There are weddings—and then there are weddings that make you want to relive every single moment on repeat. Emily & Pratik's was absolutely the case with a celebration so full of joy, color, and heart that it could only have taken place at Hera’s Haven, a stunning venue that felt more like a storybook setting than a location. From a lively sangeet under the twinkle of string lights to a ceremony blooming with tradition and a reception that redefined fun, this was a South Asian wedding in full, glorious bloom.
The festivities began with a sangeet that could’ve doubled as a Bollywood movie premiere (minus the paparazzi, though we’re pretty sure guests took enough photos to make up for it). Hera’s Haven set the perfect stage for laughter, performances, and family love—a true prelude to the magic that followed. Double Blessing Events, the powerhouse behind the planning and design, orchestrated every moment with flawless precision. The energy, flow, and visual storytelling of the weekend reflected their mastery of blending cultural authenticity with contemporary elegance. And let’s talk about the florals. Because, honestly, what’s a wedding without a few thousand petals and some jaw-dropping arrangements? Sage Fine Flowers and Blissful Weddings by Kiran joined creative forces to transform Hera’s Haven into a garden of dreams. Think lush blooms cascading over mandaps, vibrant garlands bursting with life, and tablescapes so chic that even Mother Nature would approve. Their floral artistry added depth, dimension, and that all-important wow factor that had every guest’s camera working overtime.
The bride, radiant and poised, looked every bit the modern maharani. Tease to Please and Red Lotus Artistry, one of our beloved Platinum Guide members, made sure she was picture-perfect from every angle. Red Lotus Artistry, known for its exceptional attention to detail and expertise in bridal draping and sari styling, brought a regal yet effortless touch to Emily's look. It’s not every day you see a stylist tie six yards of elegance into art, but they made it look like second nature. Together, the glam squad ensured every look, from the vibrant sangeet ensemble to the classic ceremony attire, was worthy of its own standing ovation. The celebration was as flavorful as it was fashionable. Guests indulged in a culinary symphony curated by Mehfil Indian Cuisine and Paradize Pizza, yes, you read that right. Because who says you can’t have perfectly spiced paneer and a slice of pizza heaven at the same wedding? It’s the kind of mix that proves love (and food) knows no boundaries.
And when it came to entertainment, Emily & Pratik didn’t hold back. DJ Sre and Classic Pro DJ kept the dance floor alive with beats that had everyone—from the aunties to the flower girls—showing off their best moves. There were no “wallflowers” at this reception, only dance legends in the making. Mentopia Weddings captured it all on film, ensuring that every twirl, toast, and teary-eyed moment could be relived forever. Their team also added a fun twist with a lively photo booth that made sure every guest left with a little keepsake of joy. As if the visuals weren’t enough, the sweetness of the celebration came to life (literally) through cakes and confections by Butter and Saffron Baking Co. and Sweet Boom Bakery. The desserts looked like artwork and tasted like pure bliss, because every happily-ever-after deserves a little frosting. Triangle Lawn Games brought outdoor entertainment for all ages, while Angie’s Creations elevated mocktails into an art form. Behind the scenes, Poshly Curated ensured that every precious moment made it to your feed. Because let’s face it—if it’s not on Instagram, did it even happen?
And of course, the spiritual heart of it all—the ceremony led by the DFW Hindu Temple priest—was a moment of pure serenity. Under a floral mandap that could rival a royal garden, surrounded by family and friends, the couple exchanged vows that marked the beginning of a new chapter wrapped in tradition, faith, and boundless love.
From start to finish, Emily & Pratik's wedding was a feast for the senses and a reminder that South Asian weddings aren’t just events—they’re experiences. It was a celebration of artistry, culture, and pure joy.
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met through an app called "Bumble" and went to eat some Indian food in Arlington, TX on the first date. We literally went to the mall afterwards, walked around, and ended up seeing an Avengers movie because we did not want the date to end. After a few more dates we discovered we had much in common. I knew he was "the one" when I felt comfortable bringing him around my family after 2 months of dating, and he was the first man I'd ever said "I love you" to. I had that gut instinct that settled after I saw that he loved cats and how he was around my friends and his.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Pratik completely surprised me with how he proposed. He made up a story about going to Sapphire Pass Overlook in Colorado while we were there for a conference, and he got lost attempting to find the overlook. While we were trekking, trying to find this pass, he kept anxiously looking at his phone. I told him to go a different direction, but he was "No, I'm sure it's this way". We finally found the area, and it was so gorgeous that I started to take selfies of us. I noticed that he kept looking to the side and called him out on it. At this moment, he took a deep breath and got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him. Little did I know that he had hired a photographer to capture this proposal and was attempting to locate him when we got there. Yet he did end up seeing him and got the signal that it was all good to start.
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.
Pratik and I knew we wanted to keep some of the traditional themes of both our cultures. We felt that if we found a venue that could incorporate both, we felt everything would fall in place. Once we saw the arches at Hera's Haven in Italy, Texas, we knew that this was our place. I could see how versatile it was and how beautiful all the colors would be. I googled a lot of fusion weddings to see some inspiration for the Haldi, Mehndi, and Hindu weddings, particularly from this website. I had been to enough Christian weddings that I knew exactly what elements I did and did not want.
Hair and makeup were easy because I contacted both Tease to Please and Red Lotus Artistry after booking our venue. I loved the looks that Tease to Please offered, and loved how Red Lotus Artistry would help with developing the bridal look/placing all of the traditional outfits of an attire. I googled all of my outfits and spent time figuring out places that had plus-size Indian traditional attire. I was really grateful to find Andaaz Fashion because there were so many beautiful designs and looks to choose from. The overall wedding decor for each event was due to the creative mind of Kiran Khan (Weddings_by_kiran). I had given her a list of idea elements that I loved, and she truly helped set it in motion. My advice is to make a list of elements that you want at your wedding and invest in people who can make that happen.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I was lucky that my in-laws purchased my wedding saree from India. I knew that I wanted to do red gold, but they helped bring it to light by finding the perfect color combination. I knew that Maharashtrian weddings usually tended to be red and green, red, or red and gold color combinations. As soon as I saw the red-gold color combination, that was what I wanted my bridal saree to be. My Christian wedding dress, I had no idea what I wanted it to be, except that it had to incorporate lace. It ended up being an A-line design.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part of the planning process was honestly seeing the timeline come together and how all the vendors would show up. It made me feel very satisfied that Pratik and I had invested so much time in researching the people/companies.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
All of my guests absolutely loved the wedding because of the colors, the fusion aspect of it, the multiple-day event, and the food. We made sure that all guests would have multiple food and drink options.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
All of it holds a special area of my heart, but one of the highlights was during the Haldi when some of our close friends started dancing on our dance floor while others could complete the pooja for Pratik and me. You could literally feel the joy radiating off of everyone. The smiles and laughs were just so touching. It was our closest friends and family at this event too, which makes it even more memorable.
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 Haldi and Mehndi were really fun and brightly colored. The Haldi was blue and yellow themed, something I did not think would pair well, but it looked wonderful. The dark blue atmosphere of the Mehndi matched the outfits Pratik and I wore, which was so neat! We also wanted to ensure that we had Henna on-site, where all of our guests could enjoy, so we ensured we had plenty of artists who could accommodate us. The dances for our Mehndi were very last-minute, but we had so much fun putting them together. I do recommend practicing them more frequently prior to the big day.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
It is well worth it to always book out in advance. We booked a lot of things about 10-12 months in advance. I do not regret any of that. It made our lives so much easier. Also, always invest in a wedding coordinator. I will always be grateful to Double Blessing Events, particularly Mel Ewing, for doing such an amazing job and keeping everyone in the loop and coordinated.
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Amazon India and Etsy turned out to be one of the best places to find jewelry for all the Indian events. I had a lot of great options. For cakes, look to your local bakers. We found an amazing baker for the Christian wedding through an open house at our wedding venue. I also posted in a Facebook wedding group if anyone knew of any Indian desserts/bakers who specialized in this, and found an amazing baker who did Desi-inspired mini desserts. Tanvi was also the most wonderful person to work with!
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