Sharon and Bhavin, Mill Valley, California
They wanted a serene location for their wedding, so Bhavin and Sharon opted to get married inside a redwood forest in California.
They love the natural beauty of California, so Sharon and Bhavin wanted to incorporate some of that wonderful natural vibe that the state offers to their big day. Groom Bhavin shares some interesting details of their beautiful wedding which included a blend of Western settings and traditional Indian rituals.
How They Met
“We were introduced through a mutual friend when we were both fairly new to San Francisco. After a few dates, our shared love of coffee, the outdoors, Netflix, and spreadsheets helped create a lasting bond between us.”
The Proposal
Bhavin proposed during a trip the couple took to Paris where he woke up suspiciously early and convinced Sharon to go on a morning walk with him. When the couple got to a beautiful vantage point, he popped the question!
Wedding Venues
“We both have grown up with Indian and Western influences so we wanted to mix Indian traditions with Californian settings. We love the majestic nature of redwoods so we hosted our wedding ceremony outdoors at Old Mill Park which is surrounded by majestic redwood trees. California has a natural beauty that we love and wanted our wedding to take place in this serene setting. Our reception was held at the Mill Valley Community Center. The wedding celebrations were aimed at being light and fun.”
Wedding Planning
The decor also included a life-size cut-out of Sharon and Bhavin which served as a photo booth, and in lieu of a traditional wedding cake, there was a pinata that the couple broke at the end of the night. Talking about the wedding wardrobes Bhavin says, “We did most of our shopping at Artesia in Southern California. The one exception was Sharon’s traditional Mysore Silk Sari for the morning ceremony. Sharon’s aunts hand delivered it to her from India when they arrived for the wedding.”
Mehndi
“Our main events were the mehndi, baraat, wedding ceremony, and reception. We held the mehndi in a 19th-century country estate that was spread across 11 acres. It offered a great setting for the blending of historic western elements and Indian traditional rituals.” Keeping it intimate, a glowing Sharon wore a beautiful teal lehenga, while Bhavin wore a traditional sherwani.
Wedding
The wedding ceremony took place in a forest where the sun’s rays cast a natural glow all around. The mandap was subtly decorated with white and ochre drapes teamed with traditional marigold flowers. Exquisite floral bouquets upped the designer decor quotient and added a touch of vivid color. The groom made his way to the mandap on a horse as family and friends danced their hearts out. The ceremony commenced with a young flower girl walking down the aisle followed by the father and brother of the bride walking by her side. Sharon looked stunning in an earthy toned silk saree which she paired with gold temple jewellery.
Reception
White blooms, shimmering drapes, softly glowing candles and elegant Chiavari chairs enhanced the charm of the venue. The wedding favors were placed on round tables, and guests relished the delectable Indian treats that were served outdoors. Sharon donned a stunning traditional red lehenga with heavy gold embellishments, while Bhavin looked like a regal groom in his suit.
Advice For Couples
“If you’re up for it, think of things that might be fun experiences in addition to being helpful. We went to the local flower mart and then made all our own centerpieces with our family after watching a few YouTube tutorials. It ended up being a nice memory and a fun way to kick off our wedding weekend.”
The Wedding Makers
Venues: Old Mill Park (Wedding), Mill Valley Community Center (Reception)
Wedding Planner: Limelight Productions
Decor: SV Design Rentals
Makeup Artist: TM’s Makeup Artistry
Entertainment: Nirvana Entertainment
Photography: Usman B Photography
