I usually reserve this for the end, but I’m giving you the link to the full image gallery right up front. Because I need you to promise me you will set aside your entire lunch break to dissect it. This Ontario Hindu/Jewish/Christian Fusion wedding, captured by Rowell Photography, is so good it needed two ceremonies. And as much as I tried, I just couldn’t really do the absolute gorgeousness complete justice. That’s why you need to spend as much time as you can with the gallery. See you there!
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Click here to see the full image gallery!
Neil and I met in high school. We became friends first, but it was soon apparent to all of our friends that we should be dating. After working up the nerve, Neil finally asked me out and we’ve been together ever since. Not everyone thought that high school sweethearts would last, but nine years later we were getting married.
Being a wedding planner, I’ve planned countless weddings and events for my clients, so I felt fully prepared to put together my big day. I soon realized how different it can be when it’s your own wedding! Instead of having to reign in my client’s wishes and dreams, it was now my own! Luckily, I got to work with some amazing vendors who helped me bring my vision to life, so on the day I could just enjoy every moment. Neil’s family is Hindu, while my family has both Christian and Jewish sides to it. Trying to bring out all the sides of our cultural and religious backgrounds in a mixed wedding while still honouring their traditions, was one of the more fun challenges of putting together our big day. I think this was also probably one of our guest’s favourite aspects of the wedding. My guests were wowed by all the colour and extravagance of the Indian portions, while we also got to show off some fun Jewish traditions.
I was surprisingly calm the morning of the wedding while my bridesmaids and I got ready at my house. It wasn’t until very close to ceremony time, that I started to get nervous. Normally on wedding days I’m the one in charge to make sure things are running smoothly. Today it was out of my hands; and on the biggest day of my life nonetheless! We started off the day with our Canadian ceremony under the tent at the beautiful Angus Glen Golf Club (the site of all the day’s festivities). As I walked down the aisle on my father’s arm, in between glances at my groom, I tried my best to take in all of my guests. I felt so loved as I saw all the happy smiles and tears from my friends and family. We ended the ceremony in the traditional Jewish manner, with Neil stepping on the glass to a chorus of “Mazel Tov” from the guests.
After some very hot family and bridal party portraits (and I’m not just talking about the people – it was blazing hot outside!), it was on to Wedding Ceremony two! As a proper Hindu bride, I had to get ready and change into my gorgeous plum and pink coloured Indian wedding dress and wait for the ceremony while the fun started outside. Neil, surrounded by his friends and family, looked like an Indian prince while riding a magnificent white horse to greet my waiting family. Despite the heat, Neil’s entourage was dancing up a storm to the beat of the Dhol player. Soon they were ready for me, and I made my walk down the aisle on the terrace, surrounded by my bridesmaids. It meant a lot to have them by my side to share in the special moment. The Hindu ceremony under the colourful Mandap was quite a different experience from the first. There are many steps in the much longer ceremony, and the Hindu Priest made sure to involve the family members in many aspects of the interactive ritual.
After a cocktail hour featuring both Indian and Canadian hors d’oeuvres, we were ready to get the party started. Guests had a laugh at our UFC inspired wedding video for the bridal party entrances. As big Mixed Martial Arts fans, Neil and I then entered with Neil wearing an official UFC belt. I think he definitely felt like a champion as we both danced our way onto the dance floor. Instead of being seated, we then encouraged our guests to come join the party! We followed this with the traditional Jewish Hora, where Neil and I were lifted up in our chairs while our guests circled us.
After working up an appetite, it was time to enjoy our sit down four course meal. Guests were offered entree choices between Canadian dishes, and fusion-style plated Indian dishes, so everyone got to try something they desired! We wanted our guests to really feel special, so we had the menus personalized with each guest’s name at the top. In between courses, after all the heart warming speeches were done, we then had fun watching a Bollywood dance performance by The Wedding Choreographers.
My main inspiration for the theme of the day was colour. It was an elegant and stylish affair showcasing the colours purple, silver and white through most aspects of the wedding. My bridesmaids looked stunning in their individualized eggplant cocktail dresses, while the groomsmen were able to choose their own slim black suits to go with the silver skinny ties we gave them. I also had purple shoes underneath my wedding dress, but my favourite of my accessories was my custom made hair fascinator – a beautiful ivory flower! Most of the real flowers for the day were a creamy white, seen in the bouquets and the centrepieces, while our first ceremony’s carnation pomanders were a bright purple.
One of my favourite parts of the wedding was the candy table I designed featuring only purple, white and silver candies and chocolates. It was a huge hit amongst the guests who filled their goody bags with tons of treats!
Although I had many fantastic vendors to pull off my day, I also couldn’t have done it without the help of my friends and family. My DIY projects, like my homemade card box, popcorn bag favours, program fans and seating chart, would not have turned out the way they did without the help of some great friends. As a wedding planner, I definitely had my dream wedding, though as much as I loved all the details of the day, my favourite part overall was being surrounded by the love and support of all of our guests. I’ve never felt happier than when we were surrounded by all our loved ones, making this a day I will truly never forget.
Photography: Rowell Photography / Event Planning & Design: Silverberry Occasions Event Planning & Design Inc. / Ceremony & Reception Location: Angus Glen Golf Club / Catering: The Host & Angus Glen Golf Club / Videography: Bright Sky Wedding Designs / Decor: Designs by Dina / Floral: Final Touches / Stationery: Palettera Custom Correspondences / Cake: Pretty Sweet Cakes / DJ: Nspire Sound / Third Photographer: Sarah Guy for Rowell Photography / Horse: Dream Catcher Stables / Western Officiant: Enduring Promises / Hindu Officiant: Dr. Ravi Srivastava / Dancers: The Wedding Choreographers & Co. / Transportation: Markham First Choice Limousines / Makeup: SK Makeup Artistry / Bride’s Hair: The Sarum Room Salon & Spa / Groom’s Suit: Strellson from Tom’s Place / Wedding Dress: San Patrick from Mona Richie / Bridesmaids Dresses: Love by Enzoani from Bridal and Beyond / Bride & Groom’s Indian Outfits: CTC West / Groomsmen Ties: Ed’s Fine Imports / Bride’s Fascinator: Blair Nadeau Millinery / Seating Chart, Program Fans, & Candy Buffet: DIY