6 minute read
Cover Story by Priyanca Rao Photography
COVER story
In this past year of incredible ambiguity and anxiety, we have been and will continue to be deeply committed to our mission, brides, couples, families, and readers. This year we knew we couldn’t just have any cover for the magazine. We needed a cover that reflects and addresses the emotional state of everyone involved. Shot by Priyanca Rao Photography, we sat down with real bride Neena Arora to find out more about her unique wedding story.
Shawna : When did you find out your wedding was going to be postponed? How did you feel?
Neena : "When we first got engaged, we thought this would all be over by the Fall, so we really didn't think our wedding would be postponed. We still figured we could have a wedding by the end of the year. Things started to open up around July and we saw a small amount of weddings happening, and thought there was light at the end of the tunnel. At the time, we had planned on getting married on October 10, 2020. Then, we started to see spikes again, and realized that was not going to happen. I haven't seen my parents since Christmas of 2019, so to get engaged and then not be able to figure out when I could see them or even have them attend our wedding was incredibly stressful. It just felt like everytime we thought of an idea or a plan and started to get excited, something would happen, and we would have to pivot all over again."
Shawna : I saw you got married….was this celebration different than the one you have envisioned? How so?
Neena : Very much so. We got married on December 4, 2020. The only people at our wedding were the officiant, and three of our friends. No parents, no family of any kind. We are both Punjabi and envisioned a big Indian wedding. We planned our actual wedding in a week. We have a private library on the rooftop of our building looking over the city and we got married there right before sunset. We got our ready in our building and Priyanca documented the entire day. My best friend from middle school drove overnight with her entire family just to be with me on our special day. My other friend who is essentially my little sister made sure she was there while being on a global work panel that day. My husband's college friend took off work and came to help him get ready. In no way would I have thought this would have been our wedding when we got engaged. But when I say the word magical, it really is the only word I can use to describe it. It was intimate, stress free, and full of love from people near and far. It really was about the two of us.
Shawna : It was really important to Maharani Weddings to use a real bride, not a model for the cover. What was it like when you were asked to be the face of the issue?
Neena : "I am still in shock that I was asked! It was such an honor when Priyanca called me! I think having a real bride is powerful because no matter what planning a wedding is stressful, but what has happened in 2020 is really something that only being a bride during this time can really understand."
Shawna : How do you feel coronavirus has changed weddings? Has it changed your wedding?
Neena : “It really makes you put in perspective what is really important about weddings. To me, "it's not where, but who you're with that really matters" is a quote I keep coming back to a lot. The things you think are important before COVID-19 and now, to me are so different. My wedding was absolutely not what I had planned, but you learn to realize what really matters and who really matters. The level of support I got from my friends and family during this has been amazing, and it really is all about quality vs quantity. And to me I can honestly say I had the perfect wedding.”
Shawna : What are your wedding plans in the future?
Neena : “We would love to see our friends and family for a celebration. And, HUG people in person one day when it is safe to do. God willing that will happen, but if it doesn't, I have no regrets. I got my happily ever after.”
FEATURED VENDORS:
Bridal Fashion: Abhinav Mishra / Bridal Jewelry: Reemat Designs, Dadlani Jewelers - Engagement & Wedding Ring / Hair & Makeup: KC Makeup by Karuna Chani / Models: Neena, Jason / Photography: Priyanca Rao Photography / Styling : Priyanca Rao Photography, KC Makeup by Karuna Chani
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