An Indian-American Wedding with Boho-Chic Flair

Nancy and Naman wed on July 22, 2023 at Deewan Banquet.

Their Story

It was a perfect summer night in the month of August 2017. Nancy had just finished dinner with her aunt at Salt Creek Grille when a group of coworkers asked her to go out for a drink at Stage House Tavern. One of Nancy’s coworkers was out to dinner with Naman and had invited him to Stage House Tavern as well.

Two strangers surrounded by the warmth of mutual friends locked eyes, unaware that they were beginning the first chapter of their forever love story.

That night, these two were inseparable. Casual greetings soon became a meaningful conversation as both Nancy and Naman wondered why they felt as if they knew each other all along. The night ended, but the two did not exchange numbers and went their separate ways.

A month passed, and Nancy couldn’t stop thinking about Naman. So naturally, as anyone in her position would do, she stalked Facebook in search of the one that got away! Nancy didn’t take long to find Naman’s profile and slid into his DMs. Naman was excited to see her message, and the two planned their first date back where it all began, Stage House Tavern.

That first date led to many more, and on November 11, 2017, they dedicated themselves to each other and made their relationship exclusive. The next few years became a testament to their commitment, and on April 16, 2022, Naman got down on one knee and asked Nancy to marry him.

The Proposal

We were invited to an adult Easter egg hunt at a close friend of ours in April 2022. “My competitive side was not backing down—I was going to find every last Easter egg I could get, ‘let’s win this thing!’” Nancy recalls saying to Naman.

“He laughed and said, ‘babe I think we’ve got enough, let’s go back and see where everyone else is at.’ As we walked back up to the deck, I found myself humming the tune of Bruno Mars ‘Marry You’ and when I arrived to the deck, all of our friends were standing there waiting with cameras in hand.”

“Next thing I know Naman held up a big Easter egg with a box inside. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was the BEST surprise and I still look back on that day and how creative that was!”

[RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Venues in New Jersey]

Details of the Day

Nancy describes their wedding as having a “boho-chic theme” and “fusion flair!”

“We wanted to do our best to incorporate my husband’s cultural roots from India while still honoring the traditional American ceremony I had grown up dreaming about,” she says.

Their centerpieces were comprised of white and dusty pink florals and pampas grass, floating candles, and beautiful little trees with hanging rose pedals.

They also had a floral backdrop, elegant couch and calabra candles.

[Looking for more wedding inspo? Check out Kate and Anand’s wedding at Park Villa; Misba and Amir’s wedding at il Tulipano; and Sejal and Suraj at Westmount Country Club.]

Choosing the Venue

For Nancy and Naman’s three-day wedding with 300 guests, Deewan Banquet was the perfect fit. Nancy loved, “the elegance of the marble floors, chandeliers and great lighting!” The venue itself is beautiful, and accommodated the guest list needs.

The menu primarily focused on Indian cuisines from Paneer Mahkni to Chicken Tikka Masala, but they also offered fusion options such as a Mexican station and Chicken francaise.

For cake flavors, they went with a white strawberry chiffon and a chocolate and chocolate mouse.

The Bride’s Gown

After trying on many dresses and “feeling defeated,” Nancy was torn between an A-line or mermaid style.

In the end, she chose, “a gorgeous hybrid style with a mermaid shape hugging my curves and a gorgeous shear A-line layer sitting on top. The floral embroidery was the icing on the cake, I knew this one was it!”

Favorite Moment

Nancy’s favorite moment was walking down the aisle. “As soon as my entrance song started and my dad began to walk me down the aisle, time literally stopped and I could see was my husband standing there waiting for me. It was as magical as they say it is!”

Advice for Couples

“Roll with it,” says the bride. :We definitely had our fair share of bumps in the road but we got through it by trying to keep a smile on our face and stay in the moment. This is your day, and you and your partner deserve to feel every ounce of joy that it brings!”

She adds: “Dance the night away! With 300 guests I was just one conversation away from spending the whole night greeting everyone. I feel certain that redirecting some of those greetings and waves by giving a warm smile acknowledgement and proceeding to whisk my husband away to the dance floor was totally worth it. Now looking back, I most remember the beautiful moments I had with him on that dance floor on our wedding night.”

Honeymoon

The couple enjoyed their stay at the all inclusive resort Costa Mujeres Mexico: Majestic Elegance. “The food, service, ambiance, and entertainment was 10/10,” says Nancy.

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