
[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]
The wedding weekend unfolded through a thoughtfully curated palette that evolved with each celebration. The Haldi and Mehendi embraced marigold yellow as the hero hue, accented by soft pinks, warm oranges, and fresh greens for a look that felt joyful, sunlit, and celebratory. Our ceremony design embraced the natural beauty of the California vineyards. We chose a grounded floral arch, designed to stretch the full width of the aisle, creating a feeling of being surrounded by flowers without overwhelming the space. The aesthetic was refined and minimal, with soft, sun-washed neutrals, peaches, sage greens, and ivory that blended into the landscape rather than competing with it. The entrance of the mandap featured bowls of strung jasmine for guests to tuck into their hair, a gentle gesture of South Indian tradition woven into the moment. The mandap itself was designed to feel intentional and serene, a modern homage to South Indian minimalism.
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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]
Haldi & Mehendi – Garden Party Meets Haldi Celebration For the Haldi and Mehendi, the couple envisioned an atmosphere that felt bright, playful, and deeply rooted in togetherness. Designed as a joyful celebration of color, laughter, and family, the space transformed into a sun-soaked garden moment at the Ravenswood Historic Site. Fresh citrus, marigold garlands, trailing vines, and grounded floral arrangements brought warmth and texture to the gazebo, while the vibrant yellow palette layered with touches of pink, orange, and green felt both earthy and elegant. The result was a celebration that honored cultural tradition while embracing a relaxed, vintage California outdoor sensibility. Ceremony – South Indian Vineyard Romance Set against the natural beauty of Wente Vineyards, the ceremony design embraced restraint, intention, and serenity. A grounded floral arch stretched the full width of the aisle, creating the feeling of being surrounded by blooms without overwhelming the space. Soft peaches, sage greens, and sun-washed neutrals blended effortlessly into the vineyard landscape. As a meaningful nod to South Indian tradition, guests were welcomed with bowls of strung jasmine to tuck into their hair. The mandap itself was minimal and refined, a modern homage to South Indian design that allowed the rituals to take center stage. Reception – Starry Night Garden Gathering As the sun set, the vineyard transformed into a glowing evening celebration under the stars. The reception design centered on warmth, texture, and candlelight. Tables were styled with white florals, greenery, soft peach accents, and clusters of green grapes, paired with tall taper candles and glowing votives. Above the dance floor, twinkle lights formed a starry-sky canopy, creating an atmosphere that felt cinematic yet inviting. The overall effect was modern and romantic, refined but deeply welcoming, a garden gathering that felt both elevated and heartfelt.
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[field title=”Proposal Story”]
Ashwin planned what felt like a spontaneous fall weekend getaway, a quiet road trip from Chicago to South Haven, Michigan. Priyanka, who grew up in Michigan, had always said Lake Michigan was her favorite place in the world. They stayed in a cozy Airbnb tucked among trees turning shades of gold and amber, cooked dinner together, and spent the evening wrapped in blankets and movie glow. The next morning, standing along the edge of the lake with the wind soft and the waves steady, Ashwin got down on one knee and proposed. The rest of the weekend unfolded into joyful surprises: a local winery visit, late-night board games, and heartfelt celebrations with friends who traveled from near and far to share the moment.
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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]




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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]For the ceremony, Priyanka wore a traditional dark red Kanjivaram silk saree with gold zari and mayil (peacock) motifs- an iconic Tamil design that also held deep personal meaning, reflecting her mother’s family business emblem. She selected the saree alongside her mother in Chennai at the Kanakavalli flagship store in Chetpet, a space dedicated to preserving South Indian textile heritage. Inspired by her great-grandmother, Lakshmi Amma, granddaughter of philanthropist Raja Sir Ramaswami Mudaliar, Priyanka paired the saree with a regal high-neck blouse and heirloom temple jewelry. Her hair was styled in a sleek, center-parted bun wrapped in jasmine, completing a timeless South Indian bridal look that felt both powerful and deeply sentimental.
For the Haldi and Mehendi celebrations, the couple wore custom-designed ensembles by Anushree Reddy, chosen for their playful elegance and garden-inspired detailing. The colors and embroidery were selected to complement the bright outdoor setting and celebratory palette.
For the reception, Priyanka changed into a hand-embroidered lehenga by Varun Chakkilam, designed to catch the candlelight and glow under the evening sky. The look felt modern, elegant, and effortlessly romantic as the celebration carried into the night.
Ashwin embraced traditional South Indian attire for the ceremony, wearing a silk ivory kurta paired with a silk panchakacham styled in true Tamil fashion. Finished with a gold zari border, the look complemented Priyanka’s Kanjivaram saree beautifully. The groomsmen wore matching sage green kurtas with dhoti-style pants, a tribute to South Indian heritage that echoed the bridesmaids’ palette and created a cohesive visual balance. Each kurta featured hand-done embroidery custom-designed virtually with Paarsh, a menswear boutique in Kolkata—traditional, personal, and thoughtfully crafted.
For the reception, Ashwin changed into a classic black tuxedo, keeping the look timeless and refined as the evening transitioned into celebration.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]
For the ceremony, our bridesmaids wore Indian formal attire in a palette of soft, muted greens, inspired by the natural tones of the vineyard. We encouraged everyone to choose the silhouette that felt most true to them, sarees, lehengas, or anarkalis – so their individual style and comfort could shine. Our maids of honor wore warm ivory, creating a soft highlight. The result was cohesive, graceful, and deeply personal. Each woman looked like herself, yet together they formed the dreamiest wash of green textures and movement.
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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Ashwin wore a traditional silk ivory kurta paired with a silk readymade panchakacham, styled in true Tamil fashion. The panchakacham featured a gold zari border that beautifully complemented Priyanka’s kanjivaram saree, tying their looks together. The groomsmen wore matching sage green kurtas with dhoti-style pants as a tribute to our South Indian heritage—classic, elegant, and rooted in tradition. The color echoed the bridesmaids’ palette in a subtle, harmonious way, creating a soft visual balance. Each kurta featured hand-done embroidery, which we custom-designed virtually with Paarsh, a menswear boutique in Kolkata, making the outfits both personal and thoughtfully crafted. The result felt traditional yet modern, and the muted tones created a beautifully cohesive visual story across the wedding party.[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]



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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]







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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]
For the Haldi and Mehendi, we had a live brick-oven pizza station from Gigi’s Pizza, baking pies on demand with a mix of Italian classics and Indian-inspired flavors. To keep things refreshing in the California sun, we offered seasonal mocktails like Berry in Bloom and Mint to Be, which tied perfectly into the garden party vibe. The food and drinks felt fun, relaxed, and joyfully summed up exactly the energy we wanted for the afternoon. The wedding day began with a warm, comforting breakfast reminiscent of mornings in Chennai, such as soft idlis, crisp vadas, and steaming filter coffee. Lunch was filled with home-cooked flavors that invited everyone to slow down and savor. By evening, the reception shifted into a California meets India menu, with vibrant small plates like peri peri paneer tikka and lotus root chaat passed during cocktail hour. Dinner featured familiar favorites elevated with a fresh, West Coast sensibility – pesto naan alongside creamy curries and slow-simmered dals layered with herbs and warmth. To close, guests enjoyed a trio of playful, modern desserts, a sweet finish to a day that moved from nostalgic comfort to contemporary celebration. Our signature cocktail menu was designed to reflect our story and the places that shaped us. The Mumbai Margarita honored Ashwin’s hometown with a bright mango twist and a masala salt rim, while the Madras Kappi Martini, our South Indian take on the espresso martini, celebrated Priyanka’s birthplace and her love of strong, filter-style coffee. The Chi-Tini, with lychee and lime, was a playful nod to where we’ve built our life together in Chicago. For guests looking for something non-alcoholic, the Cranberry Fizz and Pakka Local Punch brought the same warmth and color, ensuring everyone had something festive in hand. It felt like the perfect blend of Mumbai, Madras, and Chicago gathered into one joyful toast.
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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]We wanted our florals to feel lush, natural, and in harmony with the landscape rather than overwhelming it. Working with Fluid Blooms, we focused on grounded arrangements, airy movement, and a palette of soft greens, peaches, blush, and ivory that echoed the vineyard around us. Just as important as the aesthetic was the intention behind it, we were committed to minimizing waste and ensuring that each arrangement had a second life throughout the day. Fluid Blooms thoughtfully designed every piece to be repurposed wherever it made sense, transitioning florals from the Mehendi to the Haldi, from the mandap to the welcome table, and finally into our reception tablescape, allowing the flowers to tell one continuous story from morning through night. It was a reminder of the importance of choosing vendors who share your values. Nikki went above and beyond to honor our vision, making the décor not only beautiful, but meaningful and quietly sustainable.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]
We opted not to have a cake.
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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]For the father-daughter dance, Priyanka was joined not only by her father but also by her mother, turning the moment into a shared celebration of family and gratitude. These collective dances became some of the most heartfelt moments of the evening, a beautiful reflection of the couple’s belief that marriage is not just the joining of two people, but of two families coming together as one.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]







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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Weekend Events”]

















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Photography: Natasha Gillett Photography | Event Planning: Utsav Events | Floral Design: FluidBloom Designs | Wedding Dress: the Kanakavalli Edit | Wedding Dress: Anushree Reddy Design | Wedding Dress: Kalki Fashions | Wedding Dress: Varun Chakkilam | Reception Venue: Wente Vineyards | Catering: Jalsa Catering | Catering: Roll With GiGi | DJ: Wicked Entertainment | Groomsmen's Attire: Paarsh | Beauty: Henna by Zeba Feroz | Beauty: Audra Langley | Rentals: Fine Linen Creations




















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































