If fairytales came to life, Simron & Rohan's South Asian wedding at the elegant Westin Chicago Northwest would undoubtedly be the plot. Nestled in the heart of Itasca, this luxurious venue is a dream come true for couples looking to blend modern sophistication with timeless traditions. With its picturesque surroundings, including serene lakes and lush greenery, the Westin was the perfect backdrop for a grandeur and romantic celebration.
The morning of the wedding began with Simron stepping into a bridal ensemble that was nothing less than a masterpiece. With intricate embroidery and hues of orange and gold, her outfit radiated traditional charm yet modern finesse. Styled to perfection by The Face Pro, Simron's look was an ode to regal beauty.
Simron's intricate mehndi by Unnati Shah carried meaning in every stroke. Hidden within the elegant swirls were deeply personal elements—like the airplane motif, symbolizing the couple's long-distance love story and countless flights to see each other. The wedding date was skillfully etched into the design, creating a timeless keepsake of their special day.
From coordinating the intricate pre-wedding ceremonies to ensuring every detail of the grand reception was flawless, Dream Events by Sonya proved why they are a go-to for South Asian celebrations. Rohan, equally dapper in his cream sherwani adorned with subtle golden details, entered like a king to claim his queen. The air was thick with anticipation as he awaited Simron at the beautifully adorned mandap designed by Prestige Wedding Decorations.
This magical moment was masterfully captured by the incredibly talented team at WS Photography, who have a knack for turning fleeting moments into timeless memories. Known for their artistic vision and ability to blend emotion with technical perfection, apart is their ability to make couples feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.
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Rohan and I have always cherished birthdays as moments of joy and celebration, but last year, mine became unforgettable. He planned a perfect day filled with my favorite things—brunch at Decadent (my go-to spot), exploring a local bookstore, and binge-watching our latest TV obsession, Hijack. Little did I know, the suspense of the show mirrored the nerves Rohan felt for what came next! The evening took a surprising turn under the guise of a birthday dinner with my best friend, who happens to share the same birthday. Instead, Rohan brought me to the picturesque bridge near Lincoln Park’s Honeycomb structure. There, a glowing "Marry Me" sign awaited as he got down on one knee and asked me to spend forever with him. When I said yes, I turned to find our photographer friend Ahad (@ahadbphoto) capturing the moment, and both of our families emerging from under the bridge with cheers and hugs. As if that wasn’t enough, Rohan had another surprise: a celebration at Hubbard Inn’s top floor, where our friends were waiting to dance the night away. We truly danced the night away, a hint of what was to be expected at our wedding given we both are dancers!
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.
Planning our wedding was an incredible journey, blending our love for dance, our cultural heritage, and a deep desire to create a truly one-of-a-kind celebration. The first step was locking in our wedding planner and venue. I always knew I wanted Sonya from Dream Events by Sonya to plan our big day. As the founder of Shakti Queen Beats, I had worked with Sonya on countless weddings, choreographing for her clients. It felt like destiny to have her plan our own wedding.
When we toured venues, the Westin Chicago Northwest in Itasca stole our hearts. The stunning tented space was perfect for our ceremony, and with over 500 guests, it provided the comfort and grandeur we envisioned. The fact that Rohan’s parents were married in Itasca 35 years ago made the choice feel even more special.
Our vision was to make every detail unique and elegant, setting new trends while keeping our traditions and rituals alive. My bridal outfit was custom-made by Ramuli Creations in Orissa, my parents' hometown. Inspired by Rohan’s Rajasthani heritage, I chose a regal orange lehenga adorned with intricate work, paired with statement jewelry for a royal look, one I'm still obsessed with. Rohan’s anarkali sherwani complemented my outfit perfectly with pops of peach and orange. Our sangeet ensembles were vibrant, featuring yellow and seafoam green—a nod to saunf/mukhwas—while my sky-blue cape saree for the reception, designed by Mala and Kinnary, was a showstopper and one of my favorite outfits. Rohan matched the look with a custom-made sky-blue velvet tuxedo from Indochino.
For hair and makeup, Laura from FacePro exceeded every expectation. She created natural, radiant looks that aligned with my minimal makeup preferences while still ensuring I felt like a bride. My mom and I both adored her work. My bridal mehendi was done by Unnati who was an absolute wiz incorporating elements like the Chicago and Pittsburgh skylines, as well as a tooth to represent my husband's career as a dentist.
Our decor was inspired by a “big fat Bollywood wedding” theme, with Prestige Wedding Decor and Sonya bringing our vision to life. The sangeet was an enchanting “night under the stars,” featuring blue canopies and lanterns. The mandap and reception were breathtaking, with peach and white floral arrangements and a grand tree with floating glass lights serving as the centerpiece. Getting married under this floral tree was a dream come true.
Catering was another highlight of our celebration. Ashyana Catering delivered a culinary experience that left our guests raving, with standout dishes like mutton curry and paan kulfi. Absolute BBQ added flair to our Haldi lunch with live dosa and grilled paneer stations.
As Rohan and I are both dancers (Rohan was captain of his college bhangra team First Class Bhangra), entertainment was at the heart of our wedding. From a mother-daughter dance with my mom (a nod to our many performances together) to our choreographed first dance blending both ballroom and bhangra to a custom mix by our DJ Dr. Srimix, every moment was filled with rhythm and joy. Our family and friends dazzled with their performances, and the grand finale featured my Shakti Queen Beats team and Rohan’s First Class Bhangra team, complete with flips and towers.
Capturing all these moments were WS Photography and Aria Films, who documented every laugh, tear, and dance move with perfection.
Our wedding was everything we dreamed of and more—a celebration of love, culture, and the people who mean the world to us.
It is a testament to the magic that happens when two souls come together to celebrate their journey.
