Real Wedding

Sometimes a connection is eternal and predestined, the kind that happens all of a sudden and heralds a new beginning.  The bonding between Khushboo and Dr. Dhrudeep was just like that. It all began with Instagram, followed by a long Facetime chat. 

Through these virtual interactions, the duo discovered the common thread of compatibility between them. They began dating and finally, Dhrudeep proposed to Khushboo on a trip to Miami. Khushboo knew that she would marry Shiv (Dhrudeep), however, the proposal was exciting and pleasing for her. 

BANQUET HALLS Hindu Temple Of Central Illinois 309-671-5668 | CATERING Purohit Caterers 630-881-8156 | DECORATOR Create a Scene Events 309-745-5440 | PHOTOGRAPHER Sara Gardner Photography 217-553-9368 | VIDEOGRAPHY Steve Weber Films 217-248-1580 

And then the preparations for the marriage between the lady accountant and the handsome doctor began. They did not hire a wedding planner; instead, the enthusiastic couple did all the preparatory work. The marriage date was fixed on May 28, 2022. Khushboo wanted the ceremony to be held at her home, in the backyard, and both the bride and her groom wanted a small and simple wedding ceremony. However, starting with only 50 guests, the list grew bigger, reaching 140!

Shiv’s parents are based in Canada and his brother is in India. With the longer guest list the couple decided the wedding venue would be the Peoria Hindu Temple in Illinois, close to Khushu’s home. Pre-wedding ceremonies of Mehndi, Gruh Pooja and Pithi were celebrated at Khushboo’s home and backyard. Mehndi was a close family affair, with the bride pampering herself with a warm get-together and dancing. Gruh Puja had traditional and minimalistic décor with marigolds. The Puja was observed for both Khushboo and Shiv. Pithi or Haldi, too, was celebrated by the couple at the bride’s home.

The wedding took place in the morning and the couple wanted only natural flowers for décor. Since it was outside, on the lawn of the Hindu Temple, they used pastel-shaded florals to contrast with the lawn’s natural greens. Khushboo had two entries: one to welcome her groom and exchange garlands, and the other, a ceremonial entry. For the first entry, she climbed down beautiful steps accompanied by her niece.

The ceremonial entry was with phoolon ki chadar, the floral canopy held by brothers and grandparents, and with pictures of her departed grandparents accompanying her. Her aunts held their palms for their beloved girl. Music was a blend of popular Bollywood songs along with Gujarati songs. The stage was open, illuminated by natural lights and with Moroccan poufs and low chairs.

The reception party in the evening was full of surprises and fun. Khushboo’s in-laws put up a surprise performance to welcome her. Her brothers and sisters also danced for her and there was a speech about her childhood given by her sister.

The couple kept it minimal and enjoyed every moment of the ceremonies. It was a thoroughly wonderful event to begin their journey together.

It took Parth Dave four long years to begin dating Brindusa (Brin) Dumitrascu. However, with slow but steady effort, Parth ultimately won the heart of his lady love. They met through colleagues and hung out a bit in 2014. They met again in 2018 and began dating. 

Contrary to the popular holiday outing proposal in some picturesque place, Parth proposed to Brin by asking if she wanted the two of them to buy a house together. The cat-lover Brin said “Yes,” with approval from her kitten, named Kindle. 

BANQUET HALLS Ole Hanson Beach Club 949-431-2959 | BEAUTICIANS Style in Beauty Salon Inc 562-262-8990 | CAKE Penelope’s Perfections Bakery 949-402-8328 | CATERING 24 Carrots 714-942-6000 | DECORATOR Utsav Events 562-228-8655 | EVENT PLANNER Pretty Palm Leaf Event Co. LLC 949-463-4201 | INVITATIONS Designed with Amore 586-335-9046 | MUSICIAN N-Effect Productions 949-829-8029 | PHOTOGRAPHER Ashley Strong Smith 760-500-2829 | PRIEST Chandrakant Chove | VIDEOGRAPHY Brink Media Co. 951-437-9223

The couple decided not to hire a wedding planner and instead made all of the arrangements themselves. It was a cross-cultural marriage, as Brin is Romanian and Parth is Indian. With love and respect for each other’s cultures and traditions, they decided to have an Indian wedding and a western-style reception. Brin, being a beach-lover, found the Ole Hanson Beach Club at San Clemente, Calif., and it seemed the dream location for the wedding. They tied the knot there on February 5, 2022.

Among the pre-wedding ceremonies, Mehndi and Pithi were done on February 3 and 4 at their house in Glendora, Calif., with simple floral decorations. The wedding took place in the afternoon on the beach club’s lawn overlooking the ocean. The groom arrived in a Vanderhall Venice along with his family and friends. They all danced their way to the wedding venue, including Parth, who got out of the three-wheeled roadster and joined the dance.
There was a gold mandap, with white and gold chairs for the bride and groom. A white canopy was set up to cover the guests, since it was a warm, sunny day, and the couple wanted everyone to be comfortable. Traditional Indian decorations of gold and red were placed along both sides of the aisle. The bridal party consisted of Brin, her mom and her brothers.

The reception featured a purple and silver color theme. Each table had potted purple orchids and silver candles as centerpieces, as well as gifts for the guests. The sweetheart table was surrounded by different sizes of purple candles and a gold arch stood in the background. The dinner took place outside and there was dancing in a room decorated with purple lights.

The first dance was an Argentine tango called Asi Se Baila El Tango, by Veronica Verdier. The music was a blend of Indian, Romanian and top 40 music, and Parth’s family members put up dance performances. The couple made gifts for each of the wedding guests. Purple and silver necklaces handmade by the bride were gifted to the ladies, while the men received a coaster with a picture taken by Parth in Utah.

Looking at each other in their wedding outfits was a moment of joy for both of them. They happily recall the fun and fond memories of the wedding.

BANQUET HALLS Knik Glacier, Alaska | BEAUTICIANS Vibe Artistry 907-632-0696 | CAKE Midnight Sun Cakery 907-229-0347 | EVENT PLANNER Wild Hearts Events 702-496-4830 | FLORIST Honeybloom Floral Designs 805-990-1447 | INVITATIONS Watercolor Design Studio 772-257-5335 | MEHNDI Naseera Fazil 980-505-7889 | PHOTOGRAPHER Kristian Irey Photography 740-244-4134 | VIDEOGRAPHY Jake Elko 570-239-0275

Even with the many challenges of a long-distance relationship, the bonds of love and togetherness never faded between Anandi Mandania and Rushi Gajjar. Anandi, a resident of New Jersey, and Rushi, who lives in Dallas, met each other while taking vacations at a beautiful Mexican destination. On the first anniversary of their relationship they went on vacation, again to Mexico, where it all started. Rushi proposed to Anandi on a beautiful beach during a private dinner. Anandi had been wishing that Rushi would propose, and when the moment arrived she was overwhelmed with joy and ecstasy. 

Three years after their engagement the two were married on November 20, 2021. It was a destination wedding at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana, along Macao Beach, in the Dominican Republic. They enlisted the help of Shaadi Destinations to arrange the venue, date and transportation, but the wedding events were conceived and planned by the couple.

BANQUET HALLS Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana 809-687-0000 | BEAUTICIANS Flawless Beauty by Pauline 484-767-2531 | | BOUTIQUES Shilpa Gandhi Studio 201-253-7513 | CATERING Pranama Restaurant
829-768-6262 | EVENT PLANNER Pearls Events 973-830-9327 | Shaadi Destinations 970-680-1870 | MEHNDI Vineeta Rathod Vineetarathod34@gmail.com | MUSICIAN M4U Events 732-771-649 | PRIEST Mayur Maraj 219-613-6848 | PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHY Lightyear Studio 215-279-9041

Among the pre-wedding celebrations, Sangeet had a Caribbean and fun atmosphere. The guests enjoyed a fire dance performance and stalls serving Indian snacks were offered. Pani Puri and Vodka Puri were super hits. At Haldi, all the guests wore magenta outfits while the bride and groom wore yellow, making for beautiful pictures of the event. 

The wedding was an outdoor ceremony in the morning. With beautiful water views in the background, the Mandap décor was kept minimal. Rushi arrived on horseback. There was a dress code for the guests, with women wearing dresses in pastel shades. Both sets of parents wore emerald green, and the bridal party wore pista green. A DJ played music and the couple and their guests danced with enthusiasm and joy. 

The reception featured a travel theme, based on all of the places the couple have visited. The seating arrangements also had travel themes. They had lighted crowns. Spanish, Bollywood, Caribbean and other kinds of music were played and there were dance performances by the couple and their families. 

Rushi was mesmerized by the sight of Anandi in her wedding attire. Her father, too, compared his daughter’s glow to a diamond. During his speech at the reception, he emotionally told Rushi that he is entrusting his precious diamond to him and Rushi should make sure she always glows. It was a fun-filled wedding, and the memories of the special day will always be cherished by the couple.  

Love Takes Flight: Katie and Amol’s Whimsical Wisconsin Wedding

In the charming town of Menasha, Wisconsin, physicians Katie and Amol Kamat embarked on a journey of love that culminated in a whimsical wedding at the Kasper family home. With an intimate setting, their wedding was a celebration of love, friendship, and the extraordinary moments that bind two souls.

Katie and Amol’s story began as medical students competing for coveted spots at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. What started as a professional connection blossomed into a deep friendship, and eventually, a romance. Faced with the prospect of geographical separation, they made a pact to stay together, navigating the challenges of long-distance love.

Amol’s proposal unfolded on the S.S. Badger, a ship crossing Lake Michigan. Amidst the waves, he popped the question, solidifying their commitment before Katie’s departure to Japan. Determined to be close, they married in September 2018, marking the beginning of their shared life.

The couple wisely enlisted the help of a wedding consultant, a decision they wholeheartedly recommend. With the Kasper home in Menasha as both the wedding and reception venue, the planning process was a heartfelt collaboration. Katie’s roots in the neighboring city of Neenah made the locale even more special.

CAKE Manderfield’s Home Bakery 920-731-2181 | CATERING Zuppas Cafe and Catering 920-720-5045 | EVENT PLANNER Witt & Co. Events 920-903-0329 | FLORIST Robin’s Nest Floral 920-279-4261 | HORSE
Lucky Stables LLC 920-213-5203 | INVITATIONS Minted 888-828-6468 | MEHNDI Beauty from Ash 920-427-3310 | MUSICIAN Random Maxx 414-651-8891 | PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHY Kate Fore Boudoir 920-321-6722 | Neverfilms LLC 920-312-7444 | PRIEST Dinesh Bhat

A vibrant Sangeet, hosted at the Grand Meridian in Appleton, set the stage for the grand affair. The wedding ceremony, bathed in the golden hues of a fall afternoon, unfolded in Trish Kasper’s meticulously landscaped garden.

The reception, held in white tents adorned with floral arrangements and lanterns, radiated elegance. Random Maxx serenaded the couple with “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire for their first dance, an enchanting moment that drew everyone to the dance floor.

From Amol’s entrance on a white horse to the lively music and dancing, the wedding exuded charm. Small Daruma dolls graced the table settings, and Amol, in a nod to tradition, donned his dress white uniform for the reception.

The highlight of the day? Amol’s majestic entrance on a white horse, a fairytale moment that left everyone in awe. The reception, infused with lively music and dance, became a joyous celebration of love and togetherness.

Katie and Amol’s advice for future couples: “Have fun with it!” No funny wedding dreams or nightmares haunted their pre-wedding nights. Calamities were nonexistent, making their wedding day truly wonderful and filled with laughter.

In the heart of Wisconsin, Katie and Amol’s wedding unfolded like a whimsical love story—a tale of laughter, love, and the extraordinary journey two souls choose to share.