Misha and Will, Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa
The sunny shores of Montego Bay in Jamaica came alive with music, color and revelry as childhood friends Misha and Will tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony.
They first met in Jamaica when they were 13, and the place played a big role in their journey together – from friends to life partners. Here, bride Misha shares fun memories of their fun Indian wedding in the beautiful Caribbean island.
How We Met
“Will and I met in Jamaica in 2001. We were both 13 years old then. We were visiting Jamaica with our respective families. I hail from New Jersey, and he is from Illinois. We just bonded as kids and stayed in touch over the years. We even visited each other every year. About six years ago we decided to give the long-distance relationship thing a try! I moved from New Jersey to Illinois three years ago to be closer to Will because the travel was becoming too much. Our story is incredible because we met in Jamaica when we were kids, got engaged in Jamaica in 2015 and then got married in Jamaica in March this year. We pretty much grew up together and were friends since we were little. When we were kids, the Internet was new, cell phones barely existed and it wasn’t as easy to stay in touch, but we somehow managed! It’s rare for people to meet and connect through such a strand of such extraordinary events – and find the one they are meant to be with forever.”
Wedding Planning
“The challenge was organizing an Indian wedding by residents of the US in Jamaica. Talk about a lot of moving parts! There were lots of vendors involved and – and don’t forget – we had to make sure each of our 175 guests was prepared for the event. Luckily we had our amazing wedding planner Urvashi Mishra from Electric Karma and her team by our sides.”
Wedding Venues
“Planning the wedding was an amazing experience. Will and I knew almost instantly that we wanted to get married in Jamaica because of our history there. We decided we wanted a long engagement because I was still in school finishing my graduate degree. In March 2016 we went back to Jamaica for another family vacation with Will’s family. We decided to spend two days looking at venues in Montego Bay for our wedding and fell in love with the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa there. We instantly knew that we wanted to get married at the Aqueduct and host our reception right on the beach where guests could sink their toes into the warm sand! Once the place and date were locked down, it was much easier from there.”
Wedding Functions
Mehendi
The mehendi ceremony was held at a beautiful venue space right by the beach during sunset as Misha got her henna done under a canopy. Dotted with coconut trees, the venue was just perfect for the relaxed yet fun event.
Vidhi and Haldi
“We wanted a space that was earthy and natural for this event which we had planned around a rustic and earthy theme,” shares Misha. The ‘haldi’ (turmeric application) function’s decor included colorful props and vibrant hues such as bright pink and orange beautifully incorporated into the setup.
Welcome Party
“The Welcome Party was amazing with bright colors that lit up the venue. We held this event at a courtyard restaurant at our hotel,” recalls Misha. As the DJ played catchy beats, people let down their hair and had a great time dancing and merrymaking. A fire-breathing performance by a local performer left guests stunned.
Wedding
The outdoor wedding ceremony was beautifully planned, and Misha looked every bit of a royal bride in her Sabyasachi lehenga. She shares, “I knew from the minute I got engaged that I wanted a Sabyasachi lehenga for my wedding and lucky for me – within a few weeks of my engagement I knew exactly which one I wanted. I have been obsessed with Sabyasachi’s work, and there was no doubt in my mind about my wedding ensemble. It was the first dress I saw, and the one I went with!”
Reception
The reception took place right on the beach. After the more formal atmosphere of the religious ceremonies, this event was a livelier event which was planned with a gorgeous theme that included bright lights, floral decoration, and a chandelier that made the entire venue look chic and dreamy.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa, Jamaica
Planning and Design: Electric Karma (Houston)
Decor and Cakes: Tai Flora Services Ltd (Jamaica)
Lighting: Jamaica Audio Visual Co Ltd (JAVCO)
Bride’s Outfit: Sabyasachi (Wedding)
Hair & Makeup: Style by Susmita (New Jersey)
Mehndi Artist: Pushpa Talreja (Jamaica)
Entertainment: M4U Events (New Jersey)
Photographer: Pixology by Shray (New Jersey)
Cinematographer: Erstwhile Pictures (New York)
