It was a chance encounter during math class in school that sparked the beginning of Chandni Shah and Jack Dave’s fairytale romance. Growing up in the same town in New Jersey, USA, the duo quickly became friends in seventh grade, their bond blossoming into a first love that endured for 15 years. Throughout their journey together, they shared life’s special milestones – from attending high school prom to late-night drives between their respective colleges in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and finally moving into their first apartment in New York City.
Dave knew their love deserved a unique setting for his proposal. During a summer holiday to Positano, Italy, he surprised Shah with a sunrise proposal while they were doing a couple’s photoshoot. “No matter how many cappuccinos I drank afterwards, it still felt so surreal,” Shah says, reflecting on the surprise. “There was something so charming and serene about our time there that we wanted to bottle it up and share it with our loved ones. We soon started brainstorming locations for our wedding,” she adds. After considering venues in Italy and Spain, they decided on Sintra, Portugal, captivated by its sweeping mountain views, lush countryside, pastel-hued structures, and historical charm.
Shah, a content creator, and Dave, an investment banker, gathered 150 of their closest friends and family for a 3-day celebration at the luxurious Penha Longa Resort, a palazzo-style estate nestled amidst the rolling hills of a nature reserve. Shah collaborated with Details Bespoke Weddings, their wedding planners, to create five mood boards for the celebrations, each embracing her theme for something classic and regal.
The festivities kicked off with a playful haldi ceremony, the venue adorned with marigolds, peach florals, and origami birds. That evening, they hosted a welcome party combined with the mehendi, treating guests to a breezy evening with fresh Italian fare and a selection of Portuguese wines. For this occasion, the bride chose an embellished ivory lehenga with intricate appliqué work by designer Aisha Rao, while the groom complemented her in an ivory kurta set by JadeBlue.
The next morning, the wedding day unfolded against the backdrop of the Nuncio Gardens, dating back to the 16th century. The serene space was transformed into a rustic paradise with a floating mandap built on a pond. The minimalist design featured life-like paper flowers in shades of ivory studded with pearls, creating a surreal, dreamy look. “Having seen so many designs of traditional mandaps, I just knew I wanted to do something different and whimsical,” Shah reveals. She worked closely with her wedding planner and designer, exchanging ideas until they settled on paper mache flowers. “We lined these down the aisle and around us for the pheras, weaving in perfectly with the tranquil setting.”
The groom arrived for his baraat in a vintage olive green Rolls Royce, complementing the bride’s ensemble. Breaking away from traditional reds and pastels, Shah chose a bespoke olive green and gold-imbued lehenga by Kalki Fashions for her pheras. Featuring intricate cutdana work, shimmering sequins and pearls, she paired it with a velvet blouse and a shaded, deep orange-rust dupatta for a contrasting look. “There was something so royal about an olive green lehenga that drew me to that colour instantly,” she says, referring to how it also perfectly matched the historic venue. Her groom opted for a classic Shyamal & Bhumika design, wearing an ivory silk sherwani with hints of olive green. Shah kept her makeup soft and minimal with a sleek bun, a natural, dewy base, and a muted lip, accentuated with a classic bridal kundan necklace set and matching jhumkas.
The sangeet, held that same evening, was a spectacular affair, taking place in a 17th-century castle with sweeping views of the sea. “We had kept the location of the sangeet a secret from our guests. We started off with a cocktail hour at the terrace of the castle, before opening doors to the inside of a tent where the event was held. Later, we invited guests back out on the terrace for a dazzling fireworks show above the sea,” the couple shares. In keeping with the royal theme, the bride chose a biscotti gold lehenga by Seema Gujral, featuring intricate embroidery, sequins, and crystals, completing her look with a messy bun and sultry eyes. The groom wore a mirrored sherwani with geometric motifs by stalwart designers Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla.
The celebrations concluded the following evening with a sophisticated cocktail and reception at the resort, embracing a theme centered around moody, dramatic decor, numerous chandeliers, and an intimate dinner seating. For this occasion, the couple opted for a minimal and elegant look, with the bride donning a Maggie Sottero ivory gown with a tulle train, later changing into a vintage-like, mini bridal lace number by Rosie Etienne Bridal, paired with lace gloves. She slipped into crystal bow slingback pumps by Amina Muaddi, completing her look with a chic pony and glowy makeup.
The couple recalls some of the most unforgettable moments from their wedding, moments that may have seemed fleeting then but now hold a special place in their hearts. Dave reminisces about how the sun made a bright appearance at their haldi after a brief spell of rain. “The crowd around us cheered when I said at that moment, ‘You can’t appreciate the sun without a little bit of rain,’” he reveals. For Shah, it was witnessing a magical ‘strawberry moon’ at their sangeet, coinciding with the start of the summer solstice.
Instead of cutting a traditional cake, the couple celebrated with a champagne tower, culminating their 3-day Portuguese fiesta, an unforgettable experience that will forever hold a special place in their memories.
