Guest Editorial from a Grateful Bride
By Aarti Patel Mehra, Tampa, Florida
As I sit down to write this, mere weeks after the most magical day of my life, I am brimming with gratitude—not only for my family, my husband, and our friends and community, but for Desh-Videsh magazine and its incredible Wedding Special Edition. Planning an Indian wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that weaves dreams, emotions, tradition, and—let’s be frank—a healthy dose of stress. But owing to Desh-Videsh’s painstakingly researched wedding issue, what might have been a daunting odyssey was a happy and enriching one.
When my fiancé and I decided to have our wedding in the U.S., thousands of miles from our big family in India, we were confronted by an unprecedented dilemma—how do we celebrate our rich heritage, our colorful rituals, and our cultural heritage in a way that feels real, gorgeous, and affordable? That’s when I stumbled upon the Desh-Videsh Wedding Special Edition, and I must say, it was like discovering a guiding light.
A Step-by-Step, Do-It-Yourself Wedding Guide
One of the highlights of the issue was the Step-by-Step DIY Wedding Planning Guide. Being a modern Indian-American bride, it was precisely the kind of no-holds-barred guidance that I needed. From discovering the significance of pre-wedding rites like Haldi, Mehndi, and Sangeet to deciphering the symbolic language behind the Seven Sacred Steps of Saptapadi, the guide gave so much more than planning—it gave insight and understanding.
It wasn’t just about schedules and to-do lists (although those were ridiculously helpful too); it was about letting every moment matter. I learned how to create my own Ganesh Sthapana mandap, how to incorporate green-friendly elements into our decor, and even how to create a budget-friendly yet elegant fusion menu. With insights from veteran planners, tips from real brides, and timeless Vedic sources—all brought together in the single resource—it was like having a legion of wise aunties whispering advice from between the pages.
Inspiring Real Wedding Stories
Yet another area that won my heart was the series of Inspiring Real Wedding Stories. Hearing of couples from all over the nation—Gujarati weddings in New Jersey, Punjabi celebrations in Texas, and South Indian ceremonies in California—reminded me of how beautifully diverse our community is. These stories were more than just gorgeous pictures and color schemes; they were filled with emotion, family traditions, and that indefinable sense of cultural pride.
What touched me most was the honesty of these couples—how they overcame last-minute hiccups, navigated blending traditions, and included elderly grandparents over Zoom or by hosting multiple micro-events. One story about a bride who wore her late grandmother’s wedding sari during the Kanyadaan moved me to tears and inspired me to incorporate my Nani’s antique bangles into my bridal look. These stories weren’t just inspiring—they made me feel connected, supported, and seen.
An Unrivaled Wedding Planning Guide
Wedding planning blind was like going to the foot of the mountain without a map. But the Desh-Videsh Wedding Resource Guide was like having a GPS. The guide included everything from vendor recommendations and legal checklists to finding a priest who knows both Sanskrit and English, as well as arranging special wedding favors with Hindu iconography.
We used that directory to find our fabulous photographer, mehndi artist, and even wedding cake baker. And most importantly, we found a pandit who not only explained every mantra to us and our guests but also tailored it, weaving in stories about our families. That kind of spirituality elevated our wedding from a party to an altar-worthy ceremony. All the credit goes to Desh-Videsh’s dependable referrals.
Bridal Expos: The Planning Experience of a Lifetime
And how could I not mention the Desh-Videsh Bridal Expos? I got to go to the Orlando Bridal Expo last month, and it was one of the brightest planning choices I ever made. It wasn’t merely a showcase—it was an experience. I met decorators who understood the Indian palate so well, caterers who could talk to my mother-in-law in Gujarati and my friends in English, and designers who helped me get my lehenga into our wedding theme.
In one sitting, I had cake tastings, jewelry try-ons, and makeup trials and even visualized how I will enter my Raas-Garba event after watching one of the fashion shows. It was a comprehensive hub for wedding planning, and I left with a folder brimming with inspiration, contacts, and contracts. For any bride-to-be who has experienced confusion in the midst of the plethora of options, visiting a Desh-Videsh Bridal Expo is equivalent to opening a treasure chest.
A Platform That Celebrates Us
Aside from logistics, aside from planning, what’s so great about Desh-Videsh is that it celebrates us. It celebrates the second-generation Indian-American bride who runs Excel spreadsheets and Sanskrit mantras, who wants to wear her mother’s red but style it like her Pinterest board, and who wants a traditional ceremony but a glamorous reception.
Thank you, Desh-Videsh, for being a platform where our stories, struggles, and successes find a space of their own. Thanks for voicing concern for the new Indian bride and arming her with the tools, support system, and confidence to honor her heritage yet claim her moment.
A Forever Keepsake
Months and years later, when the wedding flowers have faded and the mehndi has dulled, I know I’ll be returning to this special issue again and again—not for ideas, but for the memories. It’s a keepsake that captures not only wedding wisdom but also the spirit of who we are: a beautiful blend of tradition, love, and resilience.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to your entire team. You not only made my wedding easier but also more meaningful.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Aarti Patel Mehra
Tampa, Florida
(Married March 15, 2025)
