The Intimate Hindu Wedding of Kinjal Patel and Dr. Herit Vachhani at Lake Como
The Bride and Groom Hosted Just 9 Family Members for an Intimate Hindu Wedding in Lake Como. In October 2022, Kinjal Patel decided to expand her distance preferences on Bumble from 50 miles to 99 miles. Exactly 98 miles away in Philadelphia was Dr. Herit Vachhani. The pair first met in person on a Wednesday night for pizza and gelato near Kinjal’s home in New Jersey. That Saturday, they would do a food tour of New York City of all of Kinjal’s favorite eateries.
The Proposal in Mallorca
In May 2024, the couple’s two families came together for a vacation in Mallorca, where Herit planned to propose. “Herit told me we should all dress up for a family photoshoot for the memories,” shares Kinjal. During this time, her brother and his sister were setting up a proposal scene at their hotel Can Simoneta. He popped the question with the surreal backdrop of the Mallorcan coast and Mediterranean Sea at sunset. “We both are extremely family oriented and Herit knew how much it would mean to me to have their blessings with us at the proposal,” she shares.
A Vision for Villa Balbiano
Kinjal and Herit frequently traveled to Lake Como together, so they were naturally drawn to the iconic Villa Balbiano for their wedding celebration. Instead of a grand affair, the couple wanted to keep their nuptials extremely intimate, with just nine family members in attendance at their early June ceremony. With such a small guest count and a desire to execute her own vision, Kinjal decided to take on the role of planner herself. “It was a peaceful, warm, intimate feeling we got with our families that we will cherish for a lifetime,” they describe.
Wedding Attire Details
Regarding the style of the celebration, the couple chose meaningful ensembles that reflected their heritage.
| Event | Bride's Attire | Groom's Attire |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding Ceremony | Couture saree with Kashida embroidery by Tarun Tahiliani in magenta pink | Embroidered sherwani in a light pink tone by Tarun Tahiliani |
| Reception | Gold saree by Tarun Tahiliani embellished with pearls and kundan stones | Custom Indo-Western suit by Shantanu and Nikhil |
For her wedding day attire, Kinjal chose to wear a couture saree with Kashida embroidery designed by Tarun Tahiliani. “I wanted to wear something timeless that showcased the vibrancy of Indian heritage and culture,” she says. The groom also wore Tarun Tahiliani for his ceremony ensemble, featuring a look that mirrored the bride’s saree.
The Importance of Family Wedding Photos
No matter how non-traditional and creative you want your wedding to be, family wedding photos are important. It’s a fantastic opportunity to capture everyone being together and looking their best! While these photos might not be the most important ones for you right now, trust me – in 10 years’ time you’ll regret not doing them.
When to Take Family Wedding Photos
As with everything else, timing is key, and choosing the best time when to take your wedding photos is half the battle. You can do it straight after the ceremony, when everyone is checking in or ordering drinks at the bar and enjoying the canapes. This is the ideal option, as it’s easiest to get all your family together. My ideal timeline is to organize 20-30 minutes of group photos straight after the ceremony. Tell your family and bridal party to meet you at the agreed location right after the greeting line. The alternative option is to do family photos right before the call for dinner.
Best Locations for Family Wedding Photos
When choosing where to take group wedding photos, the thing I pay most attention to is the light. The ideal location for family photos is outdoors, in the shade or facing the sun on an overcast day. I don’t want your family to have “panda eyes” from the harsh sun. I don’t want half of the group to be in the sun, and the other half in shade. The backdrop should be neutral – maybe an alleyway to give perspective, or the steps of your venue, or simply greenery. I prefer to have natural light whenever possible as I find it the most flattering on people’s skin.