Each week, we feature a couple from our latest issue.
Hippy-hearted Kristian Navickas and Anuj Thirwani met while finishing their pharmacological residencies in Portland, Oregon. After three and a half years together—and a move to Columbus—the pair got engaged. Then came the process of planning their wedding extravaganza, an American-Indian fusion that celebrated both families. And when Kristian calls their wedding a “loving, wild weekend,” she isn’t kidding.
Their wedding weekend consisted of a mehendi ceremony—where both families met and mingled, while Kristian received traditional henna designs on her hands—and a sangeet (an Indian pre-wedding celebration featuring singing and dancing) in lieu of a rehearsal dinner, plus an American ceremony, an Indian ceremony, a reception that included a 60th birthday celebration for Anuj’s father and a Portland-esque brunch complete with beers from local breweries. To say the least, memorable moments were a-plenty. Our personal favorite? For the Indian ceremony’s baraat—the groom’s horseback processional to the ceremony—the couple had the corner of Third and Gay streets closed off for a proper parade down the boulevard.
The Details
Wedding date: May 5, 2016
Bride wore: Gowns from Kalki, LUXEredux and B. Loved Bridal; a veil from Etsy; Jimmy Choo and Badgley Mischka shoes
Hair and makeup: Columbus Wedding Makeup
Groom wore: A suit purchased from Pursuit and a traditional sherwani
Rings: Scotts Custom Jewelry
Ceremony: Renaissance Columbus Downtown for the Indian ceremony and the Vue Columbus for the American ceremony
Reception: Renaissance Columbus Downtown
Caterer: Tadka Indian Cuisine
Cake: Le Gateau
Florist: Kroger
Photographer: Derk’s Works Photography
Photo booth: Derk’s Works Photography
Videographer: Veda Films
Consultant: Joie de Vivre
Invitations: Mpix.com
Reception tunes: Masala Entertainment
First dance: “Take Care” by Beach House
Registries: Amazon and Honeyfund
Transportation: Cardinal Transportation and Willow Wind Farms (for the horse)
Guests stayed at: Renaissance Columbus Downtown
Sunday brunch: Vue Columbus, catered by Vue, Buckeye Donuts and Destination Donuts
Honeymoon: The French Polynesian islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora