Hello loves! Risha & Mike's celebration was filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. The grand Loews Philadelphia Hotel was the perfect backdrop for this elegant affair. With its stunning architecture and opulent interiors, the venue provided an idyllic setting for this union, and its catering team delighted guests with a spectacular culinary experience. Risha gracefully walked down the aisle in a gown from Nazrana, and the talented Joseph Anthony enhanced her beauty. The versatile lighting designed by EBE Dreamtime and the Loews Philadelphia Hotel team transformed each space into a romantic wonderland, casting a magical glow that heightened the beauty of the floral decor by Vito Russo from Xtraordinary Events. Henna by Hiral intricate Mehndi added a touch of cultural artistry. The reception was a lively celebration, with DJ USA Events spinning tracks that kept everyone dancing the night away. The crowning jewel of this wedding was the exceptional photography by John Barone, who captured every precious moment with artistry and precision.
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Mike and I met on the dating app, Hinge. Although it was during COVID in November, we both decided to meet for drinks outdoor at a bar called 'Harpers Garden.' On our first date, we talked about our families, hobbies, and jobs. It felt so natural.
By our third date, we sat at a wine bar and shared memories and inside jokes. That's when we both knew this was truly something special. What made me feel certain that Mike was the one was meeting all his friends and family - they were all wonderful people who only had the best things to say about Mike's caring and generous nature.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
I just returned from a work trip from Chicago, and we were planning to go to brunch near Rittenhouse Park in Philadelphia with his parents. He asked his parents to take a photo of us at the park, which was a way to capture video of when he knelt down and proposed!
He told me he booked reservations at the same wine bar we frequented. When we got there, my parents and brother were there as well. We spent the weekend celebrating with 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 had wonderful vendors, which made the planning process much easier! We prioritized finding the best possible teams to work with us for the venue, decor, and band. These vendors were instrumental in making our wedding weekend a true success and memorable experience for our guests.
- The Loews Hotel in Philadelphia are true professionals and helped us plan an amazing Sangeet Friday night, wedding/reception Saturday, and brunch Sunday. They even worked with us on Indian fusion menu and co-created our signature mango-lassi cocktail!
In addition to Loews, our florist/decorator was phenomenal. He has done INdian weddings in the past and understood what was important, but also where we wanted to deviate from tradition. He created a floral and beautiful mandap, along with a reception room with breathtaking high centerpieces.
Finally, we worked with the Dreamtime band from EBE Entertainment. Our guests still rave about the band - they made sure everyone was having a blast on the dancefloor. They played catchy live music and also incorporated Indian music playlists.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I chose a pink bridal lengha for the ceremony and white lengha for the reception. I wanted to honor both our backgrounds through the outfits. I chose pink because it's my favorite color and I always imagined wearing something delicately and femininely pink. The white lengha was just as special, if not more! I chose this to honor the Hindu / Catholic fusion nature of our wedding.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Two things come to mind!
1. We wrote our own ceremony script, which was a Hindu ceremony. We wrote English explanations for each step of the Hindu ceremony and infused elements that were unique to us. For example, we replaced the mangal sutra with Mike's family pearl necklace, worn by his mom and grandma at their weddings. Our guests still comment on how unique the ceremony was and how much they enjoyed learning about the Hindu ceremony in English throughout the day.
2. We had the joy of working with Vito Russo from Xtraordinary Events, our florist and decorator. From the moment we met him, he instantly understood our unique vision. We didn't want a traditional Indian wedding or Caholic wedding, but something unique to our personalities - modern and elegent, and bringing forward the tradtiions from both our Indian and American upbringings. He was an absolute joy to brainstorm creatively with and he created so many amazing moments all weekend.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
During the ceremony, there were tears and love all around the room. Because we wrote the script oursleves, it was our chance to share this love with everyone. The tears in the room shocked me and reminded me how blessed we were.
Our guests told us "I've never felt so much love in one room." Giving our guests the chance to feel all the love that we felt that day is something Mike and I will never forget.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Mike and his mother putting the pearl necklace worn by his family for generations - this was a special moment that made me feel connected to both our pasts. I felt honored by that moment and knew how important it was that Mike and I carry forward this honor in the future.
Our dance floor was non-stop as well! It was overpacked the entire night, and continued through the afterparty. Mike and I love dancing and loved even more dancing with all our friends.
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.
Purple, white, and green were our color themes! The wedding was inside a renovated bank building, so it had a historical but modern look. The floor to ceiling windows had stunning views of downtown Philadelphia. This backdrop gave us the chance to create a modern and elegant experience. We chose purple, green, and white as our color theme.
During the reception, the lighting turned purple in the room, which created a stunning look in the ballroom.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Focus on what matters to you and your partner, not norms or traditions you feel obligated to include. A wedding can be about creating your own traditions
We hope this enchanting celebration leaves you inspired and filled with love until next time, loves!
