“Does This Feel Like Us?” The Question That Shaped Kiran Kaur And Khush Brar’s California Wedding

Before there was a proposal in Mallorca, a dream wedding in California, there were two students finding reasons to spend a little more time together.

For Los Angeles-based content creator and senior analyst in entertainment finance Kiran Kaur and freight manager Khush Brar, love didn’t arrive in a single defining moment. It unfolded gradually across years of shared experiences, evolving from classroom conversations and coffee dates into a partnership where they became one unit. Somewhere between career ambitions, long-distance phases, family milestones and dreams for the future, they stopped imagining life separately and started building it together.

That same sense of intentionality would go on to define their wedding. After exploring destinations across the globe, the couple chose California’s Calamigos Ranch as the setting for an intimate celebration. Every detail, from the meaningful Sikh traditions and carefully considered guest list to the fashion, food and décor, was guided by a simple question: “Does this feel like us?”

The result was a wedding that felt like a timestamp of who they were at that moment in life and a tribute to the journey that brought them there.

In conversation with Manifest, Kiran Kaur shares the story behind a proposal years in the making, the lessons they learnt while planning their wedding, becoming a Tarun Tahiliani bride and the memories they continue to cherish long after the festivities have come to an end.

Manifest (M): What was your first date like?

Kiran (KK): Our first date was incredibly simple. We were both students, so there were no grand plans or fancy dinners. It was mostly long conversations, getting to know each other, and realising how naturally we enjoyed each other's company. Neither of us remembers exactly what we ate, but we both remember how easy it felt to talk for hours. Oh yes, I remember cappuccino at CCD.

M: How did the proposal happen? Tell us everything!

KK: For years, I had a framed photo hanging in my hallway. It was this beautiful cobblestone street somewhere in Europe, and I always loved it, but I had no idea where it was.

In 2024, Khush and I were traveling through Mallorca. We had just finished lunch and were walking around Valldemossa when I suddenly stopped. The street in front of me looked so familiar. I kept staring at it, trying to figure out why.

Then it hit me.

I was standing in the exact place from the photograph that had been hanging in my hallway for years. Before I could fully process it, I turned around and Khush was on one knee.

What I didn't know was that he had spent months trying to track down the location of that photograph and planned the entire proposal around it. Looking back, it was one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me.

M: How would you describe your relationship dynamic?

KK: We're very different in some ways and incredibly similar in others. Khush is calm and steady, while I'm often the dreamer with a hundred ideas at once. We balance each other out. We are best friends first, and that's probably the foundation of everything else.

M: What kind of wedding did you envision when you started planning?

KK: We wanted a wedding that felt intentional, intimate, and personal. Rather than creating an event for hundreds of guests, we wanted to create an experience for the people who truly know and love us. Every decision came back to one question: "Does this feel like us?"

M: Did you face any challenges during the planning process?

KK: Absolutely. We initially explored getting married in Bali and even considered Europe at one point, but the logistics of hosting family and friends overseas quickly became overwhelming. We also parted ways with our first wedding planner midway through the process, which definitely wasn't something we had anticipated.

Like many couples, we also had different visions to navigate. We wanted a smaller, more intimate celebration, while our parents initially imagined a much larger wedding. It took a few conversations and compromises to find the right balance.

M: How did you choose your venue?

KK: Honestly, it was love at first sight.

We visited Calamigos Ranch in California and within about 30 minutes, we knew it was the one. We made the decision that day and left having already committed to the venue.

There was something about it that immediately felt special. It had this modern-day Bridgerton quality to it, elegant, romantic, and timeless without feeling overly formal. The setting was beautiful on its own, which meant we didn't have to overcomplicate anything.

We could instantly picture ourselves getting married there. Sometimes you spend months comparing venues, but for us, the decision was surprisingly easy because it just felt right.

M: Tell us about your outfits! How did you select them?

KK: Fashion was one of the parts of the wedding I was most excited about.

Ironically, the first thing I chose wasn't a dress, it was a pair of shoes. I've always loved Maison Margiela Tabis, so when I found out the French fashion house and Christian Louboutin were collaborating, I immediately drove to Melrose and bought a pair of Tabi Loubi heels. From there, I had Tarun Tahiliani design an outfit around the shoes, which ultimately became one of my wedding looks.

Going into the wedding, I had a very clear vision of the designers I wanted to wear. Tarun Tahiliani, Sabyasachi, and Manish Malhotra were all on that list, and somehow I managed to wear every single one of them throughout the celebrations.

I was incredibly fortunate to work with my friend and stylist, Suzaina (@styledbysuzaina), who understood my vision from day one. I put a lot of trust in her creative direction, and unlike most brides, my first fitting was pretty much my last fitting. 

For jewellery, I worked with Shriparamani Jewels in Delhi and took a very "less is more" approach. We chose polki pieces that felt timeless and complemented the outfits rather than competing with them.

Overall, I wanted everything to feel ‘me’. From the shoes and jewellery to the silhouettes, hair, and makeup, every element reflected my personal style.

M: Was there a particular ceremony or function that was especially meaningful to you?

KK: The Anand Karaj was the most meaningful part of the entire celebration. In the middle of all the excitement, it was the moment that reminded us what the wedding was truly about our commitment to each other and the life we were beginning together.

M: What was going through your mind when you saw each other at the altar?

KK: Gratitude. Tears. Oh God! After so many years together, it felt surreal that the day had finally arrived. Everything else faded away, and for a moment it felt like it was just the two of us.

M: What was your favourite moment from the wedding day?

KK: Walking into our reception and seeing all of our favorite people in one room. It was one of the few moments where we could pause, look around, and truly appreciate how much love surrounded us. 

M: What are you most looking forward to in this next chapter together?

KK: Traveling. We put many of our travel plans on hold while planning the wedding, so we're excited to start exploring the world together as husband and wife and creating new memories beyond the wedding itself.