Mumbai for wedding shopping. I loved Sabyasachi for years and always imagined wearing his lengha for my wedding. When I got to the store, I immediately saw the outfit and knew it was the one. The gold beading against the pastel-pink silk material was delicate and not too bold. The lengha was heading, but I was wearing the lengha; it wasn't wearing me. The color of the lengha made my skin tone stand out but didn't make it look too dark. The two contrasting dupattas were perfect - one for my shoulder and one to wear over my head. I automatically knew I wanted to contrast the outfit with light green jewelry. Overall, I loved the whole look and am so happy I went with the Sabyasachi pastel pink lengha.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part of the planning process was bringing to life my vision of each event. I love fashion and decor, and having multiple events allowed me to explore multiple different themes and clothing styles. I loved planning each event's outfits to complement the decor. I also loved adding little personal touches to each event, such as custom drinks, a photo wall, and a champagne tower pour.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
I believe the guests loved how much my husband and I truly tried to make each event unique and a good representation of us. We definitely did all the cultural and religious events, but we included a portion where our guests would get to enjoy the events. Our events were spread out, and we chose to have only one event each day, with our wedding week lasting a full week. Our reception was the most elaborate, with a violinist who was playing classic Indian songs as well as a saxophone player who did the same. This really brought the dancing and cocktail hour to the next level.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
My husband and I repeated our vows on the mandap for everyone to hear. However, these were intimate vows; it felt that much more special for us both to announce our hopes and love for each other in front of our closest family and friends.

Another special moment was during my pithi event. After the pithi portion was completed, my cousins decided to throw me into the pool. Not only was I thrown in, but slowly, everyone started getting thrown in. Eventually, most of the guests were also in the pool, and it became a pool party. These guests included aunties in their sarees and uncles jumping in the pool, spraying champagne. Although we all got a little more than that day, it was one of the best memories of our wedding week.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
My words of wisdom for future brides are to truly enjoy all your wedding events. It was my biggest priority for my husband and me to enjoy all the wedding events after spending almost two years planning them. The energy the bride and groom have radiates. If both the bride and groom are enjoying, the guests will not only see it but match this energy. There are always things that go wrong, but the wedding week is once in a lifetime, and everyone should enjoy this milestone in life to the fullest.

Thanks for reading, loves! Hope to see you tomorrow; we will unfold more inspiring wedding stories.