Welcome to Maharani Weddings

If there’s one word to describe Ruhi & Akash’s wedding, it’s intentional—every event, every design choice, and every emotion felt thoughtfully curated to reflect who they are as a couple. This was a South Asian wedding weekend that balanced tradition and modern flair, personal history and elevated production, all wrapped in color, joy, and heartfelt moments.

The celebrations began where Ruhi’s story started: her childhood home in Irvine, CA. Hosting the mehndi and haldi there added a deeply emotional layer to the festivities, especially when Ruhi had her mehndi applied on the same green bench she once played on as a child.

For the larger wedding events, Ruhi & Akash chose Omni La Costa, a venue that delivered a true resort-style experience while offering multiple scenic backdrops. The planning and design by Eventspell brought structure, flow, and polish to the entire weekend, ensuring that each event felt distinct while still cohesive. From logistics to creative execution, the celebrations unfolded seamlessly.

The floral vision by JnJ Florals played a major role throughout the weekend, layering vibrant colors and lush arrangements that enhanced each space without overpowering it. From ceremony florals to statement installations, the décor struck the perfect balance between bold and refined.

The ceremony beautifully blended Marathi traditions with Rajasthani elements, culminating in the exchange of handwritten vows. And just when guests thought the moment couldn’t get more memorable, the ceremony concluded with a color cannon finale, filling the air with celebration and leaving guests in awe.

Ruhi’s bridal fashion journey was equally stunning and thoughtfully planned. From a traditional green mehndi outfit styled with a voluminous braid, pink florals, and a pearl paranda, to a bold orange sharara for haldi, each look felt intentional and expressive. Her coral red sangeet ensemble stood out beautifully against blue-and-white European-inspired décor, while her pink bridal lehenga—rich with intricate embroidery of florals and birds—felt regal and romantic. Paired with emerald green jewelry and delicate butterfly kaleera, it was a look that balanced softness and royalty. The weekend ended with a striking royal blue reception look that made a powerful statement.

Hair and makeup evolved effortlessly throughout the weekend thanks to Drea V Makeup and Makiaj, who worked closely with Ruhi’s vision while adding their own professional artistry. Using two different teams allowed each look to feel fresh and unique, perfectly matched to the mood of each event.

One of the most memorable aspects of the celebration was the dancing. powered by the high-energy beats of 3D Sounds. From joyful family performances at the haldi to a heartfelt dance with her mom to a surprise bridal solo that left Akash beaming, each performance carried emotion. Akash even stepped out of his comfort zone, learning multiple dances for the sangeet and reception—a true crowd favorite and a testament to his love and commitment.

The celebrations were beautifully captured by Balerina Films, whose cinematography and photography preserved every vibrant detail—from the quiet, emotional moments to the high-energy dance floor scenes. Their storytelling ensured that the emotions of the weekend will live on long after the music faded.

Before the reception officially began, Ruhi & Akash shared a champagne tower pour with their closest friends, cheering them on—a high-energy, celebratory moment that perfectly set the tone for the night ahead.

At its core, Ruhi & Akash’s wedding wasn’t about perfection—it was about feeling. The colors, the vows, the dances, the thoughtful details all came together to create a celebration that guests truly experienced. As Ruhi beautifully shared, trends may fade, but the emotions you create will stay forever—and this wedding was overflowing with them.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
In 2021, we were both busy in medical residency while also trying to date. I was in coastal Ventura while Akash was living in Las Vegas. We matched on Hinge and met up at a Mexican restaurant in Costa Mesa for our first date. The conversation lasted hours and we felt like we had known each other forever. We vowed during that date that we would see each other every 2 weeks and make long distance work. Soon, the only thing getting me through residency was his facetimes at the end of the long day. I had never met someone so caring, funny, genuine and I knew that this was a once in a lifetime type of love.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Akash knew he wanted to propose to me before we finished residency, which was a whole operation as Akash was still living in Las Vegas. Akash teamed up with one of my best friends to create a plan. My friend who recently got engaged told me she wanted to do a photoshoot with her closest friends in Palos Verdes. This was believable because she was also a professional photographer and seemed like something she would do. I, fully believing I was there for her photoshoot, arrived at this beautiful location with my 3 best friends greeting me. My friends then walked me to the proposal spot, a gazebo full of flowers and candles overlooking the ocean. Akash was waiting for me underneath and I could not believe this was my proposal. My family and friends then surprised me with champagne and flowers and we enjoyed the beautiful sunny day with stunning ocean views. It was such a beautiful moment having my 3 best friends walk me over to my future husband at our proposal spot – such a good blend of a romantic moment with my husband as well as a culmination of all of the feelings with my best friends being with me through all of the years.

Afterwards, Akash added more to the surprise and had an after party at my childhood home in Irvine with all of my closest family and friends with a live pasta station and an open bar. I could not believe Akash pulled this all off!

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.
When I envisioned our wedding, I dreamed of a joyous experience that felt like us in every detail. I wanted a mehndi and haldi in my childhood home in Irvine, CA. I got my mehndi done on the same outdoor green bench that I grew up playing on, which was such a special moment.

Since our proposal was overlooking the ocean, I wanted a different more green, nature filled vibe for our wedding. I immediately loved Omni La Costa in Carlsbad because it allowed us to have 3 different beautiful locations for all of our events. It was also nice as it felt like a mini destination as most family and friends were from Orange County. I knew I wanted an outdoor sangeet where guests felt like they were dancing under the stars. For the wedding, I knew I wanted vibrant colored decor and a color cannon along with a raised aisle. It was so beautiful seeing the color cannon amongst the palm trees and the ponds in the background.

For my mehndi I wore a traditional green outfit but I added a flare with a voluminous braid with pink flowers and a pearl paranda.

For my other outfit choices, I chose non-traditional choices. For haldi, I wore an orange sharara with a dupatta flowing from the back of it. For sangeet, I wore a coral red outfit that was perfect for sangeet as it stood out amongst our blue and white European inspired decor and the outfit flared so beautifully during all of the dance turns. For my wedding, I chose pink and for the reception I chose royal blue.

For my hair and makeup looks, I came in with specific pictures of hair and makeup but I also did let the hair and makeup artists give their own input as well which I think in turn created such a variety of looks. I also had two different hair and makeup teams for my events which I think ended up working out so beautifully as every look felt really unique.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I knew I wanted a pink bridal lehenga but I wanted it to still look very royal. The lehenga had intricate embroidery that featured flowers and birds which I felt was so unique. When I wore it for the first time, both of our parents and my sister in law could not stop looking at it and I knew it was the one. I combined light emerald green jewelry which gave a beautiful contrast. The dupatta was a slightly darker shade of pink and featured embroidery on it. My favorite element was the dainty kaleera which had butterflies falling from it which felt so elegant.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
I loved planning all of the dance performances  at our wedding. We even did a dance at our Haldi with my cousin sister and my sister in law which was so special. I loved doing a dance with my mom and then also performing my bridal solo dance which was a surprise for my husband, Akash. I loved seeing his face in excitement and surprise. Akash even learned multiple dances with me for sangeet and reception and he is not a dancer at all but he did an amazing job and it was so sweet of him to be so involved in dances for me.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
My guests loved the wedding ceremony and the vibrant colored decor, the exchange of personal vows and the color cannon at the end. They cannot stop talking about the color cannon and how it was the perfect finale for the wedding ceremony.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
On our wedding day, I entered with my brothers under a floral canopy down a set of stairs which was so special. Our ceremony combined both our traditions of Marathi culture with Rajasthani elements. Exchanging handwritten vows was my favorite moment—it was deeply personal, grounding us in the midst of tradition.

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 was so special to me because my mother DIY'd all of the decor in the courtyard of my childhood home and it turned out so so beautiful! She ordered wooden planks, nailed them together, and painted them white herself. She then adorned flowers to strings and hung them on the structures. She ordered beautiful florals and a platform stage to complete the look. Then her friends came over and decorated the house with flower pots and other beautiful decor.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Looking back, I realize our wedding was less about perfect décor or timelines and more about the feelings we created.  My advice to future brides is simple: design for the emotions you want people to carry home. Trends fade, but the magic of shared laughter, happy tears, and a packed dance floor—that will stay with you forever.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
We loved doing a champagne tower pouring with our closest friends cheering us on in the background. It was such a high-energy moment and so perfect sharing an intimate moment with them before the reception begun.

See you tomorrow, ladies—more love, more details, and more beautiful stories await.

Love stories can take many forms. Some develop slowly, like a handwritten letter you cherish for years. Others ignite in an instant, turning ordinary moments into something truly special. Rashi & Yash's story lives beautifully in both worlds, and their wedding was the kind of celebration that makes you believe the universe really does have a flair for timing.

Set entirely outdoors at the breathtaking Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, the celebration unfolded like a love letter to California itself—golden light, ocean air, and that unmistakable sense of ease that makes everything feel just a little more romantic. Behind the scenes, the impeccable planning and design by Amora Events ensured that every moment felt intentional without ever feeling overproduced. Their vision came to life through the soft, romantic florals by Blooming Bliss Design, who layered ivory, blush, and dusty mauve blooms into lush arrangements that felt organic, timeless, and perfectly at home against the coastal landscape.

And then there was Rashi. Effortlessly elegant, thoughtfully styled, and glowing in a way that felt both bridal and unmistakably her. Her ceremony look featured an ivory lehenga delicately embroidered with elephants and peacocks—traditional artistry that shimmered softly in the coastal breeze. Her beauty look, created by DreaV Makeup, was timeless in the truest sense. Her sleek low bun, whisper-light veil, and emerald jewelry—lovingly assembled by her mother—added layers of meaning and quiet drama that felt deeply personal.

For the reception, Rashi stepped into a striking fish-cut Dolly J ensemble sourced directly from Delhi. Structured, modern, and undeniably glamorous, the look shimmered under the evening lights and paired flawlessly with her Gucci heels. Yash matched the moment in a deep green floral-jacquard suit from Hive & Colony, finished with a Gucci bow tie. The celebration shifted seamlessly into evening mode with black accents through dinnerware, velvet linens, and fashion choices, while elegant chandeliers—made possible by Silverio Party Rentals—cast a warm glow over the dance floor. The atmosphere was elevated but never stiff, chic yet joyful, with lighting and music by 3D Sounds keeping the energy perfectly balanced between romance and celebration.

The ceremony itself honored both Jain and Marathi traditions with thoughtful intention. The pandit ensured that every ritual was understood and felt, while modern choices reinforced the couple’s belief in partnership, equality, and family in all its forms. Rashi’s entrance to “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana was one of those goosebump moments, especially as the lyric “see the line where the sky meets the sea” echoed against the coastline behind Yash. And just when you thought the emotions couldn’t peak any higher, the baraat arrived—joyful, inclusive, and delightfully unexpected. Guests from both families joined in from the start, dancing together to dhol beats, before Yash made a surprise appearance on a white horse along the beachside path. Cheers erupted. Then Rashi appeared from her balcony, waved to the crowd, disappeared, and re-entered the scene dancing through the baraat with her bridesmaids to the iconic “Dil Dooba.” The finale? A choreographed routine the couple had secretly rehearsed, turning the baraat into a full-blown celebration.

Every unforgettable moment was captured with cinematic artistry by Balerina Films, whose storytelling lens preserved not just how the day looked, but how it felt. From sweeping coastal shots to quiet emotional exchanges, their work ensures this wedding will live on beautifully for generations.

This wedding was all about meaning. About choosing a place that felt like home, traditions that felt true, and a celebration that honored love in its most intentional form. It was timeless without being traditional for tradition’s sake, modern without losing soul, and proof that when love and location align, the result is nothing short of magical.

Would you dance your way into your ceremony or surprise your guests with a balcony entrance?

In a world of apps and swipes, Neha met her groom, Darshak, the old-fashioned way—through a matchmaker. “It felt like talking to a trusted friend,” Neha says. “It made the whole experience feel safe, intentional, and exciting.” By their third date—an idyllic hike in New England complete with chutney sandwiches—she knew he was someone special. And after their first international trip together, exploring Hungary and Portugal, she was sure: this was it.

The proposal, true to their story, was thoughtful and surprising. On a rainy day in Boston, Darshak lured Neha out with a clever fake brunch “bet.” As they strolled through a park, he began reflecting on their favorite memories—despite the threat of frizz. Then she spotted the photographer, and the moment became unforgettable. “Right there, in the drizzle, he dropped to one knee,” she smiles. “It was perfect.”

For their wedding, the couple chose Cancun—a location that offered ocean views, rich colors, and strong support for South Asian celebrations. With the help of their planner, they handpicked vendors via Instagram, piecing together an unforgettable multi-day destination wedding. Their ceremony was held under a tropical mandap by the sea, with the ocean breeze and crashing waves creating a cinematic backdrop for their vows.

Neha wore a bridal lengha with deep family roots—first worn by her mother over 45 years ago and passed down to her sister. “It’s a piece of our family history,” she says. “It felt right to honor that.”

From Holi on the beach with all ages joyfully playing in color, to a pastel-themed reception that felt like “walking into heaven,” every detail reflected their personalities and cultures. The sangeet, designed with a sunrise color palette, featured energetic dances lovingly choreographed by friends and family. And thanks to DJ USA and DJ Shaarad, each event had its own musical heartbeat.

For Neha, the best part? “Realizing what a great team we make. Planning this together taught us so much about each other.”

Their advice: aim high, expect surprises, and smile through it all—you’ll want those pictures.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met my groom, Darshak, through a matchmaker!  How classic/traditional?!  She met with us both individually, interviewed us (and many others) and decided to set us up over email.  In the world of endless options and noisy apps, being able to talk to an actual person like a friend or relative that has your best interest at heart was a total unlock for both of us!  It made me feel safe and comfortable and turned up the level of commitment and accountability when we were meeting.  I knew Darshak was going to be a very special person in my life on our third date when he somehow (by listening carefully) manifested all the things I love into one date: taking me to explore beautiful scenery in New England on a hike and packing a cooler with homemade chutney sandwiches and all the drinks and snacks I love!  I knew he was the one when we took our first trip together to Hungary and Portugal and had so much fun building our itinerary day by day and exploring the cities in many different ways (food tours, biking, public transportation, holiday festivals etc.). I could see we had a similar zest for life and truly enjoyed each other's company for long periods of time in all different activities/settings.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
In early 2024, we knew we were a perfect match and ready to spend the rest of our lives together. After finding the perfect ring and getting the blessing from all of the parents, Darshak orchestrated the ultimate surprise proposal in downtown Boston. To get me to the proposal location, he “lost a bet” and had to take me out to my favorite Boston brunch spot – a clever cover!

On a drizzly Saturday, as we walked toward brunch, Darshak slowed down and began reminiscing about all our favorite memories together. I was surprised and confused because he knows what the rain would do to my straightened hair. But then I spotted the photographer and suddenly I couldn’t stop smiling. Right there in the park, Darshak dropped to one knee, and just like that, my boyfriend became my fiancé!

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 the location that we thought would be practical and beautiful and would photograph well (my husband loves photography). Between that and my desire to have a wedding by the ocean, we decided Cancun would be a perfect location for our wedding. Not only was it readily accessible for most of our guests, there was also a whole system in place to support desi weddings there. Our planner helped us pick the venue that met all of our criteria. From there, we picked the date and all the vendors as they were available.  We found a lot of our vendors on Instagram by honing in on social media content in Cancun and we were able to see different styles and what we liked very quickly from mendhi to themes and even backdrops and dance floors.  The destination wedding posed a lot of logistical challenges, but the end result was extremely beautiful and made for an enjoyable/memorable guest experience!

After locking in the venue, we did our site visit to start thinking about themes, decors, and more. The venue was largely fine, though we learned there that compared to other resorts in Cancun, they seemed to have less experience with hosting Indian weddings, but they were able to work with us to achieve much of our vision. We also did H&MU trials which was really helpful so that we knew what to expect during our wedding week.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
My bridal lengha was especially precious to me.  It is the lengha my mom wore at her wedding in India 45+ years ago.  My sister also wore the same lengha at her wedding about 10 years ago and it just feel like a piece of and the women in my family.  It's light, comfortable, has flecks of real gold, was designed by my mom, and is a style that is truly not available anywhere today.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
I think the most enjoyable part of the planning process was working together on a rather big "project" as a team for the first time and learning that we work surprisingly well together!  I loved learning about Darshak's tastes and opinions and how our priorities differed.  We also had different strengths that complemented each other and made the wedding planning process more manageable. I feel like between wedding planning, working, being healthy, and working out, we found a new level of discipline and were able to be our best selves firing on all cylinders!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
A lot of the planning and choices we made were around the guest experience. Afterall, we asked them to travel hundreds of miles and across international borders to celebrate our love! So, it was incredible to hear our guests describe our wedding as being on vacation together where they got an extended amount of time to reunite with old friends and make new ones. We planned it out to have just one high-energy event each day so that the guests had time to relax, enjoy the all-inclusive resort, and meet up with friends.  There was something for everyone, from our older relatives and family friends riding in a limo for the first time in their lives to onsite dance practices for the big group dance to nightly events held by the resort to entertain all of the guests.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
One of the more memorable events and "scenes" if you will at our wedding was Holi on the beach.  We asked everyone to bring a white outfit and brought holi colors.  We were able to play holi on the beach with all ages, young kids to older relatives, and everyone had loads of fun getting messy and then jumping into the turquoise blue ocean.  This was one of the easiest events to plan and highest impact as people loved feeling like kids again and just hanging out in the informal setting.

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.
For our Sangeet, we tried for a sunrise theme that focused on all the bright colors.  I wanted the focal point to be my outfit with many different bright colors, but we had a similar motif on the stage with a circle lotus pattern that worked very well for the garba (which was danced in the circle).  In general, a theme with bright colors works really well for any Indian event because it looks like everyone goes with the theme.  For the reception, we tried to plan the family outfits and decor to be pastel themes with a starry night backdrop.  Truthfully, I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but it ended up looking incredible with the light colors against the dark backdrop, my mother in law said she felt like she “walked right into heaven."  The dances were SPECIAL, everyone getting taking time to learn them, getting over their fears to perform publicly, and the friends choreographing and wrangling the troops to get them ready for the stage.  This is an Indian traditional that will never get old and something that feels like a gift, an act of love for the bride and groom that is beyond any material gift you will receive!

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Try to carve out time for one thing you really want to do during the wedding week and bake it into the schedule.  For me, that was spending a couple hours with just my girls, which I did in my hotel room after the mendhi, and it was precious!  Also, strive for perfection at your wedding, but know that things will come up and you’ll have to be flexible!  Lastly, in the moment, having cameras in your face and stopping to take pictures may feel stressful, but you will be grateful to yourself later, so try to smile at all times (especially on the mandap) and direct photographers to grab photos with all the people you want pics with!

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Mendhi was really fun, I thought of a few secret designs to get that Darshak would love such as the Iron Man symbol (one of his favorite Marvel characters) and the New York skyline (his favorite city).  These small touches were a fun little detail in the moment and also for the pictures.  We also got customized and matching sneakers that had our names and the wedding date, we changed into them at the reception, and used that as an excuse to dance really hard for the last night of events - no excuses!

Additionally, we met the Jhankarlo during our site visit. We made an instant connection with him and knew that he would be the one to capture our wedding. We shared our ideas for the events, the types of shots we wanted (including drone footage), and some concepts for the reception and he was able to manifest all of our ideas and more. In particular, having his content creator team there was perfect to capture the incredible moments and share them online in almost real-time for our friends and family who were unable to come.

Last but not least, we knew the music had to be epic! Darshak knew DJUSA from his time in NYC and they have been incredible. We wanted to work with DJ Shaarad in particular because of his blend of styles and how he connects with the audience to deliver an incredible performance that was unique for each event.

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When Umbar & Yash first crossed paths as 18-year-old freshmen at the University of Florida, their shared passion for dance quickly sparked a connection. As co-captains of the GatoRaas dance team, their bond deepened, but their journey toward marriage wasn’t without challenges. With Indian, Pakistani, and Panamanian roots intertwining, they navigated complex family dynamics over ten years, patiently earning blessings from both sides.

Their decade-long journey culminated in a magical proposal in August 2023. Yash led Umbar on a serene hike to an intimate cave where sunlight poured in, just so illuminating the moment as he asked for her hand. Weeks later, surrounded by family, they celebrated their nikkah ceremony, marking the official beginning of their life together.

After just eleven months of planning, Umbar and Yash brought their vision to life with a breathtaking four-day fusion wedding in colonial Antigua, Guatemala. The festivities began with “Infinite Blessings,” a baraat on a hilltop overlooking the city, where Guatemalan drummers set the rhythm and the couple exchanged pheras against a backdrop of ancient volcanoes.

Day two, “Party in Pana,” whisked 120 guests to Lake Atitlán. A “love boat” cruise offered explorations of local villages, coffee and chocolate tastings, and a lakeside sunset dinner before returning to Antigua’s vibrant streets.

The highlight was “Dancing in the Moonlight”—a sangeet held at the historic amphitheater La Ermita de Santa Cruz. Over 200 guests danced under the stars to electrifying beats, capped by a surprise fireworks show perfectly choreographed to John Summit’s “Shiver.”

The grand finale, “Happy Ending,” featured a heartfelt civil ceremony at Convento Capuchinas, followed by a lively parade through Antigua’s cobblestone streets with drummers and saxophonists leading the way. The reception at La Casa de la Ruina Santa Rosa dazzled guests with surprise dance performances, emotional speeches, and a wild “Hora Loca” celebration complete with playful props and bobblehead cameos of Bad Bunny and Lionel Messi. A golden sparkler exit sent the newlyweds into an after-party that lasted until dawn.

Not quite ready to end their adventure, Umbar & Yash capped their celebration by conquering Volcán Acatenango, a symbolic summit to their decade-long climb to matrimony—proving that the most breathtaking views come after the hardest climbs.

Love Beyond Boundaries: An Indian-Pakistani-Panamanian Fusion Wedding in Antigua, Guatemala
A Decade in the Making
When Umbar and Yash first met as 18-year-old freshmen at the University of Florida, neither could have predicted the beautiful journey that lay ahead. Brought together by their shared passion for dance as members of GatoRaas, their relationship truly blossomed in 2015 when they became co-captains of the team. Though they gravitated toward each other naturally, their path to matrimony wasn't without obstacles. Coming from different religious and cultural backgrounds—Indian, Pakistani, and Panamanian—meant navigating complex family dynamics that tested their resolve. While some family members embraced their relationship from the start, others needed time to come to terms with their union. After a decade of patience and perseverance, the couple finally received blessings from both families, allowing them to plan a celebration that honored their mutual love of dance, food, music, and joyful energy.

The long-awaited proposal came in August 2023, when Yash led Umbar to an intimate cave at the end of a dreamy hike. As sunlight streamed perfectly into the cave, illuminating the moment as if orchestrated by fate itself, he asked for her hand in marriage. Just weeks later, both families gathered for an intimate nikkah ceremony on the couple's anniversary, marking the official beginning of their journey together.

A Four-Day Celebration in Colonial Antigua
After just eleven months of planning, Umbar and Yash's dream fusion wedding unfolded across four spectacular days in Antigua, Guatemala. Day one, aptly named "Infinite Blessings," took place on a mountainous hilltop overlooking the colonial city. The festivities began with Yash's lively baraat, enhanced by the rhythmic flair of local Guatemalan drummers. As the sun painted the sky in amber hues, the couple completed their pheras surrounded by close family and friends all dressed in ivory, creating a scene of ethereal beauty against the backdrop of ancient volcanoes.

Day two brought "Party in Pana," where the couple and 120 guests embarked on a journey to Lake Atitlán. Boarding what they affectionately called the "love boat" from Panajachel, they explored local villages, learned about indigenous coffee and chocolate making, and concluded with a lakeside dinner at sunset before returning to Antigua for the excitement ahead.

The third day, "Dancing in the Moonlight," was the bride and groom's favorite—a testament to the passion for dance that first brought them together. The historic amphitheater-style monument, La Ermita de Santa Cruz, transformed into a vibrant sangeet venue where 200+ guests danced under the stars. The night reached its crescendo with a surprise fireworks display choreographed to John Summit's "Shiver," before everyone boarded traditional chicken buses back to their hotels.

The grand finale, "Happy Ending," began with "The Vows"—a civil ceremony at the historic Convento Capuchinas, where the couple exchanged heartfelt promises before a friend who officiated. Following cocktail hour, all guests paraded through Antigua's cobblestone streets with drummers and saxophonists, drawing locals to join the celebration. The reception at La Casa de la Ruina Santa Rosa featured surprise dance performances, including ones the couple had secretly prepared for each other. Emotional speeches from the parents of the bride and groom reminded everyone of the ten-year journey that brought them to this moment. The night continued with an "Hora Loca" filled with props and even appearances from Bad Bunny and Lionel Messi (in bobblehead form!). After a golden sparkler exit, the after-party continued until 4 a.m. at Antigua Brewing Co.

Not quite ready to end their Guatemalan adventure, Umbar and Yash capped their celebration by conquering Volcán Acatenango, a fitting summit to their decade-long climb to matrimony—proving that the most beautiful views come after the hardest climbs.

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Maharani, hold on to your dupattas and sherwanis because Sarika & Amulya's Indian wedding in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona, is about to sweep you off your feet! With dazzling smiles brighter than the desert sun and style to envy, this couple's celebration was nothing short of spectacular.

Events by Marina meticulously planned and designed every beautiful detail of the grand reception held at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa At Gainey Ranch. Meanwhile, the vibrant Sangeet night planned by Event by Kaj kicked things off with a magical blend of tradition and modern chic vibes. From henna-stained hands to dancing feet, these planners made sure every moment was memorable!

Dressed to impress, Sarika was a vision of elegance and joy. Her bridal glam by Modern Luxx Beauty was flawless, complemented by striking outfits that captured the essence of traditional grandeur with contemporary flair. Amulya was equally impressive, bringing princely charm with his suave attire and contagious Highlight moments. How about the enchanting ceremony beneath an exquisite floral mandap crafted by Parties by Ridhi? It was a jaw-dropping moment when Sarika & Amulya exchanged vows amidst cascading blooms, with Arizona's breathtaking mountains serving as the perfect backdrop.

But wait, it gets even better! Sarika made her ceremony exit truly iconic by wielding a bubble gun, adding whimsy and laughter to an already joyful day. And let's not forget the ultimate style statement—a classic getaway in a chic vintage car provided by Rae & Lars Vintage Car Rental, because a fairy tale wedding deserves a fairy tale ride! As evening fell, DJ Luxe Event Entertainment ensured the dance floor stayed lively and full of energy. Guests were treated to the unique artistry of Saudade Paintings, capturing memories on canvas in real time. To immortalize these precious moments, the skilled photographers at Lightyear Studio masterfully captured the essence of Sarika & Amulya's celebration, artfully documenting each tender glance, joyful tear, and jubilant smile.

Feeling inspired, Maharanis? Be sure to follow us on social media and bookmark this fabulous celebration for your wedding inspiration—your dream day awaits!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met my groom at CU Boulder at the UMC. I would always see him around and decided to sit next to him. I knew he was “the one” when he sat with me on the bus and let me just talk for hours. He accepted me for my silly self!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
The plan was go to to Hawaii with his side of the family. When we got there, we had to get ready for a “dinner” next thing I know, my sister in law blindfolded me and I open my eyes and see my parents and brother who surprised me. The setup, ambiance, and support was all I could dream of. I got my dream ring and could not have asked for a better proposal.

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.
I was planning my wedding. I have to say I was not stressed at all. Our venue was booked a year before. We chose the Hyatt Regency in Scottsdale, and they were amazing in regards to the food and our needs. I went to India a year before and got all my outfits. In regards to hair and makeup, we used @modernluxxbeauty, and she was amazing. I just wanted a soft glam as she made me feel beautiful! We used @partieswithridhi for our decor, and she made our dream come true. For our Haldi, we wanted an Amalfi Coast theme. Ridhi made sure to get our logo on the backdrop as well. For our Sangeet, we did a Boho theme, and she made our outfits match our vibe very well. For our ceremony, we wanted delightful florals with hints of blue. And for our reception, I wanted it to be our birthstone theme, which was emerald and Sapphire, and Ridhi was able to achieve that. I love to DIY and added some touches that were mine and Amulya's. I had a kids' corner with activities for kids, we had our table numbers be anniversary cards, we had pictures of other married couples in our family presented at the cocktail hour, and we made all the signage! Our photographer and videographer flew out from Philly and made our vision come to life. I would highly recommend @lightyearstudio. Our day of coordinators @kj_eventsco and @eventsby_marina were amazing for all of our events. My henna artist also made sure to add components of our story, such as Boulder, our logo, palm trees for Hawaii, and important dates (@m_m_henna_art). As far as production goes, it truly helped having my brother, who is a professional DJ @djbkphilly. He was not only our amazing emcee but brought on a great production tea,m which included @levelupwithrai and our dhol player @ranaranbir1023.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I knew I didn’t have the traditional red but instead burgundy with hints of other colors. I went to a couple of stores but knew I wanted to go to a place with fewer options, lol, because I’m indecisive. We loved Frontier Raas in Chandigarh!

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The diy process! I have a Cricut, so I used that and Canva for everything! From making the signage for each event to making our logo, I truly loved that I could add a part of my husband to every event.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
They loved how meaningful each event was and how personal it was. They loved the anniversary cards for the table numbers, the bubble exit, and so much more. We also made sure to include every cuisine throughout our wedding weekend, which everyone appreciated, so it wasn’t too much Indian food lol.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Seeing the reveal of our reception hall was a top moment. Everything that we envisioned came to life!

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 decor was unique for each event, and our outfits matched perfectly with the decor. For my style, I knew I wanted to wear something different for each event, whether it was a saree, pants, or a lengha! I am a dancer, so we did have tons of dances at our Sangeet, but we also didn’t want it to be too long, lol. The dances each represented different groups in our lives!

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
I know that planning a wedding with multiple days can be tricky, and it definitely comes with its challenges, but I found that it helps to listen to everyone and then come to a consensus rather than just doing it your own way. This gives importance to each other's families as well. My husband and I made departments and put different people in charge of different things, but we oversaw everything. Lastly, you can’t please everyone; there will be opinions, but it helps if you stay true to your vision on a budget, haha!

Congratulations, Sarika & Amulya—may your love shine brighter than Scottsdale's golden sunsets!

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