A Colorful Multicultural Wedding Weekend Celebrating Family and Tradition
Abby Shelton Storey – “Shells” – first met Tanuj Malhotra in the most unexpected of circumstances: during a job interview with his father.
“I walked into that office, fully prepared to impress his dad,” Shells recalls, “only to be completely distracted by him. Tanuj was in the room, part of the panel, and let me tell you, focusing on the questions and not his ridiculously handsome face took all of my willpower. After the interview, I called my parents to say I thought the meeting had gone well – and, by the way, I’d be working with the most handsome guy I’d ever seen. The only catch? He’d technically be my boss. My dad gave me one piece of advice: Don’t fall in love with your boss. I just smiled and thought, too late.”
“Shells brought light and love back into my life in a way I never expected.”
It only took a week of working together for Tanuj to ask Shells out on a date. By then, they both knew it was the beginning of something special.
“I knew Shells was my person the moment she cared for me after my shoulder surgery,” Tanuj shares. “She had this innate ability to read what I needed, something no one but my mother had ever been able to do. Losing my mother just a year before meeting Shells had left a void I thought could never be filled, but Shells brought light and love back into my life in a way I never expected, nor did I think I ever deserved.”
A Surprise Proposal
When it came time to propose, Tanuj teamed up with some of Shells’ best friends to organize “the ultimate day of distraction.” Shells is notoriously good at unintentionally ruining surprises by asking too many questions, so Tanuj made sure she was occupied elsewhere.
“I wanted to do it somewhere deeply meaningful,” Tanuj explains, “a place that represented our future together. Shells and I had spent months searching for a house to call our own, one that felt like home. We hadn’t found the perfect fit until my dad suggested we see a house near his. I initially dismissed it, thinking it was too big and suited for a future when we’d be expanding our family. But when we walked in, I froze. It was nearly identical to the dream home my mom and I had planned for years before she passed. It felt like a sign from above, a blessing from her – a place where Shells and I would build our life together. That’s why I chose to propose in that home, the place that was heaven-sent to house my beautiful bride and our future family.”
When Shells pulled up to their house that evening, she noticed balloons and candles covering the front porch.
“I was so stunned that it didn’t even cross my mind that this could be for me,” she says. “Tanuj led me up the steps, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him. Cue the tears, hugs, and a resounding yes! And as if that weren’t enough, our friends and family were waiting inside to surprise me with an engagement party. It was a perfect day – better than anything I could have dreamed.”
Planning a Multicultural Wedding with Two Ceremonies
Shells describes the wedding planning process as being “as chaotic as you’d imagine,” but the couple had the support of an incredible team of experts, led by wedding planner Judy Maligaspe of Wera Events. They envisioned an elegant affair that blended their two families and cultures together, which resulted in a multicultural wedding with two ceremonies, celebrated over the course of three days.
“As the big weekend approached, things were hectic,” says the bride, “but Tanuj and I made a promise to each other: no matter what, we’d focus on soaking in every moment and having the time of our lives. And we did just that. With our team handling the details, we were able to stay present, and I can confidently say those were the best three days of my life.”
“One of my favorite moments happened just before our first ceremony when we exchanged private vows,” she continues. “In the midst of the excitement and whirlwind, it was such a calm and intimate moment that let us reflect on the love that brought us here. It’s a moment I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”
Colorful Wedding Décor
Every detail of the couple’s wedding weekend felt like stepping into a dream. The colorful wedding décor was breathtaking, with flowers covering every surface, and design focal points including a chandelier made entirely out of roses. The tall candle centerpieces gave the room a dramatic, romantic glow – a nod to the bride’s love for The Phantom of the Opera.
“The whole thing felt like a fairytale brought to life,” she says. “I also always dreamed of having a really colorful wedding, so marrying into a culture that embraces color with open arms was an unexpected gift. It felt like the perfect blend of tradition and personality.”
The receptions were an epic party, especially with group dance performances being a staple of Southeast Asian weddings. Over the span of two nights, there were ten group dances, which provided the perfect opportunity for the bride’s friends and family to experience those traditions as well.
“Watching everyone step out of their comfort zones and fully embrace the moment was such a joy,” Shells remarks. “It wasn’t about perfection – it was about having fun, and it brought so much energy and laughter to the celebration.”
The Honeymoon
After 15 months of planning and a marathon of a multicultural wedding weekend, the newlyweds were ready for some rest and adventure. Their honeymoon started in The Maldives, where the turquoise waters and endless sunsets were as stunning as one could imagine.
“Surprisingly,” says Shells, “my favorite part of the trip was the time we spent in the desert in Dubai. It was so serene and peaceful – the perfect contrast to the whirlwind we’d just left behind.”
WEDDING TALENT
Location: Stovehouse, Huntsville, AL; Planning & Event Design: Wera Events; Floral Design & Decor: Utopian Events; Invitations: Atelier Azure; Caterer: District Events & Catering; Cake: A Wilson Cakes; Rentals: EventWorks; Dance Floor: Indaglow; Dhol: Dholi Saag; Entertainment: Awaaz Entertainment; Choreographer: Sumera Jiva; Live Painting: Caroline Myers; Hair & MUA: Beauty by Ami; Family Hair & MUA: Femme Beauty by Bhavna; Bridesmaids & Groomsmen Attire: Anokhi Ada; Henna Artist: Manasi’s Art; Photography & Cinematography: ENMUSE