During their junior year at New York University, Sarina Dey and Abhishek Shah hit it off at a mutual friend’s party and reunited at her sorority’s semi-formal. After five years together, he surprised Sarina with a romantic proposal, and they began planning their multi-day Indian destination wedding in Mexico.
The bride envisioned all of their events outdoors and after touring the construction site of future hotel The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai, she knew it was where she’d walk down the aisle. “We wanted the themes to bring our family and friends together in the most fun and unique ways possible, so our wedding planner, Elizabeth Priya Kumar of Premini Events, and I got started on brainstorming the events, while maintaining the clean, vibrant and exceptional aesthetic of the resort,” Sarina explains. Over The Moon The List Photographer Vinuthna Garidipuri expertly captured every moment, and Niru & Baku set the tone with an emerald invitation suite.
For Sarina’s wedding wardrobe, she, her mother, and her mother-in-law went straight to the source—India. With stylist Nisha Kundnani of Bridelan, Sarina curated custom looks for each event. They started with her Sabyasachi couture lehenga, paired with a polki diamond and emerald set from Dedhia Jewelers and Jimmy Choos.
Arpita Mehta customized the bride’s green mirrored mehndi saree and red beaded sharara for the salsa party. Her sangeet lehenga was sourced from Rahul Mishra and inspired by the cosmos. “This outfit was my most special and fun look,” the bride reflects. “I paired it with a sapphire and diamond set, along with some bangles from Isharya.”
Lastly, Sarina’s reception outfit was a two-piece set from Tarun Tahiliani, paired with pink satin Prada platforms. “The set consisted of a corset blouse with a netted top, a unique style of dupatta that extended from the shoulders, and a long embellished skirt with a large train,” she explains. Makeup artist Celeste Fanco even applied pops of pink to the bride’s beauty to complement her set, as hairstylist Krish Gutierrez waved her tresses.
On February 2, 2024, Abhishek donned a cream sherwani with silver and gold french knots from Kunal Rawal, paired with a saafa (traditional turban worn by a groom) with a kundan kalgi (bejeweled turban accessory made of kundan). Later on, he changed into a white tuxedo.
The once-in-a-lifetime ceremony was set on a pier by the water. Prashe Shah designed and built the mandap with white and blush florals for a modern Indian aesthetic. Abhishek drove up to his baraat on an ATV adorned with flowers, before he met Sarina’s parents. Then, the bride walked down the aisle with her brother, who cracked jokes the whole time to ease any nerves.
“There were definitely moments of nervousness, but as I walked down the aisle with my brother and saw Abhishek waiting for me, all those nerves melted away,” she recalls. At sunset, the pundit performed the traditional Hindu marriage ceremony, and the couple walked around a fire seven times.
Once married, the newlyweds joined their party at their “Reflections of You”–themed reception for a delicious dinner from Chef Gaurav Anand by the pool, surrounded by mangroves.
The couple shared a first dance to “Higher Ground” by ODESZA and Naomi Wild. Fireworks then signaled the official start of the fête on the dance floor with DJ Juicy, as “Sky Full of Stars” sounded out.
For her last look of the night, Sarina changed into a Retrofête mini. Sarina’s last memories of the night: “Abhi and I met our friends with rows of Jägerbomb to kick off the after-party!”
