1. Real Weddings

A Traditional Hindu Wedding in Dearborn, Michigan

During the traditional wedding between Sonia Garg (33 and a doctor) and Chennakeshava Joga (33 and a project manager), the couple incorporated dozens

During the traditional wedding between Sonia Garg (33 and a doctor) and Chennakeshava Joga (33 and a project manager), the couple incorporated dozens of Indian customs into their colorful, flower-filled ceremony. After walking down the aisle in a traditional red lengha, or Indian wedding dress, the bride and her groom exchanged two sets of garlands made of roses, orchids and mums during their ceremony held at a friend's private residence. "I'm north Indian and my husband is south Indian; so I was wearing a traditional outfit that north Indian brides normally wear," Sonia explains. "But I chose to have my bridesmaids wear silk saris, which is traditional dress more popular in south India. It was a way to unite our two cultures into a single ceremony. Since the bride and groom don't often have the chance to recite their own vows in typical Hindu weddings, Sonia and Chenna played short, pre-recorded vows during the start of the ceremony. "We had them play while I walked down the aisle," Sonia says. "It was special for both of us to hear each other's vows during that moment."

Cream Wedding Arch with Red Aisle Runners
Traditional Henna
Hindu Bride in Red Lengha
Red and Gold Jewelry
The couple wanted to keep their ceremony simple, yet thoughtful and classy. "We wanted an outdoor garden feel," Sonia explains. "The week of the wedding, there happened to be a lot of rain, so we expanded the tent and elected to have the roof over the ceremony be clear panels."
Groom and Parents Processional
Silver Chiavari Chairs with Garlands
Since the bride and groom don't often have the chance to say their own vows in typical Hindu weddings, Sonia and Chenna played short, pre-recorded vows prior to the ceremony. "We had them play while I walked down the aisle," Sonia says. "It was special for both of us to hear each other's vows at that moment."
The couple exchanged two sets of garlands made of roses, orchids and mums during the traditional ceremony -- one according to north Indian custom and the other for south Indian custom.
Colorful, embroidered umbrellas added just the right amount of color. "A close family friend suggested the idea of hanging umbrellas," Sonia says. "I researched online and found theses colorful, embroidered umbrellas and had them shipped from Rajastan, India. They added a traditional, yet colorful touch.
Chiavari Chairs Draped with White Tulle
Tented Wedding Ceremony with Yellow Details
Silver Groom's Slippers
Metallic Michael Kors Wedges
White and Yellow Rose Centerpiece
Traditional Hindu Wedding Ceremony
The bride chose a yellow invitation suite with a traditional, henna-type pattern.
Ivory and Yellow Ceremony Floral Decor
At first, the bride was unsure about her color scheme. "I went to Modern Art and loved the lace on the chairs for the ceremony," she says. "I then decided to pair yellow with ivory. Since I was wearing a traditional Indian red lengha, we decided the accent color would be red."
Ivory White and Red Flowers
Elephant Escort Cards
During the reception at The Henry Hotel, the couple decorated with large, white floral centerpieces.
Wedding Reception at The Henry Hotel
Traditional Indian Dancers
Sonia and Chenna
Henry Hotel Reception in Dearborn
The couple researched different cake designs together before decided on a final look. "My husband actually is the one that picked the eventual design!" Sonia laughs. "He liked the look of the sugar flowers wrapped around the cake."
Couple Dancing