Ramya + Garrett live and breathe in colorful creativity. Both in their careers as artists for Walt Disney Animation Studios and in their wedding planning, R + G bring color to life! With planning assistance from Sweet Emilia Jane, they were able to create the most unforgettable Indian fusion wedding.
Ramya shares the inspiration behind their colorful day: Our wedding mantra was color, culture + character! We knew immediately we wanted to have a fusion wedding (Indian +American) that reflected our bold, colorful, and artistic vibe + personalities. Instead of doing traditional colors, we opted for contemporary jeweled tones + bright brushstrokes of color with accents of gold.
The Fig House was a perfect backdrop for all of our ideas with its art deco/modern, multicolored, art gallery-like venue. Indian weddings tend to be huge, extravagant + long. All of which we weren’t interested in doing. We wanted a ceremony that was short + sweet (like us!) with an intimate gathering of all our close friends and family. Overall, we were aiming for a fun and vibrant day where everyone can sip on our signature cocktails and just party! I can proudly say it was all of that + more!
R + G’s wedding just oozes creativity, modern twists on tradition and (most of all) love. Mary Costa beautifully captured the day, highlighting many of the details we’re so, so obsessed with! Let’s have a look:
Custom + Colorful
This artistic bride designed all of the paper goods + signage herself! DIY goals, right?! We love her fearlessness with color.
Vibrant Vibes + First Looks
Indian Fusion Attire
This Indian fusion wedding gives ‘pop of color’ a whole new meaning. The Little Branch brought so much vibrancy to the design with these florals. We love the floral bike + all the carnations in the ceremony installation!
Intimate Vow Exchange
Colorful Wedding Ceremony
Processional: Moon Song, instrumental
Recessional: Moon River, instrumental
First Dance: La Vie En Rose by Zazz (this was an homage to when R + G would go swing dancing all the time when they first started dating)
Twist on Traditions
Wedding planning, in general, can be as stressful as it is exciting. And adding in different cultures to the mix can muddy the waters even more. Fortunately, R + G share some solid gold advice on tackling fusion wedding planning:
Fusion weddings are a great opportunity to get creative, remix traditions + make the day uniquely yours. Pick and choose traditions from either culture and give it a modern twist. For example: we had a modern Baarat on a white bike instead of a white horse, our friend officiated instead of a Priest/Pujari, we condensed a multi-day Hindu celebration into less than 30 minutes while still including key moments like Jai Mala, “fishing for the rings” game, toe rings, Thali and Sapthapadi. Highlight what you love about each culture and try unique ways of incorporating them whether it’s for the ceremony, wedding attire (Garrett’s patterned suit lining was bought in India), the decor, the music, etc.
The dinner menu is also a great opportunity to incorporate a fusion of flavors. Don’t be afraid of doing something “wrong” by taking creative liberty and changing up some traditions while also foregoing others. It’s your wedding, you do you! One last thing, if you’re a couple who look as colorful as we do, make sure you find a photographer that can capture your diverseness tastefully. One of my main concerns was finding a photographer who could balance dark skin and light skin so thank goodness we found Mary Costa!
Wedding Reception Outfit Change!
JUST WOW – the embroidery + detailing of Ramya’s second bridal look is breathtaking.
Colorful, Multicultural Wedding Favors
Another way to combine both cultures is with wedding favor bags. R + G gifted each guest a bag with little, wooden Indian trinkets and Italian candies inside – honoring both their cultures.
More stunning signage designed by the bride. What an inviting welcome to the reception!
Indian Fusion Reception Goals
Carousel
Carousel
The colors are never-ending and work so beautifully together. This intimate wedding reception included vibrant place cards with tassels, custom coloring books + turquoise candlesticks!
Multicultural weddings are truly magical! Here’s another Indian fusion wedding with styling + design that we’ll never forget.
Whimsical Wedding Cake
Lark Cake Shop clearly didn’t miss the color memo! The deliciously artful designs in their wedding cake make our mouths water.
Ramya's - Hands down it would have to be when Garrett and his "Baarat Boys" completely surprised us all with not only a perfectly choreographed Bollywood dance but also a full-on skit (about someone pretending to object to the wedding and how Garrett must prove his love in the form of a dance, in true dramatic Bollywood fashion) all spoken in Kannada! These were all non-Indian guys who took the time and effort to embrace my culture by sneaking around and learning all the words, pronunciation and dance movements. I was so stunned and touched! It was also a perfect way to get everyone onto the dance floor!
Garrett's - Besides surprising Ramya and the entire wedding with a perfectly choreographed Bollywood number with me and my boys-- One of my most memorable moments was watching Ramya walk down the aisle as my friend played Moon Song, from the Spike Jonze movie 'Her.' I met Ramya the week after I finished working on that film, and it was released around the time we started getting closer. Every time I hear that song I get brought back to that time in my life. All the memories of us awkwardly getting to know each other come rushing back and the butterflies in my stomach start up again.
Surprise Bollywood Wedding Dance
Take your time and try not to panic! Do what makes you happy and don't overthink things. Planning a wedding can be daunting especially if you're doing it all yourself but remember that it doesn't have to be perfect and don't forget to have fun. I thoroughly enjoyed designing all the decor, color schemes, signage, place card ornaments, cake toppers, and table numbers. In terms of logistics, start early and try not to procrastinate or else everything will pile up at once. Something Garrett and I did before we picked out a venue or date was choosing our personal priority and making sure that gets fulfilled. Mine was photography and aesthetics. Garrett's was good food and good booze. By prioritizing what each of you wants, you won't get lost in the minutiae of it all. Pro-tip: hire a Day of Coordinator, you will not regret it!
A million congrats to R + G for creating the most colorful, thoughtful wedding. What a truly memorable day!
photography: Mary Costa Photography // venue name: The Fig House, Los Angeles, California, USA // event design: Ramya Chidanand (bride) // planning: Sweet Emilia Jane // florals: The Little Branch // wedding dress: Purchased in Bangalore and India // hair stylist: Face It Sugar // makeup artist: Face It Sugar // groom attire: Pocket Square Clothing (suit) and Otaa (tie0 // paper goods: Ramya Chidanand (bride) // catering: Room Forty // cake: Lark Cake Shop // linen rentals: La Tavola Fine Linen // music: Vox DJ Sahara Thompson // lighting: Pro Ambiance // photo booth: Triumph Photobooth // illustrated coloring page: Gabby Zapata // bollywood choreography: Achinta McDaniel // henna: Henna Dilse // ceremony musician: Paul Conroy of Reisender and The Y Axes
I love the bike :)
This is beyond stunning!! Love the boldness of everything