REAL WEDDING

  • Photography By:

    John & Joseph Photography

    POOJA PATEL & ANIL JAGTIANI

    June 28, 2014 in Santa Barbara, California

    It wasn’t exactly love at first sight for Dr. Pooja Patel and Dr. Anil Jagtiani. Pooja was out with a girlfriend when Anil annoyed them by interrupting their conversation. The girls weren’t interested and blew him off, which should have been it, but then Pooja and Anil saw each other in the hallway at work the following Monday. “We had no idea we worked in the same place and couldn’t believe it,” Pooja says.

    Eventually Anil asked Pooja to take a walk in a park after work. “We spent hours at the park that day,” she says. “When we finally left, we knew we had found something special.”

    THIS TIME INSTEAD OF TALKING FOR HOURS, ANIL GOT DOWN ON ONE KNEE AND PROPOSED.

    A few years later, Anil took Pooja back to that same park where they had their first “date.” But this time instead of talking for hours, Anil got down on one knee and proposed. The couple knew that they wanted both their ceremony and reception to be held outdoors, and they decided on Santa Barbara because it’s where they fell in love. Pooja’s family has been spending summers in the beach town for years, and she and her sister would joke about who would get to marry at the beautiful Fess Parker Resort as they biked by. With the resort’s breathtaking views of the beach, palm trees and pier—plus its ability to accommodate their large guest list—it was the perfect choice. Wedding planner Thomas Bui and florist Eddie Zaratsian created an earthy feel using soft, romantic colors. 

    Anil and I were both floored when we saw our décor!” Pooja says. “It was breathtaking and we couldn’t have asked for anything more. From the Mandap (ceremonial stage for Hindu weddings) to the centerpieces, everything was just perfect.” Family is well-represented in Hindu weddings, and it was important to Pooja that they incorporate married women from each of their families into the ceremony.

    “It was so amazing to be surrounded by such strong, loving women from both sides of our families, and I loved being able to share those moments with them on the Mandap.” She also wore her mother’s stunning wedding-day jewelry and, as is custom in Indian weddings, was walked down the aisle by her aunt and two uncles.

    One of the highlights of the day was that both the bride and groom planned surprises for each other—Anil wrote and performed a song for Pooja during the reception and Pooja and her cousins choreographed a dance for Anil. Although they had limited time off after the wedding, they wanted a tropical getaway. 

    Costa Rica was a quick flight and had lots for the active couple to do. They spent the first half of the trip zip-lining, hiking and horseback riding in the rainforests near Arenal Volcano and the second half relaxing in the beach town of Manuel Antonio.

    “We came back with so many amazing memories,” Pooja says. “And most of all we were able to reset from the chaos of the wedding, which was lovely.”

    WEDDING TALENT

    Location: The Fess Parker Santa Barbara, CA

    Caterer: Diamond Palace Cuisine of India Diamond Bar, CA 

    Cake and Dessert Table: Sweet and Saucy Shop Long Beach, CA

    Planner: Thomas Bui Lifestyle San Diego, CA

    Floral Design: Eddie Zaratsian Custom Florals and Lifestyle Los Angeles, CA

    Rentals: Chiavari Chair Rentals Irvine, CA

    WEDDING TALENT

    Location: The Fess Parker, Santa Barbara, CA; Caterer: Diamond Palace Cuisine of India, Diamond Bar, CA 

    Cake and Dessert Table: Sweet and Saucy Shop, Long Beach, CA; Planner: Thomas Bui Lifestyle, San Diego, CA; Floral Design: Eddie Zaratsian Custom Florals and Lifestyle, Los Angeles, CA; Rentals: Chiavari Chair Rentals, Irvine, CA

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