Blending Traditions, Crafting Memories: Shivani and Jesse's Wedding at The Rockleigh Country Сlub

Love Story

Shivani and Jesse’s love story began unexpectedly at a Diwali party at Stony Brook University in 2014, where neither was a student. A chance meeting on the dance floor, followed by a strategically planned after-party by Jesse, brought the two future nurses together. Their connection sparked instantly, fueled by shared career dreams and a playful beer-pong game. When Jesse walked Shivani to her car, neither realized it was the start of forever.

The next day, Shivani boldly broke the ice with a text, leading to daily chats, FaceTime calls, and a first date at P.F. Chang's that blossomed into nearly a decade of love. Their journey culminated in a dreamy proposal in Mykonos, Greece. Jesse arranged a magical waterfront dinner at Kivotos Mykonos, complete with candles, a "Will You Marry Me" sign, a violinist, fireworks, and a photographer. The most touching detail? A live video call with friends and family back home to share the moment. Shivani recalls it as one of the most spectacular days of her life, perfectly planned and unforgettable.

From a Diwali celebration to a Greek proposal, Shivani & Jasjit’s love story proves that the best romances often begin with a simple dance, a game of beer pong, and the courage to text first.

As two registered nurses, Shivani and Jesse approached their wedding planning with both precision and passion. Their vision encompassed a perfect blend of timeless elegance and personal touches, celebrated over three days of pre-wedding events. "Our vision entailed maintaining a timeless and elegant aesthetic along with implementing details that were personal to us as a couple," shares Shivani. "We wanted to embrace the many different traditions of an Indian wedding."

The grand celebration, held at the prestigious Rockleigh Country Club in New Jersey on May 31, 2024, was the culmination of a year's careful planning. With 325 guests joining the couple for the special day, Shivani and Jesse managed to make sure every detail was perfect.

Morning details

The couple's attention to detail was evident in every aspect of their wedding stationery, creating a perfect blend of tradition and modern elegance. "We had our wedding invitations made for close family and friends from India," Shivani explains, "and I also designed virtual invites on Canva to send to the rest of our guests."
One of the most cherished elements of their wedding decor was deeply personal - a beautifully hand-drawn entrance sign created by Shivani's cousin, who transformed one of the couple's pre-wedding photos into an artistic masterpiece. The artistic touches continued throughout the venue, with Exclusive Events crafting a stunning seating chart display featuring enlarged photos of the couple. "The seating chart signage came out absolutely stunning!" Shivani beams.

Bride getting ready

The search for the perfect wedding attire took Shivani on a memorable journey through India's bustling streets. "We went to endless stores and boutiques, and tried on many options before I fell in love with this one!" she recalls with a laugh. "FYI Indian wedding outfits are HEAVY and trying them on repeatedly can get truly exhausting!"

While many modern Indian brides are exploring different color palettes, Shivani knew she wanted to honor tradition with a red outfit - but with her own twist. "I knew I wanted to wear red but leaning more towards the maroon side," she explains. "I was absolutely obsessed with the shade of red of my wedding outfit and the uniqueness of the gray in the lengha was different from most wedding outfits that I had seen. It was elegant and regal - safe to say I was OBSESSED."

Her stunning ensemble, found at Sudhir Bhai Saree Wala in Delhi's famous Chandni Chowk, underwent one final transformation after her return from India. " I actually decided to change my head dupatta to a floor-length veil after I came back from India which I'm SO glad I decided to do because it just made my entire look even more distinguished," she shares. “ I'd like to say that I'm pretty picky (I'm sure my husband would agree lol) and was scared I wouldn't find something I absolutely loved- but my wedding outfit was my favorite outfit from the entire wedding week!”

The look was completed with traditional wedding chooda (bangles), Indian wedding jewelry, and Jimmy Choo heels for the reception that perfectly matched her dress.

The bride prepared for her big day in The Rockleigh's elegant getting-ready suite, surrounded by her bridesmaids who were dressed in outfits specially chosen from Punjab, India. Exclusive Events provided the perfect finishing touch with their stunning floral arrangements, which carried through from the home mehndi event to the wedding ceremony and reception.

Groom getting ready

Jasjit prepared for the big day at the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights, surrounded by his closest family members - his parents and siblings.

First Look

Of all the magical moments from their wedding week, it was perhaps the first look that held the most emotional weight. The couple chose a private spot on the grounds of The Rockleigh Country Club, away from their guests, to share this intimate moment together.

"It was better than I could have even imagined!" Shivani remembers with emotion. "It was intimate and emotional for both and it was amazing to take in the moments before our ceremony together as we saw each other in our wedding attire for the first time."

Jesse's reaction was equally touching. "My first thought was that she looks absolutely stunning, and I am truly a lucky man," he shares, his words capturing the pure magic of the moment. The couple's photographers beautifully captured this precious interchange, preserving forever the mix of joy, love, and anticipation that passed between them.

"There were so many amazing moments during the entire wedding week," Shivani reflects, "but I believe our first look will always be something both of us will always remember."

Photoshoot before the ceremony

Shivani and Jesse's pre-ceremony photo session was a true reflection of their day - filled with raw emotion, playful moments, and the breathtaking natural beauty of their surroundings. Captured against the stunning outdoor backdrops of The Rockleigh Country Club, their images radiated the couple's deep connection and joy at finally celebrating their union. “The venue truly had so much to offer when it came to locations to take pictures, it didn't really make sense to go anywhere else,” they added.

Ceremony

Shivani and Jesse's wedding celebration was a vibrant fusion of Indian traditions and contemporary elegance, culminating in a breathtaking outdoor ceremony on the stunning grounds of The Rockleigh Country Club.

"We wanted to implement all of the pre-wedding rituals that are entailed within an Indian wedding," the couple shares. This included a Mehndi (henna) night, Haldi (turmeric) ceremony, and a special Chooda (bangles) ceremony for the bride. They also hosted a Sangeet event, a joyous celebration where their friends and family came together for performances and dancing to kick off the wedding festivities.

The ceremony itself took place in front of The Rockleigh's beautiful fountain, a picturesque setting that perfectly complemented the couple's vision. "We did opt to have our wedding ceremony (Anand Karaj) outdoors as opposed to the Gurdwara," they explain. "This was a detail that both of us were really passionate about so that we could have more control over the aesthetic we desired for the ceremony and take advantage of the natural light."

With their loved ones gathered around them, Shivani and Jesse exchanged vows and solidified their union in an atmosphere of joy, emotion, and cultural reverence. The ceremony was a true embodiment of their blended heritage, honoring cherished traditions while reflecting their unique love story.

Wedding Venue & Decor

Shivani and Jesse's wedding was a breathtaking fusion of timeless elegance and thoughtful personal touches, all brought to life within the stunning confines of The Rockleigh Country Club. From the moment they stepped foot in the venue, the couple knew they had found their perfect match.

"The minute we walked into The Rockleigh, we knew it was it!" they exclaim. "The Chandeliers were beautiful and everywhere!" Committed to an outdoor ceremony, the couple was enamored by the venue's lush grounds, which provided the ideal natural setting for their nuptials. Yet, should the weather not cooperate, The Rockleigh's newly renovated chapel served as an equally stunning backup plan.

The couple's color palette perfectly complemented the venue's inherent beauty. For the ceremony, neutral tones of light pinks, beige, and whites created a fresh, angelic ambiance that allowed their vibrant wedding attire to take center stage. Come the reception, the couple embraced their shared love of blue, incorporating various shades of the hue alongside crisp white accents. The result was a celebration that seamlessly blended the couple's personal style with the venue's opulent architectural elements, particularly the chandeliers that tied the entire look together.

Shivani and Jesse also infused the day with a variety of personalized touches, including a Vogue-inspired photo booth backdrop, a harpist serenading guests during cocktail hour, and a violinist accompanying their grand ballroom entrance and first dance. These bespoke details elevated the event, transforming The Rockleigh into a truly one-of-a-kind canvas for their cross-cultural celebration.

Reception

Shivani and Jesse's wedding celebration reached its grand finale with a reception that embodied elegance, joy, and pure romance. The couple's first dance as husband and wife was a truly magical moment, set to the tune of "I Guess I'm In Love" by Clinton Cane. “We did switch up the song a bit as we added a female verse that was sung by this tiktokker we came across - Drew Ryn, and it truly brought the entire thing together," they share.

The couple's carefully curated catering selections were a reflection of their cultural roots, with Indian cuisine taking center stage at both the wedding and reception. Adding the perfect finishing touch was a stunning cake provided by 'A Little Cake' in New Jersey.

Throughout the planning process and on the big day itself, Shivani and Jesse were continually impressed by the dedication and expertise of their wedding vendors. "All of our wedding vendors were magnificent and worked so well with each other. Each one made planning so much easier and the implementation the day of was incredible," they explain. "So much was happening behind the scenes that they handled so well and made sure to only get us involved if absolutely necessary to make sure we weren't getting stressed and enjoying our events to the fullest."

The reception marked the perfect culmination to Shivani and Jesse's cross-cultural celebration, a joyous gathering that allowed them to bask in the love and support of their loved ones as they embarked on their new journey together.