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The Reception aka PARTY!

written by Parita 8 Comments

Sadly, this is my last wedding post!  It’s been so much fun looking back on all of the events and sharing the details.  At least I have it all documented here on the blog…for those nostalgic days. 

With that, here’s our reception recap…

Vishnu and I only had an hour to rest before we had to get ready for the reception.  Talk about exhaustion!

I headed back to the conference room to get my hair and makeup done.  I must give a shout out to my makeup artist, Cabby at Adamo Artistry, because she was absolutely amazing.  I would recommend her to anyone getting married in the Atlanta area – so professional, friendly, and talented!  The way she did my eyes for the reception blew me away!  She took the main colors from my outfit and blended them together perfectly.  LOVE!

Once Vishnu and I were both ready, we met with our photographers for a pre-reception photo session.  And after that, it was cocktail hour time!  Many couples don’t go to cocktail hour, but Vishnu and I wanted to spend time with the people who made the effort to be with us on our special day.

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Once all of the guests headed into the ballroom, the MCs (our friends Sweeti and Samir) began the program with family introductions.  Vishnu’s parents entered first, followed by my grandparents (they were so cute and so proud).  My parents went next, and they surprised the audience with a choreographed dance.  Talk about cute!  They practiced for weeks!  Next up was Vishnu’s brother who walked in to “I’m Sexy and I Know It.”  My sister followed him and walked in to “Yeah” by Usher.  They both wore sunglasses and broke it down on their way in!

Next up came me and Lil’ Jon…

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Haha!  Vishnu and I walked into “Snap Yo Fingers.”  Vishnu channeled his inner Lil’ Jon…Rasta wig and all!  Vishnu’s cousin posted a video of our entrance on Facebook, and I want to share it on the myinnershakti page but have no clue how….help!? 

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The rest of the program was so much fun!  First, we shared the love story video that was filmed weeks prior (it basically gave our guests an inside look into our relationship).  Again, I wish I could post it here but have no clue how.  There were also touching speeches, Bollywood dances, and a hilarious skit put on by our friends.  It was amazing to see how much effort people put in to ensure that our reception was a true reflection of us. 

Next came dinner and then…dancing!  Everyone was on the dance floor at one point or another, even my grandparents!  Both Vishnu and I had an absolute blast dancing the night away with our favorite people!  It truly was a night to remember!

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Now that I think about it, there will be one more wedding post – call it the finale if you will.  Once our professional pictures come in, I want to share them and showcase Amy and Brandon’s beautiful work. 

Aww…wedding recap posts are officially done. Boo!

Hope you’ve enjoyed!

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Next up, DC for a work trip.  Vishnu will be joining me this weekend.  We plan on spending time with friends, exploring new parts of the city. AND eating yummy food!  Can’t wait!  Our first trip as a married couple…woot!

Written on August 3, 2012 Related:Indian culture, Wedding Planning

The Wedding…We Do!

written by Parita 20 Comments

On June 30, 2012, I married the love of my life! 

The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and perfect in every way.  Getting married is a lot of fun!

I woke up at 5:45 am, took a quick shower, and headed downstairs to get ready in a specially designated conference room.  The makeup artist did my makeup while the stylist worked on my sister’s hair.  Such a fun process.  My mom joined us two hours into the morning and watched with such happiness in her eyes.  She was so cute! 

Because I knew that by the end of the wedding ceremony I would be a huge mess, Vishnu and I decided to do a “first look” and pictures before everything officially started.  Seeing each other before the ceremony goes against tradition, but honestly, it was the best decision we made.  It wasn’t too hot, my makeup was fresh, and it was actually a great way to relieve any stress that we were feeling.

A preview picture Amy, the photographer, sent me a few weeks ago…

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After our photo session with our siblings and my bridesmaids, we parted ways.  Vishnu headed to a pre-wedding religious ceremony with his family, and I headed back to the conference room to hang out and eat lunch.

Around noon, some of my bridesmaids headed outside to see what was happening with the baraat. 

Let me explain…

Vishnu and his family and friends all met in the back of the parking lot where a horse carriage was waiting for them.  Once Vishnu’s side made it to the front of the hotel, they were greeted by my  family.  Before heading to the ballroom, everyone danced to Bollywood music.  And get this, it was over 100 degrees that day.  Some of our friends were soaked in sweat.  That’s how you know it was a good baraat.

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Before Vishnu was officially welcomed by my family, he and and his friends did a pre-game chant.  For those of you who are football fans, the chant was inspired by Drew Brees.  The only difference between Vishnu and Drew was that Vishnu chanted about his shoes.

This brings me to another fun tradition – stealing the grooms shoes.  I have no clue how this one started, but the basic gist is that the bride’s side has to steal the groom’s shoes and keep them hidden until the end of the ceremony.  If they are successful in doing so, the groom has to pay them big bucks.  Vishnu ended up dishing out $210 for his shoes – my side prevailed!  It was quite the fight though…

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And yes, that is Vishnu’s brother lying on the floor.  I don’t even know.

Anyways, before I knew it, it was my time to enter the ballroom.  Vishnu’s little cousins, the flower girls, led the procession.  Next came the most amazing bridesmaids ever!  And then it was my turn!

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I had been dreaming of that walk down the aisle for as long as I can remember.  And it was better than I ever imagined – I can’t even put into words what I was thinking and feeling.  I just know that I’ll never forget it.  Ever.

Once I made my way into the mandap (an Indian altar), the pandit (priest) performed a number of ceremonies, including the giving away of the bride by her parents (Kanyadaan), walking around the fire, and taking the seven steps together.  And just like that, we were declared husband and wife!!!

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Before I knew it, the group pictures were over, and it was time for the vidai (the bride’s farewell).  Vidais are incredibly sad, and mine was no different.  I cried…a lot!  So did my family, especially my mom.  Even though I’m still my parents’ daughter and my sister’s sister and everything else I was before, it was an emotional moment that marked my new role in life, that of a wife, daughter- in-law and sister-in-law. 

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After the vidai, Vishnu and I headed up to the honeymoon suite to relax for an hour or so before the reception madness began…

One more wedding recap to go!

Written on August 1, 2012 Related:Indian culture, Wedding Planning

Engagement Pictures

written by Parita 44 Comments

For me, selecting the perfect wedding photographer was one of the biggest decisions we had to make, second only to the venue.  I spent hours emailing friends, researching on my own, and calling a number of different photographers before Vishnu and I made a decision.

My sister actually sent me a link to Amy’s blog and told me to take a look because she thought I would appreciate the style.  And she was right, I loved it – the pictures captured something beyond smiles and laughter, they captured love and happiness…exactly what I was looking for.  I contacted Amy and the rest is history.  Her genuine kindness put me to ease.  We talked for over an hour, and after that first conversation, I knew she was the one.  It was so exciting! 

Amy and her husband, Brandon, work together as a team when shooting.  Vishnu and I had a blast with them during our engagement session.  They made us feel comfortable and let us do our own thing a lot of the time which made the process a lot easier, since neither Vishnu nor I are models!

I absolutely cannot wait until the wedding.  I know Amy and Brandon are going to do an amazing job, especially after seeing how they took two total goofballs and made them look good. Winking smile

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What do you think?  Do Vishnu and I have model potential?!  Ha!

 

Written on March 20, 2012 Related:Relationships, Wedding Planning

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