Real Wedding

Photos Courtesy: Salsan International
www.imagesbyhasan.com

It was on a summer evening at the University of Illinois, Chicago
when Kiran and Nina met for the first time. Both were studying medicine –
Kiran was as relaxed and laid-back as Nina was high-strung and focused.
A few dates later the two opposites realized that they were attracted to each other for life.

Opposites attract. And so they did. It was time to make their undying love
for one another official.

THE PROPOSAL & ENGAGEMENT
Kiran officially proposed to Nina on Valentine’s Day. He secretly flew his and Nina’s parents down to Jacksonville, Florida for the special event. Every minute of the day was a surprise for Nina, which included a vineyard visit and picnic at a fort in St. Augustine.

In a huge park before onlookers, Kiran went down on one knee and popped the question – much to Nina’s surprise. Silence prevailed for a few moments; finally, Nina said yes. They drove back to Jacksonville where the couple’s parents were eagerly waiting with presents, flowers, and champagne. The celebration continued for two days. Amidst this festivity, they got engaged.

Nina and her mother were the wedding planners. That’s what led to a perfect event with a personal touch. The two unanimously wanted a very modern and classy event. After the engagement, they had eight months to plan the 5-day event.Theybegan with the selection ofa venue, next the wedding date, and finally ashopping trip to India.

VENUE
Nina and Kiran tied the knot in Fort Lauderdale where Nina’s family resides. With its gorgeous ballrooms, expansive garden terrace and a breathtaking ocean view, the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa was the perfect choice for the event.

BRIDAL ATTIRE
The bridal dresses were custom-made in Delhi. The burgundy and champagne lehnga was richly embedded with gold jewels from Chandni Chowk. The reception lehnga from CTC Plaza was an iridescent blue-green color, mermaid-cut with beautiful Swarovski crystal embellishments. Nina’s mehndi and sangeet dress was a salmon and olive colored lehnga, embroidered with Swarovski crystals. Her gold kundan jewelry was purchased in Delhi. Her diamond jewelry, set in platinum, included long dangling chandelier earrings and an intricate diamond necklace from JKJ Jewelers of Jaipur.

BRIDE’S HAIR AND MAKEUP
Sumaiya Waheed was Nina’s make-up artist, and she chose strong brown and maroon shades for Nina’s wedding look. Nina’s hair was kept in an up-do style as she wore a dupatta. For the reception, Nina’s hair remained in an up-do style, but not as high. Her elegant French twist was dressed-up with a bluish-purple orchid.

For the mehndi and sangeet evening, Nina wore vibrant colors to match her colorful olive/salmon lehnga. She left her hair down with flowing curls adorned by diamond-studded bobby pins.

PRE-WEDDING FUNCTIONS
Mehndi and the ladies sangeet was held at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa, the night before the wedding ceremony. Two large orange and fuchsia draped canopy tents housed Moroccan lounge furniture, pouf seating as well as lanterns, candles, hookahs, and camels to create the perfect Moroccan ambience. Large crystal candelabras placed as centerpieces were draped in ivy and hanging crystals. Surrounding the centerpieces were Moroccan style candles and votives.

Nine live chef food stations were in place for the event serving Indian dishes alongside Mexican and Italian cuisine.

NAmber and gold sheer tablecloths and chair sashes brought cohesion to the whole room. Amber and fuchsia lighting throughout the room and a custom monogram with the wedding couple’s names revolving around the ballroom were the highlights of the evening. Comedian Paul Singh from Washington, DC was flown in to provide entertainment.

THE WEDDING CEREMONY
The wedding ceremony took place in an oceanfront ballroom bearing nontraditional décor yet in a classic theme. A gold and red mandap was built out of fabric and floral decors, and tall clear vases filled with orchids served as aisle markers with red pomander balls on top.

To the tune of Dulhe Raja, the groom entered the mandap with his sister and cousins covering his face so as not to allow him to see the bride walk down the aisle. With Teri Ore from the movie Singh is Kingg playing in the background, flower girls threw rose petals as Nina made her way down the aisle. She was escorted by her closest male relatives who held a floral red and gold sheer sheet (phoole ki chadaar) over her head.

The groom entered the mandap with his sister and cousins covering his face so as not to allow him to see the bride walk down the aisle. Flower girls spread rose petals down the way while Nina made an appearance. She was escorted by her closest male relatives who held a floral red and gold sheer sheet (phoole ki chadaar) over her head.

Complete explanation of the Hindu Vedic ceremony was printed on the program sheet for the guests.

COCKTAIL HOUR
Held on the garden terrace of the Marriott, the cocktail hour took place with a picturesque backdrop of the ocean. The highlight of the menu was the wedding couple’s signature drink – Kirina, a hybrid of Kiran and Nina. It was a mango mojito, which combined Kiran’s love for mangoes and Nina’s adoration for mojitos.

The couple showcased a three-minute video skit, which they shot with a UFC theme and music from Rocky. Kiran and Nina appeared as fighters on screen and challenged each other with jokes. The video made the guests break into laughter. The bride and groom also gave an admirable Rumba-Indian dance performance.

In a unique twist, the couple displayed a Zap Shots presentation. Candid photographs of the guests from various wedding events were projected on screens. The guests enjoyed seeing themselves in different moods.

RECEPTION
The colors for the reception were purple, blue and white. The entire ceiling was draped with white sheer swags. Instead of a traditional bride-groom stage, a white lounge was placed for the couple in the center of the room. The dance floor was given a diamond shape and was displayed with the couple’s custom monogram.

Royal purple linens with gold shimmer on each table matched chair sashes. Deep blue-purple LED lighting in the room added to the cool and chic look of the ballroom. The centerpieces were tall clear vases with purple-colored water and floating orchids. The floral arrangement was a full round purple hydrangeas, purple roses, orchids and lilies. Each centerpiece was accented with pin-spot lighting and surrounded by an abundance of candles.

Outside the reception hall, the large foyer displayed wedding photographs of the couple’s parents in black and white stood along with a photograph of the bride and groom in-between.