The wedding planning was in full swing, and it was starting to feel more real with each passing day. Shubman and Thalia had decided to take charge of everything themselves, refusing to delegate too much to their families. 

It was their day, and they wanted it to be personal, something that reflected their tastes and who they were as a couple.

One warm afternoon, after he had wrapped up a practice session, Shubman drove over to their mansion, eager to dive into the wedding planning with Thalia. 

They had decided to meet in the study, a large room with floor-to-ceiling windows, bathed in natural light. The room was serene, with soft beige walls and plush armchairs. 

On the long wooden desk, there were papers scattered about, along with a tablet, a notebook, and a few wedding magazines Thalia had picked up.

Thalia was sitting in a chair near the window, flipping through one of the magazines. She was wearing a loose, white cotton kurti and leggings, her hair pulled back in a messy bun, with a simple bindi adorning her forehead. 

Her eyes lit up when she saw him walk in, wearing a navy blue hoodie and dark jeans, the perfect combination of comfort and casual.

"Finally," she said, her voice playful. "I was beginning to think I'd have to plan this whole thing by myself."

Shubman raised an eyebrow, walking over to her. "You know I'm just waiting for you to tell me what to do, baby," he teased, brushing his fingers lightly through her hair as he leaned in to kiss her cheek.

She smiled at him, but her mind was already back on the wedding. "Okay, so today, we have to decide on the theme, the outfits, and everything in between," she said, pushing the magazine aside. 

"I was thinking something a little more personal, you know? Not your usual big, flashy event. Something intimate but still magical."

Shubman nodded in agreement, taking a seat beside her. "I like the idea of keeping it close, just for us, our families, and the closest friends. It'll make it feel real. Not just another celebration, but our moment."

She smiled softly, squeezing his hand. "I was thinking a vintage floral, garden wedding. Something romantic. Picture this: a garden full of flowers, ivy hanging from the trees, fairy lights everywhere. There's a certain charm about vintage style, don't you think? Like we're stepping back in time but with a modern twist."

Shubman loved the sound of that. "That sounds perfect. It'll feel like we're the only ones in the world, right? Just you and me, surrounded by nature." 

He reached for the tablet she had placed on the desk, flipping through wedding themes on a wedding planning app. "Okay, what about our outfits?" he asked, looking up at her.

Thalia's eyes sparkled as she thought about it. "Well, I've always wanted to wear a beautiful ivory lehenga," she said, her voice dreamy. 

"Not too heavy, but ornate. Intricate embroidery, something delicate and ethereal. Like a blend of modern and traditional, you know?"

Shubman's eyes softened as he gazed at her. "Babe, you're going to look stunning in whatever you wear," he said, leaning over to kiss her forehead. 

"But I love that idea. Ivory suits you. It'll complement the garden theme. The floral accents in the embroidery will tie in with the overall vibe."

"I was thinking something along the lines of a Manish Malhotra lehenga," she added, showing him a picture on the tablet. 

"This one, with delicate silver and gold embroidery. The flowy skirt and a crop top, all paired with a matching dupatta."

Shubman nodded enthusiastically, clearly impressed. "That's perfect. Absolutely perfect. And for me?" he asked, already grinning at the thought of matching with her.

Thalia thought for a moment, then said, "Well, I was imagining you in something classic but timeless. Maybe an ivory sherwani with subtle floral embroidery? It'll match the vintage garden theme, and you'll look like you belong in a royal palace."

Shubman's smile widened. "Fuck, I'll look good, won't I?" He laughed, running a hand through his hair.

 "But that's what I want. Something elegant but not too over the top. Simple but classy."

Thalia's face softened. "You'll look breathtaking. No one will be able to take their eyes off you," she whispered, tracing his jaw with her fingers. 

"Just like how I can never take my eyes off you."

He pulled her into a quick hug, holding her tight for a moment. "Babe, you're the one who makes me look good. Let's make sure we get every detail right. I want this to be perfect."

She grinned, pulling back from the hug. "We will. It will be. Now, what about the venue? We need a garden, right?"

Shubman raised an eyebrow. "You know, I've been looking at a place just outside the city. It's a private estate, with a huge garden with open fields, perfect for the ceremony and the reception. It has that old-world charm but is still modern enough for us to pull off something like this."

Thalia's face lit up as she looked at him. "That sounds like exactly what we need! Let's book it." She paused. 

"And we'll need a wedding planner, of course, but I want someone who gets our vision."

Shubman nodded. "I agree. I want everything to feel personal. No cookie-cutter stuff. It's our wedding, after all."

As they dove deeper into the planning, discussing flowers, decorations, guest lists, and the rest of the details, Shubman couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with love. 

Watching Thalia get so excited about their future together made his heart swell. This wasn't just about planning a wedding—it was about building a life with the person he loved more than anything in the world.

Later that evening, as they sat together in their cozy study, going over more wedding details, Shubman caught Thalia looking at him with a soft smile.

"What?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She shook her head, still smiling. "I'm just thinking how lucky I am," she said softly. "To be marrying you. It's all happening, and it's even more beautiful than I imagined."

Shubman leaned over, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "No, baby. I'm the lucky one," he said, his voice low and sincere. 

"Because I get to spend the rest of my life with you. You're my everything."

soup rants!

- hello everyone!

- I hope you guys are having a great day so far, and I also hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!

- garden weddings >>

- also comments on the chapter?

- I hope you guys liked this one!

- with lots of love, supraja 🫶