Real Columbus Wedding: An Extravagant Affair Told by Newlyweds Rupal Shah and Anup Kanodia

Who: Rupal Shah and Anup Kanodia

When: June 10, 2023 

The story: Anup and I connected through mutual contacts in fall 2020 when I was living in Portland, Maine, and he was in Columbus. We met for the first time in January 2021. Our plan was to have dinner together, but since we were both early, I brought a pack of Uno cards to play! 

In our early days of dating, my work was based in Haiti, so in-between work trips we did our best to meet. Throughout that time, both of us appreciated each other’s communication skills, which are essential for a healthy relationship. We also share common interests, including our professional work in the health care field and Indian heritage as well as our love for Boston.

In summer 2021, Anup proposed by the waterfall at Hayden Run Falls Park in Columbus. We began wedding planning in 2022 and finally got married in June 2023 at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Columbus. Our wedding was a fusion of many cultures, combining our Indian roots as well as our American culture. I was born and raised in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania, so our reception celebrated my African upbringing. 

The wedding: Our pre-wedding festivities began on Wednesday evening surrounded by our immediate family members. On Thursday evening, we hosted a welcome dinner for relatives and out-of-country guests. We had visitors from four different continents and nine different countries—namely, Australia, Canada, Germany, Haiti, India, Kenya, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom. On Friday morning, we hosted our Ganesh puja and haldi ceremony. With God at the center of our relationship, our festivities began with a prayer to Lord Ganesh, who is known as the “remover of obstacles.”

After the religious ceremony were the fun-filled haldi rituals, which involved a facial cleanse utilizing turmeric paste. That evening, we organized a Garba and Dandiya Raas Night, which involved traditional Gujarati folk dances, as well as performances prepared by family and friends. Anup and I also performed to a medley of songs after months of practicing! Our dance included Bollywood and American songs. We also added flavors from Africa, including songs from my favorite Nigerian artists. 

Our wedding ceremony blended Jain and Hindu customs, as I practice Jainism and Anup follows Hinduism. We were deliberate about preserving tradition while also promoting equity and inclusivity. We chose to be married by a female priest, Pandita Shivangi Bhatt, who has performed numerous diverse weddings in the past. Anup arrived on a beautiful horse, surrounded by family and friends who danced in a procession. This aspect of our custom is known as the baraat. During the wedding we involved not just my parents and Anup’s mother, but many family members. Since Anup's father is in heaven, we included him with a picture and quote that read, “I will be there!” While the wedding ceremony was Indian, we incorporated the American tradition of having a wedding party. Ours included groomsmen and a groomslady, bridesmaids and a bridesman. Our lovely ring-bearers and flower girl all walked down the aisle with funny signs! 

Our reception was African-themed, including outfits that were made in Nairobi, Kenya. Anup wore a four-piece agbada, completing his look with a matching hat, called a fila. I wore a royal blue gown with handcrafted beadwork, along with a gele, a hat commonly worn in West Africa.

Of course, I mentioned Uno at the beginning of my story because it is unique to us. As a result, the magician introduced us for the first time as a married couple that night, using magic with Uno cards. Swahili cuisine was served that evening with coastal East African flavors. Before the dance floor opened up, Anup and I danced to the song, “(I’ve Had) the Time of My Life” [by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes]. To end the night with a bang, the music played by the DJ included beats not just from Africa, but from all over the world.  

Throughout the wedding weekend, we were surrounded and blessed by our family and friends. Long after the wedding festivities are over, we are thankful we have the strong love of our community to support our marriage. Anup and I look forward to continuing to make beautiful memories together. 

This first-person Real Weddings story was written by the bride, Rupal Shah.

VENDORS 

Photographer & videographer:Little Tree Studios 

Wedding planner: Envi Event Planning 

Ceremony and reception venue:Hyatt Regency Columbus 

Caterers:Clove Indian Bistro and Riziki Swahili Grill 

Florist & decorator:Happy Claps Event Planners

Invitations:Avante-Garde Impressions 

Wedding cake & dessert table:A Cake for Leroy 

DJ & lighting:DJ Mavi Productions 

Emcee:MC Kash 

Band lead:Orchestra Saregama Inc.

Cocktail hour musician: Ashwi Williams 

Entertainment vendor: Nick Locapo (magician); Bollywood Masti (family dance choreography); Fred Astaire Dance Studios (reception dance choreography); Willow Wind Carriage & Limousine Service (Baraat, horse and vidaai carriage) 

Bridal hair and makeup:Glamour Beauty Care 

Alterations: Yesenia Coppess