Welcome to Maharani Weddings

We are so excited to bring you an insight into the enchanting wedding celebration of Khooshali & Rahul. This lovely couple met about eight years ago through mutual friends in medical school. What initially seemed to be a lecture on the cardiac cycle soon turned into two hearts finding each other. The engagement period was much longer and more eventful than the couple had initially planned due to the pandemic; however, their dream wedding was well worth the long wait and was even better than they could have ever imagined! They chose the incredible Sheraton Station Square as their venue to achieve this. And, of course, a dream wedding cannot succeed without an excellent planning team such as Detales Custom Events and a phenomenal decoration crew like Partyland Sajawat. Their inspiration was a garden theme and extravagant florals, so the ceremony decor was inspired by a "Mogul Garden Marriage." And we must say that it looks spectacular! The mandap was a mesmerizing floral mandap that highlighted the wedding party colors of royal red, playful coral and peach, and rich maroon, with hints of orange. The bride's breathing-taking entrance further embodied the Mogul theme with her incredible outfit and makeup from Makeup With Ramsha. We want to take a moment to admire the fabulous Mehndi designed by Kadambri Patil. Hands down, this henna artist created a unique design, adding an extra touch of traditional flair to an already head-turning ensemble! After the solemn and emotional ceremony, the event transitioned into a reception party that had a great atmosphere. All the guests enjoyed the evening and danced to the rhythm of the talented Elevated Vibez DJ and Maria Duque, who put everyone on their feet. It was the perfect way to bring the wedding celebration to an end! Visit today's gallery if you don't want to miss any detail of this marvelous wedding thoroughly orchestrated by Jorge Santiago LLC. We have compiled the best of the best for your enjoyment!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Khooshali Shah and Rahul Damania met about eight years ago through mutual friends in medical school. What initially seemed to be a lecture on the cardiac cycle soon turned into two hearts finding each other as they had an almost instantaneous connection with each other. They began dating about one year after meeting in August 2015.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Four years later,  in March of 2019, came the ultimate surprise proposal planned by Rahul. Khooshali was spending what she thought was a low-key Saturday afternoon with her family at the Cleveland Museum of Art- one of the couple’s favorite hang-out spots. As she was exploring the scenic outdoor gardens, there was Rahul, waiting for her and ready to propose with an elaborate display of rose petals and canvas photos of the two of them in a true artist fashion.
After the proposal, he planned a surprise proposal party at a nearby modern Indian fusion restaurant where they would be greeted by fifty of their closest friends & family. It was all a complete surprise and a whirlwind of joy! The proposal, the party, and all the celebrations to follow.
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 engagement period turned out to be much longer and more eventful than the couple had initially planned. They had their dream wedding all planned and ready to go for May of 2020 when just 45 days before the big day, the world shut down from the COVID-19 pandemic. As two physicians, completely shocked and heartbroken by the uncertainty of the pandemic, they knew what they had to do- and that was to postpone the dream wedding they had so meticulously planned. “It was the right thing to do,” the couple recalls. The couple ended up pushing back their dream wedding for over two years and had a total of 3 different wedding dates. “We wanted to prioritize the safety of our loved ones without compromising on our vision for our dream wedding… so we waited.”
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The Sangeet was by far our favorite event. We loved the decor, the colors, and the energy from our loved ones throughout all of the performances.
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 couple finally married in July of 2022 at Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The venue holds a special place in their hearts as it was the location of their first date, and there coincidentally happened to be an Indian wedding taking place there at the time.
Ever since that first date, the couple always joked about one day getting married there, and after an unexpectedly long wait, it actually happened!
Their dream wedding turned out to be well worth the long wait and was even better than they could have ever imagined! The couple prides their relationship on being vibrant, fun-loving, and family-oriented, and that is exactly the vision that they had for their wedding.
The first main wedding event was the Sangeet- a traditional Indian celebration where the couple’s family & friends put on dance/song performances for the couple the evening before the marriage ceremony. Khooshali and Rahul are both originally from the same part of India called Gujarat, known for their unique dance style called Garba. The couple wanted to embrace their Gujurati roots while taking a luxurious, modern-chic spin on the event. Their theme for the Sangeet event was “The Grand Garden Garba,” as emphasized by their stunning floral stage decor, golden swing set, lantern centerpieces, colorful custom-made paisley dance floor, and live food stations. The couple even had a live caricature artist, live henna artists, and a live dhol player for their guests. It was a high-energy evening filled with vibrant colors, passionate performances, and sheer joy- a perfect kick-off to their long-awaited wedding weekend.
The next morning was Rahul’s Baraat, followed by the Wedding Ceremony. “It was a beautiful day for a wedding. The sun was shining so bright without a single cloud in the sky,” Khooshali recalls.
The Baraat is a well-known favorite tradition of Indian weddings where the groom has a processional with his side of the guests, and they are all welcomed into the marriage venue by the bride’s side. For Rahul’s Baraat, his groomsmen, friends, and family started at the city center of Station Square and took the street by storm with a live mobile DJ, a decorated white horse, and an elegant white carriage. The entire Baraat looked like it was straight out of a Bollywood movie! Once at the Sheraton, the Baraat party was lovingly welcomed by Khooshali’s side.
Sticking with the garden theme and extravagant florals, the ceremony decor was inspired by a “Mogul Garden Marriage.”  The mandap was a mesmerizing floral mandap that highlighted the wedding party colors of royal red, playful coral and peach, and rich maroon with hints of orange.  The entrance to the mandap was emphasized with a raised aisle way and a beautiful, dramatic golden gate interlaced with florals and vines and two moss elephants decorated with ombre florals matching the mandap and bridal party colors. “We wanted our ceremony decor to embody our relationship, which has always been full of color and life,” Khooshali shares. The Mogul theme was further embodied by the bride’s breathing-taking entrance. She was carried in on an all-floral Dholi by her brother and cousins- an entrance was truly fit for royalty! What made her entrance even more special, was that the song she entered was a pre-recorded song sung by Rahul. “This was a romantic and intimidate detail of our wedding day that we wanted to keep as our secret.” Rahul shares.
Music has always been a passion for Rahul, as one of his favorite hobbies is singing and performing at events. The couple wanted to highlight this passion by having an element of live music at each of their wedding events. The Sangeet had a live dhol player that joined the family performances, the ceremony had a live flutist playing classical Indian music, the cocktail hour had a live tabla player to play Bollywood fusion music, and the reception had a live dhol player to keep the party going all night long. 
Following the ceremony and traditional Gujarati lunch, the couple had planned a fun surprise for all of their guests. Ever since their first date, one of the things the couple loved the most about their venue was the fact that it was the ideal combination of natural beauty and urban wonder, as it was right on the river with a beautiful view of the city skyline. They wanted to incorporate this into their wedding weekend and thought the best way to do this would be with their grand exit after the ceremony— the Bidaai. The Bidaai is a customary event of Indian weddings when the newlyweds leave the marriage venue and signifies the bride’s farewell as she enters the new chapter of married life. The couple rented a mini yacht for their grand exit and had it decorated with elegant florals to coincide with their garden-themed decor. They gathered all of their 400 guests on the dock of the river and sent their goodbyes with lots of love, hugs, and even a few tears. “It was truly such a blissful part of the weekend, seeing both families come together and lovingly send us off with heartfelt blessings,” Khooshali recalls.
Next came the grand finale of the entire wedding weekend— the reception. The luxurious reception was designed to look and make you feel as though you stepped foot into a “Royal Garden Gala” with its ceiling-height floral and moss wall stage decor, custom-wrapped dance floor with the couple’s signature K&R wedding logo, 5-foot-tall elegant tree table centerpieces, and custom floral uplighting around the ballroom. The couple celebrated finally being a married couple with over 400 of their closest family and friends in style.  “ I am so glad we waited and that we were able to safely celebrate with all of our loved ones from near and far. Our wedding turned out better than we could have ever imagined!” Khooshali shares. It was indeed a magical event intertwined with love and elegance- the perfect ending to the couple’s fairytale wedding story.
Dears, remember that we have inspiring stories every day. Make sure to join us tomorrow for more!

Love recognizes no barriers. But in real life, is that even true? Well, it is! Despite their nations conflicting many years ago. Pireya and Yousuf, a lovely Bangladeshi and Pakistani couple, crossed all barriers full of hope. They got engaged in 2021 and finally tied the knot on June 2022! The duo rolled their sleeves and DIYed many of their pre-wedding functions. It was a lovely way to add personal touches to each event! They dived into their wedding planning with a clear vision of wanting to transport their loved ones to their motherlands for a celebration that incorporated many elements and traditions of their cultures, Bangladeshi and Pakistani. Sought after planning experts, Richmond Bridal Consulting helped them plan and execute their main events at the fabulous Renaissance. The splendid venue's architecture was a beautiful canvas for Daisy Malik Decor to create a dreamy decor with red accents against white linens and bright gold drapery. While vibrant red roses arranged in tight tall vases floated above each table! Amidst this magical red wonderland, the duo wed in a traditional Nikkah ceremony and then offered a lively reception for their nearest and dearest. Maharani Pireya was breathtaking! The stylish bride opted for a richly embroidered cherry red lehenga set by Maharani Fashions while Afshan Makeup Artistry created a bold makeup look, sure to elevate any attire! Perfectly accessorized with an elaborate jewelry set, her exuberant bridal trousseau was a striking fashion masterpiece. The bridal entourage flaunted exquisite Gharara Suits in dusty rose shades and matching hairstyles. They all looked beautiful as they twirled and danced during the performances! Guests dined thanks to Al-Medinah Restaurant. The traditional restaurant catered for the reception and served the best meals for the partygoers and newlyweds. And last but not least, Cake Man's Boss created a four-tiered red fondant cake decorated with edible gold lace so everyone could enjoy honoring the newlyweds. There was something magical about this soiree that Arazo Studios perfectly captured, and we gathered in a curated gallery! See the most charming and epic moments of this fusion wedding that knew no boundaries. Just click here.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
In March 2017, I was in college and working through spring break. He was back home (in the same town I was) from his college for spring break. We found ourselves sharing a special moment together on a patio outside of a club while our friends were dancing the night away inside. It was getting rowdy in there and shortly after I stepped outside for a breath of fresh air, I saw him standing right next to me. It was the first time we were around each other without the company of our mutual friends. I remember staring out into the distance not sure what was in front of us since I was not familiar with the area too much and it was very dark. Fast forward to April 2021, I woke up that morning and found a gorgeous blue dress laid out for me to wear on a date later that night. It is very usual for Yousuf to select and surprise me with outfits for date nights so I did not think anything of it. He took my hand and we went on a boat ride through the infamous canal in the city we reside in now. We had a tour exclaims "and there's the most beautiful site in Richmond, Virginia!" I turn around and see my family, his family, and my best friends. Each holding a letter that spells out "Will You Marry Me?" I instantly started crying and when we stepped out of the boat, Yousuf bent down on one knee. He talked about that night in March 2017 and mentioned how I was unaware of what was in front of me that night. Well, the exact spot where our loved ones were now standing along the canal and where he was down on one knee, happens to be what I was looking out into.

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 are a union of two countries coming together. Since this was a fusion wedding, we wanted to highlight each culture through our wedding events. Each event was at a different city (between the bride's town and groom's town) with a different atmosphere and color palette, making them unique and unlike each other so our guests could experience the best of both worlds. The venue, food, attire, and all other details were aligned with the respective culture that was highlighted for that event. We decided to highlight the Pakistani culture at our Nikkah/Engagement event in 2021. Our families entered with our country flags, which were then displayed on the stage and served as the backdrop to symbolize the union. I chose a very special song for my entrance, and our favorite comedian performed a halal comedy show. The theme colors were white, gold, and black. For the Gaye Holud in May 2022, we highlighted the Bangladeshi culture. The event was at an outdoor garden space filled with bright colors of green, yellow, and orange. We had a bangle bar and table designated for "Bangali Street and Sweet Treats". We all know street food back home is incomparable, and it's not a Gaye Holud without the overwhelming amount of sugar. My mom and bridal party spend months helping my DIY the decor for that event. Our grand finale was the Shaadi in June 2022. We wanted the traditional bold red and gold and decided to go with hints of coral/peach and beige for the secondary colors. The theme was red royalty, and the venue was an absolutely perfect gem. The grandiose building was filled with a vintage appearance, rich history, and heavy red/gold hues throughout it's interior. We knew it was the one because it's called the Renaissance. We're obsessed with Italy and actually had our honeymoon there too. My hair and makeup looks were carefully selected for each event. I incorporated various styles for the occasions, and they were all done by the same incredible artist for all the events (Makeup by Afshan). Since we had our wedding events at different cities, we had to stay super organized when working with multiple vendors in multiple cities. Some vendors remained constant from our first event, such as our phenomenal photographers/videographers (Arazo Media) and decorator (Daisy Malik). Others like out caterers, cake bakers, DJs, day-of coordinators, etc. were based on location. Every vendor was unconditionally helpful and contributed perfectly to our events. All gratitude and praise due to them for being a part of our celebrations!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I always knew I wanted the traditional color red. That was a definite choice for me since I was a little girl. Plus, it is my favorite color so it made sense. Our Nikkah ceremony took place in May 2021, and I wore traditional Pakistani attires to honor my husband's culture. For the ceremony, I wore a beautiful white and gold floral gharara to the mosque and then changed into a handcrafted white and gold embroidered Anarkali for the engagement reception at another venue. Both attires, including jewelry, were custom-made in Pakistan and gifted from my in-laws. For my Gaye Holud in May 2022, I wanted to honor my roots and Bangladeshi culture. So of course, I wore a traditional sari with bright floral jewelry. My saree matched the colors of the event, which were green, yellow, and orange. The jewelry I selected paired perfectly with my attire and I looked like your typical Bangladeshi Gaye Holud "bou". For the grand finale, our Shaadi in June 2022, I wanted to wear a lehenga since it was the common attire for both of our cultures. I chose a bold red that struck the eye with heavy gold details. I went shopping with my mom, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and Yousuf one weekend in New York/New Jersey, and it's a core memory I will never forget. Yousuf did not see my final selection, as it remained a surprise for him. After saying yes to the dress, I selected all my jewelry and other pieces for the big day. I knew exactly what I wanted as my vision remained constant since I was a little girl dreaming of her fairytale wedding. I'm a Bangali bride, so I have to fit in my red benarasi sari somewhere. Since I did not get to wear one, my plan is to wear one on our one-year anniversary at an intimate event with loved ones.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The stress was incomparable but I would do it all over again to relive the feelings of the big days. It was so fun and loving to work with my best friends and family members to create memories of a lifetime. Since Yousuf and I are the first ones in our families to get married, it was a new and thrilling experience for both of our sides. We set our Nikkah/Engagement date 2 months in advance and our Holud/Shaadi date 6 months in advance so the clock was really ticking! Time flew by in the process and there's no way we could have done it without the support, encouragement, and help from our dear ones. Our wedding party surprised us with the most amazing bach weekend trips and held our hands throughout the wedding planning journey. It was an emotional moment for Yousuf and I to be on stage at our Shaadi standing side by side with everyone who matters to us. There is a definitely a part of us that misses the rush of planning Desi wedding events!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
How detailed it was! From the cakes to the attires, to the stage set-ups, and everything in between. We also catered food according to the specific event. For example, we had traditional Pakistani food at the engagement reception and Bangali food at the Gaye Holud. Although our cultures are very similar. they are strikingly different as well. I always say it was a second war between Bangladesh and Pakistan for our love to win. Guests felt that at our events and commented on how beautifully we told our story through our celebrations. We stayed true to cultures, incorporating deep-rooted wedding customs and traditions straight from out motherlands. Guests learned about our backgrounds and the significance of each activity at our wedding events. Although we faced a battle, love always wins and our marriage was the beginning of two becoming one.

Maharanis, if you plan to host a big and bright wedding, this union will inspire your very own dream affair! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did! 

Elizabeth and Justin went for a romantic gateway in Cancun, got engaged in this tropical paradise, and finally made it their wedding destination! Film Art Studio witness the happiest day of their lives and captured it all! Check all the lovely images in our Platinum Guide Blog.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Engaged to my greatest blessing.
Our journey began as a classic love at first sight. Justin walked past me one night on the streets of Houston and we immediately locked eyes, and stared unapologetically. He stopped with some friends nearby and after several obvious mutual glances, I saw him walk towards me and wave. Smiling ear to ear, we approached and walked directly to one another, meeting halfway (the first of many meetings halfway, literally.)
We knew on our first date, a week later, we found our forever.
Though our story started as a Bollywood fairytale, it brought no shortages in major trials and tribulations. So incredibly grateful we survived 5.5 years of our LDR, and actively chose each other. Ecstatic to start this new chapter with my soulmate and best friend.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Justin and I decided to finally vacation to Cancun following a long drawn-out period of quarantine and he proposed to me on the beach in Mexico where we later decided to also get married.
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.
Once we decided on a destination wedding in Mexico, we hired fing to help us find the resort that matched our needs — Hard Rock Riviera Maya. We hired the majority of house vendors and we’re thoroughly impressed and satisfied.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Wedding dress - for those who knew me, fitness is a huge part of my identity and given how much time I spend in the gym, it's no surprise I chose a body form-fitting dress — mermaid style with a train.
In terms of reception lehenga, I prefer nude/pastel shades so chose a blinged-out light baby pink that complimented the custom lehengas I had designed for my bridesmaids.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Knowing that in spite of the stress, uncertainties, and changes during the process - my constant and one certainty remained my fiancé and now husband. Wedding planning evokes a roller coaster of emotions and challenges, but it’s important to not lose sight of why you’re enduring it in the first place.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Both my husband and I felt immensely grateful to all 200 of our guests who flew from all over the world (Australia, India, UK, Dubai, US) to Mexico to attend our wedding, so we invested a great deal in our entertainment - fire show/water drum show, fireworks, dhol player, mehendi artists for the guest, harpist, and violinist, etc. I’d say they enjoyed that the most. :)
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The moment the fireworks went off during our madhuramveppu and everyone’s face lit up and jumped with joy. Our friends literally lifted us up all night on the dance floor!
Also, we got hit with unprecedented heavy rain and thunderstorms 30 minutes before our beach ceremony so consequently, we had to change locations on the shortest of notice. The vendors pulled together and moved everything within 30 minutes and momentarily the sun came out. The stress was palpable and evidently, our loved ones felt our pain, as the moment I hit the aisle all of our guests screamed and cheerleaded as I walked down! It meant the world to us knowing they supported us through the rain and shine. 

Indian Destination Wedding and Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

Indian Destination Wedding VIEW PORTFOLIO

Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya VIEW PORTFOLIO

For more information on how Platinum Guide members are chosen, click here.

Mina and Evan are a couple of charming new yorkers that decided upon a fusion wedding to tie the knot. Visit our Platinum Guide Blog to see more of this fusion fete that will want to make you get married really soon!

I hope to see you in our next real wedding story! 

House of Talent Studio and Chandai Events are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

House of Talent Studio VIEW PORTFOLIO

Chandai Events VIEW PORTFOLIO

For more information on how Platinum Guide members are chosen, click here.

Hello, ladies! We're excited to bring you Luvleen & Brian's wedding celebration at the Hammock Dunes Club. It is a wedding celebration that you will enjoy, as the love that these two irradiate is so pure and true that it will brighten your day! This couple decided to start their wedding with a romantic and elegant photoshoot by the talented Sona Photography. The elegant floral arrangements by Utopian Events and the perfect placing of every ornament created the most incredible scenario for our lovely couple to tie the knot. And there's no surprise that this reception party was excellent as our lovebirds decided to bring Signature Weddings on board to plan and execute this event. The professional team from Michele Renee The Studio highlighted Luvleen's beauty with a sophisticated hair and makeup design. Everyone had a night to remember, thanks to the talented and versatile Nihal Singh Live Dholi, Vinnie Hines, and a Dudha Productions DJ, that played the perfect melodies to set the musical mood for this reception. The guests stopped dancing only to take a bite of the delicious plates that Morgan Hunter Desserts and Espresso Events prepared for this reception party! You can always enjoy the lovely blockbuster film the talented Diego Stuart Films created. 

What a great way to get inspired, isn't it, ladies? See you tomorrow for more love stories and ideas!

Sona Photography, Michele Renee The Studio and Diego Stuart Films are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

Sona Photography VIEW PORTFOLIO

Michele Renee The Studio VIEW PORTFOLIO

Diego Stuart Films VIEW PORTFOLIO

For more information on how Platinum Guide members are chosen, click here.