As Nisha and Paul were getting closer to the end of their auspicious day, these soulmates decided to celebrate their recent union at the sophisticated Colony Palms Hotel and to welcome everyone the party time held a beautiful cocktail hour as a preamble of the wedding reception! The fabulously gifted sitar player Ronobir Lahiri Music performed his traditional instrument during the drinking time and prepared the ambiance for the attendees who later gathered around the pool to cheer for the newlyweds! The poolside venue was illuminated with pretty lighting and Sweet Emilia Jane decorated the tables with elegant brass vases with bright flowers while a special lounge tent invited the guests to relax! These two really focused on giving their guests the best fun experience with a photo booth from Mr. and Mrs. Selfie and offered a fantastic entertainment with a performance by Bellytwins Bollywood! Matthew David Studio captured the very best of this whimsical fusion matrimony and the entire wedding album can be found in our full gallery! Don't miss any snap!
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
After moving to Los Angeles from Toronto, Canada at 30. I moved to a new office and knew very few people in LA. I had always met people through friends in Toronto but in LA, in a new city, I decided to go online!
Of course, I had a very busy job that offers me the benefit of traveling all over the world, so it was hard to actually make time to date.
I finally connected with Paul on Match.com when he messaged me a very genuine, sweet message that I didn’t see until weeks later. He ended up in my junk box! You see, he was out my filters based on age and height. I had wanted someone 32-40, 6’-6’5”. It turns out Paul was 41 and 6’8”!!
I got an Alert to checked my emails and noticed his message there. Once I read his message I knew that he was different.
Because of the travel, I didn’t end up meeting him until three months later but we had texted and chatted a little bit in between.
When I finally met him on a date and saw him, I was smitten and so was he. I found out he was also a Canadian, both born in Edmonton, Alberta. We had the same humor, senseability, values, and love of life. I just wanted to be by his side from the moment we met. From that moment on, we were inseparable...
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
After dating for 2 years, buying a house and living together for 1.5 years, we were starting to build a new life in LA with amazing friends and family.
Paul knew I wanted to get married and start our own family we wanted to establish a foundation together.
So every trip and outing we had, I expected him to pop the question, but of course, Paul knows I’m too hard to surprise, so he had to catch me off guard...
One day, Jan 23, 2018, after eating a delicious meal with our friends, we all come and start talking about the importance of family and friends and building our life together, my little nephew, comes around with a ring box, gives it to Paul and he gets in his knee! In our living room, out of the blue!! I was shocked and elated and so happy it was in our home that we built with people we loved.
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 wanted our wedding in California. The majority of our friends and family live in Canada and elsewhere, so we wanted to create a warm home away from home and to celebrate in one place for our two-day event.
Palm Springs was one of the places we traveled the most together in our relationships, so we knew the desert was the place to wed. I love traveling to Rajasthan in India and wanted something to reflect that feel in California.
When we finally found our venue and all the little eclectic influences we knew that the place was it!
We fell in love with The Colony Palms and the idea of having the whole place to ourselves and loved ones to celebrate the occasion.
Indian weddings are not a common thing in Palm Springs so coordinating these details took a lot of time and thought. I wanted to maintain the beauty and the culture of a Hindu wedding but I wanted an aesthetic that fit a more Bohemian, Rajasthani style.
I made sure that our Pundit, Music, Food, Clothing, Entertainment, and overall feel was true to Hindu culture but the wedding planner, photographer were local Californian.
We wanted to honor the fact that we both had different cultures and create a fusion that highlighted our favorite elements.
Since we had a fall November wedding, the colors were peach, coral, burgundy, ivory, pink and gold. The overall theme was Desert Sunset.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Being from Canada, I knew that the best Indian clothes close to me were in Brampton Ontario. Luckily I go back-and-forth to Toronto quite a bit for work and I was able to browse lots of boutiques with my mom before I found the right one.
I’ve always loved Bombay Trendz they have a very high-end fashion with reasonable prices and can do customization. I’m taller and their lenghas always fit my body perfectly.
I found both my henna and bridal Lengha there, as well as Paul’s wedding Shirwani. Because I have a creative job at work buying furniture my favorite part of the process was picking the colors and reconfiguring how I wanted it to look and fit in our theme and blend together for the events.
I wanted to make sure the wedding was full of vibrant color but I also didn’t want the traditional red because of our desert backdrop, so I opted for soft peaches, burgundy, and ivory.
I was most inspired by Varun Bahl and Anita Dongres high waisted skirts, tight floral embroidery and contrasting soft palettes.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Planning the outfits, the decor, and the rickshaw!
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The guests loved all the details and the intimacy of the venue. The highlight was definitely our entertainment including Paul’s Band Hiway 2 playing at the Henna night, Ronobir Lahiri playing the Sitar at our cocktail event and The Belly Twins at the reception.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The most special moment was sitting under the ceremonial mandap with our Pandit, both our families staring at our loved ones knowing that our lives were bonded. Seeing both our families and cultures unite in this way was beautiful and felt meaningful and progressive.
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.
Henna party included a fusion of California, Canada, and Gujarat with Mexican food for dinner, Henna, Garba, Dandia Raas in the evening ended off by a stellar performance by Paul’s Canadiana Rock band, Hiway 2.This was an introduction and collaboration for everyone to participate in both Hindu & Canadian celebration!
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Have a vision for the day and make sure you have the right people supporting you, so you can be calm and relaxed through the process. I planned most of the wedding details alone in the first four months but leaned on my amazing Bridesmaids, my Mom and wedding planner six months before the final day.
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Other than details given by wedding planner:
A lot of details and guest favors were ordered through my favorite store in Rajasthan, Anokhi.
The details of the block print were reflected in handkerchiefs and table napkins.
The jewelry was passed down through the family were ordered through India.
Bridesmaids outfits were from Priti Sahni.
Bicycle rickshaw ordered through Classic Home and fixed and decorated by our bridesmaids & groomsmen!
