Four Vibrant Celebrations for Arshi & Raihaan
Arshi and Raihaan’s wedding story began amid the glittering lights of Las Vegas, where the couple eloped on July 31, 2023. In accordance with their culture, after getting court married, a couple must hold their Nikkah within 60 days. Still wanting to celebrate their union with the grandeur and traditions of a self-described “big fat Indian wedding,” they took on the daunting task of planning multiple vibrant wedding events in just one month.
Despite the whirlwind of preparations, which included selecting venues, coordinating decor and managing home renovations, Arshi and Raihaan ensured no detail was overlooked. Their celebration was a beautiful blend of tradition and modernity, marked by vibrant ceremonies including a Mehndi, Pithi Ceremony, Sangeet, Nikkah and a grand reception, bringing together friends and family to share in their joy.
MEHNDI
Arshi and Raihaan’s Mehndi celebration drew inspiration from the Bollywood film “Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani,” transforming their home into a lively bazaar. With around 300 close friends and family in attendance, the atmosphere was exuberant, yet still felt intimate. Adorned with twinkling lights and a colorful neon sign cast a festive glow, the home”s decor created a house party vibe. Arshi and Raihaan both donned green outfits to symbolize the traditional henna color, with Arshi wearing a stunning ensemble by renowned Pakistani designer Farah Talib Aziz.
The evening was filled with fun and beauty, with guests enjoying boba tea from Sweet Hut as they got their mehndi done. The decor, skillfully arranged by Events and Decor by HK (Hoor Kapadia), added a magical touch, while Rozina Salim’s intricate henna designs and delicious catering from Hyderabad House completed the experience. The party continued until midnight, making it a full night of introducing Arshi and Raihaan as the bride and groom.
VENDORS
VENUE Private Residence
FLORAL & DECOR Events and Decor by HK
BRIDE’S ATTIRE Farah Talib Aziz
GROOM’S ATTIRE Poshak Houston
HAIR & MAKEUP Sumiyah Simjee
MEHNDI ARTIST R Henna Art Rozisalim
CATERING Hyderabad House Atlanta
PITHI/HALDI
The Pithi ceremony (also known as a Haldi ceremony) was a deeply emotional day for Arshi and Raihaan as their families came together to perform the traditional rituals. Turmeric was lovingly applied to their arms and legs, and they were fed sweets as a symbol of blessings and good fortune. Raihaan’s ceremony took a humorous turn as he was playfully covered in eggs, milk and other concoctions, adding a lighthearted twist to the tradition.
The theme of the day was yellow and white, with guests donning bandhani, a fabric that symbolizes good luck in their culture. Arshi wore a beautiful pink and orange dress with bandhani details on the border, designed by Farah Talib Aziz, while Raihaan’s attire was from Ladlee Atlanta. The event took place at Premier Event Hall, with simple yet vibrant decor by Euphoria Event Decor. Catering by Mirch Masala in Decatur ensured that the guests were treated to delicious food. This heartfelt and colorful ceremony was a perfect blend of tradition and playfulness, marking an important moment in their wedding celebrations.
VENDORS
PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER Hakim’s Studio
VENUE Premier Event Halls
CONTENT CREATOR Huflights
DECOR Euphoria Event Decor
BRIDE’S ATTIRE Farah Talib Aziz
GROOM’S ATTIRE Ladlee Atlanta
HAIR & MAKEUP Sumiyah Simjee
CATERING Mirch Masala
SANGEET
The Sangeet was a night of pure royalty and vibrant celebration for Arshi and Raihaan. With a theme of purple, green and red, Premier Event Halls transformed into a regal spectacle. DJ Irfan Salim created an enchanting atmosphere with a floral vinyl dance floor, spectacular lighting, sparklers and a smoke machine, perfectly complementing the ceiling decor and the stunning stage adorned with florals by Euphoria Event Decor. Their dedication to making the night bloom with flowers surpassed all expectations.
Laughter, dancing and a nightclub-like energy filled the evening, complete with glow sticks and neon-lit glasses. Performances by friends and family added to the excitement, making it one of the most memorable pre-wedding events. Catering by Ricky Walia’s CB Catering featured a diverse array of cuisines, including Chinese, Indian, Mexican, French crepes, sugarcane juice and mojitos, delighting the taste buds of the 550 guests in attendance.
Arshi made a grand entrance with her bridal crew under a Pholon Ki Chaddar, wearing a stunning velvet burgundy dress by Pakistani designer Tena Durrani. Raihaan looked equally dashing in a red kurta set from Ladlee Atlanta. The Sangeet, held at Premier Event Hall, was vibrant, fun-filled and truly a highlight of their wedding festivities.
VENDORS
COORDINATOR Events and Decor by HK
CONTENT CREATOR Huflights
FLORAL & DECOR Euphoria Event Decor
BRIDE’S ATTIRE Tena Durrani
GROOM’S ATTIRE Ladlee Atlanta
HAIR & MAKEUP Sumiyah Simjee
CATERING CB Catering
ENTERTAINMENT, DANCE FLOOR, LIGHTING, & SPARKLERS DJ Irfan Salim
NIKKAH & RECEPTION
The Nikkah ceremony marked the official union of Arshi and Raihaan in front of their loved ones. Though brief, it was a memorable event that radiated elegance and tradition. Following the ceremony, the couple drove away in a white Ferrari, rented from Dream Exotic Rentals in Atlanta. They returned home to complete traditional rituals such as feeding milk, exchanging rings and garlands, and the rice ritual. Their home was transformed into a white snow castle, with beautiful white rose garlands and bouquets to match their outfits. The meticulous decor and details, including the golden glass for their milk and the floral arrangements, were masterfully handled by their wedding planner, Hoor Kapadia of Events and Decor by HK.
The couple’s reception was a breathtaking winter wonderland, a dream realized with exquisite flowers and stage decor by Euphoria Event Decor. Just as Arshi envisioned, the reception featured an elaborate entrance with a canopy of flowers and crystals, flanked by beautiful trees as they took their first walk as a married couple. Their initials, “A & R,” glowed brilliantly against a stunning blue marble vinyl that covered the aisle and dance floor.
Over 600 guests enjoyed a dessert spread The Petite Desserts. The delicious spread featured a chocolate fountain, gulab jamun cheesecakes, ras malai tres leches, and a biscoff-filled wedding cake. Just like the Sangeet, Ricky Walia’s CB Catering catered the reception and included pani puri shots, spring rolls, edible spoons, and mocktails.
The evening concluded with a professional dance performance by a crew from the University of Georgia, dancing to the couple’s favorite songs. The couple’s exit was illuminated by sparklers, with their families bidding them farewell as they departed for their mini-moon. Every detail, from the intricate florals and sophisticated lighting to the personalized favors and elaborate outfits, was thoughtfully curated by the couple and their dedicated wedding planner, Hoor Kapadia. The seamless coordination and execution of each event left an indelible mark on everyone present, creating unforgettable memories.
VENDORS
RECEPTION VENUE The Westin Atlanta Perimeter
PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER Hakim’s Studio
CONTENT CREATOR Huflights
DECOR & COORDINATION Events and Decor by HK
DECOR Euphoria Event Decor
BRIDE’S ATTIRE Élan Couture
GROOM’S NIKKAH ATTIRE Poshak Houston
GROOM’S RECEPTION ATTIRE Men’s Wearhouse
HAIR & MAKEUP Sumiyah Simjee
CATERING CB Catering
CAKE & DESSERTS The Petite Desserts
PHOTO BOOTH MarkyBooth Photo Booth
DANCE PERFORMANCE UGA Shikaari, DanceFlix Academy
EMCEE & CHOREOGRAPHER Aliza Charania
DJ DJ Irfan Salim
DHOL The Kohli Brothers