Susan and Arnav, Taj West End, Bengaluru

Planned and executed by WeddingSutra Favorite – Wedlock Weddings by Vima, Susan and Arnav’s intimate wedding celebrations at the Taj West End, Bangalore artfully captured their tastes and vision. Brimming with warm family fun, their memorable moments were immortalized by WeddingSutra Favorite – LightBucket Productions.

How they met
Susan shares, “We both grew up in India, but we met while pursuing our MBA in the US. Although it wasn’t love at first sight, we connected deeply from the get-go as we developed an innate sense of respect and admiration for one another. We bonded over our love for travel, history and movies. One night when we went out for dinner, we ended up chatting into the wee hours of dawn and we realized that it was more than just friendship. Soon enough, our dates and small talks turned into night-long chats and deep conversations as we fell deeply in love”.

The Proposal
Working in different cities after their MBA, it was on one of Susan’s trips to visit Arnav that he popped the question with an intimate proposal at home full of personal touches that took her breath away. She elaborates, “He had decorated the entire place with candles, flowers and photos of us. We love to solve crossword puzzles together, so he made one for me to solve. Each clue was a gift and the last clue led to the proposal where he got down on one knee and popped the question. We celebrated with a home cooked meal of pasta and a bottle of our favorite red wine.”

Wedding Venue
The couple wanted a location that was lavish and yet had an intimate feel. They fell in love with the old world charm and luxury of Taj West End, Bangalore. With a guest list of around 150 people, their festivities were beautifully celebrated in the Grand Ballroom at the iconic property.

Wedding Planning
The couple wished to tie the knot with a traditional Malayali Christian wedding ceremony, and entrusted Wedlock Wedding by Vima to plan and execute the vision for their festivities. Reflecting on their experience, they share, “Choosing Wedlock Weddings by Vima was one of the best decisions we made. We contacted her 5 weeks before our wedding, spoke to her and outlined our vision for the wedding. Over the next two weeks Vima designed the decor and provided her expert suggestions, which we approved and implemented immediately. We planned the wedding from the US, but Vima was patient and never let the time difference become an impediment. It was great to work with someone who understood what we wanted but could also weigh-in and bring her expertise to the fore. The results were fantastic and truly dreamy, and needless to say, everyone loved it!”

Their special moments were captured in vivid shots by the team of LightBucket Productions.

Wedding Functions

Madhuram Veppu
The festivities kicked off with the traditional Malayali ceremony of Madhuram Veppu that was hosted the evening before the nuptials. The cozy gathering of close friends and family was hosted at the Tamarind Hall with soft floral decor. The simple stage decor shone with a crescent-shaped flower arrangement and long electric candles framing the couple as they played couple games to the exuberant cheers of their guests. The ceremony was followed by singing, dancing and a delicious dinner.

Wedding
The wedding was a late afternoon affair at St.Mary’s Orthodox Church, decorated with a simple, yet beautiful decor of green foliage comprising of white and ivory flowers. Susan looked resplendent in a bespoke ivory gown from D’Aisle Bridals with lace and beadwork, finished with a cathedral veil that had the couple’s initials embroidered on it. Arnav looked every bit the dapper groom in a timeless black three-piece suit from Grover Tailors. Susan’s bridesmaids wore pretty pink Kancheevaram sarees, whereas Arnav’s groomsmen opted for elegant grey suits. The wedding started with the wedding walk, followed by the ring exchange, crown and Minnu ceremony.

Reception
Vima executed the couple’s vision of muted grandeur for the reception perfectly with a soft pastel décor of flowers, candles and romantic mood lights. Champagne toasts and cake-cutting kickstarted the night, followed by emotional speeches by the couple’s siblings and delightful jokes from their Maid of Honor and Best man. The couple shared their first dance to ‘A thousand years’ by Christina Perri opening the dance floor to the guests, where DJ Jithen’s music had everyone grooving for the rest of the evening.

Advice for couples
Susan shares, “With so many options and trends to choose from, planning a wedding can easily become overwhelming. It is important to have an idea about the kind of wedding you want, and to find the right vendors to execute your vision.”

Adding to her suggestion, Arnav says, “Don’t be afraid to execute some bold choices if you really want them! There will always be more than a few external influences, but ultimately, it’s both of you who need to stay true to your vision. Remember to enjoy your wedding festivities and have lots of fun, as this is your big day.”

The Wedding Makers
Venues: Taj West End, Bangalore (Madhuram Veppu, Reception); St.Mary’s Orthodox Church, Bangalore (Wedding)
Wedding Planning and Decor: Wedlock Weddings by Vima
Groom’s Outfits: Grover Tailors Delhi (Wedding), Manyavar (Madhuram Veppu)
Bride’s Outfits: D’Aisle Bridals (Wedding), Deepam Silks (Madhuram Veppu)
Makeup and Hair: Make Up by Anurita Chandrappa
Entertainment: DJ Jithen
Photography and Videography: LightBucket Productions

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