Welcome back, darlings! Avianne & Ricky's big wedding day arrived, and the halls of the Hanover Marriott were more than ready to host this life-changing event fully designed by the bride herself! As soon as everyone stepped into the room, a big beautiful burgundy Mandap covered with multicolored floral arrangements crafted by Nirali Decor immediately captured their attention and welcomed them to this grand event! The only one who could overtake this mesmerizing scene was our beautiful Avianne! She burst into the room looking like a vision of beauty thanks to Maryam Asim Beauty, who did not only took care of her makeup and hairstyle needs but also of her lengha draping and tying! To crown her fantastic bridal look, she got a beautiful Mehndi from Deepti Patel that we loved so much! The whole ceremony paid homage to both these lovebird's backgrounds and traditions in the form of a Gujarati Hindu ceremony with an added Bible passage reading and Christian prayer done by the bride's father to honor her family's beliefs. And we love how this ceremony showcased that the unity of cultures and religions can be achieved through love! No wonder why this fabulous wedding celebration made it to our Best of 2019 Magazine! Check more of this fantastic ceremony in today's full gallery thanks to the shots captured by Kumar's Photography and Film! You are going to love it!
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
My husband and I are high school sweethearts. We met during our senior year, and he won me over with magic tricks, silly pranks, and an epic scavenger hunt that led to him asking me if I wanted to be his girlfriend. He's such a charmer and great with surprises! I don't think there was ever a clear defining moment when I knew he was "the one"—as corny as it sounds, we just clicked from the moment we met. We're super silly and share the same life goals and values, but at the same time, we complement each other as opposites as well. Where I'm more emotional and sensitive, he's more thick-skinned and doesn't let stress get to him easily. Over time, we've grown together and learned so much from each other. Somewhere along the way of life's ups and downs, we just knew that we were in this for the long haul as life partners.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
I thought we were crashing someone else's proposal, but it turned out to be mine! It was a chilly day in the city. I thought we were just there to spend the day with his family and meet up with his brother who came down from Boston to visit. At one point in the day, Ricky suggested we walk around Central Park. I was really grumpy because I was cold and just wanted to go somewhere indoors. Eventually, we went down a trail of stairs with petals scattered all the way down. His mom commented, "Wow! What are these?" and the cynic in me just responded, "Oh, someone probably just proposed here." At the end of the stairs, though, was Ricky down on one knee in a beautiful little gazebo by a creek. A group of our friends were also there and playing the song he played (Perfect Two by Auburn) when he asked me to be his girlfriend back in high school. My jaw dropped, and let's just say I wasn't grumpy anymore
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.
For our Wedding Ceremony, we wanted to have both a traditional and modern feel. We had a burgundy tent-style Mandap with a floating floral Ganesh and bells in the center and florals all around. We also had a raised aisle lined all the way down with candles and petals. Our DJ beautifully lit up the decor with wash lighting and uplighting and the ambiance was truly romantic. The actual wedding ceremony was a traditional Gujarati Hindu ceremony with an added Bible passage reading and Christian prayer by my father to honor my side of the family's beliefs. For our Reception, we wanted to have a classic, floral, elegant theme. Our stage had cherry blossom trees, a vintage lounge, and chandeliers, and our tables were decorated with mini cherry blossom trees, tall flower vases, and candles with orchids in them. Our DJ did an amazing job again with the uplighting and creating a dark, romantic ambiance in the room! We are so grateful to all our vendors, family, and friends who helped make our day so beautiful and effortless!
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I originally thought I wanted to do a classic all-red ensemble, but when I stumbled upon the lehenga I ended up wearing, I completely changed my mind. I loved how it modernized and combined the panetar and gharchola traditionally worn by Gujarati brides. My favorite part was how the skirt had Indian Wedding motifs embroidered all around in gold thread. As a writer, I love a good story, and a lehenga that told a story just seemed fitting for me.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part of the planning process was picking out outfits and decor. I personally love designing and decorating, and who doesn't love shopping!
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
I think guests really loved how genuine the day felt. Above all the glitz and glam, and more than anything else, we wanted the day to celebrate the magical and miraculous love that Ricky and I share. That love has transcended cultural and religious differences and overcome so much. I was so happy to see that love everywhere that day—in our silly antics, the heartfelt speeches, and the dances and fun we had with all our loved ones.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Walking down the aisle was a really special moment of my wedding. Right before entering, I was overcome with so much emotion that I started crying! As cheesy as it sounds, I've always dreamt of the day my dad would walk me down the aisle, and seeing him next to me at that moment made me feel so blessed. My entire eight years with Ricky also flashed through my mind. Thinking of all the challenges we'd overcome, especially coming from different backgrounds, culminating to this moment, overwhelmed me with so much gratitude and joy.
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.
For our Sangeet, we honored Ricky's Gujarati roots with a Garba night. We dreamt of a vibrant night filled with all the colors, song, and dance, and that's exactly what it was! I wore a colorful, multi-fabric lehenga, which was complemented by the decor—a colorful orange and pink backdrop with a golden swing and parasols—plus a beautiful tree in the center of the dance floor adorned by candles, a Radha-Krishna statue, and colorful pom-pom tassels. Ricky's mom and her friends did a special dance for us, as well as friends and two of Ricky's cousins. I also stepped out of my comfort zone to do a dance with my sister, joined by Ricky at the end.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
As crazy as wedding planning can get, don't lose sight of the reason for the day: the love you and your significant other share.
Get ready for the upcoming wedding reception! You'll love it!
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