Sejal Patel + Stephen Skakandy

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An International Affair

Story by Daisy Hutzell-Rodman
Photography by Marc Climie

Sejal Patel wanted a traditional Indian extravaganza with lots of sparkle and color for her wedding ceremony. She moved into full-time planning mode the minute Stephen proposed in July 2011.

“There is about one Indian wedding a month in Omaha, but everything is brought in from outside the area,” the bride said.

She and her mother, Sumitra Patel, set out to find a way to use local vendors for Sejal and Stephen's elaborate Thanksgiving weekend wedding, which included two days of Indian rituals.

Memrical, an Omaha-based wedding planning boutique, helped the Patels execute a Friday night Mehndi party for 300 guests, which included henna painting for the women. There also was a bridal shower with guests from India, England, Germany and Africa – as well as from across the United States.

Saturday morning, nearly 375 guests attended Stephen and Sejal's Christian ceremony at St. Martha Episcopal Church in Papillion. Sejal wore a beaded gown by Vera Wang.

While guests were enjoying lunch at Embassy Suites La Vista, Sejal changed into her Indian wedding dress.

At 1 p.m., the Baraat, or bridal procession, began with the groom dressed in his military whites on horseback.

The wedding ceremony, which is known as Hasta Melap, began at 2 p.m. inside the hotel ballroom. A traditional Indian wedding lasts five to six hours, but Sejal modified hers to two hours.

In the Indian tradition, games help guests get acquainted. In one of the most popular games, the groom removes his shoes during the ceremony. The bride's family makes wacky plans to steal the shoes and hide them, while the groom's family tries to protect the shoes. The person who manages to steal the shoes asks for a large sum of money, which the groom must pay in order for his shoes to be returned.

A 6 p.m. cocktail party had a New York lounge theme complete with white furniture, ice sculptures, fountains and a bar in the middle of the room.

A second staging area was created for the 7 p.m. introduction of family members and the wedding party. Afterward, Theatrical Media Services switched up the lighting for a dinner buffet and Lucite bar.

“My most memorable moment was seeing the surprise and excitement in our guests with everything they saw and ate,” Sejal said. “It was wonderful to experience the joy of putting smiles on everyone's faces.”

Dancing is a large part of Indian culture, and guests at this wedding danced until midnight. A lively after-party for close friends went until 2 a.m.

Sunday morning, guests had brunch with the bride and groom before returning home.

“Stephen and I are most thankful for my family to love us enough to put together such a glorious event, and to Stephen's family for embracing the cultural differences and thoroughly enjoying the moments. I'm thankful to be able to unite our families with these weddings.”

Dresses
Vera Wang

Groom's attire
Tip Top Tux

Rings
Custom-designed by Kanji Savalia

Flowers
Memrical

Caterer
Sandip Patel of Chowpatty in New Jersey

Cake
Sweet Cakes and Roses, Arbor Hall

Photographer
Marc Climie

Transportation
Ollie the Trolley

Rentals
Memrical

Invitation/program design
Nilesh Patel of Sudarshan Cards