Beautifully Personalised, European Inspired Wedding With The Most Unique Vidai

When a couple goes the extra mile to personalise their wedding, you know it has to be extra special. From the European inspired themes at every event to the small little details that added so much charm and whimsy to their nuptials, Priya and Neil's wedding was definitely like no other! But the takeaway from their wedding definitely has to be their unique vidai- we haven't seen one like this, and that too done so tastefully! Take a look at this wedding which is a treasure trove of beautiful ideas.

Meet Priya and Neil

Who would have imagined that chemistry could be so romantic?!

Our worlds collided long before we were aware of it. Funny enough, Neil’s dentist ever since he was little was my dad. One day Neil went in for a regular dental check up while home from college for winter break. While getting his cleaning, my dad, known for his inquisitive nature, asked what he did at Boston University (since simply being a student was not enough). After finding out Neil was a chemistry learning assistant, he quickly mentioned how his daughter was struggling in chemistry. In the hallowed halls of Boston University, circa 2013, destiny quietly orchestrated a meeting between our souls. According to Neil, I caught his attention with a single glance, and from that moment, our lives intertwined in a mesmerizing dance. After a few chemistry tutoring sessions, the rest was history. As we delved deeper into their relationship, exploring the depths of their connection, a remarkable revelation came to light. It turned out that our grandfathers had been dear friends in India, a connection that neither of us could have fathomed when we first met. Their roots extended beyond their lifetimes and stretched generations across oceans and continents. While my dad always jokes “I wanted you to help my daughter with chemistry but not that type of chemistry,” my family could not be happier that I found my soulmate in Neil.

About The Wedding

Our wedding took place on May 8, 2023. The wedding events unfolded with a central theme- a tour of Europe, inspired by our shared love for the place where they had spent numerous vacations together. We aimed to recreate the ambiance of our favorite European destinations for their guests, using the Tuscan-inspired villa as the perfect backdrop.

Welcome Party

The first stop on this European journey was Italy, featured during the Welcome Party. The venue was transformed into an Italian market with string lights illuminating the space. Food stations were designed as individual markets, adorned with herbs, fruits, and vegetables. The tables were covered in beautiful yellow-patterned tablecloths reminiscent of Italy. As guests made their way through the gardens to the party location, they passed a fountain, mimicking the Trevi Fountain. Coins were distributed to guests upon arrival, inviting them to make wishes—a warm and exciting welcome.

Wedding

The second stop was France. We wanted to take advantage of the beautiful outdoor landscape of the venue and incorporate the natural surroundings in an organic way. A tree served as a natural focal point, adorned with vibrant and rare flowers, creating a non-traditional mandap for the couple. The incorporation of nature's beauty into the decor was seamless and enchanting.

Moving on to Spain, the cocktail hour embraced a theme of romance. The decor exuded sensuality with reds, roses, and candles. The atmosphere was enhanced by musicians playing Bossa Nova music on the keys and guitar, capturing the romantic vibe of Spain.

Reception

Barcelona took the spotlight as the fourth stop. Inspired by the architecture of the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, the reception exuded a dark, moody, and almost gothic feel. Exotic florals with rich, dark colors adorned the tables, and large candelabras created a striking backdrop on the stage, echoing the captivating essence of Barcelona's iconic basilica. 

From The Bride

The highlight of our wedding was undeniably the send-off, or vidai. Having attended numerous weddings where the vidai was marked by tears and sorrow, we aimed for a different experience. For us, this moment symbolized the thrilling beginning of their journey as a married couple—a time filled with happiness and joy. Determined to convey this sentiment, we orchestrated a unique and exhilarating send-off: lifting off into the air on a hot air balloon. It was a breathtaking and symbolic gesture, capturing the essence of what we like to call a "Higher Love."

Vendor Reviews

Venue: Glenmere Mansion in Hudson Valley, NY

When trying to find the perfect venue, we thought of what was most important to us. Our dream was to get married in Europe, as we had spent many vacations there and had fallen in love with European culture. However, it was equally important for us to have all of our family and friends present, including our grandmas who would not have been able to travel too far. Lucky enough, we stumbled upon the perfect venue- a Tuscan- inspired villa nestled in the heart of Hudson Valley! When we visited this venue, we felt transported back to Europe with the venue's beautiful architecture, picturesque surroundings, and stunning gardens. We knew instantly that this was where we would get married. The staff at Glenmere Mansion were also very pleasant and made the process very easy for us.

Makeup Artist: Glow by Affan (Affan Malik)

Affan is truly an artist. He has such a keen eye for beauty and esthetics and was able to make me look beautiful for my wedding. But most importantly, he was so fun and pleasant to work with. Having a makeup artist that you can laugh with on your wedding day and can calm your nerves is so important. He was so patient with me and made me feel so happy, comfortable, and confident.

Photography: Ushna Khan

Ushna is so incredibly talented and we were so thrilled to work with her. She has such a strong eye for detail and takes so much passion in her work. She was able to capture all of the raw and organic moments of our wedding. When we received our photos a few months ago, we got butterflies watching them. The way she edited the photos and made them all feel so cohesive with the venue was so impressive. We cannot rave enough about her and her work.

Vendors: Venue: Glenmere Mansion in Hudson Valley, NY | Makeup Artist: Glow by Affan (Affan Malik) | Hair: Luxe Beauty | Photography: Ushna Khan | Wedding Planning: Premini | Decor: Cerka Creative | Bridal Outfits: Oscar de la Renta (Welcome Party), Sabyasachi (Wedding), Amit Aggarwal (Reception) | Groomwear: Enzo (Welcome Party & Reception), Options (Wedding) | Wedding Invites & Stationary: Niru and Baku | DJ- DJ Shilpa | Lighting- Trifecta | Catering- CGA (chef Guarav Anand) |