NIVA + VISHAL | TEXAS

from The Annual Issue 2024

A Royal Affair by Seema Gujral

Niva and Vishal first met at the Sheraton McKinney during Vishal’s cousin’s wedding. Niva, who had grown up knowing the bride through their tight-knit DFW Gujarati community, caught Vishal’s eye while she was dancing at the reception. He turned to his cousin Reshma and joked, “Be my wingwoman.” Later, at the lobby bar, Reshma played her part perfectly, striking up a conversation with Niva. When Niva asked how long Reshma and Vishal had been together, the two cousins burst into laughter, took their shots, and moved on.

Their paths crossed again at the after-party, where both reached for a burrito at the same time. Vishal, unfamiliar with Taco Bueno, asked where Taco Bell was, and Niva playfully replied, “You don’t come to Texas and not respect the Taco Bueno!” This sparked a lively debate over their favorite fast food, leaving a lasting impression on both. Though Vishal added Niva on social media the next day, they didn’t stay in touch—until Christmas Day 2018.

That holiday, Vishal posted a video of himself and his nephew, which caught Niva’s eye. Recognizing him as the “Taco Bell” guy from the wedding, she liked the post, commented, and sent him a DM. This simple interaction led to a deep conversation about family, and within days, they exchanged numbers and began texting each other extensively. On January 5th, Vishal asked Niva out on a FaceTime date, which lasted four hours and went exceptionally well.

Their first in-person date took place on January 18th, 2019, during a layover in Boston, where Vishal picked Niva up and took her to a veggie-friendly restaurant. Despite not including Taco Bell or Taco Bueno, the date confirmed what they had already felt—this was something special. After the date, Niva went on a three-week trip with friends, but their connection only grew stronger as they continued texting. Upon her return, Vishal greeted her with Taco Bell, and the next day, he asked Niva to be his girlfriend in a unique way—by gifting her a Dallas Cowboys jersey, despite being a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan.

They dated long-distance for over a year, navigating the challenges of living in different cities but growing closer with each visit. The pandemic allowed them to live in the same city, strengthening their bond further. Vishal proposed to Niva in California on her 30th birthday trip, surrounded by her family and a hidden photographer, making it a moment she would never forget.

Their wedding was a reflection of their modern values and love for nature. They chose a progressive, English-speaking female priestess to officiate their ceremony, ensuring that all rituals were meaningful and inclusive. Niva’s dream of an outdoor wedding was brought to life indoors, with a magnificent tree serving as the mandap, surrounded by chandeliers, candles, florals, and waterfalls, creating a magical garden-like atmosphere inside the Hyatt Regency Dallas.

Niva’s bridal entrance was a perfect blend of East and West. She walked down the aisle with her parents, who then stepped aside so she could make a dramatic solo entrance, her long veil and train fluffed just right. Breaking tradition, Vishal met her three-quarters of the way down the aisle, lifting her veil and kissing her on the forehead. Together, they walked hand in hand to the mandap, ready to begin their modern, equal partnership in a truly unforgettable Indian fairytale wedding.