This, my friends, is how you wrap up the week in style: with a breathtaking two-day celebration infused with vibrant cultural touches and enough stunning details to keep you drooling all weekend. The work of a fabulous team of vendors, including Creative Lighting SF, Jennie J. Events and Zephyr Tents, it’s what we call stunning and you can see it all captured by Jacqueline Campbell of Birds Of A Feather right here.
From Jennie J Events…When Meenal & Arjun started planning their fall 2014 wedding they were faced with striking the perfect balance between many competing factors. They wanted to honor their Indian heritage and family with a tradition Hindu ceremony, but also wanted a wedding that reflected their tech-centered modern life in San Francisco.
They searched high and low for the perfect venue, from the beaches of San Diego to the urban spaces of Downtown San Francisco. They finally found Carmel Valley Ranch for their Sunday wedding and reception, and Quail Lodge for their Saturday night dance party, traditionally called the Sangeet.
45 family members on the groom’s side departed San Diego early in the morning on one large bus, arriving at Quail Lodge that afternoon to be greeted by the Bride’s side, a simulation of the traditional Jaan arrival. The Bride’s side welcomed them as they get off the bus, signing, exchanging ceremonial greetings and small gifts. Traditionally this element of the Hindu wedding ceremony heralded the groom’s arrival into the bride’s village.
That evening guests dined on Southern Indian cuisine while dancing to the traditional Garba, and the Raas dance – featuring colorful sticks called Dandiya’s. The bride’s family brought the Dandiya’s from India, as well as assortment of beaded bangles as favors for the women. They bride’s keywords for the Sangeet design were colorful and joyus. We decorated the venue with colorful lanterns, string lights, hurricane candles, scattered rose petals and hanging charms. Guests watched the dancing and lounged on colorful ottomans and large floor pillows. Women dressed in brightly colored Sari’s and men in Kurta’s danced late into the night celebrating. A golden statue of the beloved Hindi god Ganesha welcomed guests and oversaw a special prayer that left both families in tears.
The following day the festivities started early. The groom arrived to the ceremony during the traditional Baarat procession, seated on a white horse his family and friends danced around him to traditional Indian music while moving along to the beat of a traditional Dohl drummer.
They were married under a wooden, Dupionique silk draped Mandap designed to be rustic, modern and traditional. Foregoing a bride’s bouquet and grooms boutonnieres, Meenal & Arjun wore lush floral leis called Var Mala’s. Hung from the Mandap were garlands of magenta roses and orange carnations. Meenal’s attendants all wore patterned Sari’s in varying patterns and shades of turquoise and aqua.
Following the transitional ceremony & cocktail reception guests were welcomed into beautiful sail cloth topped Zephyr Tent. Bistro lights were strong from pole to wooden pole to illuminate the space. This night guest dined on American/Indian fusion cuisine from Carmel Valley Ranch and were treated to hot fresh Naan baked in a Tandoori Oven. “Travel advice” cards were available at every table, a homage to the bride’s career and extensive travel as a director of emerging growth for Facebook as well as the couples intention to travel the world with one another after they married. The decor in the tent reflected their clean and natural design aesthetic.
Late night everybody moved indoors where they were continued to tear up that dance floor, and were treated to an assortment of vintage video games specially brought into the space to honor the groom’s love of video games and his career as a product director in the gaming industry.
Photography: Birds of a Feather | Planner: Jennie J. Events | Floral Design: Cherries Flowers | Makeup: Shawn Cavlan Beauty Co | Calligraphy: LMM Calligraphy | Lighting: Creative Lighting Design | Favors: Monterey Bay Salt Company | Transportation: Pacific Monarch Ltd | Hotel: Carmel Valley Ranch | Tent: Zephyr Tents | Escort Cards: Green Acres Cottage | Indian Catering + Wedding Cake: Milan Indian Cuisine | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Menus: Chic Weddings By Jamie Irene | Programs: B Is For Brown | Rentals: Hartmann | Sound + Music: Ambiance AV | Video: Son of Sharkpig