Nirali Shah married Avinash Sharma on 16th April 2016. She says: “We met eight years ago when we were undergrads at University of California, Irvine. We had mutual friends and I guess I’d caught Avi’s eye, because some friends began playing Cupid.
Everything they said was true; he had beautiful eyes, a contagious smile, and was such a gent. Avi proposed on my birthday in October 2014, on a sailboat in the Pacific ocean. The ring took my breath away; it was a diamond my late dad had kept for me. Of course I said yes.”
“One designer on my wish list was Sabyasachi. I called before flying to Mumbai to get an appointment with the man himself but it’s tough since he travels often. But when I walked into the Sabyasachi flagship boutique to look at my top choices, Sabyasachi himself was standing right there!
He ended up styling my bridal look, head-to-toe, and even suggested a coordinated look for Avi. It was the most unreal, unplanned experience that I will never forget.”
“Our wedding day could not have been more magical. I woke up feeling so certain about the day. When Avi and I saw each other just before the ceremony, it was as if we froze in time. We both had tears, just taking in the moment. And then as I walking down the Pacific Lawn staircase, and I finally saw our vision for the ceremony had been brought to life. We’re so glad we hired a live painter to capture the essence of the moment.”
“We’ve both been long-time admirers of Duke Images’ work so there was no question of who would capture our Big Day. It could only be them.”
“We decided to join our cocktail hour because, well, why not? It was the perfect time to meet everyone so we didn’t have to do it during the reception, plus we got to listen to the live jazz band under the stars. Then the reception; Avi did a performance on his drums, playing my favorite songs as I waved my hands like a groupie! We finished with a late night pizza truck as we knew how famished everyone would all be after all the party.”
The Bride: Nirali Shah
The Groom: Avinash Sharma
Married: 16th April 2016
The Venue: Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, California
Photography: Duke Images
www.DukeImages.com