Tharu and Justin met at school in Ohio and are now living in New York City. For their wedding day, they decided to go back to their roots and marry in Dayton, Ohio. Photographer Sarah Babcock wrote to us about this beautiful union and once we saw the photos, we knew we just had to include this gorgeous wedding.
Tharu and Justin decided on a fusion wedding, bringing together aspects of both Western and Sri Lankan cultures. Tharu wore a beautiful eye-catching white and gold sari for her ceremony and for her reception decided on a more western style wedding dress. She also followed the something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue tradition as well. Then her jewels had a very special story. There were earrings from her dad’s mom and a bangle from her mom’s mom.
Justin and Tharu’s fathers united before the wedding and built the couple their poruwa, or Sri Lankan bridal altar. During the ceremony, the couple lit a traditional Sri Lankan lamp decorated with strings of jasmine flowers which symbolized the light that starts their marriage together.
In what is one of the sweetest wedding gestures I’ve heard about in awhile, the bride’s former guitar teacher, who served as guitarist at the ceremony, played Elton John’s “Your Song” while Justin’s cousin sang.
The Dayton Art Institute served as venue for Tharu and Justin’s lovely ceremony and reception. Speaking of the reception—there were of course lots of food, drinks and dancing. There was even a Sri Lankan dancing session with “Baila” music, where all guests were excited to be on the dance floor. Guests left the wedding as all guests should—with full bellies, tired feet and smiles on their faces!
Vendors:
Venue: Dayton Art Institute
Photography: Sarah Babcock Studio
