Welcome to Maharani Weddings

Good morning, Maharanis! Get ready to be amazed by all the beauty and romance surrounding Erica & Anuj's intimate wedding celebrated during COVID. Every scene captured by the highly talented team at Wedding Documentary is an absolute visual delight that you don't want to miss as it packs all the things we love and so much more. So, it is no surprise that this lovely wedding made its way into our Best of 2020 Magazine with the fantastic shots captured by Emily Jean Images. The traditional attires, seeing two cultures mingle together, and the perfect planning and execution by Denise Lillie Engagements made this wedding a cornucopia of beauty and flair. But we cannot talk about beauty without taking a moment to admire our gorgeous Maharani's ravishing look after being glamorized by Morsal Z. The exquisite makeup and sleek hairstyle praised this Maharani's innate beauty and made her look like a goddess throughout the entire wedding festivities. Ladies, get ready to start this Wednesday filled with romance and inspiring ideas by clicking the play icon below. Believe us; you are about to dive into a real-life fairytale from which you will not want to return.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met on November 10, 2017 after chatting for a few weeks on Bumble (a dating app.) We originally connected over our taste in music but the conversation easily blossomed into much more, so the first meet up felt seamless. I was running late so I texted Anuj to let him know that I'd be there soon and he'd recognize me as soon as I came in - I love how he remembers this moment because he says when the doors opened and he saw me wearing disco boots and a big smile, he knew something special was about to happen.

The next few months had their ups and downs, as all new relationships do, but he took a trip to visit family in India and during that time, we spoke on the phone for about an hour each day - and I don't normally like talking on the phone! That's when I knew I really wanted to get serious. When he came back, I had made him his favorite lasagna and left little notes all around his apartment and from that point on, we fell into a beautiful, healthy and adventurous relationship.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We had just gotten back from an amazing vacation in Costa Rica and Anuj was adamant about taking me out for a "belated birthday lunch." We went to the Cliff House - a historic landmark at the beach in San Francisco - on September 29, 2019 (a full month after my birthday.) After a lovely lunch and some champagne, we walked down to the old Sutro Baths ruins. It was warm and sunny, which is quite rare for Ocean Beach, and we found the perfect spot to stand and watch the waves. At that moment, Anuj got down on one knee, told me that he loved me and wanted us to be together forever, and proposed with the most gorgeous diamond ring I have ever seen! I was thrilled to say yes. Luckily, this entire experience was captured beautifully by a covert photographer Anuj had hired in advance so we will always remember the details of that day. Afterward, we went to my parents house, where Anuj's family was also waiting to surprise us with an engagement pooja and celebration.

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 was never the type of girl who imagined her wedding from a young age - in fact, I rarely thought about getting married and didn't have a clear vision for my ideal event. I found an amazing wedding planner (Denise Lillie) and we clicked right away - she understood that we wanted a fusion blend to make sure my California style was equally represented along with the Indian customs, traditions and look. She was understanding, creative, knowledgeable, funny and had an impressive portfolio of magnificent weddings.

We worked together to plan a beautiful wedding in Carmel Valley - three days of events with around 300 guests from all over the world - but then the pandemic hit and everything had to be canceled. Although we had to take some time to grieve that loss, we ended up starting from scratch and putting together a wonderfully intimate wedding that felt dreamy, authentic and lovely.

Denise helped us assemble a cohesive vendor team, most of whom would have been helping with our original wedding, although we made a few small changes along with the venue. We had our wedding at my dad's best friend Jeff's house in Half Moon Bay - a place very special to me as I watched him build it from the ground up and I grew up swimming at the beach out front, playing cards with my sisters on the deck and drinking milkshakes Jeff made for us in his vintage malt blender.

The vendor team Denise built out for us was wonderful - they all took time to understand our style. They were adaptable, followed all covid safety precautions and worked together to help execute our dream. AAB Creations (along with InnoFarm Retreats) built the most fantastic mandaap imaginable and decorated the venue in a manner that far exceeded my expectations. Morsal Z created two wedding looks for hair & makeup that made me feel like a movie star and my best friend Meghan planned and prepared cocktail hour food that was better than any professional catering company I've tried. The photos and videos are incredible and I'm so proud of and thankful for Emily and Vijay capturing the details so beautifully. The only thing that wasn't perfect on our big day was the fact that we were missing so many of our loved ones, including my sister Cait and Anuj's grandparents.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
In February, I went with Anuj and his parents to India to meet his extended family and do all of our wedding shopping. It was my first time in India and I had an incredible experience - the colors, flavors and hospitality of the country and its people greatly impressed me and spending quality time with Anuj’s grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins was an invaluable pleasure.

Now, I can’t really take credit for finding my bridal lengha - my mother-in-law spearheaded a week of shopping in Delhi. I wanted to go with a fully traditional style with red and gold, but I’d never even worn so much as a sari before, so I didn’t know anything more than that. She shepherded us around to all the various shopping districts, consulted the staff, negotiated prices and, in the end, I fell in love with an intricately detailed (but not too heavy) tomato red outfit with gold beadwork and a custom-made gold dupatta with a celestial look.

I changed into a wedding dress from BHLDN after our ceremony - long white lace, plunging neckline and sheer back with a long line of pearl buttons. I also got a custom denim jacket from Etsy with “Mrs. Kucheria” printed on the back as a surprise for Anuj and it’s a good thing I did because it got a bit cold and windy in the evening :)

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
In the beginning, we loved touring venues and testing caterers - it was so much fun to imagine the possibilities and refine our desires! Looking back, I also really loved writing my vows and working with my team to think through the aesthetics of the event. I really wanted it to look and feel organic, bohemian, romantic and culturally blended. I’m so happy with the outcome and what we achieved.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Everyone raved about the cocktail hour food! Meghan put together a vegetarian menu of individually portioned and delightfully plated snacks like baby heirloom crudites, vegan spring rolls, wild mushroom empanadas, rainbow beet stacks with pistachio-crusted goat cheese, and roasted garlic polenta and olive tapenade bites. Our guests also loved the decor - very bohemian, ethereal, warm and charming.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
There are a few moments that play on repeat but the main thing that comes to mind is the first look. When Anuj saw me all dolled up in my traditional Indian bridal outfit, dripping in gold jewelry and with glam hair and makeup, the look on his face will forever be etched in my mind. The videographer captured it perfectly and in our highlight reel you can actually see the amazement in his eyes as he says “oh my god”. To me, he looked like a prince and I was equally blown away.

Another moment that was very special was the speech portion of the night. Because of covid (as well as venue restrictions) we didn’t have a dance floor, so people got really into the toasts. Our friends and family prepared eloquent, hilarious, and tear-inducing speeches that flooded the evening with warmth, humor, fond memories and well wishes. It meant so much to use to have our loved ones pour so much effort into showering us with love.

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.
After canceling our original wedding, sangeet, mehndi and farewell brunch, we were only planning on having a one-evening event for our wedding. At the last minute, however, I wanted to have a mehndi party. We kept it super small and did an intimate gathering in my home for our friends - both men and women - so the ladies could get henna designs on their hands and we could all come together for a pre-wedding event to kick off the celebrations. While everyone was here socializing, something really beautiful happened - all of the women decided to wear saris instead of cocktail dresses to the wedding the next day! My friend Beth had enough saris to outfit everyone and then she made the rounds around Half Moon Bay on the morning of our wedding to dress my friends. Everyone looked beautiful and it really provided an extra jazziness to the day.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Don't put too much pressure on yourself or your wedding - your attitude will dictate everything so be present, be flexible and be loving. The process can be stressful if you let it so keep things fun and light and don’t make your entire life about one day.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
The baraat! Anuj came down the block in a vintage Porsche, led by a dhol player and surrounded by our friends and family dancing in colorful clothing. It was one of the most beautiful, unique events I have ever witnessed. I got to watch the whole thing from above.

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Hello, darlings! Get ready to enjoy Nandita & Vishnu's lovely wedding in today's Platinum Guide Blog.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Vishnu and I met through the app 'Dil Mil'. Shortly after connecting through the app, we discovered multiple similarities in our histories, interests, and overall lives. I quickly felt understood, and at home with him. Despite this comfort, I held my distance and tried to proceed slowly (years of dating had me skeptical of relationships). Nevertheless, Vishnu was not deterred by distance, he persisted. He broke down all my walls through his patience, his desire to make me happy, and ultimately - his unconditional love. He loved me for me, and it was the most beautiful feeling in the world.

If that wasn't enough... our lives integrated so well. Most importantly, the relationships between both of our families and our personal relationships with each other's families was one of respect, love, and most importantly- joy. Having these relationships evolve and grow around us further strengthened our own relationship. So much so, that the moment I knew I wanted to marry Vishnu was the moment I saw Vishnu and my parent hanging out on vacation- they were all so relaxed, comfortable, and happy! It just felt right. I knew in that moment, that he was the missing puzzle piece. :)

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Our families and I (along with an AMAZING team of vendors) had spent countless hours planning, and re-planning our wedding. The pandemic had presented it's fair share of challenges and we forced to adjust to each one of them. Leading up to the wedding, there was some level of nervousness as well. Would there be another shut down? Would everyone be safe? Would flights be cancelled? But then the wedding week had finally arrived, and every fear and anxiety disappeared.

The week kicked off with our family & friends flying in from around the world. Most of our guests had jumped through hoops to come, and we were so incredibly humbled by their efforts & love. Prior to the week, I feared the size of our wedding- we had about half the guests we would have had pre-covid, would not allow for a lively celebration. But honestly, the intimate size of our wedding was one of things that made the wedding feel extra special. When we looked around, we saw a room of nothing but people who had supported & loved Vishnu and I. It made for a comfortable, relaxed, and ultimately happy space for our celebrations.

I can't honestly say planning a wedding during covid was an enjoyable experience, but I can say, I have a evener deeper appreciation for both my family and Vishnus- who kept us strong and positive throughout every obstacle and every change. All our lives they have been our rocks and our biggest supporters...and yet again, they came through for us <3

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
So many of the guests used the words 'Perfect' or 'Magical' to describe our wedding festivities. I think the accolade can be contributed to two main factors. For starters, every detail came together beautifully. It was actually surreal. Not only did everything fall into place, but every event & every moment surpassed our expectations. The extensive team of vendors, our wedding coordinator, and my mom especially worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure everything was perfect....and it truly was. The decor was stunning, the food delicious, the beats were sick- it was all perfect.

Secondly, and maybe more importantly, we had the most amazing set of family and friends there to help celebrate our special day. COVID allowed for an intimate wedding where everyone could mingle and rejoice together.

Finally, probably the biggest compliment, and something we heard multiple times was that there did not appear to be a 'groom's side' and a 'bride's side'...it all just seemed like one big, happy family. We also felt exactly the same way :)

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
One moment in particular during the wedding that stands out to me is the first dance. As a long time Disney lover and self-proclaimed princess at heart, I choose the song 'A Whole New World' for our dance. The song was sung by none other than my sister and Vishnu's brother (both of which went to the same HS and sang in the same choir). Their voices were beautiful, and everyone in the audience said they were in awe. For Vishnu and I, the feeling was even more surreal. We loved these two people with all our hearts, and they were sharing this special moment with us in the most real way. As if everything was perfect enough, just as we started to dance, a slight wind picked up and it started to drizzle. Maybe some other brides would have been bothered, but honestly, I loved it! The drizzle, and the music, and dancing with the love off my life ....it all felt right out of a Disney movie! I truly felt like a princess.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
TRUST YOUR VENDORS. I can not express this enough. I gave my vendors an idea of my vision. I listened to their feedback on what they thought works/doesn't work/etc. And I am so happy I did... every single event went incredibly smoothly, and every detail came together beautifully. It was actually surreal. Not only did everything fall into place, but every event & every moment surpassed our expectations. The extensive team of vendors, our wedding coordinator, and my mom especially worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure everything was perfect....and it truly was. The decor was stunning, the food delicious, the beats were sick- it was all perfect. TRUST YOUR VENDORS- they are experts in what they do!

Thank you for joining us today! We hope to see you here tomorrow, same place, same time!

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Good morning, Maharanis! We are so excited to bring you an insight into the sweet and charming wedding celebration of these highschool sweethearts: Sarahzin & Christopher. Today's fusion wedding incorporates tons of beauty and inspiring ideas that will brighten up your day and melt your heart with tenderness and joy, so let's not wait any longer, and let's dive right into it! If you've been following us for quite a while, you already know that there is something extraordinary about fusion weddings that we love so much, so you can imagine how happy we were when this wedding came into our hands. As soon as we glanced at this dreamy celebration, we knew this was one story we wanted to share with you. The Hyatt Regency Newport Beach nestled the beginning of this everlasting love story, transforming its surroundings into a cornucopia of elegance and traditional flair, thanks to the fabulous decor crafted by Chez Rose Floral Designs. The lovely floral arrangements and linens set the mood for the charming wedding ceremony that united these two lovebirds in marriage. It was such a gorgeous combination of elegance and flair that all guests adored! And talking about flair, we cannot forget to mention the fantastic looks of our lovely Sarahzin. She wore two different attires to make her dream wedding come to life, and oh boy, we loved them both! Her white gown and gorgeous lengha made her look like royalty after being pampered by Beauty by Arooj. After the ceremony, it was time to celebrate the newlyweds with a luxurious reception party enlivened by DJ Red 23, who put everyone to dance. The only time the dancing stopped was to enjoy the mouth-melting cake baked by Grace & Honey. Hands down, this was Sarahzin & Christopher's dream wedding celebration, so big kudos to Rebecca Calagna Events for taking these lovebirds' vision and making it a reality! Ladies, if you can't get enough of this lovely couple, you can't miss today's marvelous gallery by Lin & Jirsa Photography. Every single shot is a visual masterpiece you will love!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Oh, I love this one here. We are actually high school sweethearts. :) He was a friend of a friend. One day, Brandon (one of the groosmen) asked if he could bring Chris over. My question to Brandon was, "oh, the kid with the hat?" Christopher loved to wear his baseball cap in high school, and still does till this day. :) He came over and I just thought it was the cutest ever. We really clicked, and instantly became best friends. Fast forward a year or so, we were going to a friend's party and like typical high schoolness, we played Truth or Dare. My best friend knew we both had a thing for each other. She dared us to kiss... and here we are today :) we kept hanging out and one day, at a local Car Spa, he asked me to be his girlfriend. :) We had gone there several times before our first kiss. :) Fastforward to grad night, we went to Disneyland. During It's a Small World, he turned to me and told me he was falling in love with me (I'm the biggest Disney lover). My heart stopped. It was the moment where I just knew. I will never forget that night.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Sarahzin was planning on scheduling Saif's graduation photos at a beach. Christopher knew that she wouldn't select a beach in San Diego and worked with Sarahzin's mom and Saif to trick her into choosing the right beach.

Months prior to the engagement, Christopher and Sarahzin's mom narrowed it down to a couple beaches in Laguna Beach. Christopher visited Victoria Beach with his sisters Sierra and Emily, and knew immediately this was the beach where he wanted to pop the question. He had everyone hide their locations on Snapchat from Sarahzin so she wouldn't be suspicious in any way when they were visiting.

While Sarahzin was doing research on the beaches, she narrowed it down to the Laguna area. She eventually selected Victoria Beach after consulting with her family and Christopher. Saif faked that he was not in the mood for photos and acted like he didn't want to go.

While driving to Victoria Beach, Christopher's family was helping set up. However, they were running late. While looking for parking, he saw his family walking across the road and did a fast left turn. Sarahzin did not see his family and instead got mad at Christopher for driving so recklessly. Christopher said it was because of a leg cramp (faked) and Sarahzin felt bad. They swapped drivers and she dropped off Christopher, Sarahzin's mom, and Saif at the front of Victoria Beach. Sarahzin was very worried and went on to try to find parking.

While Sarahzin was parking, she noticed a man who looked like Christopher's grandfather in front of her. She brushed it off thinking it was nothing; this was indeed his grandfather and it was a close one. Christopher met up with Sarahzin and said Sarahzin's mom was very worried Sarahzin was alone and sent him up. He had the ring in his right pocket and kept Sarahzin on his left side.

Victoria Beach is not an easy beach to access. There were hundreds of steps and a lot of rocks to climb through. While climbing the rocks, Christopher stopped Sarahzin saying there was a random man taking photos; he was just looking at his phone. He then walked through the rocks to an area with sand between the rocks. Sarahzin was getting very upset because Christopher was pulling her so hard; he claimed it was because he was worried she'd fall. Once Sarahzin got to the place, she saw her family and began to relax. She then turned around, and saw Tyler... she knew right then.

Christopher pulled her to the right side where there were rose petals all over the sand, lit-candles, a large seashell, and the words, "Will you marry me?" written all over the sand. Sarahzin was speechless. Christopher got down on one knee, said some very romantic words, and asked Sarahzin, the love of his life, to marry him. She squealed yes and sealed it with a kiss while their families and a bunch of strangers clapped loudly!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I was very close to my bubunie (my grandma), who passed away in 2009. She had given my mom this totally unique and gorgeous gold jewelry set. Since I could remember, I had been in love with this set. My mom saw the love I had and never wore it. She literally kept it to the side since I was a little girl. Fast forward to the wedding time frame, I didn't want to wear anything else. My mom and I literally worked with Sakshi Aunty from Dreams Collections to design my dress to match this gold jewelry set. My dress is antique gold and this deep red color. It was perfect. I was in love with that set and with my dress. I felt that I had my Bubunie with me on my wedding day.

For my white gown, my best friend Gabby and my mom accompanied me randomly to Simply Bridal just to try on dresses. The first dress I tried on ended up being the dress. I literally cried. So did Gabby and Mommy. It was perfect. I did end up trying a few more that day but the first dress was the one, there was no question. I wasn't even planning on buying a dress that quickly. I finalized my white gown almost 15 months before the wedding. :) We later went to Carino Bridal to add on my cold sleeves and get a custom long veil.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Honestly, my favorite part was spending time with my wedding party and our parents (most of them are related to us or really close to us). We all saw each other so much, it just made both of us so happy. I got to do everything I wanted to do with my mom, she's my world. She literally made my dream wedding come true. This day would not have been what it was without her. My best friend (maid of honor) and bridesmaids made my dreams come true with my pre wedding events like my bridal shower and my bachelorette party. My wedding party all rehearsed with us monthly to do some bollywood dancing during my Holud Ceremony. :) They all did so great! Part of this also allowed my brother and all of his siblings to bond and become friends. :) I was so happy. I'm truly lucky to have such amazing people in my life.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
There are 4 moments that constantly play in my mind. I can't choose just one!

1. After the ceremony and before the dress change, Christopher and I got some alone time where everyone was gone. No cameras, no videos, no one. We literally just held hands and walked around the resort talking about how amazing the day was. Also on how we didn't run late in any way, uncommon for Desi weddings! It was such a perfect moment. I love this man with all my heart and I got to have this alone time with him. We both took mental pictures. Baby, this day was a dream and I'm so happy I get to spend every day with you. Amee thomacke bhalobhashee babe (I love you in Bangla).

2. While Christopher was having his Baraat ceremony, my mom and I were hidden in a room on his path. We got to watch it secretly. :) During that time, I got to pour my heart to my mom. She is the reason we were able to have this amazing of a wedding. Without her, my dreams would not have come true. In addition, everything I've become, is because of her. She's the strongest woman every and without her, I wouldn't be anything. I love her to death and having this special private moment to tell her everything I love and appreciate about her, was amazing. We were crying and trying not to mess up our make up. I love you, Mommy.

3. Christopher is the kindest person ever. One thing he did that I thought was amazing was the fact that he incorporated all his brothers, including my brother, into the ring ceremony. He had my brother Saif get the ring from the ring bearer, pass it to his brother Andrew, who then passed it to his other brother Brandon, who then passed it to her other brother Tyler. This was to signify his older 4 brothers (my brother included). Christopher including Saif there just melted my heart. They're so close and that means the world to me. In my life, it has been me, my mom, and my baby brother. Their relationship is something I really cherish. This little ceremony Christopher created really meant a lot to me.

4. The first dances with our parents and my brother. I did a first dance with my brother because he's been my rock and support. He and my mom gave me away during the wedding. :) Saif was very busy during the ceremony! He went down as a groomsmen and then as a male figure in my life with my mom when I went down the aisle. I love you Babu! In addition, I also danced with Christopher's Dad and Stepdad. Both are amazing men and I love them with all my heart. They are the father figures I've always wanted in my life. I love you both, Dad and Todd!

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
When you know you have the one, you know. :) That's the best part. Cherish the day, take mental pictures. You're surrounded by all the people you love and everyone who loves you. They're all there for you and your partner. Don't stress and just enjoy the day. Attend your own wedding. It was the best day ever.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
We did two bouquet tosses :) Christopher did one for the guys and I did one for the girls! It was a way to put something cute and fun into the day :) Didn't want to do the garter toss lol

We also somehow incorporated a lot of Disney into the wedding making it fairytale like without even trying. Our favors were coasters that said "never too old for fairytales", our photobooth prints said the same, I made my entrance in a horse drawn carriage, Christopher came in on a white horse, his processional song was "Wish Upon A Star", the wedding party went down to "Beauty and the Beast", and I came down to "A whole new world". Our first dance was a mash up of "Can you feel the love tonight (Lion King) and Taylor Swift's Lover. We also had sparklers. It truly felt like a fairytale and I wouldn't change anything. <3

That is all for today, darlings. Remember to join us tomorrow for more.

Hello, beauty queens! Get ready to enjoy Roohi & Ameya's wedding in today's Platinum Guide Blog.

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Happy Wednesday, Maharanis! Today, we wanted to revisit one of your favorite weddings, and it is none other than Cynthia & Ankur's wedding celebrated during COVID times. This spectacular event had so much repercussion, and you all loved it so much that we couldn't wait to share the jaw-dropping film captured by Studio KSD with all of you. Right from the start, we have to say that this intimate event, already featured in our Main Blog and our Best of 2020 Magazine, is one inspiring and romantic story you don't want to miss. So let's check it out together! From the wedding ceremony officiated at the Thompson Park to the intimate reception party, everything was impressive. This unique and unforgettable event overflowed with so much beauty and flair that it still has us sighing. But we are not surprised that everything turned out to be this amazing as the talented and highly experienced team from Haneen Festivities took care of the decor that set the mood for this life milestone. And oh boy, they did a phenomenal work exceeding all expectations and delivering nothing but utter perfection. This perfection mirrored Cynthia's fabulous look, who amazed everyone after being fully glamorized by Kanwal Batool. Darlings, if you want to check more of this beautiful wedding celebration, hit the play icon below and get ready to be amazed by this spectacular film!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met through bumble and our first date was at Cienfuegos in Manhattan.

There really wasn't one big ah-ha moment. It was a very subtle and slow change change where I felt myself wanting to share everything with him. If I was not hanging out with Ankur I found myself making a mental list of all the things I wanted to tell him. And whenever I would daydream or plan the future he was always a part of it.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
He proposed to me after a hike that overlooks the manhattan skyline in the Palisades. We love to hike together and it was a gorgeous view with just  the two of us.

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.
Ha! I planned my wedding twice! I had my venue, dress and a few vendors ready before I was even proposed to! In-fact Tina (from KSD studios) and I finalized the terms of the photo/video contract while I was on on the hike in which Ankur proposed to me. I am a type A person and I have experience planning large scale events so I threw myself right, made a list of all the things I had to do and just got started. Our original wedding date was supposed on be Oct 31st 2020, I was pretty much done planning with all my vendors booked by Jan 2020.

Then the pandemic hit and completely derailed my plans. With all the uncertainty I was losing my mind. I couldn't plan anything more a few weeks out. I had no idea how much money I was going to lose with all the deposits I had already put down. I also had to completely reimagine the wedding because it was supposed to be a 3 days affair with a catholic ceremony (my family is catholic), a hindu ceremony (Ankur's side is Hindu), mehendi etc and now multi-day affair was out of the questions.

I didn't even know what the safest way to cater this would be: can you even have open food? would the caterer even do individually packages meals? Is it tacky to hand out boxed food at a wedding? There were just so many unknowns that the vendors could not answer either. But all of my vendors were absolutely fantastic, they all worked me to make my day simply amazing.

At the end of the day, the pandemic really let me and Ankur imagine and bring to life the wedding of our dreams. All the plans from the original wedding were so formulaic, we had so many events JUST because that is what tradition dictates. Well the pandemic made us throw all the traditions out he window to create our own. We decided to move up our wedding to September so that it would not be too cold for an outdoor wedding.

With a much smaller wedding, we were able to focus on us and our guests and get a lot more people involved. My dad and I handmade the wedding signs - welcome to the wedding, table cards with names, the rustic polaroid photo board. I had my sister and best friend do a lot of the creative work (games, wedding programs, wedding hashtags). My aunt made the wedding cake and all the cupcakes. My uncles figured out how live stream the wedding so that people who could not attend can still watch the wedding. This wedding came to life because of so many people and it was simply amazing! Better than what could hope for! Even the weather that day was perfect!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Actually I had bought about 5 dresses and only used one. I had a white dress for the catholic ceremony, a saree for the hindu ceremony, lengha for the reception and a few others for the pre-wedding event. I had all the matching jewelry too!

But with the pandemic I ended up just using my big white dress. I got this dress from David's Bridal. Ankur and I had a conversation about getting married and OF COUSE I immediately had to tell my best friend that Ankur and I talked about getting married and that a proposal was gonna happen soon! She decided to book a bridal appointment at BHLDN just for fun! We got a ate brunch, got a little tipsy and went to try on dresses! It was there that I realized I loved lace and an A-line silhouette. Then it was just a matter of finding the right dress. This dress at David's Bridal had everything I wanted and it fit perfectly.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Getting to reimagine the wedding to be very intimate. I loved adding the personal touches to everything: I worked with Lilly Mae Designed to make all the lettering so that people had something to take home with their names on it. We got custom coloring books for the kids with activities. We planned games so that everyone could be an active participant.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Everyone loved how relaxed it was. No one had to wake up at 4am to get their make up done or stay up late to practice the dances/performances. It was a very chill day, beautiful weather, great atmosphere! And we had the dogs!!! They were the best part. All the dogs were having the fun and everyone had fun playing with them. Ankur even made them pup-cakes. They definitely added to the vibe 

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Honestly the whole day was just spectacular. There wasn't just one moment that I loved because so many people came together to make this day a reality. The whole thing was chaotic yet perfect. Just as it should be.

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.
We had to cancel all other events. I spent the few days prior relaxing with my family and by best friends family. My mom made is face masks, we got our nails done, had some great food and watched movies. Ankur spent the day before playing Overwatch with his friends and playing with this nieces and nephews. It was great because we were so relaxed going into the wedding day.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Do not try to plan or control everything about the wedding especially the day of. It is just not going to happen. I thought I had everything planned then a pandemic hit. Then I thought I had everything planned again then a whole slew of things went wrong: the rain made the tables sink in the grass, the wind knocked down the ceremony arch right before we were about it start, the electricity stopped working, half our guests didn't get food, one of the dogs jumped on me and got mud on all over my white dress and the priest hit me in the face with the microphone as I was saying my vows.

Love every minute of it and don't take it too seriously. Take in all the crazy and enjoy it as much as possible. If you laugh at it, then it becomes a great story for later.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
The cakes!!! The cake and cupcakes were made by Nirmala and she worked with me to make sure that the cake matched the decor! She hand made everything, including the fondant flowers to match the floral wedding decor. She also searched high and low for the perfect lace cupcake holders since I love lace. She also packaged the cupcakes individually so that someone couldn't accidentally cough or sneeze on the food. They looked amazing and tasted even better!

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