Happy Monday, Maharanis! We're getting ready to dive into an exhilarating week filled with some of the most incredible South Asian celebrations you ever did see, starting with this Indian wedding on the stunning grounds of the Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York! STAK Studios captured all the breathtaking details from this stately shaadi, where Elegant Affairs left their magnificent mark on the unforgettable floral and decor work. Before you see any of those details, let's meet the bride, Mili, and her bridal party, who are looking lovely as can be! Dharma Karma flawlessly finished Mili's hair and makeup in striking detail, and today's Indian bride is donning a radiantly red and gold wedding lengha that dazzles in divine fashion. Her bridesmaids are wearing violet blue saris with just a hint of green to complement the sensational outdoor ceremony decor you'll be seeing later today. First, you'll have to meet the groom, Prakhar! We'll be giving you an exclusive look at his baraat procession, next, but before we do, check out the complete gallery for a sneak peek at what's ahead — including a reception where Dhoom Events worked the crowd in captivating manner and Moghul Caterers delighted their palates with fabulous Indian fare!
Maharani Mili, on how she met the Raja of her dreams, Prakhar:
"We met through a mutual friend in Boston. I had just moved for a new job and didn't know anyone in Boston, while Prakhar was there finishing up his last year of medical school. Our mutual friend kept inviting us to the same parties, and eventually Prakhar worked up the nerve to ask me out on a date. For our third date, he invited me to his med school gala. It was a perfect night, and we just totally hit it off.
I knew he was the one when shortly after we started dating I realized I could really by myself around him, and we could both let our weirdness shine. To quote Dr. Suess, "We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love.""
On her Raja's romantic proposal:
"We were in Portland, Oregon on vacation, and we were going on a hike along the Columbia River Gorge. There are a series of waterfalls along the gorge, and he planned to propose at the last waterfall (Multnomah Falls). He kept rushing us through the first couple waterfalls, and I kept being like what is the rush. When we got to Multnomah, the photographer that he had hired texted him to stall because there was an Asian tour group at the falls. I was so confused from him rushing us and then stalling, but when he actually got down on one knee in front of the falls everything made sense. It was a beautiful setting and really intimate. We called/texted our close family and friends, but we didn't post an announcement on social media so that we could just concentrate on us. We enjoyed the next few days in Portland basking in our newly-engaged glow."
On creating her dream wedding lengha:
"I almost never buy my own Indian clothes. Usually someone (my mom or aunts) pick out clothes for me from India and I just wear whatever is brought for me, so I didn't even know what styles I did or did not like. I spent four months following Indian designers and boutiques on Instagram, and learning what was out there (I fell in love with Sabyasachi's work, but doesn't everybody?). We went to India and my mom's friend referred us to a custom designer that really understood what I wanted. Instantly, I felt like she knew what was in my head and I could trust her to execute my vision. On the day of the wedding, I was super happy with the end result.
Working with a custom designer is really nice because you don't have to compromise on anything. For example, in my evening gown, I really wanted a keyhole back and couldn't find that anywhere else. Working with the designer, I just had to say what I wanted, and she made it happen."
On her hair and makeup:
"Finding a hair and makeup lady was the hardest part of the wedding, hands down. I went through four trials before I found Saab, and let me tell you, Saab is a GODSEND. It was hard to find someone who didn't make me too white or too dark, someone who was able to cover my acne, someone who didn't make me look like clown, etc. I also feel like I spent more time with the makeup lady than I did with anyone else that day, and I needed to find someone who would be easy to talk to or not talk to (if I didn't feel like talking)."
Make sure to join me later today for some dashing highlights from Raja Prakhar's baraat!
