Real Wedding

It took a little time – high school years, college years, and then some, but Rina and Rikhil finally found love when they got in touch with each other after college. Despite going to the same high school, the friends lost touch during college. Their friendship eventually turned into something more. They dated for four years, and Rikhil proposed to Rina after Thanksgiving in 2019. The couple shared the night of their  proposal with family friends at the City Winery on the Chicago River Walk. All of them celebrated the engagement of the loving couple the entire night. It was a happy and memorable event for the couple… and their loved ones!

Their planned wedding date of August 2020 was delayed due to the pandemic, but a year later on  August 21, 2021, the big day finally arrived. Both Rina’s and Rikhil’s families live in the Chicago area, so they wanted a venue nearby. However, since many of Rina’s extended family members were supposed to travel, they also wanted a hotel for their stay. They finalized The Westin Chicago Northwest in Itasca as their ideal venue.

BANQUET HALLS The Westin Chicago Northwest 630-773-4000 |  BEAUTICIANS Nadia Hira Beauty 773-818-8283 | CAKE Lovin Oven Cakery 224-788-9558 | CATERING Annapurna Chicago 733-383-636 |
Saffron Restaurant 847-278-1955 | DECORATOR Shukan Events + Designs  630-338-6221 | DISC JOCKEY DoItAll Entertainment 847-708-5113 | FLORIST Vivek Flowers 224-277-1223 | INVITATIONS Rolex Cards  +91 90221-50157 | PHOTOGRAPHER Sapan Ahuja Photography 815-793-2032 | VIDEOGRAPHY Rush Productions  312-265-1911

The pre-wedding ceremonies were simple with a personal touch. The Mehndi was celebrated in the park district, with an indoor area that included a playground. The décor was simple featuring the couple’s hashtag and a colorful backdrop. A flower-studded white bench was there for Rina. There was also a live dosa counter at the playground. Rina’s Grah Shanti was at the Westin while Rikhil had his at his parent’s house.

The wedding ceremony was in the morning. It was an outdoor function with the couple’s color theme of peach, red, mint, and cream. The groomsmen were color coordinated with the bride while the bridesmaids coordinated with the groom. Rikhil arrived at the wedding in a Lamborghini Huracan. However, he had to walk halfway along a lake to reach the Mandap! Thankfully, when he got there, a perfect blend of Indian and American music at the wedding uplifted the festive spirit and entertained all  200 guests in attendance.

The reception was in the grand ballroom of the hotel. The color theme consisted of navy and gold with floating candles and flowers as centerpieces. Uplighting and sparklers set the party mood. There were beautiful dance performances by the parents of both the bride and the groom, their brothers, and touching speeches by friends and cousins.

The pandemic may have upset many of their plans, but both Rina and Rikhil were happy to finally celebrate their big day that was enjoyed by one and all.
                      

wedding banquet hall The Westin Chicago Northwest

Bridal beautician Nadia Hira Beauty

Indian wedding cake by Lovin Oven Cakery

wedding caterer Annapurna Chicago

wedding caterer Saffron Restaurant

Indian wedding decorator Shukan Events + Designs

Disc Jockey for wedding DoItAll Entertainment

Wedding Flowers by Vivek Flowers

Indian wedding Invitation by Rolex Cards

Indian wedding photographer Sapan Ahuja Photography

Indian wedding videographer Rush Productions

They met as college students, but it was years later before true love blossomed. Meera Patel and Sagar Shah both studied at the University of Illinois at Chicago where they had a brief introduction. A decade later, they met again through the dating app Hinge and then began their love story on their first date in March 2018.

A couple of years went by and both were in love with each other. Sagar wanted to take their relationship to the next level and prepared to propose to his lady. He planned a road trip to Traverse City, Michigan, and popped the question to the wine-loving Meera at Bower’s Harbor Vineyards.

BANQUET HALLS Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes 602-225-9000 | BEAUTICIANS Ieshia Make Up Artist   ieshiamua@gmail.com | CATERING The Tasty Touch 480-499-2737 | DECORATOR Inner Space Design and Events 480-310-3075 | DISC JOCKEY M4U Events 732-771-9648 |  EVENT PLANNER Epic Everlasting Events 505-401-8062 | INVITATIONS Metro Cards +91 98796-72333 | MEHNDI Jaan Henna 703-725-1932 | PHOTOGRAPHER Trevor Dayley 480-310-2196 |  PRIEST Bhavenbhai Arizona  | VIDEOGRAPHY Serendipity Cinema 602-699-5509

Then the wedding planning began! The date was set for March 26, 2022, four years after their first date.  The couple desired a destination wedding, away from their hometowns. They chose the Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes located in Tempe, Arizona. Arizona was on their wish list because of its exquisite natural beauty.

The wedding festivities  spanned four days. Celebrations included a Sangeet, Vidhis, Grah Shanti, and Pithi. The Sangeet/Garba was an evening party and featured a Moroccan theme with lanterns and umbrellas, bright colors and bistro lights. They had their Grah Shantis separately. Meera had it on top of the rock while Sagar had it in the ballroom. A Pithi was also observed.

The wedding was indoors and began early in the morning. There was an acrylic Mandap with white hydrangeas along the top and down the raised aisle. The theme was simplistic, having neutral colors and flowers. Their grandmothers were their flower girls and their grandfather was the ring bearer, representing the deep family values they both hold. Further displaying their dedication to family was a memory table to commemorate their ancestors and a phone guest book.

Sagar led the Baraat in a red BMW M4, his favorite car. An abundance of music and dance made the wedding joyful. All the 300 guests enjoyed it to their hearts’ content. The reception in the evening, too, was a happy evening, as the music and dancing continued. For their first dances, Meera and Sagar chose the songs “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha” and “Raataan Lambiyan” while they saved “If I Lose Myself” by One Republic for their last dance.

The couple enjoyed every moment of their wedding ceremonies. However, the best moment was that of their marriage amidst the rising sun. It was the beginning of a new day, and a new beginning in the life of Meera and Sagar.

trip to Traverse City

Michigan

wine-loving

Bower’s Harbor Vineyards

wedding banquet hall Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes

Wedding bridal beautician Ieshia Make Up Artist

Indian wedding caterer The Tasty Touch

Indian wedding Decorator Inner Space Design and Events

Indian wedding disc jockey M4U Events

wedding planner Epic Everlasting Events

Indian wedding invitation by Metro Cards

Bridal henna by Jaan Henna

Indian wedding photographer Trevor Dayley

Indian wedding priest Bhavenbhai Arizona

wedding videographer Serendipity Cinema

destination wedding

The Buttes located in Tempe

Arizona, Pre wedding ceremony Sangeet

Pre wedding ceremony Vidhis

Pre wedding ceremony Grah Shanti

Pre wedding ceremony Pithi

Moroccan theme with lanterns and umbrellas

song-Ek Ladki Ko Dekha

Song Raataan Lambiyan

When you’re in the “trenches” of medical school, it helps to have someone along with you. That similar professional commitment made Ronak Gandhi and Milee Patel closer to each other. Both Gandhi and Patel found their soulmates, the love of their lives in each other. The budding doctors started dating back in 2016 as first-year students at the same medical school. Finally, when they were about to relocate to Texas for residency, Gandhi proposed to Patel.

It was the beginning of the COVID pandemic with worries and negativity everywhere. However, the two lovers made the best of the situation. Gandhi took Patel to Vizcaya Gardens, her favorite place in Miami, and asked for her hand in marriage. It was the “best day” for Patel, and of course, the answer was an emphatic “YES!”

BANQUET HALLS Hilton West Palm Beach 561-231-6026  | BEAUTICIANS Marz Makeup + Hair 305-266-6279 | CAKE Salty Donuts 305-639-8501 |  CATERING Khasiyat Orlando 407-252-8756 | DECORATOR Anand Event Services 954-214-5807 | DISC JOCKEY Tewari Productions & Jai Ho Fit 954-614-9713 | EVENT PLANNER Elite Dream Creations 407-733-2597 | MUSICIAN Anis Chandani and Group 805-905-1078 | PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHY Anand Event Services 954-214-5807

They decided to tie the marital knot on November 27, 2022. Since both are from South Florida, Gandhi and Patel decided to choose a venue nearby for the convenience of their family and friends. The search for the perfect place ended faster than they expected. When the couple arrived at their first location, the Hilton at West Palm Beach, they instantly agreed that it was perfect!

The weekend was colorful and festive with the tune of togetherness and traditions interwoven with flowers, music, and celebration all around. They celebrated Mehndi, Haldi, and Garba as pre-wedding ceremonies. The Mehndi had an elephant theme, Patel’s favorite animal. The elephant was used in various innovative and creative ways, including as centerpieces on numerous tables and as fruit-filled chocolate desserts. A few elephants even made the stage!

The Haldi and Garba ceremonies were both traditional. The Garba featured a beautiful idol of Radha-Krishna adorning the event. Beautiful lights and live music made for a perfect ambience. Both Gandhi and Patel, being fond of donuts, had a “donut wall” at the Garba with donuts from the famous Salty Donuts. There was a surprise entry dance, too. Towards the end of the night, lights were turned down and music was turned, as they danced the night away, just like at a reception.

For the marriage ceremony, Patel desired a simple and elegant décor without any excess. The comfort of her 450 guests was her top priority. The wedding took place indoors with pink and white flowers on the mandap and the aisle.

Popular Bollywood music dominated the setlist. Gandhi arrived on a horse with the Baraat and entered with Patel’s family members. There was a bridal party walking down the aisle before Patel made her entrance. The live band standing up to the guests, the catwalk, and the total festive spirit made it a lively and fun-filled experience for the The parents of the couple worked for over a year to make this event memorable, and their joint efforts were certainly a success. Thus, the soulmates became life partners with dreams for the golden days ahead.guests.

medical school

COVID pandemic

lovers Vizcaya Gardens in Miami

Indian banquet hall Hilton West Palm Beach

Indian Bridal makeup artist Marz Makeup

Indian wedding cake by Salty Donuts

Indian wedding catering by Khasiyat Orlando

Indian wedding Decorator Anand Event Services

wedding photographer Anand Event Services

Disk Jockey for Sangeet night and wedding Baraat Tewari Productions & Jai Ho Fit

Wedding Planner Elite Dream Creations

wedding musician Anis Chandani and Group

South Florida

Mehndi ceremony

Pre wedding Haldi ceremony

Garba night, chocolate desserts

Radha-Krishna adorning the event

Popular Bollywood music

Dates arranged by friends and family don’t often work out, but sometimes… well, the chemistry just might be there. It was Bansry, the cousin of Rushi Shah, who played the matchmaker in pairing him with Karishma Kadakia. Bansry and Karishma were classmates in med school, and Bansry could envision Kadakia as a potential bride for Rushi, so she invited her to her birthday party on July 13, 2018. It was here that the eventual lovebirds would first meet, date for three years, and finally tie the knot.

Rushi proposed to Karishma at a rooftop party during the Covid 19 Pandemic. He took her away from the party crowd and proposed to her at a specially decorated picturesque location on the pool deck floor. Entering a new level of the relationship, they decided to tie the marital knot in the presence of family and friends.

BANQUET HALLS Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana 809-687-0000 | BEAUTICIANS Laura Franco – Chicago 984-116-4514 |  CATERING Pranama Restaurant 829-768-6262 | DECORATOR Creative Punta Cana-Mercaflor 829-712-9518 | ENTERTAINMENT desiBel Entertainment 847-873-5552 | EVENT PLANNER Xanath Banuelos +52 1 984-165-38-25 | INVITATIONS Pink Whistle Man +91 90048-97770 | MEHNDI Lemons and Mehndi  984-116-4514 |  PHOTOGRAPHER Joseph Kang Photography 847-962-0054 | VIDEOGRAPHY
Paraagon Films 847-800-2323

The duo wanted a destination wedding at a beautiful place far from the inquiring eyes of fans. They chose the beautiful Hard Rock – Punta Cana Resort on the shore of the Caribbean Sea in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Their choice was a gorgeous one, overlooking the beach, and the resort provided a comfortable stay for all 270 guests.

The celebrations began on April 21 and 22, as the lucky couple engaged in the pre-wedding ceremonies of Mehndi, Pithi, and Sangeet before the big day on April 23, 2022.

The Mehndi ceremony was combined with a welcome event for all the guests. The innovative celebration took place on a water canal at the resort, featuring a raised platform atop the pool, where guests could watch as Kadakia’s hands and feet were adorned with her special henna design. It was such a hit that the couple celebrated their Haldi ceremony in the same location with orange and yellow flowers. Finally, the Sangeet capped off the pre-wedding ceremonies with the families uniting on an outdoor terrace embellished with an Italian theme.

The Big Day finally arrived! Rushi Shah and Karishma Kadakia became husband and wife on the beach with the beautiful ocean waters as the backdrop. The couple tied the knot under a mint-colored Mandap adorned with flowers and a white canopy. Much like a prince in a fairytale,  Shah rode in on a horse.

Contemporary Hindi songs and Bhangra dominated the music selection throughout the night. The groom entered with the bride’s parents to a Tere Bina “Girls Like You” mashup song by Jeffrey Iqbal, and the bride entered to Kaise Hua. The two enjoyed their special day before leaving the beach as husband and wife in an antique Bentley.

The party was just beginning! The reception in the evening featured a Harry Potter theme. Tables boasted chocolate golden snitches for every guest. Beside each place setting lay a mini broom with a love quote from the Harry Potter books while the backdrop of the hall presented a candlelit decoration in “Hogwarts” style. Floating candles added an extra bit of romance to the Harry Potter theme. The theme, however, paled in comparison to the bride and groom’s dance performances. The couple and their families danced the night away to a melodious mix of Bollywood and Hip-Hop songs.

The beautiful destination wedding at the Hard Rock – Punta Cana was the perfect beginning to what promises to be a wonderful life for the newlyweds.

Covid 19 Pandemic

pool deck floor

marital knot

wedding banquet hall Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana

Indian bridal beautician Laura Franco – Chicago

Indian wedding caterer Pranama Restaurant

Indian wedding mandap decorator Creative Punta Cana-Mercaflor

Wedding entertainment desiBel Entertainment

wedding planner Xanath Banuelos

Indian wedding invitation dealer Pink Whistle Man

Indian bridal mehndi artist Lemons and Mehndi

wedding photographer Joseph Kang Photography

wedding videographer Paraagon Films

Hard Rock – Punta Cana Resort

Caribbean Sea in Punta Cana

pre-wedding ceremonies of Mehndi

pre-wedding ceremonies of Pithi

pre-wedding ceremonies of sangeet

henna design, mint-colored Mandap adorned with flowers

prince in a fairytale

“Girls Like You” mashup song by Jeffrey Iqbal

Harry Potter theme, Bollywood and Hip-Hop songs

Jenil Jariwala relocated to Chicago in order to look for housing. He had no idea that the new city would be where he would meet his true love. He found temporary refuge in the home of Kruti Mehta’s parents and a long-term residence in Kruti’s heart. Following their meeting and friendship, they started dating in 2018. After three years, they made the decision to get married with the blessing of their parents. In April 2021, Jenil proposed to Kruti for providing her with that unique feeling.

The couple chose a “destination wedding” and set March 25, 2022, as the wedding date. In contrast to Jenil, who had the majority of his relatives in Surat, Gujarat, Kruti was born and raised in Chicago. As a result, the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort in Florida was chosen as the location.

BANQUET HALLS Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort 727-298-1494 | BEAUTICIANS Michele Renee The Studio and Salon 813-531-7770 | CAKE The Cake Girl 813-360-0909 | CATERING Khasiyat Indian Restaurant 407-252-8756 | DECORATOR Maharani Designs 813-569-9052 | DISC JOCKEY Dudha Productions 727-418-8498 | EVENT PLANNER Apsara Events 727-687-8185 | MEHNDI Unnati Shah 847-301-4124 | PHOTOGRAPHER Celebrations Of Tampa Bay 813-657-2238 | VIDEOGRAPHY Shalin Photo 847-371-1325 | PRIEST Acharya Ramesh Mehta 813-453-9334

Kruti and Jenil celebrated the pre-wedding customs of mehndi, grah shanti, and pithi in their respective homes in Schaumburg and Port Richey, respectively.

Outdoor wedding ceremonies were held on North Beach, also known as Clearwater Beach. It was decorated with welcome bags, chocolate-filled organza bags, flower-adorned seats with custom-made mason jars, a wooden boardwalk, and a Mandap with hanging white wisteria and colorful poles with flowers and greenery.

They did not have the westernized idea of bridesmaids and groomsmen because they were deeply rooted in traditional Indian culture. Instead, everyone shared equally in the festivities. In a blue Mercedes convertible, Jenil arrived. With the pehlu pehlu song for pheras, ullam paadum (from 2 states) for the mangal sutra ritual, shubharambh (from Kai Po Che) for the groom entry, and raatan lambiyaan (from Sher Shah) for the bride entry, the wedding morning music was the ideal blend of Bollywood dance music and Garba.

On the Sandpiper Terrace, there was a reception. Green, white, gold, and rose gold served as the color scheme for the rustic and simple décor. The magic was generated with a gold and white couch with a gold hexagon background, small tables with centerpieces of lanterns and candles, and fairy lights. With beautiful music playing, both parents entered the room. The pair danced as a couple to Tyler Shaw’s With You. From evening to dawn, all 100 guests had fun.

The couple and their guests truly liked the unobtrusive and traditional ceremony.