Vishal Nigam – Carrie Rhodes Engagement
At the reception for the newly engaged couple (center) Dr. Vishal Nigam and Carrie Rhodes, from left, her dad Scott, mom Jean, his sister Anjali, mom Kamlesh and dad Dr. Mool Nigam. In the back are Carrie’s brothers Jamie (left) and George.
Photo: Harsh & Sayani Mahadeshwar
By Jawahar Malhotra
SUGAR LAND:Everyone who knew Vishal Nigam growing up in the Bayou City teased him about how long he was taking to find the right soul mate and many had written him off as a confirmed bachelor. But luck intervened in the form of an Indian friend Kalpana who was cross-culturally married to an Anglo guy Jamie who just happened to have a sister who they had been trying to get hitched up. They arranged for the two meet and would you believe it, the stars aligned and they hit it off from the start.
Six months later the two – Dr. Vishal Nigam and Carrie Delany Rhodes – finally got engaged, much to the relief of both sets of parents, in Seattle where Carrie is from. And this past weekend, on Saturday, October 22, Vishal’s parents, Dr. Mool and Kamlesh Nigam, held a reception for the couple at Sweetwater Country Club. There was a simple Hindu ceremony followed by festive Indian wedding songs with a dholki accompaniment, sung by several of the Nigam’s female friends.
All of Carrie’s immediate family flew or drove in for the ceremony, and most of the women were dressed in saris or lenghas, with jewelry to match. Kamlesh hand made the besan ladoos to give as party favors and Carrie’s mom Jean and Dad Scott spoke about their family history and the future. A tired but elated Kamlesh told the couple “now it’s up to you to make your own highway.” And everyone teased Vishal’s younger sister Anjali that it was her turn next!