Our love story begins in the senior year of high school back in 2014 when fate brought me and Dhruv together in our Economics class. Dhruv, a shy and reserved guy, kept to himself, while I, on the other hand, was determined to break through his quiet exterior and befriend him. My persistence paid off, and we were hanging out all the time. Overtime, I found myself developing feelings for him. I’ll never forget how he had this incredible ability to make me smile, and before I knew it, I was completely enamored with him. Unfortunately, the feeling wasn’t mutual at the time.

After we graduated, Dhruv realized how much he missed having me around and mustered up the courage to ask me out over the phone during the summer of 2014 while I was visiting my family in India. I was over the moon when I heard that he wanted to be with me. And just like that, our high school friendship blossomed into a Bollywood-esque love story! From there on, the rest, no matter how cheesy it may sound, became history. That lively and determined girl had managed to capture his heart, where she would stay forevermore.

After seven years of dating, Dhruv meticulously planned the perfect engagement proposal, enlisting the help of my sister and best friend. He popped the question during a breathtaking sunset at Red Rock Canyon while we were visiting Las Vegas. It was an incredibly beautiful moment that marked a significant milestone in our lives.

When it came time to plan our wedding, we found ourselves faced with another important decision. We contemplated between holding the ceremony in India or opting for a destination wedding in a tropical paradise. We were certain about one thing: we wanted our wedding to be an intimate affair, shared with the people we held dear. Our families were incredibly supportive of our choice, and we believed an intimate celebration was the perfect way to honor our love. After months of searching for the ideal venue, I stumbled upon the Mansion at Tuckahoe in Stuart, Florida. Set against the backdrop of stunning sunsets and swaying palm trees, this venue was a dream come true.

Once the decision was made, we began to envision the wedding of our dreams. We wanted to infuse our cultural traditions with a modern touch, ensuring that every event held deep meaning and would be unforgettable. Our wedding week unfolded as a series of joyous festivities, with the Welcome Party/ Garba celebration kicking off the festivities, setting the tone for the next day ahead.

On the following day, we had our outdoor wedding, characterized by its beautiful minimalistic charm that perfectly complemented the breathtaking Floridian scenery. Pastel colors adorned the decor, and a mandap decorated with lush flowers and greenery blended seamlessly with the natural beauty around us. And with that, we were officially hitched!

One of the core memories from our wedding that I will forever hold dear is the departure from the traditional Vidaai ceremony. Instead, Dhruv and I personally greeted and hugged each and every one of our friends and family, receiving their blessings and love. It was an incredibly touching and cherished moment from our special day.

If I could relive one memory from our wedding every day, it would undoubtedly be our reception. It was the grand finale, a moment where all the stress melted away, allowing us to fully relax and revel in the sheer joy of the occasion. Our reception night was like a page straight out of my Pinterest board, brought to life. With the soft glow of cafe lights, tabletop candles, exquisite floral arrangements, a clear starry sky, and a full moon, the atmosphere couldn’t have been more enchanting. The reception party was the perfect way to celebrate our union and bid farewell to our beloved guests and families. It was truly a magical evening, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

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