Neha and Amit, California

A modern take on the grand Indian wedding, Neha Varma, a marketing director at a healthcare firm, and Amit Piple, a doctor’s nuptials were plush to say the least. Canopied under a clear blue Californian sky in the month of June and punctuated by numerous cheerful moments it was a sunny celebration of love. Here’s an in-depth look at their festivities!

They Met
Neha shares, “Amit and I met at the University of California San Diego, and within a span of a few weeks we became inseparable pals. After graduation our paths deferred in different directions. But when we both reconnected, we realized that what we had was more than just friendship. We spent our entire four-year relationship being a couple thousand miles apart and that did put us to the test. But despite the struggles, we stuck through!”

The Proposal
Recollecting the beautiful surprise proposal that Amit had planned for Neha, she shares, “Three years into our relationship, Amit swept me off my feet with a simple yet heartwarming proposal. He took me to a cliffside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, got down on one knee, and asked me the big question that he had been waiting to ask since we first started dating!”

Wedding Planning
Needless to say, planning an Indian wedding on foreign shores is a daunting task. But with a reliable wedding squad and a keen eye for detail, this duo orchestrated multiple events that were nothing short of stunning. Neha shares, “I am ever so grateful to have a team of amazing vendors onboard who worked so hard at bringing our vision to life! Every girl has dreams as to how her wedding should be and mine was to tie the knot at a magical location with a breathtaking view. I’m happy to say that we chose the perfect venue that overlooked the vineyards. In fact, the landscape looked straight out of Italy!”

Weddings Functions

Mehndi
Neha shares, “The Mehndi party was held at my parents’ house in Orange County. I was keen to have an intimate celebration with my bridal squad and loved ones at the house that I grew up in. On the decor front, we kept it cozy with a bohemian teepee tent set up that was accentuated with floor pillows and vivid florals.”

Haldi
“For the Haldi, we kept tradition in mind and opted for yellow decor. Even my guests were dressed in shades of yellow! My bridesmaids and I dedicated our dance performance on the song ‘Leja Re’ to Amit which was a memorable moment for both of us”, shares Neha.

Sangeet
“For the Sangeet, we decided to use a boho Moroccan theme that consisted of bright pinks, corals, fuchsia and hints of teal. A custom-made beer pong table was well-enjoyed by all the guests and the ladies crowded around the colorful bangle cart. Everyone donned bright-colored ethnic outfits, which in turn gave the event an even brighter and happier appearance. The highlight of this night was when Amit stood up on the bar with a bottle in his hand and poured everyone shots to get the party started! He also picked me up on the dance floor and twirled me around under the fairy lights which was a romantic moment! Furthermore, my sister and I performed a Telugu dance on request by my Dad. Needless to say, this was an emotional and unforgettable performance for everyone”, recollects Neha.

Wedding
“‘Botanical and Enchanting’ was the theme of our wedding. With this in mind, we generously used the colors white and green to give it a garden-like feel. We also added pastel-pink and earthy neutral tones to the mix for some vibrancy. Dried pampas grass and wickers were peppered around the venue to add a dash of bohemian charm. The wedding ceremony drinks were served in light bulbs and we had Jenga blocks for our welcome table that read ‘Be Our Love Pundit – pick a Jenga block, write some advice for us, and sign your name off. Include a pun for extra points!’
But all things said, the highlight of the wedding was our emotional and personalized wedding vows that we shared with one another. Since it was a long-standing dream of ours to ride off in a vintage car after our wedding, we rented a vintage Porsche. This car was also used by Amit in his baraat”, shares Neha.

Reception
“The reception was a black-tie event and the theme was an ‘Enchanted & Romantic Dinner Party’. Amit and I along with our best man and maid of honor entered the venue in a limo, which was perfect to start off the reception night. The entire ballroom was swathed in gray drapes with white and green hues adding hints of color. Additionally, we also added clear glass accents and a touch of black elements which added to the glamor. Amit and I shook a leg as we entered, which was followed by speeches by our loved ones and a fun 10-minute dance skit made by our whole bridal party that had everyone entranced!”, says Neha.

Advice For Couples
“My advice would be to take in every moment and don’t stress out! Everyone I know that has gotten married told me the day would just fly by and believe me it did! Remember to have fun with the whole process and don’t take anything too seriously. At the end of the day, it’s about the two of you and nobody else. Breathe, relax and everything will fall into place. Customize your wedding to your love story and on the day of your event, sit back and admire all of the hard work that you have put into your day and soak it all in”, advises Neha.

The Wedding Makers
Venues: Mount Palomar Winery, Temecula (Haldi, Sangeet, Wedding); Marinaj Banquets & Events, Moreno Valley (Reception)
Décor: Three Petals, Royal Ball (Mehndi, Haldi, Kick Off Party)
Caterers: Mantara Indian Cuisine, Julia’s Catering (Haldi)
Groom’s Outfits: Michael Kors (Reception)
Bride’s Outfits: B Anu Designs(Mehndi, Haldi); Manshaa The Designer Studio (Sangeet, Reception); Seema Gujral (Wedding)
Jewelry: ReeMat Designs, Blossom Box Jewelry
Makeup and Hairstyling: Makeup by Arooj
Mehndi: Masoomi Patel
DJ and Lighting: 3D Sounds
Entertainment: Chiara Capobianco
Wedding Invitations: Delicate Invites
E-Invite: Appy Couple
Website: Appy Couple
Coordination: Blue Lotus Insights
Design: Blue Lotus Insights, Three Petals
Car Rental: Turo
Photography: Vinutha Garidipuri, Balerina Films
Videography: Balerina Films

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