Common House Chattanooga

Wedding Day

New City East Lake Church 

Ceremony

Reception

Winter

Our Wedding

Dear Friend, If you're reading this, it likely means you’ve walked alongside us in some way, perhaps from the very beginning, or maybe just long enough to feel like family. However, our paths have crossed, your presence has shaped our story. We’re so thankful you’re here. Lately, we’ve been reflecting on how stories unfold. Not in straight lines or sudden flashes, but quietly, thread by thread. Most of the time, you don’t even realize that someone or something has become part of the fabric until you look back. And then you see it. A moment, a prayer, a word of encouragement, a shared meal, woven in. Essential. Our story is full of those moments. And chances are, you were one of them. Bella was raised in Tryon, North Carolina. It’s a small town tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains, where summer nights come with live music in the park and long hikes with family. Her house was always full of people, of food, of impromptu swims and conversations that ran late into the night. It was the kind of home where the door didn’t need to be knocked on. You just came in, and you were part of things. I was raised in Dehradun, a valley resting at the foot of the Himalayas. It’s a place of slow mist and sudden color, of jungle rains and mountain silence. You can hear temple bells in the distance and monkeys rustling on rooftops. The streets are lined with litchi orchards and tea stalls. Wild elephants still roam the forest roads. My parents’ home sat in a quiet neighborhood amidst a bustling city. The front gate was rarely closed. Friends, neighbors, and unannounced visitors would drift in for a cup of chai, or for no reason at all. There was always room. Always something warm on the stove. It wasn’t loud, but it was never still. Bella and I came from different continents, cultures, and languages. But both of us were shaped by places where hospitality was second nature, where beauty came quietly, and where love was something practiced in the everyday rhythms of life. We met in Johnson City, Tennessee, a town neither of us expected to be in. We’d both come for school, thinking it was temporary. But God was already at work, arranging something far more lasting. We met through a mutual friend at Fridays After Five, a local summer music event downtown. It was a pleasant evening, nothing particularly remarkable. And yet, something stirred. Later, we found ourselves together for a weekend in the mountains, celebrating the wedding of close friends. There were group hikes, car games, and singing. And there was one evening during a worship song sung with more zeal than pitch when we both lost it. Laughter poured out at exactly the wrong time, and somehow, in that shared moment, something opened between us. C. S. Lewis once wrote, “Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’” That was the feeling: quiet recognition, a thread pulling gently. Soon after, I asked Bella on a date. We drove to the lake with pizza, a bottle of wine, and a few paints. The sky softened into evening while we talked and painted. It was simple. It was holy. By the second date, I had met her parents and she had met my closest friends. We don’t recommend that timeline, but somehow it worked. What followed wasn’t always linear. We shared meals, painted together, swing danced, and stayed up late talking. We found joy in the small things. We also discovered difference, real, sometimes disorienting difference. But love isn’t forged in compatibility alone. It’s forged in promise, in the decision to show up, to listen, to change, to stay. That kind of love doesn’t grow by accident. It grows by grace. And it grows best when rooted in something deeper than feeling, something covenantal. Not the pursuit of personal happiness, but the sacred invitation to be both known and transformed. Over time, we began to see that our differences weren’t barriers. They were tools, instruments of growth, gifts that God would use to shape us into people who love more like Him. We traveled to India together twice. Bella embraced my world with tenderness and courage. She drank chai with my aunties, cooked alongside my mom, wandered through the orchards I’d grown up in, and listened to the stories that had shaped me. My family loved her. The land did too. I proposed in the hills of Mussoorie, on a morning washed in sunlight and pine. Today, we live just a few minutes apart in Chattanooga. We’re learning how to build something beautiful here, something rooted in prayer, in community, and in the daily rhythms of ordinary grace. We’re getting married this December. Not because we’ve arrived, not because we’re perfectly aligned, but because we believe in a love that outlasts emotion, a love made possible by the One who first loved us. Marriage is not just a celebration of love. It’s a covenant of grace, a daily dying and rising, a lifelong unveiling. It is work, and it is wonder. And we don’t take it lightly. So as we prepare to step into this new chapter, we just want to say thank you. Whether you helped bring us together, encouraged us along the way, or simply walked beside us in the in-between, you are a thread in this story. And we’re so glad you’re part of it. With love,Abhi &amp; Bella

RE: Our Story So Far

Landour Bakehouse, just under a mile away from where I proposed. The best carrot cake in India.

Our Story

Photos

Josh has been my best friend from the moment we met. There was this unexplainable ease, like we could immediately be our truest selves. Since then, we’ve walked closely together through joy and heartache, holding each other up in faith and life. He has the most generous, sincere heart, a deep love for Jesus, and a way of bringing light into every space he enters. I couldn’t imagine this day without him by my side.

Josh Masters

Ava and I have shared life from the very beginning. She’s not just my younger sister—she’s one of my dearest friends. Ours is a bond that has been woven over time, through shared memories, laughter, tears, and seasons of both silence and deep conversation. She is creative, thoughtful and she’s funny—really funny. The kind of funny that catches you off guard and makes you belly laugh when you didn’t know you needed it. 

Ava Marino

My younger brother by seven years, but one of my best friends today. We fought more than we talked when we were kids, but as we’ve grown, so has our friendship. Now that he’s in America, we’ve become inseparable. He’s full of life and laughter, always bringing people together with his adventurous spirit and open heart. Mickey is steadfast, always ready to help without being asked, and somehow makes everything more fun. He’s also the best cook I know, if he ever opened a restaurant, I'll be there daily.

Anubhav Caleb

Savannah is my oldest sister, but in many ways, she’s been part sister, part second mother, and now, one of my dearest friends. She taught me how to walk in wisdom and hold to what’s right. As adults, I’ve come to admire her generous heart, her steady presence, and the way she pours herself out for the people she loves. She’s a beautiful planner— always creating space for others to feel seen and cared for. 


Savannah Marino

Stephen is the definition of steadfast. From the very beginning of our friendship, it was clear to me that he was someone I could always count on. He has consistently been there for me through a decade of friendship. He’s someone who gets excited about Airbnbs and vacations, but also someone whose heart longs to mirror Jesus and live in His ways. We’ve been roommates, visited each other’s homes and families, and at this point, we’re pretty much like family too.

Stephen Sutherland

I met Kyler during my time in Johnson City, TN, and from the start, it felt like finding a kindred spirit. Our friendship grew quickly— in our shared longing to be shaped by Jesus and our similar convictions about the world around us. There’s something undeniably refreshing about her. She’s the kind of friend who draws you in with her ease, then gently challenges you with questions that reach the core of who you are.

Kyler Tyree 

Micah and I met a decade ago when I first moved to America for college. He popped his head into my room, introduced himself, and the rest is history. From that moment came years of shenanigans, pranks, late-night talks, and growing up side by side. Micah has been a steady and loyal friend through every distance and season of life. I know he’ll be one for a lifetime.

Micah Masters

My dear friend Katie and I met during my freshman year of college, and I’m so thankful for the many roles she’s held in my life—small group leader, mentor, roommate, and best friend. She’s been woven into every part of my formative years. Katie is steady and loyal, a deep thinker with a gentle strength. Watching her from afar step into motherhood with baby Joy has been such a gift. Through every season, she’s remained a constant—truly a lifelong friend.

Katie Owens

Matthew was my longest-standing college roommate. There was always an ease with him, we could joke about anything, and our humor just clicked. We traveled together through Europe and India, and at one point, he even wrote a song about our adventures. He has a caring heart that’s always ready to show up, a gift for celebrating others, and a sense of humor that can light up any room. Matthew is one of those people you always want to be around. I cherish our friendship, and it’s been so cool to see it flourish even across the distance.

Matthew Harvie

Morgan is such a dear friend of mine—consistent, thoughtful, and always eager to celebrate others. She’s the kind of person who will buy a gift simply because something reminded her of you. We first met in Johnson City, and our friendship grew even stronger during my last two years living there. She’s hilarious, an amazing cook, and has one of the biggest hearts for serving others.

Morgan Labelle 

David and I’s friendship was forged over summer vacations I spent in Pennsylvania. We enjoyed each other’s company so much that one summer we hung out every single day for a month. There was always an ease between us, the kind of friendship where you can talk about anything and never run out of things to say. David is hilarious, loyal, and always up for an adventure, but what stands out most is his heart. He feels deeply for others, especially those who are hurting, and that compassion has inspired me in my own walk of life. He is one of those rare friends who can make you laugh until you cry and also remind you what really matters.

David Brubaker

Anna Reeves has become one of my closest friends here in Chattanooga—a true gift from the Lord. When I moved and had to start over with community, a mutual friend connected us over coffee, and we quickly realized we were kindred spirits. AR sees beauty everywhere—in people, in creation, in the quiet details others might miss. She’s a gifted question-asker, a talented painter, and truly a woman of many strengths. She holds space with such tenderness and always seems to know how to speak truth in just the right moment. In every way, she fills my jar of marbles—showing up, listening well, and reminding me that I’m not alone.

Anna Reeves 

Caleb is one of those friends who feels almost eerily alike. We often find ourselves thinking the same thoughts or finishing each other’s sentences without meaning to. We first connected through our shared love for writing and exploring philosophical ideas, and that has only deepened over time. I’m constantly inspired by the depth of his thinking, his creativity, and his steady pursuit of truth. We challenge each other to grow, to see more clearly, and to live more fully. We also share a birthday with Jesus, which feels like the most fitting bond of all.

Caleb Masters

I’ve had the privilege of being friends with Olivia since college, where we first connected through small group and quickly became close. One thing that’s anchored our friendship is our shared love for running—she became my running buddy. We ran our first half marathon together, followed by two years of races at Disney. Those miles taught us a lot, but more than anything, they deepened our bond. Olivia is honest, sharp, and genuinely funny, with a beautiful heart for teaching and a passion that shines through in everything she does.

Olivia Campbell

Jeremiah is the definition of a silly, goofy mood. He’s never afraid to laugh at himself and somehow inspires everyone around him to do the same. Beneath all the humor, he’s a steady and loyal friend, someone you can always count on. His adventurous spirit has taken him all over, but wherever he goes, people are drawn to him. When you meet Jerry, your walls come down, and before you know it, you’re laughing like old friends. It’s a rare and beautiful gift.

Jeremiah Masters

Jainie Kaye was one of my very first college roommates, and she quickly became a steady and consistent friend. She has such a gift for listening and encouraging, and some of my favorite memories are of us longboarding around JC together. Even though we live long distance now, our friendship always picks up right where we left off. I deeply admire her heart for noticing the needs of others and her willingness to step in and meet those needs with such care.

Jainie Kaye Gentry 

I first got to know John when I would visit his house during college breaks with Stephen. We’d tell him all our college stories, so when he eventually joined us, it felt like we’d already been friends for years. John has been a steadfast and reliable friend, someone you can always count on. He brings such good energy to the spaces he enters and is always up for an adventure. I can easily picture growing old with John and having him in my life for the rest of time

John Sutherland

I’ve had the privilege of knowing Leah since our freshman year of college. From the very first coffee we shared, I knew she was someone easy to grow close to. We spent countless hours laughing, sharing stories, and building a bond that made her like a sister to me. She has remained a lifelong friend, and even now, as she serves in the Navy, I am continually inspired by the way the Lord is using her gifts to love and serve others. I couldn’t be prouder of her.

Leah Parks

Brett and I became friends during my time in Johnson City, and he truly felt like an answered prayer in a season when I didn’t know anyone in this new city. From the start, he was intentional and genuinely pursued our friendship, and we quickly grew close through countless hangouts and deep conversations. He was gracious in sharing his adventurous hobbies, dirt biking, hiking, camping, and always invited me into his world with warmth and generosity. Brett is the most loyal friend, and I’m forever grateful for the way he’s shown up in my life.

Brett Lane

Mrs. Julie and I met while I was in Johnson City, and from the very beginning, I sensed her deep care. She quickly became a mentor to me—offering accountability, wisdom, and the kind of welcome that made her day-to-day life feel like home. Her love for God is inspiring, and her creativity, beauty, and warmth make her someone people naturally move toward. She also happens to be the best cookie maker I know. I admire her deeply—not just as a mentor, but as a dear friend. 

Julie Lane 

Wedding Party

Q + A

Set in Chattanooga, The Read House Hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The property is less than 0.6 mi from Tennessee Aquarium and a 5-minute drive from the University of Tennessee. Lookout Mountain is 3.1 mi away. A flat-screen TV with cable is featured in every room of this Chattanooga hotel as well as free WiFi. At the hotel, every room is equipped with a desk. The private bathroom is fitted with a bath or shower. Read House Chattanooga can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area. Raccoon Mountains Caverns is 5.6 mi from the accommodations, while Creative Discovery Museum is a 9-minute walk from the property. The property is 2.5 mi from Ruby Falls and 5 mi from Tennessee Riverpark and 0.7 mi from Hunter Museum of American Art. The nearest airport is Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, 6.2 mi from the property.

The Read House Hotel

Located in Chattanooga in the Tennessee Region, 2953 feet from Tennessee Aquarium, The Westin Chattanooga features an outdoor heated pool with cabanas and fitness center. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. There is a 24-hour front desk at the property, as well as a business center. Dry cleaning services are available. Lookout Mountain is 5.9 mi from The Westin Chattanooga, while Warehouse Row is 2625 feet away. Ruby Falls is 4.2 mi from The Westin Chattanooga.

The Westin Chattanooga

Located adjacent to the convention center, this Tennessee hotel features an on-site restaurant and bar. Guests will be in the heart of the Business District and a 5-minute drive from the Tennessee Aquarium. A flat-screen TV with an electronic device plug-in panel, a refrigerator, desk and ergonomic chair are included in rooms at this downtown Chattanooga Marriott. Coffee-making facilities are also provided. Free shuttle service to area attractions is provided to all guests throughout their stay at Chattanooga Marriott Downtown. Complimentary WiFi is available in public areas and is available for a fee in guest rooms. The Table South Kitchen   Bar offers classic American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy lighter fare with fresh-brewed coffee at Lookout Café or watch sports with drinks from the full-service bar at The Bar at Table South. Guests can explore a 145-foot underground waterfall 3.7 mi away at Ruby Falls or visit the Creative Discovery Museum 13 mi away. Local artisans and boutiques are within a 10-minute walk from the hotel at Warehouse Row.

Chattanooga Marriott Downtown

Located in Chattanooga, a 11-minute walk from Tennessee Aquarium, Hotel Indigo Chattanooga - Downtown by IHG provides accommodations with a fitness center, private parking, a garden and a shared lounge. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi. The property is 2.3 miles from Chattanooga Zoo, and within a few steps of the city center. Guests at the hotel can enjoy an à la carte or an American breakfast. Hotel Indigo Chattanooga - Downtown by IHG has a terrace. Guests at the accommodation will be able to enjoy activities in and around Chattanooga, like hiking. Guests can use the business center or relax in the bar. Popular points of interest near Hotel Indigo Chattanooga - Downtown by IHG include Hunter Museum of American Art, Creative Discovery Museum and Chattanooga Riverwalk. Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport is 9.3 miles away.

Isabella & Abhinav

Isabella & Abhinav

Q + A

Dress Code

Can we bring our children to the wedding?