New York was the third main character in our love story, so a City Hall wedding felt inevitable. Our Manhattan elopement was straight out of a rom-com — intimate, spontaneous, and full of magic. I found my vintage 1970s Dior gown from a seller in Italy, bought it sight unseen (a huge risk for a Type A like me), but it was perfect: a long-sleeved lace bodice for winter and a fitted silhouette that felt effortlessly city chic. As night fell, we took the celebration sky-high with a private afterparty at The Edge, where our closest friends toasted us as the first snowfall of the season turned the skyline into our own snow globe.
A Mumbai Wedding With Vintage Couture & A Rom-Com–Style NYC Elopement
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Palak and Aarjav’s love story isn’t just romantic, it’s cinematic: a City Hall elopement straight out of a rom-com, a haldi inspired by the Italian coast, a sangeet that screamed club night nostalgia, and a beachside wedding drenched in coral blooms and couture magic. From a vintage Dior gown bought sight unseen to custom Tarun Tahiliani shararas, Prada mules, Louboutin heels, and bespoke veils embroidered with their own love story, every look was a perfect mix of Indian tradition and Western flair. With Vogue Events & Entertainment orchestrating every detail flawlessly, the result was a wedding that’s equal parts heartfelt, stylish, and unapologetically them.
Meet Palak and Aarjav
"Ours is a classic boy-meets-girl story — except it’s about a Delhi boy and a Bombay girl who finally met in New York after just missing each other several times. I’d completely given up on love and was focused on myself, so when Aarjav asked me out, I picked a restaurant two minutes from my apartment to keep the effort minimal. He arrived early and called to say it was closed for a private event — a wedding! Guess that was the first sign!", the bride tells us.
New York Elopement
Haldi
Our haldi was an ode to the ocean — blending the charm of southern Italy’s coast with nautical elements like wooden crates and lanterns, all infused with an Indian twist. The ceremony burst with hues of yellow and orange as our loved ones applied turmeric and showered us with flowers.
We both wore zesty key lime outfits. I chose a fusion look with dhoti-style draped pants, a matching crop top, and a blazer paired with key lime Prada mules. Aarjav wore a traditional ecru kurta with a lime scarf. Both ensembles featured delicate mirror work — a subtle nod to my Gujarati roots. My only rule for all my looks was simple: they had to feel like me — effortless, playful, and unbound by tradition or trend.
Sangeet
Our sangeet was inspired by an impromptu night of dancing at a New York dive bar—the night I knew I wanted to marry him. The décor brought that memory to life with mirror balls, silver drapes, a strip photobooth, and a glowing neon sign—perfect for another night of dancing, this time as husband and wife.
For my outfit, I wanted something regal yet effortless—something I could move in all night. I found it in a silver Tarun Tahiliani sharara, hand-embroidered with hundreds of pearls that shimmered like stars. It flowed beautifully, light yet luxurious, paired perfectly with pearl-strapped Chanel heels and minimal accessories.
Wedding
Our ceremony was bathed in coral and pink florals, gilded mirrors, flickering chandeliers, and ceramic vases, with the Arabian Sea as the perfect backdrop. Aarjav embraced classic elegance in a tux, while I changed into a silver-and-white Seema Gujral ensemble paired with custom lace-and-pearl Jimmy Choo Bings personalised with our initials, A&P.
Beneath swaying palm trees at Hotel Sea Princess in Juhu, Mumbai, our sundowner wedding unfolded like poetry. I walked down the aisle in a classic red lehenga with Louboutin Ginko sandals and a fifteen-foot custom veil, to the words of Raabta—a poem I wrote about the inexplicable connection of two souls. Aarjav, regal in an ivory sherwani, arrived on horseback, embodying timeless tradition.
For my getting-ready look, I wore white bridal pyjamas personalised with our wedding date as my “something blue.” Kalki brought my vision to life for the pheras with a red lehenga and a bespoke veil inscribed with “New York Rom Com.” And for the perfect finishing touch, I chose red Christian Louboutin Ginko heels adorned with a gilded flower.
Reception
As the night progressed, I changed into a silver and white Seema Gujral ensemble with lace and pearl Bings personalized with our initials on the sole. Having been a Jimmy Choo girl for more than a decade, there couldn’t possibly be a better shoe for our first foray into the world as married partners.
About The Wedding
Our wedding took place on December 3, 2024. We wanted our wedding day to be a deeply personal celebration, so we had events in each of the cities that shaped us — Mumbai and New York.
For the NY Elopement, our best friend and certified third wheel was the witness. It was the perfect intimate antithetic to our big fat Indian wedding. It allowed us a beat to take in the magic and wonder of the fact that we were having our ‘happily-ever-after’ in the city that gave us our ‘once-upon-a-time.’ Our Mumbai ceremony was the exact opposite. It was a big fat Indian wedding. Our friends and family flew in from six countries to celebrate our love.
About The WedMeGood App
As a couple planning our wedding from a whole different continent, WedMeGood was a gamechanger and an incredible resource in helping us plan every detail. I had always dreamed of a beach wedding and WMG helped me find the perfect venue. The vendor recommendations were spot on and I could seamlessly connect with my planners who brought our vision to life and our photographers who captured it perfectly.
Vendor Reviews
Venue: Hotel Sea Princess Juhu
We wanted each of our ceremonies to be a celebration of the cities that shaped us and there's nothing more Bombay than a beach wedding! We chose Hotel Sea Princess Juhu and couldn't have asked for better. Our ceremony unfolded under swaying palm trees with the Arabian Sea as the backdrop. It was as picturesque as it sounds and we would pick this venue again, in a heartbeat.
Makeup Artist: Shruti Kode
Shruti Kode is one of my closest friends. We went to college together and also did our first jobs together which she then quit to become a makeup artist. I knew then that I wanted her to someday do my wedding makeup and seven years later, she did! I loved every look she created for me, each was so different and yet I always looked and felt like myself—the very best version of myself. I’m so grateful for how beautiful she made me feel on our wedding day.
Wedding Planning: Vogue Events & Entertainment
As a couple planning our wedding from New York, we needed someone who could be on top of things on ground. Vishal, Govind, Hritik and team were incredibly helpful on that front. Their experience working with our venue came in handy during the wedding as they were able to resolve any minor issues quickly.
Photography: 3Three Little Words
They captured our wedding in Mumbai. As a creative myself, I was looking for a very specific aesthetic so it took us the longest time to find the right fit. Ultimately, we’re so happy with our choice, we were looking for documentary-style photographers with a cinematic and editorial twist and they absolutely delivered. They were not obtrusive to the events in the slightest but somehow managed to capture every little detail nonetheless. We had a free day in between our events and they used the opportunity to do a candid, lowkey seaside shoot with us. It was such a welcome break for us amid the wedding madness where we just got to relax and frolic and enjoy each other's company.
For our New York elopement, we worked with Travis L Collins, his style is film and fashion inspired and we're obsessed with our pictures, they look straight out of a fashion magazine.
Decor: National Decorators
They brought our vision to life flawlessly. Our venue was a dream, in coral and pink florals with gilded mirrors, flickering chandeliers, and ceramic vases. The designs were chic and elevated without being over-the-top—very in line with our vibe as a couple.
Vendors: Venue: Hotel Sea Princess Juhu | Makeup Artist: Shruti Kode | Wedding Planning: Vogue Events & Entertainment | Photography: 3Three Little Words (Mumbai Wedding) & Travis L Collins (NY Elopement) | Decor: National Decorators | Bridal Outfits & Accessories: Elopement: Vintage Christian Dior, Haldi: Kalki Fashion + Prada, Sangeet: Tarun Tahiliani + Chanel, Wedding: Kalki Fashion + Christian Louboutin, Reception: Seema Gujral Design + Made-to-Order Jimmy Choo | Groomwear: Elopement: Calvin Klein paired with an Hermes tie, Mumbai Wedding: Custom-made Sherwani & Suit Supply