Let’s Celebrate: Mandy & Sidd

1 year ago

Mandy and Sidd Patel’s stunning, three-day celebration embodied love, culture, and beauty. The two met on a dating app in July 2020 and instantly bonded over a prompt about karaoke. Since their relationship began during the pandemic, they had plenty of casual dates at home, resulting in deep conversations and a quick connection that flourished over the next two years.

Southern Approach Events planned the remarkable wedding weekend, making sure the events went off without a hitch.
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DJ Shivvy performed during Sangeet and the Hindu ceremony. The Pants Party Band kept people dancing all night long at the reception!
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True Value Rental and Luminous Events brought the couple’s décor dreams to life.
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Once engaged, Mandy pulled from her previous experience working in the wedding industry and shared her go-to list of vendors with Sidd. They planned and reserved everything far in advance to ensure a stress-free engagement, including the multiple outfits for the weekend. Mandy ordered three beautifully made lehengas — pastel, purple, and red — from a shop in Baroda, Gujarat in India. Sidd selected his kurtas from Borota, India, and his wedding day sherwani was custom-made by Twisted Threads, a designer shop in Bombay, India.

Mandy and Sidd danced to “The Best” by Tina Turner. The song reminds the couple of an endearing episode of *Schitt’s Creek* and Sidd’s proposal.
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During Mangalik Prasangs, Sidd participated in Pithi, also known as Haldi. This pre-wedding ritual consists of family members and close friends covering the groom’s body in a paste made of turmeric, sandalwood, and other auspicious ingredients. It’s believed to purify the couple, ward off evil spirits, and bring good luck.
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Makeup and hair: Dee of Faces of Virtue
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The festivities began with Sangeet — a night of Indian songs and dance — on Thursday evening at the Arbor Room at Popp Fountain in City Park New Orleans. Guests marveled at the rehearsed dances performed by family and close friends and listened to heartfelt speeches from members of the wedding party. Mangalik Prasangs was held at the same venue on Friday, a day filled with religious rituals to prepare the couple for their upcoming marriage ceremony. Both events showcased Sidd’s culture; the space was donned with Indian décor by Nirvana Weddings, there was a spread of Indian food by Art of Flavors, and attendees received henna by New Orleans Henna.

“Two hours before the ceremony, I had a private moment with my father. He was so excited that he posted a picture of me on Facebook in my full wedding dress hours before the wedding! He was so cute, but I had to tell him to take it down! We laugh about it every time now.” – MANDY PATEL
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The large wedding party consisted of cousins, family members, and close friends. Mandy had both a Man of Honor and Maid of Honor — two of her best friends from high school and college, respectively. Sidd’s dadaji (grandfather) served as his Best Man.
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Throughout the celebration, what stood out most to the couple was seeing both of their families come together and embrace their cultures.
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Jewelry was purchased from Kilian Jewelry in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Mandy and Sidd had their first look under a breathtaking wisteria tree that only blooms for a few days once a year.
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The Hindu ceremony took place on Saturday, March 23, where Mandy and Sidd were married by a pair of traditional Indian priests. “We had a father and son so that the father could marry us in traditional Sanskrit, and the son would explain the meaning of each ritual in English,” Mandy shares. “It was a perfect way to keep everyone engaged throughout the 1.5-hour ceremony!” The pair also participated in the “Seven Steps,” a ritual where the couple takes seven steps as they make seven promises to one another regarding their new future as husband and wife.

The Plant Gallery utilized tropical greenery for the Hindu ceremony and vibrant, pink and orange florals for the reception.
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Instead of a honeymoon, the newlyweds got a puppy named Tex! However, they are planning on visiting Colombia at the end of 2024.
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In lieu of a traditional guest book, guests could “leave a message after the tone” for the newlyweds.
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The newlyweds swiftly changed before the reception with Mandy opting for a lightweight white gown from Unbridaled New Orleans that was perfect for the dance floor. As a former resident of Plano, Texas with an appreciation for Western fashion, Sidd wore a dazzling, baby blue nudie suit designed by Addicted Bespoken with black cowboy boots. The unforgettable wedding weekend wrapped with a vibrant party in the Pavilion of the Two Sisters.

This article appeared in Adore’s A-List 2024 issue