Today we travel to lovely North Carolina where Awanti and Alok had the most infectiously joyful Indian wedding at the Grandover. Seriously, this weekend was a nonstop dance party, and it’s incredible how much talent the duo and their loved ones are blessed with. Awanti told us, “I think our guests particularly loved how much dancing there was at our wedding. Alok, my husband, and I love to dance. We made sure that each event just felt like a big party. From a mehndi party at my house before the weekend, all the way up to the very last song at the Reception, there was constant music, and dancing buzzing all through the wedding. It was the best feeling knowing our guests were having a great time and enjoying themselves with us.” Sounds like an absolute blast! To add to the incredible weekend, Maharani Awanti was an absolute vision of beauty in a sparkly red ceremony lehenga and couture reception gown by Nazranaa. She was bedazzling as she sparkled and twirled under the multifaceted lighting during her reception extravaganza. Peruse the full gallery by the amazing Vesic Photography for all the beautiful photos, and hit play to watch the teaser film by Light Cannon Films. We guarantee you’ll be tapping your toes the entire time! And make sure to scroll below to read our exclusive interview with the Main Maharani.
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 my wedding was not as bad as I had expected it to be but I think it's also because I had a lot of time. I had a year and four months to plan the wedding. I knew I had to start with the details that were the most important to me: photos, video, hair, and music. Those were the first phone calls I made and I luckily secured the vendors of my choice right off the bat. Because these primary vendors were booked early on, I could take my time in finding what my style was, and what aesthetics I did not like. My vendors, especially my décor vendor, were great to work with in making my vision come to life. They made it super easy to plan, and let me contact them freely to bounce ideas and come up with a way to make it happen. I had a great experience planning the wedding and collaborating with my family to make sure everyone's voice and needs were heard.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I went to India to do all the shopping last December. We did almost all of the shopping in Mumbai. I knew I wanted to a red lengha since I was marrying into a Punjabi family, but I wanted to find something a little different. I am Marathi, and we traditionally wear a Yellow saree, but finding a red and yellow lengha was not possible during the two week trip. I tried this one on with the gold blouse, and just loved the contrast. I fell in love with it the instant I tried it on and knew it was the right fit for what I was looking for. We bought the bridesmaids sarees from a wholesale market in Pune. Finding 9 of the same color saree was near to impossible, so we fortunately were able to find 4 and 5 of the same saree in two colors I loved.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
I think our guests particularly loved how much dancing there was at our wedding. Alok, my husband, and I love to dance. We made sure that each event just felt like a big party. From a mehndi party at my house before the weekend, all the way up to the very last song at the Reception, there was constant music, and dancing buzzing all through the wedding. It was the best feeling knowing our guests were having a great time and enjoying themselves with us.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Our first look was one of the most special moments I've ever experienced. I was never that bride who had envisioned her wedding all her life, so I never thought about what the first look would feel like. But walking up to him for the first time in my wedding outfit, and sharing that first moment of the day together was something I'll never forget. This day had been over nine years in the making for us and it was perfect.
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.
Alok and I made our entrance to the reception to the one and only - Michael Jackson singing The way you make me feel. We did our first dance later in the reception, and it was coordinated all over facetime and video the week before because we currently do not live together due to our jobs. But we managed to pull together a samba/bollywood/hiphop/bhangra routine to some of our favorite jams - Unforgettable, Tu Cheez Badi, Poison, and a bhangra remixed Lean On.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Live in the moment during your weekend. All the planning is finished, and at that point you've done all that you can, so just let it all go, hand it over to someone to coordinate the day/weekend of, and just be present with your family and friends. It is rare for me to have all of my closest family and friends under one roof, and it likely will never happen again. Life is fleeting, and you want to make sure you appreciate each person who comes to your wedding, and seize the moment as much as possible!
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
I was obsessed with my mehndi. It was so artistic, and Poonam did an incredible job. I had no idea what I wanted, but she created a work of art on my arms and legs that I wished didn't have to fade away. My favorite piece was a symbol she created of a half sun half Ganesh.
We'll be back bright and early tomorrow with another fab wedding film!
