Traditional Indian wedding
Bright, ritualistic
celebration that takes place over several days
Large number of attendees, some may even be unknown to the wedding couple
Emphasis more on families uniting than individuals involved
TOP: Bride Shona Patel and groom Vishvesh Mehta sit together during their wedding ceremony at the Savannah Center in West Chester on Sunday afternoon, May 30. The celebration included live drumming, Indian music, dancing and more.
LEFT: Bride Shona Patel is escorted down the aisle during her wedding ceremony at the Savannah Center.
RIGHT: Groom Vishvesh Mehta rides through family and friends on a horse just before his marriage to Shona Patel.
Contributed photos by Jessica Uttinger
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WEST CHESTER TWP. — The average bride spends many years dreaming about her wedding day. For Shona Patel, it was three days.
Patel, the valedictorian of her 1999 Lakota West graduating class, was married this weekend in a traditional Indian wedding that spanned from Friday, May 28, to Sunday, May 30.
The event started with the women participating in a Henna party on Friday, followed by religious ceremonies and dancing Saturday. On Sunday, Patel married Vishvesh Mehta. Four hundred people attended the event at Savannah Center at Chappell Crossing, 5533 Chappell Crossing Blvd. in West Chester Twp.
Patel, who now lives and works in New Jersey, said family was coming from all over the country, including from India for the traditional Hindu wedding and reception.
The bride wore a sari, a special wedding dress from West India and the groom wore an Indian groom outfit.
Although the price of the wedding wasn’t disclosed, Patel’s mother, Shobha said it was quite an investment.
“I’m not sure if it’s worth the cost, but I’m just trying to convince myself I’m helping the economy,” she said.
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