Nidhi and Arjun, Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables
A fusion of new-age boho charm and Gujarati vibrancy, this couple’s wedding was a stunning celebration filled with warmth and playful moments.
Striking the perfect balance between contemporary themes while paying an ode to their Gujarati roots, Nidhi and Arjun’s beachside wedding was a visual treat. Photographing the couple as they took the plunge was WeddingSutra Favorite – The Blemished Tales who with their expertise ensured that the couple went back home with a treasure trove of memories.
How They Met
The couple shares, “We have unknowingly lived 5 minutes away from each other our whole lives. We then attended the same college and then started dating in medical school.”
The Proposal
Nidhi shares, “For the proposal, Arjun wanted it to be magical. In the city we live in, Philadelphia, there is a street lined with trees that are lit up at night. We often took walks in the evening on that street and imagined living there one day.
So, with the help of my cousins, Arjun placed photos of us on the string lights. He told me we were getting dinner with my cousins that night and instead led me down the street and proposed at the end of it. It was a complete surprise and I could only stop crying long enough to say ‘yes!’”
Wedding Planning
After scouting for numerous venues and changing their plans spontaneously to host a destination wedding USA, Nidhi and Arjun were keen on ensuring that their wedding photographs looked stunning. And, that’s where The Blemished Tales stepped in! The couple shares, “When it came to picking a photographer, there was no one we could find in the US that was able to capture the beauty of an Indian wedding so we decided to go with a photographer from India. After speaking to a few, we decided to go with the Blemished Tales. We did our pre-wedding shoot in Jaipur with them and we instantly knew we made the right decision. They were easy to work with and incredibly hard-working. They also produce absolutely stunning images.”
Wedding Functions
Haldi
Nidhi shares, “Our first event was a haldi that also doubled up as a welcome party. We found a beachside venue that was perfect for the casual and intimate affair. Each guest was welcomed with a mimosa and a brunch that consisted of a waffle bar and fresh tropical fruits. The event went on to serve lunch that consisted of a pasta bar. We also provided fresh coconut water from coconuts that had our names and the date of the event engraved.
We then sat down for the haldi and ran into the ocean to wash it off before ending the event.”
Garba
Adding a hearty dose of Gujarati vibrance to the wedding was the Garba night. Nidhi goes on to add, “As a Gujarati who loves garba and raas, I wanted a very traditional feel to the event. Our theme was ‘Rajasthani Royalty’. Our menu for this night mainly consisted of stations with fun finger foods such as a Mexican station with paneer quesadillas. For dessert, we had ice golas and a freshly made doughnut station. This event also included a very fun 360-degree photo booth.”
Wedding
For their big day, the couple decided to opt for classics with a dash of rustic earthiness. Nidhi shares, “The theme was ‘Tuscan Countryside’ with a lot of fresh, overgrown florals. The mandap was the mandap of my dreams as it was loaded with cascading florals that extended down the aisle to line the whole aisle! The event started with a traditional Gujarati breakfast. For the baraat, we opted for a white Jeep instead of a white horse. Once the baraat ended we provided our guests with mango and rose lassi to help them cool down. For the ceremony, we had a traditional ceremony with some twists. Traditionally the mama (the maternal uncle) walks the bride to the mandap. However, I decided to walk the aisle solo.
Reception
Nidhi shares, “Our theme for the reception was similar to our ceremony. However, we did add a ton of candle chandeliers to each table! We served multiple stations for the cocktail hour, including pani puri and a Mediterranean station. The reception food was traditional Punjabi food followed by a dessert that consisted of a display of French pastries from the bakery in the venue itself.”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables
Wedding Planner: Elite Dream Creations
Décor: Dreams to Reality (Wedding)
Groom’s Outfits: Shyamal & Bhumika (Wedding)
Bride’s Outfits: Akriti by Ritika (Haldi), Marwar Couture (Garba), Matsya World (Wedding), Asiana Couture (Reception)
DJ: Awaaz Entertainment (Reception)
Photography: The Blemished Tales
