Welcome to Maharani Weddings

Ladies! Get ready to enjoy Jasmine & Avneet's wedding in today's Platinum Guide Blog. You'll love it!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
An intercontinental romance that all started with a swipe! Avneet and I matched on Hinge in November 2017. At the time he was living in Berlin, Germany and I was in Philly completing my fellowship community psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. One of the questions Avneet had to fill out was "What is the most spontaneous thing you have ever done?" He answered, "Quit my job and moved to Berlin." It wasn't apparent to me that he still lived in Berlin at that time. Despite this, there was a clear and instant connection and we spent most of the subsequent winter months engaging in daily phone calls, despite a 6 hour time zone difference. By the time we met in Amsterdam face to face 3 months later, I felt like I already knew Avneet. It was a huge relief to not spend that time participating in the typical "first date" questions, but rather exploring a new city together, with our close friends. We finally made it official in November 2018 after countless trips between the US and Europe. We traveled to new cities as well as to each other's hometowns, endured challenges, and pushed one another out of our comfort zones.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Avneet moved back to the States on May 30, 2019 and picked me up from the airport the following day. We drove to Laguna Beach thinking it was going to be a perfect, sunny California day. We went down to the beach by a secluded cove only to find out it was very gloomy, high tides and almost raining. I was wondering why we were at the beach with such weather until Avneet got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! Less than 24 hours after moving home after 3 years in Europe! I had no idea he had planned a proposal and purchased a ring all while living on the other side of the world.

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 had spent almost a year planning our original wedding date. We took countless trips to California to get each detail of our Punjabi Sikh wedding just right. I even traveled to India in Fall 2019 after 15 years to customize multiple bridal outfits.

After making the decision to postpone in early March, we were fortunate enough to find an officiant just days before our original wedding date and ended up getting married on a path by the waterfront near our apartment in Jersey City. We did not think of re-planning a wedding for many months but as the COVID numbers dropped throughout the summer, we decided to move forward with only an outdoor religious ceremony, cutting our 300+ guestlist down to just 70 of our closest family and friends. We also cancelled an east coast and west coast Sangeet, as well as a reception, instead opting for a short lunch following our ceremony, also outdoors.

Planning the wedding the second time around really put things such as decor in perspective for me. While I previously spent too many hours to count trying to bring multiple different themes to life for each function, in October I opted for a more clean and elegant aesthetic, using neutral tones and pampas, complimenting the beautiful line of palm trees along the beach for our backdrop. That is definitely not to say we did not splurge on a waterfront venue, seamless white aisle, clear Chivari chair rentals, beautiful place settings, etc, but the main focus was the safety of our loved ones. We minimized exposure by eliminating an open dance floor, seating members of the same household together, providing each guest with hand sanitizers and personalized masks that read "Jasmine & Avneet are quarantined for life!"

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
One particular thing that stands out from our guests is the number of times people said "this is how weddings should always be," referring to being around just their closest loved ones. Too many times weddings can become over-the-top showcases, with endless guest counts and both the couple and guests lose the real meaning behind the day. I believe our guests appreciated how mindful we were of our reduced guest count, although it did unfortunately mean some immediate family from India and Canada were unable to attend. We did have a live YouTube stream set up for everyone to watch the day of.

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.
After two sangeets were cancelled, my in-laws surprised me with a beautiful backyard mehndi. It was an amazing transformation in true Punjabi fashion, full of vibrant colors, marigold flowers, hanging umbrellas and a bangle station. I opted to wear a colorful half lengha to maximize comfort during my mehndi application. Two special designs I incorporated into my bridal mendhi were a pair of sneakers (my husband's favorite) and a dog paw for our puppy, Bixby (named after the bridge in Big Sur, California)! I feel so fortunate to have had such an intimate pre-wedding function with both families, memories I will truly cherish forever.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
We feel so fortunate to have solidified our union with a COVID-safe, intimate outdoor wedding even in the most uncertain of our times. One of the biggest lessons I personally have learned as a Type A, extreme planner, is to just let go. I had spent many sleepless nights, too many to count spreadsheets budgeting and hundreds of calls coordinating 10+ vendors for an elaborate affair only to be hit with barrier after barrier. Despite this we still ended up with the most perfect day... TWICE! We secured an officiant just days prior to our original wedding date and ended up being featured on a COVID wedding segment on the Today Show! Later, in October we were finally able to proceed with our Sikh ceremony surrounded by our closest loved ones. Fate really just has its own way of working things out - whether it be the logistics of a (really) long distance relationship, or planning a wedding. We know we can really tackle anything life may throw at us! We hope this message of love is an inspiration to other couples in similar situations. Two continents, an ocean, and a six-hour time difference couldn’t stop our love story — just proof that love does, in fact, win.

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Happy Monday, beauty queens! Can you believe how fast this January slipped through our fingers? It seems that it went by in the blink of an eye. Unbelievable! Being this the first feature of February, we wanted to make it special. So get ready to join us while we unveil all the beautiful details surrounding Jasmin & Vivek's wedding. These lovebirds imagined a gorgeous and vibrant summer wedding bash. But, when COVID hit, their plans were thrown into flux. After a lot of thinking, they decided to shift and hold a smaller September wedding instead of pushing the wedding date back to the winter or 2021. As physicians, their priority was the attendees' health and safety, and with The Resort at Pelican Hill having strict COVID policies in place, they knew this was the ideal place for them. Not to mention that this was Jasmin's dream venue. Once they selected the venue, everything started to fall in place. And the final result was beyond amazing! Flower Allie and Synx Events took care of the floral and decor, creating the perfect backdrop for Jasmin & Vivek to tie the knot. The soft pastel colors, combined with the exquisite floral arrangements, became a heavenly setting, more than perfect for the occasion. Still, nothing compared to the beauty of our gorgeous Maharani Jasmin. She left everyone speechless when she burst into the room looking like royalty, thanks to the exquisite makeup and hairstyle by Dolled up by Lulu. In the fashion department, she trusted in House of Neeta Lulla, and oh boy, her wedding Lengha was something out of this world! Thankfully for us, Greycard Photography was there to capture every moment for our enjoyment. So don't think twice and take a look at today's full gallery for a full reveal. You will get tons of inspiring ideas from this lovely event!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met Vivek at a chance encounter through a friend’s birthday in Chicago in 2012. There was an instant connection! We both spent the weekend talking to each other and just finding comfort in each other‘s company and common California upbringing. We continued our friendship with daily conversations, and slowly that friendship became much more. I knew he was “the one” when I realized that no matter what the ups and downs my day may have had, he was the first person I wanted to tell. When I realized he was truly my best friend, I knew I didn’t want to let him go!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Vivek planned a surprise sunset proposal the day before my birthday at Vista Hermosa Natural Park where we would often go for walks. With friends and family members on both sides watching secretly from a distance, Vivek proposed at the same park bench we would watch the LA skyline. He decorated with red roses, candles, and pictures of us throughout our relationship. He truly made my birthday memorable for every year to come!

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 imagined a gorgeous and vibrant summer wedding for 300 guests, and thought we were smart to plan ahead. We had successfully secured a venue and had planned our wedding for 300 people over 9 months in advance. But, when COVID hit our plans were thrown into complete flux. Reluctantly, we decided the best bet would be to shift and hold a smaller September wedding of no more than 50 guests instead of pushing the wedding date back into 2021 or beyond. Thankfully, our vendors worked with us and were willing to accommodate the changing regulations and safety protocols. They were willing to adjust without making it difficult on us. Thanks to them we got the wedding of our dreams!

We were beyond thrilled that the incredibly stunning Resort at Pelican Hill could accommodate us. As members of the medical field, our priority was the health and safety of the attendees, and with the Resort at Pelican Hill having strict COVID policies, our dream wedding could take place. Claire, our wedding and event manager at Pelican Hill, was a dream to work with. She knew how important our vision and guest safety was to us and made sure all the accommodations went smoothly.

All outfits, designs and decor were exactly how I pictured them! My family went to India right before the pandemic hit and were able to do our wedding shopping. They went to quite a few places but I loved the bridal lengha at the House of Neeta Lulla. They were amazing to work with and were beyond accommodating about making sure my vision was brought to life. Even with the lockdown in India, they made sure that my wedding lengha arrived to California on time. Seema Gujral designed the customized lengha I wore at the mehndi. For the mehndi I wanted brighter and bolder colors and tones which is why I chose hot pink and mirror work. They were able to match the shine and energy I imagined for the event.

Drea did the makeup at the Mehndi for me, my sister, and my mom, and she was such a pleasure to work with! She knew exactly the look I wanted. She was so easy to talk to that time just flew by! Her calm and confidence is enough to put anyone at ease. She even helped with some wardrobe malfunctions that could have been a disaster!

Lulu did an amazing job with my makeup for our wedding and even did a touch up right after the wedding and before pictures. She was so kind and worked well with us to adjust to all the dates and venue changes.

Flower Allie and Synx worked well to make our vision a reality. Allie knew the venue well and provided really great suggestions without disrupting the overall vision and theme. Synx created a beautiful umbrella from scratch that we used for walking down the aisle. They were both true professionals.

Our planner Purvee was truly a life-saver. She was meticulous with our timeline and regularly kept all our vendors abreast of any changes. COVID put so many of our plans into almost a continuous flux and Purvee was always on top of it.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Of course the role of the color theme was so important to us in the wedding planning. For the Mehndi, our color theme was meant for energy and excitement with vibrant colors of hot pink and orange. Tables were set up for each family with everyone at each table considered a close contact. Matching masks and hand sanitizers were provided to each guest. The wedding itself, while small with 50 guests, was broadcast live on YouTube so that friends and family could watch and comment from the comfort of their own home, while the Bharat was broadcast on Instagram Live. The goal was to make everyone feel a part of the experience even if they were not there. The color theme was meant for elegance and beauty with light pink and beige, with the festivities held completely outdoors. I’ve always wanted a vibrant summer wedding, so the different color palettes I was looking at were all ones I thought would give that look and feel.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part of the planning process was working with such a dynamic group of vendors and planners and the support of our family and friends. I believe it was these people that worked so hard to make our wedding intimate and unique without losing any of the grandiosity, and I am so thankful! When we had to change dates, downsize our guest list, and even change venues they were all so accommodating and gracious in their support, if they were ever upset they never let us know it! Our friends and family completely understood the situation and were always willing to lend a helping hand. We couldn’t be happier with the way everyone stepped up during this difficult time.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Even though we had to downsize our guest list, it did not mean downsizing our wedding. In fact, a smaller guest list gave us the opportunity to focus on the details and individualize the experience for each guest. Our guests told us on multiple occasions that they loved how personal everything was, from the snack boxes with their names on them, to the place settings, to the photo group lists. Even the champagne glasses, hand sanitizer and masks all had our monogramed labels to commemorate the event.

As physicians our priority was the health and safety of the attendees. The part that we loved the most was how the Resort at Pelican Hill had strict COVID policies in place to protect us and our guests. That definitely put us and our guests at ease.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
It has to be the First Look for me. To me, it was the culmination of all the hard work we had all done prior to the wedding and the beginning of the wedding festivities. After getting ready, Vivek and I were individually whisked away to Pelican Hill’s Secret Garden where we would see each other for the first time. The secret garden is so beautiful! A gorgeous pathway surrounded my elegantly symmetric hedges. Seeing Vivek for the first time there felt truly magical. I really felt like a princess in a fairytale.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Our advice for anyone planning to get married during COVID is to keep safety as the utmost priority. Distancing, masks, sanitizers, and strict outdoor-only guidelines are all important things to keep in mind. A small and intimate wedding can be just as grand and memorable as a larger 300 person wedding. While it wasn’t what we initially imagined, it was everything we wanted and more.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
The mendhi was done by Henna by Tulsi and I am so excited by the work she did! She incorporated our proposal site into the Mehndi design and she also even incorporated our monogram

What a great way to start this week and the month of February! Remember that we have new stories every day, so join us tomorrow for more.

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Happy Wednesday, Maharanis! If you were seeking inspiration to face the last days of January, you've come to the right place! Dimpi & Kalpesh's charming wedding festivities overflows with so much beauty, traditional flair, and amazingness that you don't want to miss! If you are ready to dive into this fascinating love story, let's jump right into it! For this installment, we'll be taking a peek at the awe-inspiring scenes captured by WSS Weddings during these lovebirds' festivities celebrated at The Westin Atlanta Perimeter North! The minimalist yet on-point decor beautifully crafted by Finishing Touch Decor was mindblowing, providing the perfect backdrop for the outdoor wedding ceremony. So much beauty, so many colors and, mainly, lots of love present in this charming wedding! And talking about beauty, let's take a moment to appreciate the look of our gorgeous Maharani! She trusted her beauty needs to Beauty by Ami, who made her look like a goddess! After the ceremony, everyone celebrated the newlyweds to DJ Ameet's beats, whose endless repertoire made everyone dance the night away. Hands down, this was a dream wedding come to life, so big kudos to Desai Designs By Ushma Desai for making this wedding as impressive as it was! Click the play button below to dive into this real-life fairytale. We are sure you are going to love every bit of it!

What a great way to start this week, isn't it? Don't forget to join us tomorrow for more!

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Are you ready for a new story, Maharanis? We bet you are! So wait no more and get ready to enjoy Trusha & Dipen's lovely wedding in today's Platinum Guide Blog. It will take your breath away!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met Dipen when I was 15 years old at a garba during Navarati! 2 months later we found each other on Facebook and I somehow got the guts to write on “his wall.” Since I was not allowed to hangout with boys we went on a group date date with 2 other couples. That night dipen told me he really liked me and asked me if I would be his girlfriend. I swiftly said yes! We dated for 3 years and then separated for 3.5 years. During our time apart we always wanted to get back together but the timing just wasn’t right. After I graduated college and moved back home, we found our way back to each other.

Dipen planned a surprise proposal at a rooftop in NYC. He told me we were going to brunch and spending the day in the city which was pretty casual day. My parents and brother also had their day planned so a proposal was the last thing on my mind. After walking around central park he asked me if I wanted to stop by and see his cousins apartment. After arriving his cousin gave us a tour of his building and led us to the rooftop. The rooftop was decorated with gigantic balloons that said "marry me?" There was bunch of pictures and scrapbooks. Afterwards our immediate family was there to congratulate us. A photographer was there and we took pictures. But that wasn’t the end! He led me to another part of the rooftop which was a huge surprise - A party with all off our close friends and family.

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 wedding was a challenge to plan to say the least. We were set to get married July 5, 2020 however due to the pandemic we had to change our plans multiple times. Our original wedding had a 350 people guest list. We changed our plans multiple times- from cancelling it all together, to having a small wedding in our backyard, to just getting legally married. We ended up having our wedding at our original venue with 80 of our close family and friends. It was a dream come true! Our experiences with each our vendors were amazing. Despite being in unprecedented times they were all willing to accommodate with us.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I always knew I wanted to wear a traditional red lengha for my wedding ceremony. I knew it would be difficult for me to go to India due to my work schedule. The process was extensive. I probably looked at bridal lenghas at almost every Indian clothing store in Long Island and New Jersey. I ended up finding the lengha that I liked at Mall at Oak Tree in NJ but due to the pandemic it was not getting delivered in time. Thus, I chose an alternative lengha 1 week prior to my wedding!! My lengha was not ready until probably 4-5 days before the wedding, talk about last minute! However, I absolutely love the lengha I ended up with more than my original choice

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
I think the most enjoyable part of the process is probably venue shopping. Its the very beginning of the process which makes it more exciting. I also think working through the process with your significant other can be difficult but you learn to have patience and respect each other at a deeper level.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
I think the biggest thing is to take one step at a time or one vendor at a time lol. It can get very overwhelming and feel like things are not going YOUR way. But remember that it could just be meant to go that way for a reason. Everything will work out in the end.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
I love my bridesmaid oufits- they were pink, floral print, light and flowy for a summer wedding.

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Happy Friday, beautiful Maharanis! We are back to amaze you with a lovely and romantic story featuring Rathna & Ritesh's fusion wedding. For this installment, Rafael Serrano Photography will take us on a visual journey through all the mesmerizing details of these lovebirds' big day at the Dallas Palms. Since this wedding took place during COVID-19, it was an outdoor ceremony attended by intimate family & closest friends, making it even more special! Every guest loved the spectacular decor put together by the Dallas Palms decor team as it provided the perfect backdrop for this life-changing event. And talking about perfection, let's take a moment to admire the beautiful look of our gorgeous Maharani Rathna. Hands down, she made all the right choices when choosing her allies for her big day as the makeup and hairstyle by Anis Beauty, along with her fabulous attires from Shyamal & Bhumika, made her look drop-dead gorgeous! After the fusion wedding ceremony concluded, a fantastic reception started. All the guests danced the night away to the beats of DJ Shahid - Rose Events Entertainment, only stopping to have a bite at the delicious cake baked by The London Baker. Without any question, a sweet ending for a sweet and charming event. If you want to take a closer look at this wedding, don't miss today's full gallery. We are sure it will take your breath away!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
It was summer 2019 when Rathna & Ritesh’s love story first began. Just 2 single people who happened to swipe right on Dil Mil (Indian dating app). Our first date felt like it was out of a movie. We went to 4-5 different restaurants at Shops of Legacy/Legacy West where we shared various meals and desserts. Ended up walking around and making each other laugh. Weeks went into months and we connected over various methods of communication and social media. Thru this, we discovered a mutual love of sports, food, and randomness. Soon enough, Rathna & Ritesh started meeting each other’s close friends.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
As time progressed, Rathna & Ritesh enjoyed other’s company and grew fond of each other. Ritesh decided it was time for the families to meet over a Thanksgiving meal. Soon enough, Valentine’s Day approached and Ritesh popped the question and Rathna delightfully answered, “Maybe!” (Just kidding. The answer was a yes!).

As their families started talking more and more and things seemed right, COVID-19 pandemic put a kink into everyone’s lives. However, we decided that the time was right for us to officially tie the knot, and we couldn’t be more excited!

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.
Wedding planning came down to the fact that COVID-19 was very unpredictable and we wanted everyone to be safe and healthy. For those reasons, we wanted a venue that provided both outdoor and indoor options and be big and spacious even though our guest count was low. Hair and makeup wise I was already familiar with a lady that I worked with for a previous event. Outfits - I need to thank my cousin who was my stylist. I had no particulars about color schemes and really went with the flow on the outfits choosen. The venue made it a lot convenient for me by providing decor. Found my cake thru theknot.com. DJ and home decor was found thru recommendations and good ole Google.com.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
My saree selections came from doing virtual shopping with my cousin in India. We had an absolute blast WhatsApp video calling and shopping together virtually while being at different parts of the world.
We didn't have a color scheme in mind rather knew what general colors looked good on me and proceeded from there. We ended up doing a lot more bonding.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part of the planning process was seeing my family and friends come together to help with this project. Though COVID-19 pandemic created chaos and changed our initial plans for a big wedding, it didn't deter from people coming together and bonding more so.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
How intimate the wedding was. Usually, Desi weddings are big and it's hard to mingle and get to know one another. The intimacy made the event more special.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The really special moment in my wedding that constantly replays in my mind is the moment my mother and I hugged. We both became emotional, but neither one of us had to say anything as we have this special bond. My mother has been a major rock in my life and that was plenty for me.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Be flexible and go with the flow. There is no such as "a perfect day". In the end, it's about your families and the person you are marrying.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Cake was unique as it came from the The London Baker. My closest girl friends and I bonded over cake tasting and thoroughly enjoyed the process together. Definitely a memorable event for

That is all for this week ladies. Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to join us on Monday for more!