Editorial December 2024
Dear Reader,
Welcome, dear readers, to yet another stunning edition of the Desh-Videsh wedding magazine! As you flip these pages of special edition, prepare to immerse yourself in a realm brimming with vibrant hues, time-honored customs, and poignant narratives, all combining to present the vibrant mosaic of the Indian wedding in its contemporary form.
In this edition, we are thrilled to commemorate the evolution of this sacred celebration. Indian weddings have always been a joyful coming together of families, cultures, and customs. Today, this rich legacy continues to flourish with refreshing new elements. We find couples embracing their uniqueness and weaving aspects into their ceremonies that reflect their distinct love stories.
Perhaps it is a bride choosing a lehenga that reflects her personal style or a groom selecting eco-friendly and sustainable wedding options. It could be a ceremony that harmoniously blends traditions from both families or a lively reception with an eclectic mix of musical tastes. This seamless blend of heritage and innovation creates the magic that makes each Indian wedding extraordinary.
Despite the excitement of preparation and celebration, it’s important to remember that marriage has a deeper significance from the start. Indians also celebrate marriage as a commitment to love. Families unite for their mutual well-being, accepting blessings and benefits to establish and sustain a household of good fortunes for their future happiness.
As you peruse the pages of this edition, let your creativity flow. Just let your imagination take over. Enjoy the wonders of a modern Indian wedding, as it truly showcases the beauty of your unique love story. So own that individuality, and celebrate with something uniquely you and your love.
Indian weddings are vibrant and diverse. Every ceremony is a wonderful blend of cherished traditions, personal touches, and boundless love for the unforgettable experiences of the wedding couple and their near and dear ones.
In this issue, we’ll take you through these modern expressions of love. Heartwarming stories of real couples who planned weddings, not only deeply personal but profoundly meaningful, accompany you throughout. Together, we explore five exceptional celebrations across varied destinations, painting vivid, beautiful portraits of Indian weddings today.
Briefly, let me talk about three weddings we are covering in this speical wedding issue.
First wedding of Roshni Parikh, a radiologist, and Parth Worah, a nephrologist, tied the knot in a vibrant celebration on May 18, 2024, at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Bastrop, TX. The two started dating on Hinge late in 2022 and got a magical proposal in Peru when Parth surprised Roshni during a sunset photoshoot in the Sacred Valley.
Rathi Menon, the wedding planner, expertly orchestrated this fairytale wedding for 250 guests, filled with culture, creativity, and love, ensuring the couple’s focus was solely on the celebrations. The celebrations included an energetic Haldi “Color Bash,” a Rajasthani-themed Sangeet named “The Dhoom Dham Mela,” and an unforgettable outdoor wedding ceremony. Her dog, Max, added some charisma by creating a motorized toy Mercedes ride.
There was a reception with glamorous decorations of Paris, a Moulin Rouge canopy, and an emotional love story video. Bollywood and Hollywood music seamlessly blended with emotional moments such as father-daughter and mother-son dances. The wedding showcased 16 choreographed performances, each telling the story of the couple, and included a wedding podcast.
Personal touches, from DIY projects to a Desi Bazaar, made the wedding intimate and memorable. The couple’s advice: embrace the journey and cherish every moment—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The second wedding of Aditi Jariwala and Nandha Parthiban was all about love, culture, and personal style. The couple met while in college in 2016. They dated for 7.5 years, enduring cross-country moves and long-distance periods, before tying the knot during a festive Chicago trip in December 2022. Nandha proposed in a park overlooking the river, surrounded by loved ones and filled with joy.
The wedding ceremony will take place at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA), as both of them have grown up in Minnesota and have admired the beauty of its architecture. A traditional Hindu wedding in India will follow the intimate Western-style ceremony. Aditi chose a stunning custom dress by Shilpa K. from Mumbai, while Nandha wore a tailored SuitSupply outfit for the occasion. Vitamin String Quartet played their music for the occasion and a modern recessional song to set the perfect tone.
The reception’s décor was quite sparse, making the art and food the focal points. The reception featured a stunning fountain adorned with florals and candles, an Indian menu, and customized fortune cookies reminiscent of their first date. To top it off, Glam Doll Donuts provided a spectacular show for dessert. Bollywood and pop music kept the dance floor lively, featuring a first dance to “Senorita” by Aditi and Nandha.
The couple recommends organizing the wedding and hiring a coordinator to alleviate stress. Despite a brief power outage during preparation, their day went exceptionally well, seamlessly blending traditions, family, and modern flair for an unforgettable celebration.
The last but the most interesting wedding of Vivek and Kelly’s at The Westin Carlsbad Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California, was a wonderful combination of love and tradition. They first met in 2013 while attending residency at the West Los Angeles VA hospital. The couple faced nearly nine years of distance challenges before relocating to Tampa in mid-2023 to co-own multiple dental offices. Kelly and Vivek become engaged on the beach, having a surprising proposal in the beautiful Playa del Carmen in Mexico.
The Hindu-Western wedding was the epitome of beautiful harmony between the two cultures. Celebrations started with Mehndi on October 27, bright colors of fall, intricate details of the decor, and 1,001 origami cranes symbolizing peace and love. The Hindu ceremony outdoors on October 29 included a traditional baarat, and the priest explained the rituals to the guests who were not familiar with Indian customs. Mandap and floral arrangements had elegance and continuity in them.
This encompassed various Western elements, such as the white wedding conducted by their family friend, the sake ceremony in the Japanese tradition, and dancing to The Beatles’ “And I Love Her.” Vivek and Kelly began their life together with heartfelt speeches, lively dancing, and cherished memories.
Let me conclude my column by wishing all newlyweds a happy and long married life. I’m sure many people have provided a wealth of advice. Let me add my two cents. I’m sure that all of you who have participated in Hindu wedding rituals must have heard about Sapta Padi, which is a set of seven promises made to each other.
As you enter the sacred bond of marriage, I want to share with you the wisdom of Sapta Padi, the seven steps that form the foundation of a lifelong partnership. More than rituals, these steps are commitments to each other and your future life.
First, nourish each other’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The bedrock of a blissful union is care and support. Build strength together in facing life’s challenges with courage and unity, knowing that you are each other’s anchor. Work hand in hand to create prosperity, not just material success but also the richness of a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Take pleasure and love in your bonding as you spend every moment together, and stand together as you grow through all stages of life. Value your relationship by raising your children lovingly and creating a strong family circle with your relatives. Always be loyal companions. You should understand each other on an extreme level. Give growth to trust. On the highest point of importance, respect your celestial bonding, seek godly favors, and follow every commitment you make here in life.
Let these vows guide you in creating a marriage filled with love, harmony, and a shared purpose.
Raj Shah
Managing Editor
Desh-Videsh Media Group
