Welcome to Maharani Weddings

Ready to be inspired? Check out Krina & Jon's vibrant celebration on the Platinum Guide Blog!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met Jonathan on a cold January day. I had driven from Boston to Michigan for a medical school interview. I saw a quiet man sitting alone and immediately thought to myself that I would definitely shine next to him. We ended up both getting accepted to the same medical school,l and the rest is history.

I was raised in a traditional Gujarati household and never thought I would fall in love with a Taiwanese Michigander. On the surface, there were significant cultural differences but when I got to know Jonathan more, I realized that an individual's cultural and religious background does not matter as much as their personality. The more I got to know Jonathan, the more I realized that we had a lot in common with similar upbringings. I knew Jonathan was the one when he flew to Boston to meet my parents and promised them that he would do anything to keep me happy for the rest of his life.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Jonathan knew I always loved a romantic picnic but we never had much time as we were in a long-distance relationship. One of of our trips to San Diego, Jonathan drove me to one of our favorite locations, Torrey Pines, for a picnic. He had all my favorite snacks, which basically make up a charcuterie board. In true Jonathan fashion, he asked me to pose for a picture facing the water and when I turned around, he was down on one knee!

I honestly cannot tell you what he said next because I immediately started crying. The next few moments were such a blur but the perfect start to our forever.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Food tasting has to be the best part of any planning process. We have always bonded on their love for food. We both love trying new cuisines and making Indian and Asian delicacies. The best part of wedding planning was creating a fusion menu that highlighted our favorite meals growing up. It was so fun to work with the chef and create fun dessert flavors and a cocktail menu. As two doctors in vastly different medical fields, we knew they HAD to have nerdy cocktail names. I am a cardiologist who thrives in the chaos of an ICU, whereas Jonathan is an ophthalmologist who enjoys the routine in his clinic. Their specialty drinks were called Code Blue and Pink Eye.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
One thing we have constantly heard from our guests was how special they felt. They received constant communication from our planners and did not have to worry about getting to and fro the wedding venues. They felt like the wedding was very intimate even though the guest size was ~140 guests.

Despite all the traditional aspects of the wedding, they felt very included and enjoyed being involved. They loved how much our families danced and wanted everyone to be on the dance floor at all times. Lastly, we have heard from sooo many people that the food was incredible. Everything from the traditional Gujarati srikhand to the indo-Chinese was top-notch and one of theri best wedding meals.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Growing up, every girl dreams of their wedding day. I was raised in Gujarat and had always thought I would get married in the traditional manner somewhere in India. Never in a million years did I think I would be having not one but two wedding ceremonies on a beach surrounded by our loved ones. I could not have imagined having a fusion wedding that equally celebrated and respected Krina and Jonathan's upbringing.

One of my favorite moments was walking down to the beach for our first look. Jonathan was waiting by the beach. I could hear him holding his breath as he heard me getting closer. Seeing each other that morning made it all real. Through the tears, we looked at each other and knew that we had made it.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Remember to eat. Indian weddings are long and stressful. I did not sleep until probably midnight after our Sangeet and had to be up at 3:30 for hair and makeup. I had no appetite and did not eat a big breakfast prior to getting into my wedding outfit. my lehnga weighed >40 lbs and I was minutes from passing out before my entrance towards the mandap. My advise-EAT and stay hydrated!

Despite all the planning, things will go wrong, and things will happen out of your control. Your loved ones will spend more time on ceremonies that may not be as important to you. Remember that this may be your wedding, but it also is a very important day for your parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and wedding party. Let them celebrate you!

Plan your hair and makeup trial on a humid/hot day and keep it on for the rest of the day. This way, you can prepare for the worst and see what adjustments need to be made. During my makeup trial, it incidentally happened to be a rainy day. I noticed that my undereye makeup got very cakey in the humidity. I spent the next few months finding a primer and setting powder that worked for my skin, and my makeup was truly flawless.

This Riviera Maya celebration was a true testament to love crossing all boundaries.

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In the heart of Plymouth, Michigan, where tradition meets modernity, Poonam & Wesley orchestrated a wedding that was nothing short of a Bollywood masterpiece. Their journey from a serendipitous meeting at a summer party to a heartfelt proposal on their new home's front porch set the stage for a celebration that beautifully blended cultural heritage with personal flair.

The couple had always envisioned their nuptials at the esteemed Saint John's Resort. Fate intervened when the venue, which had recently embraced ceremonies of all religious backgrounds, became available just as they inquired. It was as if the universe conspired to make their dream come true.

Set amidst lush greenery, the Haldi and Mehendi ceremonies burst with traditional bright colors, symbolizing joy and prosperity. The Sangeet took a bold, non-traditional turn with a "disco jungle" theme, where pink ostrich feather centerpieces and disco balls filled with hot pink bougainvilleas created a vibrant fusion of Miami's vivacity and jungle allure. The wedding ceremony was nothing short of a dream, as Poonam, draped in a stunning red lengha sourced from India, embodied the quintessential Indian bride. As the celebrations continued, the reception transformed into a sultry, romantic affair, with lush greenery and candlelight setting the perfect mood for an unforgettable evening.

Killer Creations Photography and Cinematography captured the essence of each moment, ensuring that the couple's unique relationship with family and friends was highlighted in every frame. Their keen eye for detail and ability to preserve emotions made every shot a masterpiece. Marigold Wedding Planners orchestrated the event precisely, weaving the couple's vision into a seamless and memorable experience. From the vibrant pre-wedding festivities to the romantic reception, their expertise brought every detail to life with flawless execution.

97 Films masterfully transformed Poonam & Wesley's wedding into a cinematic masterpiece, capturing not just the visuals but the emotions, energy, and essence of their love story. Every frame was thoughtfully curated to weave together the laughter, tears, and heartfelt moments that made their day unforgettable. From the electrifying beats of the Sangeet to the tender vows exchanged during the ceremony, their team ensured that no special moment went unnoticed. Their storytelling approach goes beyond traditional videography—it creates an experience, allowing Poonam and Wesley to relive their wedding day with the same excitement and emotions they felt in the moment.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Wesley and I met the summer between my first and second year of optometry school at a party. We were introduced by a classmate of mine who had been best friends with him since kindergarten. After talking all night we knew we had an instant connection, and continued to see each other after that night.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
In May of 2023, Wesley and I purchased our first home together. The day we closed and got the keys to the house, Wes got down on one knee on our front porch and asked me to marry him. It was perfect and just the two of us.

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 vendors were amazing to work with! I had always dreamed of getting married at the Saint John's resort, and up until a few years ago, they only allowed Catholic weddings. It felt like fate when we inquired about their venue when they had just opened it up to all religious backgrounds. My inspiration for the decor was wanting to embody elements of us. For our Haldi and Mehendi, I wanted the bright traditional colors. For our Sangeet, I wanted to do something non-traditional and chose to do a disco jungle theme. I wanted it to be fun and have more of a Miami vibe than your typical sangeet decor. For the wedding, we wanted it to have that dreamy feel, and for the reception, we wanted it to be sultry/romantic. I wanted our guests to be able to feel the love we shared for one another by creating an environment that embodied that. I also picked outfits that matched each event but captured my personality in it. Our hair and makeup team was SO amazing to work with; they listened to everything I wanted, and I had never felt more beautiful in my life.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I knew I wanted to do traditional red, I LOVE an Indian bride in red. We most of my outfits from India, and I knew I wanted something a little different than what I was used to seeing. Once I found it I knew I had to have it.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Food tasting hands down was the best part, we had so many unique cuisines that it was exciting to try everything. I also really enjoyed planning the smaller details that brought everything together.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The food and drinks!!! Our bartenders from the venue created craft cocktails for our guests that we didn't have to request, they just did it.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Walking down the aisle. I had picked the perfect combination of songs to play, but when I was walking down, I felt like no one else in the room was there except my husband. It honestly felt like a movie moment for me, and all I could feel was love 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.
The Haldi and Mehendi were outdoors, which naturally has a lot of green, so we wanted to stick with the bright, vibrant colors to contrast nicely. Our Sangeet I wanted a disco jungle theme -- the room where we hosted the event at our venue has large glass ceilings with lots of greenery within it. We had centerpieces made with tall vases with pink ostrich feathers and smaller disco balls filled with hot pink bougainvilleas. I really just wanted the sangeet to be fun, with fun foods. We catered our food from Paradise Street Eats where we had loaded butter chicken and paneer fries, butter chicken and paneer tacos, tandoori chicken wings, and so much more fun street food.
Our wedding reception I wanted to have a more sultry romantic feel. I am not the biggest fan of florals and wanted to do more greenery and candle light.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Enjoy the planning process! There were definitely stressful moments, and there will be things that don't go your way -- but the day of, the only thing you're thinking about is the person you love the most. I would 10/10 highly recommend having your coordinator set up a private sitting area for you and your husband to eat dinner away from all your guests. We did this, and it honestly was the best way for us to spend quality time together and actually EAT without having people coming up to you.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
My mehndi artist was amazing and captured so many beautiful details, including the Ohio State logo, which is where we met, an eye because I'm an optometrist, monogram initials, and a beautiful bride and groom display.

I wanted unique touches at our reception, so we had a martini ice luge and had them make lychee martinis to pour down!

We did a dessert bar from Sweet Dreams along with wedding cake because we wanted to have more options, and I'm still dreaming about the macaron tower.

We stuck with the traditional baraat, having Wes come in on the horse and everyone loved it!! I'm kind of tired of seeing the sports cars, but our horse also came with a carraige so after the ceremony Wes and I both left in the carraige together. It was very fairytale like and I loved it!

Our photobooth was AMAZING! I wanted a Kardashian esq photobooth, without any props or signs. I couldn't rave enough about UV Photobooth, they were great to work with.

Poonam & Wesley's wedding was a celebration of love, culture, and beautifully blended traditions.

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It is a tranquil lakeside venue, shimmering with the golden hues of sunset. Willowbrook Weddings in Valant, PA, provided the idyllic backdrop for Kaajal & Katy's celebration of love. This Indian LGBTQ+ wedding was not just a union but a jubilant fusion of tradition, modernity, and unapologetic joy that left everyone spellbound.

Kaajal & Katy's wedding was a breath of fresh air—literally and metaphorically. The couple's first look was nothing short of cinematic. Nestled under the cascading branches of a weeping willow, Katy turned to see Kaajal adorned in a stunning white and gold lehenga with intricate pink floral embroidery by Nazrana Anj. The moment was magic, a perfect mix of serenity and excitement. With delicate lace detailing, Katy's MB Bride gown complemented Kaajal's ensemble—a flawless pairing, much like the two brides themselves.

Their ceremony, set by the lake, combined heartfelt vows with a gorgeous floral mandap and Katy's bouquet crafted by Teton Wood Blooms. With the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional cheer from a delighted guest, Kaajal & Katy's union became the talk of Valant.

When you hear DJ Desibeatzs Entertainment, you'd better be ready to dance. The reception was a rhythmic whirlwind, with Desibeatzs masterfully blending Bollywood beats with Top 40 hits. From the newlyweds' first dance to their impromptu Bhangra performance, the night was an electrifying celebration of their diverse cultural backgrounds.

Holly Ferencuha Photography captured every candid laugh, every shared glance, and every tear of joy. The photos radiate warmth and authenticity, from the serene outdoor shots by the lake to the energetic dance floor snaps. And speaking of authentic moments, can we take a second to appreciate Katy's bold tattoo juxtaposed with her delicate lace gown? Absolute bridal goals.

Kaajal's bridal jewelry from Nazrana Anj Jewels was a dazzling nod to her Indian heritage. Wanderlust Beauty PGH and ZZbeauty PGH ensured both brides looked radiant, weaving together timeless elegance and contemporary flair. The wedding rings from Henne Jewelers symbolized a promise as enduring as the love that Kaajal & Katy share.

How did you meet your Wife and when did you know she was "the one"?
My wife and I met on Hinge and spoke on the phone the first night we started messaging. We met the very next day, and within 1 week, we knew we had met our person.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We were on a trip to Cancun, Mexico and I wanted to propose to Katy on the beach but I wanted it to be captured. I planned for a photography session, and when we made it to the beach, I proposed and it's all caught on camera!

Katy later proposed to me on a hotel rooftop, which completely caught me by surprise. It was raining a little, but she got clear umbrellas and it turned out perfectly. She even surprised me with my best friends being there!

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.
We started with our venue and very quickly found Willowbrook, with which we were immensely impressed. Everything else came along slowly, with the most difficult being hair and makeup. Of course, you want to look your absolute best, so finding the perfect people for the job was huge. We wanted our color theme to be based on my Indian outfit, as Katy's dress was going to be white, so finding my outfit early on was important. We traveled to New Jersey to make that happen so that we had more options!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
We traveled to New Jersey to allow for more options and only went to a couple of stores before finding the perfect lengha. I tried on a few different ones, but once I put on that dress, it was clear. For Katy's dress, we went to a store in Pittsburgh where she tried on a few dresses and finally found the perfect one! We went together to both stores-- it meant a lot to us to be able to do this together.

Q. What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The guests absolutely loved our dhol players and DJ. They loved the fun and atmosphere that was created. The venue stood out to a lot of our guests as the grounds are also beautiful there.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Our entrance to the reception replays in my mind as there was so much energy and excitement throughout the venue. It was just so fun, and the DJ and dhol players truly made our night! We were so happy, and everyone was celebrating us. It felt incredible.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
I would say that it is so important to do things the way you want them to be together. The whole process can be tiresome, but these details are what matters in the end, and being able to choose these things together is such a special time. Go with your heart and enjoy each moment of the day itself.

This wedding celebrated love in its purest form—inclusive, joyous, and utterly beautiful.

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

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Join us on today's Platinum Guide Blog to explore the beauty of Aishwarya & Alvi’s big day.

Their celebration was a perfect blend of tradition meticulously curated to honor their heritage.

DJ Imran Entertainment is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas offers a stunning destination for South Asian weddings, seamlessly blending cultural richness with the allure of crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches, and unparalleled luxury. For couples dreaming of an unforgettable celebration, Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas provides the perfect setting to honor tradition while embracing the natural beauty of the island.

With more than 15 ceremony and reception venues for every event, couples can host everything from a vibrant Sangeet and colorful Mehndi ceremony to the sacred saat pheras at the mandap and an opulent reception.

Planning a South Asian wedding, with its intricate details and multiple ceremonies, requires expertise and dedication. Atlantis Paradise Island’ experienced wedding planning team specializes in creating events that honor your cultural traditions while infusing a touch of island charm. They work closely with couples and their families to ensure every detail reflects their vision, from arranging priest services for religious rituals to coordinating with local and international vendors.

What makes Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas even more appealing is its hassle-free approach to destination weddings. The process of obtaining a marriage license in the Bahamas is straightforward, with minimal residency requirements, allowing couples to focus on their special day without unnecessary stress.

A feast is an integral part of any Indian wedding, and Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas excels in curating a menu that satisfies the diverse tastes of South Asian cuisine. Their world-class chefs specialize in preparing vegetarian, non-vegetarian, and even Jain-friendly dishes, using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Whether you envision a traditional buffet-style meal or a plated fine-dining experience, the culinary team ensures every dish is infused with authentic flavors.

Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas offers thoughtfully curated wedding packages designed to cater to the needs of South Asian couples. From intimate celebrations to extravagant affairs, the resort provides options that fit every budget and vision.

• The Saagar Package: Focused on traditional ceremonies, this package includes essentials like decor, seating arrangements, and basic catering.
• The Aakash Package: A comprehensive offering that combines luxury accommodations, decor, and full-service wedding coordination, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.
• Tailored Weddings: For couples who want a personalized experience, Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas works with you to create a custom package that aligns perfectly with your dream wedding.

Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas offers a unique opportunity to celebrate love amidst the beauty of the Bahamas. By seamlessly integrating Indian wedding traditions with the natural charm of the island, Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas ensures your wedding is both culturally rich and breathtakingly beautiful.

Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas is a member of the Platinum Guide. Love what you see? Explore their portfolios.

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