A Fairytale of Two Cities
Inside Palak Kapadia and Aarjav Jain’s Love Story, From City Hall in Manhattan to a Sundowner Ceremony in Mumbai
For Palak Kapadia and Aarjav Jain, love wasn’t rooted in a single zip code—it was a transcontinental tale that began in New York and bloomed across oceans, culminating in a wedding that was as much a celebration of place as it was of partnership.
The couple, both romantics at heart, knew early on that their wedding would be a deeply personal homage to the cities that had shaped their story. “New York was such a main character in our love story,” Palak shares. “It gave us our once-upon-a-time, so it only felt right to have our happily-ever-after begin here.”
And so, on a crisp winter morning, the two exchanged vows at Manhattan’s City Hall in what could only be described as a real-life New York rom-com. Palak wore a vintage Dior gown—sourced sight unseen from a seller in Italy. “It was a huge risk,” she laughs, “but it paid off.” With its long-sleeved lace bodice, sweeping train, and understated silhouette, the gown struck the perfect balance between courthouse chic and timeless romance. Aarjav complemented her effortlessly in a tailored navy Calvin Klein suit and an Hermès tie. Their best friend, lovingly referred to as the “certified third wheel,” served as witness.
After the ceremony, they wandered through the streets of downtown Manhattan, basking in newlywed bliss. A serendipitous encounter with the Old Friend Photo Booth pop-up resulted in their first official portraits—intimate black-and-white strips capturing the pure joy of the moment.
That evening, the celebration climbed sky-high with a private afterparty at The Edge. As the first snowfall of the season gently blanketed the city below, their nearest and dearest danced and toasted under the stars. “It felt like we were inside our very own snow globe,” Palak remembers.
While their New York elopement was all intimacy and introspection, their Mumbai celebration was the exact opposite—a vibrant, multi-day affair that honored Indian traditions and family ties.
Guests flew in from six countries for the seaside wedding at Hotel Sea Princess in Juhu, where the Arabian Sea provided a breathtaking backdrop. On the morning of the wedding, Aarjav surprised Palak with a handmade matcha—carried all the way from New York to calm her nerves. “It was the most heartfelt surprise,” she recalls.
From an intimate New York elopement to a grand Mumbai celebration, every detail of Palak and Aarjav’s wedding was a reflection of who they are—two souls connected by serendipity, sentiment, and the cities they call home.
