A Joyful Beginning: Gursifath & Chandan’s Welcome Brunch and Mehndi

Some wedding weekends feel less like a sequence of events and more like a carefully designed experience: thoughtful, intentional, and emotionally layered from the very beginning. Gursifath and Chandan’s celebration was exactly that.

Before vows were exchanged and ceremonies unfolded, their weekend began with a Welcome Brunch and Mehndi that set the tone for everything that followed: joyful, vibrant, and deeply rooted in connection. This is Part 1 of a four-part series chronicling their two-day wedding celebration, starting with a morning that blended tradition, playfulness, and the kind of warmth that can’t be staged.

Both Gursifath and Chandan are engineers by trade (planners, problem-solvers, builders). And yet, what stood out most was how effortlessly personal their wedding weekend felt. (Later, when Gursifath took our Wedding M.D. quiz, her result as The Experience Architect couldn’t have been more fitting.) From the very first event, it was clear that this weekend wasn’t just scheduled, it was designed.

Hosted with sweeping skyline views, the Welcome Brunch brought friends and family together in a relaxed, celebratory atmosphere. Laughter flowed easily as guests mingled, sipped cocktails, and eased into the rhythm of the weekend. One of the most memorable moments came in the form of a lighthearted tug-of-war — a playful nod to friendly competition that had everyone cheering and set the tone for the joy ahead.

As the morning unfolded, attention turned to the Mehndi ceremony, a meaningful pre-wedding tradition rich with symbolism and artistry. Gursifath’s intricate henna, applied by NYC Henna Queen, was nothing short of breathtaking. Delicate patterns told a story of heritage and love, weaving cultural motifs with personal meaning. It was a quiet, intimate counterbalance to the laughter outside.

Gursifath’s look for the day reflected the same balance of elegance and ease. Her soft pink ensemble by Nazranaa moved gracefully as she greeted guests, while her hair and makeup by Glass Slipper Wedding kept everything polished yet natural which perfectly suited Gursifath for a morning that flowed seamlessly from portraits to celebration.

Throughout the event, the mood remained light and connected. Guests drifted between conversations, photos, and moments of laughter, while the city skyline framed the day with a sense of scale and anticipation. Every detail (from the pacing of the morning to the effortless transitions) reflected careful planning without ever feeling overproduced.

Captured beautifully by Ishan and Preeti, the Welcome Brunch and Mehndi felt like an open invitation into the heart of the weekend. It was a reminder that weddings aren’t just about ceremonies but about how people feel from the very first gathering.

And with that joyful beginning, the stage was set for what came next: music, movement, and a night-long celebration at the Sangeet.

Up next in Part 2: The Sangeet.