1. Real Weddings

Andrea & Anshul: A Cultural Wedding in Indianapolis, IN

Andrea Taylor and Anshul Mangal held American and Indian ceremonies in the apple orchard and royal English garden of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. A

Andrea Taylor and Anshul Mangal held American and Indian ceremonies in the apple orchard and royal English garden of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. A palette of vibrant reds, oranges, pinks, and sheer gold accented the natural beauty of the space. The Bride Andrea Taylor, 26, chemist The Groom Anshul Mangal, 26, computer engineer/project manager The Date July 9 Andrea and Anshul’s relationship has never been short of romance. While in college together, Anshul continually wrote letters to Andrea until she accepted his request for a Valentine’s Day first date. His proposal also lived up to his princelike reputation: To woo her to say yes, Anshul whisked Andrea away to the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago, where he pampered her with a seven-course meal in a private suite filled with candles and rose petals. Just before dessert, Anshul asked Andrea to be his wife. Andrea and Anshul had two weddings to celebrate their union: a traditional American ceremony in honor of the bride and an Indian ceremony in honor of the groom. The couple hired a wedding planner to help mediate the needs and expectations of both families and still create their own vision.

The First Dance
Andrea and Anshul cut into a three-tier cake covered with vibrant garden flowers. Layers of white cake with almond extract and almond filling and chocolate sponge cake with chocolate-hazelnut mousse were frosted with a layer of Italian buttercream.
For the reception, Andrea and Anshul’s 280 guests headed into the Deer Zink pavilion, where floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked a lit fountain and wooded garden. Orange and moss gold-embossed table linens were an extension of the vibrant color theme. Centerpieces were arranged in antique silver urns surrounded by luminous votives.
The Traditions
Andrea and Anshul’s Indian ceremony was held in a gold mundap adorned with sheer gold fabric and garlands of brilliant wildflowers in the museum’s apple orchard. During the Indian ceremony, Andrea donned a traditional ornate red sari with hand-stitched gold embroidery by Ritu Kumar.
For the American ceremony, Andrea wore a strapless, A-line gown featuring lace details with gold thread embellishments on the bodice by Justina McCaffrey. Andrea’s mother made her waist-length veil, which was pinned to her hair with a comb embellished with pearls from her great aunt’s old necklace. During the Indian ceremony, Andrea donned a traditional ornate red sari with hand-stitched gold embroidery by Ritu Kumar.
The Ceremony Decor
The American ceremony took place at sunset in the royal English garden, replete with a running fountain and terraces covered in blooming amaranthus. The aisle was lined with multicolor rose petals.