Sahiti Chinnam and Venkat Mocherla, Hotel El Ganzo, Cabo

Some love stories begin with years of friendship, while others begin with a chance encounter. For Sahiti Chinnam and Venkat Mocherla, it was the latter. Their wedding celebrations across Hyderabad and Cabo were captured by WeddingSutra Favorite – Jumping Souls, whose candid photography documented the couple and their celebrations with a natural, unobtrusive approach.

How They Met
Sahiti and Venkat met by chance in New York City, where they were both visiting for the weekend. Although they returned to their respective cities afterwards, they stayed in touch and soon reconnected when Venkat travelled to Ohio for work, where Sahiti was based at the time. What began as two unexpected encounters eventually became the beginning of their relationship.

Wedding Planning
Sahiti and Venkat planned two weddings across two countries while balancing their careers in the United States. While celebrating there would have been easier, they wanted to get married in India, surrounded by their families and loved ones. A trip to Hyderabad several months ahead helped them explore venues and meet planners and vendors, after which most of the planning was managed remotely. Venkat’s parents provided valuable on-ground support, while the couple remained involved in the creative decisions, from décor and layouts to menus, welcome gifts and personalised guest experiences. “We wanted every event to feel intentional and deeply personal,” they share. The Hyderabad celebrations centred on family and tradition, while Cabo was planned as a more intimate celebration with friends who had become family.

For Sahiti and Venkat, choosing a wedding photographer was about more than portfolios and beautiful imagery. “It was equally about finding people we genuinely connected with,” they share. When they first spoke with the Jumping Souls team, the conversation focused on understanding who they were as a couple and how they wanted their story remembered. This personal connection became the deciding factor. Venkat, who admits that he isn’t someone who enjoys being photographed, initially worried about feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera. Those concerns soon disappeared as the team focused on capturing genuine moments rather than directing poses. “Instead of feeling like we were constantly being photographed, we felt like we were spending time with friends who happened to have cameras.” Their easy rapport continued through both weddings, from the family celebrations in Hyderabad to the beaches, yachts and oceanfront events in Cabo. By the time the Indian wedding ended, bringing Jumping Souls to Mexico felt like a natural choice. “It wasn’t simply about consistency in photography. It was about continuing a relationship that had already become an important part of our wedding experience.”

Wedding Functions
Pelli Kuthuru and Pelli Koduku
The Hyderabad celebrations began with the Pelli Kuthuru and Pelli Koduku ceremonies, which brought the families together for intimate pre-wedding rituals. Held in places connected to the couple’s childhoods, the ceremonies were rooted in tradition and family, with simple décor that kept the focus on the rituals and blessings.

Haldi
The Haldi brought a bright and cheerful energy to the celebrations. Yellow and orange décor, marigolds and fresh florals set the tone for an afternoon filled with laughter and playful rituals. The relaxed setup allowed Sahiti and Venkat and their families to enjoy the ceremony without formality.

Sangeet
The Sangeet shifted the mood with music, performances and plenty of dancing. Family members came together for rehearsed routines, while the décor created a festive backdrop for an evening centred on entertainment and celebration. It was an energetic night that brought everyone onto the dance floor.

Hyderabad Wedding
The wedding embraced a classic aesthetic, with soft florals, a graceful mandap and a restrained colour palette. The décor complemented the traditional rituals without overwhelming them, keeping the ceremony at the heart of the celebration. Surrounded by their families, Sahiti and Venkat exchanged vows in an elegant setting.

Welcome Dinner
The Cabo celebrations began with a relaxed welcome dinner overlooking the ocean. The décor was kept understated, allowing the setting to take centre stage. It was an easygoing evening where friends from different phases of Sahiti and Venkat’s lives could meet and spend time together before the wedding festivities began.

Cocktail and Mehndi
The Cocktail and Mehndi brought together Indian wedding elements with the relaxed atmosphere of a destination celebration. Vibrant décor, music and Mehndi festivities created a lively setting, while the coastal backdrop added to the evening’s holiday mood.

Yacht Party
The yacht party was one of the most relaxed celebrations of the wedding. With the ocean and open skies providing the backdrop, the décor remained minimal, allowing the setting and the company to take centre stage. Music, dancing and time spent together made it a memorable day for Sahiti, Venkat and their friends.

Beachfront Wedding and Reception
The beachfront wedding was intimate and understated, with the ocean providing the backdrop and elegant florals framing the ceremony. The décor was kept refined, allowing the natural setting to remain central. Surrounded by their closest friends, Sahiti and Venkat exchanged vows in a setting that felt distinctly different from their Hyderabad wedding.

The reception brought the Cabo celebrations to a close, bringing together the friends who had shared this chapter of Sahiti and Venkat’s lives. It was a fitting end to a wedding journey that unfolded across two countries, balancing family traditions with the couple’s life in the United States.

The Wedding Makers
Venues: ITC Kakatiya, Hyderabad (Haldi, Sangeet, Wedding); Hotel El Ganzo, Cabo, Mexico (Welcome Dinner, Yacht Party, Mehndi and Cocktail, Beachfront Wedding and Reception)
Photography: Jumping Souls
Bride’s Outfits: Falguni Shane Peacock (Welcome Dinner), Via Riya (Yacht Party), Rococo by Raghvi (Reception)

Related Articles: