A Multi-Day Jewish-Indian Fusion Wedding Amongst the Redwoods in San Gregorio, California
Karly and Hriday's mutual friend, who would later play a pivotal role as their wedding officiant, decided to invite the two strangers on an epic, multi-couple date. They met, hit it off and the rest, as they say, is history. After deciding to spend the rest of their lives with one another, they set out to design a celebration of not just their union but also their families, traditions and the beauty of their respective cultures.
"Our wedding's vibe was multicultural Indian-Jewish meets woodsy summer camp," Karly says, outlining their wedding motif. They envisioned a day filled with vibrant colors, heartfelt customs and a touch of rustic charm. Fusion weddings, they believe, inherently leave room for a lot of creativity and adaptation, and they were ready to lean into that potential with gusto.
The bride, a staunch advocate for sustainability, chose three stunning outfits for their nuptials: two Indian lehengas and one Western wedding dress. "All three were secondhand, sourced from Facebook Marketplace and stillwhite.com," she proudly shares. The idea of wearing something that had only been worn once before resonated with her commitment to a zero-waste wedding. Meanwhile, Hriday's attire was a testament to his roots. "My husband got his sherwanis from India and an Indian store in the Bay Area," Karly details, highlighting their conscious choices.
The big weekend arrived, and the atmosphere was electric. Guests gathered for the baraat, a lively procession traditionally for the groom, on a sprawling field, selecting a custom-made mug before finding their seats. "I made 120 unique mugs for guests to choose among as a wedding gift on a wall signposted with 'To Have and To Hold,'" Karly says. "For our baraat on Friday night, we had a mix of low-lying tables with floor seating and regular tables surrounding the dance floor," Karly describes. The couple provided a plush corner for guests to receive Mehendi hand treatments, or henna, complete with a modern photo backdrop for the perfect picture. "The low-lying tables were handmade by our designer Erin and surrounded by colorful (and thrifted) floor pillows for a boho look."
The next day, as the guests arrived at the ceremony locale, they couldn't help but admire the stunning setting in the midst of a towering redwood forest. Along the path to their destination, attendees noticed a touching detail: a "family tree" with photos of the couple's parents and grandparents on their wedding days hanging from the tree in bright and colorful frames. "Our ceremony was held underneath a chuppah/mandaap created by my brother out of logs that he cleared from the forest in his job doing wildfire prevention in Marin County," Karly recounts. Adorned with vibrant flowers, the structure stood as a symbol of love and unity. The ceremony was a heartfelt blend of Hindu and Jewish traditions, culminating with Karly and Hriday exchanging vows. "Sharing the vows we had written for each other underneath the redwoods" was, without a doubt, the most anticipated moment of their day.
The reception took place at the venue's summer camp mess hall, transformed into a magical setting with long tables and a sweetheart table for the newlyweds in front of a cozy fireplace. Dinner was served, and laughter echoed through the hall as toasts and stories were shared. "The table numbers included pressed leaves that my parents and I had collected from Golden Gate Park that week," Karly explains, adding a personal touch to the decor. Entertainment was a highlight of the evening. Golden Bell Music provided a fantastic DJ-and-live-music combo, and one of Karly's favorite parts of the wedding was the saxophone entry into the dining hall. "That led us into the horah and open dancing," she reminisces. The dance floor was never empty, with guests reveling in the joyous celebration.
As the night drew to a close, Karly and Hriday reflected on their magical day. They were filled with gratitude and a desire to share some wisdom with other couples embarking on their wedding planning journey. "As long as 80% of things go right, don't worry about the 20% of things that go, perhaps, not as you hoped," Karly advises, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the joy and love that a wedding day represents.
