Shifali & Vikram: A Modern Indian Wedding at Vesper

Shifali and Vikram first met at a wedding he was officiating. Her friend – the groom – had been telling her about Vikram, but she wasn’t interested at first. “Once the ceremony started, I couldn’t stop laughing,” she recalls. “I immediately asked for an introduction.” They began dating soon after, while Shifali was living in New York City and Vikram was completing his residency at Penn. “We knew our relationship was something special early on,” she shares, “because we were both making the effort to travel back and forth to see each other.”

Managing the long distance alongside Vikram’s demanding schedule wasn’t always easy. When he suggested a weekend getaway to Rhinebeck, a charming town in the Hudson Valley, Shifali had a feeling there might be more to the trip than just quality time together. Her suspicions grew when she mentioned needing to return early for a friend’s baby shower, and Vikram quickly replied, “I don’t know if we’ll be back in time.”

The day began with Vikram surprising Shifali with a stay at the Mirbeau Inn. After settling in, the couple headed to Poet’s Walk, where he asked her to marry him. “There’s a beautiful overlook,” the bride recalls. “And shortly after Vikram proposed, an Amtrak train went by. We both thought it was so sweet because we always take Amtrak to see each other.” The rest of the weekend continued in perfect celebration with a romantic dinner, a leisurely breakfast, and an engagement party organized by Shifali’s mother once they returned home.

When their original wedding venue fell through, Shifali began “reaching out to every venue in the New York City area,” hoping to secure the weekend of June 14, 2025. The save-the-dates – already printed – were sitting in her apartment, ready to be mailed. Her search eventually led her to Vesper, a new venue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn that was still under construction. “When I visited, it was still a construction site, but the owner was really nice, and they seemed very flexible,” Shifali recalls, noting that she could imagine how stunning the space was going to be with floor-to- ceiling windows and amazing views. “It felt very modern and chic,” she adds.

Shifali went to India to shop for her wedding dress. After going to twelve bridal shops without any luck, her mother suggested they check out Frontier Raas, the designer that her cousins wore for their weddings. She walked into the shop and one dress immediately caught her eye. “The second I put it on I had the feeling this is the one,” Shifali recalls. “I felt like a bride.” She wore a striking red lehenga embroidered with exquisite silver, gold, green, pink, and blue beading and sequins complemented by classic Indian Jewelry, wedding henna, and Jimmy Choo shoes. For beauty, the bride worked with Kanwal Batool to create a natural-glam look – a loose topknot, glowing skin, shimmering silver eyeshadow, and berry-rose lip. For the ceremony, Vikram wore traditional Indian groom’s attire and changed into a classic black tux from Suit Supply for the reception.

While planning her wedding, Shifali aimed to honor the couple’s Indian heritage, while incorporating a timeless, modern aesthetic. Flowers – typically not a central element in Indian weddings – were especially meaningful to the bride, who initially envisioned all-white décor. That vision shifted after meeting with Bride & Blossom founder Rachel Santana. “She just does such beautiful designs with all this color – I trusted that she would make everything look so chic,” Shifali shares. “I never would have chosen the final palette, but the way Rachel blended the coral and pinks, they popped and made the space look so stunning.”

Being one of the first floral designers to work at the newly opened venue was a special moment for Bride & Blossom. “Designing for our couple at the beautiful new Vesper in Brooklyn was an absolute joy,” Rachel says. “We loved collaborating on the layout and floral design to bring Shifali’s chic, vibrant vision to life – watching it all come together on the wedding day was truly magical.”

Shifali and Vikram were married on June 14, 2025, beneath a stunning Lucite mandap adorned with hydrangeas, roses, lisianthus, and cascading dendrobium and phalaenopsis orchids. Surrounded by loved ones, the couple exchanged vows and participated in traditional Hindu wedding rituals together. Reflecting on the moment, the bride shared, “Vik and I were smiling and having fun throughout the entire ceremony. We just enjoyed being up there together, and I think everyone could feel that joy.”

Cocktail hour followed with guests enjoying hors d’oeuvres and toasting the newlyweds on the rooftop. As the sun began to set, everyone made their way to the reception where they were welcomed by a breathtaking scene. The tablescapes featured three unique centerpiece styles: modern candelabras, towering floral arrangements in full bloom, and lush floral runners featuring roses, ranunculus, peonies, phalaenopsis orchids, hydrangeas, stock, sweet pea, and lisianthus. The palette of coral, peach, and soft pink, accented with rich greenery and glowing candlelight, brought warmth and romance to the room.

Cuisine, and how it was served was also very important to the bride. “Indian weddings are typically buffet style, but I fought really hard for a seated dinner,” the bride shared. The menu, catered by Bukhara Grill, featured both family-style and plated options – a surprising and memorable touch for many guests.

As night fell, the cityscape sparkled, enhancing the magical atmosphere all around. Following heartfelt speeches, celebratory toasts, and cake, guests flooded the dance floor. “With the ceiling and the lights, Vesper has such a rave vibe,” Shifali recalls. The celebration continued at Unveiled, the club underneath the William Vale where everyone was staying, and lasted until 4 am. “We had a table and bottle service. It was the best night and felt like a very New York City ending.”

Shifali’s classic interpretation of a traditional Indian wedding was truly a dream come true. “There are so many twists and turns in wedding planning – from where it started to how it ended, the day couldn’t have been any better,” she reflects. “I’m so happy that we got married in New York with all our friends and family there with us.”

Congratulations, Shifali and Vikram! Thank you for sharing your Real BB Wedding story with us.

Couple’s Vendor List
Venue: Vesper Events
Photographer: Tati & Roman Photography
Bride’s Dress: Frontier Raas
Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Groom’s Tuxedo (Reception): Suit Supply
Hair + Makeup: Kawal Batool
Caterer: Bukhara Grill
Cake: Le Bon Bake Shoppes
Stationery: Sage & Sea Ink
Rings: David Ostrow
Music: M4U Events