Real Wedding: Jeff Fisco & Sonal Mehta

October 17, 2015
Boston Marriott Newton
Newton, Massachusetts

Photograph by Kelsey Regan Photography

THE STORY

Some of the best marriages, it has been said, start as friendships. This was certainly the case for Jeff Fisco and Sonal Mehta, who met their first weekend at the University of Connecticut and remained close throughout college. The pair only realized that they wanted something more after they both ended relationships around the same time.

“We got along so well,” Sonal says. “Our friendship quickly developed into feelings.”

Almost five years after they started dating, the couple headed to Newburyport with Sonal’s parents for what was supposed to be a simple day trip—until Jeff stole Sonal away for a private moment by the harbor and got down on one knee. She said yes, and thus began a flurry of prewedding coordination, including a three-week trip to India to purchase menswear, bridesmaid cholis, paper goods, and, of course, Sonal’s red sari. “I put it on and fell in love. After that nothing else could compare,” she says.

Before the ceremony, guests celebrated the couple’s union at the baraat, a processional bash welcoming the groom into the bride’s family. As is customary, Jeff rode in on a white horse. A traditional Indian ceremony followed, during which Sonal and Jeff took seven steps together, symbolizing the beginning of their journey as husband and wife.

Looking back at the celebration-filled day, Jeff says his favorite memory was the first look: “To stand outside and see her for the first time and realize this is finally here, this is happening. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime kind of moments to turn around and see her.”

THE DETAILS

Photograph by Kelsey Regan Photography

Jeff and Sonal were married in a mandap overlooking the Charles River.

Photograph by Kelsey Regan Photography

The morning of the wedding, Jeff’s aunt gifted the groom and his two brothers cuff links featuring two precious photos: one of Jeff’s maternal grandmother and the other of his mother, who passed away before the wedding.

Photograph by Kelsey Regan Photography

The bride ordered 250 handpainted elephants from an artist at a craft show in Vadodara, India, to serve as escort-card holders.

Photograph by Kelsey Regan Photography

Sonal worked with Antic Designers to incorporate gold, dark teal, and purple into her bridesmaids’ custom cholis.

Photograph by Kelsey Regan Photography

“The day was about two very different families coming together and celebrating,” Sonal says. “It was a great union of two very different cultures.”

THE FILE

Bride’s Dresses Asopalav
Bridesmaid Ceremony Cholis Antic Designers
Catering Ambrosia Tavern
Ceremony and Reception Décor Alankar Event/Wedding Planners & Decorators
Dance Team Tufts Bhangra
DJ and Lighting Boston Sound and Light Company
Hair and Makeup Naomi’s Studio & Salon
Invitations and Paper Goods Sudarshan Cards
Menswear Oscars Tux
Officiant Jayant Sane
Videographer Artistic Wedding Films

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