“The Happiest People Don’t Have the Best of Everything, They Make the Best of Everything” Reshma {+}
Anil and Reshma, met literally on Reshma’s second day of college at NYU, through mutual friends. Eight and a half years later, we find them adorned in beautiful fabrics, surrounded by their closest friends and family members and pledging their love to one another forever! It was a journey well worth waiting for as these two soul mates compliment eachother in the most endearing ways. Anil proposed in front of a lighthouse in the port town of Akranes along Iceland’s westcoast. It was everything Reshma had wanted! A surprise engagement party was had once the couple returned so that their friends and family could celebrate.
Their gorgoeous Punjabi wedding took place on the lush grounds of the Birchwood Manor in Whippany, New Jersey. Their Mandap was draped in beautiful silk fabrics colored in scarlet, deep purples and burgandies. The couple had originally bonded over a love for music and so they incorporated elements of this into their decor. The table cards include every concert they had attened. Their save-the-date was a mock concert ticket and their engagement shoot had an old Hollywood/Bollywood feel at it was at the Historic Loew's theater in Jersey City.
Anil made his grand entrance riding on a white horse during the Baraat. Adorned in a jeweled turban, a sehra (which is a curtain of beads to keep him from seeing his bride) and a sword, he rode while family members danced alongside to the beat of a Dhol drum and bhangra beats. After the festive arrival of the baraat, Reshma’s family welcomed the groom’s side in what is called the Milni ceremony. The Milni symbolizes the merging of the two clans. The men from the bride’s side welcome the men from the groom’s side, in descending order, starting with the oldest members to each family. They exchange flower garlands and as a playful gesture, try to compete by picking eachother up. The ceremony followed and before the bride and groom left, they said their temorary goodbyes during the Vidai, which is the Hindu bridal send-off, symbolizing the bride leaving her parent’s home. It was an emotional filled event with tears and cheers. A coconut was placed under the tire of the wheel and the ritual requires the groom to crush it as he drives off. This is a symbol for a safe journey back to his home and their new life.
The couple returned to a festive cocktail, where Anil serenaded Reshma with the help of their friends band and the sugar cane drink had me coming back for seconds, thirds and fourths (um, yeah it was that good!).
The toasts were endearing with many surprise performances such as Reshma’s cousin’s dance, her bride’s maids choreographed dance, and a special rap the groomsmen had worked up. The guests danced and celebrated and at the end of the night, the couple was surprised with a dessert feast like no other complete with firery sparklers on top. It was a day these two and so many others will never forget! I know we won’t!! Thank you again Reshma and Anil for entrusting us to tell your beautiful love story and document this historic day! May you two beauties have a life long love filled with more concerts, lots of hugs and kisses and a ton of laughter! XOXOX
Cinematography | Sarah and Scott Kanafani~Luminance Wedding Films
Editing | Sarah Kanafani~Luminance Wedding Films
Planning | Platinum Dream Events
Design | Prashe Decor Venue | Birchwood Manor
Photography | Sachi Anand Photography
Florals | Prashe Decor
Baraat Dohli Player & DJ | Premiere Entertainment
Cocktail Band | Rob Bailey
Cake | Birchwood Manor
Rentals & Decor | DJ Raj Gandhi
Hair & Makeup | Bridal Gal & Cinderella Bridez
Ceremony Musician | Vasudha Naraya & Mitch Greenberg
Caterer | Chand Palace Parsippany
Stationery & Invitations | Parekh Cards
Horse Provided By | Equishare Baraat Horses
First Dance Choreography | Ajna Dance Academy
