In the heart of Windsor Locks, where love stories are celebrated with grandeur, Priya & Mohan's wedding unfolded like a fairy tale at the venue renowned for its elegance. The ceremonial vows echoed in the opulent halls, setting the tone for a day to be remembered forever. Priya, the radiant bride, was the epitome of grace and beauty, her aura amplified by the exquisite hair styling by Nadia's Beauty and the flawless makeup artistry of Aneela Ashraf, making her every glance a captivating spell. As she walked down the aisle, the floral wonders by Vine & Ivy seemed to whisper tales of love, framing every moment in the natural splendor that resonated with Priya's charm. The transition to The Riverview for the reception was seamless. The air was filled with melodies from DJ Speede, each note a testament to Priya & Mohan's harmonious journey ahead. At the same time, the savory delights from Haveli catered to a symphony of flavors, each dish a tribute to the couple's exquisite taste. As the evening unfolded, Tashography captured every smile and tender look, immortalizing the essence of a love story as enchanting as the settings themselves. This wedding was a charm and contemporary elegance. It was a heartfelt gathering and a celebration of love and union. Check it out!
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met my now husband Mohan on the app "Dil Mil" after encouragement from my friend during COVID and reflecting upon what I want next in my life. Despite living in different states, Mohan drove to Connecticut to meet and eventually changed his job to be closer to me! Once he relocated, everything fell into place, and he proposed a year later.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Mohan proposed in our hotel room in NYC. He had the room decorated without my knowledge while we spent the day at a spa, sightseeing, and dining. When I walked into the room, he had sent up a tripod, got down on one knee, and gave me several gifts representing reasons why he loved me before proposing! The whole hotel's staff was in on the surprise and even had a group chat going!
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I am Guyanese-American and have always envisioned myself in a classic blood-red silk lehenga with light green jewelry, a small red bindi, and a flowered, braided bun. I believe that classic looks have the ability to be tweaked for individuality without spoiling their natural timelessness and elegance. I modified my bridal lehenga by having a sleeveless blouse, forgoing the double dupatta, and embroidering Mohan's Telugu handwriting on my veil with the phrase "I love you."
Since Mohan is Telugu, I also incorporated a South Indian bridal look. However, instead of purchasing a new saree, I walked out in my grandmother's ivory and red silk saree. Mohan's family stitched a matching blouse and gifted me traditional gold temple jewelry. Some pieces, such as my bangles, matha patti, surya chandra pins, and jhumka, stayed on throughout both looks to keep them cohesive. As green is my favorite color, I also wore my mom's emerald ring as my "something borrowed", Mohan's stole was woven with green, and our immediate family/bridal party wore different shades of green!
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
I believe if you are marrying someone, you are respecting their background as it makes them who they are and will be a part of your future. We truly hope our guests felt how the wedding was a blend of our cultures and reflective of ourselves, the love we share, and the friends and family who shaped us throughout our lives. With that in mind, we wanted our guests to experience and enjoy a mix of Indo-Caribbean and Telugu culture. Our wedding was an intentional and respectful fusion of rituals, attire, food, and music. People got to see one another after a very long time, and it was very family-orientated, supportive, and emotional.
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.
Our wedding theme was vibrant South India meets famous New England fall. We specifically wanted a September/October wedding to showcase the beauty of the Connecticut countryside. It works because the natural brightness and colors embody both settings, and we stayed true to that: a mandap and set-up in yellow and oranges, deep green backgrounds with marigolds, and lots of gold touches! Special details included a live painter, malas flown in from India made from white lilies, my cousin conducting our ceremony, a Guyanese tassa band that played alongside our entrances with lots of dancing, and my great-uncle (my grandmother's remaining sibling) giving a speech. We also misplaced my toe rings prior to the ceremony, so my sister-in-law placed my mother-in-law's on my feet instead!
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
My mehendi was very intimate after work in my living room, and my cousin was my mehendi artist! On the day of my haldi, a tropical storm hit the area, forcing many delays in arrivals. We moved the haldi into my basement, and it was very relaxed. My cousins stayed late packing sweet boxes, talking, and dancing. For our American-style reception, I had purple wildflowers in my bouquet that were reflective of me growing up in rural CT, and we even saw a bobcat during our first look! Lastly, for our post-wedding puja, my in-laws gifted me a saree woven with real gold and silver. Regardless if you have six events or one, try to represent the many facets of yourself with unique touches and make it special to you and your significant other! Don't sweat the small stuff, and everything will work out! :)
Enjoy this celebration, enveloping all in warmth, happiness, and the beauty of shared emotions.
