News Summary
This weekend, Boston hosted a captivating wedding for Soumitri Barua and Vishal Khetpal, who seamlessly blended their Buddhist and Hindu traditions in a two-day celebration. Their love story, which started at Brown University, was celebrated through vibrant ceremonies at the InterContinental Boston and Fairmont Copley Plaza, showcasing cultural richness with the involvement of monks, a Hindu priest, and unique touches like literary wedding favors. The couple’s commitment to merging their backgrounds was evident, creating a heartfelt event that resonated with both families.
Boston witnessed a unique wedding celebration this weekend as couple Soumitri Barua and Vishal Khetpal merged their Buddhist and Hindu cultures in a two-day event. Their love story, which began during their medical studies at Brown University, culminated in a festive celebration that honored their diverse backgrounds and families.
The wedding festivities kicked off with a vibrant baraat procession and a sangeet celebration at the InterContinental Boston, where guests arrived by boat. The couple meticulously planned the wedding to be close to their families, who hail from different regions; Soumitri’s family is from upstate New York and Vishal’s from greater Dallas and Oklahoma.
After their engagement in June 2023 during a romantic getaway in Switzerland, the couple chose to celebrate their union in New England, targeting their fondness for the area. Initially, they explored venues in Rhode Island and Massachusetts before finalizing the InterContinental Boston as the site for their initial celebrations, followed by a Buddhist ceremony and Hindu rituals the next day at the Fairmont Copley Plaza.
Soumitri was particularly enchanted by the Fairmont’s grand ballroom, describing it as exuding “Bridgerton vibes.” The event planning was smoothly coordinated by Erica Jones of O Luxe Design, who crafted an exquisite mandap for the ceremony and provided stunning floral arrangements featuring red flowers for the reception, symbolizing auspiciousness in South Asian weddings.
Throughout the celebrations, traditional elements were key to honoring both cultures. During the daytime ceremonies, guests were treated to an array of cultural practices, including the involvement of Buddhist monks alongside a Hindu priest, Pandit Hemant, who conducted the rituals. A special touch was added by Soumitri, who arranged for a violinist, Pavani Anupindi, to perform a song from the popular series “Bridgerton” during the ceremony.
Soumitri’s bridal attire showcased the couple’s commitment to blending cultures. For the sangeet, she wore a radiant sari designed by Papa Don’t Preach, followed by a matching set from Nitika Gujral for the ceremony, and concluded with an exquisite lehenga from Seema Gujral for the reception. A heartwarming tradition took place during the wedding, where Soumitri’s mother fed Vishal and his parents Indian sweets and water, symbolizing unity between the two families.
The couple also paid special attention to their guests’ experience. They selected around 20 books as wedding favors from Heartleaf Books, reflecting their personalities and shared interests in literature. Guests arriving at Logan Airport were additionally provided transportation via Boston Water Taxi to the InterContinental hotel, enhancing the overall experience with a touch of local charm.
A fusion of modern conveniences and cultural heritage was evident throughout the planning process, which involved various vendors for catering, dessert work, and entertainment, including DJ services from Vibez Entertainment. The meticulous planning and execution resulted in an engaging atmosphere that allowed guests to connect through shared rituals.
The couple’s commitment to blending traditions while celebrating their love story culminated in a beautiful wedding that was later featured in the August 2025 issue of Boston Weddings with the headline “One for the Books.” Soumitri and Vishal’s two-day wedding not only marked the beginning of their life together but also served as a testament to the beauty of cultural fusion in modern weddings.
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Additional Resources
- Boston Weddings
- Wikipedia: Wedding
- Boston Globe
- Google Search: wedding cultural fusion
- American Kahani
- Google Scholar: wedding rituals
- Telegraph India
- Encyclopedia Britannica: wedding traditions
- Example News Source
- Google News: wedding cultural traditions
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
