Get ready to be inspired by Monika & Neal's stunning celebration on today's Platinum Guide Blog!
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I matched with my knight in shining armor, Neal, on the dating app Coffee Meets Bagel. From our first conversation, I felt an instant connection unlike anything I had experienced before. We shared the same sense of humor and a multitude of interests, allowing our conversations to flow effortlessly, whether online or over the phone. As we got to know each other better, it became clear that Neal not only understood me on a deeper level but also encouraged me to be my best self. I could be completely myself around him, which was incredibly refreshing. Our first date was the moment everything clicked into place. Neal showed up with a stunning bouquet of flowers, and right from the start, he infused our time with endless laughter. The chemistry was palpable, and I felt butterflies fluttering in my stomach - something I hadn't felt in a long time. By the end of the evening, I realized that this was more than just a first date; it was the beginning of something special. The comforting excitement I felt made me believe he truly was "the one". To this day, Neal continues to make my heart flutter, reminding me of that magical first evening and the incredible journey we're on together.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
One of our many common interests is our deep love for travel. Neal and I often find ourselves exploring new places, whether it's wandering through charming cities, hiking in nature, or soaking up different cultures. Within the first year of dating, we were fortunate enough to make multiple different trips to various locations throughout North America. Being the travel bugs that we are, we always talked about making a trip over to somewhere in Europe and Neal ran with it. After confirming the dates with me, he went ahead and booked flights, hotels, and activities to this mystery destination that Neal insisted on keeping a secret. As we drove to the airport the day of our flight, there was a mix of nerves and excitement. I still didn't know where we were going and my mind raced with endless possibilities. It wasn't until we arrived at the check-in counter that I was handed our boarding passes. Milan - we were going to be spending a week in Italy!! My heart soared - I always dreamed of visiting Italy. Milan, Venice, and Lake Como were the cities he had picked out.
Living in Philadelphia and planning a proposal in Venice wasn't easy - Neal hired an event planner who helped him iron out all of the details. After a day of exploring the bustling streets of Venice and lots of pasta, Neal suggested we have a lowkey evening. As we were getting ready for this "lowkey" evening, Neal put on a white blazer and I knew. I frantically texted my sisters asking for advice on how I should do my hair, which heels I should wear, which handbag I should take. After getting ready, we walked for what seemed like forever to a private rose garden right on the Grand Canal. The tears started flowing with an overwhelming sense of love and happiness. The planner guided us to a small table set for two, adorned with candles, champagne, and more roses. My heart raced as Neal took my hand and led me to the center of the garden where a heart was drawn out with rose petals. He knelt down and pulled out a stunning ring. Tears of joy streamed down my face, unable to form words. It was perfect, Neal is perfect, and the love woven into every detail made it a memory I will cherish forever.
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.
Planning our wedding was an exciting yet challenging journey that involved a lot of decision-making and creativity. We had the honor of having our big day at The Merion, an exquisite wedding venue in Cinnaminson, NJ. I toured this venue back in 2019 - before I had met Neal - and this was my dream venue. That being said, after we were engaged and starting out the wedding planning process, the top of our list was to secure a venue. We wanted a place that reflected our style and could accommodate our long guest list. The first venue we officially toured was The Merion and there was no going back. The luxurious Skylight Ballroom with all its natural lighting took my breath away. It was simply the perfect vision for a morning ceremony.
For MUAH, I wanted a look that felt both elegant and natural. I researched local artists and eventually found Pauline. Being the sweetheart that she is, she listened to my vision and made me feel more at ease on the big day. I didnt have the chance to do a trial for neither makeup nor hair, but I was so confident in Pauline's talent. We spoke on the phone a few times to to discuss some inspo pics and the vibes that I wanted for not only the wedding and reception, but also my pre-wedding festivities. I loved how she captured the essence of what I wanted so effortlessly!
Going shopping for the multiple outfits I needed for my week of celebrations was one of the most fun parts! I had the opportunity to go to India for almost 3.5 weeks - and more importantly, to visit family whom I hadn't seen in years as well as meet some of Neal's extended family. We went to a few local boutiques before travelling to India where I tried on more dresses than I can count! I wanted a feel of the color, style, and material before officially diving in. For the ceremony I opted for a traditional red color lehenga from Asopalav and a custom made white lehenga for the reception. Fun fact about my reception outfit - I had the designers use the dupatta to create an attached cape-like sleeve so I wouldn't have to worry about my dupatta sliding off my shoulder as I danced the night away.
We spoke to multiple decor companies, but Florista Decor stood out. After speaking with Angella once, we were confident that she would make our vision a reality. The Florista Decor team did a phenomenal job with their decor for our wedding and reception! The team beautifully transformed our venue into a mesmerizing dream. Florista was able to bring our vision to life, even incorporating elements from the venue so beautifully. From the gorgeous fresh floral arrangements, elegant drapery, to all of the gold elephants, every detail reflected their artistic flair. The use of traditional components, intricate mandap designs, and modern elements added an authentic touch that wowed all our guests. We were in utter shock at how creatively and organically everything was brought together, more than we imagined. Florista went above and beyond, turning our dream wedding into a reality with their creativity and meticulous execution. The team was an absolute pleasure to work with.
Being the foodies that we are, Neal and I prioritized food and drinks. We also both have a MASSIVE sweet tooth. The Merion transformed the entire cocktail hour space into a mouth watering dessert room. Donut walls, truffles, chocolate fountains, funnel cake, snow cones, fried oreos, cannolis, chocolate fudge, smores and so much more!! It was truly amazing.
The entire process, while sometimes stressful, was incredibly rewarding and it brought us closer together. On the wedding day, seeing everything come together—our venue, decor, and the love from family and friends—made it all worth it. It truly was a day to remember, filled with joy, laughter, and love.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Although things did get stressful here and there, we would not have been able to pull off our big day without our wonderful wedding coordinators, Karthika and Juhi, from Our Day Events! They were simply amazing and helped to ensure our wedding planning journey was as smooth as possible. Neal and I celebrated every milestone along the way - no matter how small. We thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent together making sure our special day was a blend of the best parts of both of us.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Although Neal and I shared a heartfelt first look prior to the ceremony, the moment that constantly replays in my mind is when we first saw each other on the stage under the mandap. As the antarpat was lowered, a wave of emotions washed over me - joy, love, and an overwhelming sense of connection. My heart raced as our eyes met, both of us teary-eyed. I felt as if the world around us faded away, leaving just the two of us in that magical moment, ready to embark on our journey together. I remember seeing the warmth of Neal's smile that truly illuminated the space. I could see the love in his eyes, a reflection of all our shared dreams and promises, and a vow to face whatever life has in store for us.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
To any and all brides-to-be, my main advice to you would be to stay true to yourself! Your special day is a reflection of you and your partner and don't feel pressured to follow trends and/or traditions that don't resonate with you. Planning can get stressful at times, but remember to enjoy the journey and celebrate the little milestones along the way. Things may not go exactly as planned, and that's ok! Everything will come together in the end, and trust that you and your partner have planned well, and focus on the love that brought you to this day.
A beautiful celebration of love and culture, that wove together tradition and modernity.
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