When it comes to weddings, the venue often sets the stage for everything that follows, from the mood to the memories. For Sachita Shah, client partner at Snapchat and tech consultant Akash Patel, both born and raised in London, their big day dream was a sun-drenched destination affair in Tuscany. But instead of flying their friends and family overseas, they found a way to bring that vision closer to home. Between the whimsical garden setting of Holland Park and the grand elegance of Fairmont Windsor Park, the couple discovered regions of England that echoed their desired Italian romance.
“Akash always loved the idea of Tuscany, the vineyards and the warmth of it all,” Sachita shares. “But when we saw these venues, they gave us that same feeling: romantic, timeless, and unforgettable.” What unfolded was not one wedding, but two beautifully distinct celebrations, a serene civil ceremony and a vibrant Indian wedding, each reflective of their personalities and shared story.
The meet cute
Being children of London’s multi-cultural diaspora, Sachita, a client partner at Snapchat and Akash, a tech consultant at Ernst & Young, represent the new generation of British Indians who seamlessly blend their modern lifestyles with cultural pride. Their parents’ parallel journeys from East Africa to North West London in the ‘60s created an almost cosmic backdrop for their eventual union, with the families settling just five minutes apart yet never crossing paths until their children found each other decades later.
Sachita and Akash’s journey together began in the most modern of ways, with a swipe right on a dating app. A bar in Soho served as mise en scène for their first date, where “espresso martinis and spicy picantes effortless flowed the conversation well into the night, and something just clicked,” Sachita recalls of their first encounter. Two years into the relationship, Akash popped the question to her on a quiet beach in Langkawi, Malaysia. “On our second evening there, as the sun melted into the sea and the sky turned gold, he got down on one knee.”
The couple returned to a heart-warming engagement celebration with their families. “Our parents’ first meeting was as endearing as it was familiar. At a neighbourhood Indian restaurant both had frequented since childhood, Akash was welcomed with chilli paneer, teasing football banter from my father, and heaping second (and third) helpings urged on by my mother. By the end of the evening, it felt like they’d known each other for years,” Sachita smiles.
18 months of intentional planning
With the precision that comes from successful careers in tech and digital media, the couple dedicated 18 months to planning their perfect weekend. “Sachi had dreamed of this day for as long as she could remember, with a clear vision of the aesthetic, the outfits, and even the vendors,” Akash explains. The year-and-a-half window gave them enough time to moodboard, venue-hop, and taste-test their way through London’s best caterers and cocktail curators. This wasn’t mere wedding planning, it was the curation of a multi-day experience that would honour both their London roots and Indian heritage.
“We wanted something timeless, something that would stay with people,” says Sachita. For the civil ceremony, the guest list was intentionally intimate with 100 family and close friends, while the Indian wedding unfolded on a larger scale with 250 guests celebrating across traditions and rituals. Though they took the reins on planning, they strategically enlisted Hush Events for the final six months to coordinate logistics. “They were truly a blessing and made all the difference in bringing it all together seamlessly,” they both admit. This thoughtful delegation allowed them to remain present for their own celebration rather than becoming consumed by logistics.
The civil ceremony
On August 4, 2025, the wedding week began with a civil ceremony at The Orangery in Holland Park. “We wanted at least one celebration to reflect our love for London and this venue is true hidden gem in the heart of London,” Akash explains. With its sweeping glasshouse architecture and lush gardens, it was an ethereal nod to the city they grew up in. Flora & Florencia dressed the venue with soft arrangements that mirrored the organic charm of the surroundings. The mood was effortlessly romantic, an elegant prelude to the more traditional celebrations that would follow.
A string violinist played as Sachita walked down the aisle in a chic white Meshki dress, her “something blue was a pair of Manolo Blahniks gifted by Akash in Paris on my birthday.” He, in turn, wore a tailored suit by Cad & The Dandy, embodying the sophisticated London gentleman aesthetic.
The couple’s eye for detail shone through in every element, from the self-designed invites on Etsy to Cooks & Partners’ carefully curated menu.
The pre-wedding celebrations
The days leading up to the Indian wedding were filled with intimate traditions hosted at their family homes. From the vibrance of the mehndi to the joy of the mandhvo and pithi, these gatherings brought together close-knit circles of friends and relatives.
Sachita kept it chic and comfy in a breezy Anita Dongre dress for the mehndi, while Akash opted for Majora London. Laughter, dancing, and henna artistry by Bhavi’s Mendhi made it a memorable affair.
The Indian wedding
Four days later, August 8 marked the centrepiece of the celebrations at Fairmont Windsor Park. The magic unfolded at its walled garden for their outdoor Indian ceremony. Sid at Jay&I elevated the space into a something from a European haven with draped fabric cascading between trees. “The six-pillar mandap, adorned with florals and foliage, along with the grass aisle seemed to grow from the earth itself.” Guests found shade beneath colourful umbrellas, a detail that added whimsy without distracting from the elegance of the day.
Sachita stunned in a vibrant Rimple & Harpreet lehenga. “I had my heart set on a Sabyasachi bridal lehenga from the start, but after trying on many options, I fell in love with this pick. I wanted a touch of traditional red in my outfit but not completely red, and this lehenga struck the perfect balance of colours for my vision,” shares the bride.
Paired with Rene Caovilla heels and champagne-gold jewellery, her look was regal yet restrained. “I wanted the lehenga to take centre stage without being overshadowed by too much jewellery,” she says. Akash wore an ivory sherwani by BiBiMan London, perfectly complementing the garden palette.
The groom’s favourite moment? “Watching Sachita walk in. Everything slowed down. The nerves disappeared, and it was just her.” For Sachita, “it was walking down the aisle with my dad, surrounded by trees, florals, and the people we love most. I had dreamt of that moment for so long, the setting, the music, the feeling, and it was even more magical than I imagined. It felt like a dream.”
The glamorous reception
The tempo shifted indoors for the reception in the evening, where the ballroom was transformed into an enchanting garden. Lush foliage, pastel florals, and serpentine tables lined with hundreds of candles created a romantic, candlelit atmosphere. Summer umbrellas and tall trees were brought indoors to keep a seamless continuation of the day’s aesthetic.
“We made sure the wedding menu featured all our favourites. The day began with a South Indian breakfast of dosas and idli, followed by a traditional Gujarati lunch. The evening featured North Indian classics curated by Madhu’s, with memorable highlights like okra fries, pani puri, and passionfruit cheesecake. Drinks were crafted by Hijack Cocktails, espresso martinis and spicy picantes, which was a nod to our first date, alongside refreshing mocktails.”
Sachita slipped into a Sourabhi Chopra two-piece outfit for the reception. Akash donned a tuxedo by Cad & The Dandy, finishing with Crockett & Jones shoes, both exuding effortless glamour. Entertainment came courtesy of Ritzy Production, Baja Beats, a saxophonist, and a pianist, ensuring the energy never dipped. The weather, unpredictable as ever in Britain, turned out flawless. “It was everything we’d imagined,” Sachita says. The night wound down with laughter, dancing, and chips and late-night pizza.
The Bride’s Checklist
The Venues: Fairmont Windsor Park and The Orangery, Holland Park
Photography: Raj Passy Photography and Sammy Taylor Wedding Photography
Videographer: Andrei Weddings
Content Creators: Moments By Sej and Social Soirée by Hope Graciee
Wedding Planner: Hush Events
Wedding Décor: Jay&I
Florist: Flora And Florencia
Catering: Madhu’s and Cooks & Partners
Mehndi Artist: Bhavi’s Mendhi
Bride’s Outfits: Rimple & Harpreet, Anita Dongre, Sourabhi Chopra and Meshki
Groom’s Outfits: BiBiMan London, Cad & The Dandy and Majora London
Makeup & Hair: Meera Shah, Shrena Kara and Gaby Goldring Hairstylist
Cocktails: Hyjack Cocktails
Entertainment/DJ: Ritzy Production, Chris Williams (Saxaphone), Bhavish Unadkat (Piano), Band Baja Beats, Barbara The Violinist
