Arian and Arjun, Florida

Arian Agrawal and Arjun Naskar first crossed paths at university where they didn’t really notice one another. But moving forward, these two individuals circled back to each other thanks to destiny working in their favor, although they weathered through the toughest of challenges that life tossed in their way. Finally after years of dating, Arian and Arjun finally took the plunge into marital bliss by orchestrating a stunning wedding that celebrated their heritage.

How They Met
Arjun shares, “Arian and I probably first met each other while we were both studying at MIT, although neither of us really left any lasting impression on each other despite having many close friends in common, we frequented different circles and hence didn’t get a chance to get acquainted. But, as fate would have it, we both crossed paths in San Francisco where we had moved to pursue our dreams of working in a startup. I rented an apartment along with some friends and would you believe, right there next door, was Arian with her best friend!
One day, while attending her best friend’s birthday party, I came to know that Arian is looking for a job, and luckily the startup that I was working in, was hiring more people. After a coffee-fuelled conversation, she gave the interview and was hired! The job was demanding with long days and many work trips. It was during these trips and long working hours that we got to know each other better and eventually started dating.

However, the next few years were challenging as the company we worked with ran out of business. Money was scarce and both of us took the monumental decision of moving in together. Additionally, we also took the plunge as entrepreneurs and decided to start a business together with one of our friends. After sailing through all these obstacles successfully, there was no doubt in our minds that this relationship would last through anything!”

The Proposal
Recollecting how he popped the question in the Azores, Arjun shares, “A few years after we’d started seeing each other, we went to New York to celebrate Christmas. While there, I informed Arian’s parents about my intention of proposing. A couple of days later, we were off to the Azores near Portugal where on a rainy hike, I popped the question. Facing an impromptu proposal, Arian was totally taken aback and immediately said ‘no!’ But luckily, the initial shock wore off and she finally said ‘yes!’”

Wedding Planning
Planning a wedding is a colossal task and to bring their vision to life, the duo had about a year at hand which they made full use of. Sharing how they went about the wedding planning, Arjun says, “We immediately started creating mood boards of how we wanted the weekend to look. A couple of things in our books were non-negotiable, so we made sure we worked around it. A warm ocean-side location was chosen to orchestrate a celebration that fêted both our Indian and Arian’s Latin Heritage. Additionally, we would also spend our weekends walking through the SF Museum of Modern Art with our laptops handy for some extra inspiration.
Bringing a wedding plan together is not an easy task but with the help of our family members and vendors we were able to complete this huge task successfully.”

To make their dream of the perfect wedding come true, the duo roped in planner Sonal J. Shah Event Consultants, makeup artists South Beach Makeup Studio, DJ Sharad, and photographer Anée Atelier.

Weddings Functions

Sangeet
Vibrant and brimming with stellar dance performances that left everyone in awe, the duo’s Sangeet was a cheerful affair. Swathed in bright hues like fuchsia, yellow, and blue, the decor left the eyes mesmerized. Equipped with a centrally placed stage designed with ethnic motifs, this function had everyone shaking a leg to their favorite Indian tracks.

Wedding
Elegant and dreamy, the duo’s pastel-hued wedding ceremony looked straight out of a fairytale. Adorned with a delicate floral ring that burst with soft white and pink roses, the bride looked stunning as she walked down the flower-lined aisle towards her groom. Encircled by swaying palms and punctuated by the gentle sounds of foamy waves meeting the shore, this beach-side wedding inspired awe with its ethereal beauty. Arjun shares, “I specifically chose a classic convertible as the baraat vehicle to make an eye-catching entry. Moreover, to keep the guests cool and in high spirits, we served spiked ice pops as they danced to the peppy beats!”

Reception
After the outdoor wedding by the beach, the duo switched their party mode on to celebrate their first moments as man and wife with their friends. Hosted inside a ballroom, the decor consisted of pastel and gold elements that added a dash of soft glam to the evening. Peppered with emotional and funny toasts, first dances, and a scrumptious spread, the reception ensured that everyone partied till the wee hours of the morning.

Advice for Couples
“Everything went by in a blur! So it’s extremely important that you sometimes step back and enjoy the moment. In fact, we had a secret codeword for our photographers. Once in a while, they would say ‘pineapple’ and that was our cue to take a moment to soak it all in. Additionally, Arian and I also made a pact to meet up every once in an hour and look out for our family and friends.” shares Arjun

The Wedding Makers
Venue: The St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort, Florida
Wedding Planner: Sonal J. Shah Event Consultants
Décor and Florist: Design House Decor, Xquisite Events (Wedding)
Caterer: Chef Gaurav Anand
Groom’s Outfits: Riya Collective
Bride’s Outfits: Riya Collective
Makeup: South Beach Makeup Studio
Entertainment: Assai Event Musicians
DJ: DJ Sharad
Lighting: Evoga Event Productions
Wedding Stationery: The Royal Collection
Photography: Anée Atelier
Videography: Derek Chan Films

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