Welcome to Maharani Weddings

We're thrilled to share Mukti & Bhavik's story in today's feature on the Platinum Guide blog.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?

I met Bhavik in the midst of the COVID pandemic through Hinge. I never would’ve thought that messaging my very first Hinge match would change my life so quickly and in ways I never imagined. I was in St. Louis at the time, and met Bhavik in Chicago a few weeks later. Before our first real date, though, we had a FaceTime date and I knew then that he was someone special. When we finally met in Chicago, it felt like I was spending the evening with someone I already knew so well. I left that date knowing that he was my forever.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!

In April 2022 we took our very first big trip together to the Amalfi coast! This was the first time we spent a whole week together, and we enjoyed our little escape from long distance with pasta, gelato, and limoncello spritz’s! Our second evening on the beautiful coast was when he planned a special boat “tour of the coast.” To my surprise, I walked onto a private boat and knew it was going to be a ride I’ll never forget! Bhavik got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him - an obvious and easy yes!

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 knew we were planning for a big fat Indian wedding in Detroit, my hometown. This narrowed down our venue options, and ultimately we decided on MGM Grand Detroit. My family has previously had good experience with MGM Grand, and we wanted our guests to be able to enjoy the casino and what Detroit has to offer in between events.

I booked Jahura Hobby well in advance for bridal makeup - one of the best decisions I made! She is so kind, organized, and talented. She created a natural glam look for each event.

Our decor themes were surprisingly easy to decide on. We knew we needed to incorporate an Amalfi coast theme into our wedding, because it’s such a special place for us. This was the theme of our Sangeet and Utsav planners executed our vision perfectly. Our wedding has a traditional red and gold theme, and our reception was a bold black and red.

Food was a universal priority for Bhavik, myself, and our parents. We decided on Rasoi catering from New Jersey and they exceeded our expectations! At the end of our wedding, so many people mentioned how much they loved the food at each and every event.

Our wedding planner, Rajul Pillai, made sure our wedding was everything we had imagined and more! She started working with me well over 14 months in advance, and kept us on track with each detail. She helped me find solutions to each hurdle, and made sure the weekend itself went on seamlessly.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?

I always envisioned myself to be a traditional bride in a red lehenga. That’s exactly what I found when I went shopping in Mumbai.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?

Looking back, sitting on the couch and thinking about what we wanted our weekend to look like was so memorable. We spent countless evenings after work together, making little decisions and talking through things that were important to us. These evenings gave us so much quality time together, and that will always be special.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?

The food, performances, and energy. We are so grateful to our friends and family for creating such a fun atmosphere and bringing endless energy to the weekend!

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?

There are so many moments from the wedding week that I’ll always hold close to me, but my favorite moment was reading the card Bhavik wrote for me while I was getting ready for our wedding. Those words and emotions made me even more excited to see him that morning, and for our forever to finally begin.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?

Have fun with the planning process and soak in all of the quality time with everyone you care about. It’s the only time all of your closest and most loved people will be under one roof.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)

All of my jewelry was specially created by my mom’s friend in Ahmedabad - she truly is an artist!

My mehndi was done by Ekta Kansara. She created the most intricate designs, while we chatted for hours. Her presence is so soothing.

Let this story guide you, leaving you enchanted and dreaming of your magical celebration.

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Good morning, sweet ladies! Let's get ready to enjoy a new love story. Kviza & Arjun held their union in a magnificent ceremony at the Bella Vista Groves, a perfect amalgamation of tradition, elegance, and joy. The venue, known for its breathtaking landscapes, alongside the exquisite arrangements by Indian Decor, set a magical backdrop for the event. Kviza, adorned with intricate mehndi by Henna by Amita and beautified by Vaidehi Beauty Care, radiated grace and elegance. Catered by Rasraj Artesia, the guests were treated to a culinary journey as diverse and rich as the couple's heritage. The air buzzed with melodies from Bains Music, setting the tone for an evening filled with dance and celebration. Deepicka Mehta Photography perfectly captured their love story. With a keen eye for detail and the ability to capture the subtle nuances of emotions, she ensured that their special day was immortalized beautifully and heartfeltly. The magic of their love was evident in every picture. 

As their wedding came to a close, their deep love promised a future of enduring joy and unity.

Nikitha and Naveen's wedding was a stunning celebration of love and tradition, beautifully captured by Topher Films and set against the dreamy backdrop of Dallas Palms. Every detail, from the exquisite decor to the elegant attire of the couple, was meticulously planned by Rama Bhat, and the mastery of Hannah Hix's photography skillfully encapsulated the essence of their bond, each picture a window to the joy and emotions that filled the air. Makeup by Sowmya radiated with a glow that matched the brilliance of the day. Riz Entertainment's music set the rhythm of the night, inviting everyone to partake in the joyous dance of unity and delectable cuisine from Bawarchi Irving Phani. Petite Sweets by Laura topped off the evening with delicious treats, symbolizing the couple's sweet future. This event was more than just a wedding; it was a celebration of a cultural unity orchestrated by talented vendors to mark the beginning of Nikitha and Naveen's lifelong journey together. Love. 

This wedding was a beautiful celebration of culture and love. Come back for more love stories!

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Komal & Jagraj's wedding unfolded as a splendid tapestry of tradition, love, and elegance in the heart of the captivating Riviera Maya. The Sangeet at Generations Riviera Maya set a vibrant tone, with colors and rhythms that bespoke the joy of uniting families. Komal shone brilliantly, her laughter harmonizing with the festive ambiance. Transitioning to the serene El Dorado Royale, the ceremony and reception venues exuded sophistication and romance, each moment immortalized by Ismael Gonzalez Filmmaker keen lens. Alex Corbanezi and Styling Trio enhanced Komal's natural grace with exquisite hair, makeup, and Mehndi, ensuring her every glance was captivating. As Komal & Jagraj exchanged vows, their bond echoed with depth and sincerity, symbolizing not just a union of hearts but also of souls. The meticulous orchestration by Indian Destination Wedding, Inc. ensured that every guest was immersed in the warmth and hospitality that Indian weddings are renowned for—from the lively Sangeet to the final dance at the reception, each moment celebrated love and culture. It  was not merely a celebration but the beginning of a new, enchanting chapter in their love story.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Jagraj and I met on Tinder; however, we were mutual friends, which helped me decide to meet up with him. We met for sushi and drinks on a casual Saturday night. What was meant to be a two-hour date turned into five hours as we went to the bars around town. We hung out every week until I had to leave for my study abroad program. We talked on the phone every day, waiting to see each other again. I returned a month later, and he asked me to be his girlfriend. I knew he was the one because we had been inseparable since.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
My best friend Alaina said she wanted to go out for drinks before my date night with Jagraj. I agreed, and she drove me to a cute Christmas bar in the city called Urban Roast. The place was decorated so beautifully with Christmas lights, decorations, Christmas trees, and a sign that said, "Kiss me under the mistletoe." As I walked in, I saw all of my best friends and his best friends holding roses. It took me a second to understand what was going on, but I caught on. Alaina proceeded to tell me something he loved about me, and then each one of our friends handed me a rose and also stated what he loved about me. They were all standing in a line, and as I walked by, I saw a giant "MARRY ME" sign with Jagraj standing with a bouquet of flowers for me. Jagraj takes my hand and says some sweet words to me, then gets down on one knee and proposes to me! He later takes me for dinner to a Lebanese restaurant called Ilili.

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.
When it came to planning our wedding, we decided to take a trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico, to check out our potential resorts. We chose the Riviera Maya area to have our wedding, as it holds a special place in my and Jagraj's hearts. That was our first vacation together two years prior, and that is when I knew he was my soulmate.
We worked with Ateet Ahuja from Indian Destination Wedding, Inc. to plan all of this. We had four resorts in mind which would accommodate our number of guests. We selected Generations/El Dorado Royale due to its beautiful tropical scenery and its closeness to the town of Playa del Carmen - mine and Jagraj's favorite town in the Riviera Maya region.
Our overall experience with the venue and vendors was quick, efficient, and flexible; although there were a few hiccups along the way, we had the mindset of "we can't control everything," so it did not stress us out much. We looked at everything from the bigger picture. I found wedding planning to be more fun rather than stressful - as the resort handled everything in-house. I am grateful to the team at Generations/El Dorado Royale for executing our vision well.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
I believe one of the things our guests loved about our wedding was that it felt like a giant rave. There was music, dancing, and entertainment every single day, and we received numerous comments saying our wedding was "the best wedding I have ever been to." The "giant rave" continued as we got party buses for our guests to take them for a night out to Coco Bongo, and they loved it. We were all on the big screen, having dance-offs, and they put our hashtag "#KomalFoundHerRaja" on display, which made the night really special!

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The special moment for us was having our parents and grandparents with us, having a great time. We are blessed to have shared this occasion with them. There are family members who have never been on a vacation together, and this was their first trip. They shared how grateful they were that we decided to have a destination wedding, as it brought everyone together.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Soak it all in! Cherish the little moments with your partner, sing and dance your heart out with your guests and loved ones, and hold your close ones closer.

This wedding was a heartfelt celebration of love, culture, and the beginning of a new life together.

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