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Indian wedding | Global Indian
Global IndianstoryBand, Baaja, Baraat: Wall Street to FDR – big fat Indian weddings take over New York streets
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Band, Baaja, Baraat: Wall Street to FDR – big fat Indian weddings take over New York streets

Written by: Vikram Sharma

(June 16, 2025)  When Boston-based couple, Varun Navani and Amanda Soll sat down with family, friends, wedding and event planners to meticulously plan their elaborate, fun-filled and extravagant Indian wedding, they agreed on one aspect — that the “baraat” had to be an extraordinary affair.

The wedding planner, Urvashi Mishra got down to the job immediately. She was tasked with planning a baraat comprising 400-plus guests, finalising the perfect venue, and do all it takes to make it a one-of-it’s-kind event.

And so it happened.

On May 24, 2025, the iconic Wall Street in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan in New York came to a full stop after being transformed into a full-on baraat route where hundreds of people grooved to the pulsating blend of Bollywood beats and pop bangers spun by a live DJ — leaving the world pleasantly surprised.

Varun Navani and Amanda Soll

Varun Navani and Amanda Soll

“Everything is possible if we follow the rules and regulations in the USA,” smiles Urvashi Mishra of Radz Events, while speaking to Global Indian.

Urvashi played a key role in planning Varun and Amanda’s vibrant Indian-Jewish wedding, which drew global attention as the baraat stopped New York city’s traffic — a first for any Indian wedding in the US.

Permits, Parties, and a Desi Takeover of NYC

To hold the baraat or any other event in NYC, obtaining permissions from the authorities holds the key. “Security concerns, restricted areas among other factors weigh significantly in the minds of authorities before granting permissions. It took us about four to six months to obtain the required permits,” informs Urvashi, who worked in close coordination with Jaideep Mehta and the True Events crew, Harsh Tevar of NSL Talent (Dhol crew), Emcee Vig, and Smit — all part of the Varun-Amanda wedding.

As many as 28 varied locations were booked across the city, transforming New York into a wedding garden. The couple reportedly shelled out a $25,000 to $66,000 (₹21 lakh to ₹56 lakh) for each location.

The wedding celebrations commenced with a welcome brunch at Conrad hotel on May 23, 2025. In the evening, the ‘sangeet’ ceremony was held at The Glasshouse. But the real show was at the Wall Street on May 24 where guests — dressed in their best outfits — danced to dhol beats and Bollywood music amid the iconic skyline.

Baraat That Stopped NYC

Urvashi has organised extravagant baraat processions in the past too. “Earlier too I got quite a few streets closed for baraat processions after obtaining necessary permissions. Once, I also for FDR (on the east side of NYC) closed informs the wedding planner, who is known globally for organising big fat Indian weddings.

The New York Mayor’s Office classifies street events — which take over curbs, sidewalks and roads — by size and impact, with “large” events requiring a full block closure and extensive setup, and “extra-large” events demanding even more space, permits and NYPD coordination.

Indian wedding at NYC

So why did the closure of Wall Street hit global headlines? “That’s because we had 400 plus guests dancing on that street. One couldn’t see the end of the street, it was that big. Besides, many onlookers stopped by to shoot,” says Urvashi, pointing out that one Instagram influencer received 10 million views.

While Varun, a Forbes 30 Under alumnus, is the CEO of a company called, Rolai, which is an AI platform, Amanda is the Director of Legal Compliance and Risk Management at Mastercard.

A Celebration of Diasporic Identity

Indian Americans — who form the second-largest Asian origin group in the United States — are proudly sharing their culture through big fat Indian weddings. These celebrations aren’t just personal milestones; they’re a way for families to hold on to their traditions and show their heritage to the world. From lively baraats and traditional outfits to music, food, and rituals, Indian weddings in the US are a colourful blend of old and new. For many in the Indian diaspora, it’s a chance to celebrate where they come from — in a way that brings everyone together.

Urvashi Mishra | Global Indian

Urvashi Mishra, the wedding planner

Bigger the better

Urvashi says baraat is a must in every Indian wedding in the US or any other place in the world. “Baraat is non-negotiable. It has become bigger and better over the years all over the world. In the US, baraats used to be much smaller affairs, but over the last 10-12 years, we’ve seen the inclusion of elephants, horses, horse carriages, and even camels,” informs Urvashi.

However, with many states banning the use of animals for such events, there has been a shift towards luxury and vintage cars as the preferred mode of transportation. “Traditionally, only the groom’s family and friends participated in the baraat. Nowadays, it’s common to see the bride’s family and friends joining the procession as well,” informs the wedding planner.

Varun arrived in a white vintage car wearing an ivory-hued sherwani suit designed by luxury lifestyle designer Raghavendra Rathore. Amanda, on the other hand, stunned in a Sabyasachi lehenga.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Urvashi Mishra | Wedding & Event Planner (@urvashi.mishra)

“In fact, there has been a rise in the popularity of two separate baraats — one for the groom and one for the bride — reflecting evolving cultural practices and a more inclusive celebration,” says Urvashi.

Behind the Baraat: A Team Effort

A lot goes into planning the baraat procession, which comes with its own set of challenges. “For this event, there were 300-400 people working behind the scenes,” informs Urvashi.

It included decorators, caterers, photographers, the DJ, the band, the hair and make up stylists, servers and bartenders. “The NYPD plays a key role,” she says, highlighting that all worked and ensured the event went flawlessly.

Urvashi describes the Varun-Amanda wedding as a seamless fusion of two rich cultures in one of the world’s busiest cities. “It stands as a testament to cultural diversity and the power of celebration, creating a memorable moment in New York City’s vibrant wedding scene,” says the wedding planner.

She says parents on both sides were happy and so were the bride and groom and their guests. “That is what matters,” she adds.

DJ AJ Turned Wall Street into a Dance Floor

“Shutting down Wall Street for a baraat was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To see 400 people dancing, singing, and celebrating in the heart of New York City — it was surreal,” DJ AJ, who performed at the baraat, told Global Indian.

At first, he did not know much except that he would be playing at the Wall Street. “Until a couple of days before the baraat, I did not realise how big it was going to be. When it all came together, it was amazing,” says DJ AJ, who was ecstatic to bring the music to a stage as enormous and unexpected as this one.

DJ AJ | Global Indian

Interestingly, he didn’t really plan a set for this event and just went in thinking he would figure it out on the spot. “Once I saw 400 people there, I just played what felt right in the moment — and everyone really enjoyed it,” says DJ AJ, who also shared a video that amassed over 2 million views.

“It was just the beginning of many firsts for everyone involved. The energy was electric, the dhols were pounding, and for a moment, the streets belonged to us,” smiles the DJ, describing it as an unforgettable experience.

He says the spectacle garnered significant attention, leading to inquiries about replicating the event. “While future events of this scale are possible, they would require extensive planning, permits, and substantial budgets,” says DJ AJ.

Are Indian Weddings Abroad Getting Bigger?

Parthip Thyagarajan, the CEO of WeddingSutra.com says, super rich Indians love to do an event at a venue where it is being done for the first time.

“We’ve seen it at some iconic venues. Victoria Memorial has seen it, only at one time where Lakshmi Mittal’s son got married (in 1998). But it is not often that weddings are allowed at public properties or at iconic institutions,” says Parthip, adding that weddings are about exclusivity and spaces.

According to the Wedding Report research firm TheKnot.com, the average American couple burns through about $35,000. Indian nuptials, however, tend to be even more exorbitant, with an average Indian client in the US spending roughly $200,000.

Baraat Goes Global

Rani Moriani, Founder Revel Events says baraat typically used to be only a ‘Dhol’ guy walking from assembly point to the ‘ Mandap’ but all of that has changed completely in the weddings abroad.

“Previously, we were only allowed 15 minutes to make noise. Now, baraat is given the top preference among all other wedding ceremonies. It has become an event on its own,” says Rani, who recently planned extravagant weddings in Bangkok and Hong Kong.

Rani says baraat has become a big deal with vintage cars, DJ Trucks, colour bombs, dancers, bartenders among others. “In terms of planning, we have to stick to the timings given often between the bracket approved by the venue. The route has to be followed with the pit stops.”

In the heart of one of the world’s busiest cities, Varun and Amanda’s wedding wasn’t just a celebration of love — it was a powerful reminder of how traditions can travel, evolve, and thrive, no matter where you are.

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  • Global Indian
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Published on 16, Jun 2025

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