Gautam Ashok Krishnamurthi and Sophie Ela Schulman first crossed paths in their freshman dorm at Stanford University. Eight years after hitting it off immediately, Gautam proposed at Panther Beach in Santa Cruz—“one of our first date spots and a very special place for both of us,” Sophie shares.
The Santa Lucia Preserve in Carmel, California was the obvious choice when it came to selecting a wedding venue. It had been a place Gautam grew up visiting with his family and a serene escape Sophie grew to love. “The aesthetic was meant to highlight the two cultures that were coming together, while also highlighting the importance of having fun with friends and family,” the bride explains.
Guests received a Sterling Stripes invitation suite, detailing the events of the weekend, all of which were planned accordingly by Elise Johnson of Shannon Leahy Events. Jose Villa captured it all on camera.
The day began with an Indian ceremony to which Sophie wore a sparkling red and gold ensemble. Gautam donned a traditional South Indian dhoti. Afterward, the bride and groom changed into second looks for the Jewish ceremony. Sophie found her intricate Berta dress at Lovella Bridal in Los Angeles. Alongside stylist Maradee Wahl, the pair customized the skirt layers and neckline appliqués to achieve Sophie’s vision of elegance. The look was complete with a silk tulle veil.
On June 18, 2022, Sophie dressed surrounded by loved ones, as Janet Villa created her day-of hair and makeup looks. Sophie met Gautam before the great oak trees at the Cathedral of the Redwoods in the preserve. Traditional South Indian touches detailed the space as the two tied the knot in a beautiful Hindu ceremony as a thavil player performed. “[I] felt very loved and honored that this many people wanted to see and be a part of our special day,” Gautam shares.
Later that evening, guests gathered once more under the subtle California sun, this time, surrounded by greenery and rolling hills. Sophie walked down the aisle and exchanged vows with Gautam amidst white florals by Victoria of Shannon Leahy Events. Guests cheered as the bride and groom exited the ceremony as newlyweds.
Afterward, everyone sipped Champagne and settled for dinner atop BBJ La Tavola linens. “We served a number of different dishes, but my favorite was the beef short rib, which just melted in your mouth.” the bride says. Parents of the newlyweds, Sophie’s maid of honor, and Gautam’s best man brought everyone to tears with heartwarming speeches.
Then, guests traveled to the barn for the reception. Sophie and Gautam shared a first dance to Bill Withers’s “Just The Two of Us,” and Chris Clouse welcomed everyone to the dance floor with epic renditions of all of the newlyweds’ favorite songs. Neon lasers lit up the room, and Sophie and Gautam smiled through a spirited hora. As the night went on, guests boarded buses and the party continued in downtown Carmel at the after-party.
The following day, still beaming from the celebrations, the newlyweds flew to Greece for their honeymoon. “[We] started in Athens, and then island hopped on our own private boat through the Cyclades from Mykonos to Santorini,” Sophie gushes. “[It] was a vacation unlike any other!”
