That Papa Don’t Preach Love Story - Ritika Kapoor and Sahil Puri
Ritika Kapoor and Sahil Puri went to the same school, though they barely knew each other then. Years later, their paths crossed again in New York, where Sahil was visiting from London. One afternoon, while scrolling through Instagram, Ritika came across his profile and thought he was “very cute.” He wasn’t active online, but she reached out anyway. He asked her out to dinner, and from that moment, their conversations never really paused.
Their relationship grew steadily, shaped more by intention than proximity. Sahil shares that he flew several times a year just to see her, and that rhythm came to define the early chapters of their story. Today, both of them are based in London, building a life that bridges distance and familiarity.
When the wedding planning began, Ritika - an architect with a natural eye for detail - started her research, looking closely at designer bridal wear that felt expressive yet grounded. She wanted to introduce Sahil to the world of Papa Don’t Preach, which he too found strikingly unique. On a visit back to India, they decided to see the Flagship Store in person at The Dhan Mill, New Delhi. The moment they stepped inside, it stood out to both of them. The design language, the intricacy, and the identity of the space left a lasting impression.
The initial plan had been for Ritika to choose her bridal lehenga here, drawn to the brand’s distinctive take on bridal couture. But Sahil found himself equally engaged in the process. He wanted a Papa Don’t Preach look of his own, and so they decided to choose their outfits together, even while managing everything from abroad.
Since they were based in London, much of the process unfolded over video calls and online conversations. “It’s always a little risky when you’re removed from the location and doing all of this remotely,” Sahil shares. “We relied heavily on the Papa Don’t Preach team for communication, and they were very prompt, which helped ease the anxiety.” He adds that on the day of the trial, there is always anticipation around fit and adjustments - but when they finally tried the outfits on, everything fell into place.
For Ritika, the store felt like the right setting to make this decision. “The flagship at The Dhan Mill was perfect for us. The staff made the experience smooth and welcoming,” she says, adding that the shopping staff at Dhan Mill made planning from abroad feel far more comfortable. What stayed with her most was how naturally the outfits reflected who they are. “More than the clothes simply being, Papa Don’t Preach, they aligned with us as people - classic yet modern - which felt right because while we live abroad, we remain deeply connected to home.” In that sense, the journey echoed what couture brides in London often seek: a way to navigate distance without losing a sense of familiarity and belonging.
From school corridors to New York to the life they continue to build in London, their story found a quiet continuity - one that carried through into choosing outfits from Papa Don’t Preach that felt unmistakably their own.
