Welcome, darlings, to Shivani & Shivam's love tale! Shivani, resplendent, entered Royal Alberts Palace with a radiant smile, creating an aura of anticipation and excitement. Amidst the golden hues of the setting sun, Shivani & Shivam exchanged vows, their voices quivering with love and promise. Their names echoed in each other's ears, encapsulating the depth of their love. DJ Monu Entertainment's music filled the air, blending tradition and modernity seamlessly. Known for their exceptional skill in blending cultural rhythms with contemporary beats, they ensured the celebration was vibrant and lively. Beaut by Far highlighted Shivani's features with a flawless makeup application that radiated elegance and grace. Her expertise lies in makeup application, understanding the bride's vision for her wedding day look, and making it a reality. Virsa Studio's photography captured every heartfelt moment. Amidst the golden hues of the setting sun, Shivani & Shivam exchanged vows, their voices quivering with love and promise. Their first dance as a married couple was a beautiful testament, encapsulating their journey together, a day that will forever be etched in their hearts.
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How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met in 2017 on a little dating app known as DilMil. We spent the better part of 7 years eating and traveling with each other, strengthening our bond. I knew he was the one when I saw his personality and how sweet and caring he was to me, and I knew he was the one as soon as I met him on our first date. Through the years, he showed me he cared and made an effort to keep me genuinely happy, making sure all of my thoughts and feelings were heard and understood.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
He proposed to me in Akumal Bay, Mexico in a cenote. This was by far the most unique experience I have ever had or seen! He took me through a jungle in my dress and him in a suit and took me to a cenote with a little lake in it and proposed to me while the photographers were hidden.
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 possibly one of the most stressful times in my life, but it was well worth it! We spent countless hours a day looking at ideas, dances, makeup ideas, venues, etc to find the best fit for us. We ended up choosing our vendors based on countless hours of research and talking. Overall, the vendors were the best! They informed us and kept up with our needs and thoughts, as well as made sure we didn't miss anything, even if we didn't mention it! Pinterest, Instagram, and viewing influencers were my main ways of finding ideas and thoughts about what we wanted!
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I knew I wanted to do a variation of a red color and went to India through many different markets and shops to look for the perfect outfit until I went Thakur G in Vadodra and saw the lehnga and fell absolutely in love with it! It was love at first sight, and I never regretted or thought about that decision.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
It was for sure planning it with my husband and having him with me every step of the way. The way we bounced ideas off each other and managed not to pull each other's hair out amazes me to this day. He not only was active in giving ideas, thoughts, and insights but also was integral in all the vendors and other things we did
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The guests, for sure, still rave about the food and music. The food was absolutely perfect (I never had the time to try it!), and the music, especially the MC during the baarat, engaged everyone and made everyone involved dance and enjoy the moment. People we have never seen move at any event were seen actually dancing and enjoying themselves!
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The pheras and first look we had were the special moment. The way he looked at me and said "DAMN" out loud to the moment we walked around the fire were all the most special moments I will never forget and keep replaying over and over again. It signified to me that I was finally with my "forever person," and I could enjoy my life with him!
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 our events we did something a bit different than most by doing our dances during the garba and only had younger people at our reception. We made sure every single person in both families joined us for a group dance where, even for the slightest time, they all got out of their seats and came on the dance floor to celebrate not only us but also to have them enjoy themselves too! For the dances, we spent hours practicing with each other and our groomsmen/bridesmaids, and as for the decor, we didn't want to stick to the traditional decor and ideas, so for unique ideas, our food rather than being served on tables, we had them on "street carts" during the garba similar to the food carts you see around India, we had out stage decorated bottom to top with fabric, umbrellas, and an "Arabian" seat style sitting.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
There will be stress and a lot of it, but in the end, it's all worth it! Always keep in mind something my husband kept reminding me: if something can go wrong, it WILL go wrong, and the more you try to make it perfect or try to fix things, the more it'll be stressful but also make things worse, so take it easy, relax, plan what you actually can and once you're on wedding days let it all be and enjoy your time and look forward to being with your "forever person."
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
The Mehndi person we used was absolutely amazing! (Rita Shah)She hid Shivam's name in my hand to the point where I struggled to find it, and it stumped almost every member trying to find it. We didn't know where it was until we had to beg her to tell us! The jewelry I used was handed down by Mom or bought from Jersey City at Taj Jewelers, where they not only gave us amazing prices but also made sure everything and anything we had asked for was there for us! The venue heard us out and did everything in its power to make our events go smoothly (Royal Albert's Palace). They ensured the food, seating, etc, were handled and done at a proper time and allowed our vendors ample time to come in early to handle their business, giving us a smooth and easy event!
The wedding was an unforgettable fairytale, a day that blended tradition and modernity, romance and charm.
