Slow, Sacred, and Stylish: Inside Nidhi Sunil and Noah Katz-Appel’s Thoughtfully Unrushed Wedding in Kerala

Why the model-lawyer and tech entrepreneur’s multi-day celebration proves that the new wedding flex is intention, not excess

Their wedding in Kerala was not designed to impress at first glance. It was designed to last in memory. Spread across several days and rooted deeply in cultural continuity, the celebration felt less like a spectacle and more like a lived experience, one where guests were invited not just to witness a union, but to settle into it.

As a wedding expert would say, this was not a “weekend wedding.” It was a journey. One that mirrored the couple’s own relationship, intentional, reflective, and built over time.

From a Missed Spark to a Chosen Love

Nidhi Sunil and Noah Katz-Appel first crossed paths in 2017 at a yoga studio in New York. The meet-cute, however, did not land the way movies promise. Their first conversation fizzled, and what might have been instant chemistry turned into distance.

Instead of forcing romance, they built a friendship. Years passed. Life happened. By the time they chose each other romantically in 2022, both were in their mid-30s and clear about what they wanted.

In interviews, Nidhi has shared that their relationship began with intention rather than impulse. There was no dramatic sweep-you-off-your-feet moment. There was clarity. Therapy. Conversations. Alignment. In a culture that glorifies surprise proposals, Noah asked Nidhi what kind of engagement she wanted. They designed the ring together. The only surprise was the timing.

That question came on a boat gliding through Kerala’s backwaters while scouting wedding venues. Romantic, yes. Practical, also yes. That balance would define the wedding itself.

Why Kerala Was the Only Choice

For Nidhi, getting married in Kerala meant grounding the celebration in her roots and ensuring her immediate family could be fully present. For Noah, it offered something equally important: calm.

Kerala’s slower rhythms, rich traditions, and emphasis on hospitality aligned perfectly with what the couple wanted. Planning was done in person, about a year in advance, with the help of a dedicated wedding team and the Kumarakom Lake Resort.

Instead of cramming everything into one weekend, the wedding unfolded over time. New Year’s in Goa. Art and conversation in Fort Kochi during the Biennale. Then the ceremonies in Kumarakom. According to the couple, they wanted guests to feel like they were on a curated cultural journey, not rushing from one event to the next.

The guest list was intentionally kept under 200, with thoughtful mixing of groups. At the mehendi, even introductions were facilitated. This was not a wedding where you stayed with people you already knew. It was a wedding designed for connection.

Fashion With a Future, Not Just a Moment

One of the most compelling talking points of this wedding was its approach to fashion. Nothing was designed to be worn once and archived forever.

At the mehendi, held poolside by the backwaters, color took center stage. Nidhi wore a Re_ceremonial ghaghra composed of dozens of plant-dyed panels, created using natural dyes derived from flowers and indigo. Even the border referenced a vintage Kerala sari. Noah’s outfit echoed the same philosophy, using handwoven and repurposed textiles.

For the haldi, the couple leaned into restraint. Guests arrived in white. Nidhi wore an ivory silk sari and veshti, intentionally designed as a blank canvas that could later be re-dyed. Jewellery choices leaned traditional and regional, grounding the look firmly in Kerala.

This mindset carried through the entire celebration. Outfits transformed between events. Textiles were reused. Even leftover fabric fragments were later turned into handcrafted journals for guests. As wedding experts increasingly note, sustainability is no longer a niche preference. It is becoming a marker of thoughtful luxury.

A Ceremony That Made Space for Two Worlds

The wedding ceremony itself was held against the Kerala backwaters, framed by tropical foliage and anchored by a traditional Chettinad-style mantap. The couple considered a more contemporary setup but ultimately chose tradition. For Nidhi, it mattered to feel connected to the depth of her culture on the day she married.

What followed was not a blending that diluted either identity, but a ceremony that allowed both Hindu and Jewish traditions to exist fully. A cantor’s blessing. Kippahs for guests. The breaking of the glass. Sanskrit chants accompanied by naadaswaram. Music shifted seamlessly between worlds.

Afterward, guests shared a vegetarian Kerala sadhya served on banana leaves inside a restored Ettukettu. It was communal, grounding, and deeply local.

A Wedding Designed for Continuity

From the music flown in from New York to the beauty approach that honored natural skin texture, every decision reflected the same philosophy: continuity over performance.

Hair and makeup focused on subtle shifts rather than transformations. Jewellery was curated with intention, each piece tied to a specific event rather than a general aesthetic. Nothing felt excessive. Nothing felt rushed.

In the end, Nidhi Sunil and Noah Katz-Appel’s wedding stood out precisely because it resisted the pressure to stand out.

What This Wedding Teaches Modern Couples

As a wedding expert might say, this celebration offers a powerful lesson. You do not need more events, louder décor, or bigger moments to create something meaningful. You need clarity.

By choosing to slow down, reuse, and stay present, Nidhi and Noah created a wedding that reflected not just who they are, but how they love.

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