The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

It's a small world-and we are so glad it is! It all started while Jess was working and living in Hong Kong and Pranesh was there on holiday. After an initial dinner of typical Hong Kong fare-consisting of pigeon and frog legs (as you do), and a wonderful New Year's in a crazy crowded and vibrant city; we decided that there was something here worth growing.And so, we began the journey of getting to know each other from different countries and different time zones. And we realized more and more that despite the headache and hardship of long distance--there was DEFINITELY something here worth growing. Fast forward through time spent together in Australia and America, and MANY late night and early morning conversations shared from opposite sides of the world, and stop at the moment that we realized we want to continue to grow and share this around the world romance-TOGETHER, until death do us part!!!

Around the World Romance 

Pranesh came to Texas to eat Mexican food....Oh, and spend time with Jess and meet her family. We had a blast and the send off was to end with a big American style Thanksgiving on Thursday and a tearful goodbye on Friday. So Thursday morning rolls around and Jess comes out of the bathroom after taking a considerable amount of time preening...face masks and Facebook are what the early morning bathroom hours are all about right? Only to find Pranesh down on one knee! He began the proposal with "My favorite sloth" (don't ask...or do! haha) and it ended with all kinds of giggles and a resounding YES! (He did mention that he had been waiting awhile and had switched knees a time or two).It was the best Thanksgiving. Ever. Followed by one of the hardest goodbyes in documented history.

The Turkey Day Proposal 

Pranesh proposed with Jess's grandmothers wedding ring that she had left to her after passing away a year ago. The ring is not only beautiful, but incredibly sentimental and Pranesh had to not only ask Jess's parents for her hand in marriage, but if he could also propose with the ring he knew she wanted; as Jess had left it in their safe keeping during her travels. Pranesh spent a great deal of time speaking to Charlie and Annie about how to propose and when (after of course, they gave the huge, heartfelt and tearful yes to his request for her hand), but there was no question as to the ring. Except of course when Charlie excused himself from the room to get the ring for Pranesh. Only to find...no ring. No ring in the safe. No ring in the jewelry box. The next morning Charlie and Annie exchanged some candid worried looks with Pranesh and took off to the safety deposit box in search of the illusive ring. No ring. It was beginning to look like the proposal was going to consist of Pranesh on a knee with a bread tie in a box. And time was ticking down. He only had two days before he got on a plane back to Melbourne. All is well that ends well though, because after two intense days of searching, the ring was found just in the nick of time. Where? In a drawer inside of a box inside of another box. Nice and safe and oh so hidden. Annie says once they found it late that night, she slept with it under her pillow so it wouldn't escape again.

But Where's the Ring?!

Our Story

Details

Pranesh and Faizal have known each other for almost two decades. And even now, after spending the last seven years living on opposite sides of the world, they are still the very best of friends. 

Faizal Sheriff 

Debbie and Jess met while they were both living and working in Prague. They remained friends across oceans for years and eventually found themselves reunited in Hong Kong! Now life has placed them in separate countries yet again-but this sort of friendship knows no distance!    

Debbie Sapiro

Wedding Party

Photos

Registry

Q + A

If you choose to call to book your room, tell them it is for the Smith/Nandagopal wedding.

St. Anthony Hotel 

There are several options to get from the airport to the St. Anthony Hotel: 300 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX 78205Uber: <a href="https://www.uber.com/airports/sat/">https://www.uber.com/airports/sat/</a> Airport Shuttle: <a href="https://www.airportshuttles.com/sanantonio/the-st.-anthony-riverwalk-wyndham-hotel.html">https://www.airportshuttles.com/sanantonio/the-st....</a> Taxi: <a href="https://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=San-Antonio-TX&amp;from=San+Antonio+International+Airport+">https://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=San-A...</a>(SAT)

San Antonio International Airport

This hotel is directly across the street from the St. Anthony Hotel.

Home2 Suites by Hilton San Antonio Downtown - Riverwalk

Travel

Looking for fun family things to do in the San Antonio area? Get a glimpse of tropical fish, toucans, sharks, and a Giant Pacific Octopus at the San Antonio Aquarium and take a chance to touch a stingray, hold a colorful lorikeet, or even hold a snake if you dare.
As you explore the San Antonio Aquarium, see iguanas, slithering snakes, and many birds such as vibrant toucans, lorikeets, and macaws. As you get to know the world beneath the ocean's surface, view fish, sharks, a Giant Pacific Octopus, glowing jellyfish, and colorful corals. Along the way learn about the animals and their ecosystems.
Admire dozens of rockfish and flatfish before moving to the rainforest exhibit for a look at exotic reptiles and interesting amphibians. If you like, purchase admission to the I-Guana Jump Bounce House and burn off some energy in an adjoining facility. Enjoy a play area where kids of all ages can bounce, slide, joust, and play air basketball.

San Antonio Aquarium

This year, SeaWorld® San Antonio enjoys a Sea of Surprises with new interactive pathway experiences, even more up-close animal encounters and the Surprise Squad, treating guests with prizes and special experiences every day.
Experience the new nighttime seasonal Shamu show, “Shamu’s Celebration: Light Up The Night,” as well as a new ski show. Guests will have the chance to float, wade or walk among hundreds of tropical birds in this exciting attraction.
Connect with the greatest depths of the ocean at SeaWorld® San Antonio, where the wonders of the aquatic world come alive right here in the heart of Texas. Marvel at the grace and power of killer whales in the awe-inspiring Shamu® show One Ocean®.
Get your thrills on amazing rides such as Great White, Journey to Atlantis, Shamu Express, Steel Eel and Rio Loco. Meet your favorite furry characters at Sesame Street Bay of Play® and experience unforgettable, up-close animal interactions that are guaranteed to leave your senses swimming. Experience amazing animal encounters, thrilling rides, and dazzling live shows at SeaWorld® San Antonio, the world's largest marine life adventure park.

SeaWorld San Antonio

Explore San Antonio's rich history on a full-day tour of the city's best sights. Visit the Alamo, the Buckhorn Saloon, and the Texas Ranger Museum, tour the Mission Concepcion and the Japanese Sunken Gardens, and stop at the El Mercado market square.
Take an escorted tour of the Alamo, originally founded in the 18th century as a Spanish mission. This is the site where David Crockett, William Barrett Travis, James Bowie, and others fought Mexican General Santa Anna during the Texas Revolution in 1836.
From the Alamo, learn more about the Old West with a visit to Buckhorn Saloon, founded in 1881. Stroll through 33,000 square feet (3,065 sq m) of Texas history and artifacts. Then explore the Texas Ranger Museum to uncover the colorful stories and see original artifacts of the famous law enforcement agency.
Take a walk through the Japanese Sunken Gardens, an architecturally unique garden and grounds. You are certain to relax as you walk the winding pebble trails, cross stone bridges, and listen to the tranquil waterfall.
Your visit to Mission Concepcion transports you back in time to the era of Spanish conquest. Learn how the Spanish developed the mission system within the San Antonio area. Recorded as the oldest unrestored church in America, it is filled with stunning, original frescoes that are still something to behold.
Your final stop of the day is at the El Mercado, a great place to browse for jewelry and art with a local flair or simply people-watch.

San Antonio Grand City Highlights Tour

Circle the sights of San Antonio—the first civilian settlement in Texas—at your own pace from atop a double-decker bus. This hop-on hop-off adventure hits all of the city’s major attractions, including its famous missions, architecturally rich cathedrals, and colorful squares.
Explore the Alamo Mission, site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, which now houses historical artifacts from the Spanish colonial period and a plaque bearing the names of the Alamo defenders. Then hop on the bus to view tree-lined St. Mary’s Street before stretching your legs to stroll down the River Walk, recognizable by the rainbow umbrellas and awnings that line the banks of the San Antonio River.
Whether you want to visit the Cathedral of San Fernando to see its white stone façade and twin steeples, indulge in legendary Texas-style barbecue—slow smoked over hickory wood—at the bustling Market Square, or admire the grand courtyard and fountain at the Spanish Governor’s Palace, this flexible bus pass is the ideal way to immerse yourself into the rich culture of the Texan people.
Route stops include:
<ul>
<li>The Alamo, River Walk Menger Hotel</li>
<li>Alamo Plaza</li>
<li>Alamo Cenotaph</li>
<li>St. Mary's Street</li>
<li>Spanish Governors Palace</li>
<li>East End Market Square</li>
<li>Market Square Central</li>
<li>King William Historic District &amp; Guenther House</li>
<li>Hemisfair Park</li>
</ul>

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

From Roman antiquities to contemporary, see art that spans the world and 5,000 years of history with family-friendly activities that museum-goers of all ages can enjoy.
Head to the historic San Antonio Riverwalk and make your way to the San Antonio Museum of Art, housed in the beautiful and historic Lone Star Brewery with lovely outdoor spaces right on the river. In the Museum’s Nelson A. Rockefeller Latin American Art Center, step into galleries filled with pre-Columbian, Spanish Colonial and Latin American folk art as well as works by celebrated artists like Botero.
Discover the world-class collection of Chinese ceramics and admire pieces from all over Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, and Ancient Rome, Greece, and Egypt. There's plenty of art from closer to home, as well, with galleries focused on American and Texan artists and a beautiful glass ceiling by Dale Chihuly.
Check the calendar in advance to find special exhibitions and family-friendly activities that might be taking place during your visit, and, if you're visiting with children, borrow a Silk Road Backpack from the Shop to follow clues on an interactive scavenger hunt around the museum. Sketch pads and pencils are also available for check-out. Be sure to stop by the Museum Shop before you leave to peruse a great array of interesting, original gifts and artful San Antonio souvenirs.

San Antonio Museum of Art

Save on admission to sunny San Antonio's top attractions with the ease and convenience of an Explorer Pass. Enjoy access to 1 premium attraction, like SeaWorld™ or Six Flags®, and check out a handful of the city's other museums, galleries, and experiences along the way.
Uncover San Antonio at your own pace with an Explorer Pass, using it like a standard ticket to gain entry to a host of top sights, from the unreal exhibits at Ripley's Believe It or Not! to the lions, tigers, and bears at the San Antonio Zoo. Opt for the 3- or 5-choice pass, which includes admission to 1 premium attraction, and then choose from a list of 12 other museums, tours, and zoos to visit during your stay.
Premium attractions include:
<ul>
<li>SeaWorld™ San Antonio (days of operation vary seasonally)</li>
<li>Six Flags® Fiesta Texas (days of operation vary seasonally)</li>
<li>Texas Hill Country &amp; LBJ Ranch Tour.</li>
</ul>
Standard attractions include:
<ul>
<li>Buckhorn Saloon and Museum and Texas Ranger Museum</li>
<li>San Antonio Museum of Art</li>
<li>City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (48-Hour Ticket)</li>
<li>Battle for Texas: The Experience</li>
<li>San Antonio Zoo</li>
<li>Ripley's Believe It or Not!</li>
<li>Witte Museum</li>
<li>Natural Bridge Caverns - Discovery Tour</li>
<li>Rio San Antonio Cruise Ticket</li>
<li>Ripley's Haunted Adventure, Tomb Rider 3D or Guinness World Records Museum</li>
<li>Extreme Escape Live Action Games</li>
<li>McNay Art Museum</li>
</ul>

Jessica & Pranesh

Jessica & Pranesh

Photos