The pandemic hit Katie + Samir’s wedding plans the way it hit so many others’. The couple got married in their backyard in 2020 surrounded by only their immediate families…but this is not that story.
This is the story of their big and beautiful three day wedding celebration at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, CA!! In 2022, after years of waiting and planning, Katie + Samir surrounded themselves with tons of family and friends and had the Indian and Jewish wedding they’d been dreaming of. Community, gratitude, and the merging of their two cultures were the guiding intentions for the celebration, and with the help of planners and event designers at Orange Blossom Special Events the result was a vibrant wedding weekend full of joy, color, and traditions from both of their cultures.
Their photographers at Heirlume Photography who captured all the gorgeous photos of this wedding story described the celebration as “steeped in tradition, alive with color, and absolutely bursting with love.”
The Lead-Up
The weekend’s celebrations began with a traditional mehndi ceremony where Katie’s hands and feet were decorated with ornate and intricate henna designs.
Next came the Sangeet—a huge celebration the night before the wedding ceremony itself filled with music and dance in which both families came together to amp up the excitement for the next day’s festivities.
The Big Day Arrives
Katie wanted to wear a traditional Indian lehenga (which is usually red) on her wedding day, but, in the spirit of merging cultures, Katie wanted hers to be white the way American wedding dresses are. When she and Samir shopped for their wedding day attire in India back in 2019, Katie had a hard time finding the white lehenga she was searching for, so, with the help of a designer she met on that trip, she dreamed up this stunning white and gold lehenga herself!!
Foxtail Florals embraced the vibrant energy of the celebration and filled the wedding flowers with pinks and oranges. Boldly pigmented and petaled flowers like peonies, ranunculus, and roses filled Katie’s bouquet with texture and color.
Teal was THE perfect color choice for the wedding party looks! Look at how those orange bouquets pop against the rich blue-green!
A Bright and Colorful Ceremony
Floral garlands and lanterns brought festive flair to the entire day.
Katie + Samir’s mandap (traditional wedding platform and altar) was BURSTING with colorful blooms and greenery!!
Perks of getting married on a ranch? Horses grazing majestically in the background.
Samir opted for a traditional entrance and rode in on a white horse!!
Thinking of including Indian wedding traditions in a more modern celebration? Here are some ideas about how to make it work!
Samir couldn’t help but get teary catching a first glimpse of Katie.
Our Musical Choices Processional: "And I Love Her" by The Beatles
Recessional: "You Are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne
First Dance: "Hallelujah I Love Her So" by Ray Charles
A ceremony literally dripping with gorgeous pink and orange flowers.
The joy in this picture!! Katie + Samir say: “It was important to us to honor traditions from both of our cultures as well as to express our deep gratitude for finally being able to celebrate with our loved ones.”
Girl Meets Bongga are the team behind Katie’s radiant hair and makeup looks.
Our Advice To Those Planning Now Communication and having frequent check-ins with your partner. The wedding process can feel so overwhelming and stressful and the most important thing to get through it is to foster a strong and supportive foundation to come home to amidst the chaos of planning. It's also easy to lose sight of what really matters, so we highly recommend communicating what is most important amongst your partnership, asking what is most important to your parents, and then outside of prioritizing those things, let go. The rest of it really won't matter and your peace of mind is worth loosening the reins a little bit outside of your non-negotiables.
The Reception
Seating charts on full length mirrors meant Katie + Samir’s guest didn’t miss the gorgeous Saddlerock scenery even for a second.
We cannot get enough of that rich marigold yellow!!
Outfit change! The bride and groom are ready to party, with Katie in a delicate crocheted gown and Samir in a striking off-white suit.
Dinner under the oaks with crisp, white tablecloths and bold, brilliant centerpieces.
The details! Check out the traditional design work on the table numbers!
Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding There were many moments that were truly cinematic and special for us. But one that was particularly memorable for us was when our closest friends lifted both of us up in the air to “Time of My Life” (an ode to Katie's favorite movie, Dirty Dancing), spun us around and we kissed mid-air. We totally had a rom com moment!
Congrats, Katie + Samir on your epic celebration!! Totally worth the wait!! All the best from GWS!
photography: Heirlume Photography // venue name: Saddlerock Ranch, Malibu // event design: Orange Blossom Special Events // planning: Orange Blossom Special Events // florals: Foxtail Florals // hair stylist: Girl Meets Bongga // makeup artist: Girl Meets Bongga // videography: Grimace Films // music: Second Song
Gorgeous couple! Loving the blend of traditions as well as the colorful decor.