Reeva & Neal's Cinematic Wedding At Chesapeake Bay

Neal and Reeva's love story began on their college dance team, where falling in love felt as natural as their shared passion for dance.

From the very start, Neal made every moment special. During the first year of their relationship, he surprised Reeva with roses each month. On their six-month anniversary, Neal presented Reeva with a bouquet of red roses, saying, "I’ll stop loving you the day these roses all die." It was a sweet gesture that Reeva appreciated, but didn't think much about—until weeks later, when the roses started to wither. As she was about to discard the bouquet, she noticed one rose still looked fresh and vibrant. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was an artificial rose, placed there by Neal to symbolize his enduring love. That single rose became a lifelong reminder that his love would never fade.

The Bride’s Haldi

Reeva always dreamt of hosting her Haldi at her childhood home, surrounded by the memories of her upbringing as she stepped into this new chapter of life. She envisioned a pink lotus-themed celebration, where everything from the guest dress code to the cocktail napkins would be a shade of pink.

The centerpiece of the event was a lotus pond where Reeva sat during the ceremony, surrounded by floating flowers and candles. She chose an ivory dhoti saree, designed with Pooja Rajgarhia Gupta, paired with pearl clusters in her jewelry to evoke the feeling of floral adornments.

For the traditional rituals, Reeva wore her mother's wedding lehenga, a symbolic gesture honoring her parents' love story. To personalize it further, she designed a new dupatta with the names of all the women who shaped her life embroidered along the border. The overall look made her feel connected to my roots and excited for the next big step in life.

The event was filled with sentimental details, from a custom jewelry bar where guests could choose an engraved bracelet or ring, to a scrunchie bar featuring all shades of pink.

The celebration ended sweetly with ice cream from the UConn Dairy Bar, a nostalgic treat from Reeva and Neal's college days.

The Groom’s Haldi

Two years before their wedding, Reeva and Neal had strolled past the historic ship Moshulu in Philadelphia and knew instantly that it had to be part of their wedding celebrations. The ship, built in 1904 by William Hamilton & Co. in Glasgow, Scotland, provided the perfect backdrop for Neal’s Haldi ceremony.

The event embraced tradition with a yellow dress code and yellow roses, adding a classic touch to the nautical setting. Chef Rajesh Thakur curated a mouthwatering menu featuring dishes like Basil Pesto Paneer and Edamame Tikki. Each guest received a custom velvet clutch with their name embroidered on it, paired with matching earrings.

The atmosphere was lively, with mimosas flowing and a dance floor that never emptied, making it a perfect start to the wedding festivities.

Garden-themed Mehndi Night

Reeva and Neal wanted their Mehndi to be a reflection of their personal style, so they spent a month traveling through India, curating outfits that felt uniquely theirs.

Reeva desired a lehenga with a slit to showcase her leg mehndi, and the team at Rianta’s brought her vision to life with a one-of-a-kind silhouette in their chosen color palette.

Neal made a bold statement with green and white chunky stonework shoes, adding a playful touch to the garden-themed night.

The romantic atmosphere was enhanced by a champagne bar featuring lavender dream and blackberry-thyme cocktails, and as the sun set, string lights and hand-painted taper candles illuminated the evening.

Guests enjoyed a pani puri eating competition and live watercolor portraits, making the night as memorable as it was beautiful.

Garba Night

For their Garba night, Reeva and Neal were inspired by the creativity of Cirque du Soleil and wanted to push the boundaries of traditional celebrations.

With the help of Abhishek Decorators, they transformed the venue into an immersive experience filled with neon arches and vibrant, color-blocked flowers. Aerial acrobatics by In the Dark Circus Acts added a thrilling element to the evening.

Reeva dazzled in an intricate mirrorwork lehenga by Seema Gujaral, perfectly complemented by Neal’s sherwani designed by Siddhesh Chauhan.

The night was filled with culinary delights like Paneer Bao Buns and Parle-G Ice Cream Sandwiches.

After hours of dancing, guests were treated to a late-night Maggi bar, but the highlight of the evening was when Reeva and Neal performed the same dance routine that had brought them together on their college dance team, this time in front of their closest friends and family.

The Wedding Ceremony

As avid Bollywood fans, Reeva and Neal wanted their wedding day to be a grand cinematic affair. Drawing inspiration from the opulent sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's films, they chose red as the central color to narrate their love story.

The ceremony space was adorned with two peacocks crafted from lush red florals, Venetian candles, and a breathtaking aisle lined with red roses. It was the dreamiest setting to take the pheras.

Neal’s baraat was equally dramatic, arriving by boat with his groomsmen, setting the tone for the day’s festivities.

Guests were greeted with custom monogrammed pendas and a variety of snacks before the ceremony began.

Reeva made her entrance in a stunning 18-foot veil, a moment that stole the show.

After weeks of searching, they found her dream wedding outfit at Aashni Design Co., a perfect blend of traditional Indian heritage with a modern twist.

Neal looked regal in a sherwani with intricate beadwork from Gujralsons, paired with a custom necklace.

The ceremony was deeply personal, with Reeva and Neal working closely with their priest to ensure it reflected their unique relationship.

The Reception

The couple’s reception was a continuation of their red-themed wedding day, ensuring every detail aligned with the romantic atmosphere they had envisioned.

Crystal candelabras, red taper candles, and red velvet linens adorned the room, creating a luxurious setting for the evening’s celebrations.

Reeva dazzled in a couture gown by Suneet Varma, choosing a deep red shade that stood out against the crimson backdrop.

Neal complemented her look with a classic black tuxedo and a pop of red with his Christian Louboutin loafers.

The reception began with a refreshing watermelon and cracked black pepper amuse-bouche and concluded with a decadent motichoor-ladoo-cheesecake parfait.

As fireworks lit up the sky, Reeva and Neal couldn’t help but feel the magic of the moment, reminiscing about the fireworks that had accompanied Neal's proposal.

It was a fitting end to a wedding weekend filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.