Some love stories start in fairytales. Others start at high school orientation. For Jackie & Kethan, it was the latter—but with just as much magic. From shy hallway glances in the first year to heartfelt vows years later at Celebrate at Snug Harbor, their love story bloomed into a one-of-a-kind fusion wedding that had everything: Tolkien-inspired decor, gourmet lechon, a surprise proposal on a cliff (yes, really!), and a sangeet that doubled as a full-blown dance concert.
When Kethan got down on one knee, it wasn't in a candlelit restaurant or a photo-ready beach. Nope—this was peak romance, literally. He popped the question at the summit of a post-Thanksgiving hike, surrounded by both families and the panoramic glory of nature. Jackie's reaction? Tears, joy, and a mild case of "I got lost with my nephew" before the grand reveal. Jackie & Kethan's wedding was more than a union—it was a celebration of heritage. Day one kicked off with a Filipino Christian ceremony, followed by a backyard gathering complete with a dreamy white dress and a traditional Barong ensemble. Day two turned up the volume with a colorful mehendi brunch and a high-energy sangeet filled with dancing, heartfelt performances, and even a conventional Filipino tinikling routine. By day three, the main event was nothing short of cinematic.
Forget your average ballroom. Jackie and Kethan chose Celebrate at Snug Harbor, a venue as charming as their story. Think of lush botanical gardens, dramatic vaulted ceilings, and ambiance straight out of a fantasy film. Their Lord of the Rings theme featured candlelit tables, mossy accents, and a Middle-earth seating chart. Jackie walked down the aisle to an Elvish tune while Kethan made his entrance to "Concerning Hobbits"—because why not make your wedding soundtrack legendary? Let's talk about the dream team behind the magic. At the helm of the wedding-day energy was Arjun and Luxe Event Group, who brought the music, lighting, and MC prowess to an entirely new level. From the moment guests stepped onto the dance floor until the very last beat dropped, Luxe kept the energy electric. Their ability to seamlessly blend cultures, tempos, and vibes made them the true rhythm behind the celebration.
Of course, no event runs smoothly without a stellar planner, and Natalie Padovano of Lace And Rose Events was the glue that held it all together. She didn't just plan—she envisioned, executed, and elevated this event. Jackie described her as someone who made her feel " seen, safe, and supported," and those words say it all. Thambula Decor transformed the space into an ethereal woodland dream with floral installations and a candlelit ambiance that evoked romance. Jenna Provini of Beyond the Barn created effortlessly chic hair looks, and Briana Lorenn gave Jackie the flawless bridal glow we all envy. Outfits were curated to perfection—from Jackie's coral pink Kanchipuram saree from Mokshaa Chennai to her dreamy reception lehenga and the bridesmaids' Nalli silks to Kethan's regal sherwani by Kora by Nilesh Mitesh and a crisp reception suit from Suit Supply. Let's not forget the bites! Relish Catering earned rave reviews for a diverse spread that had everyone going back for seconds — and thirds.
Among all the glitz and glam, two moments stood out. First, their vows—raw, emotional, and tear-inducing (for guests and the couple alike). Second, the dancing. From "What Jhumka?" to "Chaiyya Chaiyya," the performances were better than front-row seats at a Bollywood premiere. Jackie even added a personal flair, dancing the traditional Filipino tinikling with her sister. As cultures merged and music soared, the night became a beautiful celebration of love, legacy, and rhythm.
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
I met Kethan back in 2006 during our high school orientation. We were placed in the same group and ended up having all the same classes freshman year. We quickly became close friends. Although we didn’t officially start dating until our senior year, I had a huge crush on him by junior year. I remember telling one of my closest friends at the time that I could actually see myself marrying him someday. It was typical teenage wishful thinking. But
as it turns out, I was right!
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Kethan and I are big hikers, so it was no surprise when my older sister asked if I wanted to go on a post-Thanksgiving hike. Of course, I said yes! We planned a group hike with both my family and Kethan’s family.
As we made our way to the summit, I actually ended up getting a little lost with my nephew while everyone else waited at the top. When I finally reached the summit, Kethan took me to the edge of the cliff to take in the view, and that’s when he proposed. I cried like a baby!
Afterward, we all headed back to my mother-in-law’s house, where more family and friends were waiting to celebrate.
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.
It was important for us to celebrate both of our cultures across three days. We started with a Filipino Christian ceremony at the Westfield United Methodist Church. Afterwards, we had an intimate gathering with close friends and family in a beautiful tented setup in my mother-in-law’s backyard. I wore a romantic corseted white dress, and Kethan honored my culture by wearing a traditional Barong.
For our main venue, we knew we wanted something surrounded by nature and a reception hall that would be able to accommodate our guests. I didn’t really enjoy the look of traditional ballrooms and wanted something that was different. We ultimately landed on Snug Harbor, a dreamy venue with lush gardens and a grand reception hall with vaulted ceilings and unique wooden details. As big fantasy nerds, we went with a whimsical, Lord of the Rings-inspired theme, complete with moody candlelight, mossy details, and even a Middle-earth seating chart. Kethan walked down the aisle to “concerning hobbits,” and I walked down to an Elvish song. To help with cost, we DIYed most of the decor, including fun personal touches like custom napkins with our dogs’ faces on them and signage.
I chose vendors who made me feel seen, safe, and supported, especially Natalie from Lace and Rose Events, who helped bring our vision to life.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
Since my husband’s family is from South India, I knew I wanted to honor that by wearing a Kanchipuram saree. I’ve always loved bold, bright colors, so I went in thinking I’d choose something in the pink or orange family.
While we were visiting Chennai, Kethan’s aunt took us shopping to find the perfect saree. At first, nothing really spoke to me until we walked into Mokshaa. One of the salesmen showed me the most stunning iridescent coral pink saree with intricate gold zari detailing. In the light, it shimmered with different tones and felt vibrant, elegant, and completely me.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Making the Lord of the Rings-inspired décor was one of my favorite parts. I love hands-on projects, so it felt more creative than stressful. Plus, it gave me a chance to hang out with my sisters and best friend while getting things done.
Clothes shopping with them was also a highlight, especially seeing them try on Indian outfits for the first time. It was fun, a little chaotic at times, and a really memorable part of the process.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The food, hands down. Everyone raved about it. The team at Relish did an amazing job putting together a diverse and delicious menu that people are still talking about.
Another big highlight was our vows. They were really personal and emotional. There were definitely a lot of tears in the crowd.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Our vows. I’m not someone who’s usually very expressive with my emotions, but that moment gave us the opportunity to truly solidify our commitment to each other. It felt vulnerable, powerful, and full of so much love.
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 second day of events included a mehendi brunch followed by the sangeet that evening. Kethan’s family put so much effort into transforming the backyard that it was absolutely stunning. The décor was bright and festive, filled with vibrant yellows and pinks.
For my mehendi outfit, I wore a mustard pre-draped saree from Ritu Kumar, while Kethan wore a maroon kurta. Dinner was a mix of Indian and Filipino food, including a big lechon that was quickly devoured by our guests.
That night at the sangeet, I changed into a sequined purple lehenga from Mokshaa, and Kethan wore a sequined navy kurta set. The evening was filled with incredible performances. My bridesmaids and I danced to “What Jhumka?” and Kethan and his cousins brought the energy with “Chaiyya Chaiyya.” To represent my Filipino roots, my sister and I performed the tinikling, a traditional folk dance using bamboo sticks.
Arjun and the Luxe Team MC’d the night and kept the music and energy flowing until the very end.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Don’t sweat the small stuff and don’t crash out before the party starts. Eat something, stay hydrated, and give yourself grace. As per the words of Kethan, “Everything is going to be okay.”
From forest vibes to fusion vows, this wedding was a true celebration of heart and heritage.
