Chethana & Eric’s Elephant Inspired Indian Wedding {Pasadena, CA}

Today’s feature is a red and gold Indian fusion wedding. Filled with cute elephants, DIY table settings, and a darling couple, we just want to squeeze them!

Chethana and Eric met through a mutual friend while attending graduate school. They were both earning Ph.Ds, and played in the university concert band.

Eric tells us how he proposed,

“I proposed one evening by walking with my wife to places that had been significant during our relationship. A note and a rose waited for her at each place. Finally, in the garden where we were first introduced, I sang her a song and asked her to marry me.”

Swooosh!

And now for all the wedding goodness from the happy couple. Thank you to Alders Photography for these beautiful photos.

What prompted the decision to have the wedding at this particular venue?
The Maxwell House in Pasadena, California, perfectly fit our expected guest count of 90. A renovated Mediterranean Revival with beautiful artwork, the house required very little decoration. We had the venue for the entire day, using both the indoor and outdoor spaces. Finally, the staff was very friendly and responsive.

What was the inspiration for your wedding style, colors, etc?
Our wedding included both a Hindu ceremony and a Western ring & vow exchange in order to reflect both of our cultures. For artistic inspiration, we used the traditional celebratory Indian colors of red and gold and the motif of elephants. We did a lot by hand, from the invitations to centerpieces.

Did you have any special touches/traditions that you incorporated?
I designed our wedding bands to incorporate elements from our two heritages. We wrote our own ring & vow exchange ceremony including readings by family and friends. As part of the ceremony, we sealed a time capsule containing love letters and a bottle of wine, to be opened on our tenth anniversary.

What are your most vivid memories from the wedding day?
My favorite part of the day was immediately after our Hindu ceremony, when all the stress of wedding planning was gone and we were finally married. My wife’s favorite part was our first dance; it was so fun and personal! We both enjoyed the spontaneous conversations we had with guests all day.

What advice do yo have for future brides and grooms?
Don’t get caught up in the wedding culture. You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a beautiful day! Remember that the wedding is just the start of something much bigger. Your wedding day will probably not go entirely as planned, but it will still be perfect. A day-of coordinator is a great investment. Stop to notice how much love you feel at your wedding for your spouse, family, and friends.