When I first saw these wedding photos, I fell in love. I fell in love with the bride’s sari. Call me silly, but I have a soft spot for beautiful, vintage brocade saris.
But this wedding gets even better. An intimate affair, a jai mala under a chuppah, a Hava Nagali dance, what better way to celebrate Indian and Jewish cultures?!
Emily and Adam had a sweet, colorful inter-ethnic wedding in Portola Valley, California in the spring. I don’t have to tell you more because you’ll fall in with the couple, the beautiful flowers (which were made by the bride), and that sari and jewelry.
Emily shares her tips and inspiration about the wedding below.
What was the inspiration for the wedding?
The last thing I wanted was stress during the planning. (well, who does?!) I also did not want a wedding that was too influenced by formula. Adam and I wanted our day to be a unique representation of our relationship, and our respective heritages.
It was a personal event, and we did most of the work ourselves. Instead of hiring a planner we received help from loved ones. This made it so special and allowed us to have many more memories of the whole wedding experience.
Tell us about the wedding day!
The wedding day was a perfect northern California spring day. Guests arrived in an array of vivid colors. There were flowers and decorative pillows everywhere.
The wedding had a combined cultural ceremony, Indian and Jewish, followed by a reception with the Hava Nagila dance and a modern day Indian bhangra song. We wanted people to enjoy the uniqueness of the whole event and feel comfortable letting go and trying something new.
Wedding colors & flowers?
Gold, deep plums, violets, magenta, indigo, bright emerald green, coral, melon.
I bought my own flowers with no real plan in mind. I took a truck to the San Francisco Flower Mart with some of my best friends and picked the flowers we liked! We made all the bouquets and table settings ourselves. But, the garlands that we wore, and the Chuppah flowers were from Blossoms in San Mateo.
Your sari is stunning, there must be a story…
Thank you! Yes, I wore the saree that my mom got married in 37 years ago. The sari was purchased by my dad for her for their wedding, at the famous Taj Hotel in Mumbai in 1975. It is brocade cream silk with real gold and silver threads also woven through in a floral pattern. It is an original, one of a kind, and incredibly beautiful.
Now, to photos thanks to the talented Kristy at Volatile Photography.
Thank you Emily and Adam for sharing your wedding. Mazel tov! We wish you the best in life and keep it lovely.
{Wedding Suppliers}
Bridal Shoes: Covered in rhinestones- I had to have them! They are from an Indian clothing store in Sunnyvale called Sagar.
Bridesmaid Saris: All bridesmaids wore sarees purchased from Manisha Saree in Sunnyvale.
Men’s Attire: Sagar and Rupees in Berkeley
Dessert: Guava cupcakes from Aki’s bakery in San Jose
Catering: Passage to India in Mountain View
Wedding Venue: Portola Valley Town Center
Music: DJ Shey Love
Hair: Emily styled her own hair
Makeup Artist: Adela de la Cerda- with Mac Cosmetic
Invitations: Custom designed from Papersource
Jewely: Some belonged to Emily’s Grandmother, and some from Sagar in Sunnyvale.
Officiant: Couple’s friend, Doug
Photographer: Kristy Ahumada of Volatile Photography www.volatilephoto.com
Rentals: A-1 Party Rentals in Redwood City
Videographer: Emily’s next-door neighbor from childhood, named Greg
Mazel tov! What a beautiful wedding.
LOOOOVE!!
Amazing location!