The Invisible String Theory

The Wedding Story of Jiwan Randhawa and Manmohit Nagra

Wedding Date: March 22, 2024
Location: Fresno, California
Guest Number: 550

Bride: Jiwan Randhawa
Groom: Manmohit Nagra

Jiwan and Manmohit’s love story began in a way that might seem almost serendipitous. Despite their families having known each other for over 15 years, Jiwan and Manmohit had never met until July 2022.

Jiwan remembers how it all started: “Money messaged me on my birthday and then disappeared for almost a month until late July when he replied to my Instagram story.” What followed was a series of dates that quickly revealed something special. “After a few dates, it was apparent that this was unlike anything we had ever felt before,” Jiwan says. They were upfront about their expectations from the beginning, which helped them bond quickly.

Their first phone conversation, which took place the very night they started messaging, was a turning point. “We instantly clicked and have been pretty much inseparable since,” Jiwan recalls. After about six months of dating, they introduced their families to each other, and the ease with which their parents got along further strengthened their relationship.

Reflecting on their journey, Jiwan shares, “I never really believed in the invisible string theory until I met him and now it feels like everything does happen for a reason.” Their relationship has been marked by calm, nurturing love, and a deep understanding of each other. “The love that we share is so calm, nurturing, and patient. We feel so seen and understood by one another, a lifetime just doesn’t seem long enough.”

When asked about what they love most about each other, their responses reveal the depth of their connection. Jiwan expresses her admiration for Manmohit’s qualities: “I love Money's compassionate nature; he’s so down to Earth and makes me laugh so easily. He is generous with his time and energy, always making sure I feel seen, heard, understood, and safe. I couldn’t have chosen a better life partner and future father for our children.” She also values how Manmohit’s family has embraced her: “Another big plus is that his family is so loving and supportive. They truly are a second set of parents and have always treated me with love and respect.”

Manmohit, in turn, cherishes the authenticity he feels with Jiwan: “I love that I can be my true self around Jiwan. We hold the same morals and values and want the same things in life, love, and family. I can truly say she is my better half.” He notes their mutual understanding: “Whenever something happens, we can just look at each other and know we’re thinking the same thing.” Manmohit feels incredibly fortunate to have met Jiwan when he did, acknowledging her role as his rock and source of comfort.

Their story took a memorable turn with Manmohit’s thoughtful proposal. He planned the cutest proposal and photo shoot for them in Laguna Beach. Jiwan recalls, “I kind of knew what was happening, but it was nice to not have to plan anything for the entire trip. He took care of everything on his own and did so well choosing my perfect dream ring!” The photoshoot afterward was a perfect blend of fun and elegance. “He rented a vintage Mercedes convertible for all the vibes!” Jiwan adds.

As they looked ahead to their wedding, Jiwan and Manmohit took a strategic approach to planning. “We took exactly one year to plan the wedding, starting the week our parents officially met,” Jiwan explains. They chose to consolidate the roka, chunni, kurmai, and shagun ceremonies into one event in September 2023, with the wedding scheduled for March 2024. “Separating it like this helped get many of the pre-events off our plate, so all we had to focus on for wedding week was only wedding-related events.”

Weather considerations played a significant role in their planning. “I wanted everyone to be comfortable and not deal with a scorching sun for outdoor events or fog/rain while driving late at night,” Jiwan notes. Throughout the process, they faced minimal challenges. “If something didn’t go as planned, we just went with the flow and figured it out together. We were more focused on our relationship and the marriage more than the wedding itself, so if anything went wrong, it wasn’t that big of a deal. I think if you look at it that way, it becomes way more fun and stress-free for everyone involved.”

Their trips to India were highlights of the planning process. They took one trip for about a month in May 2023, and another month-long trip in October 2023. “We enjoyed working with all the different designers and shops and ended up loving every single one of our looks!” Jiwan shares.

Manmohit also had a special touch for the wedding events. “He enjoyed curating the alcohol selection for all the events,” Jiwan says. “Although he’s not much of a drinker himself, he wanted to make sure the selection during the wedding was top-notch.” He planned for two bars at the Jaggo and Reception—one traditional hard-liquor bar and one cocktail/mocktail specialty bar. “We wanted to make sure everyone could enjoy something other than the usual,” Jiwan explains. The addition of La Casita Mobil Bar, which served refreshing mocktails and amazing cocktails, was a standout feature.

Their story also highlights their thoughtful approach to choosing vendors. The first person Jiwan contacted was her friend and renowned MUAH, Aman Varaich of Varaich Vanity. “I simply asked her which week in Spring of 2024 she was free for 6 days straight and chose my wedding dates based on her availability. She was the one person who I could not have imagined my wedding week without.” Following Aman, Jiwan reached out to KSway Films, Umbhi Creations, and Minal Beauty. “These four were my must-have vendors; everything else was based on distance, availability, and convenience.”

During the wedding week, Jiwan spent the most time with Aman, who was a constant presence: “She was at my house getting me ready for 6 days in a row, 3-4 hours each day. She’s such a great hype woman and easy to talk to. We actually FaceTimed her mom a few times for inspo and questions about a couple of looks!”

Another standout vendor was KSway Films. “I had saved so many of their posts for inspiration in the past and knew I only wanted them for my roka and wedding. The team is so professional, efficient, and prompt but also knows how to have a good time!” Jiwan recounts. A memorable moment came when Jiwan and Manmohit bumped into the KSway Films team and Aman Varaich in Cancun while on a wedding planning break. “We had the best time with the whole crew! I was glad to have that experience because it made us way more comfortable with them prior to our photoshoot with the team 3 weeks later.”

The wedding venues and decor were another highlight. “Simi and Carol of Umbhi Creations were amazing!” Jiwan enthuses. She placed a big emphasis on continuity and flow, ensuring each day’s decor and vibe were seamless and exactly as she dreamed. “I wanted to play off of my outfits and the colors I was wearing, and the end result was worth every penny.” A fun fact about the wedding morning at the Gurdwara: “The only thing I was particular about was the chairs and the welcome sign! That’s all I chose and left the rest for Simi to decide. The team put together the most beautiful fresh flower centerpieces and the welcome sign was GORGEOUS!”

When it came to their wedding looks, both Jiwan and Manmohit embraced their styles with thoughtful choices. Jiwan was particular about her ensembles. “The only look I was sure of was a traditional red Sabyasachi and my mom’s set from ~20 years ago for my Anand. I had grown up always telling my mom I was gonna wear this set for my Anand and she always laughed it off until I tried it on with my lengha and it was the elegant look I was going for. We got a tikka made to match it perfectly from Babu Ram Jewelers in Apra, Punjab and it completed the look!”

For her other outfits, Jiwan wanted to step outside her comfort zone while keeping the event’s spirit in mind. “I had requested catalogs from many different designers and really enjoyed the experience of shopping in Delhi. I highly recommend every bride to at least browse there for fun and inspo before going to Punjab for other options.” She was certain about using real jewelry for most events, except for the Jaggo, where she opted for a loud and colorful look. “I sent Aman Varaich tons of pictures of outfits, jewelry, hair, and accessories to help decide on the perfect look. She was super helpful and also had some great tips.”

Manmohit’s shopping experience was more streamlined. “My shopping was so much faster than Jiwan’s, but we definitely put a lot of effort into making sure I also looked good in solo shots and played off Jiwan’s looks for the Jaggo, Anand, and reception.” Being 6’5”, he needed custom outfits. “I’m glad I did it that way because everything fit perfectly.” His favorite look was his maiyan outfit from Hardik Jain in Chandigarh.

As the wedding festivities unfolded, the couple cherished many special moments. For Manmohit, the most memorable moment was seeing Jiwan for the first time at the Anand Karaj. “Celebrating our Jaggo together is a close second. I enjoyed having both sides of the family party together, and Jiwan did so well with the Rangla Punjab theme!” he says.

Jiwan’s perspective was equally heartwarming. “I feel like most brides are slightly sad during their wedding week because of the move, wedding week stress, and starting a whole new life in just a few days. I actually felt really calm and content during the whole week.” She appreciated how close her new life was to her old one: “My husband and his family live only a 15-minute drive from my parents, and both of our families are so similar, I didn’t really feel like I had to ‘adapt’ to anything new.” Jiwan was thrilled that family from around the world joined in the celebration, noting, “I loved that at the end of each event, everyone danced and had a blast past midnight. Each day was a party and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

As Jiwan and Manmohit look back on their wedding, they offer some heartfelt advice that sums up their experience and the essence of their relationship. Jiwan advises, “Focus on the marriage, not just the wedding. Don’t stress over making everything perfect; try to stay present and enjoy the moment. Things might go wrong, but only you’ll know—the guests won’t even notice!”

Their wedding was more than just a series of events; it was a celebration of their deep connection and the start of a new chapter together. Their story is a lovely reminder that the true heart of any celebration lies in the love and bond shared between two people beginning their life together.

VENDORS

Photography + Videography: KSway Films
HMUA: Varaich Vanity
Attire: Gopi Vaid / Anita Dongre / Mayyur Girotra / Akriti By Shakun / SabyaSachi / Ritika Mirchandani / Punit Arora / Giorgio Armani / Dolly J Studio
Pagh Tying: Dastar Seva
Decor: Umbhi Creations
Tents: Luxury Tents Cv
Floor Wrap: Aish Signs + Ollie Wraps
DJ + Entertainment: Wicked Entertainment /DJ Hinda / DJ Wicked / DJ Mann Music
Photobooth: Booths by Bassi
Catering: Sumit Sharma Mantra, Mantra Indian Cuisine /  Manohars Delhi Palace
Specialty Drinks: Lacasita Mobile Bar

August 20, 2024
By TK