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Hindu Wedding Ceremony
Meena and Austin
Planner: Laura Ferreyra and Cinthia Rochez | Grand Cayman Marriott
Decor: Dora Feher | Celebrations
Officiant: Yogesh Awasthi and Joy Basdeo | Meena’s Grandfather (very special)
Cake Maker: Chef Bala | Marriott
Colors: Navy, Forest Green, Gold. Kind of ended up being a little magical forest Lord of the Rings at the wedding reception
Guests: 145
Photographer Partner: Jenna Leigh Photography (love ya girl!)
Flowers: greenery, white and pink roses, baby’s breath
Brilliant jewel tones for the Sangeet on Saturday, Magical Forest/Midsummer Night’s Dream for the Reception on Sun
Live Music: Steel‑drum band
Meena’s red wedding lehenga is from Meena Bazaar in Delhi, Austin’s blue wedding sherwani is from Poshak in Houston
Vendor Shoutout: Mehendi: Shilpa Meena’s Sunday morning diamond and ruby set: Joyalukkas, given as a wedding gift from Meena’s maternal grandparents Meena’s Sunday morning shoes: Michael Kors Bridesmaid saris: Meena Bazaar Groomsmen kurtas: Poshak
My parents and I had gone to India for a wedding in January 2016. I hadn’t even been dating Austin a full year at that point, so wedding dresses weren’t the first thing on my mind, but they weren’t last either! While my dad was in meetings, my mom and I went shopping. And the clothing there is just exquisite. It was one of our last days in Delhi before our flight home, and we popped into Meena Bazaar (I’ve always had an affinity for the store, because what a great name, you know?) just to squeeze one more look in. I saw the lehenga in the back, wedged between some other bridal clothes, and I gravitated toward it because of the delicate work. It wasn’t gaudy or overly extravagant, but it was elegant, timeless, soft, unique. Honestly, I didn’t even know I wanted to wear red for my wedding, I used to think it was too traditional. I held it against my body, I asked to try it on, and I felt my heart do something funny. If that wasn’t enough of a sign, I saw my mom’s reflection in the mirror, and the way she looked at me told me I had picked the right one.
AUSTIN’S SIDE: “The first time I really met Meena was at a Y2K party at a mutual friend’s house. I had seen her before at school events, but had never plucked up the courage to talk to her. Regardless of the event, Meena is always the life of the party, so one can imagine how difficult it was for me to finally man up enough to get her to notice me. Ultimately, my plan worked, and the night ended with a kiss from our girl. Fast forward a few months (in which Meena and I did not communicate) to the annual LBJ School spring prom. I wasn’t planning to go until I got a call from a friend asking where I was. I begrudgingly pulled on my best suit and made my way to venue. I figured I would make a quick appearance, have a couple of drinks, and be back home by 10. Needless to say, I was wrong. Upon entering the bar, the first (and only) person I talked to was Meena. She looked AMAZING. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. We danced and flirted and I didn’t want the party to end. We made vague plans to go to another bar after the prom, but when I got there Meena was nowhere to be found. Crestfallen, I left the bar to go home when I remembered Meena mentioned something about doughnuts. I raced over to the Gourdough’s next door on 5th and held my breath as I opened the door. There she was, sitting at the bar alone, about to dig into a hot glazed doughnut. I walked over and sat down next to her. The rest is history.” – Austin”
MEENA’S SIDE: “I left LA with an apprehensive heart, ready to be a new person in a new city and a new school with new pencils and new goals. I had no idea I’d meet a man who loved me the way I was, who brought me back to simple things that had always warmed my heart, who reminded me that I loved to write, loved to play, loved to learn, loved to laugh, loved to love. Austin and I met over whisky and thin mints and donuts. We became friends over barbeque and the Beatles and kayaks. We fell in love over Hercules and swing sets and charcuterie plates. We were magnetic. Austin is more than I knew to ask for, more than I thought I deserved. He is considerate and supportive, always thinking of others. He is full of ideas and plans, up for adventures, excited to explore and discover. Loud and confident, he fits in easily with my family. He called my mother “Mama” the first time he talked to her on the phone. Most importantly, Sophie thinks he’s an okay dude. He loves music the way I do, deep in his being. One morning, maybe a week or so after we started dating, he put on a Rolling Stones record, handed me his favorite Ray Carver story, lit a candle, and poured a perfect bowl of milk and cereal for me. And I felt it – he was my one. I was almost afraid to tell people how taken I was in case they thought I was getting carried away. In case I was making it up. But his eyes told me we were for real, that I could let go and he’d catch me. So I said okay. And then I said I love you. And then I said yes, of course. And on July 2, 2017, I said I do.”
Growing up, my family summered in Grand Caymans every year around my parents’ anniversary (July 5th). Often my aunt’s family would plan their vacation at the same time, and we’d rent villas next to each other for a week or so, playing in the water and devouring chocolate rum cake. I was enchanted by the way the sun spilled onto the Caribbean, and the way I felt sitting on the beach with my family, quiet and content. With Austin, I discovered such a beautiful, pure, organic love, and we couldn’t think of a better backdrop to celebrate our happiness than Seven Mile Beach.
How would you describe your overall wedding experience?
A literal fairytale. Like something out of my childhood dreams. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Love and let love, let go where you can, and everything will fall into place. Just be sure to smile the whole time!
Be candid, be true to yourself. Poses are nice, but it is so special to look at a photograph and feel the unadulterated love Tell your photographer if there are any pictures you really, really want, if there are any people you’d like special focus on, if there are parts of the ceremony that are more important to you. Other than that, trust your photographer to make you look and feel like a princess.
How was your experience taking photos/working with me on your wedding day?
Rebecca was wonderful and easy to work with. She is intuitive, kind, motivating, and energetic, and she made posing for pictures seem like privilege instead of a chore.
meena’s side: “december 27, 2016: today i got engaged. there is a diamond ring on my left hand. i am a fiancée. i mean a feyoncé. i mean affianced. i mean i am going to spend the rest of my life with this man who loves me so much he gave me a ring of gold adorned with shiny rocks. and he asked me to marry him – in the way i appreciated and needed of my life partner. mama suggested we get our nails done, probably the ultimate tip off, but i chose to believe it was because she wanted to hang out. the fog was so heavy ‑ on the way down to galveston, i said, the night is swallowing me. it felt like any direction you drove would be the end, you’d drive right off of planet earth into the deep space. we get to galveston and everyone is a little bit too interested in which dress i wear. secret santa is coming to a close, everyone’s presents are opened except one: a box mama’s holding, coming toward me with it, telling me it’s a special present for finishing my first semester of medical school. at first glance, i really truly think it’s one of those crystal bowls for lemon drops (fine with me). i unwrap it, i untie it, another box. i untie that one, too, and there’s an even smaller box. earrings? i open that one and my brain sees diamonds, sees everyone closing in on me, in on the whole plan, sees my sweetheart on one knee, sweating and clearly forgetting every sweet thing he’s prepared. – will you marry me – yes, yes, yes you may kiss this bride-to-be
I was so ready – I just wanted to fly into his arms. But I kept it together, each step deliberate and measured, as I made my way toward my love, surrounded by love, full of love.
(PHOTOGRAPHER) – So the moment Meena walked down the aisle and was about to step up to the Mandap, Austin couldn’t hold in the emotions…. and I don’t think there was many dry eyes including mine.
– The impromptu rehearsal dinner that turned into the first of three AMAZING dance parties. – The 6‑7 hours I spent on the couch in the Marriott lobby waiting for my bridal Mehendi (henna) to be applied and to dry. At first, Shilpa, our mehendi lady, suggested we go upstairs for the application. I think my face fell a little at the thought of being alone for so long, and she immediately started fixing up a comfy little corner in the hotel lobby for me to sit. Even though I was basically immobile, I had such a wonderful time. My couch was right next to the front desk, and this was on Thursday so we had about 50 guests arriving that evening! I got to welcome them and everyone stopped by to hug me/take selfies with me/slip me a little of their welcome drink. In fact, I recall my dad coming over with his freshly acquired blueberry margarita. He gave me a sip, and then another, and then one more – let’s just say it was gone by the time he got up. – We (my mother and I) had originally decided to keep the Haldi (turmeric) ceremony as clean as possible, meaning guests would judiciously dab turmeric on our hands and maybe our cheeks. Austin and I sat next to each other as a line formed, and one by one people gave us their blessings. The clean dabbing was going well until it was my dad’s turn. With a mischievous smile, he dipped his whole hand in the turmeric paste, unbuttoned Austin’s kurta, and smeared haldi all over his face and chest. All bets were off, and everyone followed suit. The ceremony ended, and covered in yellow, we ran into the ocean for some Trash the Dress pictures. The whole morning was so cleansing – even the turmeric. – Hearing his vows and reading my own, watching his face as I read them. – Signing our actual legal marriage document, alongside our dads, in the Marriott’s towel hut after the Sunday morning ceremony. – Not only did we do a father‑daughter dance to Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, but my beautiful mother and I shared a first dance as well to Taylor Swift’s Best Day. And I will never, never forget dancing with her. – Practicing for the Sangeet with the most important ladies in my life. Watching my whole family dance their hearts out for us at the Sangeet! – Listening to my sweet brothers serenade us – my brother Arjun sang You’ve Got a Friend by James Taylor and my brother Raaghav sang You’ll Be In My Heart by Phil Collins. – The eleven (!!) incredibly thoughtful, perfect, poignant, and often hilarious speeches at the reception dinner. – I loved seeing everyone so happy. How special it was to walk out onto the beach or wander into the lobby and see your favorite people in the whole world, tanned and relaxed, there to celebrate your love and having a wonderful vacation in the process.
‐ MANDAP (CANOPIED ALTAR) For the ceremony, the priest, bride, groom, and their parents sit beneath a mandap symbolizing the home the couple will make For the ceremony, the priest, bride, groom, and their parents sit beneath a mandap symbolizing the home the couple will make together.
‐ JAIMALA (FLORAL GARLAND) The couple exchanges floral garlands to symbolize their acceptance of each other.
‐ KANYADAAN (GIVING THE BRIDE’S HAND TO THE GROOM) The bride’s parents place the bride’s hand above the groom’s hand with the parents’ hands between the two. Water is poured into the bride’s hand. As the bride’s parents’ hands slowly move away, the bride’s hands are left in the groom’s hands, with the water flowing through her fingers and into the hand of her groom. The end of the groom’s scarf is then tied in a knot to the bride’s sari with betel nuts, copper coins, and rice, symbolizing unity, prosperity, and happiness. The knot represents the eternal bond of marriage. The couple vows to treat others with respect love, compassion, and sympathy. They also pledge to show goodwill and affection to each other’s families.
‐ THE KALASHA (METAL CONTAINER) The kalasha is considered to be a symbol of abundance and the “source of life.” It is placed in front of the havan, the fire pit at the center of the mandap. The metal pot references fertility, and the coconut embodies prosperity and power.
‐ VIVAH HAVAN (LIGHTING OF THE SACRED FIRE) The sacred fire or agni is lit by the bride and groom in the center of the mandap to mark the start of a new household. Fire symbolizes the divine presence as a witness of the ceremony. “It is not for me” is repeated throughout the ceremony, emphasizing the virtue of selflessness in marriage.
‐ SAAT PHERE (SEVEN CIRCLES) The bride and groom have their garments tied together in a knot and make seven circles around a ceremonial fire. The bride, representing divine energy, leads the groom in the first three rounds, while the groom leads in the last four rounds, signifying balance and completeness. 1. Together we will live with respect for one another. 2. Together we will develop mental, physical and spiritual balance. 3. Together we will prosper, acquire wealth and share our accomplishments. 4. Together we will acquire happiness, harmony and knowledge through mutual love. 5. Together we will raise strong, virtuous children. 6. Together we will be faithful to one another and exercise self‐restraint and longevity. 7. Together we will remain lifelong partners.
‐ LAJA‐HOMAH (PUFFED RICE) After each round around the fire, the bride’s brother places rice grains in her hands, signifying his pledge to always support and protect her and to show his support and blessings for her husband. When they return to their seats, the bride will move to sit on the groom’s left side, taking the closest possible position to the groom’s heart.
‐ SINDOOR (VERMILLION) Finally, the groom will apply sindoor, a red powder, to the part in the bride’s hair, symbolizing she’s now a married woman.
‐ MANGALSUTRA AND GOLD BANGLES Gold bangles and the mangalsutra, a black and gold necklace with a gold or diamond pendant, symbolize good luck, love, and friendship. They are presented to the bride from the groom’s mother. In Sanskirt, mangala translates to sacred and sutra to thread. The groom places the mangalsutra around the bride’s neck, gold bangles on her wrists, and applies sindoor (also known as kumkum) to her hair part. These offerings signify the groom’s devotion to his bride and the bride’s new status as a married woman.
‐ BICCHIYA (TOE RINGS) Another symbol of marriage, the bicchiya are placed on the bride’s toes by the bride’s sister.
‐ EXCHANGING OF RINGS Following the offering of the Mangalsutra, the ring exchange symbolizes the couple’s unconditional love and commitment to each other through life’s challenges, in times of happiness and sorrow alike.
‐ AASHIRVAAD ‐ BLESSINGS FOR THE MARRIED COUPLE The couple receives their final blessings from the priest and their parents. The guests shower the newlywed couple with flowers and rice to wish them a long and happy marriage.
‐ Trust the vendors! They probably do this all the time, and they’ve seen it all. ‐ Without a formal wedding planner, my mother and I organized and accomplished a destination wedding with 150 guests in just six months. Clearly, anything is possible with the right mindset! ‐ Communication is key. Remember to be honest, courteous, respectful, and most of all, exible! At the end of the day, everyone just wants to make your dreams come true.
Dora of Celebrations- She was so easy and fun to work with and understood our vision DJ Craig of One World- Kept everyone dancing! Steel Drum- Magical tropical vibes at the wedding lunch Hair by Jackie Soriano and Pasquale Makeup by Jackie Soriano, Stephanie Ford and Sally Woodham Henna- Shilpa: just incredibly nice and so fast! Videography by Picture This- Amazing and attentive Photography- Rebecca Davidson and Jenna Leigh- The best! The Marriott Staff: Chef Bala and Banquet Staff at the Marriott- Exquisite food! Cinthia and Laura were absolutely the best in the world, so caring and helpful 24/7
How did you find your photographer? Online research? Word of mouth?
Cinthia Rochez of the Marriott recommended Rebecca Davidson as the best, so we reached out to her, but she was not available. Luckily, we tried one more time and she was able to accommodate us along with the help of Jenna Leigh. Rebecca loves Indian weddings and was a joy to work with at every event. Her children were a delight at the photo booth and Jenna also captured some beautiful moments. Rebecca’s reputation precedes her and everyone agrees that she is indeed the best!
First dance: I Will by the Beatles Father‐daughter: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Mother‐Son: My Wish by Rascal Flatts Mother‐daughter: The Best Day by Taylor Swift
Did you find a store/site that had everything you were looking for?
You can include where you got your dress, sites you got your veils/décor/accessories, etc.
Meena Bazaar, Poshak, Rani Boutique – all were amazing!
