Lauren Giumarra and Akash Patel’s Vermont wedding featured Indian customs, sunset-hued flowers, and a Green Mountains vineyard.
Photo by Isora Lithgow Creations
The Story
When Lauren Giumarra and Akash Patel each set out for Vermont, neither could have imagined the move would lead them to each other. Fresh off completing a master’s program in Montreal, Lauren had long been drawn to Burlington’s natural beauty. Akash, a newly minted engineering graduate, had simply heard good things and decided to take a chance. The couple met on Hinge in January 2021, during the height of the pandemic, but nevertheless fell in love on freezing cold, socially distanced walks along Vermont’s trails.
Three years later, Akash planned to propose along a lakeside trail. The only snag: Lauren wasn’t feeling particularly well and had no interest in going for a walk.
But after a gentle nudge and the promise of coffee, she was out the door. A single flower petal on the trail was Lauren’s first clue of the proposal; turning a corner, she found the path covered in flowers and pictures. Before she could process what was happening, her two best friends stepped out from the bushes with cameras in hand, ready to capture Akash on bended knee holding her dream engagement ring.
Lauren initially envisioned something simple for her wedding day. “I wanted to elope,” she says with a laugh. “Ten people max, hike a mountain, get married on top.” Instead, their July 2025 celebration, which wove Indian tradition into the Vermont landscape they call home, stretched across two days and four events, culminating in a reception for 250 guests at Maquam Barn & Winery.
Friends flew in from as far as New Zealand and India, and Akash’s family led traditional rituals throughout, welcoming Lauren into the fold at every turn. Guests spread turmeric on the couple during the vidhi, danced during the garba, cheered Akash on horseback for the baraat, whispered marriage advice into Lauren’s ear during the ceremony, and even orchestrated a surprise group dance at the reception. And the bride, who had originally wanted to elope, loved every single minute. “I would do it all again,” she says. “I’d play it back.”
Photo by Isora Lithgow Creations
Photo by Isora Lithgow Creations
Photo by Isora Lithgow Creations
The Details
The Flowers
Best friend and bridesmaid Maya Littlefield, of Honey Flora, handled the flowers for all four wedding events, including climbing a ladder during the four-hour break between the ceremony and reception to string up greenery along the rafters. Marigolds and birds of paradise were also a prominent feature.
Photo by Isora Lithgow Creations
Photo by Isora Lithgow Creations
The Baraat
Akash made his groom’s entrance the traditional way—on horseback. Finding a white horse in Vermont willing to do the job was no easy feat, and the one they chose turned out to be considerably more spirited than advertised. Akash rode it anyway, to the delight of their guests. “Our friends ate it up,” Lauren says, though “the horse was a little rebellious, which was scary.”
Photo by Isora Lithgow Creations
The Cake
Bridesmaid and longtime baker Tara Beattie made the wedding cake—a citrusy summer flavor that a line of aunties then took turns feeding to the newlyweds after the cake-cutting.
Photo by Isora Lithgow Creations
The Rings
Lauren always knew she wanted a gold band with an oval stone. Akash sourced the engagement ring from June, where they later got their wedding bands. When Lauren saw the result, a 1.80-carat lab-grown center stone flanked by smaller side stones, she was blown away. “I said gold and oval,” she says. “And I was like, holy crap.”
Photo by Isora Lithgow Creations
The Attire
With four events spanning two days, outfit changes were constant. All of the wedding party’s attire, including the bridesmaids’ ceremony looks and the groomsmen’s traditional suits, was made in India. For the reception, Lauren chose an elegant sleeveless gown from Veilmonté Bridal Showroom, a deliberate contrast to the richly embroidered, hand-bedecked three-piece ensemble that came before it. “All of my Indian outfits were heavily embroidered and gemmed out,” she says. “I wanted the contrast of something more simple and classic.”
Photo by Isora Lithgow Creations
The Food
Minar Fine Indian Cuisine fed guests throughout the festivities. Everything was vegetarian and dry until Saturday’s reception, where meat and an open bar were available. The couple had two signature cocktails: a blackberry mojito and blueberry-lemonade spritz. As for what the couple thought of the food, Lauren and Akash can’t say much firsthand since they were too busy to eat. But “everyone raved about it,” Lauren says.
The First Dance
Lauren and Akash sashayed to their first dance as a married couple to “Need You” by Penny & Sparrow, which was an easy choice that they didn’t overthink.
Photo by Isora Lithgow Creations
The File
Bride’s Reception Dress
Veilmonté Bridal Showroom
Cake
Tara Beattie
Catering
Minar Fine Indian Cuisine
Day-Of Coordinator
Rachel Vitagliano Events
Dessert Buffet
The Goose Chase Cake Design
Entertainment
Premier Entertainment & Events
Flowers
Honey Flora
Garba Venue
Burlington Vermont Elks Lodge
Hair & Makeup
Cashmeir Bridal
Photographer
Isora Lithgow Creations
Rings
June
Stage and Rentals
Vermont Tent Company
Videographer
Ink & Aperture
Vidhi Venue
OakLedge Park
This story first appeared in the print edition of the August 2026 issue, with the headline, “The More the Married.”
Photo by Isora Lithgow Creations
Photo by Isora Lithgow Creations
Photo by Isora Lithgow Creations
Photo by Isora Lithgow Creations
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