Komal & Nikhil - an Intimate Wedding at Home and a DIY Celebration
A New Year, A New Beginning
January 2nd, Pune courts. Komal and Nikhil, along with their closest family members—all 12 of them—gathered to make things official. This was one of the tiniest weddings I have ever been to, and honestly, it was perfect. Just me and a cinematographer—this wedding had everything it needed. With no rigid timelines, no elaborate guest lists—just a day that flowed exactly as Komal and Nikhil desired.
Wait = Snacks
There was some waiting (because bureaucracy loves a good pause). We sat outside, chatted, snacked and soaked in the moment. When the couple was finally called in, their families watched eagerly, trying to sneak glimpses of the big moment. Komal and Nikhil, requested the staff to let their loved ones witness the moment they said, “I, Komal Soneji, take thee, Nikhil Athavle, as my lawfully wedded husband” and vice versa. A few signatures and an impressive number of thumb impressions later—they were married!
A House full of Memories
Komal and Nikhil got married in the house Komal grew up in—a place woven with memories. A place I knew well. Komal’s sister, Mileha, is my batchmate from college, and back then, this house was our pit stop for home-cooked food and starfruits.
Wedding
Mileha crafted the backdrop while their dad carefully placed the flowers. Their mom and Bastian gathered all the pooja essentials, ensuring everything was just right. It was beautiful to see it all come together, not in an elaborate, orchestrated way, but with pure love and simplicity.
Back in college, we’d come to Komal’s house for home-cooked meals and to pick starfruits off the trees. Years later, not much had changed—the house felt the same, only the trees had grown lusher. This time, though, it wasn’t just another visit; it was Komal’s wedding. They skipped the full religious ceremony but kept the essence alive—Nikhil tied the mangalsutra, sindoor was applied, and they took blessings from their families. Simple, personal, and exactly how they wanted it.
Love stories come in all forms. Some meet in college, some through friends, and then there’s Komal and Nikhil, who met thanks to Tinder and a dying phone. Komal, on the verge of deleting the app forever, decided to message one last guy—Nikhil. He replied before midnight, and just like that, a board-game-filled coffee date led to something big.
Nikhil’s phone, however, had other plans and decided to break. So, like a true romantic hero, he hunted her down on Facebook to keep the conversation alive. Effort = 10/10
a fun wedding party at Native, a cozy bar and restaurant. With just their closest people around, the entire day unfolded at their own pace, making space for laughter, deep conversations, and truly living in the moment. For the wedding party, Komal added her own touch—hand-embroidering her gown (talk about dedication!). Meanwhile, Nikhil and his family went the tailor-made route, ensuring every suit was perfectly fitted.
As they step into this new adventure, their wedding will always be a reminder of love, laughter, and the best kind of spontaneity. Watch all this madness in motion below:
We won a Junebug award for one of the photo taken during Komal and Nikhil’s portrait session in Pune. Click here view the complete session!
