Hannah & Basil's wedding unfolded like a vibrant tapestry in the heart of Arlington, weaving together the threads of elegance, tradition, and unbridled joy. Their love story, a sweet serenade that began in high school hallways, resonated through the halls of the Loews Hotel, setting the stage for a celebration that was as heartwarming as it was majestic.
Their journey from high school sweethearts to life partners was marked by a shared spirit of adventure and resilience, which was evident in their long-distance relationship during college. The proposal, a romantic chapter set against the picturesque backdrop of Switzerland, was nothing short of a fairy tale. Basil's thoughtful orchestration of the moment, under the guise of a simple lunch, culminated in Hannah's tearful and joyous 'yes,' with their families joining in to add to the surprise and celebration.
Their wedding, a harmonious blend of elegance and tradition, was a celebration of their union and the rich cultural tapestry it represented. The bride, Hannah, immersed herself in the nuances of Indian weddings, guided lovingly by her mother-in-law. This journey of discovery was more than just planning; it was a bonding experience, a weaving together of families and cultures.
The venue, Live! By Loews - Arlington, stood as a testament to their story, its walls echoing with laughter and joy. The meticulous planning by Shelley K. Events ensured a seamless flow, allowing Hannah to revel in each moment without the shadow of stress. With her magical touch in hair and makeup, Hina Saleem made sure Hannah radiated confidence and beauty, mirroring the internal joy of her heart.
But the essence of their wedding was perhaps best captured during the Mehndi ceremony. Here, amidst the vibrant colors and intricate patterns, the dance floor became a melting pot of cultures. Family and friends, new to the wonders of an Indian wedding, embraced the celebration with open hearts. It was a night where music, dance, and laughter transcended boundaries, weaving a memory that would replay in their minds forever.
In the end, what stood out was not just the stunning venue or the exquisite arrangements but the love and unity that permeated every aspect of Hannah & Basil's wedding. It was a celebration that went beyond the joining of two souls; it was a fusion of families, cultures, and traditions, culminating in a happily ever after that was as unique as it was beautiful.
Congratulations Hannah & Basil!
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How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
My husband and I met right before my senior year of high school. We went to a really big school (over 600 kids in our class) and never had classes together! We both joined PALS, an extracurricular program where we mentored and tutored elementary students each week. During the introductory PALS conference, they played ice-breaker games to have the new members get to know everyone. We played musical chairs and sat next to each other. I had seen him once before and thought he was cute, so I made a move and talked to him! That night, he messaged me on social media, and we have been together ever since for the past 7 years. I’m so thankful we had that time together before college; the homecoming, all the sports games, and prom together were such fun memories to kickstart our relationship. I knew he was the one when we had no hesitation to do long distance in college. Even when I was going out of state to play college basketball, and he was staying in Texas, we immediately took on the challenge to make it work. We went through 3 years of long distance in college before COVID hit, which made our relationship stronger. Each time we got to visit each other was so special, and we learned to never take any time together for granted.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
This will always be the best day of my life (besides our wedding). I was on a family trip with my now husband and his family (parents and brothers) in Switzerland. We had been gone for about a week at this point, exploring different cities and having a great time. We then drove to Vitznau and checked into the most beautiful hotel I have ever seen. Even though I had a bit of an urge he was going to propose, my family wasn’t there. He knew that I wanted my family to be there when he proposed, so that’s why I thought it wasn’t happening yet. The next day, we ordered room service for breakfast and had the best morning. He kept telling me he had a nice lunch planned for us and insisted we go. That’s when I realized it could be happening, and it didn’t make sense why he was so persistent. I got dressed, and we went downstairs to a beautiful set up with intimate floral decor and a seating area for us. We were greeted by a photographer who said she was going to take pictures of us. I immediately got tears in my eyes and thought okay, this is it! We took photos for about 20 minutes and relaxed by the water. Then, for one of the photos, when I was turned around, I turned back, and he was down on one knee. It was an immediate yes, and I definitely blacked out! It was a moment we had both been waiting so long for, and it was so special, in the most beautiful place I could imagine. To top it all off, he had my family fly in to surprise me (they got there the night before). Before I knew it, I looked up, and my parents and brother were there. He knew how important this was to me, and I was so happy to have everyone together. For the rest of the trip, both of our families were in Switzerland together, exploring and spending time together. It was the best and so so special.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
I think the most enjoyable part of planning was getting to learn more and more about Indian weddings from my mother-in-law every step of the way. She guided me very well and made sure I was comfortable with everything and really let me be a part of the process. Spending that time together during the food tastings, hotel walkthroughs, dress fittings, etc., will always be so special to me.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
I truly think the guests enjoyed our wedding because they could tell how much time and effort we put into the small details. We took so much time planning the decor, food, timeline, etc. We really wanted everything to flow throughout the night. They could also tell how much I and my husband love each other, as well as our families and how much we care for one another. It was very unique and still felt very intimate even when there were over 300 people in the room!
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
It’s so hard to just choose one moment, but one of my favorite moments was during the Mehndi when everyone was dancing and having such a great time. With all of our families and friends coming together and honestly having the time of our lives celebrating. The DJ basically had to kick us off the dance floor. It was so fun seeing all of my family and friends experience an Indian wedding event for the first time, how much they embraced it, and how we’re having fun.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Don’t let the small things get to you! After the wedding is all over and done, you won’t remember them anyway. You will remember the happy times and the special people you got to be with the most. There really isn’t any other time in your life where all the people you love get to be in one room together, so you might as well soak up every second of it.
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
I cannot say enough great things about the venue we picked and the people we got to work with for our wedding. The Loews Hotel in Arlington was so amazing, and their staff was incredible. Jill Price was such a pleasure to work with, and her knowledge of South Asian weddings was very impressive and helpful. Our coordinator, Shelley Kurian, made all of our dreams come true and was so on top of everything. I was not stressed at all throughout the weekend because I knew we could count on her and her team; she’s amazing. I am so lucky I got to work with Hina Saleem for hair and makeup. She made me feel so beautiful and confident. Her work is amazing, and I cannot recommend her enough!
