ANU + SHIVAM | GEORGIA

from The Annual Issue 2024

ISHITA + RICH | FLORIDA

From the moment we began planning our wedding, we knew we wanted it to be a reflection of our love for nature and our rich Indian heritage. Both of us have always been enchanted by the beauty of gardens, where some of our most cherished moments together took place. We wanted our wedding to embody the serene and magical atmosphere of a garden, infused with the elegance and grace of a pastel color palette reflecting the flora and fauna often seen in a summer garden. This vision led us to the perfect theme for our wedding: a pastel, enchanted-garden daytime ceremony that flowed into a beautifully lit, tree-filled evening reception. Our wedding ceremony was designed to feel intimate and to surround our guests with the natural beauty of a lush garden. We opted for a non-traditional, open mandap as a centerpiece for our ceremony decor. We envisioned it as an open sanctuary of love and blessings – two solid, Grecian cement pillars adorned with soft pastel cascading florals in shades of blush pink, peach, lavender, and intertwining greenery, and surrounded by tall oak trees which created a grounding, natural feel. The soft colors, chosen for their calming and elegant appeal, created a harmonious blend with the natural surroundings and late summer sun.

At the start of our aisle, we incorporated complementary cement fountains draped in pastel, summery florals. The fountains connected to our mandap with a flower-filled aisle lined with loose floral arrangements – we wanted the placement to feel whimsical as opposed to structured.

Seating for our guests was arranged in a semi-circle around the mandap, ensuring an intimate setting where everyone could witness our ceremony rituals. Walking down the aisle surrounded by our closest loved ones and seeing the beauty of the décor for the first time in completion was truly a magical feeling. Our décor was complemented by a fresh, floral antarpath and a low, carved-wood platform for our havan. We opted to have our ceremony on the lush, green grass as opposed to a stage, which further complemented the natural, garden vibe.

As the day progressed into the evening, lighting became a crucial element in enhancing the ambiance. We used soft, warm fairy lights strung across the venue, casting a gentle glow that complemented the natural daylight filtering through the trees. The combination of natural and artificial lighting created a dreamy and enchanting atmosphere, perfect for our subsequent cocktail hour. Our garden-themed reception was a seamless extension of our ceremony decor, with added touches of elegance and grandeur. We chose an indoor ballroom venue for the reception, with its grand domed ceiling and connecting glamorous cocktail area providing a stunning backdrop for the evening celebrations.

The focal points of our reception decor were multiple tall, lush trees, a beautiful mirrored mixed-metal art deco bar, and a stunning mirrored golden dance floor. We envisioned the reception as a glowing, whimsical, art-deco garden scene, with our guests dining under a canopy of greenery and surrounded by the warm glow of reflected glimmering soft light. The trees were strategically placed on risers, adding to their impressive height, around the in-ballroom bar and interspersed between our guest tables, their branches adorned with small, hanging fairy lights which created a breathtaking visual impact. We incorporated a sweetheart table, surrounded by floral arrangements, to complement the overall décor and add to the overall intimacy of the evening.

Round guest tables were set up around the “garden”, each adorned with centerpieces that reflected the garden theme. These centerpieces consisted of a mix of golden, floral pieces and floating pillar candles, adding to the ambiance.

Bringing our vision to life involved meticulous planning and collaboration with various vendors and artisans. The first step was conceptualization, where we combined our preferences and cultural elements to create a cohesive theme. We created mood boards and sketches to visualize the decor and ensure all elements aligned with our vision.

Once the concept was finalized, we began sourcing the materials and decor items. We worked closely with Myar Décor, our amazing décor team, to execute our vision. Detailed plans were made for floral arrangements, lighting setups, and furniture placements, with each element chosen to complement the garden theme and pastel color palette.

As we look back on our wedding day, our hearts are filled with immense gratitude towards our wedding decor team and all our vendors. Their dedication, creativity, and hard work brought our dream wedding to life, exceeding all our expectations. Each vendor played a crucial role in making our day magical and unforgettable.

We are incredibly thankful for the meticulous planning and flawless execution that went into every detail of our wedding décor and couldn’t have been happier with what Myar Décor created for us. Their professionalism and passion for their craft were evident in every element of our decor. We are truly blessed to have had such a talented and dedicated team working with us.

Our wedding day was everything we had dreamed of and more. The serene beauty of the pastel garden theme, the elegant decor, and the enchanting ambiance created a magical setting for our special day. We will forever cherish the memories of our wedding, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make it so perfect.