Today our space is dedicated to Harlori & Jaspreet’s Sikh nuptials. The lovebirds gathered both families at the Hidden Falls Gurdwara to witness their holy union. Pinecrest Percherons and Carriage Service provided their best white horse to transport Raja Jaspreet to the doors of the ceremony venue, while Gabriel Brass Band played energetic dance music. Planning a big Sikh affair is not an easy task but Utsav Planners, Inc. put together an extraordinary wedding that complies with all the traditional elements of a Sikh wedding and the couple’s expectations. Capturing Arts’ brilliant images of the happy couple truly reflect their good style. Harlori wore a fabulous hot pink salwar suit that looked perfect with her bridal kaleere. Jaspreet was an authentic Sikh groom with his dazzling white attire that he completed with a matching pink turban. The ceremony was over and the lovely couple had a unique send off in a lovely rickshaw ride and we have all the images in our full gallery so you can relive the highlight moments!
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We initially "met" through Shaadi.com after I made the first move and expressed interest, sending the first message in early April 2015. He lived in Dallas, Texas at the time, and I was in Phoenix, Arizona. However, we quickly moved on to phone calls, and the final weekend in May 2015, he flew out so we could meet in person. It was after that first meeting that I knew this was it. Every moment of our time together was so much fun! We enjoyed Napolitano style pizza, a jazz club, the local science museum, and an architectural tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's "Taliesin West." There was no awkwardness. We were on cloud nine and made a deal that we would both share the excitement with our parents.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
I was under the impression that I was going to Dallas, Texas to spend a weekend celebrating the groom's birthday with some of his closest friends. We headed to "Xcape Adventures" in Mesquite, Texas. This had become a routine celebration spot with the gang so I thought nothing of it. We had booked the Captain Skully room where we had 60 minutes to find clues, solve puzzles, and discover keys and combinations to escape. This game was no different from the others, through the first 45 minutes or so. Near the conclusion, in the final treasure chest, lay a puzzle box. The groom's friends deliberately ignored it, allowing me to pick it up and feel victorious for a moment. A poem was included, but I remained oblivious. I struggled to open the puzzle box, needing help from the groom. Inside laid an iPod Shuffle. I was a little thrown off by this clue that didn't seem to fit in with the others but proceeded to listen to the contents. I expected to hear Captain Skully's voice but soon realized it was the groom's. Overwhelmed by what was happening, it took me a few minutes to realize it was a song he had written, composed, and recorded just for the proposal. He then got down on one knee, and popped the question! Of course, I nodded yes. And our team still got out of the room with time to spare! The occasion was made complete by a celebratory toast with dessert at his house, with his friends present.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
My mom and I had always discussed that the next time we would go to India would be for wedding shopping. I will say that deciding to do wedding shopping on a time crunch is exhausting, especially when you know you want your pieces to be fitted and ready to fly home with you within a two-week timeframe. However, my aunt and mom were very patient with me through the process, and we made sure to stick by what I wanted. Pink has always been my favorite color, and my friends know I love bright colors. I was also very particular about wanting a salwar kameez, to keep in line with a very traditional Sikh ceremony. We went through several stores within just a couple days, driving all around Delhi. But I remember looking in the mirror and finally feeling like THE bride when they draped this particular suit piece on me. We then had the outfit stitched to my size with the help of Mrs. Ritu Mehra and her tailors at Ritu's Imagination: https://www.facebook.com/RitusImagination/
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Many of them today cherish how simple we kept things, in particular, our decor. It was light but elegant. By avoiding decorating too heavily, they appreciated that they felt like they could focus on us as a couple. However, they also noticed and enjoyed our personal touches. At the baraat, we hired a New Orleans jazz band (Gabriel Brass Band) to lead the procession in a traditional Louisianan "second line" fashion. My mother in law and her friends even made some amazing second line umbrellas, decorated with beads, masks, and feathers! My husband designed a "JH" logo -- our first initials -- for the handkerchiefs and chunnis at the Gurudwara, which his mother had made in India. After the ceremony, for the doli, our family had a blast "sending us off" in a rickshaw, or rather, a pedicab. The groom's older cousin got to bicycle us around the Gurudwara parking lot for some pretty awesome pictures and video clips!
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.
It was important for us to make this unique for yet another Indian wedding! With us deciding to have the events in Michigan, where I grew up and my family still lives, we decided that the welcome bags for the hotel guests would be packed with goodies made locally in the Great Lakes State (this idea was "borrowed" from my older cousin's wedding that had taken place a few years prior, also in Michigan). We also wanted to highlight the beautiful and rich Louisiana culture that the groom grew up in. Our Sangeet was inspired by Mardi Gras, and we even had king cake balls delivered from Gambino's bakery. As above, during the baraat, the Gabriel Brass Band helped lead the procession in second-line fashion, with second line umbrellas designed by my mother-in-law and the Aunties from Louisiana. At our reception, while the theme was inspired by "under the sea" since The Little Mermaid still stands as my favorite Disney movie, we incorporated a touch of Louisiana by using a fleur-de-lis as part of our monogram for the evening.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Do what feels right, but maintain respect and honor the wishes of your parents, your future in-laws, and your husband. It can be a tough balance but try your best. After all, you wouldn't be planning this big day if it wasn't for all of them! I found that having a wedding planner is worth every cent for your sanity, and for you to be able to enjoy your weekend as much as you possibly can. Also, finding tasks and roles for each family member/relative to help them feel more closely included should not even be an option.
Looking for exciting wedding ideas? Check out tomorrow’s post!
Planning & Design: Utsav Planners,Inc. |
Planning & Design: Utsav Planners,Inc. |
Catering: Rangoli |
Cinematography: Capturing Arts |
Photography: Capturing Arts |
DJ: Naveen Productions |
Ceremony Venue: Hidden Falls Gurdwara |
Reception Venue: Sheraton Detroit Novi |
Floral: Christopher and Company |
Hair & Makeup: Primp Beauty |
Baraat Horse: Pinecrest Percherons and Carriage Service |
Baraat: Gabriel Brass Band |
Cake & Treats: Sweet Dreams Bakery |
Mehndi Artist: Vaidehi Design
Utsav Planners,Inc.,
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Capturing Arts and
Naveen Productions
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