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Welcome to Maharani Weddings

At Maharani Weddings, we believe that every bride deserves the fairytale wedding of her dreams! Here at MaharaniWeddings.com you will find glittering seeds of inspiration for every aspect of your upcoming wedding. In addition to profiling some of the most spectacular Indian weddings from around the globe through interviews, pictures, and videos, we also hand-pick and share a list of the best Indian wedding vendors in our Maharani Weddings Platinum Guide. From event planners to photographers, dj's, florists, cinematographers, makeup artists, mehndi artists, you name it... you’ll find connections to every resource you could ever need for all your wedding ceremonies and celebrations.

All posts with Color "Dark Slate Blue"

Honolulu, Hawaii Indian Wedding by IMF Visions

Good morning, lovely Maharanis! We hope you are ready to dive into a new love story because we have a Lockdown Wedding in Paradise that we are sure will leave you sighing! So, let's wait no more and get ready to enjoy all the fabulous details surrounding Sonam & Rohan's intimate wedding celebration. This time, we will take you to The Beach House in Honolulu, Hawaii, to enjoy this memorable and once in a lifetime event thoroughly planned and designed by Mira Savara Events. After having a conversation with their family, these lovebirds decided not to wait indefinitely and chose to celebrate their wedding celebration during the lockdown. And what a great decision it was because exchanging vows on the oceanfront along with a picture-perfect view, amongst the people who love them the most, is what a real-life fairytale is all about! With the paradisiacal landscape, and lovely ornaments and floral arrangements that Todd Oshiro - Always Flowers put together, there is no denying that this was the perfect scenario for Sonam & Rohan to say "I do" in front of their family and friends. Our gorgeous Sonam stole the show as she looked stunning in her beautiful red lengha, designed by Siddartha Tytler. To complement this fashionable look, she took care of her makeup to play it safe during these challenging times. But that is not all! Sonam trusted her glamorous hairstyle to Face Art Beauty, who delivered nothing but utter perfection! If you are as excited as we are, hit the play icon below and get ready to enjoy this cinematographic delight by IMF Visions. It is a cornucopia of beauty and flair that will take your breath away! So, check it out now!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Two years ago we were introduced by a common friend at some social gathering but i didn’t remember that introduction at all. So the next time my husband saw me was at a party.. he walked right up to me on the dance floor and acted like he was my best friend. I was like - who is this guy again? And then thought to myself "What the hell..  he’s cute, let’s explore! ” We got along like a house on fire and that very same night we spoke for three hours. After that we went on several creative creative dates and before we knew it we were officially dating. They're absolutely correct when they say " the right person will walk into your life & you'll have no idea from where he’ll come from" - mine literally walked up to me!
My experience was truly mystic and magical. Marriages really are made in heaven.
 
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
It was straight out of a movie! We had gone to Bangkok for the weekend, to celebrate the sale lf his company in India. We extended the trip 3 times and stayed 14 days, because we just couldn't get enough of partying and spending time together. On the second last day he tells me that he's booked us for dinner at a really nice restaurant. Unsuspectingly I went along, it was on a boat and beautifully done up. The boat docked in front of a Buddhist temple and he asked me to come uo to take a look. Then and tehre he went down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. I was in tears, while everyone else on the boat was cheering. It was even more meaningful because I practice Budhism and he decided to do it in front of a Budhist temple which was lit up fully at night. The view and the proposal left me speechless.
 
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.
So blessed to have had the most surreal, intimate and beautiful wedding on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
 
Exchanging vows on the ocean front along with a picture perfect view of the sunset, amongst the few people who love you the most - this truly was a fairy tale wedding.
 
As a true Delhi girl I always expected a big fat Indian wedding, but I knew that these challenging circumstances wouldn't allow that for a long time to come. Sometime in the 2nd week of June our parents decided to not wait indefinitely and go ahead with a traditional Hindu ceremony here in Hawaii- where all of us have been spending our lockdown. With just 2 weeks in hand we managed to organize both our outfits from New Delhi - fortunately I had brand new one which I'd bought earlier for my sisters wedding & for Rohan we actually did a video call with the designer and I took the measurements. The forces of the universe conspired to make this wedding flawless - outfits were tailored on time, couriers reached on time, we found a learned priest here in Hawaii, a venue with a view thats breathtaking, a talented hair artist who was available - trusted & with full safety measures, jewelry from his aunt whose based on this island, chura and mangalsutra flew in from LA, the best and most well-known team of photographers & videographers here and most importantly - perfect pleasant weather with no rain! Thankfully my husband's aunt here is a wedding planner - she was super resourceful with full attention to detail on every aspect.
The video team on my instructions had dedicated one person to take care of the zoom call using the stand that was organised. Watching my loved ones who had dressed up for the occasion virtually & taking their blessings was an incredible experience. I'm no make up expert, but somehow that day I did it perfectly - a look that soft, feminine, flirty, elegant yet a bit glamorous.. Apt for a day wedding. In my experience, a lot has to do with being happy within and as a bride your face just glows with joy, I didnt miss having a makeup artist at all!
 
With just 10 people physically present and several others there virtually - I enjoyed every moment of my wedding . Every moment sank in slowly and I lived/absorbed all of it with no chaos around, only the sound of waves :)
 
The one thing that we were all very particular about was that every vendor had to wear a mask, every surface/tool/gadget we touched was sanitized, we had sanitizer bottles everywhere. We also ensured that the family members attending as well as the ither vendors had been taking adequate safety measures a few days before the wedding. We didnt want to let our guard down for even one day - small risks could endanger someone's health and that would be terrible, as a result of this joyous occasion.
 
For everyone out there whose having a lockdown wedding - you should totally be on cloud nine, its your big day and your intimate wedding can be the most meaningful one if you're happy on the inside. Also, now with so many ideas out there its totally worth it to get a wedding planner as theres so much you can do!
Eg. Your bridesmaids can co ordinate their dress for zoom
 
- You can send out wedding favors/gifts with props for the call
 
- Favours can be sent after the wedding I had this organized in New Delhi. Sent a hamper of Royce chocolates with a personalized note to the extended family.
 
The zoom/e invite can be nicely drafted.
 
Milnis and other ceremonies on zoom
 
Personalized masks and sanitizer bottle covers.
 
And lots more! Get creative 
 
Believe me, theres nothing like marrying the one you love amongst the people who really matter - its blissful, its joyful and an experience you ll never forget.
 
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Fortunately for me I had a brand new heavy bridal lehenga by Siddharth Tytler lying with me in Delhi. I had bought it a few years agi for my sisters wedding and didn't end up wearing it, because I bought so many more! The shopaholic that I am :)
With such a short notice and during these challenging times it was impossible to get a lehenga in Hawaii. Hence I had this one couriered. I was quite sure it wont reach on time and was planning a back up outfit. But to my surprise the parcel came within a week and I could wear that lovely red bridal lehenga. It's true, you really do feel like an Indian bride once you're all dressed, and the traditional red lehenga has a huge role to play in that.
 
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
R. It's like an exciting project! I think I had the best time choosing the venue. Because we were getting married on this beautiful island, every location was stunning. It was going to be a small intimate wedding and hence I wanted the best view. The venue, the flowers, the decor and figuring out a zoom display. All of it was fun, unique, unexpected and quite an adventure
 
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The fact that it was only family and as loved ones they could be a part of every moment, absorb everything thats going on. They coyld bless us and witness every ceremony peacefully. This is what got everyone very emotional and I had a momemt of realization - that this is what a wedding ceremony should be like. With large weddings a lot of my friends barely remember the rituals/traditions followed because there's so many people, so many thoughts in your head.. Its chaotic. 
 
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The moments when neither my husband nor I could understand what the priest was saying as he was talking in Sanskrit and my prankster husband decides to say/do things to amuse us. Several times we were caught giggling on camera during a very serious ceremony. I'll never forget that, for me those were the moments I decided that we are now going to be together forever..
 
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.
For me it was all in one day! Starting from the chura, baraat, my entry as a bride, the hindu wedding ceremony, the griha pravesh, muh dikhai and the celebrations with some bubbly.
I was fortunate to be able to have all the ceremonies despite my challenging circumstances. I got married in Hawaii,
my Lehenga came from India, my Chura came from LA, I had worn my husband's aunts jewelry, did my own make up, the decor was stunning, the food was fabulous and the videographers were the most co operative as the had to keep on eye on the zoom video telecast too. All the vendors that we worked with were so helpful, they would take a lot of interest, make exceptions when its not necessary etc. I thought to myself this is the spirit of Hawaiian people, they're just so friendly and caring.
 
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Live every second of your wedding!
Especially for Covid Brides -
Its still yoir special say, you're the star.. Never onve feel that your wedding was a compromise because it actually is a blessing in disguise. You ll feel so much more with just tbise who matter around you.
 
The glow only comes from within, hence pls do everything you can to remain happy those days. There is no need to stress, wnough people arw working to make your wedding the most special.
 
The one thing you can focus on is your pictures, makeup and your look. Those who couldn't attend the wedding will live it through the photos and also in future your children /grandchildren will see these. Images are timeless.
 
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
I did have a really cute and colorful Mehendi ceremony the day before at our home. His parents and relatives came over and we had a blast with the dholki and singing traditional punjabi songs. Of course all this was also telecast on zoom for my family that wasnt there. His aunt did my haldi and put mehendi for me on my hands and feet.
 
I felt so touched, that everyone throughout this wedding had gone out of their way to make me feel special. I wouldn't have it any other way :)

What a great way to start the day! Remember that we have new stories every day, so make sure to join us tomorrow for more.
STYLE
GUIDE
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Traditional
Beach
Romantic
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Planning & Design: Mira Savara Events | Event Designer: Mira Savara Events | Ceremony Venue: The Beach House | Floral & Decor: Todd Oshiro - Always Flowers | Hair: Face Art Beauty | Makeup: Sonam Pall | Catering: Bombay Palace | Bridal Fashions: Siddartha Tytler | Cinematography: IMF Visions | Favors: Royce | Invitations & Wedding Stationery: Zoom | Lighting: The Beach House | Mehndi Artist: Family | Tuxedos: Kurta pajama by SAINT | Photography: Eugene Kam Photography


Chicago, IL Indian Wedding by Glen Abog Photography

Happy Friday, Maharanis! Let's get ready for a lovely and full inspiring weekend by taking a look at all the exquisite details surrounding Aranee & Tanush's twinkling wedding celebration. So, let's not wait any longer and jump right into it! Right from the get-go, we have to say that we were lost in a mesmerizing haze of delight as we looked at the spectacular photos captured by Glen Abog Photography. Today's lucky couple had a Hindu wedding ceremony at the Hilton Downtown Chicago in Chicago, and also a civil wedding celebrated at the Montage Kapalua Bay in Hawaii. How cool is that! The luxurious accommodations of the Hawaiian venue were the perfect setting for Aranee & Tanush to unite their lives in marriage. To enhance this grand event's beauty, Asa Flowers created a marvelous decor that we all loved! Add in a stunning couple radiating happiness and glam, and you have one delectable visual treat for the ages! Our gorgeous Aranee burst into the scene looking like a goddess after being pampered by Ry-N Shimabuku, who took care of all her fashion needs in such a fantastic way that she completely stole the show! Ladies, wait no more and get ready to dive into this real-life fairytale by visiting this jaw-dropping gallery. It is an absolute visual delight you don't want to miss! We are sure you will love it, and you will get tons of inspiring ideas to plan your wedding!

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That is all for today, darlings. Have a fabulous weekend, and don't forget to join us on Monday for more!

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Romantic
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Sangeet / Hindu Ceremony & Reception Venue: Hilton Downtown Chicago | Civil Ceremony & Reception Venue: Montage Kapalua Bay | Wedding Consultant: Tying the Knot | Floral & Decor: Asa Flowers | Hair & Makeup: Ry-N Shimabuku | Catering: Montage Kapalua Bay | DJ: Maui DJ Services | Hawaiian Dancers at Reception: Manutea Nui E | Cinematography: All Time Media | Invitations & Wedding Stationery: Maxe Designs | Lighting: Rio Event Design | Rentals: Rio Event Design | Photography: Glen Abog Photography


Macungie, PA Sikh Fusion Wedding by Jiju Mathew Photography

Good morning, Maharanis! It is great to be back to share a new love story with all of you! Today, we will join our two lovebirds Jessica & Parampreet, in their charming wedding festivities, and we are excited because this time, there is not one but two wedding ceremonies that marked the start of a lifetime love story for this sweet couple. Lucky guys! While we were taking a glance at the spectacular shots captured by Jiju Mathew Photography, our heart exploded with joy as every single image is a visual masterpiece that allows us to enjoy the beautiful ceremonies and the elegant and impressive reception! So, let's not wait any longer and get ready to dive into it! We are starting by taking you to the Guru Nanak Sikh Society of Lehigh Valley to enjoy the solemn Sikh wedding ceremony that marked the start of Jessica & Parampreet's everlasting married life. For this installment, Jessica embraced a traditional style donning a red lengha with golden embroidery that made her look flawless. And we cannot stress how much we loved her Maharani style! For the second wedding ceremony, we are taking you to the gardens of the Bear Creek Mountain Resort for you to witness an outdoor Christian wedding ceremony that will surely take your breath away. There were so much beauty and flair surrounding the scene that we don't have enough words to describe it. All we have to say is that it was utter perfection! After both wedding ceremonies, it was time to celebrate this life milestone with a fabulous reception party thoroughly decored by Garden of Eden Florist, and fully animated by DJ Ronak Entertainment. Hands down, it was the best way to bring these wedding festivities to an end! If you want to check more of this lovely couple, don't miss today's full gallery!

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How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We initially met at work but didn't talk to one another.  I made a comment to a co-worker about him, and she tried to get us talking through a messenger system we used at work, but I was too shy and had little to say. One weekend she decided the three of us plus a few other co-workers would go out to a restaurant and bar one night. To make a long story short, she was supposed to pick me up, but made a billion excuses as to why she couldn't, until Param ended up picking me up. She told us she would meet us there. When we got there, she and everyone else was nowhere to be found, phones going straight to voicemail. She set us up and we both fell for it :)
In the beginning, I think is a testament to how strong of a foundation we have created.  We would never break up but did go through bouts of uncertainty (coming from two completely different cultures, and me being kept a secret.  I think I truly knew he was the one, when things were getting a little rocky and I was about to put an end to our relationship (again, uncertainty, I KNEW I wanted a future with him, but he was unsure I guess how he should pursue a future with ME with the religious and cultural differences).  He showed up at my door and we went for a long walk and got ice cream and talked all night.
 
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We had a family vacation planned to go to Myrtle Beach, SC.  Everything was delayed a ton, due to last minute speeches I had to do and packing that wasn't done.  We had a long drive, got there around 4pm, but still had to unpack and get groceries, etc.  It was around 10pm I think on August 1st 2015, and nothing was open and I was on edge and super hungry.  He insisted we walk and take the long way, over a little bridge, and through the sand on the beach.  I gave him a run for his money, and fought him tooth and nail to NOT go on the beach before we eat.  Needless to say, he persuaded me to get on the beach where he popped the question!  I don't remember if he even got to ask the full question, I just started bawling, I couldn't even see through my tears.
 
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 engaged for four years because we continued to change the date for financial reasons.  We had two ceremonies and one reception.  On Saturday August 17th 2019 we had the Punjabi wedding ceremony and on Sunday August 18th 2019 we had the "American" or "White Dress" ceremony followed by our reception.  The Saturday ceremony was very easy as far as planning goes because all we had to do was book the location, get the catering figured out and a few other small details.  We were both incredibly nervous.  I was not familiar with the ceremony and watched a YouTube video on my way there.  We got through it and it was a very beautiful ceremony.  There was also a renaming ceremony for me, to which I was named Harleen.  Harleen is what his family calls me today.  Some of my friends actually went out and bought suits or saris, my mom, son, brother, and grandmother all went shopping with us in Edison, NJ and got suits of their own!  As far as make-up.... My husband told me NO MAKE UP AT THE GURDWARA! SO I showed up in no make-up, respectably. It turns out family wanted me in make-up so someone else did it for me, unfortunately.  I wish I could have done my own because I look awful (in a full day's worth of pictures, too) but what's done is done, and that doesn't change the fact that our day was special and beautiful no matter what! 
For our "White Dress Wedding" on Sunday, was held at Bear Creek Mountain Resort.  Our ceremony was outside and our reception was indoors.  Bear Creek was nothing short of spectacular on their delivery.  The coordination was seamless and they kept ME on track!  My hair and make-up was done at the salon in the resort.  The make-up and hair was natural, classic, and elegant with a modern flare.  I felt as beautiful as I hoped I would on that day.  We did not have a wedding party so we didn't have to worry about outfits.  Our wedding colors were navy blue, gold, and blush pink.  My immediate family coordinated their outfits to those colors.  I don't know what the theme was, it was really just whatever came to my mind.  One night I had a vision for centerpieces in the middle of a store, and literally started grabbing things and making notes to myself, we went to multiple stores that night to get all the supplies I needed to fulfill my vision.  Originally we were going to have centerpieces done by our florist and in a matter of seconds that changed on a whim to my new idea!!  We had faux flowers and dried flowers combined for centerpieces, my gown was elegant and fully hand beaded... I would say the theme was a mix between boho and just a classic elegant look.  Lots of neutrals with pops of blue, gold, champagne, and blush.  Incredibly difficult to describe, just a bunch of different things that blended so well!
 
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
My lengha was hands down the complete opposite of what I thought I wanted.  I originally wanted something dark, like maroon, dark blue, or dark purple, with turquoise and red/ orange accents here and there.  What came to be the PERFECT lengha for me was a very classic looks with a lot of gold and was bright reddish orange.  There were six of us and once I put that one on there was no turning back!  As far as my American wedding gown goes, it was just me and my mom when I got it.  I got that gown within a year or so of getting engaged, so I literally held on to it for about 2 or 3 years until I got to wear it!! The beading and intricacy was everything I wanted.  I was so scared weeks leading up to the wedding that I might not have wanted it anymore.... but once I got the gown on for the last fitting I knew it was still the one.
 
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Picking out the cake, going to the bakery and tasting the different flavors and putting the design of the cake together.
 
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The Dholi FOR SURE!!!! Made the reception a lot more fun and exciting and got everyone on the dance floor.
 
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The open hands part of the ceremony and of course our hand written vows for the ceremony, our entrance dance to our reception.
 
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 decor was a mix of boho and elegant with a lot of neutral colors and pops of different colors. I was originally going to use the florist for my center pieces, but i ended up making my own and every single center piece was different and unique. Our entrance dance was one of the most memorable moments of our reception. We practiced on three different occasion a week before the wedding. My husband ended up missing a step but no one noticed because he is a good dancer.
 
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Don't worry about everything being perfect, if something gets messed up no one will notice except for you. Don't rely solely on Pinterest ideas like his and her signs or wedding favors will people will throw away. Invest your money in something that will last or that you can use after the wedding. We did not do a guest because we had pictures taken with everyone and the guest book will just sit in a box collecting dust over time. Spend your money wisely.
 
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
We have 2 french bulldogs and they were incorporated in my Mehndi. I also love Palm trees and I was able to incorporate that into my design as well. I loved my overall design of the Mehndi, it was my first experience with Mehndi and it was very unique to my likes. A word of advice stay away from pool because the chlorine will wear it off very fast. My bouquet was a mixture of different wild flowers and personally selected flowers. It was very full and whimsical.

That is all for today, darlings. Have an awesome weekend and don't forget to join us on Monday for more!
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Contemporary
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Sikh Ceremony Venue: Guru Nanak Sikh Society of Lehigh Valley | Christian Ceremony Venue: Bear Creek Mountain Resort | Floral & Decor: Garden of Eden Florist | DJ: DJ Ronak Entertainment | Photography: Jiju Mathew Photography


Sydney, Australia Indian Fusion Wedding by Alan Khan Photography

Hello, ladies! Get ready to enjoy Priyanka & Sulabh's fusion wedding in today's Platinum Guide Blog!

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Romantic
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Hair & Makeup: Apoorva Bridal | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Miramare Gardens | Floral & Decor: Decore Shaan by Neeta Tanna | Catering: Urban Tadka | Cinematography: Alan Khan Photography | Event Designer: Decore Shaan by Neeta Tanna | Mehndi Artist: Henna by Hura | Transportation: Sydney Parminder Taxi | Photography: Alan Khan Photography


New York, NY Contemporary Fusion Wedding by Peter Nguyen Studio

Happy Wednesday, ladies! The filmy time of the day is here, so get ready to be amazed by all the beauty surrounding Christine & Sanjay's fusion wedding extravaganza. If the name of this lovely couple sounds familiar, that's because their wedding already featured in this beautiful gallery thanks to the fantastic shots captured by Peter Nguyen Studio. And you all loved it so much that we couldn't wait to share the cinematographic delight also captured by Peter Nguyen Studio. So without further ado, let's jump right into it! Thoroughly planned and executed by Bells N Rings Events, this life-changing event seemed like taken out from a fairytale. From the Catholic wedding ceremony hosted at the Holy Name of Jesus-St Gregory the Great Parish to the grand reception party celebrated at the Conrad New York, this entire event was a cornucopia of beauty, mixed emotions, and flair. And you already know how much we love fusion weddings, and this one had everything we love and so much more! Although there was so much beauty to admire, it was our lovely Christine who stole all the looks donning gorgeous and fashionable attires from Calla Blanche, Jacky Tai, Shree Designer Saree, and Harleen Kaur. But that is not all! She crowned her ravishing look, trusting her beauty needs to Aleetha Clanton and The Glass Slipper Wedding, who glamorized her in full, making her look like a goddess! If you don't want to miss any detail of this lovely event, wait no more, hit the play icon below, and get ready to dive into this real-life fairytale. We are sure you are going to love it so much!

 

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met when I moved from California to NYC to go to pharmacy school and Sanjay was in medical school. We started off as friends and study partners before we began dating but both focused on our career and life goals. I’m a bit of a wild card... but I knew he was the one when I realized that he would never try to change me or expect me to fit the mold of what a wife is supposed to be. Sanjay lets me be exactly who I am and doesn’t allow any perceived gender roles, the expectations of society or the patriarchy, or what anyone else thinks to influence who I am or who I want to be. It’s a priceless thing to be loved, wanted and accepted for exactly who you are and nothing less. I never thought of myself as the marrying kind... but Sanjay’s the kinda guy you wanna marry. 
 
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Planning to propose to Christine was the easy part, but executing the surprise while avoiding Christine’s nosy ability to sniff out secrets was the hard part. With the help of family, friends, and Christine’s best doggo, Zipper, Sanjay set up a fake engagement photo shoot for Caroline and Chan using Christine’s role as Caroline’s bridesmaid as the perfect excuse. It worked! The girls spent the previous day getting dolled up and bonding and Christine suspected nothing. On the day of the photo shoot, everyone arrived in his or her preplanned places and the photo shoot got underway. Several shots in, the photographer poses Christine with Sanjay, who suddenly gets down on one knee… and with perfect timing, Zipper trots over with a sign reading “Mom, we love the big guy, can we keep him?” Christine says “YES!” and the couple finishes off a stunning sunset proposal photo shoot. Afterwards, they arrive home to a surprise backyard BBQ engagement party with family and friends and catering from Christine's favorite Taco Lady.
 
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.
It was important for us to incorporate both our cultures (Indian and Vietnamese) and religions (Hindu and Catholic) into our wedding. We also have a very diverse group of family and friends, so we wanted to be able to partake in and feel included in our ceremonies, events, food, and music. We hired an amazing wedding planner (Meghna from Bells N Rings) who helped us hand pick each vendor, our venue, and our caterer. The food was beyond amazing (with enough delicious variety to satisfy our every diet) and the music had everyone on the dance floor. We were the first wedding at The Conrad to close down a small street in NYC for a Baraat and LeighAnne, our coordinator helped make every single detail a dream come true. I had four outfit changes for each event (Calle Blanche - white wedding dress for the Catholic ceremony, Jacky Tai - Vietnamese ao dai for the Tea ceremony, ShreeDesignerSaree - lengha for Hindu ceremony, and Harleen Kaur - reception dress). Meghna did an amazing job helping to coordinate all the bride’s side of the family flying in from California and made it work with the groom’s side of the family, who is originally from New York. It was a lot of work but worth every bit of planning to have all our family and friends share our day with us. 
 
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I used Instagram and word of mouth recommendation from friends to help narrow down the style and look for the Hindu ceremony lengha and Catholic ceremony white wedding dress. I knew the Catholic ceremony dress would be traditional white and I went with Calle Blanche because I love their aesthetic (graceful, smooth lines with intricate beadwork and illusion lace). I selected ShreeDesignerSaree because they worked closely with me to customize my style preferences and bring the dress I imagined to life.
 
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part of the planning process was combining all our cultures and traditions and creating a four day wedding weekend that we shared with our family and friends... and most importantly, learning more about each other and our cultures and religions while creating a space where all our guests could learn about our backgrounds and each feel included throughout our union and celebration.
 
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Hands down, the food and the music. Everyone (regardless of diet: vegetarians, omnivores, religious restrictions, etc)  raved about the food. The music reflected our diverse tastes: from Bollywood to Bachata to old school hip hop to current pop singles, everyone hit the dance floor and stayed there. We still have guests who can’t stop talking about both. We have already recommended both our caterer and our music/media team to several friends for their current engagement planning.
 
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Our first looks. We were lucky enough to have three, one prior to the Catholic ceremony, another prior to the Vietnamese Tea ceremony, and the last one prior to the Hindu ceremony. Each time was emotional and unique. We were married three times in three different ceremonies over the weekend... I think we are probably the most married couple of all time!
 
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 Catholic ceremony theme was moody jewel tones. I had 10 bridesmaids (BriMas) and allowed them each to pick their own dresses and shoes in whatever style and material was most flattering to each. All of my BriMas were a rainbow of different backgrounds, skin color, sizes and all held a unique place in my heart. I wanted their outfits to reflect that. Some wore velvet or lace or sequins but each stood out. The color theme fit well as we were married at The Parish of the Holy Name of Jesus-St Gregory the Great and it had a very beautiful dark Gothic Revival/Medieval architecture to it. This theme carried into all our events which allowed our wedding party their choice of outfit style. Our entire wedding theme embraced the darker, moodier colors of autumn which we felt were more representative of the taste of the bride and groom. Our wedding party choreographed dances that wowed us and all our guests.
 
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Stay true to yourselves. Planning a wedding is stressful enough as it is, and trying to blend and balance two different and uniquely special cultures and religions made it even more so (especially with family expectations!) It’s fine to listen to everyone but at the end of the day, it’s YOUR (bride and groom) choice, so do what feels right for you. Also, it really helped having an amazing wedding planner who volunteered to be our buffer for times when we had to say no (sorry mom, the wedding planner says that’s just not logistically possible!)
 
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Wedding jewelry was gifted to the bride from her family... with the exception of the mangal sutra, which the groom designed and created with a jeweler into something simple yet elegant to suit the bride’s tastes so that his bride could wear it everyday. It is a gold lotus flower suspended between the mangal sutra beads (detail pictures available). The bridal mehndi was done on Wednesday night to allow full color maturation while the mehndi night was open to friends of the bride and groom so everyone (all ages, male/female, etc) could share in the unique custom. And so the bride could spend time with friends and family instead of tied to one place getting the bridal henna done. The food was deigned with the bride and groom and the caterer, Chef Anand, from scratch and included both Indian and Vietnamese cuisine as well as others (ie: a taco bar because the bride grew up eating lots of Mexican food in California). Make up and hair choices as well as outfits of each bridesmaid and groomsmen were unique to each person’s preferences to further embrace and emphasize our diversity and shared appreciation for each other. We carefully selected our officiants to further this goal. Both the Catholic and Hindu ceremony made the effort to explain every step of the ceremony by the pandit and priest to help our guests understand and learn a little bit about the background of the bride and groom.
 

Stick around for part two!

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Planning & Design: Bells N Rings Events | Photography: Peter Nguyen Studio | Photography: Peter Nguyen Studio | Catholic Ceremony Venue: Holy Name of Jesus-St Gregory the Great Parish | Hindu / Reception Venue: Conrad New York | Hair & Makeup: Aleetha Clanton | Hair & Makeup: The Glass Slipper Wedding | Catering: Chef Gaurav Anand | DJ: 07 Event Group | Catholic Ceremony Bridal Fashion: Calla Blanche | Vietnamese Bridal Fashion: Jacky Tai | Hindu Bridal Fashion: Shree Designer Saree | Reception Dress: Harleen Kaur


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