For some people, wearing an heirloom holds the most meaning at a wedding, for others, it is the décor that reveals the couple’s love for design, and this one dips into their fondness for cities they call home. For Sakshi and Rohan, New York-based executives, it was firmly the latter. They paid an ode to the Big Apple, a city they met and fell in love in, reside and work in, and where their story began in a way they felt best—by bringing the city into their photo shoot ahead of their wedding.
New York was witness to their relationship blossoming beyond the demands of their work lives. Both finance professionals, Rohan, with a background in financial engineering, and Sakshi, who specialises in product management, found romance in the everyday city life—from strolling together along quaint streets and afternoons spent in pretty cafés and museums to visiting iconic landmarks together. From their fitness sessions to discovering new spots and tucking into the city’s much-loved Apollo Bagels, these little moments played a catalyst in fortifying their relationship. It led them to realise they had found ‘the one’ in each other.
Rohan and Sakshi tell Manifest why their pre-wedding shoot was more than just wanting a beautiful urban backdrop but also an opportunity to bring in the city that had shaped their relationship, as they prepare to tie the knot this November in Jammu, India.
New York holds a special place in your love story. Is that why you brought the romance of the city and the memories you’ve created there into your pre-wedding shoot?
Absolutely! New York has been such an important part of our individual journeys and our story together that it felt only natural to make it the backdrop of our pre-wedding shoot.
We wanted our pictures to reflect more than just beautiful locations. We wanted them to capture a piece of our lives and the city that has become such an important part of who we are. While we’re quite different in our personalities, one thing that brings us together is our shared love for travel. We’ve explored so many different countries together, experienced new cultures, and created some of our favourite memories along the way. Whether it’s discovering a new destination, trying local cuisines, or embarking on a spontaneous adventure, traveling has become one of the most special parts of our relationship.
New York has been home to us for several years, and it’s where our story began.
Were there particular New York locations that you knew had to be part of the story?
Rohan: We wanted to capture the different sides of New York: the timeless charm of its streets, its iconic skyline, and the quieter moments that make the city feel so romantic.
Central Park was definitely one of the locations we wanted to include. Little did Sakshi know that it would become the most memorable part of the entire shoot. For us, it was about capturing the essence of the city rather than simply checking off famous landmarks. We wanted our photographs to feel timeless and reflect the New York we’ve come to know and love.
You first met in New York and began as friends. What were the early days of meeting like?
Rohan: What we remember most fondly is how effortless everything felt. Our friendship developed naturally, through everyday conversations, spontaneous plans, and simply enjoying each other’s company.
For me, New York has been home for the past 12 years. Having studied at NYU and spent so many years exploring the city, I always had my favourite spots and memories, which made discovering New York together even more special. Also, we’ve always shared a love for exploring, whether going for an Apollo Bagel after workouts or enjoying food in the local restaurants from different parts of the world.
Some of our favourite memories are the simplest ones—long conversations over good food, spontaneous outings, and discovering new places together. Looking back, those everyday moments became the foundation of something really special for us.
New York has been present through so many chapters of your relationship. What does the city mean to each of you today?
Rohan: New York means so much to both of us, but in slightly different ways. For me, it’s a city I’ve called home for the past 12 years. After my graduation, then building a career, and creating a life here, New York has been a part of some of my most defining years.
For Sakshi, New York represents independence, growth, and the excitement of building a life in a city full of possibilities. But what makes it truly special for both of us is that it’s where our individual journeys became one shared story.
We’ve seen so many countries and explored so many beautiful places together, but there’s something about coming back to New York that always feels like home. It’s the city where we fell in love, built countless memories, and where we are now preparing for our next chapter together. No matter where life takes us, New York will always be a part of our story.
What did it feel like to return to places that had once belonged to the beginning of your relationship?
Sakshi: It felt nostalgic and incredibly special. There’s something beautiful about revisiting familiar places and realising how much life has changed since those early days. We loved moving through the crowded yet lively Manhattan city street, walking past NY’s classic yellow cabs, brick storefronts, and crosswalks and having the sweeping romance of New York’s grand skyline.
What once felt like ordinary moments, even walking through quaint places and visiting little cafes, now feel like little pieces of a much bigger story. Being able to capture those places as we prepare for our wedding made the experience even more meaningful. In many ways, it felt like coming full circle—revisiting the city where our journey began while looking forward to everything that lies ahead.
You describe yourselves as complete opposites. What are the differences between you made your relationship stronger?
Sakshi: We often joke that we’re complete opposites, but that’s also what makes our relationship work. We have different perspectives, personalities, and ways of approaching situations. Over time, we’ve learned that these differences bring a wonderful balance to our relationship.
Traveling together has also taught us so much about each other. From navigating unfamiliar countries to discovering new cultures and making spontaneous decisions, every experience has helped us understand and appreciate our differences a little more. We challenge each other, learn from one another, and bring out different sides of each other’s personalities. We may not always see things the same way, but we always find a way to meet in the middle.
When did your friendship begin to feel like something more? Was there a particular moment when you both sensed the shift?
Sakshi: There wasn’t one defining moment. It was more of a gradual realisation that somewhere along the way, our friendship had turned into something deeper.
We found ourselves becoming an increasingly important part of each other’s lives. From everyday conversations to making plans and exploring new places together, spending time with each other became something we naturally looked forward to. The best part was that our relationship grew from a genuine friendship, which continues to be one of its strongest foundations.
Rohan, you planned the proposal at Central Park. Why did you choose this spot?
Rohan: New York has been such an important part of our story, and I couldn’t imagine a better place to ask Sakshi to spend the rest of her life with me than Central Park. What made it even more special was that I had secretly planned the proposal for the same day as our pre-wedding shoot, and Sakshi had absolutely no idea. Central Park was our final location, and while we were busy with the shoot, our friends were already there setting up a beautiful, dreamy pathway for the proposal.
One thing Sakshi had always told me was that she wanted something subtle and meaningful, without a big “Marry Me” sign or an elaborate display. She wanted to hear those words from me rather than see them written somewhere, and I wanted to make sure the moment felt personal and true to us.
As I walked her towards the spot, she actually noticed a few of our friends trying to hide behind the bushes! But when she finally saw the beautifully decorated setup, she was completely taken by surprise.
I’ll never forget the sparkle in her eyes, the look of pure disbelief and happiness on her face, and the rush of emotions I felt in that moment. It’s difficult to put into words, but seeing her reaction made every bit of planning worthwhile. What began as a day of capturing our memories turned into one of the most unforgettable memories of our lives.
You’re gearing up for your big day; when and where is it?
Sakshi: We’re getting married on November 22, 2026, in Jammu, India! With both of our roots in Northern India, getting married in Jammu feels like a beautiful way to reconnect with where we come from.
After building our lives in New York and exploring so many different countries together, there’s something incredibly meaningful about returning to our roots to begin this new chapter. We can’t wait to celebrate surrounded by our families, closest friends, and all the traditions that make a wedding back home so special.