Stunning Indian/American Wedding at Bella Collina. Wow, I love to learn new things and this for sure was a hands on learning-planning experience.
Indian weddings are traditionally a multi-day affair, and involve many intricate ceremonies, such as the mehndi. Garlands are presented to guests of honor instead of corsages, and lots of flower or rose petals are thrown for good luck.
Starting off with Mehndi.
This is the welcome party the day before the wedding and let me tell you it explodes in a variety of beautiful colors and textures. This day is traditionally reserved for the bride-to-be, her closest friends and family members.
The main purpose of this event is the application of bridal mehndi, or henna design, to her hands and feet. Tradition says the deeper the color turns out, the happier the bride and groom's marriage will be.
The next day after the Mehndi we went into Pithi Ceremony. I got to say everyones outfit was over the top, colorful and such delicate, yet rich Hindu textiles. Oh I Loved it!
Although we skipped some traditional steps along the ceremony process. We started with the Baarat where the groom makes his entrance with a calvary of men, its a whole show and super nice to be part of it. Followed by the bride entering with another entourage. "This whole first part feels like being part of a parade, for a celebration of love, its beautiful".
Then we proceed with the Milni (the groom is given a token of good luck from the parents of the bride) and Kanyadaan (offering of the bride to the groom) followed by the blessings and the Talambralu a religious rutial which consist on the couple to shower each other with rice (in this case use flower petals), saffron and turmeric. This symbolizes fertility, prosperity and happiness for the couples future.
After this eventful ceremony, we are on for an even more eventful reception evening The Sangeet. Where the family comes together to sing, dance, and revel in the joy of the upcoming union. Fittingly, sangeet directly translates to "sung together." Each side of the family sings a traditional folk song to welcome the other, and family members may even give full-blown performances in celebration and cheeky competition just as they did here, this is Epic!
Okay now less words more pics on the wedding decor, food and venue. They were all stunning and complementing well with the rich Red Saree my bride was wearing. You may ask why red, well other than she looks extremely beautiful, in the Hindu culture, it means new beginnings, passion, and prosperity. Red also represents the Hindu goddess Durga, who symbolizes new beginnings and feminine power. You go girl!
Venue: Bella Collina
Floral: The Coffee Garden Orlando
Photos: Isabel Belfor photography
Planning, Design & Decor: Vogue Affairs Weddings
To be continued for the American Day, the continuation of the multi-day celebration of love.