More Than 500 Guests Joined This Couple for 3 Days of Wedding Events in Laguna Beach

Sabrina and Navin’s parents have been friends for more than 25 years, but to Sabrina, the five-year age difference meant she and Navin grew up in two different worlds. “I had always viewed him as a daunting older boy,” she says. “In fact, we never exchanged more than a passing glance, and my knowledge of him was limited to a distance.” But in 2019, after Sabrina joined her family at Navin’s sister’s wedding, Navin reached out to her via DM to thank her for attending. “Initially perplexed, I assumed it to be a polite gesture, but Navin and I continued to message each other for the next month,” says Sabrina. “Eventually, he surprised me with a visit to New York under the guise of a ‘business trip,’ which culminated in a day spent together, complete with a SoulCycle class and a sunset view at Domino Park. It was there that Navin professed his love for me, and I reciprocated with equal passion.”

In April 2021, Navin surprised Sabrina with a proposal on the golf course in Half Moon Bay, followed by a family dinner and a celebratory weekend with friends in Santa Barbara. As the family-focused couple began planning their wedding, they had one big requirement: a venue that could fit their 550-person guest list. Planners from Lily & Leigh helped them turn The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel in Laguna Beach, California, into the perfect location for their three-day Indian wedding, creating distinct (but cohesive) designs for the Haldi, welcome dinner, Mehndi, Sangeet, wedding, and reception. “From the personalized walk down the aisle songs to the carefully curated welcome bags, every detail of our wedding was meticulously planned and executed to perfection,” says Sabrina. “The music, food, and overall ambience of the event were all crafted to reflect our tastes and personalities.”

Fashion was another key element for the bride and groom, who donned an array of customized and bespoke pieces from global designers throughout the weekend. Sabrina, who wore nine different outfits during the couple’s celebrations (and changed her hair and makeup to complement each one), was inspired by the first dress she found: a Cult Gaia frock for her reception. “Upon first sight of the garment online, I was immediately drawn to its silhouette and knew that it would be the perfect addition to my reception attire,” she says. “As someone who has always had a passion for fashion and worked in the industry, I was excited to personalize my wedding wardrobe to reflect my own style and comfort preferences.”

After a year of planning, the couple exchanged vows in an oceanfront ceremony on June 2, 2022. One of their favorite parts of the day, says Sabrina, was their emotional first look. “Amidst the whirlwind of our bustling wedding day, moments of togetherness were rare and precious. It offered us a brief respite from the chaos, a chance to savor each other’s presence without distraction,” she says. “In those stolen moments, the world melted away and it was just us.” See every emotional moment and bespoke detail, all captured by Logan Cole, below.

14 Indian Wedding and Ceremony Traditions

Bride in Yellow Mehndi Dress and Groom in Yellow Kurta and White Pants During Mehndi Ceremony With Guests in Yellow and Red Indian Clothes Seated Behind Them
Photo by Logan Cole
Young Boys in Red Kurtas Applying Paste on Groom in White Shirt During Mehdni
Photo by Logan Cole

The three-day affair began with a Haldi ceremony at the hotel overlooking the ocean. “We chose this hotel with intentionality; our hearts were set on being by the water,” says Sabrina, who wore custom Mani Jassal for the event. Bloombox, who provided florals throughout the weekend, brought in hues of lemon, peach, and marigold with hanging florals and lots of greenery. “Bloombox played a huge role as they were able to take our visions and really bring them to life,” says Sabrina.

Welcome Sign For Mehndi Next to Lemon Trees
Photo by Logan Cole
White Round Tables with Wooden Chairs and Yellow and White Flower Decor Next to Palm Trees
Photo by Logan Cole

For their Mehndi, Sabrina and Navin chose an aesthetic inspired by one of their favorite travel destinations: Italy. “We had traveled there in September 2021, so it was nice to bring elements of Capri back with us to showcase at this event—bright lemons, lush greenery.”

Bride in Colorful Floral Dress with Blue Tulle Layer on Skirt Hugging Groom in Short Cream Kurta, White Pants, and White Shoes Next to Palm Trees and Bushes
Photo by Logan Cole

Sabrina and her mother spent more than a week in India sourcing outfits for each of the weekend’s events. “After conducting thorough research, I was particularly drawn to the work of Rahul Mishra. When we walked into the designer’s store, I immediately fell in love with one of the dresses and knew it would be the perfect fit for my Mehndi outfit,” she says. She complemented the aqua tulle skirt and floral embroidery with whimsical beauty choices. “For my Mehndi ceremony, I wanted a playful look that incorporated beaded stones on my eyes and braids into my hair,” she says.

Signature Cocktail Menu Next to White Flowers and Candles Under White Umbrella
Photo by Logan Cole
Bride in Colorful Floral Dress with Mehndi on Her Hands and White Nails Dipping Popsicle in Yellow Cocktail
Photo by Logan Cole
White Boxes With Abstract Blue Pattern and Hands With Mehndi
Photo by Logan Cole
Woman Getting Mehndi Done With Hands on Table With Green Leaf Table Cloth and Vase with White and Yellow Roses
Photo by Logan Cole
Female Guests in Colorful Indian Dresses Dancing At Mehndi With Umbrellas and Palm Trees in Background
Photo by Logan Cole

Signature cocktails at the Mehndi included the honey and lemon “Bee’s Knees,” served with fresh popsicles, while the favors—500 circular resin coasters showing off individual dried flowers—were handmade by the bride.

Bride in Red Dress With Gold Flowers Holding Hands With Groom in Black Kurta With Red Roses and Gold Trim on Floral Dance Floor With Hanging String Lights
Photo by Logan Cole

Sabrina also found her Sangeet outfit while shopping in India—this time, with help from her father. “I wanted something unique and different from the traditional two-piece lehenga,” she says. “We stumbled upon a small shop, tucked away, called Papa Don’t Preach. There, my dad picked out a red jumpsuit with incredible beaded work that I ended up purchasing that same day.” Navin wore a black jacket and pants with coordinating red florals from Rohit Bal; both of the couple’s outfits followed the same color scheme as the diamond-shaped floral dance floor. “Sangeets are just big dance parties, so we wanted the focus of the event to be the dance floor,” says Sabrina.

Wicker Couches with White Cushions and Orange and Pink Pillows and Wicker Table With Wicker Lanterns and Red Flowers Above
Photo by Logan Cole
Pink Flower Decor on High Wooden Table With Tangerines and White Candles
Photo by Logan Cole
Guests in Colorful Indian Dress and Kurtas at Outdoor Event With Wooden Arches and Hanging Wicker Lanterns and Red Flowers
Photo by Logan Cole

Cane furniture, woven lanterns, fluted cocktail tables, and bright pink florals created a casual, festive atmosphere. “Furniture was very lounge-y and relaxing—not formal at all,” says Sabrina.

Stack of Jon & Vinnys Pizza Boxes and White Plates On Wooden Table
Photo by Logan Cole
Pizza Chef with Arm Tattoos, Apron, Glasses, and Hat Tossing Pizza Dough in Air
Photo by Logan Cole

Sabrina and Navin catered their Sangeet with spicy fusilli, pizza, and fried chicken sandwiches from Jon & Vinny’s. “Navin and I went on many dates to Jon & Vinny’s and it meant something to us,” says the bride. It was, she says, “an unforgettable culinary experience for our guests.”

Groom in Black Kurta With Red Roses and Gold Trim and Black Shoes Doing Dance Performance with Wedding Party in Colorful Indian Dresses and Kurtas on Floral Dance Floor
Photo by Logan Cole
Bride in Blue Sequin Dress and Blue and Gold Bangles and Groom in Black Long sleeve Shirt with Red Roses Dancing Next to DJ in Black Shirt, Glasses, and Headphones in Front of Leaf Backdrop
Photo by Logan Cole

For the after-party, Sabrina changed into a sparkling party dress from Seema Gujral, which she found with help from Navin’s mother. “As the days leading up to the wedding drew nearer, I realized I needed a second outfit for my Sangeet, specifically something I could dance in while wearing six-inch platform heels,” she says. The groom’s cousin, Abana—who stepped in to DJ the Sangeet after-party and the wedding reception—invited the couple to join him behind the booth, under a custom neon sign, in one of the couple’s favorite parts of the weekend.

Groom and Father in Matching Cream Kurta With and Light Pink Chunni Greeting Each other Next to Mother in Cream Indian Dress with Light Pink Flowers and Diamond Bangles
Photo by Logan Cole
Groom in Cream Kurta with Floral Embroidery With Light Pink Chunni, Pearl Necklaces, and Black Watch
Photo by Logan Cole

Navin’s intricate Sabyasachi wedding outfit included pale pink accents that tied into the pastel color palette. He kept his pre-wedding skincare regimen simple (“Sabrina set me up with a skincare set I still use to this day, but no treatments,” he says) and relied on his go-to stylist for his haircut. “My barber Charlie is the only person I trust with my hair and face,” he says. “He does everything for me aesthetically and is truly the man.”

Mother in Green Indian Dress with Silver Metallic Embroidery Putting Diamond Necklaces on Bride in Light Pink Indian Dress with Colorful Flowers and Mehndi on Her Hands
Photo by Logan Cole
Close Up of Bride in Light Pink Indian Dress with Colorful Flowers, Mehndi on Her Hands, Gold Silver and Diamond Bangles and Necklaces
Photo by Logan Cole
Close Up of Bride in Light Pink Indian Dress with Colorful Flowers, Mehndi on Her Hands, Gold Silver and Diamond Bangles and Necklaces Standing Next to Tropical Trees
Photo by Logan Cole

Sabrina customized a Rahul Mishra dress for the wedding ceremony, requesting elbow-length sleeves, a pale pink fabric, pearl details, and additional embroidery. She chose “a natural daytime look with my hair down, which perfectly reflected my personal style,” and accessorized with sentimental sparkles. “A few of the bracelets I wore on my wedding day were from my mom and my parent’s wedding, and then one of the bracelets was from my aunt who passed back in 2012, who was truly like a second mom to me,” she says. “I always knew I wanted to wear it on this day.”

Close Up of Bride in Light Pink Indian Dress with Colorful Flowers, Mehndi on Her Hands, Gold Silver and Diamond Bangles and Necklaces Meeting Groom in Cream Kurta with Floral Embroidery With Light Pink Chunni, Pearl Necklaces, and Black Watch in Front of Ocean
Photo by Logan Cole
Close Up of Bride in Light Pink Indian Dress with Colorful Flowers, Mehndi on Her Hands, Gold Silver and Diamond Bangles and Necklaces Meeting Groom in Cream Kurta with Floral Embroidery With Light Pink Chunni, Pearl Necklaces, and Black Watch in Front of Ocean
Photo by Logan Cole

Though Sabrina imagined saving the first look for the ceremony, Navin convinced her to meet before the festivities began. “I was hesitant because I wanted that raw, authentic moment on the mandap,” she says. “However, Navin gently persuaded me otherwise, suggesting that having a private moment just between us before the ceremony would be special. And you know what? He was absolutely right. Experiencing that intimate moment together was beyond words.”

Close Up of Bride in Light Pink Indian Dress with Colorful Flowers, Mehndi on Her Hands, Gold Silver and Diamond Bangles and Necklaces Holding White Bouquet Next to Bridesmaids in Light Blue and White Indian Dresses in Front of Ocean
Photo by Logan Cole
Groom in Cream Kurta with Floral Embroidery With Light Pink Chunni, Pearl Necklaces, Sunglasses, and Black Watch Being Lifted By Groomsmen and Women in Matching Cream Kurtas and Dresses
Photo by Logan Cole
Groom and Parents of Groom Being Driven in White Car With Guests Surrounding Them Taking Photographs
Photo by Logan Cole

Sabrina’s closest friends and family wore pastel blue and aqua hues, with the bridesmaids in custom lehengas carrying tight bouquets of neutral blooms. Navin’s friends and family also wore bespoke fashion: patterned pieces in the wedding’s color palette. 

Indian Wedding Ceremony Decor With Pink and White Flowers Running Down Aisle, Pink and White Floral Arches, and Wooden Chairs Under Pink Tents with Curtains
Photo by Logan Cole
Outdoor Indian Wedding Ceremony with Wooden Chairs Under Pink Tents with Curtains
Photo by Logan Cole

A double-arched floral mandap built at the end of a wooden aisle shaded boucle chairs for the bride and groom and cane-backed chairs for their parents. Hundreds of flowers in blush, fuchsia, and cream shades lined the aisle, adding color to the waterfront location, while draped pergolas were set up above guest seating areas.

Custom Hand Fan, Wedding Procession, and Bag of Pink Flower Petals On Wooden Chair
Photo by Logan Cole

Paper fans, toss petals, programs, and individual snack boxes were placed on each guest’s seat. “Comfortable chairs were a must here for guests, as the ceremony was one-and-a-half hours long,” says Sabrina.

Indian Wedding Ceremony Taking Place by Beach / Bride in Pink Indian Dress Being Walked Down Aisle Decorated with Pink and White Flowers By Parents in Light Blue Dress and Kurta
Photo by Logan Cole
Bride in Indian Pink Dress With Gold and Silver Accessories Seated Next to Groom in Cream Kurta and Pink Chunni During Wedding Ceremony, Both Sets of Parents Seated Next to Them
Photo by Logan Cole
Bride in Indian Pink Dress With Colorful Flowers Walking Down Colorful Flower Aisle With Groom in Cream Kurta
Photo by Logan Cole

Sabrina and Navin walked down the aisle with their parents as a string quartet from Ocdamia Music Group played songs with personal meaning for the couple. “Sab walked down the aisle to the classic French tune ‘La Vie en Rose,’ while Nav’s processional was the romantic Hindi song ‘Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai,’” says the couple. Sabrina and Navin wrote their own vows to further customize the ceremony. “We both talked about how we met and our promises to each other,” Navin says. “Somehow both our vows were so similar, but Sabrina’s were definitely better.”

Bride in White Pearl Reception Dress Holding Hands With Groom in Black Tuxedo
Photo by Logan Cole

While an In-N-Out truck handed out personalized burger trays after the ceremony, the newlyweds changed into formal reception attire: a custom Tom Ford tuxedo with Cartier mother-of-pearl cufflinks for Navin, and a glittering Pronovias gown for Sabrina. “I knew I wanted to fulfill my childhood dream of wearing a white dress,” says the bride. “[This dress] felt right and looked perfect.” 

Sabrina’s on-site makeup artist enhanced her natural daytime look with a more dramatic palette. “I was lucky to have Dominique Lerma, a talented makeup artist and a friend of my sister-in-law, on board for the week’s events,” says Sabrina. “Her skills brought my vision to life and made me feel confident and beautiful throughout the festivities. It was no surprise that my guests couldn’t stop raving about my stunning hair and makeup looks, which perfectly complemented the overall vibe of the wedding.”

Reception Seating Chart on Black Wall With White and Pink Flower Decor
Photo by Logan Cole
Reception Tables With White Lounge Chairs and Pink and White Flowers Next to Candles
Photo by Logan Cole
3 Tier Light Pink Wedding Cake With White Flowers and Roses on Top Next to Candles
Photo by Logan Cole

The design vision for the couple’s dinner reception was modeled after an elegant living space, complete with boucle chairs, balconette lounge areas, a comfortable carpet, a mirrored escort display, and sophisticated florals. A dinner menu built around the couple’s favorite Indian dishes by Natraj Catering was followed by an ice cream sundae bar and a six-tier Nutella cake from Grace and Honey Cakes.

Bride in White Dress Studded with Pearls Entering Reception With Groom in Black Tuxedo While Guests Cheer
Photo by Logan Cole
Bride in White Dress Studded With Pearls and Groom in Black Tuxedo Sitting On Couch on Stage with Pink and White Flower Decor
Photo by Logan Cole
Bride In White Dress and Groom in Black Tuxedo Dancing With Guests at Wedding Reception
Photo by Logan Cole

After the bride and groom shared their first dance, to “As I Am” by Justin Bieber & Khalid, Sabrina and her father danced to “The Way You Look Tonight” while Navin and his mother chose “Wind Beneath My Wings.” The newlyweds then joined their friends and family on the dance floor. “Enjoy all of the time leading up,” the couple says. “It’s stressful and a lot, but really a time you won’t ever get back. Stay strong with your partner through all decisions and remember at the end of the day it’s just you two that matter.”

Venue The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Planner Lily & Leigh  

Officiant Mahesh Bhai

Bridal Outfit Designer Rahul Mishra

Veil Rahul Mishra 

Jewelry Mirari; Cartier; Tiffany

Shoes Gucci; Jimmy Choo

Hair Andrea Vlaovich 

Makeup Dominique Lerma

Other Fashion Mani Jassal (Haldi and Ghari Puja) Mirror Palais (rehearsal dinner); Rahul Mishra (Mehndi); Papa Don’t Preach (Sangeet); Seema Gujral (Sangeet); Pronovias (reception); Cult Gaia (reception)

Mother-of-the-bride dress Manish Malhotra 

Groom’s attire Rohit Bal; Sabyasachi (wedding); Tom Ford (reception) 

Engagement Ring Mirari 

Wedding Bands Mirari; Cartier;

Floral Design Bloombox

Paper products (programs, escort and place cards, menus, etc.) LuxeMarie

Music 3D Sounds (DJ); Malinder (Sangeet and Baraat Dhol); Ronobir (Sitar, wedding lunch); Ocdamia Music Group (ceremony); Anjali (cocktail hour); Adi & Yenni (reception)

Catering Jon & Vinny’s; Natraj Catering

Cake Grace and Honey Cakes

Rentals Folklore; Found; Bright Event Rentals; Theoni Collection

Accommodations The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Videography Forged In The North

Photography Logan Cole

Mehndi Art Neha Assar

What to Wear to an Indian Wedding as a Guest

  

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