Aditi Gopalan and Abhinav Koppu, Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort
Inspired by the groom's poem for the bride, this couple's destination wedding in Bali transformed every celebration into a chapter of their love story.
Aditi Gopalan and Abhinav Koppu’s Bali wedding was a thoughtful celebration built around a story that was uniquely their own. Inspired by a poem Abhinav had written years earlier, every event unfolded as a chapter in their journey together, blending meaningful traditions, immersive design and deeply personal touches against Bali’s lush landscapes.
How They Met
Aditi Gopalan, who was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, and Abhinav Koppu, from Miami, first connected on the dating app Hinge in 2020. While Abhinav sent heartfelt messages, Aditi admits she wasn’t looking for anything serious at the time. “We matched on Hinge in 2020. Abhinav was writing me these long, genuine paragraphs full of heart, and I was not looking for anything serious or real at the time, so I promptly ghosted him,” she shares.
A year and a half later, the two unexpectedly crossed paths at a mutual friend’s gathering. Less than a week after meeting in person, they went on their first date, which lasted over six hours. Their conversation eventually turned to The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig, where they discovered the word aftersome, defined as the feeling of astonishment at the unlikely sequence of events that brings someone somewhere extraordinary.
At the time, they had no idea that years later, Aftersome would become the name of their wedding ceremony.
The Proposal
Knowing Aditi’s love for puzzles and games, Abhinav planned a proposal that was entirely tailored to her.
Over several months, he secretly created a fictional escape room company, complete with a website and social media presence, before convincing Aditi, her father and sister to participate in a White Collar-themed challenge inspired by her favourite television show.
“The moment that video played, I knew in my gut this was Abhi’s doing,” recalls Aditi, after being greeted by a personalised message from actor Tim DeKay.
The carefully crafted experience led the family through a series of puzzles before revealing a final clue that pointed to Lover’s Lane in San Francisco’s Presidio. There, surrounded by flowers and candles beneath the trees, Abhinav proposed with a custom-designed ring inspired by The Sapling, a poem he had written for her years earlier.
Following her “yes”, family members emerged from behind the trees, turning the moment into an intimate celebration with loved ones.
Wedding Planning
For Aditi and Abhinav, Bali offered much more than a beautiful backdrop. “We wanted somewhere that felt sacred and alive. A place with genuine spiritual energy, not just somewhere beautiful,” shares Aditi.
The couple structured their entire wedding around The Sapling, a poem that served as the creative foundation for every celebration. To bring their vision to life, they partnered with Varawedding from Bali. “All they cared about was understanding us, our story and how to bring it to life,” says Aditi.
The couple also approached their ceremony with the same level of intention. Rather than following traditions unquestioningly, they spent months researching rituals from their Tamil and Telugu heritage, understanding their origins and deciding which ones reflected their values. This led them to Dr Raja Gopal Bhattar, who officiated a ceremony centred on inclusivity, equality and education. Conducted in both Sanskrit and English, the ceremony gave guests insight into the meaning behind every ritual while preserving the beauty of traditional practices.
“It was so fulfilling to hear that every guest walked away more educated about what a Hindu wedding truly represents,” shares Aditi.
Wedding Functions
Welcome Night
The celebrations began with a beachfront evening inspired by Balinese culture. Traditional fire dancers, an Indonesian menu and a relaxed sunset setting paid tribute to the island that was hosting the wedding. At the centre of the venue stood a sailboat featuring The Sapling poem printed across its sail, introducing guests to the story that would unfold throughout the weekend.
The evening also saw the launch of the couple’s interactive Honeymoon Game. Nine potential destinations were displayed on a board, with guests gradually revealing locations throughout the celebrations. The first two destinations were unveiled by guests who held special significance in the couple’s journey. As the night progressed, the couple set their wedding hashtag on fire before the dance floor quickly became the centre of the celebration. The evening ended with guests jumping into the pool, fully dressed.
Haldi
Inspired by growth and renewal, the Haldi drew from the symbolism of the elements that nourish a seed. The décor embraced an earthy, village-inspired aesthetic with hand-painted terracotta installations, kalamkari textiles, marigolds and rustic details. A towering sapling installation stood at the heart of the venue, while a symbolic torn root displayed photographs of Aditi’s late mother and family members.
“We rooted the event in the symbolism of the elements that nourish a seed to grow,” shares Aditi. The couple surprised their families with a semi-classical performance inspired by Radha and Krishna. At the same time, a giant wedding-themed Bingo game encouraged guests to interact and learn more about the couple. The celebrations also included surprise performances from cousins and loved ones before culminating in the traditional haldi ceremony and a dramatic flower shower.
Sangeet
The Sangeet took on a completely different mood, with a bold psychedelic theme. Guests entered through a neon-lit tunnel featuring another stanza from The Sapling, while illuminated mushrooms, LED installations and vibrant centrepieces transformed the venue.
Aditi and Abhinav made their entrance to ‘Manali Trance’ song before an evening filled with performances by family and friends. Rather than having a traditional emcee, the couple invited fourteen loved ones from both sides of the family to host the evening together. Dance performances, heartfelt speeches and humorous anecdotes kept the energy high throughout the night.
The celebrations continued into an after-party featuring psychedelic visuals, a themed bar and immersive neon installations.
Wedding
Named after the word that had first resonated with them on their very first date, Aftersome became the emotional centrepiece of the wedding weekend. The ceremony featured moss-covered stone structures engraved with lines from the couple’s poem, leading to a petal-lined aisle and a mandap framed by banana leaves and a blooming purple wisteria tree.
“The blooming sapling had finally become a tree,” says Aditi.
The ceremony blended Tamil and Telugu traditions while consciously removing practices that did not align with the couple’s beliefs. Rituals such as Jeelakarabellam and Panigrahanam were thoughtfully incorporated, while guests were guided through the meaning behind each moment.
Reception
The final celebration took place in an enchanted forest-inspired setting where every table was built around a tree. Overhead, colourful wisteria installations and crystal chandeliers created a magical atmosphere that echoed the imagery from The Sapling.
The couple’s first dance was a tribute to the poem that inspired the wedding, before transitioning into ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’, the first vinyl record Aditi had gifted Abhinav. Family speeches brought both laughter and tears, but one of the most emotional moments came when Aditi’s sister, Anula, surprised her with a video created from the perspective of their late mother using treasured family footage.
Advice For Couples
Aditi believes that authenticity should remain at the heart of every wedding. “The most beautiful weddings are the ones that are true to who the couple are, not the ones trying to follow trends or what is popular on social media,” she shares. “Weddings are sacred because they celebrate the couple for who they truly are.”
For Abhinav, storytelling was one of the most important aspects of the planning process. “Having a story as the backbone of the wedding allowed every event to feel connected and intentional,” he says. “The greatest compliment we received was that the wedding felt authentically us.”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort
Wedding Planner: Varawedding Bali Wedding Planner
Décor: Aisle Project Bali
Entertainment: ANG Events & Talent Management
DJ: DJ Xirex
Sound & Lighting: Twinbrother Sound & Lighting
Caterers: Ganesha Ek Sanskriti, Chaskaa Modern Indian Cuisine & Bar
Bartenders: Flair Mix Co.
Photography: Infinite Memories
Makeup: Fikri Halim, Blush Atelier by Blush beauty & beyond
Mehndi: Henna By Ima Habsyi
Bride’s Outfits: Evable Designs (Welcome Night), Aindhri by Mahitha (Haldi), Bobo Calcutta (Sangeet), Mavuri Silks (Wedding), Tanva by Deepika (Wedding), Qbik (Reception)
Groom’s Outfits: Ashwin Mawle and Hassan Khan (Welcome Night), Aindhri by Mahitha (Haldi), Bobo Calcutta (Sangeet), Raamz Label (Wedding, Baraat), Qbik (Reception)
Stylist: Ashwin Mawle, Hassan Khan
Priest: Dr. Raja G. Bhattar
