Hillary and Gaurav

May 9th, 2015/Photography by Kenny Kim/Dress by Yumi Katsura

Hillary and Gaurav are the picture perfect bride and groom, and the ultimate success story for online dating disbelievers. Shortly after they began dating, there was a deep connection. Hillary invited him to the wedding of her best friend and the two got to know each other even more in the eight hours car ride to another couple’s big day. Graurav helped her get through the tragic shock of her fathers’s passing and “is still my rock,” she said. “Our family values and dreams for the future are completely in line.”

They were wed in May of 2015. Just as Hillary and Gaurav hit it off immediately, Hillary fell in love with the first Yumi Katsura gown she tried on at Mira Couture right away. “When I tried it on, I felt sexy, glamorous, and truly beautiful… I have never felt more beautiful than I did while wearing that dress on my wedding day.” Their wedding was both a Christian and Hindu ceremony. The Christian ceremony was at Fourth Presbyterian Church on Michigan Ave, a church she always knew she would get married at. “The courtyard is gorgeous and classic. The inside of the church is grand and elegant. My dress possessed all of these qualities,” she described.  The reception was held at the Palmer House, which made for the ultimate Chicago wedding! For the Hindu ceremony her wedding Lengha, or Indian wedding gown, was a stunning dress that her mother-in-law bought in India.

The wedding planning process was great for the newlyweds because it showed how well they work together. One of her favorite parts of planning was sending out the elaborate, ornate invitations from India, “The day I dropped off the wedding invitations at the post office I remember getting butterflies in my stomach. That was a fun moment.” Their wedding planner was Sabrina Hans with Sabrina Hans Events. They also hired a designer, Yanni Design Studio, to take care of the decorations and flowers. “Knowing I didn’t have to manage all of the little things myself took much of the stress off. The end result was that our wedding was the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever been to, and the day-of, I didn’t have to worry about anything.” She recommends hiring a planner to help if you’re having a big wedding. Renting the penthouse at The Palmer House for her and her bridesmaids to get ready in the day of was another wise choice, making the entire day memorable and stress free.

Some advice she has for new brides is to smile! “Even though you’re nervous, smile!…You’ll be happy you’re smiling in your photos and wedding video.” The couple cherishes their beautiful wedding memories, memories Mira Couture is thankful to be a part of! They are expecting a baby boy on March 17, 2016!