Deepa and Gauri Joshi, Hayes Mansion San Jose
Deepa and Gauri celebrated their precious bond with a dreamy wedding where they flaunted their distinctive styles and danced to trending Bollywood beats.
A tasteful blend of traditions and modern glamour, Deepa and Gauri’s romantic mansion wedding conjures an image of unbridled joy. Weaving elements of their Maharashtrian, Telugu and Kannada heritage in a soft classic aesthetic brimming with emotions and accompanied by love and laughter, their beautiful wedding celebration will have you smitten!
How They Met
Hailing from the Bay Area, Lawyer Deepa Kollipara matched with Gauri on a Dating App, a Research Professional originally from New Jersey who is now studying to be a Software Engineer. After chatting non-stop for several weeks, they felt like the best of friends even before they met on their first date. From bonding over their love of Bollywood to being there for each other through difficult times, they fell in love with each other effortlessly, like it was meant to be. After 5 years of togetherness, they broke the news to their families and started gearing up for their dream wedding.
The Proposal
Gauri shares, “Deepa had been planning the proposal for months keeping me in the dark, while all the same working with her closest friends to pull it off. She even got blessings from my family before proposing. She had planned what I thought was a 30th Birthday trip to Hawaii for the two of us, a destination that neither of us had been to. She told me that she had arranged a fancy lunch in the hotel courtyard for us followed by a cute photo shoot right after. Deepa loves photoshoots, so I didn’t think much of it!
When we got down to the courtyard I saw a beautiful arch setting with my favorite bottle of wine from Napa (Gamay Rouge from V. Sattui), and place settings that looked way too gorgeous for just a birthday lunch. Something sure felt different! She gave me a scrapbook to read through some of the best memories we’ve shared over our time together. The last page ended with, “Will you marry me?” as she got down on one knee and proposed! I was overwhelmed and started crying as I said yes. Our friend Janine, who lives in Hawaii helped orchestrate this whole thing, and just then, she stepped out of the corner with a photographer who captured the moment. It felt surreal and was one of the best days of my life.”
Wedding Planning
Deepa and Gauri rang in their wedding with an intimate gathering at the beautiful Hayes Mansion in San Jose with a wholesome blend of their distinct cultures. Blending their unique tastes in a celebration of their love story, their wedding was planned by B Beloved Events and orchestrated by Fine Linen Creation and Flowers by Edgar. Apollo Fotografie and Katherine Elyse Media captured their special moments in candid shots, while Maiyan Studios immortalized their love and joy in a stunning wedding film.
Wedding Functions
Haldi
The festivities began with a sunkissed Haldi function on the lawns of the mansion. Traditional elements of yellow marigolds were included in a delicate and modern manner with a minimalistic bridal-corner setup and elegant floral vases on the tables that added pops of color to the lush greenery around. Gauri looked chic in an indo-western dhoti saree ensemble while Deepa kept it traditional with a saree. The two brides looked radiant as their loved ones gathered to perform the ritual and shower them with flowers and blessings.
Sangeet
The evening rolled onto a vibrant Sangeet soiree imbibed with colorful traditional decor and a whole lot of enjoyment. The brightly colored decor saw embroidered drapes, umbrellas, local Indian crafts, flowers and more, while platters of sweets, mehndi artists and more, added to the desi vibe of the occasion. Couple games, heartfelt speeches and lively dance performances by the couple and their loved ones all came together to fill the evening with wholesome family fun. Deepa opted for a vibrant tangerine lehenga while Gauri chose a muted gold number for the function.
Wedding
Decorated with an ethereal floral decor of romantic pastels that lit up the stunning mansion and its verdant lawns, the Wedding ceremony was straight out of a fairytale. From a flower-lined aisle to a rustic wooden mandap of breezy drapes and floral vines, every last element added to the ‘classy cottage’ vibe of the day. Deepa and Gauri embraced contrasting bridal aesthetics in traditional red and modern pastels and looked like the picture of happiness as they tied the knot in the presence of their loved ones.
Reception
The whimsical ‘White wonderland’ ambience of the Wedding got a glamorous evening update with ornate gold elements for the grand Reception. Spectacular floral centerpieces and surrounding decor in white and green filled the space with a touch of magic, along with shimmering chandeliers and warm candlelight. Deepa opted for an icy blue lehenga with a traditional passa, while Gauri wore a chic ensemble in light gold both of which were custom-made by Evotique. The evening saw a joyous cake-cutting, trendy Bollywood performances, and more.
Special moments
Deepa shares, “For us, walking down the aisle to our favorite Bollywood song playing in the background while our parents, sisters and brothers cheered us on, was the most magical moment. Feeling the love and joy from all the people around made us feel truly blessed”.
Advice to our LGBTQ+ couples
“Our message to the LGBTQ+ community would be to remind them that its perfectly ok to be desi, Hindu and queer. Not just contained to the western society, but its also an integral part of our Indian history. We sincerely hope that our wedding can exemplify a future where queer people can also have the ‘Big fat wedding’ and share their love with all their friends and family while no longer hiding in the closet or holding back from living their life”.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Hayes Mansion San Jose, Curio Collection by Hilton
Wedding Planner: B Beloved Events
Decor: Fine Linen Creation
Floral Decor: Flowers by Edgar
Outfits: Evotique (Reception)
Jewellery: Evotique (Reception), Banu Designs (Reception)
Makeup: Megan Naik
Hair: Preeti Dhugga
Mehndi: Neeta Desai Sharma
Entertainment: Wicked Entertainment
Cake: Studio Cake Design
Photography: Apollo Fotografie, Katherine Elyse Media
Videography: Maiyan Studios
