Risha and Mike
Risha Kohli and Michael Koval celebrated their love on April 6, 2024, at the Loews Hotel Millennium Ballroom in Philadelphia, PA, with 260 guests joining the celebration. Risha, a marketing professional, and Michael, a finance expert, first met on the dating app Hinge in 2021. Despite the pandemic, their initial meeting at Harpers Garden felt effortlessly natural. By their third date, sharing stories and inside jokes at a wine bar, they both sensed something special. Their love deepened through shared experiences, including an international trip to France and Belgium in November 2022. Mike proposed in June 2023, after about 1.5 years of dating, with a surprise proposal in Rittenhouse Square followed by a celebratory weekend with their families.
To navigate their wedding planning, Risha and Mike enlisted a wedding planner to help with logistics and venue details, though they believed it wasn’t strictly necessary. They chose Philadelphia, where they both live, for its personal significance, selecting the Loews Hotel for its unique historical charm. This venue, once the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society, allowed them to incorporate historical elements into their celebration, including signage about the building’s past.
BANQUET HALLS Loews Hotel Philadelphia 215-231-723 | BEAUTICIANS Joseph Anthony Retreat Spa & Salon 215-310-0036 | CAKE Classic Cake Cherry Hill 856-751-5448 | DECORATOR Xtraordinary Events by Vito Russo 267-551-4400 | EVENT PLANNER SLC Event Company 954-591-3611 | INVITATIONS Chick Invitations 215-592-1407 | MEHNDI Hirals Henna Designs 215-760-6565 | MUSICIAN EBE Dreamtime 888-323-2263 | PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHY John Barone Photography 215-620-4214 | Abominable Productions 610-420-7710
Their pre-wedding events were thoughtfully designed. On Thursday, they hosted a ‘Welcome Party’ at Harp & Crown, a speakeasy bar with old-school bowling lanes, which delighted their younger guests. The following day’s Sangeet at the Loews Hotel’s 33rd floor featured breathtaking views of the Philadelphia skyline, enhanced by purple linens, floral centerpieces, and candlelight, creating a nostalgic ambiance.
For the wedding ceremony, the theme was modern elegance with green, white, and shades of purple. The mandap was adorned with white and green flowers and glass pearls, complemented by cherry blossom trees and tall aisle structures. Bridesmaids carried long candles in vases down the aisle, adding a unique touch. The music for the ceremony included an instrumental version of ‘Jashn-E-Bahara’ for the wedding party and ‘Teri Ore’ for the bride’s entrance. Instead of a traditional Baraat, the groom walked down the aisle with his parents while the bride’s parents offered blessings at the mandap, allowing all guests to witness the ceremony in a unique and meaningful way.
The reception decor reflected their color scheme of purple, green, and white. Fresh floral centerpieces, candle orbs, and dynamic lighting transitions—from amber for photos to purple for dancing—set the scene. The couple entered to ‘This Will Be (An Everlasting Love),’ inviting all guests to join them on the dance floor shortly after. The first dance, father/daughter dance, and mother/son dance featured a blend of special songs, including ‘Kudi Nu Nachne De’ and ‘You’ll Be In My Heart.’ The groom’s surprise performance of ‘Mr. Brightside’ was a highlight of the night, energizing the dance floor.
Their wedding incorporated personal touches such as a customized Hindu ceremony script with English explanations and the use of Mike’s family pearl necklace as a replacement for the traditional mangal sutra. DIY elements included signage highlighting the venue’s history and a memoriam table for loved ones who had passed. A special “WOW” moment was the serving of Mango Lassi and Chai right before the ceremony.
Risha and Mike’s advice to future couples is to focus on what truly matters to them and create their own traditions, rather than adhering strictly to norms. They managed to avoid pre-wedding nightmares through meticulous planning, and they still laugh about a minor mishap during the Milni when their fathers’ scarves were humorously misaligned.
