The Omni Severin Hotel Wedding That Stopped Traffic

Grooms sitting on a sofa in tuxedos, smiling before their wedding at the Omni Severin Hotel.

We’re still not sure what we did to get so lucky planning Kishan and Michael’s Omni Severin Hotel Wedding, but from the moment we met them, we knew it would be a day to remember. They are two of the most thoughtful, open-hearted people we’ve had the joy of working with, and their wedding at the newly renovated Omni Severin Hotel was as meaningful as it was magnificent.

We first connected at the start of the year (just months before their September wedding) which proved that with trust and the right team, magic doesn’t need a long timeline. We were honest from the start: if they didn’t choose us, we’d have total wedding envy. Thankfully, they did, and what unfolded was one of our favorite celebrations of the season. Planning their Omni Severin Hotel wedding was a true collaboration built on trust, creativity, and deep cultural respect.

Modern wedding invitations arranged with delicate floral accents.

Invitation suite displayed with coordinating cards and soft flowers.

About the Couple

Kishan and Michael are the kind of couple you never forget. Warm, funny, and incredibly thoughtful. Kishan is a Denver-based dermatologist who, yes, created personalized skincare routines for our vendor team ahead of the wedding. Michael, who also works in the medical field, brings a calm energy that perfectly balances Kishan’s spark.

They come from different faiths (Hindu and Catholic), and different parts of the country, but together, they created something beautifully unified. Their Omni Severin Hotel wedding reflected that duality with intention, heart, and so much joy.

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Getting Ready: A Morning of Calm and Connection

The day began in the Presidential Suite at the Omni, where Kishan and Michael got ready together surrounded by close friends. It felt less like a wedding morning and more like a gathering of chosen family. Sharing breakfast, swapping stories, and easing into the day with laughter and warmth.

Flat lay of both grooms' wedding shoes, ties, watches, and boutonnières.

Black and white detail photo of wedding day accessories, including vows and fragrance.

Flat lay of groom accessories including rings, cologne, and a watch.

Traditional Indian wedding outfits hanging against a neutral wall.

The Baraat: A City Street Turned Celebration

One of the most unforgettable moments was the Baraat. Picture this: two grooms on horseback, music filling downtown, and a parade of guests dancing down Georgia Street. We coordinated with city officials and the Indianapolis police to safely close Georgia Street, crossing Meridian Street so the Baraat could pause for a photo with the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the background —an iconic moment in the heart of downtown Indianapolis.

It was emotional and electric. Onlookers cheered from bars and sidewalks, a family explained the procession to their children, and officers grinned with pride. One said, “Two horses, two grooms. This is amazing.” We couldn’t agree more.

Two grooms riding decorated white horses under vibrant umbrellas.

Grooms holding hands while seated on horses outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Indian wedding procession crossing Meridian Street with the monument in view.

Wedding guests in colorful Indian attire crossing Meridian Street during a downtown Indianapolis Barat procession.

Close-up of a white horse in ornate red and gold wedding attire.

Grooms walking hand-in-hand with a guest during the Barat.

The Ceremony: Sacred, Joyful, and Personal

Kishan and Michael’s ceremony was held in the Omni’s historic ballroom, a space that felt intimate and reverent. Ceremonies usually happen while we’re off managing the next transition, so it’s rare to be present in the moment. But this time, we stayed. Threw petals. Listened. Laughed.

Their ceremony reflected both of their traditions, with readings, inside jokes, and moments of reverence. Roopali, Kishan’s mom, and Michael’s family offered readings, blending Hindu and Catholic elements in a way that felt seamless. It was a true reflection of who they are.

Grand staircase covered in lush floral installations.

Floral-covered staircase at the Omni Severin Hotel wedding.

Ceremony setup with ghost chairs and floral altar at the Omni Severin Hotel.

Floral mandap under a chandelier in a ballroom ceremony space.

Close-up of guest ceremony programs placed on white chairs.

Couple holds hands during vows beneath a floral altar.

Wedding ceremony moment under floral arch with chandeliers overhead.

Two grooms walk up the aisle smiling and holding hands.

Grooms exit the ceremony, hands raised and smiling.

Cocktail Hour: A Nod to Iowa and India

Cocktail hour took place in the Omni’s newly redone restaurant, which offered the perfect setting for a menu that was as thoughtful as it was delicious. Guests enjoyed a fusion of flavors, “meat and potatoes Iowa” fare for Michael, and traditional Indian bites for Kishan.

Guests (and Kishan and Michael) also had a moment to change attire, transitioning from Indian formal to black-tie. It was a beautiful pause before the evening unfolded.

Two grooms get ready together, adjusting bow ties in a hotel suite with Lucas Oil Stadium visible outside.

Late-night wedding snacks of tater tots, corn dogs, and dipping sauces under warm lights.

Reception Design: Masculine Meets Feminine, Tradition Meets Modern

Designing the reception was a dream. Held in the hotel’s transformed lobby (now a grand ballroom), we layered textures and tones to reflect the theme of duality that ran through the day.

We selected dark green velvet and brocade linens, grounding the room with richness and depth. Black wrought iron chairs, gold chargers with Indian patterns, and pink velvet napkins brought in a balance of masculine and feminine. And the florals. Oh, the florals. Garden hydrangeas, amaranthus, artichokes, and fruit-filled arrangements in soft pinks and greens brought softness and movement to the space.

Kishan and Michael gave us full trust to design freely. Originally, they considered alternating pink and green linens, but we proposed an all-green canvas with pink accents—and they went for it. That kind of creative freedom is rare, and we treasured it.

Couple enters Omni Severin Hotel wedding reception with their planner, all smiling and holding hands.

Emotional reaction from groom seeing the reception florals for the first time at Omni Severin Hotel wedding.

Groom hugs planner while partner reacts to floral reception reveal at downtown Indianapolis wedding.

Tabletop floral arrangement with delicate blooms and candlelight at Omni Severin Hotel wedding.

Artichoke, roses, and white blooms in a romantic centerpiece on reception table.

Reception table centerpiece of white and blush florals at Omni Severin Hotel wedding.

Wedding cake table with floral garlands at downtown Indianapolis wedding venue.

Tiered wedding cake with gold details and monogram at Omni Severin Hotel wedding.

The Thoughtful Touches: Thank You Notes and a Sports Wall

Every guest found an envelope at their place setting, each one containing a handwritten thank-you letter from the grooms. That level of intentional hospitality set the tone for the evening.

But the biggest surprise? A custom-built “sports wall” tucked into a dark green bookshelf in the hotel lobby. Using fun facts from their planning questionnaire, we recreated Kishan’s family’s tradition of pinning race bibs and sports memorabilia. Childhood photos (including one infamous speedo shot) made it all the more endearing. Guests snapped photos all night. Kishan was still getting texts about it days later.

Gift bags included sporting gear, premium golf balls (Roopali’s request!), and high-SPF sunscreen. It was a subtle nod to their personalities and a sweet reminder of who they are.

Indianapolis wedding welcome bag items laid out, including snacks, skincare, and water bottles.

Tray of Elta MD sunscreen gifted to vendor team during wedding weekend.

Wedding planner stands in front of personalized memory display at Omni Severin Hotel wedding.

Detail of memory shelf showing couple’s framed photos, venue art, and tennis memorabilia at Indy wedding.

Once dinner wrapped, the party really started. The chandeliers were glowing, the music got louder, and a Dhol drummer brought the kind of energy you feel in your chest. Kishan and Michael hit the dance floor hard, fog cannon in hand, kicking off a party that was every bit as bold, joyful, and electric as the rest of their Omni Severin Hotel wedding. Guests in tuxedos and lehengas danced side by side, and no one was in a hurry to leave. If the ceremony was the heart of the day, the reception was the soul.

Overhead view of packed dance floor beneath crystal chandeliers at Omni Severin Hotel wedding reception.

Couple celebrates on the dance floor, firing a CO2 cannon together at their wedding reception.

Guests cheer as a dhol player energizes the dance floor during wedding celebration.

Grooms share a joyful moment on spiral staircase in matching white tuxedo jackets.

A Wedding That Lingered in the Best Way

After the wedding, Roopali (Kishan’s mom) and Mitash (Kishan’s dad) invited our entire vendor team and their partners to their home for a private dinner. It was one of the most moving acts of hospitality we’ve ever experienced.

Why the Omni Severin Hotel Was the Perfect Fit

We’d be remiss not to talk about the venue itself. The Omni Severin recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation, restoring the hotel to the jewel box it was known as at the turn of the century. Planning an Omni Severin Hotel wedding like Kishan and Michael’s showed just how versatile and stunning the space can be. For me, it felt full-circle—returning to a place where I’d planned so many weddings earlier in my career, now reimagined and refreshed, and paired with a once-in-a-lifetime couple.

A Downtown Omni Severin Hotel Wedding in Indianapolis We Won’t Soon Forget

Kishan and Michael’s Omni Severin Hotel wedding was more than a celebration. It was a tapestry of culture, love, gratitude, and joy woven through every detail.

One moment that’s stayed with us: Kishan’s mom, Roopali, inviting both Monica and Stacy (the photographer) into her closet to borrow Indian formalwear for the wedding. It was such a generous, unprompted gesture. A deeply authentic expression of hospitality, and a reminder that this wedding wasn’t just about planning. It was about being welcomed in.

If you’re looking at downtown Indianapolis wedding venues that can honor your story in a way that’s personal and grand, we can confidently say: the Omni might just surprise you. It certainly surprised us, and we’re still smiling about it.

For couples exploring Indianapolis wedding venues, particularly those planning indy weddings that bridge backgrounds and traditions, this wedding is a reminder that beauty happens when you trust the process, embrace who you are, and surround yourself with people who get it.

We’re grateful to have been those people for Kishan and Michael.