After a magical meeting on OK Cupid their first date was the day after the bride’s birthday. Guys take note, what truly won this bride over was the batata vada Rohit made for her. Walks around Central Park, stops at Laduree, all led to a magical dinner on night where when the bride thought she was getting dim sum she received a beautiful ring instead.
With a date in July of 2020 the pandemic threw a wrench in their final months of wedding planning. Not knowing what was on the horizon they decided to put the wedding on hold. As any stylish couple, they had decided early on that we were not going to cut back on anything whether ultimately the celebration was 50 people or the original 350 people!
The extravaganza ensued with the Mehndi party. Adoring the backyard was full of a Rikhsha and giant Bollywood style posters of Rohit and Aleena reenacting classics like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and DDLJ. The bride had her mehndi done earlier in the day by Henna for All. Monita, the artist, was able to incorporate intimate details from sketching the bride’s dog, to incorporating Paris, the couple’s favorite vacation spot. A much needed distraction from the pandemic intimate details the Mehdni was a delightful evening enjoyed by all.
Blessed to be in the hands of Stylish Events, amazing ideas continued to unfold for the wedding. A floral mandap floating on the water was a complete surprise for the bride. Can you believe Aleena didn’t see it until she was walking down the aisle? Overwhelmed with amazement, the bride reported she had “to catch my breath.” After the ceremony, guests entered a modern, sleek reception hall. A jux of position, the ceremony and reception had completely different looks that were equally stunning and seamlessly worked together at the same time.
Music was essential to Rohit & Aleena. A violinist played the exact songs the couple requested and the bride walked down the aisle with a live violinist playing, “Tujhe Dekha Toh.” For the dinner we had Sunny and Kajol Gill sing and they were the absolute life of the party.
“Our wedding was unique for a few reasons. One of them was that we had 2 baraats. I used to dance from when I was 3 years old up until college. For me, the idea of being in a bridal suite while everyone was out dancing never sat well. So, I decided I would have my own baraat. Our dhol player Mast Madi Singh met us at my parent's house along with my family and friends. We had my own bridal baraat where I danced and partied with my family in my sneakers before getting in my cousin's slingshot as we headed to Chateau La Mer. There, I spent some time with my bridal party while the rest of the guests celebrated and engaged with Rohit's baraat. They danced and sang while he enjoyed himself in a car her rented- Mercedes SLS convertible. They drove down by the pier and up to the hall. They then had some fun during the milni.”
More than once the couple expressed their gratitude for the many amazing vendors who truly took it upon themselves to ensure perfection. Congratulations to the beautiful couple and we hope bridal baraats are here to stay!
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We actually met on OK Cupid. After a couple of weeks of texting, we finally found a date to meet up. It happened to be the day after my birthday. It also happened to be the same day my dog ran away. I spent a few hours walking around the neighborhood looking for him and messaging Rohit I might need to cancel. Finally, we found him; it turns out he learned how to open doors and locked himself in the downstairs bathroom. I ended up meeting Rohit at the restaurant for our first date. I can never forget his smile when he first entered the restaurant and looked at me. We spent the evening discovering things we had in common from our drink preferences to our sense of humor. I remember walking away refreshed that I spent the evening with someone else who could equally engage in my sarcastic banter. A few days later we met again and then a few days later we met for our third date. That was the day I knew he was the one. I met him at his house where he brought out a batata vada he made for me. It was absolutely delicious and a guy who can cook was definitely earning some bonus points. We went to the movies to see A Star Is Born (not the best movie to see when you first start dating someone), then to a local Chocolate store. We then went into the city for a quick walk around Central Park, stop at Laduree for some macaroons, and then off to dinner. It was such a perfect day. After that first week of dating I knew this was it. Everything with him was so easy, fun, and I could just be myself. Turns out the 3rd date was when he knew too. After that we saw each other practically everyday.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We had a traditional Rokha in May where a bunch of our family and friends came over to celebrate. We had a beautiful set up and backdrop in the backyard thanks to Stylish Events. We ended up partying with our friends and family until 6 in the morning! Fast forward to October and Rohit and I were off to Chicago to see some of his friends. We were there to celebrate his friend's birthday- so I thought. We get to the restaurant, Shanghai Terrace, where we were supposed to be out on the terrace, but of course the weather was terrible so we were seated inside. We sit down and the waiter brings out our first appetizer- dim sum. Only instead of food the container held the most beautiful ring. I was completely shocked as Rohit was on one knee proposing. I looked over and see strangers taking pictures of us. Turns out Rohit had planned for a friend to be seated next to us to catch the whole think. I was impressed at how well he had kept the secret and was able to surprise me.
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.
Our wedding fell in July, so when we really should have been in the finalization part of wedding planning the pandemic had hit. We didn't know what was happening so we decided to put wedding planning on hold. June came around and things were still shut down in New York, but they were looking a bit more positive. In the beginning of July things began to open up so that is when we really went into finalizing the details of our wedding. We had decided early on that we were not going to cut back on anything whether it was 50 people or the original 350 people.
We were extremely lucky with our vendors. Stylish Events came through with some amazing decoration ideas for our Mendhi and Wedding. The floral mandap on the water was even more than what I could have ever imaged. I did not see it until I was walking down the aisle. I was so overwhelemd with amazement and beauty I actually had to catch my breath. Then after the ceremony, I entered into the hall and was astonished by the modern, sleek look they created inside. Two completely different looks that were equally stunning and worked together. Everything they did was executed in complete perfection from the mandap to the centerpieces to the mirrored aisle to my cascading bouquet down to the he floral decor on our cake. The Bollywood theme for the Mendhi was so creative and unique. Sunny had suggested we pick a few of our favorite movies and recreate the covers of each. We set to it and Stylish Events photo shopped them perfectly. My backyard was full of a Rikhsha, Indian bike, and giant movie posters of Rohit and me reenacting classics like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and DDLJ. It was such a fun thing to do that was a needed Sunday distraction of the pandemic and wedding planning. They went into such intimate details that Sunny was able to incorporate our love for traveling by adding places we had traveled together into the theme. Heena Das not only was able to get my hair and makeup trial done that month, but did a second hair trial to ensure perfection the day of. She was so patient and honest. She made getting ready fun for me (which is not always an easy task) and flawlessly executed, with her assistant, my hair and makeup along with my mom's and sister in laws. Priyanca Rao was the photographer I didn't even know I needed. We had scheduled our engagement shoot twice before, but it got pushed back for covid and non-covid reasons. Originally we had planned a winter shoot full of snow day activities. She ended up doing the engagement shoot just a few weeks before the wedding. The pictures are absolutely stunning. She made us feel so comfortable that we could just be ourselves and forget we were at a photo shoot. Jadorelove was great to work with and their cinematography team was great. They were there for every step from our first look to our baraats to when the dessert came out.
Music was absolutely perfect for our wedding day. The violinist played the exact songs we requested and hanlded the sound and mic. I was able to walk down the aisle with a live violinist playing Tujhe Dekha Toh. For the dinner we had Sunny and Kajol Gill sing and they were the absolute life of the party.
Our wedding was unique for a few reasons. One of them was that we had 2 baraats. I used to dance from when I was 3 years old up until college. For me, the idea of being in a bridal suite while everyone was out dancing never sat well. So, I decided I would have my own baraat. Our dhol player Mast Madi Singh met us at my parent's house along with my family and friends. We had my own bridal baraat where I danced and partied with my family in my sneakers before getting in my cousin's slingshot as we headed to Chateau La Mer. There, i spent some time with my bridal party while the rest of the guests celebrated and engaged with Rohit's baraat. They danced and sang while he enjoyed himself in a car her rented- Mercedes SLS convertible. They drove down by the pier and up to the hall. They then had some fun during the milni.
Another reason our wedding was unique was the venue. Chateau La Mer in Lindenhurst was the perfect spot for our wedding. Our mandap sat on the edge of the water. The floral decorations and aisle stood out with backdrop of the ocean behind us. By the time we were ready to begin the ceremony, the Sun was getting ready to set. Our natural backdrop became the blue, crisp ocean on a perfect, cool July day with the cotton candy sunset behind us. I remember looked at pictures of the full view after the wedding and being in awe of hour absolutely beautiful it was. Chataeu La Mer happens to also be in my home town. Right next to the venue is a pier where I would go since I was young to read, relax or just catch up with friends. Being able to have that same view while I was getting married was very personal for me. Chateau La Mer was absolutely wonderful and accommodating. The food was absolutely excellent and they executed a variety of appetizers for our guests during cocktail hour. We did a sit down dinner in which they designed the most perfect menu. Everyone came up to me and told me how much they enjoyed the food. They executed our signature drinks which I was very late in communicating to them. They not only followed every COVID regulation, but surpassed it making sure everything was being handled in the safest, cleanest manner.
Finally, at the end of the night I received my painting by Elle. Who was there since the morning doing a live painting of our ceremony. She came early to start her painting, set up and coordinate with the other vendors so she would not be in the way. She has been so easy to communicate with and is so detailed in her pictures. I have referred her to a few friends who also praise her paintings.
We were extremely lucky to have so many moving parts and so many amazing vendors who truly took it upon themselves to ensure perfection.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Rohit and I had gone to India in August 2019 to meet eachother's extended family and do some pre-wedding shopping. We had gone with my mom who had helped us every step of the way. We had tried on some outfits, but no lengha that I fell in love with. We had also decided we wanted to do something different so started looking at pink lenghas. I wanted the traditional red dupata and so my colors were finalized, but we still needed a dress I loved. Rohit had also gone around trying to find an outfit he really liked, but neither one of us were successful. I finally found SS Homme in India and we looked at their groom outfits. We were finally on the right track to finding his outfit. We met with a salesperson there and picked out his fabric and design. We were leaving in a few days and did not have time to finalize everything. It turned out that SS Homme was doing a pop up show in New York. Conveniently enough, we met with designers back home and finalized his outfit. My outfit was left and I knew exactly who to go to. Four years ago my brother got married and we went to New Dehli to go shopping. We were in Sharput Jat and stumbled upon a store Ziyana. We met with Farah and Atul the lovely couple and owners who were absolutely amazing. Farah had designed mine and my mother's outfits then and I wanted her to design mine again. Through video calls and whatsapp messages Farah and I were constantly discussing options for what my Mendhi outfit and Wedding lengha should be. I gave her styles, colors, and designs I liked and she would send me sketches and fabric options. I knew for my Mendhi outfit I wanted something Rajistani style that would be bright, colorful and fun. Ziyana definitely executed with the mirror work corsete, tassels, birds, and royal blue color. I wanted my mendhi to show so I had requested her to make my dhoti end just at my knees. For my wedding outfit, I knew I wanted the pink and red. She designed this beautiful, handmade lengha. By adding the green beadwork she created the color theme for our wedding. She added a personal touch on the tassels that had mine and Rohit's names on them. Over the time differences and our phones she was able to design my outfits. I then flew to India for 6 days in February and did a trial of the outfits as we finalized the details. Then in the pandemic they somehow not only made my outfits and got them here on time, but also designed my mother's, my sister in law's, and my 7 month old neice's outfits!
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
I think the most enjoyable part of the wedding process was coming up with different ideas for the wedding. We have an amazing family and our parents, siblings and close friends were there every step of the way. We would think of something or just mention it and a few days later someone had thought of a way to work it into the wedding. We are really lucky in that "too many cooks in the kitchen" was not a downfall for us, but what made our wedding beyond what we could ever imagine.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
After the wedding, there were a few things that stood out to our guests. I think they were the things that were unexpected. The first by far was the decorations. The colors, style and the natural backdrop of the sunset on the water just played so well together that it looked absolutely stunning.
One of the biggest things was the two baraats. No one had ever experienced a bridal baraat. It was a great way for the bride's side to have some fun. I wanted to do it because I just like to have a good time. After the fact, I realized how amazing it was to be able to dance and celebrate with my family and friends at my house before I got married and moved out. That was the house I grew up and lived in- leaving it was a big deal. I am so grateful, my last time before being married and moving into a new home wasn't me walking up and running out to go get ready. It was so much more meaningful.
Another part was the sit down dinner. Normally, most of the weddings we attend are buffet style. Most of our guests were appreciative of the sit down dinner experience. The food was excellent and no one felt overwhelemd or that they were eating too late.
Finally, everyone appreciated the little things. No one had done a live violinist before or a live painter. Everyone enjoyed watching the painting progress throughout the evening. The violinist played really well into the set up and elegance of the wedding.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
There are two main parts I always go back to. The first, walking down the aisle and seeing my husband. The second being the speeches. I never thought i would have such a small wedding, but because it was intimate the speeches seemed more meaningful. I remember every word of what people had to say and just remember looking at Rohit and feeling utterly grateful were able to get married and celebrate with most of our loved ones.
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.
We had the mendhi at my house on the Wednesday before the wedding day. We did a Bollywood themed wedding where Stylish Events did a terrific job. My backyard looked like it could be a set of a movie or award show. My mendhi was done earlier in the day by Henna for All. Monita, the artist, is so detailed and was able to incorporate intimate details from sketching my dog, incorporating Paris (our favorite vacation spot) and NYC, to other things my husband and I love.
Thursday we had my haldi, which was followed by Rohit's. I could hear the chaos from inside, but we had decided not to see each other that day. Rohit loves drinking coke a cola and at point someone came running in saying they opened and poured a bunch of cans on him. After he took a dip in the pool and washed up, I had an intimate evening with my parents for my Churadan.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Be as creative as you want. It is a celebration between you and your significant other- so it should represent who you are. It shouldn't matter how many people are there or who is there. Nothing ever comes out perfect so when the curve balls come at you (which they will), just make the best of it. We had the most amazing wedding, but we also went into it accepting everything we couldn't have or control and appreciating what we could. It isn't something you can redo so make the most of it and be sure to enjoy every second.
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
The cascading bouquet was a surprise and a breathtaking one. It was so elegant and the best touch for my entrance.
Our wedding was layered with a different flavor in each tier by Francesco's bakery. Stylish Events took the beautifully white decorated cake and added the floral touch it needed.
Ziyana had made Rohit's pink shawl to perfectly match my outfit. It is made from the same beadwork that my outfit was.
No comments yet.
Please, sign in to leave a comment.