"we thought it would be a wonderful way to introduce them to Harrogate"
A couple got married in the picturesque spa town of Harrogate in North Yorkshire after their relationship began with an unconventional first date across Sri Lanka.
Sneha Meghe and Andrew Peretti, who first met more than eight years ago through a mutual friend while Andrew was working in Mumbai, reconnected in 2023 after Andrew reached out to Sneha on Instagram.
Their first date took them across Colombo, Kandy and Ella in Sri Lanka.
Andrew told Conde Nast Traveller: “Normally, a first date would be coffee or dinner.
“We decided to do a holiday together. It was like putting our relationship to the test right away.”
Recalling their first meeting years earlier, Sneha added:
“Nothing really happened then, though he claims he was flirting with me.”
After reconnecting online, the pair quickly realised their relationship had changed.
Andrew proposed in April 2025 during an evening walk along the pier after dinner at Dubai’s Pierchic restaurant.
The couple married in a civil ceremony at the Rock of Gibraltar before hosting family and friends at Rudding Park in June 2026.
Rather than planning a lavish celebration, Sneha and Andrew wanted a wedding that felt elegant, intimate and relaxed.
With 91 guests, the event blended Indian and British traditions while giving international visitors an opportunity to experience the English countryside.
For Andrew, choosing Rudding Park was also deeply personal:
“It’s where I grew up, and my family has been living for decades. It’s known for its water, florals and lush greenery.”
Sneha said introducing their guests to Harrogate was an important part of the celebration.
“At Rudding Park, you can simply look outside and you’re surrounded by this vast expanse of forest.
“We both love the traditional English countryside, and since most of our guests had never experienced a wedding like this before, we thought it would be a wonderful way to introduce them to Harrogate, which has become such an important part of us as a couple.”
Andrew also praised the venue’s hospitality:
“I’m no stranger to fantastic Indian hospitality but I must say Rudding Park really outdid themselves.
“The service was exceptional, it was unexpected in the best way, and made everyone feel incredibly well looked after.”
The celebrations began with a traditional British afternoon tea, introducing many overseas guests to a custom they had never experienced before.
To encourage guests from different countries to meet one another, each place card included a question or conversation prompt.
Before the ceremony, the couple exchanged thoughtful gifts inspired by each other’s interests.
Sneha, an avid collector of vintage books, received a first edition of A Passage to India by E. M. Forster, while Andrew was gifted a Montblanc pen.
Their outdoor ceremony took place under unexpectedly sunny skies, accompanied by a cello and violin duo.
Sneha recalled:
“There was glorious sunshine, which was such a surprise because the weather here is always unpredictable.”
The reception reflected both families’ backgrounds, with British cuisine sitting alongside subtle nods to Andrew’s Italian heritage through dishes including arancini, salmon terrine and crème brûlée.
Indian guests were also served gold-wrapped motichoor laddoos from Ambala as a sweet surprise.
Following speeches from family and friends, the couple shared their first dance to Dean Martin’s ‘Sway’ before guests joined them on the dance floor.
Fashion also played a significant role throughout the celebrations, with Sneha curating a series of outfits inspired by vintage style and meaningful craftsmanship.
Her wardrobe included an Oscar de la Renta dress for the afternoon tea, a Milla Nova wedding gown, a co-ord set by Indian label MATI and an Alexander McQueen mini dress for the evening reception.
Andrew honoured a long-standing family tradition through his wedding attire.
He said: “The grooms in my family have always worn a shade of cream.”
His ivory suit was tailored using fabric from the Italian mill Vitale Barberis Canonico and paired with shoes from a traditional Northampton cobbler and vintage Celine cufflinks.
The couple also chose a shared fragrance to mark the occasion after discovering Incenso during a trip to Florence.
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