A Cross-Cultural Wedding Celebrating Love, Traditions, and Togetherness
BY Garvita | 29 Aug, 2023 | 1092 views | 9 min read
Get ready for a wedding tale that's a blend of cultures and unexpected twists! Adorned in a striking red wedding lehenga and a collection of captivating outfits for each festivity, this bride's style resonated with timeless elegance. And oh boy, the decor? Straight out of a Pinterest dreamland, making the whole scene feel surreal.
They had a smart wedding that balanced elegance and saving money, showing the real importance of their coming together. That too, with just 90 guests! Get ready to immerse yourself in this heartwarming tale with bookmark-worthy details, shot beautifully by The Wedding Files .
Meet Vasudha & Mohit
"We first met at a sangeet practice for a wedding in Bombay. I was the choreographer for the event, and he had flown down from the US for a 3-week visit to attend it.
Fun Fact: Our hashtag was #vamosletsdance because of the significant role dance plays in both of our lives, especially considering that it played a pivotal role in how we initially met.
Our ritual wedding was on the 24th & 25th of December 2022.
Insight: We got legally married on 18th Dec '19 after 2 formal date nights & 8 months of long distance. I met his family alone in Bombay, both sides of the family were skeptical but I just knew he was the one & so did he and so we signed the papers.
We were to have our ritual wedding in December 2020, and I visited him in March 2020 for my 30th birthday, COVID-19 happened as soon as I landed in the USA and I never went back to India. 3 years of living & going through COVID-19, Layoffs, and new beginnings together. Best Decision Ever. Hence the Celebration on 25th Dec'22 was so necessary & special to us."
Mehndi
Haldi
Wedding
From The Bride
Mohit is Sindhi, and I am a North Indian from UP + Bihar, but both of us surprisingly grew up loving Punjabi culture. So, we decided to have a Hindu wedding in Chandigarh, Punjab. We are both the same age and grew up 20 minutes from each other in Bombay, me in the south and him in Bandra, but our paths never crossed until he visited India for a wedding after 6 years of moving to the States. He met me when I was 29, professionally settled, with no intent of moving anywhere and having given up on love. Destiny works in mysterious ways, I guess.
Our wedding was heavily budgeted but tastefully done, making sure the focus of the wedding was brought back to being a celebration that represented the two people marrying each other. As a couple, we are both self-made, always focused on doing things well, appreciating the small moments, and being grateful for loved ones who matter because they would go out of their way to be there for us. Hence, our wedding had a total of 90 guests who flew from all over the world during a cold wave to celebrate with us, and we made sure they all felt seen and personally appreciated.
Our vision:
Mehendi - 24th Dec '22 Daytime
For my Mehendi, I envisioned a "Rajasthan meets pastel boho chic" style, as Boho chic represents my aesthetic and style. We had boho carpet seating in some spots to infuse an air of informality for families meeting for the first time. A custom-made stage featured a Rajasthani arched door pattern as a backdrop, tied to the entrance to infuse the beauty of Indian architecture, reflecting our shared love for design. All guests wore pastels as a symbol of both sides taking their first step towards unification. I danced to songs from "Rajwadi odhni" to "Jhumre gori" with my girls; the entire experience on stage was an incredible vibe.
Sangeet - 24th Dec '22 Evening
The theme for the Sangeet was "Bring Your Bling On." We aimed to blend old-world charm with chandeliers we had grown up admiring. A hollow frame with three chandeliers served as the stage backdrop, with glamorous accents around the open venue, resonating with our vintage grandeur-inspired choices. We kicked off the night with a pyrotechnics-based entrance, where our friends formed a tunnel of light under which we danced our way to the stage, grooving throughout the night.
Haldi - 25th Dec '22 Morning
The Haldi had the theme "Off white before Red bride." We aimed for a simple, intimate, and fun-filled Haldi, involving our elders who usually don't participate. The pictures reflect their joy. Embracing whites and sunflowers, we incorporated sunflowers into our backdrop along with various yellows and whites. The kurta and saree that he and I wore were entirely made and styled by me. It felt incredibly special to leave a personal imprint on our big day. Serving South Indian food with a live dosa counter warmed up the coldest day; people loved it, and the cooling effect of uptan felt particularly amusing at 6 degrees Celsius. I guess we got a taste of how a Bollywood actress in a saree on a snowy day might feel, haha.
Pheras - 25th '22 Daytime
For the Pheras, we embraced a traditional style theme. I wanted to be a Red bride all the way, holding onto the color of love and its significance for a newlywed. Mohit donned the Punjabi churidaar look for his Sherwani, and it suited him beautifully. Our Pheras took place in the middle of a pool, reflecting our shared love for water. We had a female pandit/acharyaji, as we both believe in equal opportunity.
Fun fact: Mohit had no idea how I would look as a bride; I kept my lehenga a secret for months. He saw me for the first time as I walked towards him at the mandap. The reel I've shared with you includes people pulling his arm, but he never looked away from me. His candid reactions say it all.
Reception - 25th '22 Evening
The Reception followed a "Blazers and Ball Gowns" theme. We rocked 90s slicked-back hair, both color-matching in forest green gowns and blazers, adding a retro twist as 90s kids. Our first dance on the song "I'm Feeling Good" was sung live by our talented friend, adding a personalized touch to the beautiful celebration with people who are now thousands of miles away but leaving lasting memories.
About WedMeGood App
I relied on the WeMeGood App to book the majority of my fantastic wedding vendors. Despite being 7000 miles away, the app simplified the process of discovering and evaluating local vendors for our wedding venue. I could explore their portfolios, read reviews, and get a rough estimate of their fees before reaching out. The convenience of having all this just a click away on my phone was truly remarkable. The user-friendly interface of WMG made navigation smooth and effortless.
Vendor Reviews
We chose Roche Harbor, Chandigarh as the destination for our wedding. Himanshu, the property owner, along with his incredible team, effortlessly managed our stay, decor, and catering for all five of our wedding functions, while we coordinated with him from the States. He and his team went above and beyond our expectations, creating an absolutely tailor-made experience that perfectly reflected us. The level of hospitality we experienced was unparalleled, unlike anything we had seen in Bombay or the USA. The Punjabi food was a treat for the soul, and despite the 6-degree Celsius weather, the stay experience was remarkably comfortable. They crafted a highly personalized and beautiful wedding, coupled with world-class hospitality that our guests will cherish forever. Without a doubt, Roche Harbor is the ideal venue to book, and Himanshu is the man who will make all your dreams come true."
I allocated only 1/10 of the usual makeup budget, seeking a very natural, no-makeup look. For all my functions, I enlisted Ashima Dhir for makeup, and it turned out to be the best decision I could have made. She completely understood my bridal style, using minimal base makeup and skillfully enhancing my features. Handling my hair was Ankita Thakur, and I didn't opt for any hair extensions. Her positive attitude was truly commendable.
TwoDoVows, our wedding planning agency, came to our rescue just a month before our wedding. Dissatisfied with our previous planners and navigating the challenges of planning our Chandigarh wedding from the States via phone calls, we stumbled upon TwoDoVows online. Shubhangi and Palak from their team took the reins, and from the very first conversation with Shubhangi, their professionalism, and experience shone through. Despite our tight budget, they managed to infuse a personalized touch into every detail. Our guests were consistently well-informed through WhatsApp groups, ensuring smooth proceedings at our destination wedding. Palak and her team were always by my side, anticipating my needs. From Khushboo to Raveena and the rest of the team, every member contributed to flawlessly executing our five functions. Shubhangi's planning and vendor management were impeccable, salvaging our wedding in the nick of time. I wholeheartedly recommend them.
Wedding Files were our photographers and videographers, covering everything from our pre-wedding shoot to the reception. Amrit, in particular, exuded a soft-spoken demeanor throughout. They provided us with exceptional photos and videos that now hold precious memories.
We discovered our pandit, Acharya Shrutiji (Mangalphere), through WMG, and she conducted the ceremony exquisitely. Her modern perspectives and the sense of equality in our vows and her teachings resonated perfectly with our desires. We're grateful for finding her, and it's likely we wouldn't have known about her if not for WMG.
Vendors: Venue - Roche Harbor, Chandigarh ; Bridal Makeup - Ashima Dhir ; Wedding Planning - Two Do Vows ; Wedding Photography - The Wedding Files ; Bridal Wear - Wedding: Torani , Mehendi: Marwar Couture , Sangeet: Ruchika Hurria , Haldi: DIY, Reception: Aakashi Designer Studio, Pre-wedding: Kalki Fashion ; Bridal Mehndi - Pramod Mehendi Artist ; Groom Wear - Carron NX Kalbadevi ; Pandit - Acharya Shrutiji (Mangalphere)
