Dr. Shilpa Lad and Buland Madan first met in January of 2013. A mutual friend had set them up on a blind date in NYC and, even though it was a wonderful first date, both Shilpa and Buland agreed the timing wasn’t in their favor. Fortunately, a great friendship formed and continued to grow, even when Shilpa moved to Connecticut for her residency.
During Shilpa’s year as an intern, the two friends decided to take a trip to Costa Rica – an experience that led to a monumental shift in their relationship. It wasn’t long before they realized how their feelings for each other had mutually grown deeper than a mere friendship. For Buland, Shilpa was always “the one,” and the wait was well worth it. Soon, the two were officially a couple and have been inseparable ever since.
"FOR BULAND, SHILPA WAS ALWAYS “THE ONE,” AND THE WAIT WAS WELL WORTH IT."
When it came time to propose, Buland knew he had to pop the question in NYC. It was a Saturday, and the couple had planned to have dinner at Gramercy Tavern. “However, post-workout, I was famished and insisted we order takeout,” Shilpa recalls. “He insisted that his credit card was on file at the restaurant. We got to the lobby of our building, and Buland asked me to wait as he had to pick up a package for work. I asked, ‘Can’t we pick it up on our way back home?’ Suddenly, Buland got on his knee. My first question was ‘Is the package that heavy? Why are you on your knees?’ It was the best proposal. No gimmicks; simple, classic, and totally us! Of course, we did end up going to Gramercy Tavern, and celebrated with our close friends and family with food and champagne.”
When planning their New York City wedding, Shilpa and Buland’s main focus was creating an unforgettable experience for their guests. “Both of us had a clear vision in mind – to have a wedding that would combine old classic New York with a south Indian flare,” Shilpa shares. “Precisely the reason we chose the iconic Pierre Hotel for our wedding. Our wedding planner Mala from Touch of Elegance Events mitigated the stress that comes with planning a four-day wedding extravaganza. Pre-wedding festivities kicked off Wednesday prior with an oriental-themed pajama party and a welcome dinner. This was followed by a Mehndi which combined contemporary loft décor with a Bollywood soiree. Friday before the wedding, we opted not to have a traditional sangeet. Instead, we decided to throw a cocktail rooftop party to kick off Memorial Day Weekend.”
On the big day, Madison Avenue and 61st Street closed down for the groom’s boisterous Bharat precessions on horseback. A Hindu ceremony was performed in Sanskrit and translated into English, and a gorgeous mandap provided an ethereal display of greenery – a nod to Central Park. That same theme continued throughout the reception, as guests were surrounded by the ambiance of Central Park indoors.
“Our wedding has surpassed our wildest dream,” says Shilpa. “It was a weekend filled with so much love and laughter. Our friends and family danced the entire night. During the reception, I recall looking at my husband in complete awe. We cannot wait to spend the rest of our lives with each other.”
WEDDING TALENT
Location and Caterer: The Pierre, a Taj Hotel, New York, NY; Planner: Touch of Elegance Events, New York, NY
