Real Weddings: From Sports to Soulmates

After what seemed like the longest 1460 days, fashion blogger and national level table tennis player Saili Satwe said "I do" to Keerthi Rangan, a national level tennis player, in an intimate Maharashtrian engagement at the Ramada Plaza, Pune. Read on to learn their tale of long-distance love spanning across Mumbai, Chennai, and Melbourne.

Diya J Verma

Dec 03, 2021

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The Details

Photography: WhatKnot Wedding Photography

Wedding Planning & Décor: Floral Glory

Makeup Artist: Pooja Jain

Venue: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham, Hinjewadi, Pune

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Living Through the Pandemic

"I believe Keerthi and I have tackled all possible obstacles in the early stages of our relationship—especially the pressures of long-distance—so the pandemic couldn't get the best of us. During this unprecedented time, we kept ourselves busy with Zoom movie nights and virtual dinner dates. We are the living proof of a well-functioning, successful long-distance relationship," Saili puts forth.

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My Advice

"Do it your way because it's your day! No compromises," advises Saili.

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The Multi-Cultural Engagement

Since Saili and Keerthi's union was across two states, the celebrations incorporated the traditional rituals of both Maharashtrian and Tamil cultures. For the Mehendi, the couple opted for bright pastel hues of green and orange, setting the tone for the remaining functions. The duo is all set to tie the knot in August next year!

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The Next Step

"The transition from boyfriend to fiancée was surreal. The most exciting part was having our families get to know each other; after all a marriage is two families getting together, not just the two of us. The pure bliss on everyone's face still gets me teary-eyed," says the bride-to-be.

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"I Do, With All My Heart and Soul"

Keerthi was in Dubai for work when he asked Saili to fly down to spend a few days with him. Little did she know that her first international trip would be the most memorable one! One evening, he took her to the Shangri-la hotel on the pretext that they were going to meet a few friends. But, as Saili stepped out of the elevator onto the terrace, she was blindfolded and taken to the proposal spot. The venue offered a splendid panoramic view of the Dubai skyline, with the Burj Khalifa in the frame. Keerthi went down on one knee, and, as they say, the rest is history.

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How They Met

Keerthi and Saili met for the first time on 18th December 2016 at a sporting event. Smitten by each other, the sparks caught on, and the two fell in love. After a four year long-distance relationship—spanning across continents—Keerthi proposed to Saili in Dubai last month.