Mayuri and Hemal

Four-day of emotionally charged traditional festivities in bride's hometown Rome, Georgia.

I am from Rome, Georgia and my husband Hemal is from New Jersey. We initially exchanged emails through a family set-up that we were both resistant to. We never expected to get along so well, we continued to get to know each other and traveled together. One weekend I visited my birth state NJ which is when we spent more time together and later he took me to Atlantic City and PROPOSED!

We got married in my home town of Rome, Ga. at The Forum an arena. We needed an arena to accommodate 700 guests and so I could have each event decor customized without any restrictions.

The Wedding Planner

We hired a very well known planning company Reve.ology Events by Snehal G. Vara. Her pitch was impressive, professional and stylish. They really do live up to their company motto, they took my “dream” and their “expertise” and created a flawless gorgeous wedding weekend with some of the most unique ideas. The entire RE team is a fun group of designers, full of unique ideas. They strive to not only cater to the bride and groom, but also to all guests and family and make a sincere attempt to get to know everyone.

Day 1:

The four day festivities started with a Mehndi night at home. A small event with close family and friends. Mehndi night was our outdoors event with a tent setup in our back yard. An evening filled with family, music, dance, laughter and food!

Day 2:

Grah Shanti, Pithi & Mandva Murat all took place at home. As a child it was my dream to have my wedding celebrations at the backyard of my home, but since it was not possible to accommodate 700 guests, we decided to host as many pre-wedding functions at home.

Day 3:

Sangeet- Rajasthani theme decor with traditional, vibrant colors of pink, orange, aqua and green. Ornate stage decor with custom embroidered backdrops and carved wooden screens. My husband-to-be and I led the party hand in hand and danced the night away!

Day 4:

Wedding: A contemporary but traditional, all-crystal Mandap with a transparent Mandap canopy adorned with hundreds of candles and rose petals. An 80 feet raised aisle complete with heavy floating candles led us to the Mandap.

Reception:

After a teary vidai, Hemal and I retired to our suite, only to start getting ready for our reception! The decor was very clean and elegant in hues of gold and ivory/ white. The stage featured voluminous white draping, hanging crystal curtains and lush florals. The evening started with family introductions after which was the grand entrance of the Bride & Groom; our first dance was to the song ‘Zindagi Mein Aaj Lamhe Khaas Aa Gaye’ and the classic bollywood song ‘Pehli Pehli Baar Dekha Aisa Jalwa’.

What I Wore

Mehndi- A long and traditional dress with a contemporary cut

Grah Shanti/Pithi & Mandva Murat- A very traditional chaniya choli with a yellow paisley printed skirt and a sheer purple dupatta

Sangeet – A colorful outfit that complimented the peacock theme for the night. A heavy all-silk green skirt with a hot pink velvet border, matched with a pink below the hip fitted top with an embroidery peacock.

Wedding – A very traditional bright white skirt with red motifs centered with ‘Radha Kishan’ matched with a blood red dupatta and blouse.

Reception – A white & gold ensemble with an accent of teal & purple! Designed by Anokhi Ada’s Sona Amin

Wedding Memories – My anxious moment begun shortly after dancing the night away at the Sangeet. The night started with tears in fear of not being daddy’s little girl any longer, in the thought of leaving my family and moving hours away.

Memories I will cherish was when I was being led down the aisle by my sisters following their short performance to ‘Agaya Woh Din’ from Kisna. As I walked down the candle lit aisle with my uncles on each side and the continuation of “Agaya Woh Din” I saw my soon-to-be husband, my parents along with my brother and sister waiting for me at the mandap. On each side were all my family members and friends who had played a role at different times in my life; to see them ALL under one roof at my wedding left me speechless. Another moment I will cherish is during the father-daughter dance. ‘Pappa Mein Choti se Badi Ho Gaye Kyun’ which mirrored my emotions to the tee! Kunal Mehta, the photographer captured that emotional moment so perfectly.