Priya and MJ, California
From the Anand Karaj to the pheras, this wedding was an intimate two-day celebration hosted in gorgeous venues.
Toning down their grand wedding with an original guest list of 300 to just 50, finance professionals Priya and MJ tied the knot at a lovely and intimate beach wedding in California. Take a look at the festivities below.
How They Met
Priya and MJ first met in New York. Despite having a great time, their first date didn’t leave them with much hope for a second one because she assumed he was a smooth ‘ladies man,’ while he thought she was out of his league. Luckily MJ still decided to reach out to Priya a few days later for their next date, and the rest is history.
The Proposal
MJ planned an elaborate proposal in New York in June 2019. He took Priya to their first three date spots to revisit the magic. He even arranged a surprise gift and the evening ended with them at a private rooftop, where he went down on one knee and popped the question.
Wedding Planning
Originally planned to be a grand Indian wedding with a guest list of 300, Priya and MJ resized it to an intimate outdoor affair with just 50 loved ones for a socially distanced, responsible celebration. Two functions were held on the same day, and the Fine Line Creation team executed the decor, while Flowers by Edgar handled the floral arrangements. The bride and groom were dressed in gorgeous coordinated outfits from the bride’s mother’s new fashion line, and their special moments were captured by Wedding Documentary.
Wedding Functions
Sikh Ceremony
The wedding day commenced with the Anand Karaj (Sikh wedding ceremony) held at the San Jose Gurudwara. The couple’s exquisite cream and mint ensembles that were custom made in Punjab resonated perfectly with the tranquility of the auspicious occasion and the stunning architecture of the Gurudwara.
Hindu Ceremony
The outdoor Hindu wedding ceremony was hosted at The Ritz Carlton hotel in Half Moon Bay. The picturesque palatial hotel is situated on top of a hill that overlooks the blue expanse of the Pacific Ocean. The floral decor comprising dainty white and pink blooms that were part of the mandap looked beautiful against the blue ocean as the couple exchanged their vows. The lovely pink and mint hues of the couple’s intricate chikankari outfits, designed by the bride’s mother, lit up in the rays of the setting sun. The nuptials were followed by a cocktail hour and reception on the grounds of the hotel.
Advice for Couples
“Throughout the wedding planning, couples should stay calm, flexible, and trust that everything will work out in the end. Our biggest advice for them would be to prioritize areas that matter to them most rather than stressing about every minor detail.”
The Wedding Makers
Venues: The Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay (Hindu Ceremony); San Jose Gurudwara (Sikh Ceremony), California, US
Decor: Fine Line Creation
Floral Arrangements: Flowers by Edgar
Groom’s Outfits: IB Designs (Hindu Ceremony)
Bride’s Outfits: IB Designs (Hindu Ceremony)
Makeup: Morzal Zarif
Mehndi: Henna Creation
Photography and Videography: Wedding Documentary
