Inside Shivani Bhatt and Jonathan Matthew's Alpine Proposals, and Barcelona Dreams
From a chance meeting online to a breathtaking proposal in the Swiss Alps, this couple blended Gujarati and Malayali traditions against the romantic backdrop of Spain.
Some modern love stories begin with algorithms, and this one was no different. Shivani Bhatt and Jonathan Matthew first met on a dating website, striking up a friendship before romance blossomed. Their first date, which was a casual evening at a Williamsburg restaurant shortly after she moved from Boston to New York, set the tone for their effortless connection. “It was fun,” she recalls. “It felt like the start of something special.”
Some of the couple’s most cherished memories together often centred on shared adventures. “It was like spending time with someone I’d known my whole life,” she says. Valentine’s surprises and thoughtful gestures deepened their bond, but it was another mountain escape that would transform their future.
On a ski trip to Zermatt, Switzerland, Jon orchestrated an unforgettable proposal. He arranged a helicopter ride around the iconic Matterhorn, and after they landed on a snow-capped peak with sweeping Alpine views, he got down on one knee. The grandeur of the mountains and the intimacy of the moment became the perfect prologue to their wedding story.
She is Gujarati and he is Malayali, so when it came to the wedding planning, the couple envisioned a union that would honour both their heritages. Ultimately, Spain offered the perfect backdrop for such a celebration. “We wanted a wedding where people could truly feel our love for each other and for them,” says Shivani. Planning across time zones and cultural contexts wasn’t easy, but their planner, Núria Font of Crystal Events, helped them in navigating every challenge. “We worked on every detail together,” she adds, “There wasn’t a moment when we weren’t a team.”
Barcelona itself inspired much of the aesthetic, especially for the Sangeet, which blended Catalonian flair with Indian vibrance. The bride’s love for florals became a signature theme across her outfits, and she embraced it wholeheartedly: “I realised it’s my wedding and I should choose what makes me happy!”. The ceremonies were equally meaningful, with Gujarati-style saris for the Hindu rituals and Kerala attire for the church service, ensuring both families felt celebrated.
The festivities brimmed with personal touches. Guests were welcomed with goody bags in their hotel rooms, menus and signage were designed by the bride herself, and there were handwritten thank-you notes placed at each seat. Highlights included a joyful colour bomb at the Hindu ceremony, surprise fireworks during the cocktail hour, and a lively bazaar of jewellery and purses at the Sangeet.
Music fused Bollywood beats with Latin rhythms, while the food reflected the mood of each event. Their most cherished moments, however, were the quiet ones: exchanging smiles and inside jokes during the mandap rituals, or slipping away between events to savour the memories they were creating. “I was super excited at the altar,” she says, “and completely at ease when I saw his face.”
Looking back, they wouldn’t change a thing. “We are blessed that everything went so well, and so grateful to our parents for guiding us,” they share. As they step into their next chapter, their hopes are simple yet profound—to build a family, continue exploring the world, and grow old together. “He is my best friend,” she says with a smile, “I’m lucky to have him by my side, always.”