There’s never a bridge too far, especially when it comes to matters of the heart! For Chanpreet Garcha an optometrist, and Jasnayak (Jay) Sohi, a commercial investment advisor and insurance entrepreneur, a swipe match led to a happy high-five as they both had Brooklyn bridge as the backdrop in their profile pictures. It made not just for the conversation starter but also turned out to be a connect for life!
Of course, they immediately FaceTimed (four hours no less, she laughs) and their shared vibe prompted him to fly to Boston to meet her soon after. First date? A yoga class with fitness being a common love, followed by a day spent chatting and laughing at the Boston Public Garden, leading into dinner at the highly acclaimed tasting menu restaurant, Asta. Come day end, they ‘knew’. Chanpreet recalls, “I remember calling my best friend the very next day and telling her, “I think I just met my husband.” It sounds crazy looking back, but that’s genuinely how I felt.”
She was still optometry school then, but they made a promise to see one another every three weeks, “no matter what.” States the couple: “We both knew what we were building was worth every flight, every goodbye, and every mile between us.” That commitment manifested into a beautiful proposal!
They embarked on a series of trips after her graduation. Chanpreet traces the trail. “We began in Paris, where we spent our days wandering the beautiful streets, admiring the architecture, and bonding over our shared love of fashion and design. From there, we explored the South of France before making our way to Italy. We stopped in Rome, Florence, Venice, Positano, and the Amalfi Coast, taking in the beauty, history, and charm of each destination along the way. We spent extra time in Lake Como, where some of our favourite memories were made,” she recalls.
During what was to be a couple’s photoshoot at Villa Balbiano, after a series of photos shot in the garden, she entered into the villa and that’s where it happened! She says, “The moment I stepped through the doors, I heard a violinist playing Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley. It felt like time stood still. Standing there was Jay, ready to ask me to spend forever with him. I was overwhelmed. This was the most beautiful proposal I could have ever imagined and, in that moment, I was reminded of all the reasons I fell in love with him, his kindness and thoughtfulness.”
Hosting five events across five venues is no small feat. It must have taken more than a few weeks’ planning? She agrees: “We both have demanding careers, so wedding planning naturally had to fit around our work schedules. Rather than viewing that as a challenge, we chose to romanticise the process. Often, I found myself discussing the details and excitement for each event with my patients because I was so excited for it all. After work, we would also meet at one of our favourite restaurants and discuss everything from venue layouts and event flow to music selections and guest experiences. On weekends, we would settle into a cozy coffee shop with our laptops and notebooks, spending hours bringing our vision to life. Those moments became just as special as many of the wedding events themselves.”
Days were also spent visiting different designers and showrooms throughout India with the main mood board: heritage textiles and craftsmanship. That saw them zero in on Tarun Tahiliani, Sabyasachi as well as Ralph Lauren and Annie's Ibiza, for the different functions.
That groundwork preceded one of the most beautiful weddings in Los Cabos, Mexico, spanning five days with five events across five venues. Of course, Cabos being Cabos was literally 10/10 on the visual scales as it offered everything they were looking for—contrast between the desert landscape, dramatic coastline, mountains, and ocean views. But another factor drew them to the place. She explains, “Beyond the scenery, family played an enormous role in our decision as we wanted a destination that would allow multiple generations to be present. I lost my grandmother the year before our wedding and that reminded me just how precious time with family truly is. Having our remaining grandparents there to witness such an important milestone meant everything to Jay and I. Seeing them laugh, dance, and share those moments with us became one of the greatest gifts of the entire week. Our wedding was a celebration of all the people who helped shape our lives.”
If you’ve always felt Cabo is just beaches and resorts, think again. Their destination celebrations brought out its diverse beauty with the locations playing host to five different functions. Say Chanpreet and Jay, “Travel has always been a huge part of our relationship, so creating a wedding week that felt like a journey was very intentional. One of our biggest goals was creating an immersive experience that allowed our guests to truly discover Los Cabos. Rather than hosting every event at a single venue, we intentionally chose five distinct locations, each showcasing a different side of the destination.”
The fun kicked off with sunsets, sea and shenanigans at the welcome party at Sunset Monalisa. As everyone met and reconnected, Chanpreet says, “It felt effortlessly romantic. Watching the sun set over the Sea of Cortez while our family and friends gathered for the first time filled us with excitement and anticipation. One of our favourite memories from the evening was listening to live music while hearing the waves crash against the cliffs below, intertwined with conversations and laughter of loved ones.”
They ended the evening at The Cape rooftop, with its panoramic ocean views, the glow of Cabo’s coastline in the distance, and music carrying through the night air.
What’s a shaadi without some music and dance? The sangeet on outdoor terrace at Amet Patio rang in a completely different energy! Chanpreet and Jay wanted the evening to embody an old-world traditional feel, and the venue’s beautiful courtyard, warm architecture, and romantic ambiance allowed them to bring that vision to life.
Guests arrived to the strains of a sitar artist and the couple also had a performance planned. She adds: “Jay and I alongside our friends and family shared a fun dance performance, but one of the most meaningful moments was our Jago. Incorporating this traditional Punjabi celebration was incredibly important to us, and we loved seeing both of our families come together to participate. It felt like a beautiful symbol of unity, with everyone celebrating side by side before dancing the night away."
Chanpreet decided to wear her mother’s wedding outfit, completely unaltered for the pre-wedding choora ceremony. She recalls it, “It was one of the most meaningful moments of the entire wedding week. The moment I put it on, it felt so much more than simply wearing a beautiful outfit, but like carrying a piece of my family’s story with me. It served as a beautiful reminder of the love, sacrifices, and values that my parents built their marriage upon. Alongside my engagement ring, I also wore my mother’s wedding ring, my grandmother’s wedding ring, and my mother’s wedding day jewellery set. Each of these carried its own history, memories, and significance, and together they represented generations of love, family, and tradition. It truly felt as though I was carrying a piece of the women who came before me into this next chapter of my life. My mother has always been one of my greatest role models so there was something very emotional about looking in the mirror and seeing elements of her reflected back at me. I also loved the symbolism of it.”
Their Anand Karaj nestled within a lush mango orchard at Baja Luna, was every bit serene. She says, “The peaceful surroundings created an atmosphere that felt deeply meaningful and reflective of the ceremony and our guests felt it was unlike anything they had experienced.”
The reception at the private culinary estate of Monte Cardon, that made for a dramatic shift in scenery, with its stunning desert landscape as the backdrop for the final evening of celebrations.
The day started with a pickleball tournament for family and friends. She takes us into the evening: “During cocktail hour we watched the sun set over the desert landscape from one of the highest points. Guests made their way down as a harpist played and then we had a round of heartfelt speeches followed by candlelight dinner."
Chanpreet adds: "Our first dance as husband and wife closed with a fireworks display lighting up the desert sky. It really was one of the most magical moments of the entire weekend.”
All through, they set their heart on the entire experience embodying a sense of slow luxury. “We wanted guests to leave feeling as though they had experienced not only a wedding, but a beautiful vacation shared with the people they love most,” she adds.
Ask Jay what the one moment is through all of this that will never forget and he says, “When I spoke to Chanpreet on our four-hour FaceTime call. I remember ending the call with a feeling I couldn’t quite explain.” She pays her own nod to it. “I know many brides talk about feeling a sense of sadness as the wedding comes to an end, but I felt the exact opposite - so genuinely happy and at peace. At one point during the evening, I remember looking around the room and thinking about how one FaceTime call two years earlier had somehow led to this moment,” smiles Chanpreet.