Welcome to Maharani Weddings

In a Staten Island hospital cafeteria, Jesse, a medical student, approached Romina's table to introduce himself. She departed with a quick "Hi, I'm Romina," leaving him intrigued. Destiny had a grander plan for Jesse & Romina. Two years later, their paths intertwined once more as they both matched at Eastern Virginia Medical School's residency program. Among just ten interns, their reunion felt less like coincidence and more like fate. As they embarked on the rigorous residency journey together, their bond deepened, turning colleagues into companions and, eventually, life partners.

Jesse's proposal to Romina was a chapter of a romantic novel. Jesse's sudden kneel and heartfelt proposal took Romina by surprise as they strolled amongst the vines. Her joyful "YES" was only the beginning of a day filled with surprises, culminating in a celebration at the Botanical Gardens, surrounded by their nearest and dearest.

Planning their wedding was an adventure in itself. Despite the challenge of organizing a Virginia wedding from Georgia, the couple found solace and support in their family friend, Sumeet and Dream Shaadi. Their vendors, from the decorators to the photo and video team, brought their vision to life, immortalizing their special day with stunning visuals and unforgettable moments. The venue resonated with the joy and energy of the DJ and entertainment team, ensuring a celebration that was nothing short of magical.

Romina's bridal attire was a blend of tradition and personal style. She chose a classic red lengha, ordered from India and inspired by Pernia's popup shop. Her traditional white wedding dress, sourced from an Atlanta boutique, added a Western touch to her multicultural celebration. The joy of selecting vendors was Romina's favorite part of planning. Each choice was a step towards realizing her dream wedding, a day where every detail reflected her and Jesse's personalities and love story.

Their guests loved the wedding's unique fusion of Persian and Indian traditions. The vibrant colors, the rhythmic music, and the spirited dancing were new and exhilarating experiences for many. Their Sangeet and Mehndi night was a lively celebration of tradition and color. These events were not just about the decor or the dances; they were a testament to the love and effort of those who had come together to celebrate Romina & Jesse's union.

Congratulations to Romina & Jesse!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
One afternoon, at a small hospital in Staten Island, Jesse and Romina were amidst the standard hustle and bustle of the hospital, when the holy time approached, lunch! As Jesse approached his usual niche amongst the conglomerate of students and staff, he came across a table of three acquaintances and one person he had never seen before...Romina. Out of politeness, he introduced himself to her nervously but excitedly, tray of hospital food in hand, and standing awkwardly at the side of the table while everyone remained seated. To his surprise, Romina stood up, gave a quick "hi I'm Romina" and before waiting for any response, said bye to our mutual colleagues and zipped away...that was the first time we met.

Fast forward two years.. Jesse and Romina matched at the same residency program, Eastern Virginia Medical School, one of only 10 interns! What are the chances?! They start residency for the next three years and the rest is history!

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Jesse planned a beautiful and romantic day at a winery. We had a romantic lunch after which we walked to the beautiful vines for photos. Before I could pull my phone out, he dropped to one knee and asked to spend the rest of our lives together. Of course I said YES!!

But there were more surprises to come. He took me to the Botanical Gardens to celebrate. Little did I know, both of our families and closest friend were waiting to surprise us. It was such a beautiful moment to celebrate our love, surrounded by our families.

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 worked with a close family friend Sumeet and Dream Shaadi to plan our wedding and had a wonderful, low stress experience planning our wedding. The only difficult part was that we lived in Georgia but were planning our wedding in Virginia. Sumeet ensured that the process went as seamless as possible. We LOVED all of our vendors. Decor was a bit difficult as we could not have in person meetings but every vendor did a wonderful job particularly our photo and video team! They captured our day so beautifully and we will cherish those memories forever! The venue was outstanding and DJ and entertainment team truly gave us an unforgettable weekend.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?

I ordered my bridal lengha from India and got inspiration through Pernia's popup shop (where I ordered my Sangeet outfit from). I stuck with the traditional color, red. For my traditional white wedding dress, I ordered it from a boutique here in Atlanta.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
My favorite part of the planning process was picking all of our vendors! I had a vision of how I wanted my wedding day to play out and of course, the vendors were a huge part of ensuring that vision came to life.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
They loved everything about our wedding. We had a mix of Persian and Indian traditions, which mad our wedding unique. A lot of our guests had never been to an Indian wedding so they really enjoyed all the colors, music, and dancing traditions that comes along with that. I think the mixture of the two cultures is a unique experience that our guests got to witness.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Our reception night was truly unforgettable. Everyone was dancing to the various music we had: Persian, Indian, and Western. It was so awesome seeing everyone on the dance floor until well past midnight!

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.
Our Sangeet and Mehndi night was so special and fun to plan as this was all new to me. I researched the typical colors, and decor and did a traditional yellow theme for the Mehndi. Our Sangeet was more colorful and my favorite part was the dance floor wrap which where we got to see all the surprises performances our family and friends had been planning and practicing for months!

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Enjoy the process. Half of the fun in the planning process. The weekend goes by so fast so try and enjoy every moment. No wedding is perfect and there will be things that go wrong but in the end, you will remember it as the best day of your lives.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)

Picking out the Indian Jewelry and my mehndi design was so much fun. I got inspiration from Pernia's pop-up shop, Etsy, and Pinterest and I absolutely loved how everything turned out.

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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!

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!

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Darlings, don't forget to check out the love story of Rajbir & Manraj's in today's Platinum Guide Blog!

Thank you for joining us on another love story, and I hope you enjoyed it. Until next time, darlings!

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Hello, Maharanis! Enjoy Jaimini & Savan's dreamy wedding session in today's Platinum Guide Blog.

This wedding went beyond being just an event, transforming into a journey of love & celebration. 

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In the enchanting city of Prague, Moumita & Lee's wedding was a picturesque celebration of love, expertly orchestrated by Butterfly Weddings Prague. The festivities kicked off at the Art Restaurant Mánes with a vibrant Sangeet, setting the tone with DJ Styx's music. The Grand Mark Prague, adorned with Blooming's floral creations, provided a romantic backdrop for the ceremony. At the same time, Salabka hosted the reception, showcasing Moumita's elegance, accentuated by Marketa Zakostelska's hair and makeup artistry. The couple's joy was captured by Primetime Video and Fotobedna's photo booth, with every detail, from Ivana Švarcová's Mehndi art to My Bakery's delectable cake, contributing to the day's magic. Katka Koncal's photography captured their wedding day with an artistic elegance. The images are windows to the soul, ensuring that generations will feel the beauty and essence of their celebration to come. What truly made Moumita and Lee's wedding special was the coming together of guests from across the globe. It was a celebration of love that transcended borders and cultures, a testament to the power of love to unite them all. Let's celebrate love!

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met Lee through a dating app called Coffee Meets Bagel. The funny story is that I was on a date with a different person who suggested the app to try (clearly, that date was not going well, hence the suggestion). A LOT of early signs were present that Lee was the one. On the first date, while I had planned for a 2-hour rendezvous and an exit to a salsa social (with my salsa classmates), Lee showed up and announced that he had practiced some salsa steps via YouTube videos. Initiative - CHECK. Beyond the 2-hour timeframe, we did go for the salsa social together. As he watched the salsa dancers doing way more complex steps than what his humble training may have taught him, he offered to sit back and encouraged me to go dance with my classmates. Humility - CHECK. Respect and acknowledgment for my wishes - CHECK. Many more instances of getting a sense that 'he was the one' followed this first date...and I'm glad that I trusted my instinct and turned that 2-hour date into a much longer commitment.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
He proposed on Valentine's Day in 2020 in a simple, sweet moment at home.

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 had the BEST wedding planner in Prague - Eva (from Butterfly Weddings https://www.butterflyweddings.cz/en). She helped us navigate through every important detail of our multi-cultural wedding experience. We started early in the process just to take enough time to plan it all. She led us to our three venues - a riverside venue for our Mehendi evening at the Art Restaurant Manes (https://manesrestaurant.cz/en), a gorgeous courtyard with peacocks for the Hindu wedding ceremony in The Grand Mark Hotel (https://www.grandmark.cz/), and for a spectacular Exchange of Vows ceremony at the vineyard Salable (https://salabka.cz/). Our photographer Katka (https://katkakoncal.com/) captured all of the beautiful moments, along with our videographer Leos (Instagram handle primetime_video).

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Lots of deliberation went into both the wedding outfits. For the Indian wedding, I wanted something simple and traditional with a touch of yellow (my favorite color). My dear friend Preeti Sharma, who is a fashion designer in Mumbai, helped me plan the outfit for the wedding day - including a custom-created dupatta (a yellow shade, of course) to go along with my saree. I wanted my Western wedding gown to have intricate details and be light and fair so that I could actually dance in it. My dress was from The Atelier Couture (designed by Jimmy Choo) - hand-crafted with 5 layers of light fabric with delicate sequin details, a nice long train that could be managed with a French bustle.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
We loved planning aspects of how we can personalize the experience for our wedding guests. We had custom-created invitations with Prague as a theme, and working with the designer (at Etsy - alacartepaperie) was a lot of fun. We also created individualized menu cards for the 3-course dinner (with themeladesignco at Etsy) at the western-style wedding. Since we has our final western ceremony at a vineyard, we decided to create individualized wine charms with each guest's name placed at the table (made by vumbacawhite at Etsy). We also had a similar Prague-themed thank you note for every guest at their seat (again from Etsy - alacartepaperie).

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Our hand-written thank you notes at the Western wedding dinner were highly appreciated by our guests. We had guests coming in from all over the world, and we wanted to show our appreciation for them in a unique way. Lee and I sat for hours before the wedding, writing notes for our guests since we wanted to capture and highlight specific moments with each guest as a memory that we cherish with them and a way of thanking them for all the efforts they made to attend our wedding.

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 "Meet and Greet with Henna" event, we had a lot of help from Kriti Sutwala, a fantastic wedding decor expert from Kanpur who happens to be a close friend. She brought decor elements like colorful umbrellas, fabric for tables, gift bags with Indian-style bracelets and bindi for women, and colorful stoles for men. She is also a fantastic choreographer, and she handled the dances for the evening. Having a truly multi-talented friend helps.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Start the planning early; don't let anyone drown out what YOU and YOUR PARTNER want for your wedding - trust your gut.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Cake. Our planner Eva knew that this was a super important aspect for me, so she helped us with cake tasting from the best places in Prague. After tasting 20 different options from 5 bakers, we finally found our cake flavor with My Bakery, Prague (Instagram handle mybakeryprague).

Their love story was a fairy tale that came to life, a testament to love that knows no boundaries.