Indian-American couple spends $66,000 to shut down Wall Street for 400-guest baraat in New York

Getting married in New York is a dream for many, but for Boston-based Indian-American couple Varun Navani and Amanda Soll, it became a reality on a scale few could imagine. The couple made headlines by paying a staggering $66,000 to shut down New York’s iconic Wall Street, transforming the heart of the financial district into a vibrant wedding dance floor for their 400-member baraat procession.

Their wedding, which unfolded over several days, was nothing short of a spectacle. The festivities began on May 23, 2025, with a welcome brunch at the Conrad Hotel, followed by a lively sangeet at The Glasshouse. But the highlight was undoubtedly the baraat on May 24, when Wall Street was closed off to traffic and filled with the sounds of dhols, DJ beats, and jubilant dancing guests dressed in traditional Indian attire.

To bring their vision to life, Varun and Amanda secured 28 separate permits, with each location costing between $25,000 and $66,000 (₹21 lakh to ₹56 lakh), according to city records. The couple’s investment turned New York City into their personal wedding garden, with celebrations spanning multiple venues and culminating in a grand reception at Cipriani Wall Street that lasted into the early morning hours.

Varun Navani, the CEO of AI platform Rolai and a Forbes 30 Under 30 alumnus, arrived in style in a white vintage car, wearing an ivory sherwani and pearl necklace. Amanda Soll, Director of Legal Compliance and Risk Management at Mastercard, stunned in a traditional Sabyasachi lehenga. Their wedding was a seamless blend of Indian and Jewish traditions, reflecting both their heritage and modern sensibilities.

The event quickly went viral on social media, with videos showing the exuberant procession and the transformation of Wall Street into a joyous celebration of love. DJ AJ, who performed at the event, captured the sentiment perfectly: “We shut down Wall Street for a 400-person baraat—who would’ve ever thought? Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime kind of magic”.

This extraordinary celebration is a testament to the evolving trends in Indian-American weddings, where personalization, grandeur, and cultural fusion are redefining luxury. The Navani-Soll wedding not only paused the relentless pace of Wall Street but also set a new benchmark for destination weddings in 2025.