Some love stories feel like they were written in constellations long before two people ever meet. For Nikita and Erik, that story began on a quiet Tuesday evening in New York City, and six years later, it came full circle beneath Chicago’s glowing skyline. We are excited to share more about this beautiful Chicago Wedding.
How They Met
It was 2019, post–Labor Day, when two worlds collided on Hinge. Erik was in graduate school, Nikita was working in the city, and they decided to meet for coffee and crepes at Le Grainne Café in Chelsea. They ended up talking so long they forgot dinner entirely and wandered into The Brass Monkey for drinks instead.
That first night set the tone for their relationship, effortless, curious, and full of laughter.
How They Knew
From Nikita:
“I knew Erik was the one because he changed how I see the world and myself. He taught me to embrace impermanence, to treasure the present, and to savor both adventure and quiet simplicity. With him, I’ve discovered joy in curiosity, whether exploring art, food, and ideas, or simply sharing stillness together. His deep attentiveness and steady, thoughtful way of engaging make me feel truly seen and calm. Loving Erik has been the most transformative learning experience of my life.”
From Erik:
“I knew Nikita was the one from the moment we met. There was an immediate, almost electric sense of connection. Every topic felt like it deserved its own bookmark, waiting to be revisited. Even now, six years later, that spark hasn’t faded. Nikita is endlessly layered, warm, brilliant, and curious. Discovering all the pieces of who she is has been one of my greatest joys. I feel profoundly grateful to be the one who gets to share in her light.”
The Proposal
Florence, Italy. Sunset. A city Erik had loved long before their story began.
During a family trip, Nikita suspected something might happen, but Erik caught her completely off guard. On their first night in Florence, as the sky turned gold over Piazza Michelangelo, he asked her to pause for a photo, something he rarely does.
Her brother lifted the camera. Erik’s hands shook. And then, in one fluid motion, he took the ring, knelt, and asked the question that would change everything.
Her brother captured the photo. Her father filmed the moment. Nikita said yes.
The Wedding
Their wedding was the perfect intersection of cultures, elegance, and imagination.
For the Sangeet, they transformed the Adler Planetarium into an interstellar celebration, a nod to Hindu astrology and their shared love of science and the stars. Guests danced beneath celestial projections inside the Sky Theater, surrounded by views of the Chicago skyline reflected across the lake.
Nikita remembers stepping into the planetarium at sunset, watching colors of blue, purple, and pink spill across the room as the skyline shimmered in the glass behind them. “We sat at our sweetheart table, just soaking it all in, barely speaking because we were so overwhelmed with gratitude,” she said.
The wedding day itself took place at the Intercontinental Hotel Chicago, a venue that married grandeur with history. Beneath its iconic dome and chandelier, they created a ceremony space that guests described as an “Indian Bridgerton.” Their mandap, positioned directly beneath that chandelier, became the heart of the celebration.
They shared two first dances, a timeless ballroom waltz followed by a high-energy Bollywood number that opened the floor for the night.
Between the laughter, tears, and speeches that left everyone both howling and crying, Nikita and Erik’s day became everything they had envisioned: meaningful, joyous, and breathtaking.
Calm Amid the Chaos
Despite months of planning and endless details, the couple approached their day with serenity.
“I think I was most anxious about making sure everything went smoothly,” Nikita shared. “But when the day came, we were surprisingly calm. We trusted our planner completely and felt so present. It allowed us to really enjoy every single moment.”
Advice for Other Couples
- Trust word of mouth. Recommendations from friends helped them choose both their venue and planner.
- Stay local if you can. It makes planning smoother and keeps stress low.
- Choose vendors who feel like family. “Find creatives you truly connect with,” Nikita says. “It makes all the difference.”
- And yes — scroll Instagram. It’s one of the best ways to discover teams whose style and chemistry match yours.
The Future
After a one-night “mini-moon” in New York City revisiting their favorite spots, Nikita and Erik will soon jet off to Barcelona, Spain for their full honeymoon.
Their next big adventure? Building a home together, one filled with laughter, coffee-fueled mornings, cozy corners, and dinner parties that last well past midnight.
Final Reflection
From a Hinge date in Chelsea to a chandelier-lit mandap in Chicago, Nikita and Erik’s story is a reminder that some love stories don’t need grand gestures to feel infinite. They just need two people who choose wonder, again and again.
We Would Love to be Your Wedding Photographer
It would be an honor to become a part of your wedding team. We create that timeless keepsake of your big day you’ll love forever. Myself and my team of wedding photographers at videographers at Lauren Ashley Studios will go above and beyond to capture the atmosphere of your special occasion, and share it with passion and authenticity.
