With an engagement at the Taj Mahal, and event planning the bride’s family business, the wedding of Karishma Amin and Samir Naran was destined to be spectacular. Karishma, whose parents own decor and floral company Mandap Creations (mandaps are pillared pavilions used for traditional Indian cultural rituals) relied on the assistance of wedding consultant Jo Ann Schwartz Woodward of Schwartz & Woodward, who helped the bride’s family create the couple’s dream day.

Festivities began with a traditional mehndi ceremony at the Amin home, where Karishma was decorated with elaborate henna designs embellished with rhinestones.

For the couple’s wedding ceremony at the InterContinental Hotel, Samir made a dramatic entrance on a white horse for the baraat, while guests danced to the beat of traditional dhol drumming and the contemporary sounds of DJ Rocky. Karishma recounts that she was speechless as she entered the ceremony site and saw the red and gold mandap, which was created in India exclusively for her wedding. A bed of roses arranged in a paisley design adorned the aisle, while wrought-iron candelabras featured an additional 1,000 red roses. Soft music played in the dimly lit room and red uplighting set a romantic tone. The bride glowed in makeup and hair design by Hilda Kershman, while 500 guests witnessed the ceremony.

During a Zen-themed cocktail hour, guests enjoyed music from a sitar and tabla player. The room’s decor highlights included a 6-foot-tall Buddha ice sculpture and a topiary elephant adorned with thousands of flowers and crystals. After sampling sushi, dumplings and sake, guests moved to the reception.

With the help of Darryl & Co., the InterContinental Hotel, ballroom became a winter wonderland, complete with falling snow. In another nod to the seasonal theme, the couple opted for an ice sculpture in the shape of a wedding cake. For dessert, the newlyweds fed each other chocolate mousse from white-chocolate-covered waffle cones, while guests indulged in a dessert buffet that included warm brownies topped with ice cream, presented on ice carvings. Guests hit the monogrammed dance floor to dance to the music of DJ Rocky while A & A Video Productions captured every moment.

Following the festivities, the couple honeymooned at Taj Exotica Resort in the Maldives. Says Karishma, “Because I am the only daughter, I, along with my parents and Jo Ann, planned the dream wedding for a princess!”