Chicago, IL Indian Fusion Wedding
Originally Written & Posted by Maharani Weddings
Chicago, IL Indian Fusion Wedding
Photography by Emilia Jane Photography
These lucky guys didn't have just one wedding ceremony; they had two ceremonies hosted at The University of Chicago. During these ceremonies, they paid homage to their backgrounds and cultures right before having a banging reception party at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The entire celebration was an ode to beauty and flair, which reflected in the glamorous look of our gorgeous Maharani Anna. She looked like royalty thanks to The Bridal Beauty Team, whose talent and expertise in making brides look flawless for their big day is out of the question! And we want to give a big shoutout to Clementine Custom Events for the perfect planning and execution of this event, as it was a dream come true! And we can't forget about the mesmerizing decor crafted by Flowers for Dreams; anywhere you looked, it had perfection written all over the place. So, kudos on their outstanding job! If you don't want to miss any detail of this lovely celebration, head into our full gallery for more. You will love it and get tons of inspiring ideas from it!
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met at a senior analyst training for the consulting firm where we both worked. We could tell we both liked each other because we 'coincidentally' always found each other during breaks and meal times to talk and get to know each other.
I knew he was "the one" during the walk home on our first date. The whole evening felt perfect and neither of us wanted our time together to end.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We proposed to each other on our four year anniversary while hiking in the Pacific Northwest. Vikram proposed to me with a family heirloom ring after sunset in the Northern Cascade Mountains, getting down on one knee in our cabin by the fireplace (surrounded by roses!). I proposed to Vikram a few days later with my grandfather's ring (it still has my grandparents' initials and 1944 wedding date engraved inside!) at a quiet alpine lake outside of Vancouver.
Tell us how you went about planning your wedding, and your overall experience with the Venues, Hair & Makeup, Outfits, Decor Theme, and all of the other important details.
Our wedding planner - Suzy Sparacio from Clementine Custom Events in Chicago - is our hero. She was very supportive and understanding as we created the vision for our special day, and then made it a reality!
Our photographer - Emilia Jane - was able to balance moments of being clear & directive (e.g., large group photos) with blending into the background to capture intimate & candid moments throughout our special day.
Our florist - Flowers for Dreams - did a terrific job of bringing to life all aspects of our day from building our Mandap (and all associated floral) to magnificent centerpieces during our reception.
Hair & makeup - Rosie from The Bridal Beauty Team - ensured every woman in the wedding party felt like a queen.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
A dear friend of ours went above and beyond to support us while she was visiting family in South India. I'll never forget her and her mother WhatsApp video calling me with yards of gorgeous lenghas and sarees unfurled at a bustling shop in Coimbatore. For the saree, it was very important to me and my husband to wear a traditional South Indian wedding saree (red with gold embroidery).
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Our favorite part was tasting the food and cake. We are both foodies, and it was the moment in the planning process that made the wedding feel real. It made us very happy and excited to host and serve our loved ones this delicious food.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Our guests particularly loved the way that our wedding respected both of our cultures and reflected each of our personalities. From my childhood priest cracking jokes about us during the Episcopalian sermon to holding hands during the Saptapadi, the fabric of the day was woven from threads that represented our lives as individuals and as a blended family.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Vikram serenading me, singing along throughout our entire first dance (he is a classically trained singer, so this is a delightful treat!).
For events other than your ceremony, please tell us as much as you would like about the decor, style, dances, and all the special details.
String lights make any outdoor space immediately more romantic, warm, and welcoming.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
More than anything else, it is the presence of the people you love that makes your wedding day a joyous occasion. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to have everyone you love across all chapters of life come together to celebrate and support you & your spouse.
That is all for today, darlings. Don't forget to join us on Monday for more!
Hair & Makeup: The Bridal Beauty Team | Ceremony Venue: The University of Chicago | Reception Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art | Planning & Design: Clementine Custom Events | Photography: Emilia Jane Photography | Floral & Decor: Flowers for Dreams | Cake & Treats: Cake Chicago | Music: Cage and Aquarium
