Welcome to Maharani Weddings

Welcome, sweeties, to a tale of romance and elegance at the Hard Rock Riviera Maya, where Aneri & Roshan's wedding unfolded like a dream come true. Aneri was enhanced by Dani Delgado's masterful hair and makeup artistry. Loto Mehndi added a traditional touch with intricate and stunning designs. Roses and Co. transformed the venue into a paradise, perfectly encapsulating the couple's vibrant yet sophisticated style. Liz Medina from JC Castillo's meticulous planning and design were evident in every detail. Amidst these enchanting details, Indian Destination Wedding, the travel concierge, played a pivotal role, ensuring that every guest's journey to this destination wedding was as seamless and memorable as the event itself. MVP DJs filled the air with beats that resonated with the couple's journey, turning the celebration into an unforgettable party. The joy, the dances, the laughter, and the love were captured exquisitely by Gareth Davies Photography, whose lens didn't miss a single moment of this enchanting day. Darlings, enjoy the incredible gallery we prepared!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
It all began back in 2012, during their sophomore year of college. Roshan and Aneri were introduced to one another by a mutual friend and hung out several times during Aneri's 6 year stay in the Bay Area. Roshan did not know this at the time, but Aneri knew that if she was to ever date this man, he would become her husband one day.

Once Aneri moved to LA, she did not expect to see him ever again. However, she was unaware of the fact that Roshan too had moved to LA. They bumped into each other a few times while hanging out with their respective friends, and each time, Roshan tried his best to get a date with Aneri.

Fast forward to December 2019--during her trip with her cousins to Austin, TX, she was convinced to download Hinge (dating app). They helped her create her profile and that same night, guess who decided to shoot Aneri a message? It was Roshan! Man was he persistent.

After years of random run-ins, they finally reconnected. By January 2020 they were CONSTANTLY texting long messages, talking on the phone and Facetiming. Roshan took the initiative to come see Aneri during the pandemic lockdown and the rest is history.

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.

HAVE A DESTINATION WEDDING!!! My husband and I cannot stress enough how amazing our wedding planning experience was. Of course we hit bumps here and there and also had days where it was extremely stressful, but overall, we are proud of our decision of having a destination wedding. A huge reason why our experience was wonderful was because we had such an amazing team help us through this process. We are beyond grateful for them and all our vendors. Every single one of our vendors were an absolute delight to work with. They really did their best to get to know us as a couple (likes, dislikes, vision) and presented us with the options for our events.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I always knew I didn't want the traditional red bridal lengha. I really wanted something different, something similar in color to what my mom wore for her wedding. She wore ivory and gold with some hints of red in her sari. When I went to India, I knew I wanted to buy something within that color scheme (ivory), but when I tried on my bridal lengha at the store, both sets of parents and my sister were in awe and I knew that it was it. Surprisingly, my husband fell in love with his outfit which coincidentally matched my outfit perfectly. We both waited until our first look on the wedding day to see each other in our wedding outfits and it was truly the best moment.

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

My husband's close family and my close family flew in several days prior to the wedding festivities. We stayed at the resort for a full week, which gave everyone plenty of time to bond and made the events that much more memorable with everyone mingling and celebrating us together. However, I'm sure all of our guests and vendors would probably agree that the most bitter/sweet special moment would have to be the morning of our wedding when our wedding mandap came crashing down due to extreme weather conditions.

Yes, it is true. Right before my husband was about to make his entrance down the isle, it started pouring rain and the extremely heavy winds destroyed our mandap. "It was out of a movie!" That is what I heard time and time over the rest of the weekend. I wasn't there to witness it, but was told how so many of our family members held down corners of the tents, tried to save the flowers/decor, and helped one another to safety. We were sure the wedding ceremony was going to be canceled or extremely delayed. But thanks to our family and friends who volunteered themselves to assist our planners and coordinators, we were able to have a ceremony indoors just 45 minutes after. It was such an emotion heavy experience, but seeing how both sides of the families came together to make our ceremony happen for us was such a beautiful thing to witness.

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 of our events and decor was absolutely beautiful. JC Castillo's team really brought our vision to life for each ceremony, including our wedding mandap, which we weren't able to get pictures with. Our themes varied across each event:
Mehndi/Welcome Night: The decor was a bohemian, minimal aesthetic with a rustic wooden swing set and 2 teepees overlooking the beautiful beach back drop. We had the guests dress more casual and comfortable mixing both Indian traditional and western styles.
Haldi/Pithi: Our only theme here was to have a blend of all spectrums of yellow and whites for the color scheme. We wanted this event to be more traditional in the sense that the Pithi is usually yellow and we wanted all of our guests to wear something within that range.
Sangeet/Garba: Bright and Vibrant with a variety of florals and colors. When I think of Garba, I think of colors and gorgeous traditional chanya cholis. I wanted the sangeet decor to represent that. Like the other events, this was outdoors and was on a rooftop. We had bright pink, blue and white flowers hanging on top of the dance floor, along with some umbrellas and twinkle lights, which is a popular garba decor item. The colors matched our outfits.
Reception: My vision for our reception was classic, modern and should scream elegance and the best 3 colors to portray that theme were black, white and gold. JC and the team went above and beyond with the decor for our reception. The hanging pieces on top of the stage were my favorite! I always knew I wanted to do that, but I wanted it to be different than having the usual flowers. We discussed potentially using golden geometric shapes and the team delivered exactly that. The reception style and decor was both of our favorite.

Darlings, keep an eye out for our upcoming posts. Until then, happy wedding planning, my friend!

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

Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more inspiring weddings from our Maharani brides!

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Welcome to the wedding of Shruti & Adam at the New Orleans Board of Trade, where love and culture unite. The area around the venue was transformed into a lively carnival as friends and family danced around the Baraat, guided by the electrifying music and energy of One2 Entertainment. Spanish Oak Events meticulously planned every detail of this enchanting day, setting the stage for a celebration harmoniously blending South Asian grandeur with contemporary elegance. Herbivore Floral Design radiated with vibrant floral arrangements, creating a picturesque backdrop. Shruti's allure was amplified by Flawless Bride, who masterfully executed her hair and makeup, and her aunt, adept in Bridal Draping/Sari Tying, added a personal touch to her radiant ensemble. The cultural essence of the wedding was epitomized in the intricate Mehndi by Saira Mohiuddin. The event blended joy, culture, and sophistication, thanks partly to the vibrant ambiance created by DJ and lighting from One2 Entertainment, which set a lively and spirited mood. The unforgettable moments were artistically captured by The Rylands Photo Co., whose photography immortalized the laughter, tears, and joy, allowing these precious memories to be cherished forever. 

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We live in Colorado, which is generally a beautiful place to hike. I was getting a little antsy to graduate from my girlfriend, but we had a trip planned the following weekend, so I figured it would happen at that point. We went on a hike to El Dorado Canyon, and it was steeper than I anticipated. I had an asthma attack, but no inhaler. I think at this point, Adam was thinking of calling it off. But the weather was perfect, the mountains were beautiful, and eventually, I calmed down. Adam pretended to set up the tripod and proposed to me on camera. I love that video. He pulled out the champagne and our to-go champagne glasses, and it was just the most beautiful day. Moreover, he told me that he had already told our parents, which meant we had a little extra time to savor being newly engaged before heading down the mountain to Facetime all our friends.

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 knew that I wanted to get married in New Orleans (where we met and in Louisiana, the state is my home), and the venue I wanted to use was the Board of Trade in New Orleans. I also wanted a wedding cake made out of cheese from my favorite cheese shop, St. James Cheese Company. Adam and I had our first dates during Mardi Gras. I had my bridesmaids dress in yellow, green, and gold to pay homage to our favorite New Orleans week. My bridesmaids decorated shoes like they do for the throws during the Muses parade, and on Friday, we put flowers in them as the centerpieces. Ganesha is a huge part of my life. One of my best friends and bridesmaids is a brilliant, talented, and conscientious muralist, and she made the Ganesha mural that hung in the background of our mandap. She also asked me a lot about what Ganesha meant to me, and these elements were represented in the artwork that hung behind us and blessed our ceremony.

I definitely wanted/needed a wedding planner to help with details, especially as we were planning from afar. I used Becky with Spanish Oak Events, and she led me to several vendors. For catering, we wanted a mix of New Orleans and Indian food. We used Pigeon Catering and Nirvana for our food. We had Indian Chinese (the most underrated cuisine) on Friday, and it was a fan favorite. For makeup, I used flawless beauty LLC. They did a great job with makeup appropriate for our outfits and made sure everything was on town. Herbivore Florist did our flowers, which were all beautiful but my favorite elements were the mandap/fountain area of our ceremony as well as our dance floor with beautiful Indian umbrellas hanging from the ceiling. Our pictures are incredible. We are so glad Becky set us up with We Are the Rylands. We also had an incredible videography team, Montoto Productions, who made a mini video of our event, which made me tear up every time. New Orleans is a town of parades, so the baraat was easier than usual with a parade permit to shut down the streets. The entire baraat was an incredible moment. The horse was gorgeous, and the band and dhol player really set it off with One2Entertainment. We went with a DJ for the Baarat ceremony but had a live band, Bee Street Benny, for the reception. As we had the cheese wedding cake, we got some different cakes from Bywater Bakery to serve as dessert. We also had a glitter/pressed flower bar and photo booth at the wedding, which was a big hit. My mehndi was so beautiful and intricate. I used the New Orleans Henna Artist, and she brought people to help with mehndi for our event as well. We also really loved having people stay at the Eliza Jane across the street. Throughout the weekend, we kept running into people, and it was really easy to get back and forth.

It was fun to plan an event with two cultures. A typical New Orleans wedding goes from ceremony to reception; there is no sit-down dinner. I was so happy to do this with our reception. People got to eat, socialize, and party immediately.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
One of my good friends happens to be a gifted designer, Nandhita Kumar.

Her company, ChayabyNandhita (@chayabynandhita), does so many things that are perfect for brides. She takes custom orders and specializes in Indian-inspired clothing. For my outfit, she wanted it to feel extremely festive without traditional heavy elements of Indian clothing. New Orleans weddings are very dynamic, and they wanted me to feel comfortable moving around. She picked patterns and colors that were very loud, so I felt like a bride, but let the patterns speak for themselves. She did also add elements about the two of us specifically. My husband is a beekeeper, and she was able to incorporate bees into both of our outfits. Our favorite song is "I Belong to You" by Brandi Carlile, and she embroidered this into his sherwani and on a tassel that I was able to attach to my lengha. My mother was married in mustard, so I wanted this incorporated into my ceremony outfit. She made my dupatta mustard and was able to add elements from my lengha and Adam's sherwani to make the mustard fit into the outfit. For the evening, I knew I wanted a traditional red. She made me this incredible ballgown that looked completely Indian but fit like a dress. While the piece was embroidered, she hand painted the same blue that Adam wore onto some of the embroidered pieces.

She was inspired a lot by the temples of Mysore. At the bottom of these temples, elephants are carved into them to provide structure and stability. She wanted elephants as the bottom border of my reception outfit to represent a strong foundation in our marriage, particularly as this was the outfit after the ceremony. Nandhita made a digital file for the elephants on the bottom of our reception outfit and did the embroidery at home. The entire process was also so fun for me. I got to pick fabrics and designs and talk to my good friend regularly, as she was constantly wanting to make sure everything she was doing was in line with what I wanted. She delivered the most incredible pieces.

I love my body. But it is definitely not a sample size. To have a garment that perfectly fit and accentuated all the things I love about myself made me feel incredibly beautiful. She also added a slit to my reception outfit that allowed the mehndi on my feet and my new bichua to be showcased as well.

I highly recommend using Nandhita Kumar to design your wedding pieces. You will look amazing.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The cheese tasting for our cheese wedding cake. Because cheese is the best.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
I think it was mostly that everyone was there to have a good time. We come from different cultures, but it's why New Orleans is such an important part of our relationship. At our core, we value our people and spend time with people who value quality time and having a blast. My bridesmaids are all from my hometown, Adam's best man and best friend he has known since he was six. Our parents have friends that they have known most of their life. People flew in from all over to be with us. Many of my bridesmaids' parents attended. It was just this incredible reunion.

Our families and relationships are important to us, and having them all show up to celebrate us made it feel like the room was dripping with love and joy. I wish I could bottle up the feeling of mutual respect, love, and merriment. I think it was palpable to everyone in the room.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
It's just the most surreal experience; it is hard to decide. My friends (and many of their partners) surprised us with a flash mob they planned together across the country, orchestrated by my mom and sister/friend Yera at our mehndi ceremony. I surprised Adam with a dance with my gals at the end of the baraat, which was so fun. Adam and I actually postponed our big wedding and got married in his backyard the year before when my father-in-law was sick, so having four healthy parents in the mandap with us was pretty emotional/incredible. Both of sets of our parents (married for >40 years) gave us advice. I had been wearing a wedding band and mangalsutra, but Adam putting sindoor in my part was something I saved for the wedding ceremony. That was a hugely notable portion of the ceremony for me. Generally, the ceremony steps made me feel like a married Indian woman: havan, satapdi, phere, bichua. His four sisters came up to tie out gathbandhan. My dad jump-dancing with one of my in-law's best friends was a highlight as well. And walking across the street with so many of my friends and family to continue the party at our hotel's bar was a great way to end the night.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Get married before your wedding. Ha! Mostly joking, but I do think it took the pressure off us and allowed us to enjoy the weekend fully.

The truth is, when so many people you love are in the same room, it's going to be the best weekend ever. Do your best leading up to it, but some things will not go quite right, and that's okay. Just make sure to take deep breaths and enjoy it because the moment passes by so quickly, but the memories will give you joy forever. After saying our goodbyes in the morning, we also took the next day to just rest and be together, and I think that was a really special day.

You are in love and ready to commit to someone. It's a really exciting time.

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Namitha & Pranav's wedding was one of those enchanting events where dreams unfold into reality. Although they knew each other from their time at the University of Florida, it was until a fateful Christmas break that their hearts recognized each other as refuge and strength, a sanctuary where ambitions and dreams were not just nurtured but flourished. 

The harmony in their spirits birthed a profound connection, sealed in on a crisp February morning in the poetic surroundings of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Pranav knelt before Namitha with a shimmering ring. Alli Gaiss from Coastal Coordinating was the wand-wielder who orchestrated the symphony of their nuptials. Every detail, from the sublime embrace of the Sawgrass Marriott to the divine artistry of Utopian Events, was a sonnet of seamless elegance.

The pre-wedding events were an artistic interlude where traditions met creativity. Namitha's mother, a visionary, transformed their backyard into a canvas of cultural homage. Every decor element, from origami parrots to intricate backdrops, was an expression of affection and effort, manifesting a reality where love was both the artist and the art.

In the kaleidoscope of celebrations, the nuanced artistry of Utopian Events' decor, the electrifying pulse of DJ Firoz from Dudha Productions LLC, and the immortalizing lens of Andrew Do Photography wove a narrative of enchantment, where each element was a verse in the ballad of Namitha and Pranav's love. Their celebration was a melody echoing the timeless dance of souls converging and destinies unfolding amidst the poetic embrace of Florida's sun-kissed shores.

Congratulations Namitha & Pranav!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Pranav and I knew of each other from college at the University of Florida, but we never actually met then. It wasn't until a very eventful Christmas break that we reconnected in my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, where he is working at the time. What was supposed to be a chance meeting turned into a long-distance relationship while I completed medical school. The rest is history!
I knew Pranav was the one when he quickly became a part of my support system while I was in medical school. His support through all my board exams, countless moves, and rotations really cemented our relationship. I felt like we could do anything together!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Every weekend, we look forward to winding down with a coffee from our favorite cafe and a walk in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It was one such weekend on a cold but sunny February morning that Pranav got down on one knee in Domino Park! It was simple, romantic, and beautiful. I couldn't have dreamed of a more perfect proposal.

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.
Since Pranav and I were based out of New York during our wedding planning process. It was important for us to find a planner who could help us navigate planning a wedding around our busy schedules. Allie from Costal Coordinating was incredible! From helping us find our vendors to helping us stay on track with all the deadlines to ironing out details with every vendor, she was with us every step of the way.
The Sawgrass Marriott was a perfect venue for us because it encompassed all the best parts of Florida. From the beautiful beaches to immaculate golf courses and the amazing southern hospitality, it was the experience we wanted to give our guests.
My MIL had some great ideas when it came to the decor for the ceremony and reception. We were lucky to find Utopian Events that helped bring our vision to life. They were incredibly patient with us and did a beautiful job putting together our dream wedding.
Pinterest and Instagram were my best friends in picking out hair and makeup ideas!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I knew from the beginning that I wanted to wear a beautifully woven kanjeevaram saree to honor both of our South Indian roots. Due to my rotation schedule, I couldn't go to India for wedding shopping so my mom did the heavy lifting there. My mom and I sifted through countless images on Instagram, Pinterest, and Maharani weddings for inspiration. Picking the color was a tricky task. I loved the blush-toned gold tissue saree, but I wanted something unique. After a lot of back and forth and many 2 AM Facetime calls from countless stores, my mom and my Rama aunty found this fabulous light Peachy-gold tissue saree in Hyderabad. The inspiration for my bridesmaid outfits and the wedding decor came from this saree as well!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?

The two things our guests loved about our wedding were the venue and the food!
We had guests flying in from all over the world for our big day, and the Sawgrass Marriott at Ponte Vedra Beach took care of them like family. Between events, our guests enjoyed the complimentary shuttle to the beach, rounds of golf on their stunning property, and time at the spa. They couldn't stop raving about the hospitality shown by the Sawgrass staff.
Fifth Element has been catering the events in our family for years, so when it came to picking a  wedding caterer, it was an easy choice. Sridhar, Uncle of Fifth Element, took out all the stops to make sure the food at all our events was unforgettable! The food selection was appreciated by our Indian and non-Indian guests!

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The most special moment at our wedding was all our family flying in from all over the world to celebrate with us. After COVID, this was the first time all of our family gathered together. It was truly a blessing to meet and reconnect with family and friends who shaped our lives for years!

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.
My pre-wedding events were truly special! My mom had this vision of turning our backyard into a traditional Telugu wedding setting for years before my wedding. Our close friends and family came together to build a traditional Telugu Pelli pandri (wedding pandal) in our backyard! From the origami parrots to the backdrops, all the decor was my mom's brainchild. Family and friends came together to build the entire pandal from scratch. It was incredible to watch. The decor and the construction of the pandal were truly a labor of love that I will never forget! I felt truly blessed to have such wonderful family, and friends come together to give me the wedding of my dreams. It's one of the most priceless wedding gifts I have gotten.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Planning a wedding is a stressful process. It's overwhelming. But remember, the most beautiful part of life comes after the wedding when you get to build a dream life with your partner. Your wedding day will fly by, so enjoy every minute of it and look forward to adventures to come, and don't fret about the small stuff!

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Utopian did a phenomenal job with the decor of our entire wedding weekend. We wanted simple elegance, and that's exactly what we got. My MIL had some great ideas for adding textured lighting to the sangeet decor, which just made it next level. Thanks to DJ Firoz for elevating our events with the textured lights! DJ Firoz was also a phenomenal DJ who completely transformed our events with music and energy. I loved that he was able to get even those family members who would never be seen on the dance floor up and dancing!
Last but not least, Andrew Do, our photographer, was phenomenal! He was so patient with us and worked through any last-minute issues and delays. He captured some incredible moments. I couldn't recommend him enough!

Darlings, I hope you enjoyed reading about our Maharani brides and their inspiring weddings!

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Hello, Maharanis! Nestled amidst the sacred ambiance of the First United Methodist Church, Swetha & Melchisedek's journey began, resonating with promises of a lifetime. With each vow, the air became thicker with emotion, a testimony to the power of their love. Swetha's ethereal beauty, accentuated by the deft touches of Beauty Marked and adorned in the finest ensemble from Debra's Bridal, left everyone in awe. But, what truly dazzled were the radiant pieces from Givenchy and Nazranaa Jewels that complemented her glowing aura. The intricate Mehndi designs by Manu's Beauty Care whispered tales of ancient traditions and the bride's journey into marital bliss. The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront transformed into splendor and romance as Swetha wore attire from Nazranaa. The magnificent decor by NJP Events & Design echoed their dreams, and the lighting set by DJ XFactor illuminated the couple's happiness, creating a celestial atmosphere. Their beats and melodies resonated joyfully, setting the stage for a night of laughter and dance. Each slice of the exquisite cake from Sweet and Chic Events tasted like heaven, while Riant Films impeccably captured the enchanting moments, immortalizing them in this beautiful film. 

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Melchisedek (or Jean, as most people & I call him for short) met in 2010 at the ages of 19 & 20 at the University of South Florida. Our first few encounters were in passing at the student center, thanks to our mutual friend (& later bridesmaid) Anita. Our real story begins, however, at a student event where Jean spotted me across the USF Amphitheater & asked me to dance bachata with him. I was hesitant at first, knowing that this Sri Lankan girl had no idea how to bachata, but I decided to take a chance & learn with this tall, dark, & handsome Haitian man. By the end of the night, we'd had such a great time that we exchanged numbers & continued to text through the rest of the night. Coincidentally enough, over the next few days, we realized that we were in two of the same classes. We became study partners, passing notes in class and studying together on campus. It wasn't long before our friendship grew into something bigger. Our relationship definitely stirred things up a bit; after all, an interracial couple (specifically a South Asian woman & a black man) was not the norm back then and was often considered “taboo” in both cultures. We took the negativity in stride, & it only helped us grow closer. One of the things that attracted me most to Jean was how important culture & family are to him, as both are so important to me as well. About 2 months into dating, he met my family in order to take us to the airport as we were traveling to Sri Lanka. At the time, because our relationship was so new, I introduced him as just a "friend." Regardless, he made such an effort to get to know my parents & ask about our culture. When we returned home, I felt this newfound connection to my roots, & Jean was so eager to hear all about my first time there. That's when I knew he was the one. Over the past 13 years of being together, that hasn't changed one bit & it's one of the things I love most about him. We make an active effort to learn about each other's cultures every day, never losing touch with our own roots but always eager to incorporate other cultures into our daily lives. Not to mention, he has been my biggest motivator & supporter since day one, always pushing me to be the best version of myself & cheering me on even when he can't physically be there.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
It was nothing short of a dream come true, to say the least. On the eve of our 10-year anniversary, in the midst of the pandemic, & with the help of my family & friends, Jean pulled off a fairytale proposal - complete with twinkling lights, white clouds, balloons, & the song we first danced bachata to that fateful day playing in the background. At my childhood home, I walked in thinking I was going to a surprise party for my parents, & instead found a room filled entirely with balloons, twinkling lights, & fog. There, at the end of a pathway lined with flower petals & lanterns, stood my Prince Charming & our dog Aladdin, my Prince Ali, waiting with my dream ring. It was absolutely magical!

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 always knew we wanted to have two ceremonies, a Christian ceremony & a Hindu ceremony & make every effort to incorporate both of our cultures into our wedding. It was no easy feat, planning two ceremonies & two receptions over two days. Thankfully, my sister Shankeer had gotten married the year before in a similar fashion & was such a huge help. Having planned two ceremonies + two receptions the year prior, she had done a lot of the research on vendors, venues, outfits, etc., for me. I honestly don't know how I could have planned everything without her! With her help, I was able to book most of my vendors early on, which saved us a lot of stress later in the planning process. For example, we knew we wanted to book Photos by Rob Futrell, our amazing photographer, as I fell in love with his work during her wedding. We also booked Beauty Marked FL again, as they did such an incredible job with my sister's bridal hair & makeup. For our Hindu Ceremony and reception bridal & wedding party outfits, I just knew we had to go through Nazranaa again, as we loved how everything turned out with our custom outfits & jewelry in my sister's wedding; & our wedding looks turned out even more beautiful than I could have ever dreamed of!

About halfway through the planning process, I realized that there were still several moving parts I needed help with. I decided to hire a wedding planner, & it was the best decision I could have made! Big Guava Events made the planning process much less daunting - helping me book the rest of my vendors, organize my ideas, create timelines & keep everyone on track & events moving on time during the wedding weekend. I definitely would have been lost without them!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Going through Shia with Nazranaa again was such a seamless process. We flew up to NJ & chose all of our outfits (bridal lengha, groom's sherwani, bridesmaids' lenghas, groomsens' sherwanis, bride & groom's reception outfits, & all jewelry) in just one day! I had a few colors & designs in mind, & Nazranaa helped bring my ideas to life. Our theme centered around royalty & peacocks for the Hindu ceremony and reception, so Nazranaa made sure to incorporate them into our outfits.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The decor! NJP Events & Design did such an amazing job taking all of my ideas & bringing them to fruition. When I walked into our reception ballroom, I actually started crying. I was so happy that everything turned out exactly how I imagined it. Our royal & peacock theme was a big hit amongst my guests, as there were so many little details incorporated into the weekend - small gold elephants adorned the head table, peacocks sitting on swings hanging from trees with crystals & lights as centerpieces, bronze peacock statues perfect for photo ops, a large peacock fixture on the arch of the entryway to the mandap, multicolored peacock light up rings & customized glow sticks handed out to guests on the dance floor, & gold, silver & rose gold trinket boxes as favors.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?

Expect the unexpected & have multiple backup plans! Our Hindu ceremony was to be held at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront on their River Deck, with a beautiful view of the St. John's River & the Main Street Bridge. There was a large Navy ship that docked right outside of our venue, completely blocking our riverfront view. This ship was supposed to be moved several months prior, but the move kept getting postponed. We had finally come to terms with this giant ship being the backdrop of our ceremony & had even changed our ceremony setup to have it only obstruct a part of the riverfront view, only to find out two days prior to the wedding that they were a hosting an outdoor Christmas party, complete with a dressed up Santa, drinks, & loud music at the same time & day of our ceremony! I was panicking - how could we hold a religious ceremony with a loud party right next to us?! We ended up having to move everything to an indoor ballroom. Thankfully, our wedding planner, Big Guava Events & decor vendor, NJP Events & Design, were able to work with the Hyatt & create a magical scene for our ceremony; & although it wasn't exactly what I had imagined, it was still beautiful in its own way.

I hope you enjoy this feature. Until next time, stay in love and keep celebrating every heartbeat.

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