Real Bride Mikaela in Leah Da Gloria at her Miami Wedding

Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal? 

Our love story all began on a warm Miami evening in October of 2020. Neel, fresh from New York City, was invited to a casual get-together at Mikaela’s apartment by a mutual friend. At first, he wasn’t sure he wanted to attend, but his friend insisted it would be worth it. That nudge from fate was all it took—because the moment Neel walked into Mikaela’s home, their story began to unfold. Neither of them could have imagined that this chance encounter would grow into a love story for the ages. As fate would have it, they first met in the very same building they now call home. Neel was splitting his time between New York and Miami, balancing work and life in both cities. But with each visit, his time in Miami grew longer. Mikaela had captured his heart, and soon, leaving her side wasn’t an option. By early 2021, Neel made the move permanent, and together, they started building a life filled with love and laughter. One of Mikaela’s talents shone early on: she found Neel a stunning home in Miami, which soon became their first home together.

Over the years, they built memories and shared adventures such as traveling the world (visiting 5 of 7 continents), cheering on the Buffalo Bills, and indulging in their shared love for great food & music at the finest venues. Their love deepened with every passing year, and on January 20, 2024, Neel took the next step. Mikaela had been out for a busy day showing properties to a client visiting from out of the country, completely unaware of the surprise waiting for her. When she returned to the Marquis—the very place where their journey began—Neel greeted her with an elaborate, heartfelt proposal he’d been planning for months. With love and excitement in the air, Mikaela said YES, setting the stage for the next chapter of their story. Now, Mikaela and Neel are thrilled to celebrate their love with their closest family and friends at the historic and iconic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables in October 2025. Their story is one of serendipity, love, and the belief that some moments are simply meant to be. Mikaela and Neel can’t wait to share their joy with all of you on their special day!

When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision? 

When we first started planning our wedding, we envisioned a full weekend in Miami surrounded by our closest friends and family at the iconic Biltmore Hotel. We wanted it to feel timeless, joyful, and deeply personal - a true celebration of love. The reality exceeded anything I could have imagined. Every moment felt magical, and having everyone we love in one place made it even more special. I feel so blessed and grateful to have experienced something so unforgettable & was truly a once-in-a-lifetime weekend.

What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding? 

We knew it was important to honor Neel’s heritage and celebrate his family’s traditions, so incorporating an Indian night felt incredibly meaningful to us. On Friday evening, we hosted a Sangeet — which quickly became one of the highlights of the entire weekend. The night was filled with vibrant colors, incredible music and entertainment, and, most importantly, nonstop dancing. It was such a joyful, high-energy celebration that brought everyone together in the most beautiful way.

How did you decide on the location? 

From the very beginning, we both knew Miami was where we wanted to say “I do.” While we briefly entertained the idea of a beautiful destination wedding in Europe, it never felt quite as meaningful — home is truly where the heart is. It was especially important to us that our grandparents and older family members could be there, and asking them to travel far wouldn’t have felt right. Miami is where we met and fell in love, so it felt only natural to begin this next chapter there. And when we stepped into the iconic Biltmore, its rich history and stunning architecture completely captured our hearts.

Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets! 

I visited a few different bridal boutiques, but the moment I heard about Chic Parisien, I just knew that’s where I would find my dress. I was paired with Kendall, and she was absolutely incredible — she immediately understood my style and knew exactly what silhouettes would flatter me. I only tried on a handful of gowns before I found “the one.” I said yes that day, surrounded by my mom and my maid of honor, which made it even more special. The dress was a stunning Leah Da Gloria full lace gown with a corseted bodice that fit me like a glove. It gave me the most beautiful hourglass shape and felt both feminine and powerful. The dramatic train added such elegance, and I chose a delicate lace bolero to layer over it for a timeless, classic touch. I completed the look with a long veil that cascaded behind me, perfectly complementing the train. Altogether, it felt like absolute perfection — I truly couldn’t have dreamed up a more “me” dress.

How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day? 

My mom Michele, and my maid of honor, Caroline, were by my side through every step of the process, and I’m endlessly grateful for their love and support. Neel’s parents Vai & Kris were also an integral part of both the planning process and the overall support behind the weekend. They played a significant role in hosting the events and were deeply involved in coordinating and organizing family details. Their guidance, generosity, and steady presence meant so much to us and helped make the entire celebration feel seamless and incredibly special. I was also so lucky to have 13 incredible bridesmaids who truly went above and beyond for me. I’m blessed with the most amazing group of women. We celebrated every chapter together — from a bridesmaid proposal brunch in Miami, to a bachelorette weekend in St. Barths, to a beautiful bridal shower in Palm Beach. It all felt like such a dream. I also couldn’t have done any of it without my husband, Neel. He was involved in every decision — every Zoom, every phone call, every appointment. We approached everything as a true team. A few months before the wedding, I was unexpectedly dealing with chronic migraines and was in and out of the hospital. During that time, he carried so much on his shoulders — managing wedding logistics while also taking care of me and making sure I got the medical support I needed. He showed up in every possible way. We even faced the very real possibility of having to postpone the wedding because of how unwell I was. It was a challenging chapter, but we got through it together. Looking back, it makes the fact that everything came together so beautifully even more meaningful. It truly was the best weekend of our lives.

What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget. 

There are so many moments from that weekend that I’ll cherish forever. One that still gives me chills is our first look. The anticipation of Neel finally seeing me in my dress and veil — which I had kept a secret for over a year — was such an incredible thrill. I’ll also never forget the moment our officiant, Brandon, said, “You may now kiss the bride.” One of our favorite songs began playing, and we kissed and stood there jumping with pure joy as husband and wife for the very first time. It was surreal. 

Our first dance is another memory I’ll always hold close. We took lessons and practiced for months leading up to the wedding. Even during the time I was struggling with chronic migraines, I would put on an ice cap and still make sure we practiced together. We were so determined to make it special. When the moment came, we absolutely nailed it — and seeing everyone’s reactions made all the effort so worth it. And then there’s the memory I can laugh about now — though in the moment it felt slightly traumatic. Standing at the altar, my legs started quivering because my feet were in so much pain from walking around all day in brand-new Jimmy Choos. By the time I made it down the aisle, I was silently praying no one would notice my legs shaking! A little advice to future brides: you can’t even see your shoes under the dress — choose the comfortable heels. Trust me.

How did you decide on your hair and makeup look? 

I had known who would do my hair and makeup for years. My hairstylist, Keshia, is also a close friend and has been doing my hair for every big moment — birthdays, parties, and special events — long before I even met Neel. We used to talk about how one day she would style my hair for my wedding, so having her there felt incredibly full circle. Lindsay, my makeup artist, works alongside Keshia, and from the very first time she did my makeup, I didn’t feel the need to look any further. I knew she was the one. She is unbelievably talented, and I absolutely adore her energy — calm, confident, and so uplifting. For Friday night, I wore my hair down. I had grown it out intentionally and wanted to showcase the length with soft curls and delicate braids in the front to frame my face. My makeup was fresh and natural with no foundation — just a light, glowing base — and we added subtle hints of red and maroon on the eyes to complement the lehenga I wore that evening. For Saturday, I chose a classic updo — timeless and elegant — especially since our ceremony was outdoors. I wanted my hair completely off my face so I could be comfortable and fully present in the moment. My makeup was again very natural, with no foundation and the softest, most effortless eye look. It was important to me that I felt like myself — radiant, but never overdone or heavy.

Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about? 

There are two people I absolutely have to shout out. The first is my incredibly talented photographer — and one of my best friends from my hometown — Berkley McGaughey. We’ve known each other since middle school, and I watched her fall in love with photography in college. Fast forward to today, and she’s become one of the top wedding photographers in South Florida. Having her by my side throughout our wedding weekend felt like the most beautiful full-circle moment. Berkley is pure magic. She’s the ultimate hype girl — exactly the kind of energy you want surrounding you on your wedding day. She made everyone feel comfortable and confident, kept the atmosphere light and joyful, and somehow made us feel like we were in a Vogue editorial while still completely natural. She has such a gift for capturing candid moments, bringing out genuine laughter, and keeping the vibe positive and grounded, even when emotions are running high. 

I also have to highlight our incredible wedding planner, Jennifer Johnson. She is a true powerhouse, backed by an amazing team. She brought our vision to life in ways we couldn’t have even imagined. From start to finish, she was completely on top of every detail, allowing us to be fully present and never feel stressed. We truly could not have done it without her.

Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part? 

We haven’t gone on our honeymoon yet, but we’re planning several months of travel in the coming months — it’s going to be an incredible adventure! If you’d like to follow along on our journey, you can find me on Instagram and TikTok at @Mikaela.chary.