An Arabian Nights-inspired Sangeet with bronze and amber decor, a pink garden-party Haldi, and an ivory Sikh ceremony overlooking the Sea of Cortez were among the celebrations Jaskaren and Saman planned for their weeklong destination wedding at Grand Velas Los Cabos. The couple incorporated their Punjabi and Persian Bahá’í backgrounds into several events, with different designs, traditional ceremonies, and plenty of time for family and friends to enjoy the festivities.
Their story began more than a decade earlier at a library in Toronto, where Jaskaren was preparing for medical school and Saman was completing his Master’s degree. After spending an entire summer studying in the same corner without ever speaking, Jaskaren finally left him a handwritten note addressed to “The Guy in the White Shirt and White Hat.” He replied two weeks later. Their relationship eventually took them across three countries and four cities, including years of long-distance dating and demanding careers.
What We Love About This Grand Velas Los Cabos Wedding
- A weeklong destination wedding featuring Punjabi and Persian Bahá’í traditions
- An Arabian Nights-inspired Sangeet
- A colorful garden-party Haldi
- Two religious ceremonies, including an oceanfront Anand Karaj with English translations of the Four Laavaan
- A custom pearl-embellished bridal lehenga, ivory chooda, and jewelry designed by the bride’s mother
A Week of Celebrations at Grand Velas Los Cabos
After years of living in different places and spending time away from family and friends, Jaskaren and Saman were excited about having everyone together for an entire week. They chose Grand Velas Los Cabos for its oceanfront location and the variety of spaces available for their celebrations, from smaller gatherings to traditional ceremonies and a larger reception.
The festivities began with an intimate welcome dinner overlooking the Sea of Cortez. With guests traveling from different places, the evening gave everyone a chance to catch up, meet new family members, and enjoy dinner together before the larger events began.
Hospitality was a major priority throughout the week. The couple prepared personalized coconuts and welcome gifts featuring local artisans. They also worked closely with their wedding planning team to coordinate the different events and make sure their guests could participate in both cultural traditions.
Arabian Nights-Inspired Sangeet With Candlelight and Dancing
For their Sangeet, the couple chose an Arabian Nights-inspired design with rich bronze and amber tones, and plenty of candlelight. Ornate arches framed the celebration, where traditional performances, music, and dancing kept guests entertained throughout the evening.
Jaskaren wore a custom Vibha Amitt ensemble with intricate embroidery that shimmered beneath the candlelight, while Saman chose a tailored jacket featuring mirror work and delicate thread embroidery.
Pink Garden-Party Haldi Overlooking the Ocean
The Haldi was a colorful outdoor celebration, with towering arrangements of hot pink and yellow flowers and vibrant lounge seating. The oceanfront setting was filled with guests wearing pinks, yellows, and other colorful traditional outfits.
For the occasion, Jaskaren chose a bright pink Papa Don’t Preach ensemble with heirloom jewelry and a statement maang tikka. Saman wore a silk Tasva jacket over a soft beige kurta.
Family and friends joined Jaskaren and Saman for the traditional Haldi rituals, applying turmeric paste to the couple before the festivities continued with music and dancing.
An Ivory Anand Karaj Beneath a Floral Mandap
For their Sikh ceremony, Jaskaren and Saman chose an ivory color palette with delicate florals and flowing drapery. A floral mandap stood at the end of the oceanfront ceremony space, surrounded by white seating and arrangements of ivory and pale blush flowers.
Jaskaren had dreamed of wearing pearls on her wedding day since childhood. Designer Seema Gujral created a custom ivory lehenga with hand-beaded pearls and subtle gold embroidery. She paired it with an ivory chooda instead of traditional red bangles and jewelry designed by her mother.
Saman wore a light beige sherwani with layered pearl malas, embroidered juttis, and an ivory turban adorned with a pearl and feather kalgi.
During the Anand Karaj, the couple provided English translations of the Four Laavaan, the four hymns associated with the Sikh marriage ceremony. Their Granthi also explained each hymn in both Punjabi and English so guests unfamiliar with the tradition could understand its significance.
Another emotional moment for Jaskaren came during the Choora ceremony, particularly when her parents placed the veil over her. Following the Anand Karaj, guests gathered for a wedding lunch.
Featured Vendor:
CABO Studio
Grand Velas Los Cabos
Two Wedding Ceremonies Honoring Their Sikh and Bahá’í Faiths
Along with the Anand Karaj, the couple held a separate Bahá’í ceremony to honor Saman’s faith. Including both religious ceremonies was especially important to them, as they wanted their families to participate in traditions from each other’s backgrounds.
For the Bahá’í ceremony, Jaskaren changed into a corseted lace gown with a cathedral-length veil, while Saman wore a bespoke midnight navy Italian silk tuxedo.
Seeing their families embrace each other’s traditions was one of the highlights of the wedding week for Jaskaren and Saman. They also prioritized photography and videography, wanting to preserve the ceremonies, their families’ reactions, and the candid moments throughout the celebrations.
A Red-Draped Reception With Chandeliers and Dancing
The reception featured deep red velvet drapery across the walls and ceiling, crystal chandeliers, red floral arrangements featuring amaranthus and eucalyptus, and red uplighting throughout the space. A tiered white wedding cake decorated with red roses completed the setting.
For the evening, Jaskaren wore a crystal- and pearl-embellished Kalki couture gown with a Swarovski statement choker. The celebration included dinner, speeches, music, and dancing, with guests filling the dance floor.
Their Advice: Make Time for What Matters Most During Your Wedding Celebrations
Looking back on their Grand Velas Los Cabos wedding, Jaskaren and Saman encourage couples to spend less time worrying about every detail and more time enjoying the people who have gathered to celebrate with them.
“It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the endless decisions, expectations, and details that come with planning a wedding,” they shared. “But years from now, what you’ll remember most won’t necessarily be the flowers, the table settings, or whether everything went exactly according to plan.”
They also recommend choosing traditions that matter to you and working with vendors who understand your plans.
“Most importantly, give yourselves permission to be present.”
The Wedding Team:
Photography + Videography – Cabo Studio
Event Planning – Valeria del Olmo
Ceremony Venue – Grand Velas Los Cabos
DJ – DJ Vik
Makeup Artist – Magnifique
Hair Styling – Mara Lizarraga
Wedding Dress – Nadine Merabi
Bridal Accessories – Vibha Amitt
Rentals – Yaya Rentals
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