Welcome to Maharani Weddings

It's a love story where tradition meets modern flair, and every moment looks straight out of a Bollywood blockbuster. That's precisely what unfolded when Keerthana & Suraj tied the knot at the magnificent Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center in Woodlands, TX. This platinum venue deserves all the love for providing the perfect backdrop for the couple's enchanting wedding, blending luxury and beauty in just the right way. A massive shoutout to Electric Karma for the meticulous planning that seamlessly made every intricate detail fall into place.

From the mehendi in a vibrantly chic Payal Singhal outfit to the reception in a breathtaking Gaurav Gupta ensemble, Keerthana proved she's an absolute fashionista with every look. Suraj, not one to be outdone, brought his A-game too.The couple's style was effortlessly synchronized as if they were living their couture catalog.

The celebrations started with the 'Haldi Happy Hour,' where the fun (and the turmeric) was aplenty! Keerthana & Suraj donned matching outfits by Meg Studios, and let's say they were dressed to get messy—in the most photogenic way possible. Cue the laughter and playful splashes of haldi as family and friends ensured they were thoroughly covered.

The Sangeet night was nothing short of electrifying, featuring the beats of Desi Junction DJs that got everyone off their feet and onto the dance floor. Dressed in Papa Don't Preach by Shubhika, Keerthana turned up the sass, while Suraj showed off his moves and style equally on-point in his own Papa Don't Preach attire. These two would have taken home gold if dance-offs were an Olympic sport.

Let's talk about the moment: Keerthana's grand wedding entrance. As she stepped into the beautifully decorated ceremony space, decked out by Décor One by Nalini, there were gasps of "Wow!" that you could hear across the room. And no, we're not exaggerating.

Suraj, looking regal in Bhargavi Kunam, smiled as he saw his bride, and we can't forget that perfect shot captured by Mir Anwar Studios. With cinematography that could put even rom-com trailers to shame, every precious moment was preserved like poetry in motion.

The reception was a fitting finale to this extravaganza—glamorous, glittering, and full of heartfelt speeches that had the crowd laughing and tearing up simultaneously.

This was a memorable wedding, from a colorful mehendi designed by The Original Henna Company to décor that transported guests to dreamland.

From breathtaking style to unforgettable moments -  it is indeed a celebration worth swooning over!

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Head over to today's Platinum Guide blog for Poonam & Rohit's story and endless inspiration!

A day of timeless love and unforgettable moments that will linger in everyone’s hearts forever.

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Kianna & Suhayl's love story began in the summer of 2018 when online dating and mutual friends brought them together. Their first date at Jericho Beach led to several adventurous outings, from cliff jumping to road trips, each bringing them closer. Their relationship blossomed through shared experiences, with Kianna's fearless spirit and Suhayl's meticulous nature complementing one another.

The couple chose Dreams Jade Resort in Mexico for their wedding, creating a perfect destination celebration. They wanted their guests to enjoy a holiday while celebrating their love. The resort team exceeded their expectations, handling the event seamlessly. Kianna & Suhayl also added personal touches by DIY-ing some of the decor, which fit perfectly with their modern yet traditional approach.

Kianna's bridal wardrobe reflected this balance as well. She wore a white gown for the cocktail reception, red for the ceremony, and yellow for the Haldi. However, the most extraordinary piece was her mother's wedding lehenga, worn during the Sangeet, which brought a deep sense of tradition and sentimentality to the occasion.

One of the couple's favorite planning parts was curating the events' music playlist, ensuring a mix of old-school, modern, and Indian tunes. The highlight of the wedding was undoubtedly dancing to "Sadi Gali," with both Kianna & Suhayl lifted onto the shoulders of their guests. It was a joyful and unforgettable moment.

As Kianna looks back on her special day, her advice to future brides is simple: don't overthink the details. "The most important thing is that you are getting to marry the love of your life and share that with everyone you love," she says. It's a sentiment that perfectly captures the essence of her and Suhayl's love story—one built on adventure, laughter, and the joy of shared moments.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
It was summer 2018 when we got to talking. We first connected through online dating and we had a lot of mutual friends, so we were both curious to see where that road would lead.

We shared our first date at Jericho Beach, a casual picnic by the pond filled with good laughs and a bit of banter, just a little something to test the waters. What would be considered a relatively tame encounter was then followed up by a competition to determine who could organize the more audacious, romantic follow-up date. Cliff jumping, fancy home-cooked dinners, outdoor adventures, flowers, road trips... As we constantly tried to outdo each other, something within began to blossom. A spark began to grow brighter.

Together, we sought out adventure, challenging each other to keep trying new things, to explore the unknown and see what life, and the world has to offer.

Driven by Kianna's fearlessness, and balanced out with Suhayl's meticulousness, we continue to create and share some of the most beautiful moments together.

This is our story. This is our love. This is what it will continue to be. Forever.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
It's a moment to keep between Suhayl and me :)

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.
The most important aspect was that all the guests arrived and had a splendid holiday while celebrating Suhyal and me. I absolutely loved having it at Dreams Jade - their team did an incredible job of setup, organization, and execution once we were in Mexico. I booked primarily through their resort vendors, with the exception of our DJ, Photo/Video, and some decoration. We tried to DIY as much decor as we could to cut down on costs, which ended up working out great! We were really happy with all of the vendors and the overall execution of each event.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I knew I wanted to wear white for the welcome cocktail and reception, red for the ceremony, and yellow for the haldi. I wanted to keep things semi traditional but with a modern twist that incorporated my upbringing in the states. I ended up deciding to wear my mother's wedding lengha for our sangeet which was incredibly special.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
We curated our playlist for the events, and it was so much fun choosing what songs we were going to have. Suhayl and I love music, and we made sure we had a wide range of old-school, modern, and Indian tunes.

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
They loved mingling with all of our family and friends from around the world and we had a ton of compliments on the energy everyone brought.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
It's so hard to pick, but our theme song of the wedding was certainly Sadi Gali, and being put up on everyone's shoulders dancing to that will forever be a highlight.

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 less traditional approach to choreographing dances, and it went well. All of my aunties worked together on one, all of my closest girlfriends, and all of Suhayl's closest friends.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Don't overthink it or over-stress about the details! The most important thing is that you are getting to marry the love of your life and share that with everyone you love.

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
I absolutely loved my mendhi! It featured so many important areas of my life: cooking, my dog, the mountains (Vancouver), California, and of course, Suhayl's name.

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For our next featured wedding, we head to Orlando, Florida, where Walt Disney World sets the stage for the magical union of Anshu & Shawn that was a real life fairytale. In August of 2021, Anshu & Shawn's love story began on the dating app Dil Mil. Despite living in different states, their connection was undeniable, and by the end of September, they met in person. As their relationship deepened, Anshu realized during a conversation in January that Shawn was "the one." Envisioning her future, it became clear that Shawn was an integral part of it.

The proposal was nothing short of magical. Although Anshu & Shawn had discussed wedding plans and ring designs two months prior, Shawn kept the element of surprise alive by telling Anshu the ring wouldn't be ready for months. He then suggested they dress up for dinner and take a boat ride on Saturday, arousing her suspicions but maintaining the illusion that the proposal was far off. In reality, Shawn had secretly transformed their home into a romantic setting, adorning the living room and guest bathroom with tea lights, lanterns, and rose petals. After sending Anshu to wait in the car, he "forgot" his keys, prompting her to return inside. Upon returning, she found their bedroom glowing with lanterns spelling out "Will you?" and Shawn standing with a sign that read, "Marry me?" To her surprise, the ring was ready all along, and the boat ride had been a clever decoy to preserve the moment's magic.

Anshu and Shawn's wedding was just as enchanting as their proposal since they thoughtfully planned each event with distinct themes. The Sangeet radiated a fun and relaxed vibe, while  Disney's Wedding Pavillion set the stage for the Hindu ceremony which embraced a regal, princess-like atmosphere with elegant pastel tones.  Their reception was a grand affair with a "Titanic and Starry Night" theme, where every detail—from the cake to the music and decorations—reflected the majestic grandeur of the Titanic. One of the most unforgettable highlights for their guests was the spectacular Disney fireworks display at EPCOT during the Sangeet, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Anshu's advice to future brides emphasizes the importance of patience. Navigating communication with the groom, family, and vendors can be challenging, but clear, open communication and patience are crucial to ensuring a smooth planning process.

Their Disney wedding was a true celebration of love, elegance, and unforgettable moments, perfectly reflecting the beauty of Anshu and Shawn's journey together.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Shawn and I met on Dil Mil in August 2021. However, since we lived in different states, we did not meet in person until the end of September!
I knew Shawn was the one after we had the "define the relationship" conversation that January. When I sat down to think about my future, I knew that I wanted Shawn to be a part of it.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Shawn and I discussed future wedding plans, and ring designs about 2 months before the proposal. However about 1 month before the proposal, Shawn told me that due to some issues the ring would not be ready for another 2 months.

The week of the proposal, Shawn called me earlier that week and told me that since he would be driving straight to my place from work on Friday in his dress clothes, that I could dress up too for dinner. He also asked if I wanted to go on a boat ride that Saturday. While I was a bit suspicious, i agreed and pushed the suspicious away since Shawn had told me the ring was not ready.

That Friday, as I got ready, Shawn snuck all of the supplies into the guest bathroom. When we walked to his car, Shawn told me that he had forgotten his wallet. I offered to pay, but he insisted that he wanted to and asked me to wait in the car while he went upstairs. I waited in the car for 10 minutes. As I was getting a bit frustrated/confused, Shawn called again, stating that he could not find his car keys. I again say that we are taking my car so we can look for them after dinner, but he insists that he needs them now. I ask him if he needs help looking for the keys, and he says yes. I go upstairs and open the door, and the entire living room area is filled with fake tea-light candles. There are paper lanterns and rose petals making a path to the bedroom that spells out "Will you." In the bedroom, Shawn is standing between paper lanterns that spell out  "Marry me?". The entire time I kept saying "but the ring is not ready!". Shawn had to tell me multiple times that it was a white lie, that the ring had been ready all month.

He then told me the boat ride was supposed to distract me/make me think he may propose on the boat, so that he could truly surprise me!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The guests loved the fireworks at the Sangeet. Having the chance to not only see the Disney fireworks, but to see them in EPCOT, front row, as part of the Sangeet was truly a once in a lifetime experience!

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
My favorite moment was the dance floor at the reception. Shawn and I are not huge dancers. However, Shawn and I had so much fun dancing together that night! I have never seen him so happy dancing, so carefree and relaxed.

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.
Shawn and I wanted a different feel or theme for each event. For the Sangeet, we wanted an event that was more relaxed and fun. For the wedding, we decided to embrace the princess theme and tried to have a more elegant feel with pastel colors. For the reception, our theme was "Titanic and Starry Night." Everything, the cake, the decorations, the music, had a titanic vibe.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Patience! The hardest part of planning a wedding is communication with everyone. Have lots of patience with your groom, your family, etc, and try to communicate as much as possible.

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In the heart of Atlanta, amidst the city's vibrant energy and the rich tapestry of their shared heritage, Jinal & David's love story began in 2011 during their college years, when they met through mutual friends from Savannah. Although both were in other relationships then, a deep friendship quickly blossomed between them. Their connection endured over the years, even as life took them in different directions. Fate intervened a decade later when they reunited at a mutual friend's wedding in 2021, and in that moment, they knew it was time for their love to take center stage, marking the true beginning of their journey together.

David's proposal in May 2022 perfectly reflected the journey he and Jinal had shared. Under the pretense of attending a charity event, he orchestrated a surprise that brought together their families at Ventanas rooftop in Atlanta. As they turned the corner, Jinal was greeted by a stunning display—' MARRY ME' spelled out in flowers with the city's skyline as the backdrop. Overcome with emotion and surrounded by loved ones, she tearfully accepted David's proposal. 

Determined to celebrate their love significantly, Jinal & David carefully planned their dream wedding. They envisioned a celebration that reflected their unique identities and honored their cultural backgrounds, thoughtfully considering every detail, ensuring that their wedding embodied who they were and their journey together. 

Jinal embarked on an exciting and anticipated journey to find the perfect bridal attire. She chose a Rajasthani-inspired lengha, drawn to its vibrant colors and intricate details that deeply resonated with her. Despite the challenges of shopping online and consulting with designers in India via FaceTime, she persevered and found what she had envisioned. The final result was a stunning blend of tradition and modern elegance.

The interfaith ceremony, a beautiful blend of Hindu traditions and personal elements, created an inclusive and heartfelt experience for everyone in attendance. Guests were deeply touched by the thoughtful details and personal touches woven into every aspect of the celebration, making it a day filled with meaning and connection.

Jinal encourages others to embrace every moment of their special day, reminding them that time will pass in a blur. Her words motivate brides to focus on what truly matters—the celebration of love, the deep commitment to one another, and the joy of sharing these unforgettable moments with family and friends. In the end, it's the love and connection that make the day timeless.

How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met David back in 2011 when we were both attending college in Atlanta. I had just moved to the city, and he had moved from Savannah to attend Georgia Tech. Being from Savannah, David had many Indian friends who soon became my friends as well. When I needed help moving into my new place, our mutual friends Savan and Sagar offered to assist, bringing along their super cute Guatemalan friend, David.

At the time, David and I were both in other relationships, but we remained great friends over the years. Fast forward to 2021, and it's Savan's wedding in Orlando after everyone had been isolated due to COVID. David and I had both recently gotten out of relationships, and when we saw each other after such a long time, we knew we couldn't miss the chance to finally date.

Two weeks later, David flew from Florida to Atlanta, where he was staying, and we had our first date. He asked me to be his girlfriend the day I picked him up, and the rest is history. My parents were thrilled to have a son-in-law who is kind, loving, and respectful. I knew he was the one the moment I saw him again in 2021. He was my college crush, someone I always talked about to my family but never thought I would end up with—until I did! That weekend, besides our wedding weekend, was one of the best weekends of my life.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Oh man, did he do great on this one! In May of 2022, David had just started a new job and told me his company hosted fancy charity events and parties every year in June. I was thrilled at the chance to dress up and experience something new. The whole time, I thought we were going to a charity event—he even got my sister to help make fake invitations and everything. I should have pieced it together when he said his parents were coming to town that weekend, but I just thought they were visiting since we hadn't seen them in a while.

David secretly gathered his entire family and mine at Ventanas rooftop in Atlanta. On our way to the "charity event," I started getting nervous, wondering what conversations I'd have with his older coworkers and their spouses. Meanwhile, David was freaking out because he was about to propose, and I still had no idea. When we reached the rooftop, I remember thinking it was extremely quiet for a charity event. A girl told us to turn the corner, and as we did, I saw huge pampas grass and rose bouquets with a sign that said "MARRY ME." I honestly blacked out after that because I was in such shock!

We had the most beautiful view of the Atlanta skyline, and my dream guy was proposing to me—I was in heaven. To make it even better, after he asked me to marry him, I turned around to see all our loved ones approaching and cheering us on with excitement. That's when I started bawling. He literally thought of everything! I couldn't have asked for a more amazing and memorable proposal.

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Believe it or not, I did all my shopping online via FaceTime in India. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to make the trip to India due to work. I pinned a bunch of inspirational outfits and considered a few designer pieces. One night, while scrolling on Instagram, I saw a beautiful lengha that I knew I had to have. The colors were unique yet traditional, with a regal Rajasthani look. After countless FaceTime calls with the designer in India, we got that exact outfit made in my size, and it couldn't have been more perfect.

I'm a bit untraditional and didn't want sleeves on my outfit, which my mom wasn't keen on at first. However, once she saw how beautiful it looked sleeveless, it was a win-win for us all! On top of that, my reception outfit was so white and sparkly everywhere I felt like a diamond.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
All of it! Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime day where you get to go all out and let your personalities truly shine. We both definitely enjoyed the food tastings and attending different wedding expos together to decide on food, decor, and entertainment for our big day. Once we were in wedding planning mode, I spent the entire next year watching wedding movies and shows. Every night, David and I would watch a show called *Four Weddings,* where you get to rate different weddings based on food, decor, venue, and dress. It was always fun to see why the winners won and why the others didn't.

Taking pre-wedding photo shoots was always a blast, too! Shopping for multiple outfits leading up to all the different parties is every girl's dream. I miss all of it!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
We got so many raves about our whole wedding! Because we had an interfaith wedding, our guests loved that we had our own twist on everything. We shared the Pithi with our families, and David's family from Guatemala got to experience our Indian culture, which was so special! We wanted our wedding day to be enjoyable but also relaxing for our guests, so we made sure they didn't have to wake up super early to rush to get ready. Our Baraat started at 1 pm, which gave our guests ample time to wake up at their leisure and hang out around the Avalon before the festivities began. Since our wedding was on the last day of September, the weather was perfect - not too hot and cool enough to keep everyone from dying of heat during the Baraat. One big thing that was important to David and me was that we could understand the Hindu vows we were reciting to one another. During a lot of Indian weddings, it's difficult to understand what is being said in our native languages, so we wanted to make sure we had a priest who could do interfaith weddings and explain our Hindu vows in English and tailor our ceremony to also recognize Christianity so everyone could feel that they were a part of our wedding. Tailoring the ceremony also allowed us to cut the traditional 3hr Hindu wedding down to 1hr and 15min - which was a hit for all of our guests!! The chutney sandwiches and mango lassi that were passed out during the ceremony were also a big winner with everyone. And we got so many compliments on our decor and how glamorous everything was - I love a wow factor but also simplicity and I wanted to make sure we made our dollars go far, so we reused the arrangements from our wedding at our reception as well! I would have to say everyone LOVED the late-night Pizza we had at the end of the night to end everything. Antico's is our favorite pizza spot, and having them as a part of our special night meant everything to us! The Avalon is just such a great area to have your wedding. With all the shops and restaurants within walking distance, your guests are always entertained, and it really makes them feel like you thought of everything for them.

Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
That's tough, it was all a dream come true! I still to this day find myself going back and replaying our videos and going through pictures weekly because the whole day was just pure magic. Just knowing that everyone I love and cared for was all under the same roof at the same time celebrating my love was hands down the best feeling in the world.

Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Truly enjoy your big day when it finally arrives! Don't stress about anything you don't have control over because you will ruin your make-up and mood, and that is not Queen energy!! The day goes by so fast you want to make sure you thoroughly enjoy it all. You literally wake up on your wedding day anticipating everything to happen, and before you know it, it's 2 am, and just like that, the last year spent planning for the biggest day of your life is over. I cried for a few days after because I wanted to relive everything again. And TAKE ALL THE PICTURES! Even if you don't want to or your spouse doesn't want to - make sure you do it. My final piece of advice is to really get a planner who you know will deliver. I was fortunate to have known Hailey since we were in high school, and she also planned my best friend's wedding, which was flawless. Do your homework, ladies; it will pay off in the end!

Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
We wanted our wedding to really be enjoyable for our guests. The kind of wedding that our guests would talk about for years about how amazing it was and have nothing but great things to say - and from what we heard, we delivered + more! David and I used to always play our own version of 4 weddings when we would attend other weddings, and we really made notes of things we loved and definitely did not want, which made our planning process a lot more easier because we had these conversations prior. We love luxe but also had a budget we needed to stay within, which can have its challenges, but it all worked magnificently in the end! Our wedding planner, Hailey, really made sure she got our vision down, paid attention to all of our wants and needs, and executed everything beautifully. She made the whole planning process so easy - we wouldn't have been able to achieve what we did without her! She connected us with our amazing priest, Dr. M, who thoroughly explained what being in a marriage was about and really spent his time with us to get to know us and our families. A little heads up for brides: Ordering outfits online can either be a hit or miss, but we used shops we had previously shopped at in the past and had numerous calls switching outfits for a few months until we finally had made our choices. If you're a bride who has to do everything virtually, make sure it is from a shop you have shopped at previously, or at least someone you know has.

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