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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 "Fuschia"

Dearborn, MI Indian Wedding by Sky Films and Productions

Behold all the grandeur of Bharti & Shiv's wedding in today's Platinum Guide Blog. You will love it!

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How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met in Chicago through one of the most common modern ways - over a dating app. Specifically, Coffee meets Bagel. In the first couple of months of getting to know each other, we created a strong bond of friendship that helped set the foundation for our relationship. Very early on, our relationship turned into 9 months of long distance, with lots of FaceTime dates and traveling to visit each other as I completed my medical rotations all over the country. This truly put our relationship to the test. But once I was back in Chicago, I made the decision to apply for jobs locally and be close to Shiv (my husband) as he completed medical school rather than start a fresh journey in a new city. I just knew he was the one because while we were going through our long-distance phase early on, he patiently waited for me to finish my rotations while also making an effort to keep our foundation strong.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
One of my greatest desires was a boating experience on the Chicago River. With the help of friends, Shiv (my husband) tricked me into thinking that they got a boat trip set up as a get-together. The next part of the plan was convincing me that this was a fancier occasion rather than a casual boat party. So with the help of my younger sister, I was guided to wear an outfit that I had had my eye on for a while.
Then it was finally the big day. My husband wanted all our close friends and family to be there at the proposal, so he invited his brother, his brother's girlfriend, and some of my best friends for brunch before getting on the boat. Next came the yacht. We all met at the Chicago River docking station, and finally, the yacht set off on the sunny shores of Lake Michigan. Shiv got down on one knee and popped the question with the Chicago skyline gleaming behind us. Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost! Shiv had another surprise awaiting. He took me to his family's home, where my parents, my husband's family, and more friends gathered to continue 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.
The planning process for the wedding started about 10 months before the wedding date. We first started with finding a venue in my hometown of Detroit, MI. We wanted to keep our mehendi and haldi more intimate, so those events were planned on our own at our home. The larger events, such as the sangeet, wedding ceremony, and reception, were held at the main venue. As the bride, I was looking for something with glamour and charm. We decided on Dearborn Inn by Marriott because it has an old rustic feel with elegance. The hotel interior also made the entrance of the ballroom and lobby a spectacle to behold.

Planning our wedding was a family affair alongside our wedding planner, Tina Singh. We had a great experience using both of our families' insights and visions. We wanted to use themes for each of our wedding events and design the decor for each event accordingly. For example, the sangeet’s theme was the royal bazaar. So we went with decor that displayed a large gold swinging bench decorated with flowers, with two large life-like trees in the background. The food was set up as stations all around the entrance of the ballroom that mimicked a bazaar with bright, vibrant ethnic tents. We had a program of dances by family and friends, so we set up multicolored cots along the dance floor area for people to sit and enjoy the program. We also incorporated Punjabi and Gujarati traditions in the sangeet, so we ended the night off with traditional garba. Since this was a royal bazaar-themed event, the outfit I went with was a lehenga, which was wine purple in color with gold frame embellishments as well as peacocks and birds on the skirt. My makeup artist Cecilia (Blush Salon in Commerce township), did an amazing job by adding extensions to my hair and putting pearls into a braid to give it a unique look. She used multiple colors on my eyeshadow makeup to match sangeet vibes. She also did the makeup and hair for my sister, my mom, and my MIL’s. Everyone loved their unique touch. Shiv matched me with an Indo-western, burgundy, velvet Sherwani.

For the wedding ceremony, we wanted to use the beautiful outdoor lawn of the hotel which was decorated with greenery and fresh flowers. We set up the mandap there with fresh red, pink, and ivory flowers, and we matched our wedding outfits accordingly. Our wedding was during Labor Day weekend, and we were blessed with beautiful weather. We had so much natural scenery around us that we felt the mandap did not have to be overdone. We went with a mandap that was rustic in nature to match the outdoor scene. Our bridesmaids and groomsmen entered with matching custom sage green outfits to start the wedding ceremony, and from there, it transitioned into the traditional Hindu ceremony. Each bridesmaid carried a fresh-flower bouquet down the aisle. For the bridal entrance, my uncles and cousins walked me on a red carpet under the Phoolon ki Chadar, custom decorated by our Florists by Lama in Dearborn. My hair was put in a loose bun, while my makeup had tones of gold with a bright red lip to match my wedding lehenga. Altogether it looked stunning with the jewelry hand-picked from South Delhi Jewelers, with green and light pink beads to match the veil and gold embroiderings. Our wedding was recorded by our video team, who used multiple drones to capture the beautiful footage.

Our reception theme was all about sparkle and glamour. The color themes I chose were ivory and shades of lavender. My outfit was an all-silver, sparkly lehenga by Seema Gujural. Shiv wore a custom-designed tuxedo. For the decor, we went with gold frames on our stage, with chandeliers dangling on the sides and an ivory bench in the center. All our guest tables had fresh flowers, bouquets, and candle arrangements following the theme of ivory and lavender. We had a LED light stage in the center of the ballroom where all the performances and speeches took place. I also came up with a Photo Booth area near the entrance of the ballroom with a LED sign that said “It Was Always You,” placed on a green wall and surrounded by cherry blossom trees. Our dessert table consisted of assorted bite-size pastries decorated with a life-size white peacock with a tail made of lavender flowers. Last but not least, our DJ and photography team, Sky Films and Productions and DJ Vic did a spectacular job at all our events to capture each moment. They kept our wedding reception open dance floor flowing with energetic music so that we danced until we dropped. Even today, we keep replaying our same-day edit video and reliving our wedding each time.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I originally wanted to go with pastel colors on my lehenga. But after trying on several pieces, I decided the traditional red color looked best on me. After shopping around in New York and India, I decided on a crimson red Sabyasachi-style lehenga with gold embellishment that I found in a unique boutique in Delhi. I custom-designed a light peach veil with a wave border to match the lehenga.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part was having substantial input on how each wedding event would run and planning the decorations. My wedding planner was instrumental in helping me decide which of my ideas was realistic and reasonable to bring the themes of each wedding event to life. I took pride in knowing that each event had an original touch of my personality. I also had a significant role in choreographing all the dances  I performed in. I have been dancing and choreographing for my other friends' weddings in the past, and now it was finally my turn to showcase at my own wedding.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
We received numerous compliments about the high energy in the room during each of the events, how in tune and invested our guests were with the program going on, and how much detail our events were decorated. Last but not least, we received so many compliments about how AMAZING the food tasted. Our guests kept telling us how they kept going back for more.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The most special moment for me was walking down the aisle to the mandap with all the guests' eyes on me, and seeing the joyful yet somber faces of my parents, knowing that I was entering a new phase of life. That is a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
To each bride-to-be:
Planning your wedding is one of the most stressful times that you and your family can go through.  At times it may seem that things are about to fall apart, and last-minute details are still not finalized. But at the end of the day, you will get to your wedding day and realize it all worked out. Trust the process and do the best you can, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Stress only causes tension in your loved ones and yourself. Enjoy each moment of planning because it always turns out beautiful, no matter what.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Venue: The Dearborn Inn by Marriott - Event Planners @ Venue: Paulette OConnell and Christie Dixon
Wedding Planner: Tina Singh (Marigold Wedding Planners)
Photography/Videography/DJ: Sky Films and Productions and DJ Vic
Reception Gown Designer: Seema Gujral (Delhi, India)
Groom's Clothing Designer: Diwan Saheb (Delhi, India)
Bridal Jewelry: South Delhi Jewelers
Hair and Makeup Artist: Cecilia Kashat (Blush Salon in Commerce Township)
Mehndi Artist: @DreaminginHenna by Sandy (Michigan)
Reception Florist/Wedding bouquets: Lama's Florist (Dearborn, MI)
Sangeet Catering: Punjab sweets and Indian Cuisine (Michigan)
Wedding Breakfast Catering: Krishna Catering and Restaurant (Michigan)
Wedding Lunch Catering: Krishna Catering and Restaurant (Michigan)
Reception Dinner Catering: Saffron (Michigan)

Getting ready for "I Do? Visit our blog tomorrow for more inspiration for your own big day! 

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DJ: Sky Films and Productions | Planning & Design: Marigold Wedding Planners | Floral & Decor: Marigold Wedding Planners | Photography: Sky Films and Productions | Baraat: Sky Films and Productions | Cinematography: Sky Films and Productions | Lighting: Sky Films and Productions | Photo Booths: Sky Films and Productions | Live Music: Sky Films and Productions | Sangeet Venue: The Dearborn Inn | Ceremony Venue: The Dearborn Inn | Reception Venue: The Dearborn Inn | Event Planner at Venue: Paulette OConnell | Event Planner at Venue: Christie Dixon | Reception Florist: Lama's Florist | Wedding bouquets: Lama's Florist | Hair & Makeup: Ekta Kansara | Hair & Makeup: Cecilia Kashat | Reception Gown Designer: Seema Gujral | Groom's Clothing Designer: Diwan Saheb | Bridal Jewelry: South Delhi Jewelers | Mehndi Artist: Dreaming in Henna | Mehndi Artist: Radhe Henna | Wedding Breakfast Catering: Krishna Catering and Restaurant | Wedding Lunch Catering: Krishna Catering and Restaurant | Reception Dinner Catering: Saffron | Sangeet Catering: Punjab Sweets


Phoenix, AZ Indian Wedding by Santiago Almada Photography

Happy Monday, ladies! A new week starts today, so let's get ready to enjoy a unique love story. Today's feature concerns a lovely couple, Richa & Pratik. Planning a wedding event might be complicated; however, our couple always believed their love could surpass any situation! Thanks to the dedication and professionalism of the Weddings By Shy team, every wedding detail was perfectly executed. The elegant JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa was the venue of choice, and I can tell you our couple seemed happier than you can imagine! With the picture-perfect landscape and lovely decor crafted by Inner Space, this was the perfect backdrop for them to say "I do" in front of their family and friends. Richa impressed everyone with a traditional and fashionable look that can serve as inspiration for future brides! This gorgeous look would have been possible without the beautiful lengha from Silk Threads by Ruby Bhandari, draped and tied by Ninad Dadabhoy with Beauty by Lishma. An early wake-up was pretty good for this Maharani, knowing Ninad from Beauty by Lishma would work her magic. They had good conversations, and she made her feel comfortable and confident. Each look was unique and beautiful! To tie it all together, she got an excellent, original, and creative Henna artwork outlined by Henna by Purvi, adding an extra touch of traditional flair to an already captivating look. Her experience and original designs are the cherries on top for a great look! Dancing and celebrating with the bride and groom during their big day is a must, and DJ Aumir from Escape Entertainment L.L.C. played the best songs to achieve this. Another must of a wedding is a cute set of pictures to relive your most magical day.  Santiago Almada Photography did a fantastic gallery that will make you feel inspired. Due to their commitment to providing quality work that their clients love, they deliver clear, beautiful, hand-crisp photos that bring that special day to life. Wait no more and enjoy!

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Tell us how you went about planning your wedding, and your overall experience with the Venues, Hair & Makeup, Outfits, Decor Theme, and all of the other important details.
I put a lot of trust into Weddings by Shy (and Prameet) - they look at my general ideas and help elevate them to the next level and beyond! Together we curated a wonderful list of vendors that were so personable and easy to work with. Once we got assigned Adil, our venue coordinator at JW, we were so excited as he was extremely easy to connect with anytime and worked so well with Shy and her team. Shy puts so much thought into making sure the bride, groom, and their families have an effortless wedding weekend - so they can actually enjoy the moments! Pratik and I can both attest that we thoroughly enjoyed our wedding and were not stressed on the days.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I definitely knew I wanted all red and two dupattas (one being an accent color) for the bridal lengha! I went to numerous stores in Chicago and did online visits to stores in India, but nothing caught my eye. One of my mother's friends recommended a store in Dallas, and it was going to be the last stop before my mom locked down the idea of traveling to India directly for wedding shopping. We went to Silk Threads in Dallas and saw numerous pieces that we instantly knew would be starting points for our custom vision, and with the one-on-one help we received, we spent ALL day at the shop and customized ALL bridal wear in one day. Each outfit was made with careful detail work and quality materials - nothing felt too heavy in weight either; I loved and felt beautiful in every single outfit I wore during the wedding weekend.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Aside from Shy and Adil, I enjoyed working with all our vendors from all over the world, even in the virtual environment, especially...
*Ninad from Beauty by Lishma - waking up early was not too bad, knowing Ninad was going to work her magic, and we always had a good conversation - she made me feel comfortable and confident, and each look was unique and beautiful. She is so genuine, and I can not wait for our paths to cross again for more looks.
*Santiago Almada Photography - he was the first vendor we hired and beyond helpful in making sure we picked colors that didn't clash with the sun/lighting; he was also very easy to connect with any time on any platform (call, text or email) and helped answer my numerous questions along the way.
*DJ Issac - he paid attention to our curated themed music requests and conducted meetings to ensure everyone was on the same page with coordination - his attention to detail was greatly appreciated and made a difference in our event vibes
*Lupe - she went above what we discussed in our meetings for decor and made each event unique, and she always came prepared and worked with Shy so well to make a day of coordination changes as needed to elevate the space in real-time without the bride having to worry about a thing
*FestiveeveLK - extremely patient to work with and responded to all updates and details in such a timely manner for both Pratik and Richa's invites that were requested - the inviting quality was so rich and beautiful

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
*The number one comment we got was about loving the food and its variety in how the menu coordinated well with its event - every. Single. Dish. Was. Amazing - yes, the bride and groom actually got to eat, so we can confirm this too.
*Our guest also liked the organized method of coordination by getting group text messages about the events (timings, locations, updates, wedding program guides, seating chart) from our planner's app
*Our guests also have commented about the beauty of the Venue, the variety of decor/theme for each event, and that our Violinist, Johnathan Levingston at cocktail hour (who also plays Indian), played beautifully and added to the atmosphere for the evening

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Legit. Everything!
But especially the memories I got to create with my family and Pratik family, especially during Sangeet night when everyone came together to practice (even those last-minute joiners) and perform choreographed dances as well as finally enjoy Garba - being Gujarati, we knew everyone was longing to do the Garba and Raas after not being able to for almost 2.5 years due to COVID and the night was just a dream as we kicked off our wedding weekend in our first joint event with both 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.
*Mehndi - traditional umbrellas, pillows, floor mats
*Grah Shanti / Haldi - traditional
*Sangeet / Garba - colorful and bright Moroccan vibes, chic lounge atmosphere, food cart stations, music was all about love and Garba ... we made a last-minute change on the Sangeet backdrop, and Sage Production pulled it together perfectly with Lupe making it a beautiful welcome night
*Wedding - peaches and florals ... we love how Weddings by Shy helped elevate our wedding mandap with a floral-wrapped aisle and stage, which tied into our mandap structure and theme effortlessly
*Reception - crisp and clean (whites, gold, blue accents) - we loved how Sage Production helped elevate our entrance which was through a moving LED wall backdrop

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Trust the process, and don't sweat over the little things - enjoy the process together!

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Richa and Pratik met and dated long distances during COVID. When they were together in their hometowns, one being Phoenix, they spent a lot of time exploring outdoor activities that were still open to the public. As their love for nature grew, they envisioned a beautiful Arizona mountain-cactus background to kick off their marriage adventures. With the help of close family and friends, as well as amazing vendor collaborations from all over the world, their wedding dreams came to life with a three-day, five-event weekend. Their beautiful memories were captured effortlessly by Santiago Almada Photography and will be a lifelong cherished - seriously, Richa peaks at her wedding album regularly, wanting to relive the celebrations all over again.
Thanks for being with us today, and don't forget to be back for our daily and lovely updates here! 

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Hair & Makeup: Beauty by Lishma | Mehndi Artists: Henna by Purvi | DJ: Escape Entertainment L.L.C. | Draping/Styling: Beauty by Lishma | Photography: Santiago Almada Photography | Sangeet Venue: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa | Ceremony Venue: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa | Reception Venue: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa | Planning & Design: Weddings By Shy | Catering: Chennai Chettinaad Palace | Catering: OM Indian Bistro | DJ: DJ Isaac | Baraat: KC's Classic Carriage Company | Cake & Treats: Chennai Chettinaad Palace | Cake & Treats: OM Indian Bistro | Cinematography: Epique Cinema | Cake: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa | Bridal Jewelry: Kanthabharan Jewellers | Bridal Jewelry: Aishwarya Design Studio | Bridal Jewelry: Govindji's | Bridal Fashions: Silk Threads by Ruby Bhandari | Bridal Fashions: Be-Jee Collection | Tuxedos: Silk Threads by Ruby Bhandari | Tuxedos: Men's Wearhouse | Bridesmaids Fashions: Aishwarya Design Studio | Groomsmen Tuxedos: Asopalav | Groomsmen Shoes: TOMS | Floral & Decor: Inner Space | Rentals: Lena's Events and Rentals | Invitations & Wedding Stationery: FestiveeveLK | DJ: DJ Aumir | Violinist: Jonathan Levingston | Production: Sage Production | Dholi: DJ Dee Scott


Reston, VA Indian Wedding by Akbar Sayed Photography

Hello, sweet ladies! We are excited to share with you a new charming and magical wedding. Suparna & Gautam's had a clear vision for the wedding and focused on connections between their guests, cultures, and traditions. So, this unforgettable day started with a vibrant Baraat procession that took Gautam to the impressive Hyatt Regency Reston in an elegant wedding carriage and horse from Olde Towne Carriages, escorted by his big side with much merriment! They added a touch of tradition and charm to the wedding day and provided a memorable experience for all involved. During the ceremony, we loved how the talented crew from DMV Decor demonstrated all their expertise and managed to show all the essential aspects of their culture! This lovely couple wanted to focus on chai as a theme through multiple wedding events to foster conversation and evoke warmth and coziness. And oh boy, what incredible work they did! But there is no surprise here, as they are well known for their talent when creating vibrant and colorful events. And thanks to Sumeet Bagai and the team at Dream Shaadi for the perfect planning of this life-changing event, as every aspect of this wedding ceremony is fantastic. None of it would have been possible without him! Our gorgeous Suparna looked breathtaking, thanks to the stylish and exquisite makeup that Salon SBS made for her. Every detail enhanced our lovely bride's delicate and natural beauty; we love that final look! All guests had a great time dancing to the beats of Dynasty AVE and tasting the delicious plates Rupa Vira's The Signature and Bollywood Bistro prepared. And if you want artwork that looks lovely in your album, stunning on your walls, perfect on social media, and never ceases to touch your soul throughout all the days of your marriage, you better call Akbar Sayed Photography as this lovely couple. Check out this incredible event by looking at our beautiful gallery You will not regret it!

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Dears, remember that we have inspiring stories every day, so make sure to join us tomorrow for more!

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DJ: Dynasty AVE | Baraat: Olde Towne Carriages | Floral & Decor: DMV DECOR | Cinematography: Akbar Sayed Photography | Sangeet Venue: Hyatt Regency Reston | Ceremony Venue: Hyatt Regency Reston | Reception Venue: Hyatt Regency Reston | Planning & Design: Dream Shaadi | Hair & Makeup: Salon SBS | Catering: Bollywood Bistro | Catering: Rupa Vira's The Signature | Favors: Ariabellacandles | Invitations & Wedding Stationery: Greenvelope | Mehndi Artist: Naseem's Henna & Arts | Photo Booth: Snapshot Moments | Tea: Cha Company LLC | Games: Rustic Garden Rentals


Macon, GA Indian Wedding by Bhowmik Dave Films & Photo

Hello, Maharanis! Get ready to enjoy Khushbu & Akash's wedding in today's Platinum Guide Blog.

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How did you meet your Groom, and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met my husband (Akash) through his older sister (Bhumi), who was my best friend at the time. I had known her for many years but only knew of Akash through stories. I never really got to see him much because she was married and living with her husband when we met. We stayed friends but didn't get to see each other as often because I had moved to Atlanta for college. I was very introverted and never really wanted to be social or go out and do the "college" things, but after a few years or lots of studying and working a job, I realized that I needed to push myself to be more open to new experiences and enjoy life. Right around this time, Bhumi called me and invited me to a Beyonce concert in Atlanta very last minute, and I decided to go because this would be the perfect start to my new journey plus, Beyonce is my all-time favorite artist, so it was perfect. Akash ended up coming as well, and this was the first time I started crushing on him, but I tried to play it off because I wasn't looking to be in a relationship at the time, and I also felt like he was too good of a catch and that I was way in over my head. A few weeks later, Bhumi called me and invited me on a weekend trip for her birthday. I was very tempted to decline and just take the weekend for myself, but I knew that I would never get those experiences if I didn't push myself out of my comfort zone, so I decided to say yes. Akash ended up coming on the trip as well, and apparently (according to his cousins) was flirting with me the whole weekend, though I never realized it. I knew he would be the perfect guy for me on this trip because we just connected so naturally, and it felt comfortable, and fireworks exploded at the same time. I still didn't say or do anything because I wasn't sure if he liked me. On the last day of the trip, we had our cheesy Bollywood moment when we hugged goodbye, and our keychains interlocked and tugged us back together as we were coming out of our hug. I left and got back to Atlanta when I noticed that he had texted and asked me on a lunch date. I was so upset that I didn't check my phone while I was driving because he lived about 3 hours from Atlanta. Thankfully a week later, he ended up having some job interviews in Atlanta and asked me to dinner. We went and knew that we were the ones for each other and, a week later, introduced our families and never looked back.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
I had told Akash that I didn't want to know anything about the proposal and that I wanted it to be a complete surprise. He definitely kept me on the edge of my seat as we had already set a wedding date, and he still hadn't proposed. Finally, when there were only seven months left before the wedding, the big day came. This worked out well for him because I had so many moments leading up to the day where I thought he was going to propose but didn't so by this day, I was more in the mindset that it was not going to happen anytime soon. It was Valentine's Day weekend, and he told me that he had planned a surprise getaway for us. He told me to go ahead and get dressed up as he had reservations for us at a fancy restaurant once we got there. He told me what to pack, and we spontaneously hit the road. I began to have some suspicions that he could propose but was not sure of any details or that it was even going to happen. We reached a cabin on the lake, and there was a steep heel down, so I told him I was just going to change into my slide while we unpacked the car and then change back for the restaurant, but he told me to keep my heels on and at this moment I had a strong suspicion that it was about to happen. He ended up helping me down the driveway and told me to wait in the front while he went to "grab the keys." A few minutes later, my sister and Bhumi (now sister-in-law) opened the front door, and that's when I knew it was happening. We all burst into tears and had our little moment before they walked me down to a spot on the deck while the sun was setting, where I watched a video Akash had put together. I made my way down the hill onto a deck on the lake where Akash was waiting for me. We had our special moment, and then I turned around and saw all of our family and friends waiting on the porch. It was the perfect celebration with our loved ones and is one of the most memorable days of my life
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part of the planning process was getting together with family and friends to do small things here and there such as making gift bags, signing invitations, etc... It was so much fun getting together and goofing around. Watching my favorite people come together with Akash's favorite people and all have so much fun together was so nice and fulfilling. Dance practices were also one of my favorite things, as it was another way to get everyone together. Just seeing all of the love and support we had from our family and friends and watching how excited they were to be a part of this process was amazing.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
The best advice I got from everyone was not to stress about the small things and that no one is going to know that something didn't go as planned if you never tell anyone. Any big event is bound to have some things that don't go exactly as you planned but don't allow this to ruin your big day because, at the end of the day, the purpose of a wedding is for you to create memories with your lifelong partner, family, and friends that you will cherish for the rest of your life. Looking back, those things that didn't go as you planned will be minuscule to the joy you will have from your big day.
And that's a wrap for today, lovely Maharanis. I'll see you tomorrow for the next grand romance!

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Romantic
Contemporary
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Summer
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Photography: Bhowmik Dave Films & Photography | Cinematography: Bhowmik Dave Films & Photography | Sangeet Venue: Umiya Mataji Mandir | Ceremony Venue: Umiya Mataji Mandir | Reception Venue: Umiya Mataji Mandir | Planning & Design: Ardour Events | Floral & Decor: Mandap World | Hair & Makeup: Anisha Shajan | DJ: GTB Productions | Baraat: Supreme Dholis | Bridal Jewelry: Kiaan Silver | Rentals: Rent Luxe Car


Daytona Beach, FL Indian Wedding by Stories by Suraj Randheer

Hi Maharanis! We look forward to sharing a new love story now live on today's Platinum Guide Blog.

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How did you meet your Groom, and when did you know he was "the one"?
We were classmates in college and were working on a class project together. That was a foundation for all of it. I liked how things were going between us, and l always admired his behavior and how he talked. But it was more of a friendship still by the end of our project and college. Later we both went into different jobs but were still in touch at the surface level. After 1.5 years, by sheer coincidence, we both decided to pursue masters in the USA. He went to Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and I went to the University of North Carolina Charlotte. By the time we started in the USA, we were looking for each other, given that we both had no friends. We became much closer by texting each other all through the day and late at night while still being busy with our student lives in a new country. In all those chats, being there for each other and with the already existing friendship between us, eventually, I figured out he would be the right partner for me.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
As mentioned, we became closer and attached in the masters; it was funnily in the WhatsApp chats that I proposed to him, and to which he replied that he had the same thought in his mind.
Tell us how you planned your wedding, and your overall experience with the Venues, Hair & Makeup, Outfits, Decor Theme, and all the other essential details.
Planning for our wedding has been an extensive three-month process.  But later realized that was very short compared to what most couples do. So with the wedding date in May, we started planning in January by looking for wedding venues (the biggest to-do). It was almost a three-week search, and we first realized that people serve wedding venues as early as 18 months. Another interesting fact we learned is that venues charge per guest rate even without including food catering. That changed the way we searched for media. Right from the beginning, we wanted to pick a platform that could offer a destination wedding theme rather than a regular banquet hall. So finally, we found our dream and most memorable venue "The plaza" at Daytona Beach, FL. We can proudly say The plaza was the best thing that happened at our wedding. Now, after the wedding venue search, we had to look for places for other accompanying events like Haldi, sangeet, etc. Since we stay in Sanford and the wedding venue is in Daytona beach, we wanted these venues for Haldi and sangeet to be in and around Sanford. Luckily we found a great Airbnb (it allowed us to have the event) and a banquet hall, "The Lair Venue," for Haldi and sangeet respectively.  Being in Florida, searching for makeup artists suitable for south Indian style weddings was little challenging.  After an extensive search across Instagram, Facebook, and different friends,  I found "stylebymounika" from Atlanta. We chose "Forever Flowers Events" for our decoration at the wedding venue. We are really thankful to them for making the event most beautiful and memorable for us. It was very easy to find them, and we stuck with them even before picking our venue. Regarding outfits, apart from my husband's sangeet outfit, the rest were all brought by my family from India. Most of the dresses/sarees and other outfits were done by boutiques, and we had to choose the design and the right colors.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I visited India a couple of months before and had shopping in Hyderabad(India) for wedding dresses. The main saree is pink in color on which I had all the rituals performed before actually getting the knot tied. It is bought from the 'SAI KANCHI' store in banjara hills. I always have a special place for Purple and pink colors, which made me choose the second saree, a mix of gold color and purple border. I wore this saree for all the rituals to be performed after getting the knot tied and becoming Mrs. Sunkara. 
All the other outfits for the Bridal ceremony, Sangeet, Mehendi, Haldi are from boutiques like Tasya Couture, Kadhambari Studio.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Having to plan and spend everything was the most exciting part of the planning process. Because, unlike our scenario, in most weddings, the parents and family work hard during weddings. But in our marriage, we were the hosts, and we worked hard and enjoyed every moment of planning and coordination. It was a meticulous process, as everything had to be so perfect and also beautiful. So I would say making every decision ourselves and having to do all the planning ourselves was the most enjoyable part.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
As said earlier, The plaza was the most beautiful thing that happened at our Wedding. Also, the wedding decor combined with the beach-themed venue was one thing that all our guests loved about our wedding.
Also, as said above, planning and setting up every event meticulously was another thing all our guests loved and praised.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
We are also really thankful to all our friends for making our dream come true. Without their help, we couldn't have pulled it together.
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.
All the events other than the wedding ceremony are performed at Airbnb and Lair Venue(Banquet Hall in Sanford, FL). We have chosen our decoration backdrop ideas and provided them to a local decorator contractor. Dances, fun, and games are organized only with the help of friends. There used to be many sleepless nights having dance practice sessions, and organizing things. We enjoyed every bit of it. Those were the most unforgettable memories.  Also, we planned our pre-wedding shoot a month before in Newyork which turned out really well. Those pictures were very cute, and we still cherish them.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Don't ever stop dreaming and planning for your marriage. No matter how good things may get or how bad things may seem, just keep working at it. Plan ahead all the things. This is a special moment in your life. This is a unique group of people that you will have in one location at one time. Enjoy every bit of it.
When it is all said and done, your flowers may not be perfect, and your sangeet party may be hung over from the night before but once you walk down the aisle, you will forget about all of that and have the best day of your life. Cheers to all the Brides-To-Be.
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Jewellery shopping is from India. Mehendi was beautifully done by 'Gokulshennaart.' The cake is from 'Bake A Wish -Orlando Cakes.'It was 2 step cake with mixed flavors of chocolate and Pineapple flavors.
We hope that you have enjoyed this journey as much as we have! Remember to stay close for more! 

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Venues: The Plaza Resort and Spa Daytona Beach | Photography: Stories by Suraj Randheer | Sangeet Venue: The Lair Venue | Floral & Decor: Forever Flowers Events LLC | Hair & Makeup: Style by Mounika | Catering: 5th Element | DJ: DJ Philip Tampa | Bridal Fashions: Tasya Couture | Cake & Treats: Bake a Wish | Bridal Draping/Sari Tying & Styling: Style by Mounika | Invitations & Wedding Stationery: Weddings by Graphe | Mehndi Artist: Dolly Nahal | Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse | Wedding Accesories: Jewel Blooms


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