Gia Patil & Salil Joshi
August 10, 2024 | Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville | Sweet Paper Media
Gia Patil and Salil Joshi were just colleagues. They were part of the same group of fresh hires, all learning to navigate the corporate world and where to find the best lunch nearby together.
“It didn’t take long for us to start talking,” Salil said.
When Salil invited a group of colleagues over for a beer, Gia was the only one to accept. That night, they both started to realize that there might be more than friendliness behind their banter.
“What started as a simple hangout turned into hours of conversation that neither of us wanted to end. We laughed, we talked about everything and nothing, and somewhere in the middle of it all, something shifted,” Salil said.
The pair started texting constantly, finding any excuse to talk at work and making plans outside of work. Gia thought one movie date might be the time Salil would finally make his move.
“But the movie ended, and all she got was a casual goodbye,” Salil said. “No lingering moment, no hint that something was different.”
Feeling down after they parted ways, Gia called a friend for advice and a distraction from Salil. Gia’s friend reassured her that Salil liked her, too. After they hung up, Gia noticed a text from Salil—she had left her lip gloss in his car.
“When she stopped by to grab it… it felt different,” Salil said. “Like something unspoken had already been decided.”
Six-plus years later, the couple is still debating what type of pizza is best, laughing over beers and talking about everything and nothing into the late-night hours.
Wedding Vendors We Love
Planning and Design
JLK Weddings
Florist
Tanarah Luxe Floral
Venue and Catering
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
More Vendors
Photography and videography: Sweet Paper Media (Pol Sena); Bride and groom’s attire: Frontier Raas; Hair and makeup artist: Lavonne Beauty; Henna artist: Henna By Jayna; Catering: Punjabi Kitchen (Rogers); Baked goods: Salty Butter Microbakery + Provisions; Rentals: Alchemy Event Rentals; Horse rental: Ava K’s Carriage Services; Event staff: Bohemian Geeks
Q&A
Q: What inspired you during wedding planning?
A: “We embraced a fusion of modern aesthetics with deep-rooted tradition, allowing both to coexist beautifully throughout the celebrations. Beyond just colors, art played a significant role in shaping our wedding experience,” Salil said. “The result was a celebration that wasn’t just beautiful, it was deeply personal, rich in heritage and a true reflection of the love and joy we wanted to share with everyone who was part of our journey.”
Q: Is there an underrated wedding vendor you’d recommend to other couples?
A: “Hiring Jessica from JLK as our wedding planner was one of the best decisions we made. She was more than just an organizer, she became a partner in bringing our vision to life,” Salil said.
Q: Did you incorporate anything sentimental into your wedding?
A: “A deeply personal touch was our place cards. Each guest received a miniature art easel with a small paw print, a heartfelt tribute to our beloved dog, Zoro,” Salil said. “Even though he could not physically be there, we wanted him to be part of our day in a way that felt intentional and meaningful.”
Guest of Honor
“One of the most meaningful moments was our thank-you speech, where Salil took time to personally acknowledge each table,” Gia said. “We arranged the tables to represent different chapters of our lives, ensuring that every guest felt seen, valued and appreciated.”
Cross-Cultural Connection
It was important to Gia and Salil to represent both of their cultures. They incorporated Maharashtra traditions, like the Rukhwat, where the bride’s family showcases heirlooms that will be passed onto the newlyweds, as well as Punjabi rituals like the Kalichdi, where the groom gifts the bride’s sisters and cousins with silver rings.
