Alexa and Barnik, Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, Texas
This Bengali-American wedding showcased two cultures merging via colors, customs and camaraderie.
Barnik lived his life dodging cliches, until he saw Alexa at a bar one day and knew he had to talk to her. He never imagined that this classic meet cute would be the start of a happily ever after. After falling in love in New York, the couple moved to Texas where they hosted a sublime multicultural wedding at the sprawling Four Seasons estate in Dallas. The groom shares their story below.
How They Met
“We had both been living in New York for two years, and had been on the search for love. A Saturday night out with our respective friends turned out to be a fateful evening, when I spotted Alexa as we were heading out. Now, I have always been determined not to be a cliché and had never asked a girl out in a bar, but a friend of mine urged me to, and what do you know! I ended up meeting my future wife.”
The Proposal
“Alexa had known a proposal was headed her way right from the beginning. Every trip we took, she would get her hair and nails done, never to be taken off guard in case of an impromptu ‘down on one knee’ moment. So the best proposal I could think of was to completely throw her off the scent. I orchestrated a perfect trip at our favourite hotel in Miami, and took care of every detail from packing her bags to clearing her work schedule for Friday. Thursday night she walked in from work and BAM – flowers, champagne, our dog Brooklyn in a bowtie and an impromptu speech all captured on a secret camera! I nailed the perfect surprise.”
Wedding Venue
“We moved to Texas shortly after our engagement, and wanted to do the wedding locally. Given that we hailed from different cultures, we wanted our wedding to incorporate all our unique traditions, and were looking for a single venue that offered a host of spaces for different events. With ballrooms and a variety of lawns throughout the resort, the beautiful Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Collins ticked all our boxes”.
Wedding Planning
The couple’s Bengali-Christian wedding was planned and executed by Anu Basu & Co., and Brooke Nappier from 1600 Events, while the festivities were captured by Brittany Maxwell of The Light and the Love, and Paige Greener. For entertainment, they worked with various bands and DJs to make all the functions memorable.
Wedding Functions
Mehendi and Cocktail Party
After an intimate henna party of the bride and just her squad, the first big function was the cocktail party-cum-sangeet. Mainly intended for people to interact and mingle, the event featured a round center bar and a dance floor with a chic bohemian decor of blooms, soft lighting created by tea lights and string bulbs, and hors d’oeuvres to facilitate moving around rather than a formal dinner. The casual soiree gave way to a rocking sangeet night with DJ Riz who churned up some fun with his groovy Bollywood playlist.
Hindu Wedding
The first of the two ceremonies, the Hindu nuptials were held in the morning with traditional Bengali wedding customs. Red and white colors which play a vital role in Bengali culture was prevalent across the decor, outfit of the couple as well as the wedding party. The bride blushed as she was carried in and shielded her face with betel leaves as the pretty bridesmaids dresses in red and white Bengali-style sarees walked ahead tossing red rose petals in the air and paving the way for her. The couple exchanged garlands made of red and white blooms. “The mixing of red and white roses was symbolic for us and represented both sides of the family coming together as one.”
Christian Wedding
For the second ceremony, the same area was revamped by changing some elements that gave it a completely different look. The red rose petals that were sprinkled on the aisle flanked by white and gold chairs were later replaced by white petals, and the Persian red and gold rugs swapped for a pristine white alter. The groom looked dapped in his black Ted Baker tuxedo, as the bride walked in wearing a simple yet gorgeous strapless gown with a trailing skirt, which she accessorized with just a string of pearls.
The bride and groom squad were sharply dressed in black, while the flower bouquets were elegant arrangements of white flowers. The guests were all provided with white and gold umbrellas to shield them from the afternoon sun as both the ceremonies were held during the day, after which everyone headed for a lunch and a breather before the evening reception.
Reception
The black-tie reception decor was all about white flowers, tea lights, floating candles, minimalistic foliage decor softened with warm lighting and gold hues, around a mirrored dance floor and an elevated stage to host the eight-person band and a DJ. The evening served delicious custom cocktails and a family-style dinner, while a MirMir photo booth and live cigar rollers provided a novel experience for guests. The highlight was a full room champagne toast where bottles of Moet at each table were uncorked simultaneously, and the couple cut a five-tier white wedding cake that embodied the sophisticated vibe of the night.
Advice for Couples
“The planning is a great opportunity for the two families to get to know each other and your respective cultures. Put it to good use, as you’ll form bonds that will last a lifetime. Secondly and most importantly, pick your battles. A few days of wedding functions will give way to a lifetime of marriage, and your partner and you need to be a team through every challenge. Don’t fight over unnecessary choices because if one of you loses, both of you do.”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas
Wedding Planner: Anu Basu & Co., 1600 Events
Florist: David Kimmel
Bride’s Outfits: BHLDN (Cocktail and Christian Wedding), Divya Agarwal (Hindu Wedding), One Society (Reception)
Groom’s Outfits: Ted Baker (Cocktail, Christian Wedding, Reception), Manyavar (Hindu Wedding), One Society (Reception)
Entertainment: Justin Pierce Jazz Band, DJ Riz, Danny Mofrad, Ronobir Lahiri, Dallas String Quartet, Elevation Party Band
Photography:The Light and the Love and Paige Greener
Videography: H&K Weddings
