From the moment they met, Rohan and Sofia felt an instant, effortless connection—like they had known each other forever. “Our conversation flowed so naturally, and I was immediately drawn to her warmth, elegance, and incredible smile,” Rohan recalls. Further connecting over a shared appreciation for their culture, their experiences as children of immigrants, and a love for Los Angeles, the two quickly became inseparable. “On our third date, we did a drive-in movie and a picnic on the beach. Sofia surprised me with a birthday cake, we had our first kiss, and that sealed the deal for me!”
Two years later, Rohan planned a proposal that tied together the highlights of their relationship. “We had our first kiss by the ocean and I asked her to be my girlfriend by a lake, so I wanted the proposal to also be at an iconic spot by the water,” he says. He chose the cliffs at Point Dume in Malibu, where, as the sun was setting, he got down on one knee. They celebrated with a beachside picnic, Champagne, and a saxophonist playing Sade. The next day, Rohan surprised Sofia with an engagement party surrounded by close friends and family.
When it came to their wedding, the couple sought a balance—an intimate beach ceremony to exchange vows and larger traditional celebrations to honor their cultures and families, who had traveled from around the world. The Double Knot led the planning, while Anatoliy K Weddings captured it all.
“We began our wedding week with a beach ceremony at Crescent Bay Beach in Laguna Beach, exactly three years to the day Rohan and I met,” Sofia shares of their summer nuptials. A violinist played softly in the background as the bride’s cherished uncle–newly ordained for the occasion–officiated the ceremony.
“Exchanging vows in that moment felt like the perfect start to a lifetime of love and a beautiful foundation for the celebrations to come.” A violinist strummed in the background adding an air of warmth to the ceremony and the bride’s uncle—newly ordained for the occasion—officiated. Sofia wore a sleek crepe fit-and-flare dress from the Serene Collection by Madi Lane. To close the night with an intimate family dinner—a seven-course meal catered by Heritage Catering SoCal—she changed into a Zarina by Mila Nova playful mini satin dress.
The henna and haldi ceremonies followed the next afternoon. The groom’s parents took the lead in preparations, filling the house with traditional decor and fresh flowers. It was the one event the couple hadn’t planned themselves, making the reveal a special surprise. “The haldi ceremony was a joyful pre-wedding ritual where family and friends applied turmeric paste to bless us with good fortune and prosperity,” Sofia explains. “It was a vibrant event filled with laughter and dancing, creating an atmosphere of warmth and excitement for the days ahead.”
For their largest celebration, the couple hosted an Indian-Ethiopian wedding that honored both cultures. The festivities began with Rohan’s baraat, leading a lively crowd to the venue. The energy built with bhangra, a dhol player setting the beat, and bursts of orange smoke.
The celebration continued with the Ethiopian Shimagelay—a lively exchange, testing the groom’s determination before reaching the bride. Friends and family playfully blocked his path. “When I decided they’d given him a hard enough time, I signaled to let him through,” Sofia recalls. “He presented me with a bouquet before whisking me away.”
The Hindu ceremony was a serene affair, with the soft cream and blush tones of Lily of the Valley’s arrangements adorning the mandap by ESC Productions. Sofia wore two looks by KYNAH, with makeup by Alaina and hair styled by Whitney Hawkins. Guests sipped on mango lassis served in whimsical bulb-shaped glasses, adding a fun and refreshing touch to the ceremony.
At the entrance, tradition took center stage. “My male relatives were the first line of defense, and both sides bonded by dancing and pushing against each other,” Sophia says. “Once Rohan and his groomsmen pushed through the men, my female relatives stepped in, singing ‘Anasgebam Sergeña’—‘We Won’t Let Him In’—while humorously blocking his access to me. When I decided they’d given him a hard enough time, I signaled to let him through, and he presented me with a bouquet—a moment that felt like the perfect beginning to our celebration.”
During cocktail hour, guests enjoyed Indian appetizers like chicken 65, samosas, and pani puri from Mantra Indian Cuisine while taking in the stunning sunset from the terrace. DJ MOJOE set the mood for the evening with energy and excitement. The reception unfolded with family and friends performing dances—some of which the couple joined—alongside heartfelt speeches and an Indian buffet dinner topped off with Patty’s Cakes confections.
Orchid Quartet played an eclectic mix, from Bollywood favorites like “Kal Ho Na Ho” and “Jai Ho” to Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin’ Bout You” and Tupac’s “California Love.” As the dance floor opened, guests filled it and stayed there all night. Toward the end, the newlyweds shared a private last dance to “Lovesong” by Adele.
The week ended with an Ethiopian Melse reception, a post-wedding tradition often hosted by the bride’s family to bring both families together for an evening of food, dancing, and celebration. As the sun set, guests grazed on a buffet of traditional cuisine while DJ Fitsum set the tone with Ethiopian jazz during dinner, later blending Ethiopian classics—both old and new—with Bollywood beats. Families took turns teaching each other Ethiopian eskista and Indian bhangra, turning the night into a joyful cultural exchange.
The evening also featured a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, lovingly hosted by Sofia’s aunt, where guests gathered to enjoy freshly brewed coffee, a symbol of hospitality and togetherness. “That night, as we looked around and saw our families laughing, dancing, and embracing each other’s cultures, it felt like pure magic,” Sofia shares. “It wasn’t just a wedding celebration—it was the moment our two worlds truly became one.”
