Once upon a FaceTime call, Ripal met Palak on the South Indian dating app Dil Mil, and what started as virtual binge-watching turned into a whirlwind of love, laughter, and one jaw-dropping proposal at Gantry State Park. Picture this: roses, candles, a red carpet, a glowing “Marry Me” sign, Bollywood instrumentals, and a surprise ring from Ripal herself. (Yes, she flipped the script!) From that moment on, there was no turning back.
Fast-forward to the Riviera Maya, where their multi-event wedding unfolded spectacularly over two and a half days. With five events spanning three properties at Generations Resort Riviera Maya, their destination celebration was as thoughtfully curated as it was unforgettable. From a Holi-inspired beach bash after the Grah Shanti to an Amalfi Coast-themed welcome party, every event was infused with personal touches and vibrant charm. Their Sangeet lit up the rooftop with colorful papel picado flags and surprise fireworks (Palak’s favorite!). At the same time, their ceremony was a floral dream with elegant arrangements by ASR by Roque Sandoval and Zuñiga Deco Cancun. Their reception brought the glam: a black-and-white theme, shimmering outfits, and even a Vogue-inspired photo booth that had guests making their best cover model impressions. But the true magic was in the moments—the surprise dances, the tears at the first look, and a father-daughter dance that melted hearts. Desi DJs kept the beats flowing, ensuring no dance floor was left lonely, and Pyaar Planning (special shoutout to Edith and Sha!) flawlessly executed every detail to bring Ripal & Palak’s vision to life.
Saptapadi Weddings, the cinematography team behind the lens, deserves a standing ovation. Their cinematic finesse captured the raw emotion and electric energy of each event, from the soft glances in the first look to the bold beats of the baraat. Every moment felt larger-than-life, just the way it should. And when it comes to destination wedding coordination, Indian Destination Wedding, Inc. was nothing short of a blessing. Ripal & Palak raved about Ateet and his team, who transformed the notoriously stressful planning process into a smooth and joyful experience. With unmatched attentiveness and a deep understanding of Indian wedding needs abroad, this team ensured that the couple (and their 5-event schedule!) were in expert hands.
Ripal was a vision in her Rimple & Harpreet bridal lehenga—an unexpected choice that she fell in love with thanks to her mom and Palak’s keen eyes at Aza Fashion in Delhi. And for her other looks? Think bold statements by Seema Gujral, Angad Singh, and Siddarth Bansal, paired with accessories from Jimmy Choo, Hermès, and jewelry from Cartier and Jared. Palak complemented her style with a regal Manyavar tuxedo, Breitling timepiece, and dapper Hugo Boss reception shoes. Beauty was brought to life by Alex Corbanezi, whose artistry elevated each of Ripal’s looks, while Loto Mehndi added intricate, breathtaking henna that looked like it belonged in a museum.
“Enjoy every moment,” Ripal advises future brides. “There is so much growth as a couple through the process, and it all goes by so quickly.” We couldn’t agree more.
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met on the South Indian dating app- Dil Mil! We had been long-distance while we were dating, but always made it a point to have nightly FaceTime dates and watch a show together. His consistency was one of the things I love most about him. I knew he was the one when we went away to Miami for our one-year dating anniversary.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Palak was always pulling my leg and said I would have to propose to him! One chilly day in November, he planned a photo shoot for us in Gantry State Park overlooking NYC. I walked onto a red carpet adorned with roses and candles, the center was a circle of flowers and a dazzling "Marry Me" sign, and of course Bollywood instrumentals playing to set the mood. My family and friends were hiding nearby to witness the occasion. I also had a surprise for him, I had a ring that I had brought to propose to him during this "photo shoot".
Tell us how you went about planning your wedding, and your overall experience with the Venues, Hair & Makeup, Outfits, Decor Theme, and all of the other important details.
We knew we wanted to do a destination wedding and loved the thought of doing it in Mexico. We did both our pre-wedding shoots in Mexico. Our goal was to keep the wedding energetic and fun. We found our vendors by looking through their work on Instagram and contacting them.
We chose Generations because of the large property with multiple venues to host events, and due to the on-site Indian Restaurant where the chef really took the time to listen to us and cater to our family's dietary needs.
After the Grah Shanti, we had planned a Holi on the beach.
For the decor, we knew we wanted the sangeet and wedding to be colorful. We also loved the idea of colorful florals being incorporated into all the events.
We wanted the decor to be elegant for the reception. We went with a white and black theme. We even had a Vogue photobooth!
We did all of our wedding shopping in India for outfits. My Grah Santi outfit was from Siddarth Bansal. My sangeet outfit was Angad Singh. My reception outfit was Seema Gujral.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I always knew that I did not want a red lengha and that I would opt for a more neutral color. We walked into Aza Fashion in Delhi, and it was my mom and Palak who noticed the Rimple and Harpreet wedding lengha first! I had never imagined wearing such a colorful lengha, but it was everything I could ask for!
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The most enjoyable part of the process was seeing all of our thoughts come to fruition. Our wedding planners, Edith and Sha from Pyar Planning, truly made our visions come to life. We really enjoyed working with Indian Destination Weddings because they were always available and attentive to our needs. Ateet and his team helped to make a stressful process feel seamless.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Our guests enjoyed the energy of our wedding- we always kept it upbeat and full of surprises. The fact that it was in Mexico was an added bonus!
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Our first look is a moment that was truly special. We had gotten ready separately, and poor Palak had to wait for quite some time prior to my arrival at the location. Despite waiting so long, when he saw me, he immediately had tears in his eyes. It was so surreal that after all the time we had spent planning, the day was finally here.
For events other than your ceremony, please tell us as much as you would like about the decor, style, dances, and all the special details.
Our welcome dinner was Amalfi Coast-themed decor since we had recently gone there.
Palak and I both had surprise dances for each other. He performed Delhi Wali Girlfriend with my sister during the Sangeet.
Much to his surprise, I did a surprise dance to Aaj Sajeya in the middle of the baraat.
Palak loves fireworks, and we were able to incorporate them in the middle of our rooftop sangeet!
My dad is known to be quiet and reserved, but at the reception, he and I did a performance for the father-daughter dance.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
To enjoy every moment of planning and the wedding. It goes by so quickly, and there is so much growth that happens as a couple through the process!
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
Our venue was Generations Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico! We had five events in 2.5 days, all at different venues throughout the 3 resort properties.
From Mexico with love: Ripal & Palak’s wedding was a dream come true for all who attended.
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