For Houston’s chic society and South Asian A-listers, the wedding of Ruchi Mukherjee, the stylish society journalist and founder of LCAHouston, and Walter Sassard, a New York photographer turned Magnolia firefighter, was the Desi Wedding everyone had been hoping for. On November 3, the historic Bryan Museum in Galveston transformed into an intimate and emotional stage for this cultural fusion, where Bollywood-inspired glam and timeless Texan charm danced side by side.
It was a wedding bound by destiny, and a coterie of Houstonians were in on the love story.
In Houston, Ruchi’s name is synonymous with her publication’s International Mother’s Day Awards, which she founded to celebrate inspiring women, an honor so notable that May 13 was officially declared Ruchi Mukherjee Day by the City of Houston. Having worked as a correspondent for The Statesman and Times of India before launching her own publication, Ruchi has shaped her legacy by connecting Houston’s South Asian community and promoting cultural pride.
Bound by fate, Ruchi and Walter’s love story has Houston charm from the start. After meeting on Match.com in 2020, Ruchi and Walter became partners through many trials, from a taxing work injury for Walter to the challenges of COVID-19, supported by their blended family. Ruchi’s daughter Aryika and Walter’s two children, Luella and Felix, embraced them from the beginning.
Rumor says it was Aryika who helped her mother set up her online dating profile and connect with Walter. Sometimes daughters know best?
The wedding was a beautiful reflection of Ruchi and Walter’s blended family, with Ruchi’s stepdaughter and stepson warmly embracing her cultural traditions. They have joined her in decorating the house with candles, crafting intricate Rangoli designs, and filling the space with sweets for celebrations like Diwali and Holi. The children delight in wearing traditional Indian attire, adding to the vibrant fusion of heritage and love that has already defined their family gatherings.
A fusion of cultures and traditions
In the summer of 2022, high in the Canadian Rockies on Banff’s iconic gondola, Walter proposed 7,000 feet above ground, making Ruchi’s dream come true against a picturesque backdrop.
The couple’s wedding reflected their shared respect for heritage and family. Amid the museum’s lush, arboreal landscape, they chose a tented canopy that embraced the verdant setting, where floral and earthy décor cast an ethereal spell over the afternoon nuptials. Guests were swept up in a grand celebration of Bengali traditions as Walter’s vibrant groom processional set the tone, bursting with joy and color. Waves of colorful smoke filled the air as friends in traditional attire raised their arms and danced to infectious music, captivating onlookers who clapped and cheered.
In true South Asian fashion, Walter’s family was welcomed by the bride’s family in a warm, jubilant exchange. Ruchi made her entrance under a delicate floral canopy, her bridal lehenga from Lucknow, India — her hometown — shimmering with Zardosi hand embroidery and paired with traditional jewelry that paid homage to her roots. The ceremony itself was a blend of sacred rituals, much of it recited in Sanskrit, as the couple exchanged vows under a green canopy surrounded by loved ones.
Celebrated Houston personalities in Bollywood style
Ruchi’s bridal party was an exclusive gathering of Houston luminaries and friends, including television anchors and philanthropists, all adorned in Bollywood-inspired saris. Her maid of honor, Toni Tate, along with bridesmaids like Sippi Khurana, Rita Garcia, Sadaf Choudhry, Meka Coxon, Sneha Merchant, Teresa Reading, Purva Patel, and Pooja Lodhia, joined family members and close friends in a colorful ensemble that transformed the ceremony into a Bollywood vision.
The mother of the bride, Kaberi Mukerjee, gleamed as she participated in the traditional ceremonies, including the ritual of blowing the conch shell. The sound, believed to purify the environment and dispel negative energies, filled the air with positivity.
Following an elegant dinner, Ruchi made a stunning re-entrance in a black, strapless ensemble that shimmered under the lights, her jewelry fit for royalty, leaving guests gasping in admiration. The evening’s entertainment included a live drummer who kept guests dancing to a blend of Bollywood hits, Latin beats, and beloved classics, bringing family and friends to the dance floor in a joyful cultural exchange.
From trials to triumphs
Walter, now a Lieutenant with the Magnolia Fire Department, has overcome many challenges since moving from New York to Houston in 2013. Early in their relationship, he suffered a work injury that left him in recovery for five months, with Ruchi by his side throughout. This shared resilience strengthened their bond, giving them the foundation to create a life together. Their journey culminated in a month of celebrations leading up to the wedding, including a blush and white bridal shower and a traditional Sangeet hosted by Sneha Merchant, which featured live music inspired by Calcutta and Lucknow.
Though Ruchi’s sister, Ratuli Mukherjee, who lives in Kolkata, India, couldn’t attend the wedding, the family looks forward to planning a small celebration together in India in 2025, bringing their adventure full circle across continents.
As they embark on their honeymoon in St. Lucia, Ruchi and Walter’s love story is a powerful reminder that love, like destiny, often finds its way in the most unexpected places.
Their message to friends, family, and the community that celebrated with them: Never lose hope in love, and never stop believing in the magic of togetherness.
Photo by Quy Tran
Ruchi and Walter’s first dance — complete with a dip.
