Photo: Matei Horvath Photography1/41A bride’s henna is frequently applied a few days before an Indian wedding.
Pavit and I had always spoken about getting married at the beach, and while we chose Rivieria, Mexico, as the place for our destination wedding—because it’s the perfect mix of culture, spirit, beauty, history, delicious food, and, of course, tequila!—we incorporated many of our Indian traditions into the weekend.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography2/41Pavit and I making our entrance into the sangeet, the wedding weekend kickoff party, filled with plenty of traditional singing and dancing.
My outfit was doused in intricate mirror work and felt almost Middle Eastern, so I went with a bold, Arabic-inspired eye with shimmer to play off the mirrors.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography3/41The groom’s family performing the jago ceremony, which usually happens the night before a Punjabi wedding and is a chance for friends and family to dance together in celebration.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography4/41Guests dancing at the sangeet.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography5/41The Sikh ceremony, which took place at 10:00 a.m. in the hotel’s gazebo, was definitely more traditional.
Here, my makeup artist is attaching the bindi to my head.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography6/41Pavit wrapping his turban for the Sikh ceremony.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography7/41Getting my makeup application before the ceremony.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography8/41It’s traditional to have a sarbala by the groom’s side—a little brother who “protects” the groom. Pavit’s nephew Aryan was handed this role and was Pavit’s mini-me throughout the ceremony!
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography9/41Since my head needed to be covered, I went for a bold red lip to offset the red gown.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography10/41Pavit’s bharaat (the groom’s procession) under way—the procession lasted almost an hour, with friends and family dancing all the way to the gazebo.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography11/41Our nieces and nephews playing during the ceremony.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography12/41The Sikh ceremony gazebo setting was colorful and bright.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography13/41The gazebo ceiling decorated for the ceremony.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography14/41Our nephew praying before the Sikh ceremony commences.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography15/41Here I am entering the Sikh ceremony escorted by my father and uncle.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography16/41I was dying to see Pavit’s face as I took my place during the Sikh ceremony, but he was wearing a sehra, a veil made of pearls, so I had no clue what his initial reaction was!
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography17/41Receiving blessings from the priest during the Sikh ceremony. The bride must wear red bangles, choora, as a symbol of marriage in India.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography18/41The Sikh ceremony in process. I remember how hot it was, especially underneath all the heavy clothing! We were both trying to keep our composure during the ceremony, but all I could think about was jumping into a cold pool afterward!
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography19/41The Sikh priest giving his blessings to us. Pavit and I were grasping a gorgeous silk tie that my father had joined together as a sign of unity.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography20/41Here we are officially married and posing for photos after the Sikh ceremony.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography21/41My Hindu ceremony gown was custom-made by designer Nikhil Mehra of Shantanu & Nikhil.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography22/41Our Hindu ceremony was oceanside. Growing up, getting married at the beach always seemed like the romantic thing to do.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography23/41Pavit waiting for my arrival during the Hindu ceremony.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography24/41Pavit holding an embroidered coconut. The bride’s family walks to the entrance carrying a coconut to receive the groom’s party. The coconuts are then exchanged as a symbol of the marriage contract.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography25/41Here I am being escorted down the aisle by my uncles, Max Vadukul and Nitin Vadukul.
The Hindu ceremony was held at sunset and called for a more subtle look, and I had envisioned lots of flowers in my hair and draped from my wrist. I think this added a very romantic touch to the overall look.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography26/41Pavit and I exchanging garlands before entering the mandap ceremonial gazebo.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography27/41Here we are taking our seats for the Hindu ceremony.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography28/41Pavit and I exchanging wedding rings.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography29/41Walking back down the aisle as a married couple.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography30/41Children playing in the sand during the beach party, which followed our Hindu ceremony.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography31/41Cutting the cake!
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography32/41The DJ overlooked the dance floor.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography33/41Making our exit at the end of the night.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography34/41On the fourth night, we held a cocktail hour on the beach.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography35/41We managed to sneak away from the crowd during our reception cocktail hour for some beautiful portraits at sunset.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography36/41It was so much fun watching our guests’ expressions as they entered the space! The seating cards were placed inside personalized frosted shot glasses, so everyone was forced to have a drink!
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography37/41One of the main reasons we chose Riviera Maya as our wedding destination was because of Xcaret—an eco-archaeological park in the heart of the jungle that features an ancient Mayan cave. I became obsessed with the idea of holding our reception in this cave.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography38/41Table settings inside the cave.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography39/41Guests lining up to enter the Mayan cave with tea lights while the conch shell blower performs.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography40/41This dinner was truly the showstopper event of our four-day affair.
Photo: Matei Horvath Photography41/41Guests dancing at the reception. The evening went late with party hats, glowing glasses, and plenty of tequila.
