Esha and Raj, Valley Regency, New Jersey
This sweet bride wore an heirloom attire and jewelry for her nuptials, honoring the generations of women in her family.
Esha and Raj’s beautiful wedding celebrations in New Jersey saw myriad emotions stemming from special moments during the ceremonies and functions; from the heartfelt proposal that every girl dreams of to the bride’s touching homage to her mother and grandmother. Here are a few glimpses from the wonderful occasions.
How They Met
Esha says, “We’ve known each other since we were around 15 years old, first meeting at a religious summer camp and then bumping into each other over the next few years. Then, after not being in touch for years, Raj slid into my DMs on Facebook and we reconnected. We hit it off instantly; Facebook messaging evolved into texting, talking on the phone and meeting up every few months when Raj was home on break from school in Chicago. When he finally moved to NY, we made things official.”
The Proposal
“Raj proposed in the most romantic way possible at the library cafe/bar at the Nomad Hotel, one of our date spots where we went to see a magic show. He took me for a ‘cocktail and read session’, something we do pretty often, before going out for the evening, where he said the plan was a secret. He asked me to grab a book from the shelf and I hesitated because I was pretty sure that the books were just there for décor. But he insisted, pointing towards a specific book. My bewilderment soon turned into awe as I realized that there were several books surrounding us, each carrying a picture telling our story. Each picture carried a letter that all together spelled out the big question! He absolutely nailed it!”
The Venue
“We knew we didn’t want a typical Indian wedding at a hotel. After scouring venues for a couple of days, we fell in love with the lush property of Valley Regency and our hearts were set. They were great to work with.”
Wedding Planning
“We planned our entire wedding ourselves with some amazing vendors. We entrusted Nirali Décor for their expertise and to understand our vision. For the photography, we chose Priyanca Rao and her team, and boy did she deliver! They captured every moment in ways we couldn’t have imagined. For my makeup, I cannot think of anyone who could have made me feel more beautiful than Mona from Lady Chebli. Rasoi Catering served up some of the most amazing food we have ever tried”.
Wedding Functions
Wedding
The couple wanted to keep everything as elegant as possible. The décor in pink and red accented the abundance of natural light at the outdoor function. It included some gorgeous elements such as matkas with flowers spilling out of them lining the aisle.
Esha says, “It was incredibly emotional wearing my mom’s wedding outfit and jewelry for the ceremony; something very close to my heart which I have been doing since I was a little girl. I also had a mangalsutra bracelet made out of my grandmother’s mangalsutra, bringing with it all her blessings and goodwill. I wanted to incorporate elements of my personal life and history into this monumental new chapter of my life. Raj wore a custom-made outfit with matching shoes by Rivesse.”
Reception
The final reception event was a sophisticated soiree decorated in white and gold which followed the day wedding. “I bought my reception outfit from Bombay. It was gorgeous yet very sensibly priced. Raj’s custom-tailored velvet tux jacket and perfectly-fitted pants were from Rivesse.”
Advice For Couples
“Surround yourself with people you love and you will have the best time of your life. It truly is a day to remember.”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Valley Regency, New Jersey
Décor: Nirali Decor
Groom’s Outfits: Rivesse
Makeup artist: Mona from Lady Chebli
DJ: Deejay Tonic
Catering: Rasoi
Photography and Videography: Priyanca Rao Photography
