This Couple Blended Their Different Backgrounds in a Romantic Fall Wedding

Shannon and Miten got married at Crossed Keys Estate held on October 29, 2023.

Their Story

Shannon Meyer knew early on that Miten Khatri, her high school sweetheart, was the guy for her. The couple, 28 years old and from Old Bridge, met during their junior year of high school in 2012.

“We started off as just friends, and it grew into something more,” says Shannon, adding that she was happy when Miten asked her out a few months after they became pals. “I knew from the start he was the one I was going to be with for the rest of my life.”

She found Miten easy to talk to, and they bonded over music, their shared love of adventure and animals.

The Proposal

Miten surprised Shannon when he proposed on a clifftop overlooking the water at sunset during a trip to the Greek island of Zakynthos in July 2022. “He knows I love the sunset and I love adventure,” the bride says. “It was the most beautiful moment ever. I was so happy he put so much thought into it.”

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Details of the Day

Shannon and Miten created the perfect blend of their different backgrounds with two wedding celebrations at Crossed Keys Estate held on October 29, 2023. Honoring Miten’s Indian heritage, the day began with a 10 a.m. Hindu ceremony followed by a delicious Indian buffet lunch.

It was a busy day, but it was important to the couple to hold both of their celebrations on the same day to serve as a joining of their backgrounds and traditions. Shannon’s family was introduced to Indian culture, and she also got to wear a white wedding dress and walk down the aisle with her dad.

“It was amazing to see both cultures come together and our families come together,” Shannon says. “It was a really crazy day, but all of it was worth it because it was exactly what we wanted. It was so beautiful.”

The 165 guests had a blast dancing, and the end of the night featured electronic dance music for a festival vibe.

Bridal Style

The couple and the wedding party wore traditional Indian wedding clothing—with Shannon’s heavily beaded and embroidered olive green velvet bridal lehenga as the centerpiece—as the couple were blessed by a Hindu priest.

“I felt like a princess,” Shannon says. “I felt so royal because I had tons of jewelry on.” The American ceremony and subsequent celebration began at 5 p.m., starring Shannon in a ballgown with black bows at the shoulders, a square neckline and a corset bodice.

Fall Florals 

To represent their love of the fall season, the day featured autumnal colors. “We wanted everything to represent the changing season of the fall and the leaves changing colors, but we wanted it also to be very romantic,” Shannon says.

The floral arrangements featured blush and cappuccino roses and dried elements.

For the evening event, black flowers were added to the floral arrangements, along with candles everywhere, to create a moody, romantic feel.

Favorite Detail

The flowers, which set the mood for the whole day. “The flowers came out so perfect and beautiful,” Shannon says.

Favorite Moment 

The couple’s choreographed first dance to Taylor Swift’s “Lover,” which they learned from a YouTube video. They were nervous to perform the dance, but Shannon couldn’t believe how well they did.

“It was a perfect moment,” she says. “We executed it flawlessly. Everyone was crying and not expecting us to do a dance like that. It was such a magical moment.”

Advice for Other Couples 

Don’t forget to eat. “I wish I would have eaten more,” Shannon says. “We planned a beautiful menu, and we barely ate it.”

Honeymoon

The couple went sightseeing in Japan and relaxed at the pool and beach in Bali. They are now at home in South Amboy.

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