When sparks fly—sometimes it's literal. Ruchi & Shaunak first crossed paths in college as part of the Case Kismat Bollywood Fusion dance team at Case Western. What began as a college friendship turned into something deeper by his senior year, and although distance and med school initially pulled them apart, love (and a few long drives across Ohio) had other plans.
Ruchi's proposal story was disguised as a birthday celebration—complete with glam prep, family in town, and a "casual" dress shopping trip. "I had a feeling something was up, but told myself it was just an extra birthday," she laughs. Shaunak proposed, surrounded by flowers, memories, and their families, at the historic Arcade in Cleveland. And just when she thought it was over, he surprised her with a brunch full of their closest friends the next day. "He knew I wanted something bigger—and he delivered."
Fast forward to a breathtaking Indian wedding at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, where their journey came full circle in a celebration bursting with culture, color, and choreographed moves. "Most people do a first look," Ruchi shares, "but we decided to do a 'first touch.'" Standing back-to-back, they held hands and exchanged vows privately before the ceremony. "It was the calm in the chaos. Just us, no cameras in our faces—except Deepesh, our amazing photographer from WSS Weddings, who magically captured the moment without intruding." Let's take a second to appreciate WSS Weddings, shall we? With their refined storytelling style, mastery of candid moments, and deep experience in Indian weddings, they didn't just photograph the events—they documented emotions. From detailed mehndi shots to the dramatic mandap reveal, every image is frame-worthy (and Instagram-worthy, too).
With the support of Elaan Events, planning this multi-day celebration was seamless. "The most enjoyable part was seeing our families grow closer. We spent hours learning each other's traditions and found ways to weave our story into every detail." That story included vibrant floral décor by Rao Factor, two separate caterers, Sigree Indian Restaurant for the Sangeet and Mughlai Fine Indian Cuisine for the Reception, and desserts that had guests sneaking back for seconds—thank you, Dallas Affaires Cake Co. and S&S Chai Cart for those sweet memories.
If you were near Dallas that weekend, chances are you heard the music—and it was coming from DJ Riz Entertainment. They were the heartbeat of the celebration, fueling the high-energy baraat, setting the perfect mood for the reception, and curating the ultimate playlist for guests from every generation. "I'm pretty sure my dad danced harder than I did," Ruchi laughs.
Throughout the wedding weekend, Ruchi honored the women in her family through her jewelry: her mother's wedding set, her grandmother's bangles, and her great-grandmother's hairpins. "I wore their stories with me," she says. Her Devayani Chavan Sangeet outfit was a playful burst of pink and yellow, while her regal AARI Reception look brought glamour and sophistication. Shaunak was no less dashing, donning a classic cream and red sherwani that balanced tradition with bold elegance. Ruchi's bridal glow was perfected by Beauty by Joan Lis, while her mehndi—an intricate masterpiece by Sheetals Henna Designs—was the kind of artwork that gets its moment in the spotlight (and rightly so).
This wasn't just an Indian wedding in Dallas—it was a legacy in the making. Full of heart, color, choreography, and culture, this celebration reminds us that when two people come together, they don’t just merge families—they create magic. And lucky for us, we got a front-row seat.
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I first met Shaunak as an undergrad at Case Western in Cleveland, Ohio. I was a sophomore and he was a senior when we first became friends while on our college's Bollywood Fusion dance team, Case Kismat! Our friendship blossomed, evolving into something more towards the end of his senior year. However, with Shaunak embarking on medical school in Toledo, we decided to part ways. After a summer apart, we rekindled our connection and decided to give long-distance a try. While we faced challenges, our bond grew stronger.
Shaunak already knew knew from the start that we were destined to be together. I, still focused on completing my undergraduate degree, wasn't quite ready to envision a future with him. Over time, I realized that he was truly 'the one.' Our relationship was built on a strong foundation of friendship and mutual respect. We faced challenges head-on, learning and growing from every experience. We could effortlessly navigate both joyful moments and serious situations together.
Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for our journey. From our initial connection in college to our decision to spend the rest of our lives together, every step has been an incredible adventure.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Shaunak planned the most incredible proposal! Since it was my birthday, everything leading up to it was cleverly disguised as birthday celebrations. My parents flew in, I got pampered with nails and hair, and even picked out a dress with my mom and sister – all under the guise of birthday festivities. Everyone was in on the secret for over two months!
I had a sneaking suspicion that something special might happen that week, but I tried to convince myself it was just an elaborate birthday surprise. Then, right before we left for what I thought was my birthday dinner, Shaunak's sister arrived unexpectedly from out of town. That's when I knew.
Both my sister and Shaunak's sister accompanied me as we walked through downtown Cleveland to the stunning Arcade, a historic landmark. There, I was greeted by both our parents and Shaunak, who had transformed the space with beautiful flowers and printed canvases showcasing our memories together. To top it off, our best friends from out of town surprised me as the photographers!
Shaunak knelt down and proposed, and it was absolutely magical. The entire evening was so perfectly planned, but I secretly wished for a bigger celebration with all of our friends. After a lovely family dinner, I thought the surprises were over.
The next day, we headed to Shaunak's family home for brunch, and that's where the real surprise awaited me! Over 20 of our closest friends from high school and college were there, just as I had hoped. We spent the day celebrating with everyone, and later enjoyed the VIP section at a downtown club. It was the most unforgettable day!
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part of the planning process was bringing two families and communities closer together. We learned about each other's values, beliefs, customs, and traditions, and explored how to weave the story of our relationship into the wedding.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Throughout the weekend, there was a palpable sense of joy that was a product of our amazing guests. Song and dance was how our relationship started and our guests shared with us that they loved the creative performances that came from the bride and groom, the bridal party, our families, and our friends.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The most special moment of our wedding was undoubtedly our 'first touch.' Not wanting to see each other prior to the ceremony, we opted for this unique alternative to the first look. Standing back-to-back, we held hands and privately exchanged our vows. Amidst the whirlwind of wedding preparations, this intimate moment provided a much-needed pause. We were able to slow down, connect with each other, and truly be present before embarking on our journey as a married couple. The intense emotions we felt as our hands met, finally experiencing each other's presence on that day, will forever be etched in our memories. This unforgettable experience was made possible thanks to our brilliant photographer, Deepesh, who suggested this unique approach.
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Jewelry played a significant role throughout our wedding festivities. My maternal grandmother has always cherished fine jewelry, and she carefully selected many of the sets I wore throughout the weekend. While each piece was beautiful, the most meaningful were those worn during the ceremony: a collection of my mother's wedding jewelry, chosen by her nearly three decades ago. I also wore my maternal grandmother's bangles, my paternal grandmother's nath (a traditional Maharashtrian nose pin), and gold hairpins from my great-grandmother. It was a poignant tribute to the generations of women who came before me.
Every detail of this wedding was a heartfelt tribute to culture and connection.
