1. Real Weddings

A Purple Cross-Cultural Wedding at Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, California

Samantha Newlin (26, a registered nurse) and Jinesh Patel (29, an x-ray technician) attended the same college, but really got to know each other outsi

Samantha Newlin (26, a registered nurse) and Jinesh Patel (29, an x-ray technician) attended the same college, but really got to know each other outside of school through mutual friends. A few months later, Samantha and Jinesh began to seriously date each other. When Jinesh had to move back home to South Carolina for family, the couple maintained a long distance relationship. One weekend when Samantha was visiting, Jinesh rented a boat and planned a picnic dinner on the lake. As they were watching the sunset on the water, Jinesh surprised Samantha and got down on one knee to ask for her hand in marriage. The couple had their intimate wedding ceremonies and reception at Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa in Rancho Mirage, California. They wanted to combine Samantha’s Western culture with Jinesh’s Indian background and decided to have two ceremonies to celebrate both. The Indian ceremony took place outside on the venue lawn, with the couple and their wedding party dressed from head to toe in traditional Indian wedding attire. Indian and American cuisine hors d’oeuvres were served afterwards, followed by the traditional Western ceremony. After the two cultures were properly celebrated, the reception took place on the rooftop of the resort where everyone ate and danced the night away. “I think we did a great job of combining our cultures and making everyone feel welcomed and included,” says Samantha.

Silver Wedding Jewelry with Purple Stones
Silver and Purple Face Jewelry
Henna on Bridal Party Hands
Samantha held a orange, red and purple arrangement of peonies, dahlias and roses.
Red and White Draped Wedding Arch
Traditional Hindu Dressed Couple Holding Hands
Ivory White Lace Wedding Dress
Colorful Bouquet and Silver Rhinestone Shoes
Single Purple Peony with Greens Boutonniere
“We had our wedding and reception at Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa in Rancho Mirage, California,” says Samantha. “We chose this location because it was in the city where we met and we wanted a location that would keep our wedding small and intimate. The only people that lived in California were Sammie's grandparents and a few of our college friends.”
Lily, Carnation and Clementine Centerpiece
Simple aisle decorations of white baby's breath tied with purple ribbon decorated the ceremony.
rn“Jay wore the same suit as the groomsmen with the addition of a matching vest for the Western ceremony,” says the couple. “Sammie wore a beaded one should fitted to flare Allure wedding gown.”rn
“I wanted the wedding to feel classic, elegant, cultural and colorful,” says Samantha. “The color palette I chose was royal purple and silver. When it came to the flowers and décor, I relied a lot the guidance of our amazing wedding planners from Celebrations of Joy and Pinterest. I would show the planners pictures and they made it come to life.”
Elephant escort cards with the guest's name and table number were written in purple ink.
Dining tables were dressed in silver and white tablecloths surrounded by silver chiavari chairs. Tall flower arrangements of orange lilies and purple orchids decorated the table, with simple framed white table numbers.
Lights were strung above the dance floor at the rooftop reception.
Red, Orange and Purple Sweetheart Table
The ivory four-tiered wedding cake decorated with a beaded pattern was topped with ivory and red peonies.