A vibrant traditional Indian wedding with an elegant western ceremony produced the ultimate fusion wedding! Ruchi and John self-planned this spectacular soiree and paid homage to both heritages. We are so lucky to be able to take a closer look at the nuptials thanks to Lightyear Studio's film! The majestic Lucien's Manor‘s hall was the meeting point for the guests to witness the Hindu marriage. For his grand wedding ceremony appearance, Groom John showed off a traditional Indian attire and next to his beautiful bride, they shared the spotlight with their adorable pooch, who was proudly part of the wedding entourage! You can check out these sweet images on our Main Blog! Another great stage was prepared for our lovebirds to say "I Do", this time under an amazing iron-and-marble gazebo where Ruchi flaunted a drop-dead gorgeous makeup by GlowZee | Zeeshan Shamji and a white gown which made her look absolutely amazing for her wedding portraits. The reception was flooded with dances and the new Mrs. surprised her new hubby with the help of Premiere Entertainment | Dj Gaurav who accompanied the bride’s spectacular dance! Experience the visual storytelling of this captivating wedding in the film below!
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met John at my HOUSE! I was traveling to India for some business and when I came back I met him at my house. He knocked on the door, and he told me he was my brother's physical therapist. My brother needed some PT.
I always say our first 50 dates was at our house with my family. We would talk but it was just casual talk. We knew there was something there.
John surprised and came to Mokshaa’s annual dance recital! I was Shocked to see him!!! After that, of course, the rest is history. We started dating and just knew right away we were made for each other.
Something was different with him. I felt like he was the one from very early on when we were dating. He is the perfect guy made for me. I said this to my friends, “if I don’t think John is the one for me, then there is no one made for me.”
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We went to South Dakota! I know everyone kept asking us why are we going there. It was just a place we wanted to see and visit. We climbed all the way to the highest point in South Dakota, Harney’s Peak, and that is where he got on his knee and proposed. It was special. There was no big show. Just the 2 of us on that mountain when it happened.
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.
To have a wedding planner or not is the question we asked ourselves in the beginning. We decided we didn’t want to. We wanted to be involved in everything. We had two traditional weddings. Which makes our wedding so special. We didn’t want to pick one over the other. We wanted to look back and say we did everything.
Lucien’s Manor was the best to work with. They held our hand through everything. We loved the big chandeliers they had in all the rooms. We wanted to use the outside for the Christian ceremony and then the inside for the Indian. We were all over the place throughout the day. Having 2 ceremonies definitely put a burden on us, in making sure the guest didn’t feel like they were in the same room all day.
We Love Nathan and Than our team of photography and videography! They are the BEST in what they do. Again our day was so jammed back to fit sessions for pictures became hard. However, with Light Year on our side, they made it easy. The pictures capture what a beautiful day that was.
I had 3 outfit changes. It was a lot!! But so much fun. I had gone to India that spring right before the wedding. We purchased all the bridesmaids, groomsmen, mother’s of the bride, groom’s, bride’s outfits (Indian ceremony and Reception) from New Delhi! Anything Indian you see that was at the Indian ceremony, including all jewelry was from Delhi. We wanted to show the contrast between the two weddings.
The same thing goes with our decor. We wanted to show traditional Indian to Sophisticated Christian ceremony. Our mandap was gorgeous. It had a Rajasthani feel to it. For our Christian ceremony, we went with light white colors for flowers to keep it classy.
With such a jam-packed day, again hair and makeup only had so much time. Zee Glow gave me what I wanted. I am someone that is very simple. We did a trial a few months before the Wedding. I wanted to feel comfortable. I wanted to make sure I looked like me. Zeeshan was able to change my look up and hair as each ceremony would take place. In total, we had 3 looks.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I always imagined myself picking out a red lengha, but I NEVER thought I would also be picking out a white dress. Both of the outfits were just so beautiful and unique in their own way. I felt very special that I had the chance to go through it twice.
I wanted a brighter red! I wanted something that said traditional Indian, but with a little style. When I saw all the handwork on it, I fell in love with it. It was so heavy!!!
The white dress, I went back and forth a few times and then when I tried that dress on, I knew I had to say “yes” to the dress. It was so classy yet sexy.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part was checking out all the different decorations for the mandap. John was amazed by the huge Mandaps.
Of course the food tasting! Lol
Honestly overall, for us, it was just doing everything together. We did it all together. We didn’t fight or argue, just had so much fun!
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
A lot of my husband's side was so impressed so the Indian ceremony and all the dancing and colors. They came up to both of us, “oh my gosh the outfit changes and the decorations!”
The two different kinds of weddings just made it so interesting and fun for everyone.
The dog Maahi! Everyone loved that we involved her. Everyone was very surprised when they saw her walk down in the first ceremony. We are both animal lovers and love our fur babies. She had to be part of the ceremony.
The guests overall were just impressed we were able to fit everything in one day!
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
My walk down the aisle, both times.
That replays each time when I saw John waiting for me.
My dad giving me away. Always an emotional moment.
In the Indian ceremony John and I getting Tangled in all the stuff. That made me laugh out loud. Lol
Our fur baby, Maahi, being part of it. I remember right before I walked out, she would walk out first.
So many memories but they stick out.
I did a special surprise dance for my husband. I am Owner and director of Mokshaa Dance Academy! Of course, I had To surprise him. The look on his face. I did Everything to keep this a surprise. Watching him watch me do what I love for him.
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.
We had a traditional haldi, Mehndi, and a rehearsal dinner.
Haldi- had a tent set up outside. We did yellow and red colors. We did decorations ourselves.
Mehndi-we did pastel colors and a lot of dancing and music.
Rehearsal dinner was held at a restaurant with traditional light colors. I wore a white dress.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Yes! No matter how much planning you do. You will hit a hiccup. It’s oaky. Just breath and enjoy the hiccup. You will laugh about it later.
Our hiccup was the decorator didn’t have the Jai mala’s In time for us. We turned it into a joke, even though that probably stressed everyone out. It delayed everything. But now we always go, hmmm I cant Believe that happened and laugh.
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 design was the BEST. My henna lady gave me my dog and two cats on my arms.
We are big animal lovers. We had them on the cake toppers too. She traveled really far for my special henna design. Henna by Zara. I am going to hire her again for my 5 year anniversary
Getting married? Check out our wedding stories to get some extra inspo and help you prep for your big day!
Reception and Ceremony Venue: Lucien's Manor |
Floral & Decor: Wedding Designs |
Hair & Makeup: GlowZee | Zeeshan Shamji |
DJ: Premiere Entertainment | Dj Gaurav |
Cinematography: Lightyear Studio |
Photography: Lightyear Studio
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