Welcome to Maharani Weddings

Darlings, get ready to enjoy Thanmayi & Depak's wedding in the Platinum Guide Blog. You'll love it!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!

Picture this: The glimmering NYC skyline, a mesmerizing sunset, and a rooftop filled with my best friends. Absolute perfection! And oh, those butterflies? 100% real! Even though I had a hunch it was coming, the effort Depak put in was heart-melting. He didn't just book any spot; he got an NYC rooftop, ensuring every detail was on point. And can we talk about the ring? The dreamy sapphire and diamond combo I'd always wished for!

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

Shoutout to my mother-in-law - Mala Kumar for being the ultimate wedding fashion guru! My vision was a beige-pink South Indian Kanjivaram saree, which we magically found in Chennai. And for the lehenga, I wanted to go all in - a royal blue stunner with silver work. I wanted a bolder color for the reception vs. the ceremony. It was the perfect contrast to the morning hues. The quest was for countless months, endless facetime sessions with different clothing store owners, and many late-night chats because of the time zones.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Our mission was to find THAT ONE venue where our loved ones would be spellbound! Everyone helped to find the perfect venue including both our families and friends. From chic wedding halls and plush hotels to enchanting vineyards and rustic barns, our weekends were packed with back-to-back venue tours. The moment I stepped into our chosen venue - The View at Bluemont, it was Love at first sight, thanks to the breathtaking view! We immediately stopped searching after that tour.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Our guests were head over heels for our mountain-top venue in the picturesque valleys of Bluemont, Virginia. All the guests appreciated the finer details of all our customizations, such as handheld fans with our names on them, a table seating arrangement chart with our picture hidden under all the names, an audio guestbook, and a wedding newspaper (this was the biggest hit!)

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
With Depak hailing from Sri Lanka and me, from South India, our wedding was a vibrant cultural fiesta! Despite our cultural differences, all the family members embraced each other's customs and beliefs, which made it more memorable. From the NYC skyline making a cameo in my bridal mehendi to the hilarious moment when Depak’s friends tore his kurta post-haldi (his shocked face: priceless!), it was a rollercoaster of emotions. The playful garland duel, the electrifying baraat with dhol and ghana – every moment was cinematic. And Depak's dance? Who knew he had those moves hidden up his sleeve? But one thing remained consistent - my ear-to-ear grin, which was pretty much permanent!

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

Just have lots of fun.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Mehendi included – the NYC skyline, our first date spot – Dominic Ansel bakery, Pikachu, Elephants – depaks favorites, and our favorite show – Ted lasso.

We opted for traditional temple jewelry for the ceremony and a beautiful diamond set for the reception.

The venue was first founded by my father-in-law from Sri Lanka. He found it online and after looking at the venue it was so difficult to say no. It was majestic.

All the pre-wedding events were done by my aunt - Neelima Gogineni at her home. She put in tremendous effort in getting the backdrops and doing a trial run with all of them before the actual event.

Witness the love, laughter, and breathtaking moments of South Asian weddings. Come back for more!

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Sit tight and enjoy because Khusbu & Michael's celebration epitomizes nuptial perfection. Nestled at the Orlando World Center Marriott, the couple's big day was an awe-inspiring kaleidoscope of colors and emotions masterfully orchestrated by Eventrics Weddings. From coordinating the logistical symphony of vendors to ensuring the seamless flow of events, their expertise was evident in every aspect of the occasion. Guiding the couple through the whirlwind of choices, they handpicked elements that resonated with this unique love story. Khusbu wore an exquisite creation by Tejal Henna, with her visage artfully enhanced by Beauty Marked. Her delicate henna designs by Henna by Priya were nothing short of a masterpiece. Adding to the magic was the ambiance, a visual feast conceived and executed by Occasions by Shangri-La, who turned the venue into a surreal world. Let's not forget the sumptuous dinner catered by Saffron Indian Cuisine Orlando, offering an array of mouth-watering delicacies. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Awaaz Entertainment took over the reins, filling the night air with melodies that compelled everyone to the dance floor. Nicole Piper Photography captured the emotions, freezing these magical moments into everlasting mementos.

How did you meet your Groom, and when did you know he was "the one"?
Michael and I met at work, and it wasn't exactly love at first site. At the time, I was a remote worker but was visiting the office for a team meeting. Michael joined us for one of our team dinners, where we ended up sitting next to each other. He claims he kept trying to talk to me, but I was consumed by my phone in between group conversations due to a Cubs baseball game. We met again during another team meeting, and this time, there was no baseball game, so he got my full undivided attention. It was during this time that I quickly realized he was a special one. We haven't stopped talking since :).

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Early on in our relationship, Michael mentioned he loved writing and creating stories. He was actually in the process of writing a novel, which I found super interesting. Ever since he told me this fun fact about himself, I would make him tell me stories. I would just randomly say, "Tell me a story," and he would always create one on the spot. The main character always ended up having some sort of resemblance to me or what was going on with us during that time. He stopped writing his novel at one point, and I kept encouraging him to continue, so I was elated when one morning he told me that he started writing again and he wanted to read what he had so far. To my surprise, he wrote a fairytale about our love story. He read it out loud in our living room, and ended with him getting down on one knee and both of us crying. After he took me to the guest bedroom, where he laid out 5 boxes and handed me an itinerary for the weekend, he planned a whole weekend in St. Augustine for us and got me all new outfits with shoes for the getaway! It was intimate and perfect. That is exactly what I would have wanted.

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 were hesitant about getting wedding planners in the beginning because we both really enjoy planning/organizing BUT we are so glad we went with the full package wedding planners Eventrics offered. They were crucial in making our wedding dreams come true. You do not realize how many details there actually are until the planning starts! They were the ones that pointed us to all of our amazing vendors.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Michael and I love themes, so we decided to pick a theme for each of our events. The theme for our wedding ceremony was Asian gardens because our first international trip together was to Singapore and Japan, and we saw the most amazing gardens there.  That trip was also very special to us both because that was when we both knew that we would be spending the rest of our lives together.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Planning all the personal touches for each event was really fun for us.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Our guests kept raving about how organized everything was, so that is another reason we are so grateful for our wedding planning team. They always knew where to go, and events always ran smoothly.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
I know everyone says it, but enjoy every second of it because it goes by way too fast.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
We really wanted to make sure we honored both the Indian and Italian cultures but also make sure it felt like us. Some unique things that we did for our events:
We LOVE coffee, so we had a Piccolo coffee cart at the GrahShanti, and we also handed out Biscotti from the bakery Michael's grandma worked at for over 20 years.
We had a walking magician at the welcome party, which guests loved! Michael has always been a huge fan of magic, so he thought this would be fun entertainment for guests.
Our Sangeet theme was Cirque du Soleil. We thought this would be the perfect theme for the first official wedding event since we are in Orlando, and it is big here! Many guests were from out of town.
The reception theme was Italy, and we hired a crooner to play during cocktail hour, which really made you feel like you were on the streets of Italy.
We used signage to add a lot of personal touches to all events.

With alluring memories and love, dive deep into what makes a wedding magical until the next time! 

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Darlings! Embark on a journey where two souls came together to create an abundant tapestry of wedding festivities. Swetha & Melchisedek's celebration, with Big Guava Event as the guiding force behind this fusion of Sri Lankan-Tamil and Haitian cultures, demonstrated finesse in blending time-honored traditions with contemporary designs, ensuring that each ceremony radiated both personal significance and universal charm. Under the ornate arches of the First United Methodist Church, with the groom's sister, Donaise, serenading "Draw Me Close To You" and Melchisedek's father sharing a heartfelt reading, emotions danced like dainty flames, making the ceremony unforgettable. Every corner of the venue was kissed by the magic of NJP Events & Design, while Photos by Rob Futrell captured moments that will remain etched in memories forever. Whether it was the floral arrangements or the grandeur of Debra's Bridal and Nazranaa ensembles, the day was a canvas painted in shades of love. The brilliant pieces from Givenchy and Nazranaa Jewels accentuated Swetha's move. The intricate designs by Manu's Beauty Care and the pristine touch from Beauty Marked elevated her elegance. As nightfall draped the city, the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront came alive with music and laughter. With DJ XFactor at the helm, the reception became a whirlwind of ecstatic dances and uncontainable happiness. Lose yourself in the captivating gallery. 

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Melchisedek (or Jean, as most people & I call him for short) met in 2010 at the ages of 19 & 20 at the University of South Florida. Our first few encounters were in passing at the student center, thanks to our mutual friend (& later bridesmaid) Anita. Our real story begins, however, at a student event where Jean spotted me across the USF Amphitheater & asked me to dance bachata with him. I was hesitant at first, knowing that this Sri Lankan girl had no idea how to bachata, but I decided to take a chance & learn with this tall, dark, & handsome Haitian man. By the end of the night, we'd had such a great time that we exchanged numbers & continued to text through the rest of the night. Coincidentally enough, over the next few days, we realized that we were in two of the same classes. We became study partners, passing notes in class and studying together on campus. It wasn't long before our friendship grew into something bigger. Our relationship definitely stirred things up a bit; after all, an interracial couple (specifically a South Asian woman & a black man) was not the norm back then and was often considered “taboo” in both cultures. We took the negativity in stride, & it only helped us grow closer. One of the things that attracted me most to Jean was how important culture & family are to him, as both are so important to me as well. About 2 months into dating, he met my family in order to take us to the airport as we were traveling to Sri Lanka. At the time, because our relationship was so new, I introduced him as just a "friend." Regardless, he made such an effort to get to know my parents & ask about our culture. When we returned home, I felt this newfound connection to my roots, & Jean was so eager to hear all about my first time there. That's when I knew he was the one. Over the past 13 years of being together, that hasn't changed one bit & it's one of the things I love most about him. We make an active effort to learn about each other's cultures every day, never losing touch with our own roots but always eager to incorporate other cultures into our daily lives. Not to mention, he has been my biggest motivator & supporter since day one, always pushing me to be the best version of myself & cheering me on even when he can't physically be there.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
It was nothing short of a dream come true, to say the least. On the eve of our 10-year anniversary, in the midst of the pandemic, & with the help of my family & friends, Jean pulled off a fairytale proposal - complete with twinkling lights, white clouds, balloons, & the song we first danced bachata to that fateful day playing in the background. At my childhood home, I walked in thinking I was going to a surprise party for my parents, & instead found a room filled entirely with balloons, twinkling lights, & fog. There, at the end of a pathway lined with flower petals & lanterns, stood my Prince Charming & our dog Aladdin, my Prince Ali, waiting with my dream ring. It was absolutely magical!

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 always knew we wanted to have two ceremonies, a Christian ceremony & a Hindu ceremony & make every effort to incorporate both of our cultures into our wedding. It was no easy feat, planning two ceremonies & two receptions over two days. Thankfully, my sister Shankeer had gotten married the year before in a similar fashion & was such a huge help. Having planned two ceremonies + two receptions the year prior, she had done a lot of the research on vendors, venues, outfits, etc., for me. I honestly don't know how I could have planned everything without her! With her help, I was able to book most of my vendors early on, which saved us a lot of stress later in the planning process. For example, we knew we wanted to book Photos by Rob Futrell, our amazing photographer, as I fell in love with his work during her wedding. We also booked Beauty Marked FL again, as they did such an incredible job with my sister's bridal hair & makeup. For our Hindu Ceremony and reception bridal & wedding party outfits, I just knew we had to go through Nazranaa again, as we loved how everything turned out with our custom outfits & jewelry in my sister's wedding; & our wedding looks turned out even more beautiful than I could have ever dreamed of!

About halfway through the planning process, I realized that there were still several moving parts I needed help with. I decided to hire a wedding planner, & it was the best decision I could have made! Big Guava Events made the planning process much less daunting - helping me book the rest of my vendors, organize my ideas, create timelines & keep everyone on track & events moving on time during the wedding weekend. I definitely would have been lost without them!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Going through Shia with Nazranaa again was such a seamless process. We flew up to NJ & chose all of our outfits (bridal lengha, groom's sherwani, bridesmaids' lenghas, groomsens' sherwanis, bride & groom's reception outfits, & all jewelry) in just one day! I had a few colors & designs in mind, & Nazranaa helped bring my ideas to life. Our theme centered around royalty & peacocks for the Hindu ceremony and reception, so Nazranaa made sure to incorporate them into our outfits.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The decor! NJP Events & Design did such an amazing job taking all of my ideas & bringing them to fruition. When I walked into our reception ballroom, I actually started crying. I was so happy that everything turned out exactly how I imagined it. Our royal & peacock theme was a big hit amongst my guests, as there were so many little details incorporated into the weekend - small gold elephants adorned the head table, peacocks sitting on swings hanging from trees with crystals & lights as centerpieces, bronze peacock statues perfect for photo ops, a large peacock fixture on the arch of the entryway to the mandap, multicolored peacock light up rings & customized glow sticks handed out to guests on the dance floor, & gold, silver & rose gold trinket boxes as favors.

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

Expect the unexpected & have multiple backup plans! Our Hindu ceremony was to be held at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront on their River Deck, with a beautiful view of the St. John's River & the Main Street Bridge. There was a large Navy ship that docked right outside of our venue, completely blocking our riverfront view. This ship was supposed to be moved several months prior, but the move kept getting postponed. We had finally come to terms with this giant ship being the backdrop of our ceremony & had even changed our ceremony setup to have it only obstruct a part of the riverfront view, only to find out two days prior to the wedding that they were a hosting an outdoor Christmas party, complete with a dressed up Santa, drinks, & loud music at the same time & day of our ceremony! I was panicking - how could we hold a religious ceremony with a loud party right next to us?! We ended up having to move everything to an indoor ballroom. Thankfully, our wedding planner, Big Guava Events & decor vendor, NJP Events & Design, were able to work with the Hyatt & create a magical scene for our ceremony; & although it wasn't exactly what I had imagined, it was still beautiful in its own way.

Stay tuned for more unforgettable tales; until then, may your hearts be filled with everlasting joy.

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Hello, darlings! In the heart of the exquisite Canyonwood Ridge, Niyanthi & Tini's wedding unfurled like a dream painted with love hues. Every moment was meticulously planned by the Nirali Shah Events, ensuring the day progressed as smoothly as a silken tapestry. Every corner shimmered with the artistry of Flora Fetish, their floral and decor reflecting the essence of their love story. Niyanthi, draped in a meticulously crafted wedding sari from Kanchipuram Narayani Silks in Jubilee Hills, every fold and pleat seemed to tell tales of ancient traditions and timeless beauty. Tini looked dapper in a ceremonious sherwani from Jade Blue. Niyanthi's face glowed, thanks to the magical touch of Blush and Glow's hair and makeup artistry. Later in the evening, Niyanthi graced the dance floor, swirling in her opulent lehenga by Panache by Sharmeen x Seema Gujural. The tantalizing aroma of delectable dishes from The Peached Tortilla wafted through the air, teasing the senses of every guest. Desi Junction DJ's beats reverberated, echoing the heartbeats of every guest, drawing them to the dance floor. Capturing these precious moments into cinematic masterpieces, freezing them for eternity, was the exceptionally talented team of The Bird and The Bear Photography and Films. Enjoy the film!

How did you meet your Groom, and when did you know he was "the one"?
Tini and I met in San Francisco in January 2020 with one swipe to the right on Hinge. The next thing I knew, I was on a first date with a boy who had a more complicated name than me. His real name is Dipankar, but all his close loved ones call him Tini. We had our first date at Jamber, a wine bar, where we instantly had a connection and great conversation. We went out on a few more dates around the bay, but when March rolled around and the pandemic ensued, we parted ways temporarily.

I moved back to Texas for my family, and Tini moved back to Montreal for his family. Bouncing around from cities and countries, we managed to find our way back to each other in good ol’ Houston, Texas, in January 2021. At that point, I immersed Tini into my life, introducing him to all my friends and family. His opening line when meeting anyone is “Do you want a tequila shot?” so he got along with all my friends and family instantly.

Tini is one of the most charismatic, honest, and happiest humans I’ve ever met. He has been my biggest cheerleader since our very first date in Jan 2020. He empowers me to be my full, authentic self, use my voice, and live in the moment. I also knew that whoever made me laugh to the point of my cheeks hurting was the person meant for me. I’m so lucky to have my best friend as my life partner and thankful that one swipe made my life.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Tini and I got engaged on March 19th, 2022! Tini told me he had made plans with Nikhil and Sowmya, my brother and sister-in-law, for brunch that Saturday morning. I worked out that morning and began getting ready for brunch. That same morning, I decided to test out some new foundations, which was putting us behind Tini’s specially crafted schedule. Unaware of the urgency or importance of the day, I took my time to get dressed. Finally making it out the door, Tini wanted to swing by Herman Park to walk around a bit before brunch and enjoy the gorgeous weather.

While we were walking around the park, Tini started reminiscing on our life journey together. Suddenly, he gets down on one knee and asks me to marry him. Overcome with happiness, I screamed YES, and the photographer popped out, taking our in-the-moment excitement. However, right before Tini could put the engagement ring on my finger, a park ranger pops out of nowhere and tells us Centennial Gardens has strict picture-taking rules. We needed to leave this part of the park immediately.

In typical Tini fashion, he told me not to let the park ranger ruin this once-in-a-lifetime moment, run with the punches, and enjoy this time together. We found a different part of the park where Tini was able to finally put the engagement ring on my finger, and we shared those first precious moments of being engaged with each other (and our photographer). After our mini photoshoot, Tini scoops me away, and we head to my parent's house for a surprise engagement bash. Tini has hired a professional chef to make my whole family a special meal with all of my favorite treats (Tex-Mex food, tres leches, donuts, Cinnabon rolls, Reese's chocolate). We spend the rest of the day celebrating together with tequila shots, great food, and amazing company. Truly a memorable day.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Do you have a favorite color in mind?
Shopping for my wedding outfits was a little stressful in the beginning. I’m not the most well-versed with all the Indian designers and the latest styles. My sister-in-law, Sowmya, really introduced me to Indian designers, style ranges, and all the key sites to get ideas. I am, at the core, someone who is always drawn to bold, colorful, and timeless/chic styles, so I knew my outfits should represent those styles.

Sangeet was the perfect event for me to go bold, colorful, and playful - and I found the perfect outfit for just that! Tini’s cousin, Natasha Walia, co-owns LiveTheCollective, which is a Toronto-based boutique that sells Indian designer wear all over North America. Natasha and I chatted at length about the most ideal sangeet outfit. When I was scanning her site, I found the most gorgeous Vvani by Vani Vats's purple lehenga. I didn't typically see brides wearing such a vibrant purple for Sangeets and knew it was the lehenga for me. Wearing the Vvani lehenga for my Sangeet was everything I imagined and more - it truly embodied the whole vibe I was aiming for the Sangeet.

For the ceremony, I've always envisioned the traditional South Indian look. A beautiful Kanchipuram silk sari with a cream base, bold red border, and beautiful light gold embroidery throughout. I knew Hyderabad was the only place to find the perfect sari. After visiting so many stores, I found the perfect one at Kanchipuram Narayani Silks in Jubilee Hills. It was love at first Sari sight, and every time I look back at my wedding pictures, it brings the biggest smile to my face.   

The reception lehenga was more challenging for me. I knew I wanted a timeless and chic reception look, but I wasn’t sure about the color or the style. That’s when I discovered Panache by Sharmeen in Houston, Texas. Sharmeen has a multi-Indian designer boutique with the most collaborative and seamless bridal process for wedding outfits. In fact, I ended up using Sharmeen for my outfits for my brother’s wedding as well! Sharmeen truly has exquisite customer service and attention to detail. I’ve never seen anyone care more about her bride’s outfit details than her. I started the process with Sharmeen 1 year out from our wedding date, and that gave us time to experiment with different designers, styles, and colors. With the help of Pinterest, Instagram, and Sharmeen, I finally landed on a designer - Seema Gujural. She had a line of so many timeless and chic looks I knew that was the direction for me. Then I saw this gorgeous blue color on someone else's Instagram and knew blue was the reception vibe. Sharmeen helped me find the perfect shade of blue, identify the lehenga patterns, and design the style of the blouse. I’m still in love with my reception outfit and honestly looking for the next opportunity to wear it - I never wanted to take it off.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
When it finally came time to design and visualize each event's look and vibe - that was the most fun! Tini and I got to tap into our creative side and partner with Nirali in brainstorming all the fun quirks we wanted to have that represented our relationship. We got to work with such a wide array of vendors, and they were so great in helping us pull and swap elements from their warehouse to curate the perfect look.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Tini and I are notorious for rallying our friends and family to play drinking games, and we knew we wanted to incorporate drinking games into our sangeet experience. Our venue, Pecan Spring Ranch, had the perfect outdoor space where we were able to create a wonderful outdoor experience with food stations, lawn games, and a dedicated section under the pergola for drinking games. Our drinking game stations were beer pong, slap cup, and flip cup. Everyone got to relive their undergrad glory days when we had pristine livers and no sense of where the night would take us. What was most special about this moment was looking around to find loved ones from all phases of our lives hanging out together. People we never thought we would meet were suddenly teaming up and sharing laughs together around the drinking game tables. That was a beautifully rare moment for the guests and for Tini and me.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
There are two particular moments that stick out to me. 

First, when Tini and I were doing the Talambralu ceremony step, Tini somehow missed the memo that you’re supposed to lightly pour the yellow rice on top of my head and instead thought he could throw the rice directly in my face. This triggered an instant rice-throwing playful fight between Tini and me. Unfortunately, our parents came into the crossfire, but it was such an unexpected, fun, joyous moment between Tini and me. There are some really solid photos that capture this exact moment.

Second, Tequila has been a fun bonding element between Tini, me, and our loved ones. Thus, right after the ceremony, after we stepped off the mandap, Tini and I shared a surprise tequila shot with all of our guests. We wanted a unique way to commemorate Tini and me getting married and involve all of our guests in that special moment. The guests loved the unique experience!

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.
There’s one special shout-out I need to make, and that’s for our photographer and videographer. Our photographer, Jamie Kovach from TwoFish, exceeded our expectations. She and the team were so incredibly thoughtful about capturing those special moments that happen between shots. She brought to life the magic between Tini and me. We loved her photography style, and she was so fun to be around. She’s an expert at effortlessly corralling a huge Indian crowd and getting the job done. Bonus points are her turnaround time for wedding pics is super quick. I can’t rave enough about Jamie and her team.

Nick and Bryan from Bird and the Bear were our videographers and pulled together some epic moments we never even knew happened at the wedding! Their videographer brilliance gave Tini and me the chance to relive the whole wedding weekend moment by moment.

Another memorable moment was the Sangeet dance program. My brother, Nikhil, and Tini’s brother, Manu, were the designated MCs for the evening and crushed it. Because of our love for drinking games, they came up with the most clever theme for the Sangeet program - Kings Cup - Niyanthi and Tini Edition. Each card represented a fun activity or challenge for us and the guests. It was a great way to engage the audience and keep things fresh. In between their bits, we had loved ones give speeches and dances. I couldn't help but dance along to all the amazing dances from our friends and family.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
My number one advice - when your wedding week rolls around, forget about all the logistics and the details. Live in the moment, and spend every second with all of your loved ones, laughing and sharing memories. That week is the first and last time you and your partner will have ALL of your loved ones under one roof, celebrating y’all’s love. Embrace the weekend and have a shit ton of fun.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Another special moment for Tini and me was having one of our best friends make most of our custom desserts for the Sangeet and Reception. Ishita Chakravarty, from DeelishCupcakes, has the most incredible assortment of custom and fusion desserts. Her talent and creative genius have no boundaries. The flavors we got were Laddoo, lemon blueberry, falooda injectable, brownie batter cookie dough, and paan petit four. The desserts were always the first things to finish at every single event, and all of our guests were raving about the flavors.

For the reception, we used Pixter Photo Booth as a fun way to keep the memories alive. Lots of our family and friends were bouncing back and forth between the dance floor and the photo booth. There’s a lot of goofy pictures we captured!

We also used Nisha Henna Arts for our Sari and lehenga draping. I actually met Nisha back at my brother’s wedding, and she’s such a sweetheart. She knows how to roll with the chaos of getting ready for events and did a great job with draping me and my family.

Sending you all love and romantic wishes until our next alluring tale. We have more stories for you! 

There was an unmistakable magic in the air, a sign that love stories like Shraddha & Ritesh's aren't just the tales of old but are vibrantly alive. Chase Center on the Riverfront, with its majestic architecture and stunning river views, was a symphony of romance and sophistication, a canvas upon which their love story would be painted. The exquisite bridal attire and jewelry from Nazranaa, NJ, amplified Shraddha's beauty. The intricate handwork of Rupali Langote's hair and makeup craftsmanship showcased a beautiful bride as she glided through the venue. With their floral and decor prowess, RJ Best Events had turned the venue into a veritable wonderland. As the evening became a vibrant celebration, M4U Events set the tone, ensuring the dance floor echoed joy, laughter, and the rhythm of two hearts in love. The heavenly aromas from Chand Palace's catering at the reception led guests into a world of flavors, every dish telling a story, every bite a journey of tastes that symbolized the blend of two families. Who better than Studio Nine Photography to capture these memories? Much like this love, the photos are timeless and forever cherished. You'll love it!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met Ritesh in my freshman year of college when he unexpectedly joined me and my friend on our way to biology class. He was so friendly and sweet and open, and I instantly wanted to get to know him more. That chance came in our spring semester of freshman year, when he messaged me to get a group volleyball tournament together for our friends. That one message turned into a full weekend's worth of nonstop joking around and easy, flowing conversation that made me realize he was someone really special. He didn't know it yet, but I knew just even after our first weekend-long conversation that it would turn into something incredible -- and I can't believe I'm writing this a few years later after our fairytale wedding!
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Ritesh proposed to me in the most beautiful and creative way, at the place that was super special to us both. I grew up going to the Wilmington River Front since I was a kid, and used to spend a lot of time at the very edge of the RiverWalk at this nature conservatory that has beautiful views of the river and the pond below. Over the years, it developed into a beautiful little park, and I told him once that I used to wish as a kid that I'd get engaged there. He remembered this and surprised me right after our 6th anniversary, with a "walk down memory lane" along the circular boardwalk surrounding the pond. He had the whole area decorated with petals, and he walked with me along different stops that he'd created on that memory lane with so many beautiful pictures and collages of our memories over the past 6 years. The walk culminated in a little pathway to the center of the pond, lined with flowers and candles, where he proposed to me. It was magical, romantic and heartfelt, everything that makes Ritesh who he is.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I wanted my wedding to be super bright-colored, South Indian and traditional. My family and I went to Pothys in Trivandrum, Kerala, where we have been going for years for saris. They had a beautiful selection of wedding saris, and I knew I wanted one that had two bright, contrasting colors. I fell in love with a purple-green one, and chose that for my wedding sari.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Trust your instincts! There are so many beautiful possibilities for how your wedding can look, but the best outcome of them all is to look around and see all the little choices you made come together into one amazing wedding. And always rely on your loved ones who are willing to help you with everything from the day-to-day to the big decisions, they will literally keep you sane as so many moving pieces come together. It's not possible to know every piece of the multi-event wedding that's happening in front of you, but trust in your vendors and loved ones who each have mastered a little piece of it.

Stay tuned for more unforgettable tales; until then, may your hearts be filled with everlasting joy.

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