Welcome to Maharani Weddings

There are so many incredible ways to add splashes of color to an Indian wedding, and we were thrilled to see that a white and gold canvas was the starting point for the master planner Sejal Bhakta of The One Event. Aarti and Kritesh opted for ensembles in cream, red, and mint, so they popped (and how!) against the emblazoned indoors of Chateau Luxe. Together, Us to U Rentals and Wendell Florist did a stunning job on the mandap and aisle decor, theming the decor elements around circles. The monochromatic gold wood-carved mandap added an Edwardian touch, and the laser-cut gold columns that adorned the aisles were topped off with elegant pastel blooms. We’ve said this once and we’ll say it again - the right lighting can enrich decor like no other, and Karma Event Lighting did not disappoint! Escape Studios captured the cinematic journey to supplement the gallery, and we can’t wait to see what that looks like! While you wait for the full synopsis of the reception, head to the gallery to leaf through the lovely clicks by Birdsong Wedding Photography. 

 We don’t say this too often, but when we do, we mean it: this reception was a MARVEL. Swing by soon because you do not want to miss this one!

Henna by Purvi and Escape Entertainment L.L.C. are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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Seeing just how much we obsess over weddings on a daily basis, you might think we have seen everything there is to see. But you’d be surprised to know that that’s not the case, and that’s where the fun lies! Sejal Bhakta from The One Event was all about planning a chic and distinctive wedding for Aarti and Kritesh, and it was a smashing success. The way Birdsong Wedding Photography went over every detail while the bride was getting gussied up was like a fairytale in itself. Aarti paired a dreamy au courant mint lehenga that was doused in beige thread and sequin floral work, with an ornate red blouse. This eclectic color pairing was like a breath of fresh fashion air, and we found it delightful the way traditional red made it into the mix. Just about everything in Aarti’s bridal look screamed perfection - Makiaj used blush tones, gold undertones, and a deep mauve lip to perfect her makeup, and the sleek bun was the perfect canvas for her Kundan matha patti. Aarti’s slender mendhi-adorned hands, courtesy of Henna by Purvi, were accentuated with lovely haathphools and bangles. In his turn, Kritesh looked swell in a white Sherwani with silver detailing, paired with a bright red Banarasi silk dupatta that matched his ladylove. The couple didn’t have the classic First Look photos, and instead, Birdsong Wedding Photography utilized the palatial indoors of Chateau Luxe resulting in remarkable portraits of the two! Before we dive into the tres chic ceremony, soak in all the goodness by visiting the gallery! 

Aarti and Kritesh’s lavish ceremony was dressed up with ideas that redefined warm and classy. Return right here for all the details!

Henna by Purvi and Escape Entertainment L.L.C. are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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Escape Entertainment L.L.C. VIEW PORTFOLIO

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

In our Maharani Sessie's words, she felt like she stepped out of a storybook Bollywood wedding after her ceremony. We, on the other hand, felt like we stepped into a storybook royal reception when we saw the gallery! Just about everything was planned to perfection by Bridal and Event Lounge, and the guests were raving about the personalized bride and groom signature cocktails. The Regency Ballroom at Hyatt Regency Long Beach was bedecked in hues of lavender, with standout elements like the backdrop and drapes carried over from the ceremony decor. Flower Diva added lovely blooms in shades of pink, lavender, and white on the stage, in addition to scattered petals. This multifaceted Maharani quickly changed into a kurta and patiala set to join her former dance crew, Bhangra Regiment, and put up a stunt-ridden bit. Thanks to Beauty By Linda Chiriac and Beautified By Daisy, Sessie didn’t have to worry about her hair and makeup amidst all the dancing. Girish opted for a classic black tuxedo from Menguin and black bow tie look, gorgeously contrasting Sessie’s all gold embroidered cocktail gown. In addition to a customized menu, Rasraj set up a scrumptious looking dessert table. “Thanks to Rasraj for catering to our unique taste in food,” added Sessie. Orange County Chocolate Fountains set up a chocolate fountain next to the stunning cake, and post the indulging, DJs from Special Occasions LA took over. “The rest of the evening was, to use the technical term, “turnt””, added the bride jovially! Peruse through the gallery for all the stunning visuals from this blockbuster wedding!

We have some amazing weddings coming up that we know you'd love to partake in! Join us right here on the blog same time tomorrow and until then, enjoy this lively conversation that we had with Sessie:

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
"Meant to be"- this is often something many of us hear but think of as a cliche. Like many people, I thought all of that talk was silly until I met Girish. My father became ill in February 2014 and he knew he did not have a lot of time left. He knew he wanted to see my wedding and, at the least, make sure I was with the right person before he passed. My dad introduced to me to his childhood friend's son with hopes that we would hit it off. We talked for a few months but being on opposite coasts did not make this realistic. Out of the blue, Girish was offered a job on the west coast and, on a whim, took it. After a few months on the job, he finally decided to come down to meet me in L.A. After one weekend, we just knew we were meant to be (we even were wearing matching gold rings with emerald stones - complete coincidence!). We vibed like we've known each other for years. The rest, is history!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
I was visiting Girish in Seattle July 4th weekend. He had convinced me that we were going to his boss' house for dinner on July 3rd and would meet some of his friends for drinks prior to heading out. We finally left his place and headed into downtown. to meet his friends. We headed to the Four Seasons Hotel roof top and sat down at the glass balcony. We sat for a few seconds facing the shimmering Puget Sound and endless blue skies. Girish told me how special I was to him and, before I could even process what was happening, he got on one knee and asked me to marry him! We continued our special day with an Engagement Shoot followed by dinner at Palisades Restaurant with a waterfront view of Elliott Bay and the Seattle skyline. We ended our night at the Four Seasons Spa. It was truly head-to-toe bliss!

What did your guest particularly love about your Wedding?
We received rave reviews about our wedding. It was a blend of a western ceremony, with the bridal party, bride, and groom walking down the aisle, and a traditional Hindu ceremony. Our priest was engaging and kept the crowd involved; the ceremony flew by. The mood changed quickly for the reception, where everyone was ready to party! Our guests raved about the details -- personalized napkins ("Drunk in Love") to airplane-shaped placecards to capture our long-distance, on-the-go relationship to our unique take on Indian food (thanks Rasraj!) to, of course, the specialized bride and groom signature cocktails!

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Your wedding day is going to be a hectic day-- there is no avoiding that. There is going to be a lot going on around you and plenty of people giving you last minute suggestions. Through all the madness, remember to take a step back and take in why the day is truly special: you're marrying your best friend and beginning a new life together. Don't forget to take that in!

BEL Event Productions, Bridal and Event Lounge and Manshaa Collection are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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There is nothing more we love than First Look captures that look like they were shot with a surprise camera! At least that’s how it looked because White Rose Production did not disappoint! Sessie and Girish hit us right in the feels with the sheer amount of joy they had on their faces on seeing each other for the first time. It was as if they didn’t even know that they were on camera! The wedding day started off with a good luck sprinkle followed by the perfect California sunshine. Hyatt Regency Long Beach made for a dreamy welcome for the wedding party, given its fully lit and luminous ceiling. Flower Diva beautified the ballroom even further with grand gold vases and bouquets adorning the aisle way, leading to a purple and white mandap that was a sheer drapery masterpiece by Bridal and Event Lounge. In the words of Sessie, the priest was engaging and kept the crowd involved, which made the ceremony fly by. Despite all these larger-than-life elements anywhere you looked, the small details turned up the event by a notch. Personalized napkins, airplane-shaped table cards to signify the long-distance relationship by Shubhankar Wedding Invitations, and an aesthetic touch on just about everything really stole the show. Words can't fully capture the essence of this wedding that was enveloped in glitz and gorgeousness. You have to see it to believe it, so head to the gallery brimming with extraordinary clicks!

The final segment of the Sessie Girish saga features their stellar reception where the crowd went euphoric over the food, cocktails, and dancing! Come back soon for all the specifics! 

BEL Event Productions, Bridal and Event Lounge and Manshaa Collection are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

BEL Event Productions VIEW PORTFOLIO

Bridal and Event Lounge VIEW PORTFOLIO

Manshaa Collection VIEW PORTFOLIO

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

All it took was one glance for us to know that this wedding is going to be one blockbuster visual feast! And why not, with Bridal and Event Lounge to plan Sessie and Girish’s big day, and Danielle Evans to design it, it turned out to be a harmonious event that blended a western ceremony with a traditional Hindu one. We were in awe of the way White Rose Production captured the bride and groom’s getting-ready shots, because they were so raw, real, and riveting! We got to see some details up close, like the tearjerking letter penned by Sessie, and also some fun behind-the-scenes like Girish’s entourage dressing him up and teasing him. We rarely come across groomsmen that match to perfection and are so suavely dressed: Girish’s squad donned checkered lavender shirts and even added matching floral boutonnieres to their grey suits! As for Girish, he donned a baroque embroidered cream ornate Sherwani, and paired it with a striking red Safa. His counterpart Sessie bedazzled in a quintessential red bridal lehenga from FM Concepts, accessorized with an exquisite ruby choker set. Henna by Dixita did elegant and simple floral Mehndi designs that was further accentuated with Sessie’s gold haathphool, and matching bangles. Our #TeamBride looked perfect in their violet chiffon saris, and all of them wore a statement choker with a maang tikka and earrings. Sessie slipped into her sparkly Jessica Simpson stilettos and was all set to make a grand entrance down the aisle, complete with flower girls and matching bridesmaids. Catch the glam photos from this wedding by heading to the gallery!

Hyatt Regency Long Beach was the chosen venue for Sessie and Girish’s ceremony, and now that you have a glimpse of what you can expect, be sure to return to the blog for a complete rundown of the ceremony!

Bridal and Event Lounge and White Rose Production Cinema and Photo are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

Bridal and Event Lounge VIEW PORTFOLIO

White Rose Production Cinema and Photo VIEW PORTFOLIO

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