A MULTICULTURAL WEDDING WITH ITALIAN + INDIAN ELEMENTS

Sarah and Rajeev met ‘the old fashioned way’ online of course! Rajeev took Sarah to celebrate her birthday in Turks & Caicos. Little did she know that the day after her birthday he would propose (on April Fools day which he didn’t realize!)  The couple were supposed to go out to a fancy dinner but Sarah was tired and didn’t want to get dressed up – they compromised on just a lite bite and drink at the hotel.  Afterwards they both went for a moonlight walk on the beach and Rajeev got down on one knee and proposed.

From Sarah the bride:

INSPIRATION FOR THE DAY

Flowers, gardens, the outdoors and of course our relationship! We have a pretty diverse group of friends/families and wanted that represented in ways throughout the day as well! We tried to pull those elements through with naming the tables different cities we’re from/been to, an assortment of Italian & Indian cookies at our Pittsburgh cookie table and our Indian inspired pashmina favors!

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY FROM YOUR BIG DAY?

When a little chipmunk joined the bridesmaids and I for a prayer leading up to the ceremony. He joined us for the whole thing 

HOW WAS WEDDING PLANNING?

The easiest part of wedding was probably cake tastings. Can’t complain there. However the hardest part of planning our big day was selecting an officiant and co-ordinating what we wanted our ceremony to be with them.

ADVICE TO SHARE WITH BRIDES PLANNING NOW?

Oof, the day really does go by faster than you think. If you think you are going to eat at your own wedding, I’m telling you now you won’t. On you day, take 5 min to just step away with your partner and take it all in.

Other big tip is getting the requests for proposals out early as possible. I didn’t realize how long it would take to go through picking each vendor (photographer, florist, etc.). Each piece takes a while to nail down!

IS IT HARDER TO PLAN A WEDDING WHEN THE COUPLES ARE FROM DIFFERENT FAITHS/CULTURE ETC?

A bit harder.  Both of our families had traditions they thought were universal.  It took some education  that things they took for granted weren’t culturally the same among others.  Some took more educating than others 

ADVICE TO GIVE TO OTHER MULTICULTURAL COUPLES?

If you plan to have a religious ceremony and come from different faiths, get the conversation going early on what everyone wants/needs, etc. and start talking with potential priests, pandits, etc. early. It can be overwhelming learning what is/isn’t accepted by your religious background and can cause stress down the road if you’re feeling the crunch based on time tables (not to mention emotionally too).