Welcome to Maharani Weddings

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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Welcome to our cherished Maharanis! Today, we're thrilled to take you through the enchanting wedding journey of Alishah & Imran. This love story found its first chapter amidst the architectural grandeur of The Ismaili Centre Toronto. Worth Decor's floral mastery created a magical ambiance, with blooms dancing harmoniously with Alishah's joy. As the evening transitioned, the celebration found its way to the elegant halls of Parkview Manor. The beats from Destination Of Dreams' DJ set the rhythm of the night, creating an unforgettable soundtrack to their love story. Here, amidst the laughter and dance, Samantha Ong Photography + Cinema captured every moment in timeless frames, encapsulating the essence of their journey in every shot. You'll love the incredible gallery!

Thanks for being with us today, and don't forget to be back for our daily and lovely updates here! 

Greetings to all our enchanting readers of the wedding world! We're diving into the beautifully intimate engagement of Preeti & Pinder. Preeti was adorned in a stunning ensemble designed by Shyamal and Bhumika, her beauty further accentuated by the masterful touch of Pretty Neat Beauty. Her glow was complemented by the exquisite floral arrangements and decor by Salma Events, adding enchantment to the already magical setting. The air was filled with the melodic beats of DJ Bhupi, creating an electrifying and intimate ambiance. As the evening progressed, guests were treated to a delectable array of cakes and desserts by Cakes as Canvas. K&J Party Rentals ensured every detail, from the lighting to the tent, was flawlessly executed. The laid-back vibe of the ceremony was perfectly captured by Maria A. Garth Photography, whose lens tells a tale of love, laughter, and heartfelt moments. Each image is a testament to her dedication and artistic vision, turning fleeting moments into timeless memories. Check out the incredible gallery we prepared!

Immerse yourselves in their story, and let it inspire your tales of romance and togetherness.

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Hello, Maharanis! Nestled amidst the sacred ambiance of the First United Methodist Church, Swetha & Melchisedek's journey began, resonating with promises of a lifetime. With each vow, the air became thicker with emotion, a testimony to the power of their love. Swetha's ethereal beauty, accentuated by the deft touches of Beauty Marked and adorned in the finest ensemble from Debra's Bridal, left everyone in awe. But, what truly dazzled were the radiant pieces from Givenchy and Nazranaa Jewels that complemented her glowing aura. The intricate Mehndi designs by Manu's Beauty Care whispered tales of ancient traditions and the bride's journey into marital bliss. The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront transformed into splendor and romance as Swetha wore attire from Nazranaa. The magnificent decor by NJP Events & Design echoed their dreams, and the lighting set by DJ XFactor illuminated the couple's happiness, creating a celestial atmosphere. Their beats and melodies resonated joyfully, setting the stage for a night of laughter and dance. Each slice of the exquisite cake from Sweet and Chic Events tasted like heaven, while Riant Films impeccably captured the enchanting moments, immortalizing them in this beautiful film. 

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.

I hope you enjoy this feature. Until next time, stay in love and keep celebrating every heartbeat.

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Sweethearts, get ready to enjoy Reena & Nachiket's lovely wedding in today's Platinum Guide Blog.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
The stars were aligned, and who knew what fate had in store for these two hopeful romantics?! It was early September 2018, and Reena and Nachiket happily swiped right on each other's pictures, and the conservation began. Reena’s opening message was an amazing one-liner that reeled Nachiket in. For those who want to use this message in their future endeavors, it was ‘Hi, How are you?’ This one-liner worked so well that they met up about 2 weeks later, and the journey began.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Nachiket asked Reena to go hiking on a hot summer day. He took Reena to one of their earliest date spots, Seattle's famous Discovery Park. After hiking in the heat, Nachiket got down on one knee in a picturesque spot on the beach and popped the question! To Reena's surprise, along with strangers who were cheering and clapping, jumping out of the bushes came some of their closest friends, whom Nachiket had invited to join for the celebration!

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 overall experience went mostly pretty smoothly once we figured out the venue that the groom and I were really excited about hosting our wedding. We found the DJ (Rocky Virk, @rockthedhol), and Photographer (@momentsbyshubha) very early on, and they recommended our wedding planner, Janel Ellefsen (@occasionsllc), and decorator (@mandmdecorations). I found the makeup (@thepreetartistry) and henna (@hennabyjasmin_seattle) artists on my own on IG. The decor theme came along naturally as we looked at pictures and fabric samples. We decided on a white mandap with white flowers and draping as the wedding was outdoors, and we went with a Blue and Gold overall color theme for the reception, which our guests really loved.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
We went to sample wedding outfits, and I decided I liked their traditional pinkish-red lengha with gold embroidery and peacocks. I saw an outfit I really liked, standing on a mannequin, and I knew that was the one I wanted. My mom got the bride and groom's name embroidered on my lengha as a surprise!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
People really loved: 1) the Venue, the Hyatt Lake Washington, as it was pretty unique compared to most Indian weddings due to its location on the Lake Washington waterfront with picturesque Pacific Northwest scenery. 2) The Bride and Groom's entrance prior to the Baraat on a boat, as this was a unique Pacific Northwest touch to an Indian Wedding that almost none of the out-of-town guests had witnessed before. 3) The wedding was held on Seafair weekend, and people loved the Blue Angels airshows that continually happened around the time of the ceremony. And lastly, 4) people absolutely LOVED the catering from Saffron Grill (located in Seattle's Northgate neighborhood), and 5) the overall party and festive atmosphere, which was greatly accentuated by the amazing job done by DJ Rocky Virk (@Rockthedhol)

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
There was no single special moment, just the entire week and wedding weekend experience with family and friends who were here to celebrate with us from all over the globe! Many of our friends and family told us this was the best wedding they'd ever been to! Having the bride's grandma being able to fly over from the United Kingdom was extra special for her as she was the only grandparent able to attend the ceremony!

My darlings, I hope you enjoyed reading about our Maharani brides and their inspiring weddings! 

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