Welcome to Maharani Weddings

In the heart of the city, Mounika & Shantan's wedding at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel was a captivating blend of tradition and elegance, flawlessly orchestrated by Posh Creations. Mounika, the bride, radiated grace, her beauty enhanced by Makeup By Anu Sarin and her hands artfully decorated by Art of Henna by Aswini. Knotty Filmer beautifully captured the event with each detail, from the lush floral arrangements by Abhishek Decorators to the exquisite cake from Classic Cake Philly, adding to the day's splendor. The aromas of Southern Spice's cuisine filled the air, promising a future as rich and diverse as the dishes served. As the night unfolded, Mounika and Shantan, surrounded by loved ones, reveled in the most joyous celebration, a perfect fusion of their heritage and the beginning of their new journey together. It was more than just a wedding; it was a carnival of love, a symphony of colors, and a dance of cultures orchestrated to perfection,  a harmonious finale to a day that Mounika and Shantan. The wedding of Mounika & Shantan was not just an event; it was a beautiful beginning penned with love, lit with joy, and lived with grace. We celebrate their love.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met through our parents after they saw we weren't having much luck on our own. My medical school roommate also went to college with Shantan and put in a good word for him. I took the initiative and reached out to Shantan, and he texted me back right away. I found so many similarities between us during our first text conversation that I thought he might be "the one" even before we met in person! It was love at first text!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We got engaged within a year of meeting. I had told him we didn't have many pictures together, so he said we could dress up one day and take photos at sunrise. I was suspicious that it could be a proposal, but the day before it looked like he hadn't put much thought into it because I suggested a park we could go to, and he instantly agreed. The next morning, we went to Herman Park and tried to find someone to take a photo of us, but the joggers weren't particularly happy to stop for us. Just when I said we should leave, I saw the setup for the proposal, and soon after, our families both joined us for a photoshoot! It was just a coincidence that the park I suggested was the one he had planned on.

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.
I reached out to my friends who got married in the New Jersey area for vendor contacts since my wedding was in Philly. Our venue, the Loews Hotel, also gave us some contacts for whom they worked in the past. Abhishek decorators just have so much experience in the field that we gave them some photos of what we wanted, and they helped embellish each event into something more beautiful than we had imagined! Our "day-of" event planner, Posh Kreations, made sure that everything ran smoothly and helped us come up with a timeline two months before the wedding. We had a few events at my house, but the sangeet, baraat, wedding, and reception were all at the Loews Hotel Philadelphia. Our venue was perfect to hold about 400 people for each of the events!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Since I had to plan my wedding during residency training, I didn't have time to go to India, so my mom and mother-in-law just FaceTimed me before they bought my wedding saris in Kanchi. I ordered my reception lehenga from Seema Gujral online, and it fit perfectly!

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
I enjoyed how all my family came together and got really hyped before the wedding! Wedding planning was a long process, but it was all worth it!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The food and DJ were a big hit! We were lucky to have Southern Spice from NJ cater all our events. The baraat outside City Hall in Philly was also quite memorable as it was a gorgeous day outside.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
I remember my dad coming into my hotel room to practice our father-daughter dance right before the reception and how ready he was to dance in front of hundreds of people for the first time in his life!

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 worked with a choreographer from India who held dance practices over Zoom for a few weeks leading up to the wedding.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
It's nice to have a few things that you are particular about, but be as flexible as possible so you don't stress about all the details and enjoy the process more!

This wedding was a mesmerizing fusion of Indian traditions and modern elegance.

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Nisha & Arun's story began with a lucky match on a dating app and is a delightful blend of contemporary romance and age-old customs. On their first date in Orlando, where Nisha resided, they saw Arun making a heartfelt journey from over an hour away. What was planned as a brief evening out became five hours of enchanting conversation, laying the foundation for their future together. This moment marked the beginning of a beautiful journey, where distance and time melted away in the face of budding love.

The proposal, a dream-like experience, unfolded on the distant shores of Hawaii. Arun, embracing the spirit of adventure and romance, whisked Nisha away for a breathtaking proposal by the beach. The meticulously planned moment, complete with a professional photographer and the sweet melodies of a ukulele, encapsulated the essence of their love story – unexpected, thrilling, and profoundly moving.

Nisha's choice of wedding attire reflected a harmonious blend of tradition and personal style. While respecting her Nepali roots with a traditional red lehenga, she also embraced her individuality by choosing a design from her favorite Nepali designer, Manish Rai. The reception outfit was a serendipitous discovery, a stunning blue and gold lehenga from Herpret Couture in Connecticut, symbolizing her unique journey of love and discovery.

Their wedding was a lavish affair spread over several days, including the vibrant mehendi, haldi, and sangeet ceremonies, culminating in a grand wedding and reception. What set their celebration apart was the exhilarating after-party. Held on the evening of their wedding, it was a festivity of joy and relaxation, with an open bar, photo booth, and a DJ who kept the party alive until the early morning hours. This event allowed Nisha, Arun, and their guests to unwind and revel in the joyous occasion.

In a delightful twist to traditional wedding cakes, Nisha incorporated a sari wrap that matched her outfit, adding a cultural touch to the elegant confection. Like many others in their wedding, this detail was a testament to their thoughtful blend of tradition and personal style.

Nisha & Arun's wedding celebrated their union and a vibrant tapestry of love, tradition, and modernity. It was a beautiful affirmation that at the heart of every tradition lies the enduring power of love and the promise of new beginnings.

Congratulations Nisha & Arun!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We matched on the Hinge dating app. A couple of days later, we met in person. I lived in Orlando and Arun was living1.5 hours away from Orlando- north of Tampa. He made the drive down just for our date and drove back the same night! We met on a Thursday evening for drinks and dinner. Typically, I don't like to stay out too late when I have work the next day. I remember driving to the restaurant thinking I dont want to stay out longer than 2 hours. The date went so well that I ended up staying for 5 hours! Neither of us wanted to leave.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
He flew me to Hawaii for a surprise proposal by the beach! We live in the east coast so the flight to hawaii was long- 12 hours one way. We were there for less than 48 hours! He had a beautiful proposal picnic planned on the beach with a professional photographer and a ukulele player! It was a proposal beyond what I could have.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I had known I always wanted the traditional red color for my wedding lehenga. Nepali brides are typically in a sari, but I knew I wanted to do a lehenga instead. I had been following one of my fav nepali designer- Manish Rai on social media. I saw one I liked online and worked with his team to customize it to my liking.

My reception lehenga took some time. I had been searching for a while, but nothing really sparked the 'this is the one' feeling in me until I saw one video that popped up on my feed. I did some digging to find the bride in the video and inquired about where she got it. It was a small boutique store in Connecticut - Herpret Couture. I got in touch with the designer and learned she works very closely with each client and each bride's lehenga design and production process can take up for 6 months. Within a week, we flew to Connecticut to check out the store. While I had my eye on one specific lehenga, when I got there, I saw a new collection that had not been advertised. I fell in love with this one! I really liked the blue and gold color combination and decided to go with that. It turned out really amazing!!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
We did the typical mehendi, haldi, sangeet, wedding, and reception on separate days. Wedding was friday morning and reception was Saturday evening.  One additional event we added was the official after party the evening of our wedding, and it was a hit! We booked a space in the hotel, had an open bar, photo booth and a DJ! Our DJ was amazing! He kept the party going until 6 AM! The best part was that we both got to relax a little once the ceremony was over, and we finally enjoyed spending time with our friends. Definitely a highlight for us and the guests

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Don't be so stressed out during the events that you forget to ENJOY your own event!

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
For the cake, I knew I didn't want to do the typical cake with just the flower arrangements. I liked the touch of adding a sari wrap to give it an element of culture. They were able to match the color to my outfit. It turned out beautiful!

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In a Staten Island hospital cafeteria, Jesse, a medical student, approached Romina's table to introduce himself. She departed with a quick "Hi, I'm Romina," leaving him intrigued. Destiny had a grander plan for Jesse & Romina. Two years later, their paths intertwined once more as they both matched at Eastern Virginia Medical School's residency program. Among just ten interns, their reunion felt less like coincidence and more like fate. As they embarked on the rigorous residency journey together, their bond deepened, turning colleagues into companions and, eventually, life partners.

Jesse's proposal to Romina was a chapter of a romantic novel. Jesse's sudden kneel and heartfelt proposal took Romina by surprise as they strolled amongst the vines. Her joyful "YES" was only the beginning of a day filled with surprises, culminating in a celebration at the Botanical Gardens, surrounded by their nearest and dearest.

Planning their wedding was an adventure in itself. Despite the challenge of organizing a Virginia wedding from Georgia, the couple found solace and support in their family friend, Sumeet and Dream Shaadi. Their vendors, from the decorators to the photo and video team, brought their vision to life, immortalizing their special day with stunning visuals and unforgettable moments. The venue resonated with the joy and energy of the DJ and entertainment team, ensuring a celebration that was nothing short of magical.

Romina's bridal attire was a blend of tradition and personal style. She chose a classic red lengha, ordered from India and inspired by Pernia's popup shop. Her traditional white wedding dress, sourced from an Atlanta boutique, added a Western touch to her multicultural celebration. The joy of selecting vendors was Romina's favorite part of planning. Each choice was a step towards realizing her dream wedding, a day where every detail reflected her and Jesse's personalities and love story.

Their guests loved the wedding's unique fusion of Persian and Indian traditions. The vibrant colors, the rhythmic music, and the spirited dancing were new and exhilarating experiences for many. Their Sangeet and Mehndi night was a lively celebration of tradition and color. These events were not just about the decor or the dances; they were a testament to the love and effort of those who had come together to celebrate Romina & Jesse's union.

Congratulations to Romina & Jesse!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
One afternoon, at a small hospital in Staten Island, Jesse and Romina were amidst the standard hustle and bustle of the hospital, when the holy time approached, lunch! As Jesse approached his usual niche amongst the conglomerate of students and staff, he came across a table of three acquaintances and one person he had never seen before...Romina. Out of politeness, he introduced himself to her nervously but excitedly, tray of hospital food in hand, and standing awkwardly at the side of the table while everyone remained seated. To his surprise, Romina stood up, gave a quick "hi I'm Romina" and before waiting for any response, said bye to our mutual colleagues and zipped away...that was the first time we met.

Fast forward two years.. Jesse and Romina matched at the same residency program, Eastern Virginia Medical School, one of only 10 interns! What are the chances?! They start residency for the next three years and the rest is history!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Jesse planned a beautiful and romantic day at a winery. We had a romantic lunch after which we walked to the beautiful vines for photos. Before I could pull my phone out, he dropped to one knee and asked to spend the rest of our lives together. Of course I said YES!!

But there were more surprises to come. He took me to the Botanical Gardens to celebrate. Little did I know, both of our families and closest friend were waiting to surprise us. It was such a beautiful moment to celebrate our love, surrounded by our families.

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 worked with a close family friend Sumeet and Dream Shaadi to plan our wedding and had a wonderful, low stress experience planning our wedding. The only difficult part was that we lived in Georgia but were planning our wedding in Virginia. Sumeet ensured that the process went as seamless as possible. We LOVED all of our vendors. Decor was a bit difficult as we could not have in person meetings but every vendor did a wonderful job particularly our photo and video team! They captured our day so beautifully and we will cherish those memories forever! The venue was outstanding and DJ and entertainment team truly gave us an unforgettable weekend.

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

I ordered my bridal lengha from India and got inspiration through Pernia's popup shop (where I ordered my Sangeet outfit from). I stuck with the traditional color, red. For my traditional white wedding dress, I ordered it from a boutique here in Atlanta.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
My favorite part of the planning process was picking all of our vendors! I had a vision of how I wanted my wedding day to play out and of course, the vendors were a huge part of ensuring that vision came to life.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
They loved everything about our wedding. We had a mix of Persian and Indian traditions, which mad our wedding unique. A lot of our guests had never been to an Indian wedding so they really enjoyed all the colors, music, and dancing traditions that comes along with that. I think the mixture of the two cultures is a unique experience that our guests got to witness.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Our reception night was truly unforgettable. Everyone was dancing to the various music we had: Persian, Indian, and Western. It was so awesome seeing everyone on the dance floor until well past midnight!

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.
Our Sangeet and Mehndi night was so special and fun to plan as this was all new to me. I researched the typical colors, and decor and did a traditional yellow theme for the Mehndi. Our Sangeet was more colorful and my favorite part was the dance floor wrap which where we got to see all the surprises performances our family and friends had been planning and practicing for months!

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Enjoy the process. Half of the fun in the planning process. The weekend goes by so fast so try and enjoy every moment. No wedding is perfect and there will be things that go wrong but in the end, you will remember it as the best day of your lives.

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

Picking out the Indian Jewelry and my mehndi design was so much fun. I got inspiration from Pernia's pop-up shop, Etsy, and Pinterest and I absolutely loved how everything turned out.

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In the radiant setting of Hacienda Siesta Alegre, Mahrukh & Chris's wedding unfolded like a page from a fairy tale, meticulously orchestrated by KAZ Events by Ariadne Comulada. The venue blossomed under the artistry of Lorraine's Flowers, setting a scene of ethereal beauty, while Juan Carlos Mont Beauty accentuated Mahrukh's elegance with exquisite hair and makeup. The culinary delights from Food Design Rebecca tantalized the senses, complementing the melodies spun by DJ Eric, Puerto Rico Wedding DJ. Amidst this, the prowess of Alex Dali Weddings in photography stood out, capturing moments with a depth that spoke volumes of Mahrukh & Chris's bond. Each snapshot was a testament to the day's joy, framing Mahrukh's radiant smiles and the couple's tender exchanges with a clarity that promised to keep their memories alive for decades. The additional vendors, from Zura Film's cinematography to the playful Flipéate Group photo booth, Invitaciones Paper Crafts' elegant invitations, Plenativa Pleneros' vibrant music, and El Churro Bar's delectable desserts, each contributed to the day's enchantment. Dive into this feature and experience love's magic.

Welcome, sweeties, to the enchanting story of Ria & Sarthak's fairytale wedding at the Indian Cultural Center of South Jersey. Every detail, from the opulent floral arrangements by Thambula Decor to the pulsating beats by DJ Soni Seehra, encapsulated the essence of their union. The Sangeet saw Ria dazzling in a look crafted by Urban Vanity, her beauty reflecting the night's joy. During the ceremony, Ria truly shone, thanks to Looks by Jassi. Her expertise in hair and makeup artistry transformed Ria into a vision of elegance, her beauty amplified yet not overshadowed, capturing the very soul of the bride on her most special day. The moments, each more precious than the last, were immortalized by the talented Iryna Shostak Photography. Her lens didn't just capture images; it narrated a love story. Each frame is a window into their soul, the joy, the laughter, and the tears of happiness, all captured with an artist's touch. Complementing this visual feast was Broshchak Production, whose cinematography added depth to the wedding. The wedding feast, catered by the Palace of Asia and with sweet treats from Sweet T's Bakery, offered a kaleidoscope of flavors. Enjoy!

How did you meet your Groom, and when did you know he was "the one"?
A year ago, if you had asked either of us whether we believe in online dating, we would have immediately said 'NO'! But destiny just had to prove us wrong. It still surprises us till date that one 'swipe right' just changed our life in the most beautiful way possible! When we matched on DilMil in April 2022, our conversations started with discussing our favorite episodes of F.R.I.E.N.D.S, which transitioned to sharing our childhood memories from central India (the part of India where we both belong to) and of course continued on to sharing our love for Harry Potter (especially the books). Who knew two strangers would end up having so many common interests including hiking, travelling and MARVEL movies...which eventually made the long distance relationship work! With so much common between us, I knew he was the one the day I met him in person!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Sarthak had just got back from his India trip in April 2023 with a minor cold and body ache, while I was dying to see the Cherry Blossoms during the Washington Spring. We cancelled going to see the beautiful trees two days in a row as Sarthak was not feeling well. And then suddenly he suggested we go to see the blossoms very early in the morning, before 7am. I was so excited to see the beautiful cherry blossoms that I dressed really well, made both of us twin as well. Little did I know that unknowingly I was the master-mind behind my whole proposal. We took the tripod with us to the University of Washington Quad, and had almost the whole place to ourselves. I made him take loads of photos of me, when he suggested we take a video for our pre-wedding shoot. I didn't find anything fishy in that. As soon as we made sure we were in frame and he started the video on the tripod, he went down on one knee and PROPOSED! It was totally out of the blue, but the best unplanned surprise ever!

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.
None of us live in the Philadelphia or NJ Area. We had our wedding in South Jersey because, my husband has a lot of family there. So planning a wedding remotely was a very scary task. But all the vendors that we reached out to and confirmed were so amazing and helpful. After finalizing Jassi Aunty for hair and make (whom I found through Maharani Weddings website), she helped me find the DJ and also suggested catering places. I found our amazing decorator through Google search as well Thambula Decor. My photographer, Iryna Shostak was super-amazing too. I still find it surprising how we finalized everyone even without meeting anyone! Everyone was super amazing.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I selected my Lehenga from India. My mom showed me designs on video calls, I gave my measurements and somehow found my dream lehenga!

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
At that time it was more scary than enjoyable. We had the fear that things won't go right. But the fact that we were doing this to celebrate us and our love definitely made it fun!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
They loved the food, the decor and the punctuality of all of our vendors.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The first look that we had was truly special and we got to share that moment with everyone in our families.

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.
The DJ Soni Sehra was definitely the star of all of our events! The hype that he maintained throughout the 2 day program was great! The decor by Lakshmi and her team was on point and ready on time before each event. The caterers were Palace of Asia, who provided great food all days. Our families keep reminding us how good the food was.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Just trust the process. Wedding planning involves a lot of heated discussions, but on the wedding day, everything will feel worth it! Just make sure to enjoy to the fullest rather than wondering whether everything is going right or not!

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
The cake was from Sweet T's in South Jersey, and we went for the classic red velvet, which was really tasty. Most of my jewelry was from India.

Step into this world of love and celebration, and may today's story inspire your tales of romance.

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