After two and half years of dating, Sangi and Rohit, who met on a dating app, got engaged. Rohit wanted a creative way to propose so he devised a surprise scavenger hunt, which took Sangi and her friends through Midtown, Downtown, East Sacramento, Old Sacramento, Folsom, Fair Oaks and El Dorado Hills searching for clues that would lead them to the next location. Each clue and location had special significance for the couple. Rohit proposed at sunset in the same park in El Dorado Hills where he and Sangi had stargazed long ago.
They married a year later in a traditional Hindu wedding at Scribner Bend Vineyards. Nearly 200 guests attended the nuptials, half of whom came from out of town from places like Oregon, the East Coast and even England.
The night before the wedding, the couple had a welcome party, merged with a traditional sangeet, “a fun-filled event with song and dance performances, henna applications, and of course an open bar,” says Sangi, explaining they had customized Indian-themed signature cocktails: a “Tum” Collins for the bride and a “Mumbai” Mule for the groom. During the sangeet, Rohit’s sister coordinated a flash mob and skit with friends and family, followed by karaoke.
Emotions ran high on the wedding day. “I was so excited to marry Sangi after seeing her during our first look,” says Rohit. “She was stunning, and it was a gentle reminder to me how beautiful she always is inside and out.” Sangi felt calmer and happier once she saw her groom. “I was very nervous about the wedding but after seeing him I was able to relax for the first time that day,” she says.
Sangi is Nepali and Rohit is Indian. Both families share the same religion and most traditions were similar. In one known as baraat, the groom was escorted by his family and friends to the ceremony site in a procession of music and dance. Sangi’s family then welcomed Rohit and his family, who were then invited to enter the mandap, the decorated four-pillared structure where the ceremony took place. During the ceremony, the priest prayed over the couple; Sangi and Rohit placed grass and floral garlands on each other; and later took their first steps together as husband and wife. They exchanged rings, and during the recessional guests blew bubbles.
The bride wore a cherry red traditional saree for the ceremony. The color symbolizes good luck. She accessorized with gold bangles, which her mother gave her as a wedding gift, as well as a traditional head piece provided by Rohit’s mother. Rohit wore a traditional sherwani. His red hat, known as a topee, matched Sangi’s saree. His outfit was gold and beige, complemented by red traditional shoes, called mojari.
The reception, also at Scribner Bend Vineyards, was held in large tented area. Guests dined on Italian food from Paesanos, including many vegetarian options, followed by a semi-naked carrot cake, as well as raspberry buttercream, carrot, and vegan fudge cupcakes.
The day was a blur but one moment stands out for Rohit—open dancing to a mix of Indian and American songs. He says, “I was having the time of my life on the dance floor enjoying the music while soaking in the moment with our family and friends.”
—Kristen Castillo