Vidisha and Ketan, Philadelphia, USA
An elegant wedding that celebrated their cherished Indian traditions within their American world.
Vidisha and Ketan’s wedding in their hometown Philadelphia was a grand representation of Indian culture and their love for the city they were raised in. Put together meticulously, the affair was pure class and sophistication.
The bride gives us a glimpse into their love story and shares with us pictures from their big day.
How They Met
“Like many modern love stories, Ketan and I met on a dating app, Coffee Meets Bagel in June, 2016. We connected instantly and spent weeks messaging as Ketan travelled through India. It was only in July that he invited me to meet him at his favorite Mexican restaurant. That sunny afternoon was supposed to be a quick lunch but we couldn’t stop talking and getting to know each other. Eight entertaining hours later it was obvious we had a unique connection. We couldn’t wait to see each other again.”
The Proposal
“Ketan is a true romantic. He whisked me away to Thailand. He planned a breathtaking surprise dinner on a rooftop in Phuket. When I walked in, there were candles, flowers, ‘our song’ playing, it could not have been more perfect. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him and of course, I said yes. We began to plan the wedding soon after.”
Wedding Planning
“The Philadelphia area is home to us and it is a place we have always loved. We decided it was ideal to get married here. With over 500 guests traveling from around the county and the world, it took several months of planning and meetings with our amazing vendors but it all came together just as we had imagined it.
My dresses for the wedding and reception as well as Ketan’s sherwani were customized by the very talented Susmita Patel of Style by Susmita. She sketched all of the designs and overlooked the intricate workmanship by local artists in India while at the same time helping those talented artists through her daughter’s foundation.”
Wedding Functions
Wedding
“Our wedding day began with an epic first look at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Ketan was already at the top of the famous Rocky Steps when I arrived. To see him up there, waiting for me was truly one of the most surreal and memorable moments of the weekend. It was perfectly captured by Pacific Pictures and Sachi Anand Photography.
We then proceeded to our wedding at The Ballroom at the Ben, another iconic landmark in Philadelphia. Ketan, his friends and family danced in the streets of this busy city for his baraat. It was so vibrant and colorful and radiating energy!
For the wedding I wanted a traditional look and Susmita was able bring that feel to my dark pink wedding lehenga that featured golden floral details with flair. Ketan’s ivory sherwani too exhibited beautiful floral embroidery and was paired with a beautiful light pink safa creating an exceptionally royal yet stylish look.
The venue where we wed is one of the most stunning in Philadelphia. The high ceilings, ornate architecture and balconies overlooking our mandap made us fall in love with it the moment we saw it. Elegant Affairs turned our decor dreams for our big day into reality. We used an ivory and blush color scheme with crystals and pastel flowers to create a soft, romantic look for the ceremony.”
Reception
“We held our cocktail party and reception in a historic building with beautiful chandeliers and opulent wooden columns that had a truly grand, elegant atmosphere to dance the night away in. The ballroom was decorated with a mix of floral arrangements and candelabras and the candlelit room exuded romance and made for an intimate setting.
I opted for an ivory gown that was a bit more contemporary for my reception. The dress was adorned with stunning crystals as well as ornate flowers and made me feel like a princess. Not only was Susmita able to design the outfit to match my vision perfectly, but also managed to do my hair, makeup and styling to create a completely glamorous yet effortless look!
Our first dance was choreographed and began as a ballroom dance and peaked with some high-energy bhangra! Then came the emotional, memorable speeches and performances by our family and friends. We ended the night with a fully packed dance floor thanks to DJ Sharad.”
Advice For Couples
“With the roster of events and expansive guest lists, Indian weddings can be stressful to plan. It’s important to take a step back and remember the true meaning of marriage. Spend some time planning the honeymoon when things get stressful!
We took a quick getaway to Turks and Caicos right after the wedding and then a few months later we visited South Africa. It’s important to keep in mind the big picture and just have fun with all of the planning!”
The Wedding Makers
Venues: Ballroom At the Ben (Wedding), Crystal Tea Room (Reception)
Wedding Planner: Little things by Arpita
Décor: Elegant Affairs
Caterers: Rasoi Caterers
Bride’s Outfits: Style by Susmita
Groom’s Outfits: Style by Susmita
Makeup and Hairstyling: Susmita Patel
DJ: DJ USA
Photography: Sachi Anand Photography
Videography: Pacific Pictures
