The Platinum Guide Blog

Hello, sweeties! This time, we will join Khushbu & Akash at their wedding celebration, and we are sure you will love every detail of it. You will be captivated by it, and you will feel how this event makes your imagination and inspiration flow hard! This couple wanted an exquisite and modern look within a budget, and their vendors could give them everything and more for every event. So without any further ado, we'll take you to Shree Umiya Mataji Mandir Temple to witness this magnificent wedding. We love how the talented crew from Mandap World demonstrated all their expertise and showed all the essential aspects of their culture in this celebration! Simply amazing! All this could not have been possible without Ardour Events, who took care of the planning and design of this wedding bash, delivering nothing but utter perfection. Our gorgeous Khushbu looked breathtaking, thanks to the stylish and exquisite makeup that Anisha Shajan created for her. In case you were wondering, Custumise designed her incredible outfits. And they are a dream come true! They created an outfit with exceptional designs, premium quality, and phenomenal craftsmanship. Every detail enhances our lovely bride's delicate and natural beauty. They are the ones you need if you want to look like a goddess! We also love the exquisite jewelry that Kiian Silver selected for Khushbu since this praised her while giving her a perfect touch of elegance and style. Every one of the guests had a great time, and we are sure that you will also have a great time while looking at the fantastic gallery captured by Bhowmik Dave Films & Photography. So get ready to enjoy this love story! 

How did you meet your Groom, and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met my husband (Akash) through his older sister (Bhumi), who was my best friend at the time. I had known her for many years but only knew of Akash through stories. I never really got to see him much because she was married and living with her husband when we met. We stayed friends but didn't get to see each other as often because I had moved to Atlanta for college. I was very introverted and never really wanted to be social or go out and do the "college" things, but after a few years or lots of studying and working a job, I realized that I needed to push myself to be more open to new experiences and enjoy life. Right around this time, Bhumi called me and invited me to a Beyonce concert in Atlanta very last minute, and I decided to go because this would be the perfect start to my new journey plus, Beyonce is my all-time favorite artist, so it was perfect. Akash ended up coming as well, and this was the first time I started crushing on him, but I tried to play it off because I wasn't looking to be in a relationship at the time, and I also felt like he was too good of a catch and that I was way in over my head. A few weeks later, Bhumi called me and invited me on a weekend trip for her birthday. I was very tempted to decline and just take the weekend for myself, but I knew that I would never get those experiences if I didn't push myself out of my comfort zone, so I decided to say yes. Akash ended up coming on the trip as well, and apparently (according to his cousins), was flirting with me the whole weekend, though I never realized it. I knew he would be the perfect guy for me on this trip because we just connected so naturally, and it felt comfortable, and fireworks exploded at the same time. I still didn't say or do anything because I wasn't sure if he liked me. On the last day of the trip, we had our cheesy Bollywood moment when we hugged goodbye, and our keychains interlocked and tugged us back together as we were coming out of our hug. I left and got back to Atlanta when I noticed that he had texted and asked me on a lunch date. I was so upset that I didn't check my phone while I was driving because he lived about 3 hours from Atlanta. Thankfully a week later, he ended up having some job interviews in Atlanta and asked me to dinner. We went and knew that we were the ones for each other and, a week later, introduced our families and never looked back.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
I had told Akash that I didn't want to know anything about the proposal and that I wanted it to be a complete surprise. He definitely kept me on the edge of my seat as we had already set a wedding date, and he still hadn't proposed. Finally, when there were only seven months left before the wedding, the big day came. This worked out well for him because I had so many moments leading up to the day where I thought he was going to propose but didn't so by this day, I was more in the mindset that it was not going to happen anytime soon. It was Valentine's Day weekend, and he told me that he had planned a surprise getaway for us. He told me to go ahead and get dressed up as he had reservations for us at a fancy restaurant once we got there. He told me what to pack, and we spontaneously hit the road. I began to have some suspicions that he could propose but was not sure of any details or that it was even going to happen. We reached a cabin on the lake, and there was a steep heel down, so I told him I was just going to change into my slide while we unpacked the car and then change back for the restaurant, but he told me to keep my heels on and at this moment I had a strong suspicion that it was about to happen. He ended up helping me down the driveway and told me to wait in the front while he went to "grab the keys." A few minutes later, my sister and Bhumi (now sister-in-law) opened the front door, and that's when I knew it was happening. We all burst into tears and had our little moment before they walked me down to a spot on the deck while the sun was setting, where I watched a video Akash had put together. I made my way down the hill onto a deck on the lake where Akash was waiting for me. We had our special moment, and then I turned around and saw all of our family and friends waiting on the porch. It was the perfect celebration with our loved ones and is one of the most memorable days of my life
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part of the planning process was getting together with family and friends to do small things here and there, such as making gift bags, signing invitations, etc... It was so much fun getting together and goofing around. Watching my favorite people come together with Akash's favorite people and all have so much fun together was so nice and fulfilling. Dance practices were also one of my favorite things, as it was another way to get everyone together. Just seeing all of the love and support we had from our family and friends and watching how excited they were to be a part of this process was amazing.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
The best advice I got from everyone was not to stress about the small things and that no one is going to know that something didn't go as planned if you never tell anyone. Any big event is bound to have some things that don't go exactly as you planned but don't allow this to ruin your big day because, at the end of the day, the purpose of a wedding is for you to create memories with your lifelong partner, family, and friends that you will cherish for the rest of your life. Looking back, those things that didn't go as you planned will be minuscule to the joy you will have from your big day.
And that's a wrap for today, lovely Maharanis. I'll see you tomorrow for the next grand romance!

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Good morning, Maharanis! I hope you are ready to start this Tuesday on the right foot because Ashna & Kais' wedding celebration will brighten your day and melt your heart with tenderness and joy. Having an interfaith, Hindu/Muslim, and interracial, Tunisian/Indian wedding was not easy. However, such a level of perfection and beauty is no casualty. To make this dreamy celebration come to life, our lovebirds had a fantastic lineup of wedding vendors working tirelessly to design a wedding beyond spectacular. Marigold Wedding Planners worked their magic to execute this event flawlessly. They also crafted breathtaking backdrops that set the mood for the different ceremonies and wedding events hosted at the striking SVBF North. Their passion is to simplify the wedding planning process for our couples. And oh boy, how they succeed! For the reception at Meadow Brook Hall, everyone celebrated this life milestone by dancing to the beats of the incredible Sky Films and Productions. They were able to keep the crowd on their feet the entire night. The mixture of Hindi, Arabic, and English songs was perfectly spaced out and allowed everyone to participate and enjoy the night. Although we've talked about all the beauty, amazingness, and elegance surrounding this wedding celebration, we haven't forgotten about the star of the night: our gorgeous Ashna! She nailed the ultimate bridal look thanks to Megha + Jigar's outfits and Krishna Salon & Spa hair and makeup. And let's not forget about the superb Mehndi by Radhe Henna, which added an extra touch of traditional flair. When a video and photos are captured right, they can describe your special day without you saying a word, which is what Sky Films and Productions did for this couple. The pictures from all four events were impeccable! Don't miss the jaw-dropping gallery that we have prepared.

How did you meet your Groom, and when did you know he was "the one"?
Kais had recently moved from Washington D.C. in the Summer of 2010. Walking around the hallways of our high school at the start of the school year, we ran into each other multiple times. We would always see each other at lunch, sitting at two different tables, glancing and smiling. I never really made any small talk. Months passed, and we reached October 2010. My brother was having a birthday party. Bored out of her mind, I was sitting/talking to the boys while enjoying pizza and cake. In comes Kais, ready to pick up his brother, who coincidently was at the party. In true Indian fashion, my mom asked, “Offer him some food.” Our first words to one another ended up being, “Would you like some pizza or cake?”. This brief encounter led to more talking at school and a blossoming friendship.
Our friendship grew over the years, and we became a part of each other’s constant friend group. From celebrating proms, graduations, birthdays, and so much more, we became inseparable. In October 2013, coincidentally, at another one of my brother's birthday parties (which happened to be on my actual 20th birthday), things changed forever. I received a call around 12:30 pm from Kais asking if I wanted to study. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a countdown to my birthday from the very beginning of the month EVERY YEAR. I answered the call and yelled, “I DON’T STUDY ON MY BIRTHDAY”; and hung up. Kais called back, pretending as if we didn’t just have that conversation, saying, “Happy 20th Birthday”. After talking for a bit, I went back to enjoying the birthday party and celebrating my birthday later that day at home. To my surprise, the doorbell rang around 6:30 pm that night. It was Kais, with a Grande Mocha Frappuccino in hand, waiting to wish me happy birthday. He came inside and ate some of my birthday cake while watching some tv. During the conversation (randomly), the question was asked, “Will you be my girlfriend?” I think we all know the response!
Our relationship, which was a majority long-distance, flourished throughout the years. Kais went away to college at MSU for 4 years, while Ashna stayed at home attending Wayne State University. At least 1 weekend a month, Ashna would drive up to East Lansing to visit Kais and spend the weekend with all of their friends. The special weekends would always include their signature college date night food; a large pizza and a 2 Liter pop. Kais would then come home for a weekend, allowing both to see each other almost every other week. The relationship grew as the years passed, making memories that would last a lifetime. Times got a lot tougher when Kais took an amazing opportunity to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical School in 2018. As hard as the distance would be, we knew that it was best for his career and that the relationship was strong enough to make it through. Daily phone calls, text messages, video calls, etc., got us through some of the hardest times. Date nights still included having some pizza virtually while watching tv shows or movies. Every time we would meet in person, whether in Alabama or Michigan; for a day or weeks, we made the most of the time we got. Our relationship got stronger during this time. We began to understand that if we could do this and still be happy and in love, we could conquer anything.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
During the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kais was able to come home and spend some quality time with family and friends. Everyone who knows anything about medical school knows that during 3rd year, having a little bit of time off is almost unheard of. We decided to make the most of it and spend A LOT of time with one another, making each other and our families part of our “pod.” We would drive around for dates without getting out of the car and have picnics in secluded areas where people could not be seen for miles. Every year, Kais and I had a tradition of going ice skating at Campus Martius Ice Skating Rink in Downtown Detroit. Anyone who knows Kais is aware of how much he hates anything to do with the cold. However, this is one thing he would do for me (Ashna) every year. On February 28, 2021, Kais and I decided to go around on one of our drive-around date days. We drove to Downtown Detroit and saw people skating at the ice rink. Due to COVID, we had not been this year, and I did not know that it was even open to skate. Masks were being enforced at the rink, so in true Ashna fashion, I asked Kais to go. He surprisingly agreed. We walked to the rink, where there was a sign posted that tickets were all sold out for the evening due to limited capacity requirements. Bummed, I began to walk away, upset that we couldn’t go as it was the last day they were open for the year. Kais followed me, yelling, “Where are you going? We have tickets.” I was shocked and super excited as I realized he had planned this out prior to us getting to the rink. We got our skates and began skating around. Kais, not being the best skater, was actually doing a pretty good job keeping himself up; I was impressed. Shortly after taking a couple of rounds, we decided to take a break on the side of the ring. I stopped fully and was looking at the Christmas lights still displayed around the ring while Kais skated up. The next thing I heard was a “thump.” I thought to myself, “Great, here we go again. He fell”. I turned around to help him up, and to my surprise, he was down on one knee ©©© Surprised was an understatement. Time was standing still. Everyone at the ice-skating ring had stopped and was clapping. I turned around, and a group of our friends had gathered, along with our siblings and a bunch more friends present on Facetime from around the country, all there to celebrate our special day. I could not have asked for a more romantic proposal <3
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.
Venues: In terms of finding venues, we wanted something more intimate for the pre-wedding and wedding events versus larger and unique for the reception.
--SVBF Temple (Wedding): We went with the temple setting for the intimate Hindu wedding ceremony as it fits all the criteria we wanted. We wanted a temple that was beautiful for photos and had a more modern aesthetic. They were able to provide the services we requested and were able to make proper accommodations for our wedding. We were also able to try the delicious food prior to and come up with a customized vegetarian menu for the wedding lunch.
--Meadow Brook Hall (Reception): When searching for a reception venue, we wanted to pick a place more unique than just a hotel banquet hall. We needed something that would allow for 200-250 people and be able to serve/provide food from both cultures (whether through them or catering). The most important was a place that had a personality and history of its own. Meadowbrook Hall fit all our criteria and was absolutely beautiful. We were able to go for an initial tour and tasting prior to the big day. They had their own catering service, which was able to provide stations of food for dinner accommodating both our Indian and Arabic cultures, along with Italian dishes, various salads, appetizers, and phenomenal plated desserts. Meadowbrook Hall also provided us with a day of coordinator who was in constant contact with our wedding planner throughout the planning process. We were able to schedule many meetings with the staff in order to have every detail of our reception made perfect.
Planning and Decor
--Marigold Wedding Planners / Decor: When it came to picking a wedding planner/decorator, we needed someone who was able to see our vision, stick to our budget and provide the wedding and reception of our dreams. Marigold Wedding Planners was able to do all this and so much more. They beautifully executed the decor to match but not clash with outfits worn by not just us but also our immediate family. They were just a phone call a way when it came to any wedding/reception-related matters. They did onsite visits with us for both the wedding/reception venues. As well as taking care of all our vendors, creating timelines, and sending them out in order to coordinate day of events. They were prompt to let us know of any changes. However, they were mindful not to stress out the bride. From planning to decor to floral, I could not have asked for a more flawless experience than Tina and Marigold Wedding Planners.
Hair & Makeup
--Krishna Salon & Spa: For hair/makeup services, I went with Krishna Salon and Spa in Farmington Hills, MI. I chose them as I have known Krishna for a large portion of my life, and she has been serving my family for many years. I trusted her to do my hair/makeup as she is not only good at what she does, she knows what I like and what would look good on me at a more personal level. She was able to take my more minimalistic makeup approach and make it wedding glam. She was able to highlight my natural features without muting it behind loads of makeup. During the hair/makeup trial, she took her time trying out multiple hairstyles and makeup combinations to make sure I was happy with the final product. The overall wedding and reception look turned out to be exactly what I had envisioned.
Photography/Videography/DJ
--Sky Films and Productions: For photography, videography, and DJ purposes, Sky Films and Productions was an easy choice to make. We wanted someone who was offering a bundle deal and was able to provide enough coverage for all 3 days of our wedding event. Gagan with Sky Films and Productions was prompt in answering my initial inquiry, and a written-out brochure with packages was sent right away. It was very simple to book them for our wedding weekend, and we were also lucky enough to be able to use them for our engagement photoshoot. We were so pleased with how our engagement photoshoot worked out that we could not wait to see how our wedding went. They did not disappoint. Our pictures from all 4 events, as well as the videography, were impeccable. The drone footage they took gave us beautiful views of our entire wedding and reception venues. Gagan and the team also provided DJ services for our wedding and reception. They were able to keep the crowd on their feet the entire night. The mixture of Hindi, Arabic, and English songs was perfectly spaced out and allowed everyone to participate and enjoy the night.
Outfits: With the COVID Pandemic being in full swing during our wedding planning process, all our wedding-related outfits were bought online. We were able to contact small shops through larger corporates like Etsy, as well as to contact larger designers in order to custom make outfits for the bride, groom, family, and bridal party. Negotiations were mostly done over the phone through Whatsapp.
-Bridal Lehenga: "KalaNiketan"; Mumbai, India
-Reception Lehenga: "Megha and Jigar" custom-made lehenga India
-Grooms Tuxedo: "ISAIA" custom-made tuxedo
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
For my bridal lehenga, I wanted something more traditional. Being a Gujarati wedding, traditionally you would wear something red. I began my search on various websites and landed on the store 'Kalaniketan", which had many traditional lehengas available. When running it by my mom, she told me that she and my grandma had both previously shopped at the store, for other occasions, including some of their wedding outfits. I thought it would be nice to buy my bridal lehenga from there and keep the tradition within the family. I found a lehenga that I loved, which was red and pink with gold embroidery work and accents. It was absolutely stunning and completely hand stitched. It was the dress I always pictured myself wearing. Felt like a princess on my wedding day.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part for me of the planning process was seeing everything coming together. Growing up watching Bollywood movies, you always kind of have a standard to which you want your wedding to be held. In my case, I had a rough idea of what I wanted and needed to implement that the best I could with a set budget. Marigold Planners, along with my mother and sister, really helped in making this process much easier. They were there for the support and ideas, as well as to help make conscious decisions whenever needed. Individually deciding on decor, flowers, lighting, etc., was hard when you didn't have the final picture. Planning outfits for us, as well as our family and friends that doesn't clash with the decor; was a milestone in itself. However, when it all came together, the final product was the dream I had envisioned. Everything was to a tee and looked like it was all supposed to be put together the way it was presented. Seeing this made every fight, disagreement, and shed tear worth it.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
FOOD! We had a total of 4 events (haldi, sangeet/mehndi, wedding, and reception. For my family, food is the most important thing when it comes to an event. We always want our guests to be able to enjoy good food, no matter what the occasion. In this case, it was important for us to have a variety of different food at each event but not repeat the type of food or specific entree more than once. We decided on food themes for each event that correlated with the type of event as well as the people attending.
For our intimate Haldi ceremony we stuck to a catered traditional Gujarati food menu, including different curries, rice, roti, etc., as well as more Gujarati staples of khandvi, dhokla, and undhiyu.
For our Sangeet/Mehendi night, we wanted to cater more to the demographic. So more people who were not Indian and who ate meat. We decided to go with a full Indian catered menu comprising more traditionally known dishes. These included chicken tikka masala, chili chicken, gobi manchurian, chili paneer, various vegetable curries, dals, rice, naans, etc.
The Wedding Ceremony was held at the temple, meaning all the food had to be vegetarian. The food was all-encompassed with the temple and was cooked by volunteer chefs in the kitchen. the spread consisted of both North and South Indian food and definitely had the homemade touch.
The Reception was the largest event that we had, with over 200 people in attendance. We needed to make sure to include dishes from both India and Tunisia, as well as making sure not to step over cultural and religious boundaries. With that being said, we had no red meat and no alcohol at our reception. For our signature drink, we went with a mocktail mojito. For appetizers, we had Thai curry samosa, spinach with lemon-zest and feta in phyllo, tandoori chicken satay with raita, and horn island gulf shrimp. For dinner, we decided on a station-style setting where everyone could go station-to-station and get the food type they would like to eat. We had 4 stations comprising a salad station ( 4 different types of salad), an Indian station, an Arabic station, and an Italian pasta station. People enjoyed this so much as they were able to go and choose from over 20 different dishes from all over the world. They were able to go at there own pace and were able to try things they may have never thought to try before. Plated dessert was then given at each seat comprising of wedding cake, chocolate torte, crème brûlée, and NY cheesecake.
By the end of the wedding celebrations and till this day, people come up to us and admire the food and how much they ate at our wedding. People enjoyed themselves to the fullest, which was our main goal when it came to the food and arrangements.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
There were many special moments that replay in my mind from our wedding. Starting from the first dance, daddy-daughter dance, various family/friend speeches, dances, etc. All these moments, as well as just having all our loved ones around, really did make this week extra special for both of us. However, in terms of my most special moment from the wedding week, it would definitely be Our First Look. I had not seen Kais's sherwani prior to the wedding day, so when we arrived for our first look and I opened my eyes, I was stunned. He looked like a real MAHARAJA. Everything from the sherwani, jewelry, shoes, and the turban was just mind-blowing. Walking up to him, I could not keep thinking about how much we had overcome throughout our relationship and how we finally made it to this day. The tears in our eyes summed up exactly how we felt at that moment.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Relax, and don't lash out at your loved ones. It may not always seem like it, but they are on your side.
Our magical journey is over today, but don't forget to be back for more inspirational stories here! 

Sky Films and Productions and Marigold Wedding Planners are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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Welcome back, darlings! The romantic story of Shruthi & Kondala follows its way into their happily ever after with a traditional ceremony that unites them in marriage! This intimate ceremony was held inside the easing Celebrino Event Center, so beautiful and romantic that we had difficulty keeping our composure! And we are sure that more than one of the guests dropped a couple of tears of joy when seeing Shurti doing her entrance and walking down the aisle. She looked ravishing in her lengha from Singhania's. Hands down, a dreamy look very well complemented by the artistic Mehndi outlined by Supriya Soni. We also love the exquisite jewelry that Namishrree Jewels and Mahalakshmi Jeweller selected for Shruthi since this praised her while giving her a perfect touch of elegance and style. After the ceremony, it was time to head over to Casa Blanca on Brushy Creek and participate in the glamorous wedding reception that marked the end of the festivities. And oh boy, everything was mesmerizing! To turn this closing gala into a party, DJ SA-Syed fired up the dancefloor playing the best Bollywood hits that put everyone on their feet! And it is thanks to the remarkable work of Stories by Suraj Randheer we get to enjoy this ceremony from the inside. Their team worked diligently to provide a service that exceeded their expectations and left them with beautiful keepsakes of their wonderful wedding moments. Big shoutout to them! If you can't get enough of this lovely couple, you might want to spend some extra time admiring today's jaw-dropping gallery. 

Maharanis, that is all for today! Come back tomorrow for more romantic stories and incredible tips!

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Another great love story is about to unfold, loves! We know the middle of the week is the hardest, so we thought about how to make them more enjoyable for you, and guess what? We found a way to do it! The best way for you to start this day on the right foot is none other than taking a look at Natasha & Amit's fabulous wedding. These wedding festivities will take your breath as they overflow with beauty, traditions, and emotions that we are sure you will be craving more. This couple decided to have their wedding where they first met and fell in love, Orlando, Florida, so they chose to hold the ceremony at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, which offered a gazebo where this lovely couple had a beautiful outdoor ceremony overlooking the lake. This venue wholly transformed into a spectacular setting more than suitable for the occasion, thanks to the unique decor crafted by Raining Roses Productions. And we want to take a moment to thank Whitney Carillon Events for the ideal planning and designing of this event, as it was amazing! Natasha entered alongside her father in an all-red lehenga from Ricco with a cathedral veil with heavy embroidery covered in gold layered jewelry with an updo complemented by the gorgeous jewelry from Verstolo and Kirni Designs Jewelry, and we cannot stress how much we loved this look. They had a magical reception at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando. It was an elegant and romantic green and white reception with touches of gold throughout. All the guests had a great time celebrating this life milestone to the beats of Jay D.j. Rah Rahh, who played the best Bollywood hits. We love every detail surrounding this wedding and feel immense happiness seeing these two together! There is no denying that they are soulmates! If you can't get enough of this lovely couple, head into our gallery for more amazing shots captured by Victoria Angela Photography. It will take your breath away; lovely instants are collected there!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Amit and I met in 2007 while attending middle school together in Orlando, Florida. We immediately became best friends and were grateful to have developed such a loving relationship from a young. Progressing through our relationship through each and every milestone, everything felt natural with him, like we were always meant to be. I could not imagine experiencing life with anyone other than him - he was the person I wanted to be with for life.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
It was a snowy Winter day in New York City on December 21, 2019. Amit had told me we were having brunch at the Boathouse in Central Park. We arrived early, and he suggested we take a stroll through the park. We eventually stepped into this beautiful grassy area covered with a blanket of snow, the picturesque Bow Bridge behind. Amit suggested we take a photo together there, as it was such a beautiful view. While we were looking for someone to take our photograph, Amit found a woman nearby taking photos with her professional camera. He asked if she could take a photo of us and proceeded to offer his phone when she said she preferred to use her camera and would send it to him (it was cold outside, and she was wearing gloves, so understandably, it was easier to operate her professional camera than an iPhone), which was extremely generous! We were pleasantly surprised and then posed to take our photo together. Immediately after, Amit got on one knee and proposed! Turns out, the woman behind the camera was a professional photographer that Amit hired to capture our special moment. How perfect! Following, we had a romantic engagement photo shoot through Central Park, hand in hand, as we walked towards our next chapter together.
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.
Though we live in New York, we landed on having our wedding in Orlando, Florida, as it was the place where we first met and began our love story. We chose our ceremony venue to be the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, because they offered a beautiful gazebo overlooking a lake, and we wanted an outdoor ceremony under Florida's glistening sun. We chose our reception venue to be the Four Seasons Resort Orlando because the moment we stepped foot inside the resort, we felt so special. We knew it would be the perfect backdrop for our wedding. For our ceremony, we wanted vibrant colors that would compliment our outfits well (my red-on-red lehenga and Amit's gold sherwani) and chose to be surrounded by red, fuschia, pink, and coral florals with hints of the gold decor. For our reception, we wanted an elegant and romantic look. We opted for whites and greens with hints of the gold decor. We planned together with our exceptional wedding planner, Whitney Carillon, who made our vision come to life seamlessly. Throughout our planning, we made sure to keep in mind what was important to us, what made us happy, and how we wished to showcase our love.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
In creating my bridal lehenga with Ricco India, my heart was set on something timeless and traditional with intricate beading that made a statement. I knew all red would be simply stunning and romantic, a color that I always imagined myself in as a little girl. I chose to layer a generous selection of gold jewels on top of the red lehenga. To complete the look, a long veil paired perfectly with the most regal entrance. In choosing my wedding gown, I wanted to look like a bombshell. I chose the sultry Joanne dress by Galia Lahav: a fitted, strapless, corset dress with a sweetheart neckline and a high side slit covered in elaborate French lace motifs. I completed my look with a cathedral overskirt and ivory trim cathedral veil for a dramatic finish.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Reflecting on wedding planning, Amit and I enjoyed so many moments together. The most enjoyable would have to be seeing pieces of our vision come to life before the actual wedding. Since Amit and I were planning from out of state, with every wedding planning trip we took to Florida, we were another step closer to marriage. Being able to see our venues set up, rehearsing our entrances, and having our gorgeous centerpiece arrangements revealed - it made us all the more excited as we were so close to our happily ever after.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
For future brides-to-be: planning a once-in-a-lifetime event can sound overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. It is a special time for you and your groom to bond and make joint decisions as you navigate through the transition to husband and wife. Always remember what matters the most to both of you and the love you share, and everything will fall into place.
Remember that we have inspiring stories every day, so make sure to join us tomorrow for more!

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Get ready to enjoy because we're taking you on a love journey through Chandni & Paras' wedding, celebrated at the imposing Chicago Marriott Schaumburg! During COVID chaos, to say this couple had a stress-free, magical big fat wedding is an anomaly! But, this wedding was filled with the perfect combination of Hindu and Jain traditions with a mix of modern entertainment. This lovely couple trusted JD Eventz for the wedding to take care of the planning and execution and Dream Occasions to take care of the decor. And what a great decision it was, as they delivered nothing but perfection! There was so much beauty all over the place, but nothing compared to Chandni's gorgeous look with the incredible outfit by no other than the great Custumise. The lovely details on this Maharni's lengha are every bride's dream, and she bursts into the scene looking like a princess. Her hairstyle and makeup were designed by Makeup by Sonu Patel and SKM Artistry, whereas Henna Tattoo Chicago designed the artistic Mehndi. After the ceremony, Holly Bolly Unlimited live music, and Shakti Queen Beats choreography enlivened an intimate reception party. Everyone danced the night away, creating endless memories that will be reminiscing over and over with their loved ones for decades to come! Chandni & Paras' main goal was to have a wedding that all family and friends could attend without worrying about a random task, and with all the help of these fantastic vendors, not only did they reach this goal, but managed to have a very timely Indian wedding, which is unheard of. Luckily for us, Alfaaz Photography was there to capture every moment of this lovely celebration. If you want to look at this amazing celebration, head into our gallery for more!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
On June 21, 2016, we matched on a dating site.  After three days of chatting, Chandni was impressed.  So, as any diligent attorney would do, Chandni added Paras on Facebook for investigatory purposes.  Impressed by her courage, Paras asked Chandni out on a date.
On June 28, 2016, we had our first date.  Paras spent many hours planning and organizing the perfect first date.  It was a nice summer day, so the date had to have a good balance of being outdoor and indoor with a good conversing environment.  Thinking he was stood up, Paras sat at the table at Raised rooftop alone for eighteen minutes.  Turned out, Chandni was (and still is) bad at following Google maps.  After eating some small plates and appetizers at Raised rooftop, we walked across the Chicago Riverwalk for dinner reservations at Davanti Enoteca.  This was Chandni's first time at this restaurant, so naturally, Paras ordered a large variety of dishes for her to try, but Chandni barely had five bites because she was "nervous."  After giving our untouched food to the homeless, we made our way to Three Dots and a Dash for post-dinner drinks.  After we realized that one of us was too full to eat or drink anything and the other was too "nervous," we decided to walk around and enjoy the weather.
Throughout the date, we shared many laughs and interesting conversations.  In particular, for every one thing Chandni would learn about Paras, Paras would learn fives things about her.  For anyone that knows both of our personalities, this is a great balance.  Jokes aside, the date lasted thirteen hours on a random Tuesday.  The rest is history.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Each year for Chandni's birthday, Paras would surprise her with a birthday trip, and so, it would be the perfect time to pop the question without Chandni being suspicious.  Before executing a plan, there were a few important considerations that Paras had to account for that Chandni was adamant on: (1) she did not want to be proposed to without our families there; (2) she was always insistent on having the perfect manicure on the day she is proposed to; and (3) no hot air balloon rides.
Chandni had just started a new job, so the first task was to secretly figure out potential dates that would work with her work schedule.  After narrowing down a few dates, Paras checked with all the family members to check for any conflicts.  And there we have it - August 31, 2019 was the chosen date!  Although this date worked with everyone's schedule, it was difficult planning because Chandni's birthday was still two weeks away.  Paras had to work with Chandni's work to make her believe that the last weekend in August was the only weekend that would work for her to take off.  Although Chandni did not like the idea of celebrating her "birthday" two weeks early, she soon came around to the idea after she was informed about a potential trip.  The selected destination was San Diego, California because both of us absolutely love San Diego and California has always been Chandni's favorite State.  After the location was decided, the actually planning began!
The Dress:  About seven weeks before the proposal date, Paras bought Chandni a dress as a gift for an unrelated celebration.  During those seven weeks, Paras asked Chandni to wear the dress to various events multiple times just to throw her off.  Of course, she would respond by saying she is not wearing such a nice dress to random events and places.  With a few white lies and the power of persuasion, Paras managed to get Chandni to wear the dress on the special day!
The Flights:  Paras worked with each family member to schedule departures and arrivals to make sure the proposal goes smoothly.  Paras and Chandni landed in San Diego Friday afternoon.  Knowing that Chandni's parents would not be flying out until Saturday afternoon, Paras arranged a FaceTime call between Chandni and her mom Saturday morning so she could see that her parents were still at home.  Just another trick to clear out any suspicions.  By Saturday afternoon, all the family members had made their way to San Diego.
The Cruise:  The 3-hour cruise was absolutely perfect.  We set sail into the Pacific ocean spending the first hour and twenty minutes chasing the sunset and jamming to a "birthday" playlist that Paras created with all of Chandni's favorite songs.  Once a good sunset location was found, we docked in the middle of the ocean.  As Chandni was facing the water enjoying the view, Paras quickly dropped down on one knee.  As Chandni turned around, Paras popped open the ring box and proposed.  Of course, Chandni did not hear the proposal because she was crying so much, but she did manage to say yes!  The entire proposal was captured by pictures and drone footage, which can be seen below.  After the proposal, Chandni and Paras enjoyed some champagne as they returned to the dock.
The Dock & Dinner:  On the way back to the dock, Chandni was really upset that the family members were not there especially because she saw that her parents were home earlier that day.  Paras, of course, played along.  The waterworks continued once Chandni noticed the family members waiting for us at the dock.  We were greeted with each person holding a decorated poster with a designated letter.  The first sign read "CONGRATS!" and the second sign on the backside read "GAMEOVER!"  We all enjoyed a toast on the dock and took plenty of pictures.  After the celebrations on the dock, we went to our dinner reservations where we all stuffed our face with delicious food.
Accommodations & Transportation:  Paras booked an AirBnB and transportation for the two families to enjoy after the dinner.  The family members were able to gain access to the AirBnB upon arriving to San Diego.  They all spent a considerable amount of time decorating the AirBnB, which was a great surprise when Chandni and Paras walked in for the first time!  And so, the celebrations continued!
The Day-After:  Paras planned for the two families to spend the day together with some quality time.  Paras made shirts for each family member themed after Chandni's all-time favorite show, Friends.  The shirts read, "The One Where Chandni Said Yes!" and "The One Where Paras Asked!"  We all wore the shirts all day as we enjoyed brunch and a mini road trip from San Diego to Los Angeles.
The Finale:  Monday morning, Chandni and Paras head to the airport, and just as Chandni thought there could not be any more surprises, she learned that we were now going to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  Paras and Chandni enjoyed their first trip as an engaged couple in Mexico with swimming with the dolphins, bargain shopping, street elotes, and many other unforgettable experiences.

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 were very proactive about wedding planning.  To start, we both wanted to be very involved with the decision making and did not want to stress out family members.  So, we actually planned our entire wedding.  We knew we wanted to have the wedding in our hometowns (the Chicagoland area).  We also knew that we wanted to have the wedding at a modern venue that does not have red carpet or weird wallpaper and lights.  It took us about two months of venue shopping and negotiating until we both were extremely happy.
After days and days of research, we found the perfect decorator, photographer, and videographer that matched our personalities very well as well as the excellent attention to detail.  Food was probably the most difficult because both of us and our families are foodies and quite picky.  We tried almost every single indian caterer, but in the end we decided to go with a newer restaurant to the Chicagoland area.  We knew the quality was excellent and they were very talented with the range of cuisines and display.  However, we wanted to spread out some catering and snacks so we also went with some local favorites that we knew would deliver great food (build your own pizza food truck, nothing bundt cakes, south indian, and gujarati).
Unfortunately, due to COVID, we had to postpone our wedding because of restrictions.  Even worse, we had limited weekends to choose from with our venue because so many events were being rescheduled.  We only had two weekends from the rest of the year to choose from, and one of those was over Christmas weekend, so we went with the other weekend, which ended up being Diwali and a great weekend to get family and friends together! Changing the date worked well, but we ended up losing our Videographer because they were already booked for another wedding that weekend.  So we went back to the drawing board and spent endless hours looking at trailers and videos until we found the perfect fit.
Clothes shopping was difficult because we couldn't travel to India.  We did everything virtually and handpicked many of the designs.  Custumise really made the process special for us and the fits were perfect even though we were halfway across the globe.  This was probably the easiest part of the process.  The only stress here was shipping because of COVID-19, but even this worked out!
The overall process took a lot of patience and hardwork and communication, but we kept our spirits up and went with our gut feeling much of the way.  Everything worked out how it was suppose to and we have no regrets.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Finding the perfect wedding dress came amidst a time of COVID when traveling to India was very difficult. It was during this time that I found Custumise and knew they would be the perfect company to create my dream wedding outfit. I always thought I wanted the famous red and gold lengha that I admired whenever I looked at wedding posts. But I soon then realized I wanted to add a unique flare to my outfit while still staying traditional. I knew I wanted all of the traditional colors such as white, red, green, gold but in a modern yet traditional look. I was able to create the perfect look I dreamt of with the help of my mom and the Custumise team!

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Hands down the most enjoyable part of the planning process was creating our outfits. I never knew how enjoyable it would be to watch a masterpiece be created that is built off of your unique vision. It is not everyday that you get a chance to have every single one of your outfits be personalized! Watching the Custumise team make this vision into reality was simply amazing.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
All the guests complimented the food all weekend long along with our wedding decorations and how fun dancing the night away until 2:00 am at our reception.  Suprisingly, for an Indian wedding, from start to finish, every single celebration and ceremony was on time, which our family and closest friends really appreciated because it left more down time to rest a little!

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
For Paras, the one moment that keeps replaying in his mind is when Chandni performed her solo dance.  She looked majestic and like a true bride.  The song choice, steps, and emotions were perfect to represent our relationship.
For Chandni, the moment that keeps replaying in her mind was the look on Paras' face during our first look. The emotions that genuinely filled his eyes said it all. On top of that, when I walked down the aisle, even after already have seen me, tears filled his eyes once again. That was the moment that I knew, I was certainly marrying my best friend.

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 five events: Haldi, Mehndi, Sangeet, Wedding and Reception. For each event we carefully planned out unique decorations that fit our vision for that event. We had a joint mehndi event which we absolutely loved. This was the event that kicked off the whole weekend. The concept behind having our first event joint was also the ability to treat it as a gathering for both sides of the family to meet. After all, this event is bringing two families together, what better way than to allow everyone the opportunity to get to know one another from day one! Our sangeet event was very special to us because we had a chance to really incorporate some of our family decoration and food preferences that evening. We had food from all around the world which our guests very much enjoyed. Most of our performances were also this night which allowed us more time to enjoy the dance floor and open bar during our reception! Our concept around the reception was set up as a production. Our performances were intertwined to be an enjoyable experience for our guests which led into a night filled with hours of dancing and partying!

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Enjoy the moment and let go of all expectations the weekend of. Without any hesitation, I can say I enjoyed every single second of our wedding. When I look back at our wedding weekend, we have nothing but positive and happy memories. When the weekend comes, most things are out of your hands at that point. Focus on being surrounded by your loved ones, enjoying the food, dancing to the music! It truly is such a special time and it goes by so quickly.

Ladies, I hope you have enjoyed today's story as much as I did. Do not forget to come back for more!

Custumise is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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