Interfaith Jewish-Hindu Wedding by Anna Wu

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In case it isn’t obvious, here at WN, we just LOVE colorful fusion weddings.  I get even more excited when it’s served with a beautiful couple, a vibrant buffet of design details and a spirited photographer like one my new faves – Anna Wu.  We featured the Rwandan-Japanese wedding she shot in the fall “Playhouse” Issue and today, I’m delighted to serenade you with these charming interfaith wedding images in Berkeley, CA. It’s a summer (July) affair with the warmth of autumn hues, the tale of two scholars and a timeless fusion story to boot.  Does it get any better than this?

Setting: Berkeley, CA

Heroine/ Hero: Indian American Bride – Ragini & her Jewish “Southern” American Beau – Brandon

SCENE #1: A TALE OF TWO SCHOLARS

English, Mathematics and a whole lotta Chemistry!:  That should be the tag line to describe this fateful encounter.  In 2003, Ragini, a literature student at North Carolina’s Duke University, attended an interview for the Angier B., a competitive merit scholarship.  Little did she know that that meeting would impact the years to follow.  She not only won the coveted AB scholarship, she also won the friendship (and later, heart) of mathematics student and fellow scholarship recipient. His name is Brandon and this is the story of how their “proposal” unfolded, narrated by Ragini:

“We started discussing marriage in early 2010.  In spring 2010, we hosted a dinner for my parents and brother and Brandon “proposed” to them (he didn’t ask for permission, he actually gave a little speech about how much he loved them and being part of the family). It was really more of an announcement than a proposal. We then called Brandon’s family to share the news of our engagement. The other “news” was that we wanted to plan a joint family trip to India for an official engagement ceremony at my great-grandmother’s house. In December 2010, a group of 19 members of Brandon’s family and friends traveled with my family to Kerala  [Southern part of India, where Ragini's family is from] where an engagement ceremony took place on January 2, 2011. That’s when we exchanged engagement rings.” 

SCENE #2: HOW TO SEW AN INTERFAITH WEDDING QUILT?

Ragini and Brandon planned their interfaith wedding with remarkable attention to detail. From the ceremonial procession to the seating chart and everything in between.  According to the bride, “every element of the wedding ceremony was carefully planned to reflect” their cultural traditions.  Here’s the break down:

The Attire: Both the bride and groom (and their families) opted to wear wedding attire according to their respective traditions. For Ragini, it was a kancheevaram silk sari and for Brandon a classic black suit.

The Design: Thanks to the amazing work of florist – Svenja Brotz, the couple fused the traditional Indian mandap with the Jewish huppah through a highly crafted canopy.  It was roped with trumpet vine and flower accents similar to the creamy golden hues of the bride’s sari (as well as that of  her aunt, who also happened to be their wedding officiant).

The People: The couple opted out of having a “bridal party” and had their siblings walk down the aisle with their grandparents.  Both bride and groom entered with their parents.  Each of their grandparents offered a unique blessing – one Hindu, one Jewish and one Christian.  Two contrasting readings from philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach and poet, Shel Silverstein were also presented to the audience by the couple’s siblings.

The Vows: In addition to exchanging rings, Brandon gave Ragini a pudava and tied a thaali—these are two elements of the Kerala Nair wedding tradition. “We took seven steps as is done in many Hindu weddings,“ Ragini explained, “but we took the steps in the form of ‘circling’ that is done in Jewish weddings. We also wrote and delivered our own vows, and we had two close friends serve as witnesses and sign the marriage license then and there in front of all our guests. The wedding ceremony closed with a fusion of a Jewish wine ceremony and an Indian Kerala ceremony with sweetened milk and bananas.

SCENE #3: MAKING IT YOURS.

“When you’re planning a wedding, especially an intercultural, multi-ethnic, or multi-faith wedding, you will hear a lot from parents, family and friends about “tradition.” By all means, think carefully about your cultural or religious traditions and consider what elements of weddings you have attended resonate for you. But never forget that tradition is what YOU make it, and that your wedding tradition will be equally valid, authentic, moving, and significant as anything that is stereotypically called “traditional.”   You are inventing your own tradition. You are creating something special to mark the beginning of a new stage not only in your life, but in the journey of your family.

Now sit back and enjoy all the details in high def by Seaglass Cinema.  I promise, it’s even more romantic in motion.

Thank you SO MUCH to R & B for sharing your story with us, and to the amazing Anna Wu for giving us yet another pixel-clad brick road, on which to dream and waltz.  Be sure to see the FULL GALLERY for more images from Ragini & Brandon’s wedding.

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{CREDIT: Photography by Anna Wu; Officiant – Smita Tharoor; Event Coordination & Music/DJ – Quantum Music Event Planners; Floral Arrangements – Svenja Brotz of Chestnut & Vine Floral Design; Hair – Dale Oxley of Dale Oxley Hair Studio; Make Up – Ruby Walia of Ruby’s Beauty Studio; Cake – Sweet Adeline Bakeshop; Venue & Catering – The Berkeley City Club; Lighting – Just De’Lights; Wedding Sari – Sarangi, Chennai, India; Reception Lehenga – Gyans; Jewelry – Prince Jewelry & Amrapali; Groom’s Attire – Nordstrom; Henna/Mehndi – Kamala Henna World; Videography – Seaglass Cinema}