Hey there, Maharanis! It is Wednesday and to keep those energies up and running; we have a pair that is what I call enchanting, Veena & Shawn! These two lovebirds decided to tie the knot with all the elegance and style we love so much, and of course, we have them here for your inspiration. Vinuthna Garidipuri crafted for us a beautiful gallery with all the best moments prior to the nerve-wracking ceremony at the Alice Millar Chapel and the lavish reception at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel! Such talent! I absolutely loved Maharani Veena's vision for her fashion choices. Just look at that incredibly chic white gown! No wonder why Raja Shawn just fell head over heels for this beauty. So many intricate details that surely made this gala, one of a kind. So, ladies, time to browse and get inspired! Let's go!
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Both of us knew this was special since the first time we spoke on the phone. We had met through some mutual friends from Chicago since Shawn was born and raised here. Our first phone call was 4 hours long and it continued like that all week. We had so many similarities, it was crazy! Shawn asked if he could come visit me in Chicago for a formal "first date." At the time, Shawn was living in Dallas for work. Our first date was our favorite day ever! We started off with dinner at Bar Siena which turned into talking and going out until 3 am! The next day we met up after church for indoor rock climbing at First Ascent in Avondale and went to Mindy's Hot Chocolate after! It was a perfect weekend. I then visited Shawn in Dallas exactly a week later. We clearly couldn't stay apart despite the distance. Days turned into weeks and months. We connected mostly on our love for each other, our families, and adventures. Traveling is both of our vices! Our favorite trips to date include San Diego, Denver, Turks & Caicos, San Francisco, and NYC. Fast forward to our friends and families meeting and everything going so smoothly.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
On April 21, 2018, Shawn created the perfect plan. He planned a double date brunch with my friend Bri and her boyfriend Tommy. Brunch was at Baptiste & Bottle (highly recommend)! Afterwards, Shawn suggested checking out a new rooftop bar/restaurant called Terzo Piano at The Art Institute of Chicago. I didn't hesitate at all, as most people know I'm pretty obsessed with rooftops. Shawn even took me up the Nichols Bridgeway (I'm also obsessed with bridges). The view was amazing. You can look over Monroe street. Being the girls that we are, Bri and I stopped for photos on the bridge. At that time, the guys said they had to use the bathroom and would meet us inside. Bri and I took our time taking photos and went up to the rooftop part of Terzo Piano. That view was even more amazing. There were a few people on the rooftop. We walked toward the glass to get a better view and decided to take more pictures (of course!) As I was taking my coat off and turned around, I noticed Shawn at the door further away. I told Bri but she didn't seem to care as she was "looking for her camera in her purse." At this point, Shawn gets to me and hands me the most beautiful flowers. I then remember Bri taking my purse and jacket and telling me it was going to be okay. Shawn started talking about our relationship and the pivotal moments in it. From nowhere, the rest of the rooftop cleared out and 2 photographers started snapping pictures. I started spacing out after a little bit just in awe of what all was happening and before you know it, I heard "Will you marry me?" I said yes! Inside Terzo Piano were all of our close friends and family. We are so lucky to have had so many loved ones there and can't wait for all of our future endeavors!
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 wanted a unique experience for us and our wedding guests and we tried to be creative and do a lot of research on our end before choosing the right vendors. We spoke to our vendors and got to know them fairly well. We’re happy with how our day went, it was perfectly beautiful.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
For my lengha, I wanted a different color, so when I saw it, I knew it was the one. I wanted something classy, elegant, and timeless. For my wedding dress, I imagined myself walking down the aisle and got chills when I put this one on.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part was the little celebrations and events that lead up to the wedding day. It reminded us of how important this day was going to be for us.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Our guests really enjoyed our venue. It was spacious and accommodating. The food and decor were particularly highlighted. We also planned our reception events( like dances and speeches) in a timely manner so things ran smoothly that evening.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Walking down the aisle and our wedding reception entrance! We also had a dhol vs chenda melam “battle” and it was a blast dancing!
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.
Dance has played a huge role in my life. It was fun to incorporate our bridal party and family/friends to organize the different dances we did for the Friday and Saturday night events.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Have fun with the planning. Remember not to get too caught up in the details. It should be a celebration of love.
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Bouquets were designed by myself and the florist. It was fun choosing each flower and creating the boutonnières as well for our bridal party and family. The cake was custom to our liking by the baker at The Renaissance. We had a 3 layer cake that had a variety of flavors including chocolate chip cake with dark chocolate mousse and fresh raspberries and devils food cake with raspberry preserves and mango buttercream.
More to come, stick around!
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