“As cliché as it might sound for New Yorkers, we unexpectedly met in the Hamptons over Labor Day Weekend in 2019,” Saba Saleem shares about her first encounter with Ripal Parikh. “I had no initial intention of being there that weekend and decided to join the girls last minute. Ripal, on the other hand, had every intention of being there as it’s rare he’ll ever let his FOMO prevail.”
Like many Hamptons visitors, Saba and her friends were out all day and night. Unbeknownst to her, she and Ripal had some mutual friends who suggested everyone meet up at Surf Lodge. After being persuaded to catch her second wind and keep the night’s events going, Saba met Ripal and the two exchanged pleasantries before her group quickly moved on to another spot called Sel Rose.
“As cliché as it might sound for New Yorkers, we unexpectedly met in the Hamptons over Labor Day Weekend.”
“Luckily, Ripal and his friends joined us after and the two of us hunkered down and unexpectedly spent the rest of the night talking away, in our own world,” Saba describes. “We exchanged numbers and agreed we have to meet up in the city, and a few weeks later went on our first date on Sept 26th. And we’ve been inseparable ever since.”
Fifteen months later, Ripal popped the question on the morning of December 26th, and the couple celebrated with their families and friends. Everything came full circle when the bride and groom held their wedding on Labor Day 2021, right when their story began.
“From a last-minute cake cancellation, to my hair stylist bailing the night before the wedding, to my menus and escort cards being lost in transit, to following up with all the new COVID regulations, my wedding planner, Ashley, is the reason my big day went over so smoothly,” says the bride. “The A. Merisier Events team were able to take care of everything so I could focus on enjoying my big day with my family and friends!”
“The ceremony was one of my favorite moments of the entire day,” she continues. “My gown was from Tayab Moazzam. His work has been featured at the Lancôme Fashion show. I requested for him to design the gown with elements of Pakistan culture and the traditional American white gown. He did an amazing job designing my dress, all with only virtual consultations. He was able to deliver the dress in time as well as in the midst of a full-blown pandemic, which I am so grateful for.
Our officiant James was also absolutely amazing. Ripal is Hindu and I am Muslim. I wanted both religions to be represented in the ceremony. James did an amazing job on researching both religions and coming up with a format that represented both religions beautifully!”
WEDDING TALENT
Planning & Event Design: A. Merisier Events, Dix Hills, NY; Photography: 6ikari Films, New York, NY