Livingston, NJ Fusion Wedding by 1314 Studio Photography

Greetings, sweeties! With the backdrop of a sky adorned in gold and violet from the setting sun, Sulagna & Sowmith began their timeless voyage of love at the Crystal Plaza. Sulagna's soulful eyes, accentuated by Beauty by Jasbina's masterful touch, shimmered with anticipation and dreams of the future. Her exquisite attire by Seema Gujaral showcased the rich tapestry of our traditions, while the sparkle from Soni Saphire's jewelry whispered tales of timeless elegance. The scent of her mehndi, intricately designed by MyHenna by Rashida, filled the air with a fragrance so distinctly reminiscent of our rich heritage. As the night grew deeper and stars shone brighter, Allure DJs' proved that music isn't just sound; it's the heartbeat of a celebration. The magic of JP Decor's floral arrangements and decor transformed the space into an ethereal wonderland, where every petal and drape whispered tales of romance. 1314 Studio's lenses captured moments. Their adeptness in understanding light, angles, and emotions turned candid moments into poetic visuals. Check out the incredible shots!

How did you meet your Groom, and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met Sowmith during our undergrad at Rutgers! It was a truly filmy meet cute- my best friend convinced me to come to a party during our senior year, which Sowmith was also attending. I locked eyes with him from across the room and will never forget asking my friend, “Who’s that?” Little did I know it was my future husband, and the rest is history! I knew Sowmith was the one pretty quickly. He has an incredible ability to make me feel safe, loved, and understood- how could I not fall for that?

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Sowmith planned a stunning proposal in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in January of 2022. I had some suspicions that something like this was coming my way because we went ring shopping a couple of months before the trip, but the way it was excited completely blew me away! Sowmith had been coordinating with a local photographer, Ivanna, months before the actual proposal. During the day itself, he took me to El Morro during sunset, walked over to an area that had a gorgeous view of the ocean, took my hands, and asked me to marry him. We shared a beautiful moment, and he had a photoshoot planned for after!

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.
Sowmith and I visited multiple venues before picking Crystal Plaza, but when we saw Crystal Plaza, we absolutely KNEW that we were getting married here. Jasbina was an obvious choice; she made me feel like my most beautiful self during my wedding. JP Decor did a STUNNING job with all our events- we couldn’t be happier with how they executed our vision. A HUGE shoutout to Allure DJs for ensuring that our wedding weekend was lit in every way possible!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
My process in choosing my bridal lehenga is a bit unconventional. Because of availability, I wasn’t able to travel to India myself to find the perfect lehenga. However, my mom (and also my best friend) went to India to shop for my lehenga. My parents are the sweetest for visiting an insane number of stores and FaceTiming me during the selection process. My ceremony outfit was a custom design by Mehar Sarees in Delhi, India, and my reception outfit was from Seema Gujral in Delhi as well.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part of wedding planning is the food tasting and cake tasting if you and your partner are foodies- like Sowmith and me!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The guests could NOT stop talking about the food at our wedding, catered by Moghul. We had guests asking us where we got our food catered, even months after the wedding, so they could use the same vendor!

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Sowmith and I exchanged vows privately before our wedding ceremony. Besides our photography team, no one else was there but us. This moment could not have been more special for us as we stepped into the next chapter of our journey together. We also had a private lunch buffet organized by our thoughtful bridal attendants at Crystal Plaza after our wedding ceremony, during which Sowmith and I shared our first meal with just us two, as husband and wife. A meal that we will NEVER forget!

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.
I had my haldi and mehendi at home. Both were exclusive and very wholesome events, during which I was surrounded by my family and friends. Sowmith also had a Pellikuduku, a Telugu wedding tradition during which family and friends celebrate the groom. During this event, I wore a traditional Telugu saree for the first time in my life, exchanged rings with my handsome groom-to-be, and danced the night away with our friends!

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
As beautiful and special as this moment is, the best thing you can do to savor every moment is to remember to take things one day at a time. I made sure to be intentional, mindful, and practical.  Wedding planning can be very overwhelming, but I think that keeping a relaxed attitude was a critical contributor to my wedding experience.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Shout out to hennabyrashida for my stunning bespoke bridal mehendi. She did an incredible job with my bridal party and me.

Stay tuned for more unforgettable tales; until then, may your hearts be filled with everlasting joy.