A Bridge to the Future
Photos Courtesy: Fine Art Productions www.fineartproductions.net |
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Just eight months earlier, Nirmal Bhakta and Hemali Patel were strangers and two students at the New York University College of Dentistry. A mutual friend introduced the two. Now, after many days spent together and hours of chatting, they both know they were made for each other. Now the real challenge was to sketch a perfect wedding plan. Adding to the complexity was a wish from Hemali’s parents – a wedding near their home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Though the newly engaged couple resides in Dallas, Texas, Hemali agreed to the wish. After all, nothing supersedes parents’ wishes! Sangeet The theme for the sangeet was Moroccan infused with an ethnic tradition ambience. As the tradition goes, the bride was offered gifts by her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Her gifts included an array of beautiful sarees, lehngas, and jewelry. The mehndi night was organized in a purely traditional Indian style with decorations of paisley design panels and lighting décor.
Hemali drew from an ethnic look, as portrayed in Indian epic tales, as inspiration for her make-up and hair. Her maroon and rusty orange colored saree with zardosi threaded embroidery and Swarovski crystals gave her a royal look for the ceremony. Her jewelry was from Udaipur, Rajasthan, and the custom detailed lehnga and saree was custom-made from Seasons India. She wore her hair up in large curls with ornaments and white orchids enhancing her poise. Her six nieces were the flower girls, and they wore similar lehngas which were custom made at Sequence in Baroda. Interestingly, while Hemali was having her reception make-up done she fell asleep and started sleep talking to her make-up artist. She has a genuine piece of advice for all brides-to-be, “Stay well rested before the event.”
Nirmal’s cousin Vishal sang his toast, which he pre-recorded using an iPhone app to imitate rapper T-Pain. DJ Smarty kept spirits up throughout the evening. The couple walked in to Souja Boy, since Nirmal enjoys rap music, and the duo’s first dance was to the “Empire State of Mind part 2” by Alicia Keys. During the dance, a video clip of the two filmed in New York City played in the background. Hemali’s father-daughter dance was to the song “Yaadein,” which was memorable and heartfelt. The royal looking couple made an equally royal getaway in a Rolls Royce.
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