Welcome to Maharani Weddings

Amid the pandemic, when life seemed to slow for many, Susan discovered a love that would change her future. She met Neil through the dating app Hinge, and what began as a simple swipe blossomed into a love story that would capture the hearts of those around them. Their connection was immediate, sparked by a shared sense of humor and a conversation that started with a playful comment about pizza toppings. Neil's charming profile, tall, handsome presence, and striking green eyes intrigued Susan. Within a week, their bond deepened, and Susan knew that Neil was the one.

Their journey took a magical turn, with a proposal perfectly reflecting their love story. During a year-end trip to Maui, a tradition they cherished, Neil planned the ultimate surprise. After secretly seeking her parents' blessing at Christmas, he waited for the right moment to propose. During a sunset photoshoot on Kalepolepo Beach, Neil knelt with a stunning diamond ring, catching Susan by surprise. Overcome with emotion, she tearfully said yes, marking the beginning of the next chapter in their lives together.

Their destination wedding in Cancun was nothing short of a dream. Surrounded by loved ones, Susan & Neil celebrated their union in style at a luxurious all-inclusive resort. The guests were treated to various incredible amenities, from gelato and coffee shops to silent disco dancing, making the experience unforgettable. Thanks to the careful planning by Shaadi Destinations, every detail—from flights to personalized touches—was flawlessly executed, ensuring a stress-free celebration.

Reflecting on her journey, Susan reflects on the importance of focusing on what truly matters during wedding planning. She emphasizes enjoying the process, communicating openly with your partner, and savoring each moment. For Susan and Neil, their love story is a testament to the power of connection, even in the most unexpected times.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met Neil during COVID-19 on a dating app called Hinge. The timing could not have been more perfect. When I saw his profile, I immediately swiped right. Who would say no to a tall and handsome green-eyed man? When we matched, the sense of nervousness and anticipation was unreal.

Unlike other dating apps, Hinge encourages users to engage in meaningful conversations by providing prompts and questions on each profile, similar to an icebreaker, to create more genuine conversations.

Neil messaged me a day later by responding to one of my statements, "I like jalapenos and pineapples on my pizza." His response was, "If it's one of the ingredients, is that a dealbreaker?" Of course, it wasn't. :)

From then on, we realized how much we had in common. Conversations became more real, and we knew each other like the back of our hands within a week! That's when I knew he was the one. :)

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Neil and I planned an End of the Year/New Year trip to Maui during the last week of 2022. We take annual New Year trips, and this year, we planned our itinerary together (sunset photoshoot, New Year's Eve luau, Road to Hana, etc.), so I didn't think anything of it at the time.

When Christmas came, we got together at my parents house. My sister and brother in-law came from NorCal to give us the big news that they were having a baby. I was so ecstatic to be an aunt that I couldn't think of anything else at that time. Later that evening, I was sent on a mission to go buy some items needed to make dinner. Neil found the right time and asked my parents for their blessings and that he was proposing to me on this trip. 

A couple of days later, we boarded our plane and were on our way to Hawaii! The first day, we ate a lot of good food and snorkeled with the fishes. The second day, we drove the Road to Hana and hiked some more in the luscious greenery. The third day was our free day that ended with a sunset photoshoot.

For our photoshoot, we thought of having two outfit changes: a casual jeans and white tee outfit and a formal outfit. We met our photographer at Kalepolepo Beach and started taking shots in our casual outfits right away. It was fun, and we felt comfortable with each other. As the sun started to set, we changed into our formal outfits. After taking a couple of photos, the photographer asked to take some solo shots of me, so I went along with it. This was Neil's cue to get ready with the ring since I was paying no attention at that time. The photographer then asked me to twirl, and when I did, I saw Neil bent down on one knee with the beautiful diamond ring. It was the most beautiful proposal, and I commend him for keeping it a secret the entire time!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Our guests loved the experience of a destination wedding and everything the resort had to offer. We wanted our family and friends to feel they were on vacation and not stressed about anything. The all-inclusive resort had so many amenities for both kids and adults, some of which included gelato, coffee shops, silent disco dancing, and lounges. We only thank Shaadi Destinations for making the travel portion as smooth as possible. From the hotel booking and flight tracker to the transfer shuttle and personalized coconuts, everything turned out better than what we had even hoped for.

We were happy we chose a destination wedding in Cancun because only those we care about and care of were there to celebrate us.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Enjoy the journey and focus on what matters!

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but remember to savor every moment and over communicate with your partner to be on the same page with the wants and needs. Also remember to take care of yourselves during the process!

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Sanjanaa & Shreyas's love story began at work, where Shreyas showed the "new girl" around the facility. Despite his best efforts to charm her, no contact information was exchanged. But fate had other plans. A few weeks later, at a work happy hour, Sanjanaa found the seat next to Shreyas, and from there, their journey took off. We'll never know whether it was the only seat available or a matter of choice—but their connection blossomed into a beautiful relationship filled with laughter, love, and shared adventures.

Sanjanaa & Shreyas knew their wedding would be unique from the start. As one of the first weddings on both sides of the family, they wanted to set a tone that reflected their personalities. Breaking away from tradition, they created a week of personalized events that had their guests engaged and entertained. From a Haldi ceremony filled with games to a wellness station at the Sangeet, their wedding wasn't just about rituals—it was about creating unforgettable memories. The brunch-time Sangeet gave guests time to relax, and each event felt intimate and thoughtful, with personalized touches that made everyone feel special.

For Sanjanaa and Shreyas, the heart of their wedding was in the details. They handwrote personalized notes for each guest on the back of the reception menu cards and crafted a wedding program that included fun facts about their family and guests. Their reception was memorable, starting with a surprise entrance and a champagne tower pour that kicked off the celebrations with a bang. Each table setting featured a fun fact about the couple, encouraging guests to learn more about them throughout the night. Their efforts to make every guest feel involved and appreciated didn't go unnoticed, and it became one of the most cherished aspects of their wedding.

Sanjanaa always dreamed of an outdoor garden wedding, and when they found their Tuscan-inspired venue with delicate blue florals, it felt perfect. However, on the day of the ceremony, rain threatened to dampen their plans. With umbrellas at the ready and prayers for clear skies, Shreyas's baarat danced through the rain, bringing energy and excitement. But as Sanjanaa entered, escorted by her parents, the sun broke through the clouds, shining down on her at the perfect moment. It was a magical experience that gave everyone goosebumps and reaffirmed that everything happens for a reason.

As a family of food lovers, Sanjanaa & Shreyas ensured their guests were treated to a culinary experience they would remember. They brought in four different food vendors to highlight various regions of India and beyond, ensuring there was something for everyone. From traditional Indian cuisine to international flavors, the food became a wedding highlight, with guests raving about the variety and quality at every event.

Sanjanaa's advice for future brides? "There are no rules to wedding planning; make it your own and do what makes you happy."

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Sanjana was the "new girl" at work, and Shreyas was asked to give her a tour of the facility. Shreyas turned on the charm but to no avail. It is safe to say no digits or an Instagram handle was secured that day. Cut to 2 weeks later, at a work happy hour, Shreyas hears someone say, "Is this seat taken?" Now this is a point of debate we will never know the answer to... Sanjanaa swears that was the only seat available. Shreyas could have sworn there were multiple seats, but she just chose to find the seat next to him... I guess we'll never know. The rest, as they say, is history.

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 got many compliments on our family outfit coordination. I shared a mood board and color scheme for all the events with our family, and they picked out a wardrobe that they liked. The end result was out of this world stunning. The outfits all complimented the bride and groom as well as the decor and made for a beautiful, cohesive element of our wedding.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Our wedding was one of the first for both sides of our families. It was important for us to set the tone for our wedding early on and create a really personalized and memorable experience for our nearest and dearest. We shied away from the norms and made our wedding week exactly what we wanted it to be. Our Haldi ceremony wasn't just all about painting the couple with turmeric; we had tons of games to get all of our guests involved and break the ice between the two families. We had a "wellness station' at our sangeet instead of typical favors to show our love for health and wellness as a couple who met in California. We curated gifts like herbal tea, personalized essential oil candles, face masks, and Indian-inspired hair ties for our guests to pick out from and make a goodie bag. Non-traditionally, we also had a Brunch-time sangeet so that our guests would have time to rest before the next day of festivities. During our ceremony, it was important for us that all of our guests could follow along for our Hindu Telugu wedding. In addition to a detailed personal program, we also had our priest explain the significance of each ritual in the ceremony while also involving the guests. The wedding program included fun facts about our family and extended guests, like stats about where the guests traveled from and who rsvp'd first. The reception was a night to remember, we hand wrote a personalized note to all of our guests as a gesture of gratitude on the back of our menu cards. We also did a surprise entrance at our cocktail hour to surprise everyone. We also used it as an opportunity to spend more time with our guests, and we started off the evening with a bang and a champagne tower pour. Each table setting had a fun fact about us, and it was warm to see that so many guests made their rounds to learn all the facts about us. The heart and detail that went into planning our wedding were evident, and it's touching to hear that everyone noticed and appreciated the little things.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
It was a dream of mine to have an outdoor garden wedding. Our venue has a gorgeous Tuscan-inspired garden and was set up with dreamy, delicate florals in lovely shades of blue to complement our family and bridal party wardrobe. The entire week of our wedding was sunny and perfect weather, but the day of our ceremony showed a chance of rain. We went with our gut and decided to proceed with the outdoor ceremony because the space was so special to us from the moment we laid our eyes on it. Everyone was praying for no rain, and our relatives had all gone out to buy umbrellas just in case. It rained during Shreyas' baarat, but it was no rival to the energy he brought out in our guests. I nervously waited in my bridal suite for my bridal entrance and looked out the window at the beautiful yet gloomy day. As I made the first few steps down the aisle with both my parents escorting me, the sun miraculously came out and beamed down at me. It gave everyone goosebumps. It has taught me that everything is always meant to be. My heart knows that Shreyas combatted the rain during his baarat so his bride could have her dream entrance.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
There are no rules to a wedding plan; make it your own and do what makes you happy.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
As a family full of foodies, it was important for us to have a wide variety of foods and cuisine during our wedding week. This led to us having four different food vendors for the festivities so we could highlight different regions of India and beyond. The guests raved about all the food that we picked out, and it was definitely a highlight of the wedding.

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In the vibrant heart of New York City, Rushika & Neil's love story blossomed, intertwining fate, connection, and a journey that spanned continents. The couple first met in college through mutual friends. Their friendship deepened when Neil moved to New York in 2021. A simple stroll through Gramercy Park turned into a surprise proposal orchestrated by Neil under the guise of a family celebration. Their journey culminated in a stunning destination wedding at the JW Marriott Cancun, blending their cultures and reflecting their unique bond. 

Rushika & Neil wanted their wedding to reflect their Indian heritage while capturing Cancun's tropical beauty. With the help of wedding planners Brittany and Whitney from Eventrics and Ateet from Indian Destination Weddings, they organized a beautiful event at the JW Marriott Cancun. They collaborated with top-notch vendors such as Bruno Rezza for photography, My Love Films for videography, DJ Insomnia, and decorator Candy from Canteiro Weddings, all of whom played essential roles in bringing their dream wedding to life.

Rushika's bridal attire was a harmonious blend of creativity and tradition. She collaborated with a designer in Mumbai to create a wedding lehenga that honored her Indian heritage while reflecting the vibrant colors of Cancun. The intricate motifs and tropical hues captured the essence of their cultural fusion, perfectly complementing the destination.

Throughout the planning process, Rushika found that choosing the right vendors was essential to realizing their vision. She advises brides-to-be to select a team that understands their unique style, ensuring that every detail is meticulously planned, allowing them to enjoy their day.

As they embark on their journey as husband and wife, Rushika & Neil's wedding day remains a celebration of love, unity, cultural fusion, unwavering support of family and friends, and the power of love that transcends borders. Their destination wedding in Cancun exemplifies the beauty of a modern South Asian celebration, where tradition meets tropical elegance, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Neil and I first met during undergrad - his college friends were my high school friends. Over the years, we occasionally ran into each other at friends' weddings. It wasn't until Neil moved to New York in the summer of 2021 that we really connected. We met again at a party hosted by a friend, and from there, the rest is history!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Neil proposed to my favorite park in the city, Gramercy Park. On a cold, rainy January day, he took me there one last time, saying we were heading to a big birthday dinner for his cousin close by. After a stroll, he got down on one knee and proposed! I was stunned but quickly said yes. Definitely one of the best, most thoughtful surprises of my life!

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.
Our first step was finding our wedding planners, Brittany and Whitney, at Eventrics and then working with Ateet from Indian Destination Weddings to secure our venue, the JW Marriott Cancun. Brittany, Whitney, and Ateet collaborated seamlessly with the JW events team to organize site visits, help us choose spaces for our five events, and coordinate guest logistics. Brittany introduced us to fantastic vendors like Bruno Rezza (our photographer), My Love Films (our videographer), DJ Insomnia, and Candy at Canteiro Weddings (our decorator), all of whom we loved immediately. Everyone contributed creative ideas and options, which made the planning process smooth and enjoyable.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I designed my wedding lehenga with the help of a designer in Mumbai. I knew I wanted some colorful and fun elements to my lehenga for our wedding in Cancun to reflect the beautiful surroundings. The bright peacocks, elephants, and scenery on my lehenga beautifully complemented the tropical setting, adding a festive touch to our celebration by incorporating our Indian heritage.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Our favorite part of wedding planning were the dance classes we took. We were a little nervous about our first dance so signed up for classes near our apartment in NYC. The classes turned into a wonderful weekly break - one hour where we could have fun with each other without wedding talk & to-do lists coming up.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
We purposefully selected an intimate resort that wasn’t spread out so our guests could easily spend time together. Seeing friends and family from different parts of our lives connect and enjoy themselves together - at the pool, onsite restaurants, etc., between planned wedding events - was one of our favorite parts of the weekend.

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 many of our outfits, we found inspiration through Instagram and visiting shops in New York and London. After that, we had some outfits created by the same designer in Mumbai - she was able to weave in similar colors and components across both of our outfits.

In terms of a location, we originally wanted to pursue a destination wedding because it allowed for a more relaxing mood during the weekend - especially considering we got married in January. We chose Cancun because of proximity to an airport, East and West Coast accessibility, enough infrastructure and vendor choices, and familiarity for many guests. We went into planning with the goal of making our wedding as easy and seamless as possible for our guests.

In terms of our venue, the JW Marriott was phenomenal. Not only do they have multiple, different venues on-site, they are very accommodating to our requests and understand Indian weddings inside-out. They not only ensured the bride and groom had everything we needed through planning but took care of all our guests’ needs throughout the weekend.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Searching for vendors can be exhausting, but investing time and effort to find the ones you love is crucial. With the right team in place, you'll enjoy your wedding weekend, confident that your vendors will handle everything seamlessly without troubling you.

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Kiran & Gurj's love story took a magical turn during a romantic holiday in Dubai. After a lovely dinner, Gurj surprised Kiran with a blindfold and led her across the beach. As he removed it, Kiran was greeted with the most enchanting scene—a pathway of twinkling lights leading to a setup of strawberries, champagne, and Polaroid pictures of their shared memories. The words "Marry Me" glowed in fairy lights as the sun set, and in that unforgettable moment, Gurj got down on one knee and proposed. It was a perfect memory Kiran would cherish forever.

When it came time to plan their wedding, Kiran & Gurj knew they wanted a destination wedding that combined luxury and charm, and they found exactly that at Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco. Nestled in the stunning Tuscan hills, the venue offered breathtaking views and the perfect blend of elegance and Italian character. With BIWI as their wedding planner, the couple worked through every detail, from their pastel-themed ceremony with soft florals in shades of mauve and purple to their vibrant, colorful Jaggo night that reflected their Punjabi heritage. The welcome party embraced traditional Italian charm with authentic decor featuring classic prints and lemons. The BIWI team crafted mood boards for each event, helping them visualize how the celebration would come together.

For her bridal look, Kiran had always envisioned wearing ivory. She found the perfect wedding lengha from Faiza Saqlain, a stunning hand-embroidered tulle and silk adorned with intricate floral motifs. The lengha, crafted using dabka, zardozi, and resham embroidery techniques, captured Kiran's vision of elegance and tradition.

One of Kiran's most cherished moments from the wedding was her first dance with Gurj as husband and wife. Under a canopy of fairy lights surrounded by friends and family, the moment felt like a fairytale, capturing the magic of their love and the beauty of the day. The rich traditions, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable personal touches made their wedding a remarkable celebration.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We were out for a lovely dinner whilst on holiday in Dubai. After the dinner, Gurj suggested we go for some drinks at one of the bars near the beach. As we approached the bar in the taxi, he hands me a blindfold and tells me to put it on. He walked me across the beach and as he unfolded the blindfold, I saw the most magical and romantic set up with a path of twinkling lights leading to strawberries and champagne, polaroid pictures capturing our shared memories and the words "Marry Me' in fairy lights. As the sun sets, Gurj gets down on his knee and proposes. It was the most beautiful and memorable moment that will stay with me 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.
Once we had confirmed we wanted a destination wedding in Italy and had picked BIWI as our wedding planner, we started making arrangements to view venues. We instantly fell in love with Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco. Located in the Tuscan hills with the most incredible views, we just knew it had the luxurious feel yet maintaining the Italian charm we were looking for. Hair & Make up was an easy decision as I knew who my number one choices were and just had everything crossed for them to be available. Thankfully, both of these artists were and they were just as excited as me to bring my vision to life! I always knew I wanted the theme to be pastel, soft florals. We decided on the colour mauve and different hues of purple to be the main choice of theme for the wedding ceremony and Reception. The welcome party would bring authentic italian charm with traditional italian prints, lemons. The Jaggo/sangeet night, we wanted it to be a burst of colour to reflect our traditional punjabi culture.  The BIWI team created wonderful mood boards for each event, noting colours and ideas of flowers and accessories so we could visualise how it would all come together.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I had always envisioned to wear Ivory for my wedding lengha with intricate embroidary so when I came across Faiza Saqlain's beautiful hand embroidered tulle and silk lengha, adorned in stunning floral motifs using dabka, zardozi and resham among other hand embroidery techniques, I knew I had found the one.

Maya & Achyut's love story began in college with a chance encounter that led to a deep connection. The night they met was a whirlwind of dancing, late-night sandwiches, and endless conversation, setting the stage for an unforgettable bond. Over time, Achyut became more than just a partner to Maya—he became her confidant and adventure companion. Their relationship blossomed, rooted in mutual understanding and acceptance.

On a chilly December day, Maya thought she was visiting her brother in St. Louis, unaware that Achyut had planned an elaborate scavenger hunt. This thoughtful journey took her through familiar places from their shared past, and each stop a nod to the special memories and adventures that had shaped their relationship. From revisiting their alma mater to retracing the steps of their first meal together, each clue reminded them how far they had come as a couple, culminating in a proposal that perfectly captured their history and love.

The couple found Lanikuhonua's lush palms and serene waters the perfect backdrop for their outdoor ceremony. The location held deep meaning for the couple, offering natural beauty and a connection to their cultural heritage. It was the perfect place to honor their backgrounds while celebrating their love in a setting that felt both meaningful and breathtaking.

Maya & Achyut's wedding attire beautifully reflected the fusion of their cultures, with Maya stunning in a traditional red and gold lehenga from Mumbai. She had always envisioned herself in a classic red ensemble, a color steeped in significance for generations of brides. The moment she slipped into the lehenga, she felt a deep connection to her heritage and the timeless tradition that so many brides before her had embraced, adding a sense of continuity and meaning to the celebration.

After Achyut's playful clues inspired a theme, Maya creatively wove pineapples into every wedding detail, from centerpieces to guest favors. This whimsical motif became a charming nod to their shared history, symbolizing the joy and lightheartedness that define their relationship. It was a subtle yet meaningful reminder of the fun they find in each other's company, adding a personal touch to the celebration.

Looking ahead, Maya & Achyut are excited about the future, knowing their wedding was just the start of their most incredible adventure together. Their shared smiles and glances speak volumes about the love and optimism that will continue to guide them on their journey.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met Achyut in my junior year of college, and to be quite honest, I didn't think he was the one until years later. We caught each other's eye during a night out and the sparks were flying. We ended up spending the whole night together, dancing and chatting and having fun. We ended up going to Jimmy Johns at 2 AM and ate sandwiches and chatted some more. It was a few days before Labor Day weekend, and we shared our plans with each other, including the bus I was planning to catch to go back home. Lo and behold, that following day, I found him sitting on the same bus, saving the seat next to him for me. We talked the entire 2.5 hr bus ride home.

I can't pinpoint one specific moment when I knew he was "the one". Many years later, I remember looking over at him and feeling grateful that he was in my life, a person I could be my genuine (weird) self with, and couldn't imagine life without him.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
It was December of 2022 on a particularly cold and windy day, and Achyut and I were heading down to St. Louis (or so I thought) from Chicago to see my brother for the weekend. My brother told me that he had a formal work luncheon that Sunday, and siblings were invited (odd, but I liked the idea of going to see him for a weekend, so I obliged). He even sent me this official-looking e-vite that he fabricated, so I had no reason to be suspicious. It was going to be a 5-hour drive to St. Louis, and Achyut suggested that we stop over at U of I in Champaign, our alma mater, to go eat at our favorite Mexican spot, Maize, to which I readily agreed. Soon after we were seated and placed our order, Achyut got a "work call" and disappeared. When the waiter brought my order, I asked about Achyut's food, and the waiter simply stated he wasn't coming back. I looked at him, puzzled, and he handed me an envelope. Inside was a note that read:

"A thing that I love about our relationship is the adventures that we have taken together as well as the ones we will continue to take in the future. While today might not be the best day for an adventure, I think it is time for our best one yet! Enjoy your meal, but afterward, it is time. Each adventure requires proper attire! For this one, you will want to dress to impress. There's a room reserved for you. Hint: Globalist" 

Bewildered, I finally figured out that today was going to be the day he proposed, so I attempted to call my family and friends. No one would pick up my call. We all shared our locations with each other, and theirs was nowhere to be found on the map. I attempted to FaceTime my best friend, who texted me a very convincing lie about why she couldn't pick up and that she wasn't on her way down to St. Louis as I had hoped. I was so nervous I couldn't even eat my enchiladas (and I love to eat). Achyut could see that I was still sitting in the restaurant an hour after he left and, worried that the sun would set before he had the chance to propose, texted me and urged me to follow the clue while dodging my questions about where he was and what's going on. Re-reading the note and realizing that I was going to fail this scavenger hunt, I desperately wracked my brain to figure out where I was supposed to go next. I wasn't sure if Achyut had taken the car when he mysteriously disappeared, and whether I had to go about this scavenger hunt on foot, or even worse, figure out the campus bus system again. I was immensely thankful for the hint at the end of the note. The word "globalist" refers to our loyalty status with Hyatt, where we typically stay while we travel. I had no idea if there was even a Hyatt in the vicinity, so I look to the waiter for help. He tells me there's one in just a couple blocks away, and I take one last, longing look at my uneaten enchiladas and rush out of the restaurant, hoping to see the car still waiting for me in the parking lot. Thankfully, it is still there and I jump in and drive to the hotel. Dressed in my road trip clothes (sweatpants and a hoodie), I timidly ask the woman at the front desk: "Uhm, I think I'm supposed to come here, my boyfriend is proposing and he told me I need to come here?" As the words tumble out of my mouth, I am relieved as I watch the confused look on the woman's face slowly turn into an expression of understanding. "Yes, you're right," she says with a smile, handing me another envelope. I excitedly rip it open and read:

"Good job on reaching your first destination! When you are ready, the journey continues. To find your next clue, you will need to find a very studious engineer. He loves to frequent the library and his favorite pastime is reading on the bench in the same exact spot! Hint: You can find him near the south entrance."

Grainger Bob! I immediately picture the statue outside Grainger, the engineering library on campus, that had been the subject of way too many selfies back in the day. I know exactly where to go. I hurriedly thank the receptionist and rush out of the hotel, still dressed in my frumpy sweatpants and hoodie, my hair in a messy bun. Later on I would end up kicking myself for not remembering to check into the hotel and change into the outfit I had packed for my brother's alleged "work luncheon". I jump into the car and drive to the library and run up to Grainger Bob, seeing an envelope taped to his arm. My hands shaking, I rip it off and read the next clue:

"For your next clue, you will need to go to the site where we shared our first meal. To obtain the clue you will need to order the same food that you had 11 years ago! Hint: Freaky Fast."

Jimmy Johns! I frantically run back to my car, type in "jimmy johns" into Google maps, and navigate to the closest one. I jump out of the car, walk up to the cashier and say: "Hi! Um...I think I'm supposed to come here for a clue? My boyfriend is proposing and he said I needed to come to the place where we shared our first meal 11 years ago and it was at Jimmy Johns so do you have an envelope or something?" As I fumble over my words, I could only imagine how I looked to the cashier, and I sympathized as he furrowed his brow, not quite understanding. "Ma'am, this location didn't exist 11 years ago. You probably have the wrong Jimmy Johns." As my face starts to get hot with embarrassment, I see a text from my brother pop up on my phone: "Jimmy johns on 6th St". I mumble words of apology to the cashier, run back to my car freakily fast, and navigate to the correct Jimmy Johns. The staff had been expecting me. I don't have to say a word as they smile and ask for my order. "I'm actually not here to order, do you have an envelope for me or something??" The cashier replies, "well you have to order the right thing." What did I order the night we met? Oh, yeah, because it was fun to say: "turkey tom, extra tom!" I used to love extra tomatoes on my sandwiches. I nervously say to her, "well I don't actually eat meat anymore, I don't actually want a turkey tom--" She puts her hand up and hands me the next envelope. "You just had to say the correct words." I give her a weak smile as I tear it open:

"We're almost done. You were able to recall where we had our first meal, and now you will need to head over to where we first met to get your next clue. To obtain the next clue you will need to order the first drink that we had together. Hint: shots shots shots."

I feel a jolt of anxiety. My liver isn't what is was a decade ago in my college days. I drive over to Joe's Brewery on 5th street and the bouncer cards me. "Oh, I'm not actually here to stay I'm just supposed to get something---" my voice trails off as he repeats himself, "ID please." As I proceed to present my drivers license, I eyes wander over to the main bar where I can see the bartender looking in my direction. I rush over to him and announce, "I'm supposed to come here and order the same drink I ordered when I met my boyfriend 11 years ago and I know we had a shot of something but I can't remember what!" I meekly look down at my watch: 4:30pm. I apprehensively look at the bottles of hard liquor behind him, hoping that he wouldn't make me down a shot in the middle of the afternoon. To my relief, he hands me the final envelope.

"Hope you had a fun time walking down memory lane and visiting memorable places from our relationship. Your final destination is the building on campus that pays homage to our home starting in January. At this location you will find a question waiting for you! Hint: large auditorium on Quad"

Pays homage to our home starting in January? We were moving back to Hawaii in January, but what did that have to do with Foellinger, the auditorium? Later on, I realize that there was a pineapple at the top of the roof of the auditorium, and was again grateful for his obvious hints because there was no way I would have figured it out on my own. I quickly look in the mirror and realize that I am less than presentable for the public, let alone camera-ready for a proposal. I text my brother, "Am I supposed to be dressed up?" He responds "umm..yeah." DUH! I glance at the duffel bag in the passenger's seat and realize that I was going to have to writhe around in the car and try to change clothes. I was on Green St, the most central street on campus filled with restaurants, high rises, and bookstores. To my relief, I see a familiar sign in my side view mirror: Cravings. Our go-to spot for greasy but oh-so-good Asian food. I grab my duffel and walk in, greeted with the familiar smell of sweet and sour sauce. I hadn't been there in years. Memories from a decade ago rush back into my mind: Me and Achyut sitting in the corner, with the plate of tofu gado gado he always used to order, and me stealing food off his plate because somehow he always ended up ordering something much more delicious than what I did. I ask to use the bathroom and change quickly. A see another text pop up on my phone, this time from Achyut, "nothing at cravings." He's tracking my every move. The sun is going to set soon! I hurriedly apply makeup, and of course I mess up my eyeliner! My hands were shaking. I take a deep breath and go slow, and while my cat eye wing is less than perfect, it will have to do. I rush back to my car and drive over to the quad. As I walk to auditorium at the opposite end, I can feel the butterflies in my stomach. Is this really happening?! My gaze meets Achyut's as I approach the auditorium, and we smile at each other, both excited and anxious over what was about to happen. There are rose petals everywhere and he has the words "Marry Me?" in glowing block letters across the ground. Achyut is holding our dog's leash, and she goes crazy and tries to run up to me when she sees me. I hear the photographer's camera click repeatedly as I kneel down to greet our dog. Realizing how odd it would look if he knelt down on one knee while I was also kneeling, he stares and waits for what seems like an eternity. As I finally calm down my dog and straighten up, he proceeds to kneel and pop the question, "Maya, will you marry me?" My heart is beating out of my chest. "Yes," I reply excitedly, but he remains kneeling, holding the ring, smiling at me. "Yes," I say again, louder. Click, click, click, flash. The photographer has a field day. Achyut straightens up, puts the ring on my finger, and hugs me. My heart immediately slows down as I melt into him. After 11 years of dating, making memories, and going on adventures, we were FINALLY ENGAGED! We take more pictures with our dog before walking over to the opposite end of the quad, where we are greeted by our cheering family and friends. While exchanging countless hugs, taking a million pictures, and watching faces light up as they see the ring, I feel a sense of disbelief that Achyut actually pulled off the proposal of my dreams with minimal help. I look over at him while he chatted and took photos with family. My fiance. It felt foreign, but in a good way. I feel a jolt of excitement as a gaze down at the ring, when it finally starts to sink in: We are going to get married!

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.
Achyut and I wanted to have the wedding in Hawaii, as we had spent the last couple years there and really fell in love with the islands. We knew we wanted an Indian wedding, but we didn't know if there were any local wedding planners that were experienced in them. We literally type the words "Indian wedding planner Hawaii" and Mira's profile pops up. As we check out photos and reviews from her previous events, we decided to give her a call. On the phone, we are immediately blown away by how much enthusiasm she had. As she listed out all the details we would need to consider for the wedding - caterers, logistics, decor, entertainment - we realized how comfortable we felt with her, enough to put the details of our big day in her hands. We literally knew nothing about any of it, and we were so happy to have her and her partner, Mona, helping us through it.

We knew we wanted an outdoor wedding ceremony but indoor reception so we could party a little later into the night (outdoor events must be over by 10PM in Hawaii). We started to do site visits, and while many of the venues were beautiful, they just didn't seem right for us. I wanted an open space, by the water, with great photo opportunities. When we toured Lanikuhonua, we knew that it was the perfect place. There were dreamy palm trees everywhere and water in every direction, with lush mountains in the backdrop. We couldn't imagine our wedding anywhere else! We wanted the sangeet and reception to be in the same vicinity as the ceremony for convenience, and we were lucky to find Paradise Cove and Disney Aulani Resort. Their staff was so helpful and the chef at Aulani went out of his way to cook Indian food for our guests!

Achyut and I knew that we would have to make a trip to India to get all our outfits, which we planned for November 2023. After going to countless many stores in Mumbai and trying on outfit after outfit, Achyut finally settled on a sage green bandhgala set from Anita Dongre and a sherwani from Ajay Arvindbhai Khatri for the reception. I ended up choosing a matching sage & silver lehenga and a blood red & gold lehenga by Seema Gujral for the sangeet and ceremony. For the reception, Achyut went with a tuxedo and I wore an Indowestern ball gown from Aza.

For the decor theme, I saw some inspiration from my wedding planner for centerpieces. She knew a woman that made centerpieces from pineapples and showed me a picture. I thought it looked do-able and decided to DIY it. I ended up spray-painting the pineapples gold, placing them inside a wreath of Hawaiian flowers, and placed large monstera leaves at the base of the pineapple, extending outward. Between each leaf, I placed a flickering LED candle. These ended up being the centerpieces for the sangeet and at cocktail hour before the reception. I really liked the idea of pineapples (plus it also was special from the proposal story) so I decided to make it the theme! I placed pineapples flavored items in the welcome bags, put pictures of pineapples on the giant crossword puzzle we had out at the cocktail hour, and give out pineapple-shaped ceramic plates as thank you gifts for the guests. I wanted to add a personal touch at the reception, so I decided to make table numbers using photos of us from when we were that age. For table 1, I glued a photo of myself at age 1 to the back of a photo of Achyut at the age 1, put a cardstock fancy frame around it, and stuck a table number out of the top of the photo, and put each frame on a tall stand, and did this for 15 tables.

As for hair and makeup, I didn't really know where to start since Pinterest was so overwhelming and I didn't really know what all the types of makeup were. The terms "soft-glam", "classic," "retro," and "dewy" made my head spin. Thankfully, my planners had several hair and makeup artists they referred me to and after looking up their work on Instagram, I chose Cherbu makeup. She did my trial and I absolutely loved it. Also shout-out to her for going out of her way to Sephora and finding a shade of lipstick that worked with my skin tone. I went with a half up/half down look with extensions and baby's breath for the sangeet, an updo with face-framing tendrils for the ceremony, and another half up/half down look with soft curls & extensions for the reception.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I knew that I wanted to go with the traditional red, and I wanted a darker red since I think it looked elegant. I knew that I wanted red and gold, as I just couldn't imagine myself with anything but gold jewelry. I found the perfect dress by just going to a bunch of stores in Mumbai, trying on dresses, and facetiming family and friends. The dress I ultimately ended up picking was the one that my MIL also loved the most. I decided to go all out for the ceremony - tikka, nose ring, dangly earrings, choker, ring-bracelet adornments, and heavy bangles. I thankfully didn't have to move too much at the ceremony ;)

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part was easily the food tasting. Achyut and I are both foodies and we will literally fly to New York just to eat pizza. It was particularly difficult to get Indian food in Hawaii, and although there were a few Indian restaurants on the island, they weren't equipped to cater a wedding. We tried Thai, Mediterranean, Italian, and we finally settled on a well-known and loved catering company, Memoirs. We also particularly enjoyed the wedding cake tasting at Aulani! We loved the tropical flavors of a signature cake by the Aulani pastry chef, a coconut pineapple cake with haupia cream, roasted pineapple compote, and coconut shavings, and the guests loved it.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
I think the guests particularly liked our dog's entrance into the ceremony. My wedding planner had sent us a video of a couple incorporating their dog's into the ceremony by having him ride down the aisle in a remote controlled car. I ran with the idea and found a remote control car big enough for a child to sit in and spray-painted it pink, and had our dog, Rani, ride down the aisle in her dress (although her crown fell off) while Achyut's brother controlled the car from behind. I also saw a bunch of reels on social media of dogs riding on roombas with the song "Ridin' Dirty" by Chamillionaire playing in the background and thought it was absolutely hilarious. But I wanted to personalize the lyrics for Rani, so I made a spoof of the song:

They see me rollin'
They hatin'
Patrollin and tryna make me cute & furry
Tryna make me cute & furry
Tryna make me cute & furry
Tryna make me cute & furry
Tryna make me cute & furry

My bark is so loud
I'm a guard dog
They hopin' that they gon' come and steal my chew toy
Tryna steal my favorite chew toy
Tryna steal my favorite chew toy
Tryna steal my favorite chew toy
Tryna steal my favorite chew toy

I am the princess of the family
When I pose it’s simply insanity
Don't try to deny I'm a canine queen
I be the baddest puppy you aint never seen
That's why they call me miss Ra-a-ni
Cuz my lil crown be fly and shi-i-ny
So when you see me ride by shield them eyeballs
I be up in fancy shoppin' malls
Gettin all four paws with the finest manicure
But there's so much more to my allure

Yeah!

I used voice-editing software to make the voice girly. The guests couldn't get enough of it!

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
One special moment that replays in my mind is the moment the antarpat came down. We had already had our first look, but this was right on the mandap, moments before we got married to each other. I remember waving to him as they lowered the antarpat and we just smiled at each other, just happy that this day was finally here.

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.
We are really happy with how our first dance came out. Our wedding planner linked us up with Sumoha, who had extensive experience with Bollywood dancing, and she along with her fellow dance instructor Nada helped learn our entire 8 minute dance. When picking the song, Sumoha asked us to find something that told the story of our relationship. We had been together so long, and we couldn't possibly pick one single song that reflected our entire relationship because there were so many phases. So I decided to clip together several songs, with voice-overs in between. We danced to "Pretty Woman" from Kal Ho Naa Ho, "Sweet Nothings" by Taylor Swift (Achyut is a major Swiftie), "Best I Ever Had" by Drake, "Vamos a la Playa" and "Stand by You" by Nish.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Savor the moment. You plan for months and months and it's over before you know it. Don't worry about the small things at your wedding, like whether the decorations are perfect or the cocktails are strong enough. Just relax and enjoy being around your loved ones, who are all there to celebrate you. It's over in the blink of an eye.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
I am particularly happy with how my mehendi night came out. We ended up renting a large house for our entire extended family to stay, and Achyut's family rented another house closeby. I hired two mehendi artists that worked locally in Hawaii (Henna Happens) and Karissa did such an amazing job on my bridal mehendi! I asked her to incorporate elements like nursing, dogs, pineapples, Hawaii, etc into the design and she did it wonderfully. It took four hours, but Achyut came through and fed me when I couldn't use my hands. I had Karissa hide his name in my mehendi, and I thought it was really well hidden, but he ended up finding it in less than 30 seconds. We catered from Neha's Kitchen, and the samosa chaat was so good. I also had Mexican food catered from Quezada's, which was a hit. I bought a metal backdrop and we used multicolor curtains, and adorned them with marigold garlands. We put couch covers on and used Indian cushions for accents. I put out a bunch of LED candles, made a welcome sign on Canva that had a cartoon version of me on it, and had a DIY mehendi station for people to have fun and use stencils to make their own art. My friends and I made a really cute reel with all of our mehendi designs. I had gold bowls filled with water and fresh flowers by the front door, and my cousin did some beautiful rangoli to welcome guests. It was such a beautiful turn out!

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