Nirali & Varun's love story began at a party in Los Angeles, a serendipitous encounter that sparked an unbreakable bond. Three dates in five days? Talk about fast-tracking romance! Their connection deepened over monthly meet-ups nationwide, culminating in a Zoom graduation appearance and an impressively thoughtful gift of a Roth IRA. (Yes, financial planning can be romantic!)
The festivities kicked off at the Suburban Showplace, which the exceptionally talented Marigold Wedding Planners masterfully transformed into a colorful haven. Their meticulous attention to detail ensured that every element—from the vibrant decor to the seamless coordination—left guests in awe. The sangeet was an explosion of energy, with dance performances choreographed by the couple's talented friends. Punjab Indian Cuisine tantalized taste buds, while DJ Rohit Goswamy kept everyone on their feet.
Saint John's Resort set the stage for a dreamy ceremony in their Garden Pavilion. Surrounded by the stunning Michigan fall foliage, the couple exchanged vows under a breathtaking mandap adorned with soft florals and greenery. With intricate rose-gold accents, Nirali's custom ivory-white lengha from Frontier Raas left everyone in awe while Varun looked dashing in his cream sherwani. As the sunlight streamed through the glass walls, Magda's soulful violin tunes created a serene ambiance, making this moment feel like a scene from a romantic classic.
The Suburban Showplace welcomed guests back for an unforgettable reception. Nirali dazzled in a fiery red gown, and Varun complemented her perfectly in a velvet tuxedo. Farhat Sweets curated a dessert table that was a feast for the eyes and the palate. Fun fact: the couple cut a birthday cake for Varun, adding a personal touch to the celebrations!
The talented team at Urban Phulkari beautifully captured every breathtaking moment of Nirali & Varun's wedding. From the intimate glances shared under the mandap to the lively energy of the sangeet, their lens transformed fleeting moments into timeless memories. Their attention to detail and creative perspective brought the couple's love story to life, showcasing the wedding's joy, emotions, and stunning aesthetics.
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How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met at a party when I was visiting Los Angeles. He somehow knew my older brother and sister-in-law from across the country, but we had never met. We went on three dates within 5 days of meeting, and when I went back to the other side of the country, we kept talking and meeting every month for 5 months. I knew he was the one when he attended my graduate school graduation via Zoom, and he gifted me money to open a Roth IRA before we even officially dating. We started dating a few weeks later, and in less than 2 years, we were engaged.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We were supposed to meet our friends for a double date at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, where we had our second date. I was actually asking him when he was going to propose 15 minutes before he actually got down on one knee. I genuinely had no idea! The surprises continued all night as our friends and family joined us in celebrating at the same club we first met at in Los Angeles.
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.
Planning our wedding was a full combined family effort as we were planning a wedding in my home state of Michigan while living in California. I have to give my husband a shout-out because the whole process would’ve been much more difficult without his negotiating and planning skills.
I dreamt of a unique wedding venue that was different than all the ones I have typically seen in metro Detroit. Tina from Marigold Planners heard our families' wishes and helped us find the perfect wedding venue at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth, MI, about an hour away from where I grew up. The Garden Pavilion, in my opinion, was perfect for someone seeking a simple but elegant canvas for a wedding. The 360 glass walls of the pavilion allowed guests to enjoy the beautiful fall morning in Michigan.
For my wedding shopping, I didn’t have the time to go to India myself for shopping so I did all my shopping from online or through the help of family in India.
My hair and make up were on point the whole weekend, thanks to Simona Vigh (hair) and Amanie Mokdad (make up). I wanted something different for each look and trusted the artists to do their job and they did a phenomenal job.
For our wedding decor theme, we chose an ethereal forest theme.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I had always wanted an off-white wedding dress. I had seen a dress at Frontier raas in different materials and colors and got a custom dress made from them in an ivory-white color. When I saw the dress for the first time, I was in awe of the stunning, intricate designs and handwork and unique rose gold color accents. I couldn’t hide the details of my outfits from my fiancé, so I wanted to surprise him with at least one element of my outfit: my veil. The veil came together last minute, within 2-3 weeks before the wedding!
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Being able to plan easily with our parents and fiancé.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The food and music, as well as the coordination for the weekend. Sangeet and Reception food is prepared by Punjab Cuisine, and the wedding food is prepared by Krishna Catering and Restaurant. Music by DJ Rohit Goswamy and Planning + Coordination by Marigold Wedding Planners
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The whole weekend lol
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.
Many of our friends and family were on college dance teams, so our sangeet was very exciting. The l dances showcased both of our unique cultures (Punjabi and Gujurati) as well as our talented friends who helped choreograph and dance the different routines.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Wedding planning can be very overwhelming and stressful, make sure you take time to enjoy the process. Try not save any big planning details until the end—3-4 weeks before the wedding is when you should start enjoying all the Pre-wedding excitement.
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
I am still in love with my wedding set from paisley pop. I stacked two necklaces for a fuller look, and I’m happy I chose pieces I can re-wear in the future in different ways. It was also very special for me to be able to incorporate family heirlooms into the accessories I wore.
We opted not to have wedding cake, but a dessert table spread instead for more variety. We Ended up still cutting a cake, however, as it was my husband birthday!
The magical moments will remain etched in everyone’s hearts forever.
