1. Real Weddings

A Traditional Hindu Wedding at Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, South Carolina

Elegant eggplant details were paired with luxe gold accents for Minal Patel (36 and works in finance) and Amit Govin’s (36 and works in real estate) t

Elegant eggplant details were paired with luxe gold accents for Minal Patel (36 and works in finance) and Amit Govin’s (36 and works in real estate) traditional Hindu wedding. We love how they blended their Indian heritage and their American upbringing with everything from the New York City MetroCard-inspired escort cards to the Michael Jackson meets Arijit Singh for a mashup first dance song to Minal’s three outfit changes. Postceremony, Minal switched out her custom red and white sari for an airy “Indian-American fusion” floor-length skirt and top, and, later, a modern sequined dress. We’re definitely impressed! The day started in a gorgeous outdoor ceremony at Timberlake Country Club in Chapin, South Carolina, where the couple had their traditional Hindu ceremony under a white fabric mandap, which featured gold and rhinestone accents on each of the structure’s four columns. Keeping with Hindu tradition, Minal carried a coconut to the mandap in lieu of a bouquet. “With such a beautiful river and golf course as the backdrop for our ceremony, we didn’t need much for decoration,” Minal says. Their luxe reception at Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, South Carolina, took on a more Western look with gold chiavari chairs, textured purple linens and towering white centerpieces. There are so many details we love! See them all, beautifully captured by Landon Jacob Productions, below! A tip from Minal: “My best advice is to keep it simple, plan and then enjoy the day. Whatever happens at that point, happens.”

The bridesmaids wore traditional saris for the Hindu wedding. Each were different colors ranging from red to blue to turquoise to pink, but were all finished with ornate gold detailing that tied them all together.
Minal decorated her hands in traditional Indian henna before her wedding. She completed her gorgeous red and gold sari with bold gold and red jewelry that her mother picked out for her as a surprise.
Minal knew she wanted to wear a traditional wedding sari for her Hindu wedding. At Roop Sari in Houston, Texas, she found a formal sari that was tastefully decorated with extensive gold thread work. However, it was orange and pink, and she wanted it to be the more traditional red and white colors. “I worked with the designers to have a custom sari made and ordered from India in the colors I wanted,” she says. “It arrived six weeks later and was perfect!”
Ornate gold an ivory chairs were nestled beneath the couple’s white fabric mandap, which featured gold and rhinestone accents on each of the structure’s four columns. Keeping with Hindu tradition, Minal carried a coconut to the mandap in lieu of a bouquet. “With such a beautiful river and golf course as the backdrop for our ceremony, we didn’t need much for decoration,” Minal says.
Amit wore a traditional Indian wedding suit and turban. It was purchased at Roop Sari in Houston, Texas, and was customized to match the red, white and gold colors of the bridal sari.
Traditional Indian Varmala Garland Ceremony Tradition
The New York City-based newlyweds added an urban touch to their indoor reception with bold escort cards that mimicked subway MetroCards.
The reception tables were decorated with texted eggplant linens and gold chiavari chairs. Towering arrangements of white and green hydrangeas, ivory roses, white lilies, curly willow branched and orchids topped the tables adding romance and dimension to the ballroom.
Postceremony, Minal made the first of three outfit changes, switching out her custom red and white sari for an airy floor-length skirt and top, and, later, a modern sequined dress from Saks Fifth Avenue.
Minal and Amit found a photo of a cake on Pinterest that they loved. They gave it to their baker, Vintage Bakery, who used it to fashion the five-tier cake. The cake was chocolate and lemon raspberry inside and topped with brown and white fondant outside.