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Moroccan + Middle Eastern-Themed Wedding in L . A .

Moroccan + Middle Eastern-Themed Wedding in L . A .

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Serena Gupta & Dayan Gandhi

January 4 | Los Angeles, CA

Photographed by: John Solano Photography

For senior school sweethearts Serena Gupta and Dayan Gandhi, marrying in conventional splendor that is indian their fantasy. “We had always desired a large, conventional Indian wedding with every one of the festivities and rituals that accompany it,” describes Serena. But, based on the bride, it had been similarly essential that particular updates be manufactured to those parties to mirror the contemporary preferences the couple stocks because of being raised in america. With five different activities set to occur more than a week-long duration, there were a good amount of possibilities to integrate their vibrant characters and contemporary lifestyles to the extensive party. The few enlisted assistance from both Square Root Designs and Nikki Khan of Exquisite occasions to keep the copious decoration and organizational details in balance.

Both families of the bride and groom hosted sangeets — pre-wedding events marked by music and dancing before the couple could be united as husband and wife. Dayan’s sangeet kicked from the wedding at his family’s home on December 29, 2006 week. The event were held beneath two clear-sided tents — one embellished in colors of orange, rust, and chocolate brown for the customary Indian meal, therefore the other done totally in white to generate an atmosphere that is lounge-like. Serena, her whole family that is extended and good friends caravanned from her house to Dayan’s, where in fact the ten-car processional ended up being greeted with a gathering of drum players. “we keep in mind being welcomed by my mom- and father-in-law and all sorts of their buddies and feeling like a princess,” she states.

At Serena’s sangeet the following evening, the bride place a spin on tradition by assigning the big event a Moroccan-meets-Middle Eastern theme, which harmonized well with all the Roosevelt resort’s distinctive architecture. The ballroom ended up being changed by way of a palette of jewel-toned “peacock colors,” stomach dancers, fortune tellers, a Middle Eastern-inspired buffet, plus a traditional moroccan tea solution. She also had a high profile DJ flown in from London when it comes to activity. “It ended up being more stunning than we ever thought it might be,” she gushes.

Four times later on, visitors collected at Serena’s home to take part in the mehndi, otherwise referred to as a “henna celebration.” Seated on cozy flooring pillows beneath swags of red, saffron, and fabric that is green Serena had her arms painted with old-fashioned scrolling designs while guests dined on Punjabi fare. Dayan’s mom additionally performed a flower ceremony, adorning her daughter-in-law that is future with jewels — a particularly cherished moment for the bride.

On 4, 2007, the day had finally arrived for Serena and Dayan to be married january. a carpet that is red unfurled on the street right in front of Serena’s house, plus the groom (arriving in a horse drawn carriage) along with his entourage paraded their method toward the home. The bride will always remember viewing the pageantry from an upstairs screen. “Traditionally, the groom and their family members are meant to result in the bride’s family delay so long as feasible and draw their arrival out. Therefore for nearly a full hour, they sang and danced outside the house before they came within the stairs into the entry.”

A tent on the grounds of the Gupta residence became a romantic Victorian wonderland for foreign brides the Hindu ceremony and celebratory dinner with the help of an infinite array of blush pink roses. The color that is soft and delicate decoration considered uncommon for an Indian wedding had been updates required by the few, therefore the lush, garden-like appearance supplied a dramatic comparison to your week’s past activities. Serena and Dayan took part in a few Hindu rituals throughout the ceremony and also included A western band change into the end of this procedures. The 280 guests then celebrated by having a seated vegetarian feast served from old-fashioned silver platters called thalis while being serenaded by intimate Hindi music.

The after evening, a last wedding dinner happened for 600 individuals in the Beverly Wilshire resort in Beverly Hills. It had been a party within the American that is contemporary sense plus the ballroom oozed with glitz and glamour, supplying just one more detour any way you like. The white-draped walls and white centerpieces had been accented by tips of crystal and silver; anything from Serena’s Indian lengha (gown) into the gemstone dessert topper lent an affect that is luminous the room. a mood that is energetic radiated for the space due to the fact big gathering took advantageous asset of the real time party music plus the slideshow of photos and movies (some with footage through the previous wedding parties) that Serena’s mom and sis put together for the few.

With many activities, the possible for heightened quantities of anxiety has been great, but Serena surely could nip any stress when you look at the bud during the start of her preparation experience. “In our tradition, a marriage is a union of two families, not merely a couple. The next I happened to be in a position to relinquish some control and appreciate this, every thing went much smoother.” She continues on to express, concerning the fundamental role her moms and dads played within the whirlwind wedding week, “they certainly were certainly the people ensuring every thing went efficiently. They worked quite difficult which will make my fantasies be realized.”

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