Deanna & Raghava’s love story began the way so many modern romances do: at work, where happy hours and team parties make it dangerously easy to “just be friends” until you’re suddenly the last two people still lingering at the bar. One post-work happy hour later, Raghava asked Deanna out—and not long after, they were official.
The moment Deanna knew he was “the one” wasn’t a grand gesture with fireworks. It was New York City chaos: an apartment move, no dad on standby for heavy lifting, and every reason to feel overwhelmed. Raghava showed up without hesitation—with two friends, a rented U-Haul, and the kind of calm confidence that should honestly come with its own award. He backed that truck down a narrow alley into a tiny garage like it was a casual Sunday errand… and didn’t complain once. Reader, that’s not just romance—that’s marriage material.
For their wedding, Deanna & Raghava wanted a garden-fairytale vibe with British countryside charm woven into traditional South Asian culture—romantic, organic, and a little enchanted, like the kind of weekend where you half-expect bumblebees to be hired as floral consultants. They chose The Ruins at Sassafras for the venue. Set across acres of sloping hills with Berkshires views, the venue is filled with hidden little moments—a bridge over a creek, a tucked-away pond, wildflowers, and corners that basically beg for cinematic portraits.
And because details were everything, décor became a full experience. Their sangeet transformed the venue entrance into an open-air Indian market with colorful carts for chai, bangles, and bindis, plus a live dosa station and henna artists. Even the signage nodded to heritage, written in both English and Kannada. Florals carried meaning beyond beauty: a rose-filled mandap in red, peach, pink, and white; gold vases tipped on their sides with blooms spilling out like a painting; jasmine tucked into bridesmaids’ hair; and bright malas exchanged during the ceremony. Afterward, guests gathered for a South Indian thali luncheon served at long communal tables with brass thali sets, elephant-printed napkins, menus for each dish, marigold petals, and jasmine garlands overhead—traditional, thoughtful, and absolutely photogenic.
For the Hindu ceremony, Deanna honored Raghava’s Kannadiga tradition in a red-and-white saree made from Indian fabric, featuring custom beaded details and peacock imagery—a romantic nod to “love birds.” For the Christian ceremony, she wore an elegant Pnina Tornai gown. Her hair and makeup transformed throughout the day, shifting from a classic low bun with flowers and a bold red lip to soft Hollywood waves and a gentler pink palette. The sangeet featured a memorable surprise when Deanna performed a secret solo dance for Raghava, cleverly keeping it under wraps with a “fake mix” sent to the group thread.
Deanna & Raghava’s wedding was romantic, immersive, and wildly thoughtful—proof that when you pair a magical setting with intentional design, you don’t just host a wedding. You create a world.
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Raghava and I first met at work. We were both at a small company where happy hours, holiday parties, and team events made it easy to get to know people outside of the office. One evening, at a post-work happy hour, we found ourselves as the last two people there. As the night wound down, Raghava asked me out on our first date. Shortly after that we were official.
I knew he was the one not long after we started dating. I had to move apartments in New York City, which was a daunting task, especially without my dad’s help for the first time. Raghava didn’t hesitate to help. He showed up with two friends, independently rented and drove a U-Haul across the city, and even backed it down the narrowest of alleys into a tiny garage with complete calm and confidence.
In that moment, watching him take care of everything (and not uttering a single complaint!) I knew he was someone who would do anything for me and always take care of me.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We were on a long trip in London and planned to spend a few days in the Cotswolds. We stayed at a beautiful old English manor there that had been turned into a bed-and-breakfast. It was set in a remote part of the countryside and had a breathtaking private garden in the back. On our first night in the manor, my husband asked if I wanted to explore the gardens with him before we stepped out for dinner. It was the most beautiful place I had ever been to in my life. There were wild vines climbing the old stone house, and wild roses and bright flowers everywhere. While wandering through the flowers, Raghava got down on one knee and a photographer popped out. Of course I said yes!
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.
PROCESS
We knew we wanted a garden-fairytale vibe, so we had a good way to start our search. We spent a few weeks considering global destinations before deciding to keep it in the US for travel convenience - we wanted a good-sized wedding and were wary of numbers dropping. We spent countless hours looking at lists of venues across the entire country, and finally our search narrowed to two places: The Ruins at Sassafras in upstate NY and another venue by Lake Tahoe - we visited both.
We fell in love with The Ruins and its owner Carol. The venue was new and you could tell she really cared about the couples who had their weddings on her property - we knew she would help make it special!
With our venue secured, the next step was finding a planner. We sent requests to many but had a hard time hearing back, but luckily we found Roma Thakkar via the Maharani Weddings website and it was the best thing that could have happened to our wedding! From then on she was the CEO of our event and fearlessly accommodated all of the opinions and wishes we had for our special day.
VENUE
Our wedding vision was a blend of British countryside charm and traditional South Asian culture.
Every wedding event took place at The Ruins at Sassafras, a beautifully renovated Shaker property with an old stone home and a former chair factory (which served as the venue for our Sangeet welcome party and South Asian luncheon)—where the Shakers once built furniture. The venue spans several acres and is set on a sloping hill with views of the Berkshires in the distance. It’s stunningly landscaped in a way that feels more like a wandering garden than a manicured lawn. The property is full of hidden nooks perfect for magical moments: a small bridge over a creek, a tucked-away pond, and patches of wildflowers.
This was the backdrop for our wedding, which we wanted to feel organic, enchanted, and fairytale-esque. Think taper candles, weeping willows, bumblebees, soft lighting, and vines growing up the sides of brick walls. The property was bursting with flowers and greenery in a way that only mid-September can perfect.
Both ceremonies—the Hindu and the Christian—were held outdoors in different parts of the property. The Hindu ceremony faced the old, restored stone home, with mountains visible in the distance. The Christian ceremony took place by the pond, beneath a weeping willow tree, with a small path circling the water. Cocktail hour was held in the open-air ruins, lit by hundreds of tea light candles offering a soft glow. The pièce de résistance was the reception: a clear-top tent with chandeliers on the open lawn.
We ended with an after-party which was also on-site at the venue. It was called “The Moroccan Room” and had low furniture, arabic details, and a built-in bar. It was the perfect way to end the night.
DECOR
Florals were an incredibly meaningful part of our day because not only were they decorative but also symbolized important cultural traditions.
Our decor for the Sangeet (“Welcome Party”) was meant to feel like an open air Indian market in the entrance to the venue. We had brightly colored carts with chai, bangles & bindis, a live dosa stand and henna artists. The carts had signs written in both English and in Kannada (my husband’s family’s native language).
Inside the Chair Factory (reception space) were brightly colored fabrics hung on the ceiling and wrapped around the wooden beams throughout the space. We had a large dancefloor, backdrop, and bar facade bringing in the bright colors. The center pieces on the tables were vintage lanterns and bright florals.
The Hindu ceremony the next morning included a mandap covered in red, peach, pink, and white roses. Lining the aisles were large, gold vases that were tipped on their sides with florals streaming out of them. The bridesmaids had jasmine in their hair and the groom and I had brightly colored malas that we placed on each other during the ceremony.
Our luncheon took place right after the Hindu ceremony in the Chair Factory and featured a traditional South Indian thali meal. Guests were seated at long communal tables set with brass thali plates, tumblers, and serving bowls. Each setting was arranged with care, with a printed napkin that featured elephants and other Indian animals, printed menus to describe each dish, and red flowers.
The tables were lined with soft ivory runners and decorated with votive candles and marigold petals for a warm, welcoming feel. Overhead, we hung strands of jasmine garlands with pale pink roses, adding a subtle floral element that felt both traditional and romantic.
The Christian ceremony had lavender, pink, peach, and white florals lining the aisles and a floral large arch where we said “I do”. So little decor was needed because the natural outdoor space was breathtaking itself. The pond, weeping willow tree, and heavy greenery surrounding us were stunning on their own; the florals just added a pop up color and whimsy.
Our reception took place under a clear-top tent with views of the surrounding Berkshires. We wanted the space to feel romantic and natural, with a touch of magic, like a garden party at dusk. Greenery and fairy lights were woven through the tent ceiling, and chandeliers added a soft, elegant glow.
We mixed long farm tables and round tables to create an inviting, layered look. The tabletops featured vintage-inspired floral china, blush linen napkins, glassware, and soft pink taper candles. Flowers were arranged in loose, garden-style groupings using ranunculus, cosmos, snapdragons, and lisianthus in blush, peach, and lavender tones.
A custom floor with our monogram sat in front of the stage, which was framed by wild florals and soft white draping. The whole setup felt intimate, whimsical, and perfectly in tune with the landscape around us.
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Hair and makeup were a challenge as I switched looks during the day of the two ceremonies. For the Hindu ceremony, I wore a classic low bun with soft face-framing pieces and had flowers in my hair. My makeup was accentuated with a bright red lip to match my red saree.
For the Christian ceremony, I added extensions and my hair was styled half-up, half-down with hollywood waves. My makeup was a little softer with a light-pink lip.
Each look matched each gown and ceremony perfectly!
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I had two wedding “gowns” - one for each ceremony.
My husband is Kannadiga and it’s traditional to wear a red and white saree for the hindu ceremony. We flew to India with my in-laws and we found the red, white, and gold fabric and took it to a local seamstress. She added custom beaded details and I selected peacock imagery to represent my husband and I as “love birds”.
My white dress was from Kleinfelds in NYC and was a long-sleeve A-line dress with a corseted top and puffed sleeves, designed by Pnina Tornai.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The shopping! I absolutely loved selecting all of the outfits, from my mehendi outfit to my after-party look. It was so much fun trying on so many different styles and spending time with my friends, family, and in-laws. I especially enjoyed picking out styles for my brothers and dad who had never worn Indian clothes previously - they wore it all well!
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The guests really loved the atmosphere and setting of our wedding, which happened through a combination of a beautiful venue and amazing decor. The property was expansive and private, so it really felt like a destination wedding. The guests also loved that we used many different sites on the venue for our different events: the entire weekend felt like a journey through the property with big reveals at each next location, and every event was equally well thought out and intentionally designed. A Baraat on a winding path through tall trees? South Indian thali lunch in an old chair factory? Cocktail hour amidst ruins of an old stone building? The events were magical!
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
When I was walking down the aisle for the Hindu ceremony, I remember walking through my bridesmaids as they threw red rose petals in the air. I have this very clear moment in my mind of seeing the red petals against a bright blue sky and thinking I felt like I was in a movie. I was about to marry the love of my life in the most beautiful setting. It was surreal.
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.
DECOR
Our decor for the Sangeet (“Welcome Party”) was meant to feel like an open air Indian market in the entrance to the venue. We had brightly colored carts with chai, bangles & bindis, a live dosa stand and henna artists. The carts had signs written in both English and in Kannada (my husband’s family’s native language).
Inside the Chair Factory (reception space) were brightly colored fabrics hung on the ceiling and wrapped around the wooden beams throughout the space. We had a large dancefloor, backdrop, and bar facade bringing in the bright colors. The center pieces on the tables were vintage lanterns and bright florals.
Our luncheon took place right after the Hindu ceremony in the Chair Factory and featured a traditional South Indian thali meal. Guests were seated at long communal tables set with brass thali plates, tumblers, and serving bowls. Each setting was arranged with care, with a printed napkin that featured elephants and other Indian animals, printed menus to describe each dish, and red flowers.
The tables were lined with soft ivory runners and decorated with votive candles and marigold petals for a warm, welcoming feel. Overhead, we hung strands of jasmine garlands with pale pink roses, adding a subtle floral element that felt both traditional and romantic.
Our reception took place under a clear-top tent with views of the surrounding Berkshires. We wanted the space to feel romantic and natural, with a touch of magic, like a garden party at dusk. Greenery and fairy lights were woven through the tent ceiling, and chandeliers added a soft, elegant glow.
We mixed long farm tables and round tables to create an inviting, layered look. The tabletops featured vintage-inspired floral china, blush linen napkins, glassware, and soft pink taper candles. Flowers were arranged in loose, garden-style groupings using ranunculus, cosmos, snapdragons, and lisianthus in blush, peach, and lavender tones.
A custom floor with our monogram sat in front of the stage, which was framed by wild florals and soft white draping. The whole setup felt intimate, whimsical, and perfectly in tune with the landscape around us.
DANCES
We had an amazing set of Sangeet dances, but a real highlight was when I completely surprised my husband with a solo dance. It was in the middle of the bridesmaid dance that had 2 segments that my husband knew about. Since he was on all the correspondence with the DJ, I had to privately ask the DJ to send a fake mix to the thread with my husband so that he wasn’t aware of the solo. My husband’s reaction during the Sangeet was everything!
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
A few pieces of advice:
1. Do whatever you can as early as possible during the planning process. It’s never “too soon” to start any project, reach out to any vendor, or purchase any item. Don’t be like us, printing signs the night before!
2. The seating chart organizing can feel impossible, but no one will remember. Just do your best.
3. I was on the fence with getting a professional saree draper for the bridesmaids - DO IT. It makes a big difference in how nice everyone looks, and it’s a huge stress reliever day-of.
4. Don’t overly worry about the first look being before or during the ceremony. There’s no right answer because either way is special and perfect.
5. Don’t worry about the timeline - if you have a planner, it is their job to keep it moving that day. Nothing starts until you arrive - you literally can’t be late! Your wedding planner has seen every problem you can face that day 100 times. Your only job is to enjoy your own wedding.
6. Try to ground yourself that day as much as possible and be present. Take a moment for yourself and breathe! Yes, just yourself (no groom!). Go to the bathroom, close the door, and take a minute to really find a moment. This is really happening and it’s gonna be amazing.
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
During the Hindu ceremony, I received a mangal sutra—a traditional necklace symbolizing marriage, similar to exchanging rings in a Christian ceremony. Mine featured a diamond pendant on a gold chain with black beads, as is customary. For the Christian ceremony later that day, I moved the pendant onto a strand of pearls that my late mother had gifted me. It was a deeply personal way to carry both our cultures and her memory with me as I walked down the aisle.
One funny side story is at the end of the after party, my planner asked if I had everything and I said I didn’t have my bouquet. I had already been gifted a floral preservation box via our registry to ship my flowers and have them professionally preserved and framed.I was very distraught that they were nowhere to be found! My husband and his best man spent two hours searching the property in the dark and even jumped into a dumpster and FOUND THEM. They were in almost perfect condition and now hang in a beautifully preserved state and framed above our bed.
