Real Wedding

Roshni Parikh, a 39-year-old radiologist, and Parth Worah, a 36-year-old nephrologist, embarked on their beautiful journey of love that culminated in a stunning wedding on May 18, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Bastrop, TX. With 250 guests in attendance, the wedding was a grand affair, filled with vibrant celebrations, personal touches, and unforgettable memories.

The couple met on Hinge in late 2022 after Roshni relocated to Houston from St. Louis, MO. Their first date at Chuy’s Tex Mex sparked an instant connection, leading to six months of memorable outings, from axe throwing to attending the Houston Rodeo. They soon became inseparable, and after meeting each other’s families, it was clear that their bond was meant to be.

BANQUET HALLS Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa 512-308-1234 | BEAUTICIANS Blush and Glow 832-377-6979 | CAKE Rolands Swiss Pastry & Bakery 713-785-4294 |  CATERING Daawat Catering 713-256-5441 | DECORATOR Mandap Creations 832-423-6003 | EVENT PLANNER Rathi Menon Events 281-387-4747 | HORSE Fantasias Carriage 512-914-4966 | INVITATIONS Invitationwala +91 96512 68836 | MEHNDI Nisha Henna Arts
512-961-6662 | Original Henna Company 346-977-0953 | MUSICIAN Desi Junction DJ 281-832-1919 | PHOTOGRAPHER Jennifer Campos Photography
631-358-0709 | VIDEOGRAPHY Epique Cinema 832-487-5342

Parth’s proposal was nothing short of magical. The couple was in Peru for a getaway, where Roshni had arranged a photoshoot. What she didn’t know was that Parth had planned a surprise proposal during the session. As the sun set over the Sacred Valley at the Rio Sagrado Hotel, Parth proposed with a ring surrounded by rose petals, making it an emotional and perfect moment, captured by the photographer.

Planning the wedding was made easier with the help of wedding planner Rathi Menon. Her expert coordination allowed the couple to focus on enjoying their day while Rathi and her team managed all the details. The couple chose the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa for its ideal location—just two hours from Houston—and the resort’s ability to accommodate a weekend-long celebration with family and friends.

The pre-wedding events were a delightful mix of color, culture, and fun. The Haldi ceremony, dubbed the “Color Bash,” featured vibrant hues of hot pink, yellow, and white, with fun games and performances. The Sangeet, themed “The Dhoom Dham Mela,” was a colorful celebration of Rajasthani and carnival influences, featuring a decorated auto rickshaw and a Desi Bazaar for guests to enjoy. The wedding ceremony itself was a beautiful outdoor affair, with the bride’s dog, Max, making a charming entrance in a miniature motorized white Mercedes.

The reception, themed “Soiree ‘A Paris,” was nothing short of glamorous. The ballroom was transformed with red, black, and white décor, featuring a Moulin Rouge canopy and a black-and-white checkered dance floor. Tall white floral arrangements adorned the tables, with personalized touches like red organza potlis filled with chocolates for guests. The reception also featured a love story video that cleverly tied into the couple’s grand entrance.

Music played a key role throughout the celebrations. The first dance, a medley of songs including Ve Maahi and Shape of You, set the tone for the evening. The father-daughter dance to Kudmayi from Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani, and the mother-son dance to Chaoro from Mary Kom, were heartwarming moments that brought tears and smiles to all. The dance floor stayed alive with a blend of Bollywood and Hollywood hits, making for a truly dynamic celebration.

One of the most personal touches was the Sangeet performance, where 16 dances by family and friends told the couple’s love story through five themed episodes. From how they met to the proposal, the production was a unique way to narrate their journey. Another highlight was the couple’s wedding podcast, which featured three episodes documenting their love story, wedding details, and a thank-you message to their guests.

DIY projects added a personal flair to the wedding, with the couple creating everything from personalized water bottles and a wedding newspaper to welcome hampers and a Desi Shopping Bazaar. These heartfelt touches made the wedding feel intimate and special for everyone involved.

The wedding truly had it all: beautiful décor, heartfelt performances, and personal moments that made it one-of-a-kind. For couples planning their own weddings, Roshni and Parth’s advice is simple—”Enjoy the entire process. The wedding planning process can be stressful, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The weekend will go by so fast, but it will stay with you forever.”

Risha Kohli and Michael Koval celebrated their love on April 6, 2024, at the Loews Hotel Millennium Ballroom in Philadelphia, PA, with 260 guests joining the celebration. Risha, a marketing professional, and Michael, a finance expert, first met on the dating app Hinge in 2021. Despite the pandemic, their initial meeting at Harpers Garden felt effortlessly natural. By their third date, sharing stories and inside jokes at a wine bar, they both sensed something special. Their love deepened through shared experiences, including an international trip to France and Belgium in November 2022. Mike proposed in June 2023, after about 1.5 years of dating, with a surprise proposal in Rittenhouse Square followed by a celebratory weekend with their families.

To navigate their wedding planning, Risha and Mike enlisted a wedding planner to help with logistics and venue details, though they believed it wasn’t strictly necessary. They chose Philadelphia, where they both live, for its personal significance, selecting the Loews Hotel for its unique historical charm. This venue, once the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society, allowed them to incorporate historical elements into their celebration, including signage about the building’s past.

BANQUET HALLS Loews Hotel Philadelphia 215-231-723 | BEAUTICIANS Joseph Anthony Retreat Spa & Salon 215-310-0036 | CAKE Classic Cake Cherry Hill 856-751-5448 | DECORATOR Xtraordinary Events by Vito Russo 267-551-4400 | EVENT PLANNER SLC Event Company 954-591-3611 | INVITATIONS Chick Invitations 215-592-1407 | MEHNDI Hirals Henna Designs 215-760-6565 | MUSICIAN EBE Dreamtime 888-323-2263 | PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHY John Barone Photography 215-620-4214 | Abominable Productions 610-420-7710

Their pre-wedding events were thoughtfully designed. On Thursday, they hosted a ‘Welcome Party’ at Harp & Crown, a speakeasy bar with old-school bowling lanes, which delighted their younger guests. The following day’s Sangeet at the Loews Hotel’s 33rd floor featured breathtaking views of the Philadelphia skyline, enhanced by purple linens, floral centerpieces, and candlelight, creating a nostalgic ambiance.

For the wedding ceremony, the theme was modern elegance with green, white, and shades of purple. The mandap was adorned with white and green flowers and glass pearls, complemented by cherry blossom trees and tall aisle structures. Bridesmaids carried long candles in vases down the aisle, adding a unique touch. The music for the ceremony included an instrumental version of ‘Jashn-E-Bahara’ for the wedding party and ‘Teri Ore’ for the bride’s entrance. Instead of a traditional Baraat, the groom walked down the aisle with his parents while the bride’s parents offered blessings at the mandap, allowing all guests to witness the ceremony in a unique and meaningful way.

The reception decor reflected their color scheme of purple, green, and white. Fresh floral centerpieces, candle orbs, and dynamic lighting transitions—from amber for photos to purple for dancing—set the scene. The couple entered to ‘This Will Be (An Everlasting Love),’ inviting all guests to join them on the dance floor shortly after. The first dance, father/daughter dance, and mother/son dance featured a blend of special songs, including ‘Kudi Nu Nachne De’ and ‘You’ll Be In My Heart.’ The groom’s surprise performance of ‘Mr. Brightside’ was a highlight of the night, energizing the dance floor.

Their wedding incorporated personal touches such as a customized Hindu ceremony script with English explanations and the use of Mike’s family pearl necklace as a replacement for the traditional mangal sutra. DIY elements included signage highlighting the venue’s history and a memoriam table for loved ones who had passed. A special “WOW” moment was the serving of Mango Lassi and Chai right before the ceremony.

Risha and Mike’s advice to future couples is to focus on what truly matters to them and create their own traditions, rather than adhering strictly to norms. They managed to avoid pre-wedding nightmares through meticulous planning, and they still laugh about a minor mishap during the Milni when their fathers’ scarves were humorously misaligned.

Stephanie Motilall and Devendra Heman’s journey from childhood friends to life partners is a testament to enduring love. Their story began in 2002 when Stephanie’s family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, and they joined a local Hindu Mandir where Devendra’s mother was involved. Growing up together, they performed at religious events and dance shows. Their paths crossed again at the University of Florida, where Devendra was a year ahead of Stephanie. After completing their studies—Devendra with a master’s in Electrical Engineering and Stephanie with a bachelor’s degree—they started dating, marking a decade of commitment despite periods of longdistance.

In January 2023, Devendra proposed to Stephanie on top of Georgia Pass in Breckenridge, Colorado, exactly one year before their wedding date. This proposal, set against the stunning backdrop of the Rockies, was a perfect prelude to their wedding celebrations.

Their wedding, held on January 12-13, 2024, at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center, was a heartfelt homage to their shared past. The venue, where they had once performed together, was the perfect setting for their nuptials. With 300 guests in attendance, the ceremony and reception unfolded in the same location, adding to the event’s intimacy and significance.

Stephanie and Devendra managed the planning themselves with the assistance of their families and a day-of coordinator. They utilized their sisters’ experience and met key vendors at the MyShaadi Wedding expo. The choice of venue reflected their deep connection to the area, with both families being local.

BANQUET HALLS Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center 561-790-5192 | Bartending Service Splash Enterprise Inc 561-282-8934 | BEAUTICIANS-COSMETICIAN RT Beauty Designers 561-289-9672 | CAKE Publix 407-226-9754 | DECORATOR Shyne Event Services 352-321-7673 | EVENT PLANNER Superior Serving 561-531-9761 | INVITATIONS Indian Weddings Cards 888-742-8555 | MEHNDI Henna by Amna 954-759-1331 | MUSICIAN Powerhouse International Djs 518-881-7906 | PHOTOGRAPHER Fine Art Productions 407-979-4749 | PRIEST Pandit Durga Chajulal 561-985-8708 | RENTAL SERVICES MPH Club 305-330-6322 | RESTAURANT/CATERING Lucky City Restaurant 954-972-1871 | TEMPLE Vishnu Sharma 561-632-1861 | VIDEOGRAPHY Fine Art Productions 407-979-4749

Pre-wedding events included a henna ceremony and a maticoor—a religious purification ceremony. Stephanie’s family decorated their home with yellow and white, featuring a Radha Krishna backdrop, while Devendra’s family’s ceremony was adorned with vibrant marigold garlands. During these ceremonies, the couple wore humorous shirts that read “Dyeing to marry Devendra” and “Dying to marry Stephanie.”

The wedding day featured a Caribbean blue and gold theme, with lavish decor provided by Shyne Event Services. Personalized touches included custom water bottles and a dessert table. The baarat was accompanied by Tassa music, and the ceremony featured a mix of live musicians and Bollywood tunes. The bride’s entrance under a golden floral dholi was a memorable moment.

The reception the following day embraced a Caribbean blue and silver theme, with elegant centerpieces alternating between floating candles and silver birch trees with hanging crystals. The ballroom was enhanced by blue uplighting, and the night included personalized party favors and a photobooth. Special touches included the bride and groom’s humorous wedding night refreshments: pizza and McDonald’s for their guests.

Musical selections for the reception included Bollywood, modern hip hop, and West Indian music. While the couple did not perform, they enjoyed dancing on stage throughout the night. Personalized elements were evident, from the welcome signs to the customized photobooth and favors featuring their dog’s face.

The most touching moment for Stephanie and Devendra was their first sight of each other during the Hindu ceremony. Their wedding was a beautiful blend of personal touches and cherished traditions, creating a day that perfectly reflected their love and shared history. For couples planning their own celebrations, Stephanie’s advice is to ensure at least a day-of coordinator to ease the stress and fully enjoy the wedding experience.