Volume 19, Issue 1

Behind The One Bride Guide Cover Shoot
The Luxe Life
Photos by Shoocha Photography

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Behind The One – The Luxe Life

The One Bride Guide Cover Shoot – V19I1
Corpus Christi, TX

by Monica Sawyer, photos by Shoocha Photography

Planning for The One Bride Guide in 2026, we kept being reminded of the idea, “onward and upward!” Working to expand the magazine to be multi-state (more on that soon), we joked that we were going to become jet-setters. Someone said, “let’s use an airplane for the cover!” Yes! Perfect! Luckily, we have friends in high places, and we were able to secure a pristine Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1. Thank you friends!

Shoocha Photography is known for their high-fashion, striking imagery and we were thrilled they agreed to do the shoot, despite the tight timeline with the plane’s routes and their own slammed travel schedule. Shoocha had flown in just a few hours earlier, and nailed one of the easiest, fastest shoots we’ve ever done, finishing minutes before the pilot had to take off for a trip. What pros!

Our gorgeous cover model is the brilliant Dr. Shalini Narang. We met Shalini through a friend helping with the plane. The more we got to know Shalini, the more we were grateful to know her story.

Shalini holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry and Toxicology. She manages South Texas Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates, with her husband, Rajeev Narang, MD. She has been deeply involved with the Coastal Bend India Association for more than 25 years, during which time she has served as president and held several other leadership positions. She also plays an active role in organizing the Festival of India and the Health Fair, a yearly event held in Corpus Christi.

Currently, she serves as a board member of CASA and is a former board member of Foster Angels of South Texas. She has also co-chaired a fundraising event for Ronald McDonald Charities of Corpus Christi and serves on the board of the local chapter of the Nueces County Medical Society Alliance. In her personal interests, she is passionate about healthy cooking and nutrition, enjoys mentoring, and has a strong love for Indian classical and Bollywood dance.

We were fascinated by Shalini’s life story, starting with her incredible education, to her arranged marriage in India (still going strong), and especially her role as super-mom-of-the-bride, helping to plan an EPIC destination wedding in Cancún, Mexico for her first-born daughter, Shreya (which we HAD to feature – see page 9).

Shalini, Shreya, and the family wanted all things done with Indian culture in mind, focusing on the exquisite details: the hand-made attire, elaborate jewelry, floral design, decor, and a celebration that lasts for days. Between Shalini, Shreya and her two sisters, the Narang’s brought over 25 formal outfits and over 60 suitcases. Shreya’s bridal lehenga was 27 lbs! Shalini spent a ton of time flying back and forth to India, purchasing items for the family and gifts for the guests, preparing for the destination wedding in Cancún. This airplane shoot was more than appropriate!

We are grateful for the collaboration from all the people who make our shoots so special. We couldn’t do it without them. Oh My Dress provided the stunning, hand- beaded, silver gown. The owners coordinated with us while in the hospital giving birth to their first child! Congratulations! Iuliia (Julia) Prokhorova of Wild Veggie Bouquet created a gorgeous bouquet of peonies, dendrobium orchids, roses, lisianthus, and a little English ivy. We took the luxury up a notch with tons of diamonds from A. Kenney Jewelry. I think my favorite part of the shoot is shopping their ever-changing inventory of vintage jewels. Deidra Meyer-Hager, owner of Design Concepts Salon & Boutique, was our expert hair and makeup artist, staying on set for the whole shoot to touch-up and primp our model. A special feature was the limited edition Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandoulière bag, loaned to us by another trusting friend. This bag transforms from chic black to glowing, with color-changing LED lights embedded in the fabric (see the video in our online gallery).

Now, can we hop on that jet for a quick trip to Atlanta?