Welcome to Maharani Weddings

Greetings, Maharanis! Get ready to enjoy Angel & Ankit's wedding in today's Platinum Guide Blog.

How did you meet your Groom, and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met at the hotel where we used to work together. Ankit was always loving and caring right from the first day, and to be honest, I knew right from the beginning HE WAS THE ONE.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We were out on 19th Aug to Times Square. He told me to get ready as he hired some photographers to take our pictures. I had no idea of anything. When I was at Times Square, I suddenly saw on a large screen at Time, “Angel, will you marry me?” and 3 pics of us together. I was having goosebumps as I didn't know what was going on. I was totally surprised. In a few seconds, I got back to my senses and said YES to my love.

Tell us how you went about planning your wedding and your overall experience with the Venues, Hair and makeup, Outfits, Decor Theme, and all of the other important details.
Planning a wedding was really hectic as we did in less than 4 weeks. The proposal was on 19th Aug 2022, and the wedding was on 27th Sept 2022. We decided around 29th Aug that we were going get married in Sept
My husband did most of the running work from finding Vendors, Wedding Planner, and Venues. I went at the last on most things to finalize and to see them. Decorations we both selected together after going through some samples

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Do you have a favorite color in mind?
I selected Wedding lengha from NAZARANA in Edison. I went to Nazrana Boutique first and found my lehnga, but my husband insisted on checking other places too, and I did, but for some reason, I was stuck to the one I chose at first and bought it. Which was a very good decision as everyone loved that attire

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Shopping was the most hectic and fun part because it was the first time you got a real Licence to shop, and you could buy anything from jewelry to Bridal dresses and make-up, and no one could say no coz you were the BRIDE.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Guests particularly loved how I and my husband had bonded together. Pretty much each and every one of them said that we were made for each other, and I loved that part most, apart from that they loved the Food which was from the Taj caterer and also our performances.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
7 pheras and Varmala ceremony. That was the most memorable moment for me. From childhood, we dream that it will happen one day, and when it happens, and the person is really the love of your life you wanted, there is no better feeling than that. I still rewind and watch them every now and then.

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.
Decor we kept very simple but elegant. We wanted to have a light Pink color, and it went really well with our attire.
Dances were the most lively part of our reception. Our reception highlights when we put it on social media, it got so many views and plays. All the performances were very good, and the speeches made were memorable.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Words of wisdom for brides-to-be is “ Give everything in your relation to make it work.” There is no He/she but only we.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
I can keep going on and on, but the most and most important person who really made this wedding look nice and big was “VIRDEE FILMS.” I have never seen such professionalism, but on top of that, being such a humble person and accepting each and every request from Bride, groom, and family is remarkable. Everyone loved our pre-wedding videos on the wedding day. And Wedding and reception highlights are played every time our relatives come home. So special special, special thanks to Virdee films. Thanks

We hope you enjoy today's feature, darlings. Cheers to love and the endless possibilities it brings!

Virdee Films Photo & Cinema is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

Virdee Films Photo & Cinema VIEW PORTFOLIO

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

Hi, dears! A culmination of Sumera & Riyaz's dreams and years of meticulous planning had finally arrived. Beginning on their mehndi day, Sumera had a beautiful floral hut designed by Utopian Events. After a joyous evening, it was time for everyone to head over to Lanier Islands for the remainder of their wedding events. Sumera gracefully draped in an elegant creation from Panache by Sharmeen. Everyone enjoyed the delicious food by District Events and Catering. DJ Jaz set the night ablaze with his tunes, ensuring no foot remained still and no heart untouched. He is truly the best DJ in Atlanta! As the sun bathed Peachtree Point Amphitheater in its golden glow, the air shimmered with excitement, signaling the onset of their magical wedding day. Sumera wore dazzling jewelry pieces from Jewels Sanity and Jewels n Gem. Her ensemble's details spoke of passion, vividly realized by Fashion Face Beauty's hair and makeup mastery. Red and Gold Events guided this harmonious union, whose coordinating efforts flowed seamlessly, turning every moment into a memory. Peachtree Point Pavilion, the reception venue, pulsed with life and music from Miguel P Music; Sumera Jiva Choreography brought a captivating performance that echoed the rhythm of two hearts beating in sync. Capturing these precious moments was the artistry of Christopher Brock Photography. Enjoy!

Join us in celebrating the beginning of more adventures. Stay in love, sweet Maharanis!

Darlings, love's wings cast a glow on Tulsi & Prashill's magical wedding day. The Rainwater Conference Center vibrated with electricity only love can inspire. Meticulously orchestrated by Events by Nandani, each detail spoke of timeless elegance and the rich tapestry of South Asian traditions. Floral Designs by Her transformed the space into a romantic Eden. Our resplendent Maharani, adorned in a breathtaking ensemble from Ejaaz Coutour, looked nothing short of royalty, flawlessly by Glam by Amber Bava's expert touch on hair and makeup. Maa Vimla Catering ensured the gustatory experience was as monumental as the visual feast. Each dish was a symphony of flavors reminiscent of old family recipes and the warmth of home. The air was filled with tantalizing aromas and the infectious beats spun by DJ Prince Chishty, making every heart race a bit faster. As the night deepened, every fleeting glance was immortalized, captured in its raw beauty by the lens of Oak and Gold Studios. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the moment's significance, they managed to tell a story, evoking emotions with every shot. You will love them!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met him through my highschool friends boyfriend, which was also his highschool friend. He sent my Instagram handle. The moment i came home from work and saw my phone it was full of bunch of likes, so i also go and like his pictures but he only had 4. So i didnt want to seem too interested so i only liked a couple. and he liked more of my pictures. So i message him, and he said he was returning the favor!
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Our proposal was done with close friends and family. I told him where ever he did it, my sister has to be there! He made a plan when we went to visit my Sister in jersey, we went to New York and he had a proposal planned at the Edge. I was talking to him about this  place and how i want to go there few months prior to our proposal, and he made it happen!
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.
Planning part, It kind of got really hectic trying to jugle work and planning a full wedding at the same time! I turned to Nandani, I met her for the first time with my parents and Prashill and loved her! She made the whole experience less hectic. She replied to all the emails and set up all the appointments. She even ran through what was needed from me during those meetings with each vendor.
Shopping was very exciting, i ordered my wedding outfit from Ejaaz Couture, and the rest of the events i designed them. Shopping was exciting since my whole family was there sharing opinions and buying everything together for the wedding. At times it was confusing since we didnt know what to pick and worried if it would match, but it all turned out amazing!
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Wedding dress?, i was always into weddings and always talked about my wedding. I looked on instagram for suggestions, and i knew i was very detailed and i had to love every part of what i am wearing. My wedding i knew i wanted a red but not a bold red, I saw the Ejaaz outfit in one picture but didnt see anyone wearing it, i always had my mind on it, and when it came to the time when i had to choose it always pulled me to the one that i saw a year prior.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The best part of the planning was executing, haha I loved when we got done picking vendors and we only had to worry about the small things, like decor and how its decorated, or suggestions on the food, or shopping and making sure everything was purchased and ready to use.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
My guest enjoyed how well it was organized and went through without any hic ups. Usually we would forget something. Nandani is so great at making sure that each detail is perfect. She remembers everything i wanted and exactly how i wanted things. I was worried that during the event and wedding days they may need me for something, but nandani knew how i would want that done so she made sure it was done before any issues came to me.
The guest enjoyed the food, everyone LOVED it!!! We had food served to guest almost 4 times a day including snacks and drinks. My Food Caters were amazing they stayed on top of everything.
Everyone enjoyed how well it was executed, and since we would be on a time crunch no one still felt rushed. It all happened on time and everyone was able to enjoy it!
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
When i was walking down the aisle and almost cried! I knew i had to be strong since my dad was walking me down and he would cry immediately! The pheras, only happens once so make sure to give each other the most time and walk very slow!!
The last thing is when we fed each other the Pada and Kajukatri. We made sure to add a special touch of us to it. We are very playful, but yet caring so we made sure to enjoy it!
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.
Sangeet was my favorite event other than the wedding, It was the first event together that both sides were able to mingle and enjoy. It was very special to see how both families were able to laugh and converse together.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Please take it easy, there is times when i would panic, but now looking back at it, its done! The planning and the shopping, the events are sometimes always so stressful that we forget that its going to be done too quick! Make sure to always look at each and know that this is your time spent together and the memories you create!

To our beloved readers, until the next magical tale, stay in love and stay inspired. See you!

Oak and Gold Studios and Maa Vimla Catering are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

Oak and Gold Studios VIEW PORTFOLIO

Maa Vimla Catering VIEW PORTFOLIO

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

Hi, darlings! We've Sonali & Aditya's enchanting tale to share with you. Guided by the expertise of Our Day Events by Anisha Nina, this celebration was a testament of love. The wedding was at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. With its regal architecture and sophisticated ambiance, this venue exudes an air of exclusivity that beckons couples to create their most cherished memories within its walls. DMV Decor transformed the venue into a kingdom of dreams with soft petals of blooms adorning every corner, casting an aura of romance. Salon SBS turned Sonali into the epitome of elegance and grace. Adorned with jewelry from Lagu Bandhu and Tanishq, every piece told a story of tradition and modernity intertwined seamlessly. Bhavna Naik's mehndi designs represented the promise of a beautiful future. The celebration burst into life with the melodious tunes of ShiVish Entertainment, their beats echoing the rhythm of hearts in unison. Bollywood Bistro tantalized every palate with a feast that was a fusion of flavors. Akbar Sayed Photography captured each moment with finesse, immortalizing the raw emotions that flowed freely. Their lens turned fleeting glances into timeless pieces of art, reflecting the depth of their bond. Enjoy the fantastic shots we compiled!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
The first time I met Aditya was at a mutual friend's wedding reception, where he was called on stage to sing alongside another one of his female friends, and I promptly fell in love... with his friend's angelic singing voice. Although I may have been oblivious to him, his talent and good looks, however, were not lost on the eyes of the Maushya (aunties) present at this wedding, including my mother, who was quick to mention his name on the car ride home.

Fast forward to a few weeks later when our matchmaker and fellow maushi called upon my parents to say, "Aga! Sonali single ahe ka? (Is Sonali single?) I have a boy for her." After some social media stalking, I agreed to let my mom share my number with the maushi to send over to Aditya. Aditya wasted no time and messaged me later that evening and then asked me out on our first date within the week.

Our first date was the stereotypical dinner and drinks, followed by ice cream and a walk around the local town center. I was immediately taken aback by his gorgeous eyes, and conversation flowed smoothly throughout the course of the evening. Things were going great, so naturally, I had to ask him to do something ridiculous, walk through the sprouting fountains. Without missing a beat, Aditya handed me his phone and walked casually through the fountains, emerging completely soaked with a grin plastered on his face the whole time. It was at this moment I knew that he would always keep me laughing and continue to make my life entertaining.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Aditya and my 2 best friends planned a "girls' day" brunch at a winery in April of last year. However, NOVA weather being its finicky self, the weather was fluctuating that whole week from 40 degrees to 65 degrees, and my friends were insistent that we go wearing cute dresses. I am not a cold-weather girl, so I was extremely unhappy about the dress code my friends were enforcing on this brunch, but after much grumbling on my end about my sweatpants idea being shot down, I complied.

After the brunch was over, one of my friends told us that she had booked an experience through an app to get a tour of the winery, followed by a wine tasting. I had been mildly suspicious all day because of the way my friends had been acting, but it was at this point I was getting progressively more suspicious. During this time, Aditya and I were sharing our location with each other, and I decided to check where he was. However, Aditya being a tech guy, had changed his location from his phone to his iPad, which showed he was still at his condo. We went on this winery tour which took us down into the cellars that opened up with double doors to their vineyard. To my surprise, Aditya was waiting on the other side of the double doors, waiting to ask for my hand in marriage!

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 overall wedding planning process was alright. We hit a lot of bumps in terms of negotiation with price and trying to figure out what we needed and how much. But our wedding planner, Anisha Ninan, was really helpful with it throughout the whole process. Some of the vendors I knew I wanted as soon as Aditya and I got engaged, so having those people in mind helped to kickstart the vendor hunting.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I wore a Paithani Sari for the ceremony, which is a typical Maharashtrian-style sari. Traditionally, the bride will wear a mango yellow-colored sari given to her by her uncle, so I was looking for something in the yellow color scheme. However, once I saw this particular sari, I knew I had to have it. I had a deep rich purple sari with pink and green peacocks with a lovely gold thread border from Pratha by Kavita Koparkar.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part of the wedding planning process was towards the end when things started falling into place and you could really start conceptualizing how things would pan out. It's very exciting watching your vision come to life!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
I would say that people seemed to really love the food and decoration at our wedding. They also seemed to enjoy the various details we had for them to partake in, such as the Polaroid selfies and 1-year and 5-year advice to the couple jars.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
When Aditya and I performed our first dance! We had learned and practiced that dance sporadically over the span of 2 weeks, and each time we practiced, we kept messing up. However, when it came time for the actual performance, all of the stress melted away, and we had a perfect run! We just enjoyed being with each other and basking in the love of all of our guests.

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.
Sangeet night was definitely my favorite night out of everything. Each side performed so well and really put their best foot forward. I loved watching everyone display their talents and, most importantly, have a ton of fun. My close family friend group managed to make a really funny dance routine, complete with fake beards and a totally random song choice that got everyone laughing. It was also in that same dance that my brother fell flat on his face but recovered so well and got up right on the beat that everyone thought it was scripted! Another amazing performance was Aditya's. He serenaded me with a beautiful rendition of Nervous by John Legend, which brought the whole room to tears.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
The whole week is going to be so crazy and stressful but doesn't forget to pause with your spouse and soak it all in. Everyone attending your wedding is there because they love the two of you and wish you both immense happiness. Make sure to try to bask in all of that love! Try to take a couple of moments with your partner during each event to take a beat and watch everyone enjoy all of the festivities.

Alright, Maharanis, I hope you enjoyed this story. Keep coming back for more romances and tips!

Akbar Sayed Photography, DMV DECOR and Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

Akbar Sayed Photography VIEW PORTFOLIO

DMV DECOR VIEW PORTFOLIO

Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center VIEW PORTFOLIO

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

Hello, darlings! Don't miss Sapna & Swapnil's lovely charming tale in today's Platinum Guide Blog.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We "unofficially" met at Georgia Tech Garba in 2013 (all Swapnil remembers is seeing a very sweaty me post dancing) but, officially met a few weeks later when Swapnil came to Athens for his fall break with his roommates. After a few months of talking, we started dating in January of 2014 and the rest was history. 

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Swapnil proposed on May 8, 2021 at a beautiful winery in Temecula, California. I thought I was going on a weekend trip to Temecula with my friends but, was completely surprised when the "wine tour" turned out to be a proposal on the property. The surprises didn't end there. When Swapnil & I reached the AirBnb in Temecula, I was surprised by friends & family that flew out from the East Coast to celebrate the special day.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
My wedding lengha was inspired by my mom's wedding saree. I was inspired by all of the colors and elements within her saree and wanted to incorporate that into my wedding lengha somehow as a tribute to her. My designer, Tania, did such a beautiful job in designing my wedding lengha - I'll never forget us sitting on the floor of her studio picking colors, embroidery types, and ironing out all the details. I was really so happy with how it turned out!!

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?

I think the most special part of our wedding weekend was seeing all of our loved ones from all facets of life (friends, cousins, grandparents, family, coworkers, etc.) all in one room to celebrate us. I remember feeling so much gratitude and love to be able to celebrate with each and every one of them.

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.
1. The most enjoyable part of the planning process for me was being able to incorporate mine and Swapnil's personalities into certain details of our wedding weekend. Examples of this were:
2. My lavender Sangeet lengha (inspired by Jacaranda Trees and an ode to my South African Heritage)
3. Swapnil playing the violin (and instrument he's played for over 10 years) at our Sangeet
4. Our "starry night" themed wedding - this stemmed from our names meaning "Dream" but also Swapnil's love for Space

Ladies, I hope you have enjoyed today's story as much as I did. Do not forget to come back for more!

Sona Photography, Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa and Big Guava Events are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

Sona Photography VIEW PORTFOLIO

Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa VIEW PORTFOLIO

Big Guava Events VIEW PORTFOLIO

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