While Shivangi Patel was attending school in Philadelphia, Sagar Bhula took the opportunity to ask her on a date while he was in town for a residency interview. On that first date, Sagar invited Shivangi to visit him in Chicago the following week. “We knew this was going to be our forever,” the bride shares. Sagar later proposed while on a romantic beach picnic, and soon, they were preparing to host a wedding in the bride’s hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. 

“We wanted our friends and family to get a unique experience at every event,” confirms Shivangi of their Indian wedding celebration with 350 guests at a brand-new venue in Charlotte, beginning with a sangeet. Featuring “A Night in Santorini” theme, the alfresco pre-wedding event incorporated a Grecian backdrop highlighting the famous white façades and blue doors of Santorini’s architecture, billowing fuchsia bougainvillea, and a blue-and-white dance floor that set the scene for a night of dancing and entertainment. 

“Our culture has a huge emphasis on traditions and ceremonies, so it was important to us to incorporate as much as we could.”

The following day, Shivangi and Sagar each participated in the baraat – traditionally, only for the groom – to begin the Hindu ceremony. “Our culture has a huge emphasis on traditions and ceremonies, so it was important to us to incorporate as much as we could with the amount of time we had,” confirms the bride. 

Shivangi was stunning in a traditional red-and-gold ensemble that contrasted beautifully with the neutral décor. A white-and-gold aisle adorned with a floral motif was lined with lush blooms, leading to the mandap beneath an exquisite chandelier-style ceiling treatment. 

After they were pronounced husband and wife, the couple changed into glamorous modern looks for the reception. The ballroom was transformed into a vision of emerald and gold, showcasing a bold, formal design scheme the couple was excited to unveil. The floral ceiling installation from the ceremony was placed over the geometric green-and-gold dance floor, and tablescapes were decorated with emerald linens, modern candelabras with dark-green taper candles, and elegant centerpieces comprised of vanilla-toned hydrangeas, roses, and baby’s breath. 

Following a Punjabi-inspired dinner and an array of delectable desserts, the newlyweds celebrated with their loved ones until midnight. In addition to the gorgeous décor and delicious fare they had customized with their caterer to deliver a fun experience for their guests, the couple loved being surrounded by all of their friends and family in one place. “That feeling was surreal,” confirms Shivangi of the very best day.