Welcome to Maharani Weddings

Dear Maharanis, Nitika & Dominic's amazing wedding is on today's Platinum Guide Blog. Check it out!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?

My husband, Dominic, and I actually met while in graduate school at Caltech. He was working on his PhD in electrical engineering while I was working on my PhD in astrophysics. We had many shared interests that brought us closer -- we loved spending time on long hikes in the mountains together, experimenting with new baking recipes, and listening to Taylor Swift. It wasn't very long before we both just felt like each other's best friends, which we both think is the cornerstone to a wonderful marriage :)

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Dominic proposed at Cliffside Park in Santa Barbara, California. He had colluded with both of our families to plan and set everything up. On the day of, we were supposed to be heading out for a nice dinner and he suggested watching the sunset over the water before dinner. We walked to a pretty overlook point where there were fairy lights strung on the trees and flowers and a table set up with music playing in the background. After he got down on one knee (and of course, I said yes!), our parents and sisters jumped out from behind the trees where they were hiding to celebrate with us :)

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
For our wedding reception, I ended up choosing an Aisha Rao lehenga. We wanted me to wear something white for the wedding reception, and I knew I wanted to wear something unique. As a nature lover, when I saw this Aisha Rao lehenga, I was so in love with the embroidered trees and birds, and I loved the pops of color it brought to the outfit. It felt like an incredible fit to my personality, so I was thrilled with it.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Our wedding ceremony was a traditional Hindu ceremony, but we decided to exchange some personal vows in the middle as well. It was really special to us to be able to express our commitment to each other in our own words and to share the depth of our love with our friends and family. And I know we both nailed it with our vows because both of us kept insisting the other person's vows were the best ones :)

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
In the midst of the stress of wedding planning, it's so easy to feel like lots of little details are SO important - what color palette we should pick, which h'orderves we should serve, how I should arrange the seating chart, etc. The truth is, those things are not what makes the wedding special at the end of the day. Sure, of course, people notice that your decor is pretty and the food is yummy and such, but the #1 thing folks who attended our wedding told us was how obvious it was to them that we were over the moon to be together and that the love was tangible in the air. As a couple, that's what you'll remember too, just the joy of sharing that day together and then sharing forever together. Don't let all the little things bog you down!

We invite you to enjoy the stories that are available on our blog. Prepare to be swept off your feet!

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Lovely ladies! Remember to check out the stunning wedding on Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, where Shreni & Jay's celebration was breathtaking, perfectly orchestrated by Elite Dream Creations, with every detail reflecting the couple's unique story. Dreams To Reality didn't just decorate a space; they created a magical atmosphere, blending vibrant hues and delicate textures that transformed the venue into a living canvas of love and celebration. Shreni, radiant in her exquisite lehenga, and Jay exchanged vows amid decorations that whispered tales of romance. Consequently, each moment of their union was captured with the artful precision and creative flair of Joshua Kane Photography, whose lenses missed neither the subtle glances shared between Shreni & Jay nor the joyful tears of their loved ones. Furthermore, the celebration transcended mere aesthetics, embodying the deep cultural heritage and personal significance that marked Shreni & Jay's journey to this pivotal day. The celebration displayed splendid aesthetics and a vibrant tribute to their cultural heritage, filled with laughter and dance under a starlit sky. Let's admire their love preserved forever in this gallery! Enjoy!

The wedding beautifully blended cultural traditions and romance, captured in lasting photographs.

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Welcome to the mesmerizing tale of Anisha & Kaustubh's wedding in today's Platinum Guide Blog.  

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met on Hinge, and I knew within a week of chatting he was special. It was only a matter of months after getting to know to each other that I knew he was “the one.”

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
It was a surprise engagement during a trip to Jamaica. The events leading up to the proposal were a comedy of errors. The groom had a wardrobe malfunction, and we got caught in a major rainstorm and were soaking wet. But, despite the evening not going how he wanted it to, the skies cleared up, and it was the perfect setting for the most perfect proposal.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Luckily for me, I knew exactly what I wanted. I found a designer local to Atlanta, GA, Binari Art, who helped me design my wedding outfit from design detail to fabric and colors. For my reception, I knew I wanted a Seema Gujral outfit. I visited Panache by Sharmeen in Houston, TX. My appointment there was one hour, and within that hour, I found my reception and sangeet outfits right away. There was no doubt in my mind once I put them on that they were the ones.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
A year later, we still have guests tell us how much fun they had at our wedding. It was very important to me and my husband, and we brought a lot of energy to our events. As a result, our guests would feed off our energy and were equally having as much fun as we were. The tequila in Mexico helped as well! The other two things we kept getting feedback on were how much our guests loved all the food and music.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
The wedding comes and goes so fast! The best thing any bride-to-be can do is make sure the entire process is as stress-free as possible. Appoint someone to be your “go-to” so that any questions anyone has to go through them before you. And if you’re needed, you only have one person bothering you! It’s going to give you the best shot at being the most relaxed and truly getting to enjoy your big day!

Darlings, don't miss out on the exclusive content that showcases the best weddings. See you soon!

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Hello, sweeties! Today, we invite you into the enchanting world of Nitika & Dominic's wedding. The exquisite Crystal Plaza came alive, setting a heavenly stage for the ceremony. The air was scented with lush floral arrangements by Tradition & Trends, adding a layer of allure to every corner of the venue. Nitika's beauty was accentuated by Aisha Rao lehenga, the masterful touch of Shades with Prithvi LLC, and her hands adorned with the lovely patterns by Henna by Arunika. The revelry moved to The Merion for the reception, where DJ Sargam & Legacy DJs filled the night with vibrant beats. Amidst the laughter and dancing, every moment was artfully captured by Lightyear Studio. Their lenses didn't just record events; they encapsulated the emotion and soul of the day— from Nitika's joyful tears during the vows to the couple's playful first dance. They worked with an eye for timeless moments, ensuring each frame was a portal to these precious memories. Relieve the magic and enjoy.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
My husband, Dominic, and I actually met while in graduate school at Caltech. He was working on his PhD in electrical engineering while I was working on my PhD in astrophysics. We had many shared interests that brought us closer -- we loved spending time on long hikes in the mountains together, experimenting with new baking recipes, and listening to Taylor Swift. It wasn't very long before we both just felt like each other's best friends, which we both think is the cornerstone to a wonderful marriage :)

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Dominic proposed at Cliffside Park in Santa Barbara, California. He had colluded with both of our families to plan and set everything up. On the day of, we were supposed to be heading out for a nice dinner and he suggested watching the sunset over the water before dinner. We walked to a pretty overlook point where there were fairy lights strung on the trees and flowers and a table set up with music playing in the background. After he got down on one knee (and of course, I said yes!), our parents and sisters jumped out from behind the trees where they were hiding to celebrate with us :)

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
For our wedding reception, I ended up choosing an Aisha Rao lehenga. We wanted me to wear something white for the wedding reception, and I knew I wanted to wear something unique. As a nature lover, when I saw this Aisha Rao lehenga, I was so in love with the embroidered trees and birds, and I loved the pops of color it brought to the outfit. It felt like an incredible fit to my personality, so I was thrilled with it.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Our wedding ceremony was a traditional Hindu ceremony, but we decided to exchange some personal vows in the middle as well. It was really special to us to be able to express our commitment to each other in our own words and to share the depth of our love with our friends and family. And I know we both nailed it with our vows because both of us kept insisting the other person's vows were the best ones :)

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
In the midst of the stress of wedding planning, it's so easy to feel like lots of little details are SO important - what color palette we should pick, which h'orderves we should serve, how I should arrange the seating chart, etc. The truth is, those things are not what makes the wedding special at the end of the day. Sure, of course, people notice that your decor is pretty and the food is yummy and such, but the #1 thing folks who attended our wedding told us was how obvious it was to them that we were over the moon to be together and that the love was tangible in the air. As a couple, that's what you'll remember too, just the joy of sharing that day together and then sharing forever together. Don't let all the little things bog you down!

We invite you to enjoy the stories that are available on our blog. Prepare to be swept off your feet!

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

Lightyear Studio VIEW PORTFOLIO

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

Immerse yourself in the enchanting tale of Anisha & Kesar's wedded bliss at the exquisite JW Marriott in Tampa. Anisha collaborated with the creative minds at InStyle Events to orchestrate a wedding day that seamlessly melded tradition with contemporary elegance. Dreams to Reality (Mejoo) transformed the venue into a magical wonderland with luxurious drapery, shimmering chandeliers, and romantic backdrops. As guests entered this breathtaking scene, they were greeted by the melodic beats of Awaaz Entertainment and enjoyed the delicious treats from JW Marriott in Tampa. The delicate artistry of Henna Allure graced Anisha's hands with intricate mehndi, enhancing her natural beauty, further illuminated by the expert touch of Beauty Marked's hair and makeup team. The presence of Sona Photography was notably profound. Their calm demeanor and ability to capture serene, heartfelt moments allowed Anisha & Kesar to be in the moment. The photographers' knack for catching the soft glances and joyful smiles between the couple against the beautifully curated settings resulted in visuals that tell a love story and encapsulate the essence of joy and unity.

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.
After deciding to get married in Florida, we first decided on InStyle Events to help us with the coordination from afar. We only made two very short trips down to Tampa, but Neethu was able to help us narrow down our venues and vendors.

After visiting four venues in three days, we decided on the JW Marriott in Tampa. We loved that it was a new hotel, and the event spaces fit our style choices.

We selected Photo and Video as the first of our vendors, and I couldn't be happier with our decision to go with Mona of Sona Photography and Orlando of Storybook Films. Mona was so calm and easy-going during our events, helping Kesar and me to really slow down and be in the moment. Orlando and his team captured some truly magical clips and shared their excitement with us as they filmed.

All the other details came together slowly but surely. Mejoo of Dreams to Reality went above and beyond to make sure our decor was stunning. Sangeen of Awaaz Entertainment brought the most energy to the dance floor, catering to the tastes of our guests. Most importantly, everybody raved about the food from Saffron!

My dad also played a big role in wedding planning with his store, Backers of Orange, Connecticut. He arranged all the immediate family's tuxedos for the Reception and Kesar's outfit for the welcome dinner. Both my dad and grandmother helped with the tailoring of my outfits as well. It was a special moment to have them involved in one of the most important parts of wedding planning.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I went to India for the very first time to meet Kesar's extended family in December 2022, not planning to spend time looking for wedding outfits. His cousin's wife, Radhika, took us on a whirlwind tour of India. In between visiting the Taj Mahal, Golden Temple, and Wagah Border, she also managed to take me shopping.

We ended up finding my wedding outfits in Mumbai. I knew that I wanted a classic red lehenga for my bridal look. It was important to me to find outfits that catered to modern taste and elegance. It can be overwhelming to visit India for the first time and also pick out your wedding outfits in a language you don't understand, but Kesar's family extended a hand and helped to make the process as seamless as possible.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part of the planning process had to be the food tastings!

We picked Saffron as our caterer. The food was great, and we loved that they had both Gujarati and Sindhi chefs on their team.

For our reception, the JW Marriott catered a buffet, and that tasting experience was definitely one to remember. We walked into a banquet hall where the chef presented each dish with a wine pairing. That was definitely one of the more fun moments of planning!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The most important part of our wedding was our guests. Our family and friends traveled from all parts of the world to be with us in Tampa. Whether it was reuniting with aunts and uncles, which we hadn't seen in years, or seeing the new generation of cousins meeting their family for the first time, the love and joy in being together was the most memorable part of our wedding.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Walking into our Sangeet and seeing all the pieces come together was so special. It was incredible to see all our family and friends join together just to celebrate us.

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.
The Reception was my favorite event to plan. We wanted the room to look romantic, with dark backgrounds and champagne accents. Mejoo had the idea of using hanging chandeliers, which brought the whole look together.

The Sangeet dances are always some of my favorite moments from weddings. Our siblings, cousins, and aunts all planned such amazing dances. My mom even joined one of the dances to surprise us!

Darlings, get ready to be utterly enchanted with the stories we have compiled for your enjoyment.

Sona Photography and Dreams to Reality are members of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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Dreams to Reality VIEW PORTFOLIO

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