Aashika + Sakshi

There’s something deeply personal about designing a wedding, but when it’s for family? Oh, the stakes are different, the emotions? I had the pure joy (and yes, occasional bout of stress) of putting together a wedding for my cousin Sakshi, and let me tell you, it was nothing short of magical.

Weddings have this innate power to evoke emotions you didn’t even know you had, and when it’s someone you’ve watched grow up, it feels like revisiting a thousand memories in a single day. Every choice, every color, every fabric wasn’t just about aesthetics, but about weaving a story of love that has spanned.

As the day approached, my biggest challenge wasn’t in ensuring the flowers matched the drapes, but in keeping my own tears at bay. I mean, who knew that selecting the ideal long table setting could bring back memories of childhood dinners, shared laughs, whispered secrets, and cherished moments between the cousins?

Love was in the air, and not just the romantic kind. I could feel the love of grandparents who've since passed but whose presence was palpable, the camaraderie of cousins who turned every task into a riotous laughter session, and the unwavering support of friends who've become our chosen family.

On the big day, as they walked down the aisle, surrounded by a design that was made of memories and dreams, it was a reminder that love is not just a feeling. It's an action, a choice, a journey. And while I played a small part in designing that day, it was their story, their love, that truly designed us all.

So, here's to love, to family, to tears that come from laughter and nostalgia, and to the heartwarming chaos that makes life so darn beautiful. Here’s to designing moments that will forever remain etched in our hearts.

Photographer: Fern + Feather Photography

Venue: Sheraton, Framingham Massachusetts