A Vibrant Destination Wedding at Velas Vallarta that Blends Punjabi and Gujarati Traditions
Akinchita Kumar and Akshar Patel’s love story began in San Francisco, where they found themselves on the Bumble dating app at the encouragement of their friends. After spotting Akshar’s profile, Akinchita thought he was cute – especially since his bio mentioned his love of traveling. Too shy to send the first message herself, however, she asked a friend to help send the first message. That message led to a first date that lasted an incredible eight hours.
As soon as they met, Akinchita was struck by how kind and genuine Akshar was, and how he had a way of making her feel at ease. Akshar, on the other hand, immediately noticed Akinchita’s smile and wanted to know everything about her.
“We discovered how much we had in common and found ourselves lost in conversation, sharing stories, laughter, and dreams for the future,” Akinchita says. “What began as a quick swipe turned into the start of something truly special.”
An Unforgettable Destination Engagement
For the proposal, Akshar planned an unforgettable destination engagement trip that included visits to Morocco and Portugal.
“I had always mentioned wanting an international proposal,” Akinchita shares, “and he made that dream come true. On December 11th, 2022, in Porto near the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, he chose the most perfect moment to propose. It was a simple yet heartfelt moment that felt like a reflection of our travels together – full of discovery, adventure, and love.”
“Seeing it all come to life was beyond anything we could have imagined.”
Incorporating Punjabi and Gujarati Traditions
During the wedding planning process, Akinchita took the lead in bringing the couple’s vision to life. Both families were also incredibly supportive, making the process even more enjoyable as she thoughtfully incorporated both Punjabi and Gujarati traditions into the celebration.
With a clear idea of what she wanted for each event, the bride worked closely with a team of vendors to ensure every detail was executed flawlessly. Her primary focus was creating a memorable experience for their guests at every turn, from the intimate moments to the larger celebrations. Akshar was always there to provide his support and input when needed, ensuring that the plans reflected both the bride and groom’s personalities.
A Destination Wedding at Velas Vallarta
The couple chose to celebrate their nuptials with a destination wedding at the luxe Velas Vallarta in Mexico. On the day of the wedding, the bride’s family began the morning with the choora ceremony – a beautiful tradition that set the tone for the day ahead.
“There was an energy of excitement and love in the air,” she describes. “Surrounded by our family and friends, we shared moments of joy and anticipation as we prepared for the big day. The ceremony was emotional, filled with meaningful traditions from both our Punjabi and Gujarati backgrounds, and the vows we exchanged reflected the commitment we felt in our hearts.”
With the overall guest experience being a top priority, cocktail hour featured finger foods and custom cocktails that blended the couple’s cultures together and honored their Goldendoodle, Avery. A live mariachi band brought a festive energy to the evening, and the food was a mix of Punjabi and Gujarati flavors. Every dish was thoughtfully chosen to offer a variety of tastes that everyone could enjoy.
As the wedding day progressed, the couple and their guests were surrounded by classic decor that perfectly complemented the surroundings of Velas Vallarta. For the reception, each table was named after a place the couple had visited together, or cities they were planning to explore during their honeymoon – a nod to the mutual love of travel that connected them during the early stages of their relationship. With warm gold tones, twinkling fairy lights, and the serene ocean backdrop, everything came together to create an enchanting ambiance.
“We were truly in awe of how everything came together,” says the bride. “The decor, the vision we had for the day, and the joy that filled the air. It reflected all the hard work, love, and dedication that went into planning every detail, and seeing it all come to life was beyond anything we could have imagined.”
The Wedding Journey
Along with their wedding day, Akinchita and Akshar’s wedding journey included other momentous celebrations like a combined Haldi ceremony, when both families came together to shower the couple with love, laughter, and turmeric. The ceremony had a citrus theme that Akinchita had carefully crafted, with all the DIY decor adding a personal touch to the day. One memorable moment was when Akshar’s friends decided to dump lemonade on him at the end of the ceremony. Afterward, the bride and groom shared a special moment by going into the ocean together, hand in hand, to wash off the turmeric and mark the beginning of their new journey as a couple.
The couple’s Sangeet was another night filled with energy and excitement. Akshar surprised his bride by dancing with his family, and the event was infused with a vibrant disco theme. With custom cocktails and fun details like engraved disco drink toppers, guests enjoyed themselves while mingling over live food stations that featured dishes from both the bride and groom’s cultures.
“To make the night even more memorable,” Akinchita adds, “we set up a bazar-style cart, where guests could take home items and keepsakes as party favors. The whole evening was filled with laughter, dancing, and unforgettable moments, creating memories that we will cherish forever.”
A Bucket List Honeymoon in Japan
After their destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta, the newlyweds wanted a change of scenery. Japan had always been on their travel bucket list, so they decided to honeymoon in Japan and explore the cities of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Yokohama.
“Each city offered its own charm,” the couple says, “from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the tranquil temples of Kyoto, making our trip a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.”
WEDDING TALENT
Location: Velas Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Planning & Event Design: K.I. Weddings; Floral Design: Tropical Florals; Linen & Rentals: Velas Vallarta, Dream Wed Signature; Invitations: Wedding Card Mascottee; Lighting: Curiel Producciones; Caterer: Patravali Cancun// Cancun, Mexico; Cake: Velas Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Engagement Ring: Rare Carat; Ceremony Dress: Khushboo Gupta Couture; Reception Dress: Heritage Since 1968; Bridal Salon, Hair & Makeup: C_E_ Salon//;Groom’s Attire: Nero by Shaifali & Stay (Sangeet), Sentiment (Wedding), Mander by Kam (Reception); Entertainment: DJ Shilpa; Cinematography: @ksway_films; Photography: Katherine Bacon