Indian Carnival Fusion

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As some of you may know, I’m currently on an international journey, slowly checking off some of the “must-dos” on my “29-going-on-30″ list.  So far so good, and I’ll definitely post some pics when I return to the US.  However, just because I have limited access to the internet (hence the delays in posts)…doesn’t mean I won’t jump at a fabulous feature opportunity when it comes knockin’.

Enter, today’s Inspiration: an absolutley charming and playful take on Hindu fusion, Lutheran customs and prepster chic.  Vicky Choy of Event Accomplished  sent over these images, and she couldn’t be any more deserving of this week’s ”fairy godmother crown.”  We’ve featured many fusion weddings that incorporate Hindu customs before, but nothing like this.  So grab a seat, a wooden bench…in a historic art-deco park, and feast your palette on Erin and Koonal’s colorful wedding.

Setting:- Art Deco Amusement Park in Washington DC

Heroine/ Hero:- Lutheran American Bride – Erin & her Hindu American beau- Koonal

Signature Colors:- Fuscia, Orange & TealPhotography: Joseph Allen Photography

SCENE #1: A Maiden in Her Manor

Within the wooden floor chambers of Oxon Hill Manor, with outdoor views of freshly manicured English rose gardens and the flow of the potomac river, sits the ideal setting for a serene bridal prep-session.  When you’ve got fireplaces, chandeliers and full length mirrors at your disposal…you know you’re off to a picturesque start.

Scene #2: The Baraat

One of my favorite parts of traditional Hindu weddings is the Baraat, a festive procession of the groom and his family and followers (or “baraati”) to the wedding venue.  The procession typically includes a white horse, lots of music, dancing and a parade of family members moving as one.  In Erin & Koonal’s case, they opted out of the horse and went for a more casual and inclusive approach…using the groomsmen.

According to Erin, the bridesmaid’s shawls (purchased in Mumbai) were the inspiration behind the many design elements of the wedding.  ”I wanted my friends to feel comfortable and look great,” Erin said,  “so I chose to have them wear their own dresses and then create a unified look for the ceremony and photos with the shawls. ”  The couple worked intimately with their event designer – Vicky, who was able to translate Erin & Koonal’s urban preppy persona into fresh style. 

Scene #3: A Hindu-Lutheran Ceremony

Erin and Koonal had their vows officiated underneath a mandap, by a Lutheran minister and hindu priest.  Including ministers from both faiths is a great way to pull off a fusion ceremony.

Scene #4: A fantasy back in time

There’s no childhood fantasy more thrilling that the thought of having a theme park all to yourself.  There’s also no reason why you can’t re-live that fantasy as an adult.  The fantasy comes complete with a carousel, a bumper car pavillion, a spanish ballroom and the imaginary whispers of distant fairground noises.  Erin and Koonal were on to this little secret and chose Glen Echo park, a secret gem from 1891, as their reception venue.

With the sprinkles of warm summer raindrops, cocktail hour was served in the Cuddle up, and a cosmopolitan buffet for the 150 vegetarians (and non-veggietarian guests), served on the bumper car pavillion.

Here’s how Vicky described her design process from the inspirations provided by the space:

“With a highly stylized venue like Glen Echo Park,” Vicky said, “there was a fine line between coming up a with a look that worked with, rather than fought against the character of the space. Thoughts of Cotton Candy or Popcorn carts came to mind but we decided to be inspired by the park rather than replicate it.  The table numbers had an illustration of a bumper car, which was the closest we got to anything park related. The bride [Erin] wanted a ‘stylish country’ feel so we used chicken wire fencing as the backing for holding the escort cards, which had a photo of each guest with the bride or groom. The hanging paper lanterns helped to make the space feel more intimate.”

Congrats to E & K on your lovely wedding inspiration.  A spicy blogger shout out to the photographer- Joseph Allen for capturing these amazing moments, and to Vicky Choy for sharing the photos…I say merci. 

Now that I’ve piqued your interest with all this talk of Indian style, fusion and carnival chic…do check out the Indian Circus Dream Palette, featured earlier.

“One of the things that helped us was to define a few things that we really cared about in the begining–for us it was honoring our respective faiths, friends and families, and having a fun reception that represented us both–I wanted a blues band and Koonal wanted Indian food.  Those were the things we spent the most time and energy on, and for everything else–decor, flowers, transportation, invites, etc.–we left it to the professionals.”

-Erin, The Bride-

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{CREDITS: Photography by Joseph Allen; Ceremony venue at Oxon Hill Manor; Reception venue at Glen Echo Park; Bridal gown by Modern Trousseau; Bride’s shoes by Karen Millen; Bride’s jewelry & mangal sutra by P.A Shah Jewelry (Design by Bride’s Grandmother); Bride’s veil by Brenda’s Bridal Veils; Bridal Hair by Andre Chreky Salon; Bride’s make up by Wanda Sossa; Floral Design by Sarah Von Pollaro of Urban Petals; Groom’s neru jacket by Babubhai Jagjivandas, Groom’s pants by Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Groom’s shirt by Dolce & Gabanna, Groom’s shoes by Ferragamo; Catering by Windows Catering; Band by The Mustangs; Hindu Ceremony Decorator by Prabha Bhambri; Ceremony DJ by Bob Artman of Artman DJs; Event Planning, Stationery, Programs and Table Numbers by Event Accomplished; Rentals by Perfect Settings}