Nestled against the serene backdrop of the Sea of Cortez, the Grand Velas Los Cabos offered more than just luxury; it provided a canvas for Neha & Anand's dream wedding. Renowned for its exceptional service and breathtaking vistas, the venue seamlessly integrated the beauty of its surroundings with the opulence required for such a grand affair. The meticulous attention to detail by the resort ensured that each event was nothing short of spectacular, providing an unforgettable experience for the couple and their guests.
Their romance sparked at a family wedding in 2015, and it was clear from the start that Neha & Anand were meant to be. Their journey from friends to soulmates is a heartwarming tale of love, sacrifice, and the shared pursuit of dreams. Anand's grand proposal on a sunset cruise in the Bahamas was just the beginning of their beautiful story.
Neha's wedding attire was a journey through colors and designs; her choice of a red Seema Gujral lengha for the ceremony paid homage to tradition, while the reception gown by Falguni Shane Peacock showcased her modern aesthetic. Anand complemented Neha's style perfectly, donning custom pieces from Kora and Ermenegildo Zegna. His outfits mirrored his bride's elegance and added a personal touch to the wedding's grandeur.
Prashe Decor's decor and Leonela MX's floral arrangements transformed the venue into a dreamlike setting. Each event, from the colorful Haldi to the enchanting reception, was a visual feast, reflecting the couple's taste and the vibrancy of Indian celebrations. The reception was a highlight, with its romantic and mystical setup. The transformation of the space into a lively club atmosphere later in the evening showcased their love for vibrant, energetic celebrations. Empire Entertainment ensured the dance floor was never empty, creating an unforgettable night for everyone.
Nadia D Photography captured the essence of Neha & Anand's special day with a touch of magic and an eye for the timeless. Having previously photographed a significant family event, Nadia was a sentimental choice for the couple, bringing a deeper emotional connection to each frame. Her ability to blend into the background while capturing intimate moments allowed the couple to relive their wedding through beautifully candid and vibrant images.
Reflecting on Neha's wedding planning journey, a vital advice for future brides emerges: Embrace the planning process as a part of your story, not just a means to an end. Neha's deep connection with her vendors, especially her wedding planner, turned the logistics of wedding planning into a series of joyful experiences and lasting friendships.
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Our story begins in 2015 in Maykoba, Mexico at Anand’s sister’s wedding. When I met Anand, I felt as if I had just met an old friend. It was comfortable from the start, an easy friendship. After the wedding, I returned to Chicago, where I was in medical school, and Anand returned home to Florida. We continued to keep in touch, and after months of phone calls, facetime, and weekend trips together, we began our long-distance relationship. Despite the distance, Anand was my rock through the stressful times of medical school and applying to a dermatology residency. Eventually, Anand moved to Chicago to be closer to me and pursue his MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Getting to chase our dreams together and watching all the sacrifices Anand made and continues to make for me, for us, for our careers, and for our future makes me fall in love with him all over again, day after day.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
After patiently waiting six years, Anand pulled off the surprise of a lifetime, proposing to me on a private sunset cruise around the Bahamas. The best part? Anand secretly flew out both of our families from Chicago and Florida and hid them in the cabin of the yacht, only for them to emerge as he got down on one knee. We spent the next few days relaxing in paradise with our loved ones – it was the start of many celebrations to come.
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.
As we set forth to plan our wedding, we wanted to honor our past – a destination wedding in Mexico was an easy choice. To capture the weekend, we reconnected with talented photographer Nadia D, who photographed Anand’s sister’s wedding, where we first met. Although Nadia had given up wedding photography several years ago, she gracefully emerged from retirement to capture the essence of our love story, of which she had unknowingly been a part since day one. Our wedding date was special to us as well, and was chosen to honor our culture, our grandparents, and our (Neha’s) dad. We chose to get married on Diwali weekend - our grandparent’s favorite holiday. Auspiciously, Diwali fell on the same weekend as Veterans’ Day, a holiday special to Neha and her family. Neha’s dad is a first-generation immigrant who served as a captain in the US Air Force when he first came to this country while pursuing his medical career. It is an achievement few people know of, but one that both he and Neha are most proud of.
Anand and I planned every aspect of our wedding together. We wanted our ceremony to embody our traditional Indian roots as well as our Western upbringing. We exchanged personal vows alongside the traditional Saat pheras. This blend of customs allowed us to express our individual commitments while honoring our Indian heritage. The personal vows, spoken in front of our loved ones, highlighted the equality in our partnership and our shared vision for the future. One of the most striking aspects of the ceremony was the presence of a female priestess, a choice that challenged traditional norms and underscored our commitment to gender equality. We made a conscious decision to skip the Vidaai ceremony, which traditionally symbolizes the bride's departure from her family. By omitting this ritual, we emphasized that our marriage was not about separation but rather the union of two families. Additionally, Neha accessorized her custom-made red Seema Gujral lengha with family heirlooms from both sides – a silver and ruby necklace passed down by Anand's mother and a gold ring from her Nani.
For the reception, Neha embodied her Western roots in a custom blush champagne silver beaded gown with an attached cape and train, created in collaboration with celebrity Indian designer Falguni Shane Peacock. She wanted a look that was stunningly simple, something that reflected her personality. The reception venue was transformed into a romantic wonderland, with a black, dimly lit room filled with life-like pampas trees and an explosion of white and cream flowers. We wanted to create an atmosphere that was both intimate and grand. The evening featured traditional first dances, with a touching addition of Neha dancing with her new father-in-law and Anand with his new mother-in-law, symbolizing the union of their families. As the night progressed, the elegant reception transformed into a high-energy club scene, capturing Anand's love for electronic music. LED ropes, pinheads, lasers, and CO2 guns created an electrifying atmosphere. It was the perfect way to end our celebration—honoring our roots while embracing our love for modern, vibrant experiences. The joy of seeing their family and friends wholeheartedly embrace both of their cultures was a powerful reminder that love truly has the remarkable ability to unite people and celebrate diversity. This was our day—a true reflection of our love story and the beginning of a new chapter amidst the warmth of our loved ones.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Becoming friends with our vendors. We looked forward to every call with our wedding planner, Nirali, and spent the first 25-30 minutes of each call catching up on each other's lives and reminiscing on our weeks. Nirali got engaged prior to our wedding in Chicago, and we got to be a part of the surprise proposal and weekend celebrations. To this day, Nirali is a close friend of ours, and we feel special to have had her as part of our wedding and now part of our lives!
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Our guests loved how our wedding reflected who we were, both as individuals and as a couple. We hosted nearly all our events at the Grand Velas, where all of our guests stayed, so our families and friends really got to know one another over the weekend and spent time together. There's no better feeling than having all your loved ones together - getting to do it in paradise was just the cherry on top.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Following the ceremony, we hosted a private dinner at Velas 10, the on-site restaurant, with Michelin-star Chef Anand catering the event. Both of us are huge foodies, and many of our favorite memories together are trying new cuisines and culinary experiences, so it was important to us to provide a unique and unforgettable dining experience for our loved ones. The celebration continued at Bagatelle nightclub for a night of revelry and to reminisce on our trip together to Miami, where we officially began dating. We kicked off the night with a grand entrance that included bottles of champagne and table dancing.
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.
For the Haldi, Neha chose to wear a stunning green Ritika Mirchandani sharara set for the Haldi ceremony, while Anand embraced tradition in a classic yellow kurta set. As a dermatologist, Neha incorporated her expertise into the event, opting for the Kiehls Turmeric Energizing Radiance Mask, a modern twist on the traditional Haldi application for that glowing pre-wedding radiance.
For the Sangeet, Neha dazzled in a floral Shyamal and Bhumika lehenga with an off-shoulder blouse. The venue transformed into a Mexican Fiesta Fairytale with floral accents adorning the dance floor, bar, and DJ booth. The night was illuminated by overhead fairy lights, and tequila girls added a touch of local flavor, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
The Hindu ceremony took place on a rooftop overlooking the ocean, bathed in the golden hues of sunset. Décor artist Prashe teamed up with Mexico City florist Leonela to bring our vision to life: chrome-lined aisles reflecting the sky and a mandap adorned with Neha's favorite flowers, lilies. A harp and violinist duo played as Neha made her grand entrance into a sea of lilies in a customized monochrome red Seema Gujral lehenga and a dazzling silver and ruby necklace passed down to her from her new mother-in-law. The ceremony was conducted by a priestess, symbolizing the couple’s commitment to modernism and progressiveness. After concluding their personal vows, a burst of red smoke filled the sky with intermixed fireworks as we were pronounced husband and wife.
Their wedding showcased the beauty of blending cultures and embracing individuality.
