Abhijit & Karena's Vibrant Hindu Coronado Wedding

After hitting it off at Boston College Law School, Karena could not object to a life with Abhijit. He proposed in their romantically decorated suite at New York’s Hotel on Rivington, surrounded by candles and rose petals. The newly engaged couple celebrated soon thereafter with a jury of their peers, who had been hiding in the other rooms of the suite. Their ornate wedding honored Abhijit’s Hindu heritage, in everything from the vibrant hues to the cultural rituals—he rode into the ceremony on a white horse, and Karena’s ensemble included a traditional Indian nose chain and henna-embellished hands. Fittingly, they also tied the knot in the most time-honored of ways—tying a rope (mangalsutra) around themselves to represent their families and their bond as one.

Their wedding took style inspiration from his Hindu heritage.

To Have and To Hold

The joining of hands is called hasta melap, and includes a blessing by the officiant for a happy and healthy life.

Heartwarming

A portion of the ceremony was reserved for vivah havan, when Abhijit and Karena sat in front of a sacred fire to purify their relationship and bring life into their marriage.