Ambrosia Weddings & Events

Mehndi

Marriott Boston Quincy

Vidhi & Haldi

Garba

Wedding Ceremony

Baraat

Ceremony Photos

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

In Salem, Massachusetts, a little city known the world over for its magic, Evan’s and Deesha’s souls collided and cast a powerful spell over each other. They met at The Ugly Mug Diner for brunch and mimosas, and they forged an unforgettable connection through their shared appreciation of history, mythology, and most of all, the art of comedy. Deesha’s charm was so strong that Evan’s formidable nerves were washed away in mere minutes. So strong, in fact, that after their meal, neither of them wanted to say goodbye. Evan extended his hand to Deesha, and she took it. They wandered around Salem, going nowhere in particular, past puddles of mud, through a bizarre bazaar, and into a secret garden that, in early March, was not even sort of in bloom. It didn’t seem to matter what odd places they went or things they saw, though, because these two souls were completely enraptured by their growing connection.

In Montreal moments, gardens, warm California air, board games, and, most of all, spirited laughter, they found a best friend in each other. She danced and sang, twining around his soaring, helpless heart. He showed her worlds that are only found in dreams, and gently coaxed laughter from her soul, winning her over completely. Celebrations of anniversaries, Valentine’s, and a shared birthday were enjoyed with cards, flowers, trinkets, and surprises. Gradually, lovingly, exquisitely, the pair began to build a life around each other. Evan was always there for Deesha, and Deesha for Evan. Each day was their favorite, having been spent together. As their relationship solidified into an absolute love and deep companionship, Evan began hatching a plan...

…Which Deesha’s sister, Reesha, immediately threw out, in favor of a far superior and more elegant plan. Reesha, being Deesha’s close companion since her birth, knew this plan needed far more romance, planning, and picnicking. Evan had come to Reesha to plan the best way to propose marriage to the woman he loved so dearly. Reesha delivered. Being co-conspirators in the proposal planning, they brought Deesha to Larz Anderson Park for an afternoon picnic and an unforgettable surprise. Under the stone gazebo, among the willow trees, Evan asked Deesha to be his wife. She laughed of pure happiness and joy, and finally said, “Yes!” That brings you here, to this Happily Ever After, and we hope you’ll be part of the next chapter of our story.

Our Story

Photos

The Couple

Evan and Deesha are two whimsical creatures who share one soul and look forward to sharing a long life together. Wherever she goes, he follows blindly; see photo evidence above. They greatly appreciate the support of all their lovely friends and family, including their illustrious bridesmaids and groomspeople!

Deesha Patel (she/her/hers)

Evan  Place (he/him/his)

Bridesmaids

I’m Reesha, maid of honor and little sister of the bride. I met Deesha on the single greatest day of her life: June 25th, 1996. From following her around as a kid copying her every move, to navigating adulthood together, our sisterhood has always been an adventure. Now, I’m so excited to experience what might just be the second best day of her life, the day she marries Evan. Can’t wait to celebrate with all our friends and family!

Reesha Patel (she/her/hers)

Molly met Deesha long ago in the frozen wastes of Antarctica- sorry, I mean the linoleumed halls of Clyde F. Brown Elementary school. They’ve braved a thousand tech weeks, a ghost town in Texas that was too alive for comfort, and of course, the horrors of high school. Molly is so excited to be part of Deesha and Evan’s special day, and can’t wait to third wheel their honeymoon. We’re all going to solve a mystery in a small coastal town, right guys? Guys?

Molly Artwick (she/her/hers)

Karina and Deesha met in freshman year Spanish class in college. Legend has it they locked eyes from across the room, arose from their desks in a flourish, and salsa-d out into the quad into a 14 year long friendship and going strong. Karina is based in Wisconsin and loves to dance salsa and bachata, spend time in nature, and talk about neuroplasticity. She will see you on the dance floor.

Karina Wagenpfeil (she/her/hers)

Deesha was my first friend in college - we met in our shared orientation group. Since then, she has become one of the greatest friends I have ever known, by far one of the most fun, and the only one that I would let give me a tattoo. I am so honored to be a part of celebrating the love between her and Evan on their special day.

Selena Livas (she/her/hers)

Gwen and Deesha met on the floors of their shared Ziv dorm at Brandeis — a wrongly right coincidence that brought them straight to friendship. While years and life chapters have passed since the Floor Days, their friendship constantly finds itself wherever they are. Gwen is so, so happy that Deesha’s found a love that is only a happily right coincidence, and wishes them a forever of lasting friendship and love. 

Gwen Huot (she/her/hers)

Im technically Deesha's cousin, but basically her older sister :) Our dads are brothers (and thank god! we're lucky!) I can't believe we're all here to celebrate her wedding! What?! I'm so happy she found her plus one forever and cannot wait for June to be here already. 

Shrina Patel

I'm so happy for Deesha and Evan, and can not wait to celebrate the newly weds!

Khushi Patel

I met Deesha at Brandeis, where we became close through Adagio Dance Company. Between countless dance rehearsals and nights out together, our friendship grew quickly. We eventually sealed our fate by becoming physics lab partners senior year—a decision that led to some truly funny memories (ask us about our end-of-semester tradition). I’m so honored to stand by Deesha as she marries Evan and can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter with them.

Julie Barberio (she/her/hers)

I met Deesha freshman year at Brandeis through the Adagio dance group, and over a decade later still get flashbacks to her spicy choreo when I hear the song "Partition" by Beyoncé. Our friendship took on a whole new meaning during covid when we lived a short walk away from each other in Cambridge, meeting up for park picnics, spontaneous thunderstorm dance breaks, and the best heart-to-hearts. I feel so lucky to have Deesha in my life and honored to be part of her and Evan's special day!

Rebecca Lantner (she/her/hers)

Groomspeople

I’m Evan’s brother, and I’m so excited to get to be my brother’s best man! I’m from Houston, TX and I’m halfway through college! Evan is a dingus. 

Dalton Machart

Since Evan is my brother I guess that makes me a groomsister? I bartend at night but during the day I like to read, go to hot yoga, and scour Trader Joe’s for the best snacks (their dark chocolate covered pistachios are underrated). Evan and I have come a long way over the years and I’m proud to stand by his side as he marries Deesha. Getting to know Deesha has been such an honor, and it’s clear she brings out the very best in him. I’m so excited to finally have a sister and to celebrate these two as they start their next chapter together!

Jillian Place (she/her/hers)

Evan and Pat met by chance on the 4th of July one summer in Salem, MA. In September of that same year, Evan joined Mike Check, the all-male a cappella group at St. Michael’s College. The two of them have been terrorizing Uber drivers with the power of song ever since. 

Pat Cornacchio (he/him/his)

I met Evan in the fall of 2016 when we both joined Mike Check, an a cappella group at Saint Michael’s College. We formed a natural bond, being the new guys in the group, a bond which over the years has grown into a special friendship that now includes the lovely Deesha!

Josef Kranz (he/him/his)

Andrew and Evan met through their college all-male  capella group, Mike Check, in their second year. As they say, opposites attract, and this couldn't be truer of this tenor-bass duo. Bonding over their love of music and terrible senses of humor, the two became fast friends, and have made much mischief and merry in their 9 year tenure.

Andrew Krebsbach (he/him/his)

If I were to describe myself it would be through my hobbies and passions. I love music, and play multiple instruments, I am big writer particularly fantasy and poetry, and I love to cook and learn new recipes. I met Evan through a mutual friend. Once introduced, we got along well quickly, sharing interests in table top games and similar humors. It wasn't long before we were playing games together and good friends. I'm very excited and honored to be part of this wedding and to have the continued opportunity of watching Evan and Deesha grow and build a life together as they take this next step in their journey.

Jarrett Fravel (he/him/his)

I met Evan a few years ago inside of a cave full of undead zombies. As you might know from him, he was very awkward, but so was I. After a few times of us sitting together in silence while other people spoke, we warmed up to eachother and bonded over our mutual love of stupid jokes and lame bits. Together we also wrote great stories together along with exploring around the local towns. Not only has he grown to become one of my best friends, but he has helped me through a ton of tough times. I'm very grateful that I'm able to be one of the groomsmen and to be apart of his wedding!

Aydin Hurst (he/him/his/they/them/theirs)

Wedding Party

All The Culture and Colors!

We ask that our guests be dressed in traditional Indian attire so you're able to have an immersive experience at our wedding. At an Indian wedding, the safest bet to wear at any event is a&nbsp;lengha or sari&nbsp;for women, a&nbsp;Kurta (aka kurta pajama) for men, and your most identity-comfortable option for other genders or transition. It is also very easy to get lost in the world of traditional Indian wear, so we've tried our best to put together a vision board for potential outfit choices for each event. These are recommendations only, so please feel free to explore and be creative with your outfit choices as you deem appropriate. The main rules are to avoid pure white, which is reserved for funerals, and that only the bride wears red at the wedding. Red accents are okay. Just to be clear - while we provide recommendations for attire, let's not all comically show up in the same outfits, shall we? Have fun with it! If you are planning a trip to India a little earlier, you will have a plethora of options where you can buy ready-to-wear/off-the-shelf or custom Indian attire. However, if you don't want to leave things till the last minute - you can use the links at the bottom of this page to browse for outfits and shop for them online. Some of them may have long delivery timelines, so please feel free to explore and put in your orders in advance. Note the jewelry and adornments as you browse. Bangels, earrings/jewelry sets, and tikka/bindi are basic staples for women, and men usually have the basics of western wear. Tops/blouses are the most difficult to fit so if you have a tailor or dressmaker you trust, they can fit it to your measurements more easily. If anyone has additional sites which are tried and trusted, we'd be happy to add them to our list. Etsy may seem like a good, trustworthy option, but the fit of the garment can often be unreliable and unalterable. We may be busy but never too busy to help you navigate the world of Indian attire if you have questions. For those of you who choose to wear saris, we have two main drapes that you will see. You will most definitely see the Gujarati drape during the garba, as it allows you freedom to dance. Practice if you like! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTR1u3SKVbs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Drape 1</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cNvgSVrC1M" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Drape 2</a> (Gujarati)<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1cNsDpVUUY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Drape 3</a> (Gujarati)

Mendhi - Indian Fusion Attire

Mehndi Night is a playful celebration that has an upscale lounge-y feel, with family and guests getting Mehndi on their hands. For this event, there are no rules - get innovative! From Anarkali to Saris to Lengha, it's your pick. A few key things to keep in mind:1. Short-sleeves are recommended so your hands are exposed for you to get Mehndi applied2. Make sure you're wearing something comfortable because you'll have to sit stable for a period of time when you're with your Mehndi artist or friend who dabbles. Some pictures for inspiration:

Vidhi & Haldi - Indian Smart Casual Attire

The Vidhi is going to be an indoor event and will be a relaxed pre-wedding event. The event will include several pre-wedding traditions and Indian smart casual attire is recommended. Yellow is a common color seen at this event but absolutely not required. Feel free to explore other colors and choose your fit.

Garba- Gujarati Festival Attire

As Gujarati as it gets! This event is for the fun song and dance - make sure your outfits are light and breathable, particularly the skirts. This is the first opportunity to dance and shake a leg. Women can opt for a Lehenga (voluminous floor-length skirt) paired with a top. Men can wear a Kurta, and will likely be thankful for the airy, colorful option. Bright colors welcome! Please use the provided resource in another tab to learn the very basics of garba. The groom will be happy to see you on the dance floor as this event is his favorite, apart from stealing away his bride. Some pictures for inspiration:

Wedding Ceremony - Indian Traditional Attire

The bride wears red! This is your chance to embrace a very traditional Indian look and explore a color of your choice (except pure white). For women, a Lehenga or Sari would be appropriate, although it is better to buy a pre-stitched/pre-draped sari (available online) so you do not turn to the Sari Tutorial YouTube gods to wear it last minute. Men can opt for Kurtas and perhaps dress it up with a vest. Some pictures for inspiration:

Reception- Indian or Western Formal Attire

It's your time to shine, literally! This is your big, glamourous Bollywood moment- bring the style, sparkle, and razzle dazzle with you. There are plenty of options for everyone. Women have floor-length gowns, dazzling Saris, Lenghas, and Indowestern gowns. Men have traditional Western attire, Indowestern suits with exquisite embroidery, Indian suits with a jacket/Kurta combo, and fancy Kurtas. Just be ready to join us on the dance floor! Some pictures for inspiration:

Online Stores for Indian Traditional Wear

All the websites listed below offer shipping to the United States, Canada, and the EU. Most of the sites also have US sizes, but be sure to double check. For saris or blouses, we recommend getting the regular unstitched option and taking it to your local tailor so they can fit it to you perfectly. If your size does not change, pre-stitched can be an option for you. <a href="https://www.kalkifashion.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kalki Fashion</a>&nbsp;(Women &amp; Men) <a href="https://www.cbazaar.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cBazaar</a>&nbsp;(Women &amp; Men) <a href="https://www.azafashions.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aza</a>&nbsp;(Women &amp; Men) <a href="https://www.perniaspopupshop.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pernia's</a>&nbsp;(Women &amp; Men) <a href="https://www.houseofindya.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House of Indya</a>&nbsp;(Women) <a href="https://www.utsavfashion.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Utsav Fashion</a>&nbsp;(Women &amp; Men) If you're interested in custom-designed wear, we'll plug two friends who are both designers. One designs for women, and the other designs for men. <a href="https://instagram.com/ashwinireddyofficial?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ashwini Reddy</a> <a href="https://instagram.com/upenreddyofficial?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Upen Reddy</a> Many of the options above include Indian clothing for children but here is one store specializing in childrenswear. <a href="https://littlemuffet.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Little Muffet</a>

Attire

Logan (BOS) is a the closest airport to the hotel. The hotel where we have the room block is a quick Uber or Lyft ride away, if using ridesharing apps.

Boston Logan International Airport

The majority of wedding events and meals will take place here. We do have a wedding block at this hotel. If they are out of blocked rooms, we may be able to add more so let us know at get2patelplace@gmail.com! The last day to book in the block is Friday, May 15, 2026.<a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1742233500441&amp;key=GRP&amp;guestreslink2=true&amp;app=resvlink" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Book here</a> for the Patel/Place Wedding! Set 4 miles inland from Quincy Bay and within a 15 minutes' drive from Granite Links Golf Club, Marriott Quincy has 1 Restaurant. The rooms at Boston Marriott Quincy are equipped with flat-screen TVs with cable channels like HBO and ESPN. Amenities include a tea/coffee maker, ironing facilities, a hairdryer, and more. Guests at the Boston Marriott Quincy can work out at the fitness center that comes with cardio equipment and free weights. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served at Hull &amp; Mason Bar and Kitchen, serves a wide range of American classics, crafted with care using local produce.

Travel

The Aquarium: a timeless classic, fun for both kids and adults! From jellyfish to frogs to penguins, gaze upon countless varieties of marine wildlife. Also, did you know that visiting the aquarium is what inspired Deesha to study biology?

New England Aquarium

Evan and Deesha love games, and Level 99 is a great place to play some. There you will find a wide variety of challenges testing your physical, intellectual, and creative abilities. They also have a restaurant if you get hungry!

Level99- Natick

Come see where all this wedding stuff began! In addition to the pond and the gazebo where Evan popped the question, Larz Anderson park also features a shaded statue garden as well as an automobile museum.

Larz Anderson Park

Things to Do

Registry

Q + A

Introduction

Welcome to Gujarati 101! Gujarat is the westernmost state in India, and Gujaratis are the people from the region. Here we have laid out lots of information about Gujarati wedding customs for those who may not be familiar. Our intent is to be thorough, but if you are looking for answers that aren't on this page, you can also check our Q &amp; A page or email us at get2patelplace@gmail.com. We are so grateful for your respect and appreciation for the Gujarati roots that mean so much to the couple. We can't wait to celebrate with everybody!

This process is traditionally reserved only for women but we fully intend to throw that tradition out the window! Individuals of all gender identities are welcome to take part. Mehndi is a beautiful, natural way to temporarily decorate your hands, usually applied to the front and sometimes the back of one's hands. It usually disappears after about two weeks. Below are examples of designs and motifs you can use to inspire your own pattern! Also please note that these examples were completed by a professional mehndi artist, and also the mehndi is still on the subject's skin, actively yet gradually causing the skin underneath to darken. Yours may not look picture-perfect and that's okay! There is an old wives tale that the darker your mehndi comes out, the more your beloved loves you. For this reason, all the hopeless romantics in India have found ways to keep your mehndi on longer and allow the color to darken. First, be sure to be careful with your hands so as to not ruin the design. Second, keep the mehndi on your hands as long as possible. Third, if your mehndi starts to dry and flake off, dab on sugar water using a cotton ball to make it stick longer. Finally, don't get soap or sugarless water on your hands. The color will continue to darken for a while if you follow these steps. Failing all else, many an Indian woman has covered her design in a plastic bag overnight. Not my favorite but heavens forbid I go to a wedding with light mehndi! Note: If you have sensitive skin, we recommend consulting an allergist about the ingredients. If you'd like to experiment with design in preparation, you can find mehndi cones at your local Indian store. Cut off the tip of the cone and give it a go! Mehndi is not recommended for children under one year of age. Please consult their doctor before attempting. A possibly safer alternative is mehndi-patterned temporary tattoos, which we can provide upon request, if it is safe for your baby.

The Vidhi and Haldi ceremonies, though distinct, are commonly held consecutively. The Vidhi is an opportunity for a selection of close family members to formally bless the wedding, and symbolically clear obstacles for the couple. To top it all off, you'll get to smear yellow paste on the bride or groom during the Haldi.

Garba is a traditional Gujarati festival dance, and the groom's favorite way to celebrate! Everyone from little children to the eldest of our elders can do this simple dance, so please give it a try. We have linked below a short instructional video of one of the most common forms of garba. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gfMLFzzMe0Q" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">3 Taali Garba Tutorial</a>

Welcome to the main event! This traditional ceremony begins with the baraat, which is the groom's procession. All his friends and family dance their way to the bride's family, who are waiting to welcome the groom at the doorway, where the procession ends. The groom makes his way to the mandap, and this is where the trap is sprung. The entire wedding is a whimsical escape room for the groom. He and his groomspeople will be closely guarding his shoes, winning prizes of gold, and bribing the bride's sisters for the privilege to leave with the bride.

The reception will be familiar in concept to many non-Gujarati family and friends, apart from all the choreographed dance performances. We can't wait to see everyone's best moves as we dance the night away!