Embracing their love of Chicago winters and their Indian heritage, Nisha and Hardik’s week-long winter Hindu wedding was a spectacular celebration of their culture and lavish personal styles! (You don’t want to miss the bride’s stunning lehenga and jaw-dropping second-look reception dress!).
Nisha and Hardik met through mutual friends. After exchanging numbers, Hardik messaged Nisha to wish her a happy birthday and they kept their conversation going. They eventually learned that they had often been at the same place at the same time, but were never introduced.
We felt as if our paths truly crossed when the timing was right for both of us.
– Nisha
Hardik proposed in the romantic city of Bordeaux in France, surrounded by breathtaking architecture. Despite the stress and worries leading up to the proposal, the moment was perfect. Hardik designed the engagement ring himself and had it ready to go in his backpack until the timing was right. As they walked to get coffee, Hardik paused before the water fountain in Place de la Bourse. Holding Nisha’s hands, he asked her to marry him.
Every detail of Nisha and Hardik’s enchanting winter wedding celebrated their culture, personal style, and individuality. As Chicago locals, they love the beauty of the cold and snowy winters and wanted to bring that magic indoors. During the reception, as the clock struck midnight bringing in a new year, snow machines filled the room with white under the twinkling lights and vibrant red florals.
A winter wedding is unorthodox, especially in our culture, but we felt like we wanted to experience the best day of our lives at a time we felt would bring us the most joy.
– Nisha
See the breathtaking details of their lavish winter wedding celebration below!
- Couple: Nisha & Hardik
- Wedding date: December 31, 2022
- Wedding location: Chicago, IL
How did you meet?
We met through mutual friends who were getting married. Soon after, Hardik texted me on my birthday, and we got to talking. We often laugh at that question because we’ve discovered that over the years, we have been at numerous events at the same time but were never introduced. We felt as if our paths truly crossed when the timing was right for both of us.
Nisha got a chance to wear her dream lehenga, one she had set sights on a few years before. Her look included an incredibly vibrant pink and red floral pattern, with complimentary gold and green accessories. Hardik wore a sherwani in green and gold with tiny pink embroidered flowers that matched Nisha’s outfit.
– Michelle Vining (LOLA Event Productions)
Tell us about the proposal.
We decided to go on a trip with another couple to France, and while planning the whole thing, I (Hardik) noticed the beautiful architecture in Bordeaux. I was already in the middle of designing the perfect engagement ring and realized the town of Bordeaux would be a great place to propose since Nisha loves architecture.
It was nerve-racking keeping the whole thing under wraps, and it didn’t help that the airline lost our luggage when we arrived. The ring was in my backpack, so we didn’t lose that at least.
The day I proposed, the airline found our luggage and delivered it to our hotel, and that started our day on a happy note. All of us decided to walk to get coffee, and I stopped in front of the water fountain in Place de la Bourse held her hands, and asked her to marry me. Needless to say, she agreed!
Describe your wedding style! How was the wedding shopping experience?
For the wedding, Nisha wore Sabyasachi’s Dil Guldasta lehenga. She saw the piece a few years back and it’s one she kept gravitating back to as she was searching for her bridal look. Hardik wore a sherwani from Shyamal & Bhumika. When searching for his look, it was important to find a piece that let him shine as well, since most people expect the bride to look her best.
For the reception, Hardik went with a custom tuxedo from Tom Ford. Nisha wore a gown from Gaurav Gupta, a designer she has been dreaming about wearing for years.
The Sabyasachi lehenga was purchased via The Grand Trunk and Tom Ford at the Chicago boutique. Both the Shyamal & Bhumika and Gaurav Gupta were purchased with their respective design teams in India.
Red florals brought in the warmth of the season, which stood in oversized arrangements and hung in a lavish display above the ceremony.
– Michelle Vining (LOLA Event Productions)
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
We both love Chicago winters and were inspired to bring that energy indoors. A winter wedding is unorthodox, especially in our culture, but we felt like we wanted to experience the best day of our lives at a time we felt would bring us the most joy. Winter brings a cozy and moody feel that we wanted to use for our inspiration. Also, it was important to us to blend our heritage, culture, and personal style.
What is the best memory of your wedding?
Our favorite wedding day memories come from simply spending time with our family and friends. It was amazing to celebrate our love for one another, which spanned for several days. The first dance was nerve-racking for me (Hardik) as I blanked and forgot the whole routine! We did our best and were just in awe to dance to our favorite song.
Of course, we cannot forget to mention the reception. There were great performances and speeches from the wedding party that kicked off an epic night of dancing and drinking. It was also New Year’s Eve, so we had our DJ set up a snow machine to make it snow at the stroke of midnight.
One of our favorite things to do together is to take walks and an added bonus if it’s snowing outside. We brought a bit of that magic indoors, a moment that we will never forget.
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
We think it’s best to listen to each other and make sure each party is on the same page. Communication is key for just about everything, regardless of wedding planning. Also, it really helps to pick vendors that have the same mindset as you. We were very fortunate to find vendors who understood us and our vision for this wedding. They felt like part of the family. A lot of people told us that the week went by so quickly, but the trust and relationship we had with our team enabled us to appreciate every moment.
After the ceremony, the couple changed into red-carpet-worthy looks, with Hardik in a custom Tom Ford tuxedo and Nisha in a breathtaking emerald gown by designer Gaurav Gupta. The piece was structural, as it transformed in glitter and design with elegant movement – truly a one-of-a-kind bridal look.
– Michelle Vining (LOLA Event Productions)
Looking for more winter wedding inspiration?
Click here!
Vendors
- Planning & Coordination: Lori Stephenson | LOLA Event Productions
- Photography: Studio This Is Photography
- Venue: Marriott Marquis Chicago
- Cake: Cake Chicago
- Videography: Wholehearted Wedding Film Company
- Photobooth: Snapbooth Chicago
- Decor + Lighting: HMR Designs
- Entertainment: Shaadi Entertainment
- Catering: India House Chicago
- Printed Goods: AVSAR
- Hair & Makeup: Anomalie Beauty Agency
- Mehndi: Moniza Abbasi
- Mehndi: Unnati’Z Art
- Bridal Wear: Sabyasachi Weddings
- Bridal Wear: Gaurav Gupta
- Other Bridal Wear: Shyamal & Bhumika
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