Real Wedding: Priya Patel & Bhavin Patel
Oct. 11, 2025 | Benton Event Center in Benton | Mir Anwar Studios
Priya and Bhavin met during the ooVoo and Skype era of 2014, when massive group video calls were all the rage. Friends of friends would join calls and the two ended up meeting through mutual friends during one of their online hangouts. The couple met in person for the first time when Priya was traveling through Dallas. What started as a quick bite evolved into a deep, hours-long conversation. They couldn’t get enough of one another!
“A few months later, after getting to know each other more, we realized we had fallen in love,” Priya said. “Our relationship really grew from a strong foundation of friendship. We first started talking at the end of 2014 and officially began dating in early 2015.”
The two went their separate ways while Priya was pursuing PA school and Bhavin was pursuing his MBA. They later reconnected, and it felt like no time had passed between them. Fate eventually stepped in, leading them back to one another—and they haven’t looked back since.
Bhavin proposed to Priya during a summer trip to Italy in 2024. They were traveling along the coast and spent a few days in Taormina, Sicily, staying at the San Domenico Palace, when he decided to pop the question!
“One morning during the trip, a makeup artist came to our room to get me ready for what I thought was just a fun photoshoot Bhavin had planned,” Priya said. “When we arrived at breakfast overlooking the iconic views of Taormina, I realized something more was happening. In the middle of this stunning setting, surrounded by the Sicilian coastline, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was incredibly romantic and thoughtful. The perfect surprise in one of the most beautiful places in the world.”
WEDDING PROFESSIONALS
Venue: Benton Event Center; Photography and videography: Mir Anwar Studios; Florals and decor: Mandap Creations; Music: Desi Junction DJs; Violinist: Sofia Spilberg; HMUA: Ishnae Bridal; Henna artist: Neha Assar; Catering: Maa Vimla Catering
Q: When you look back at your wedding, what part of the day sticks out to you the most?
A: “When I look back, it’s the smaller, quieter moments with my family that stand out the most,” Priya said. “Throughout the entire weekend, there were so many little pockets of time where we were simply together—laughing, talking and taking it all in. Seeing everyone come together the way they did meant so much to me. Those moments of connection are what I remember most vividly.”
Q: Why did you decide to go with the theme of your wedding?
A: “Our decor team designed a breathtaking indoor tree installation filled with lush greenery and soft white florals so it felt like we had brought the outdoors inside,” Priya said.
Q: Was there something about your day that felt very unique to you?
A: “Dubai holds a really special place in our relationship,” Priya said. “We’ve traveled there together three times and it’s also where we did our engagement photos. We wanted to incorporate a small nod to it into our wedding day. During the ceremony, we handed out Dubai chocolate strawberries to our guests.”
Q: What advice do you have for other couples planning their wedding day?
A: “It’s normal to feel stressed during the planning process but when the wedding day finally arrives, just let yourself enjoy it,” Priya said. “My biggest advice is to relax and truly be present. If something small goes wrong, chances are it can’t be fixed in that moment anyway and focusing on it will only take away from the joy of the day. The wedding goes by incredibly fast so the best thing you can do is soak in every moment and celebrate with the people you love.”
Q: What surprised you about wedding planning?
A: “How much of a marathon it really is,” Priya said. “People always say wedding planning is stressful, but experiencing it firsthand is something else. There are so many details to manage, including timelines, vendors, guests and logistics, and it truly becomes a full production.”
Photo Credit: Mir Anwar Studios
Garden Party Inspo
“The floral design was inspired by a romantic garden aesthetic,” Priya said. “Since we were transforming an indoor venue, we focused on lush greenery and soft white florals to create a natural, timeless look.”
Chic Safari Mehndi
“For my Mehndi ceremony, I had always envisioned a chic safari theme,” Priya said. “When I found my outfit for the event, it immediately confirmed the direction for the decor and design and everything came together beautifully.”
