Location: Huntington Beach, California, USA
Setting: Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort
Wedding season: Fall
The number of guests: 500
How long did the couple plan the event: 16 months
Wedding theme/style: Modern, fairy-tale, bright, focused on the guest experience.
Their love story began at a Bollywood dance competition in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Yash, the talented event director, crossed paths with Sruthi, the captain of a UCLA dance team. During technical rehearsals, an instantaneous connection sparked between them. The connection was strong, and they decided to keep getting to know each other despite the distance between them.
“We had a lot in common – our culture, family values, food preferences, and love of stand-up comedy, to name a few things. We navigated long-distance until I moved to Boston to be together. Four years later, in LA, Yash planned a romantic proposal, an intimate family dinner, and a joyous surprise party with friends. We knew that’s exactly what we wanted from our wedding – to have a grand celebration with all the people we love. We wanted to celebrate our love, culture, and families coming together.
We knew we wanted our wedding to be a big party focused on the guest experience with good food, good music, and lots of dancing on a beautiful resort property by the beach. A modern fairytale Indian-American wedding.”
The bride and groom planned three main wedding events with distinct themes. One of the standout events was the Sangeet ceremony, which took inspiration from Tulum’s natural and boho vibes. This pre-wedding celebration allowed the couple, along with their friends and family, to come together and enjoy an stress-free evening of music and dancing. The Sangeet was adorned with light blue and green shades, creating a serene and enchanting atmosphere. Every detail reflected the couple’s love for Tulum, from the custom print henna design on the dance floor to the rattan bar set-ups and string lights. The audience-style seating gave everyone a close view of the mesmerizing dances and heartfelt speeches. It was a truly unforgettable night, filled with laughter, happiness, and the coming together of two families.
On the beautiful wedding morning, Sruthi looked at herself in the mirror and felt a surge of confidence and charm. The makeup by Lulu Nguyen highlighted her best features, emphasizing her sparkling eyes and captivating smile. The dress of her dreams and an array of lovely accessories awaited her, completing her stunning transformation. Together, these elements turned Sruthi into a mesmerizing vision as she prepared to embark on her unforgettable journey as a bride.
Sruthi and Yash enjoyed planning surprises for one another. In a delightful gesture, Yash presented Sruthi with a coveted Cartier ring, fulfilling her long-held desire. With a sparkle in her eye, Sruthi joyfully wore the ring during the ceremony, cherishing this momentous occasion. These precious moments of thoughtful gestures and surprises have created memories that would endure forever, symbolizing the depth of their love and their unique bond.
Sruthi shares about her dress: “I grew up dreaming about being a Sabyasachi bride – one of the most talented Indian designers in the industry. I initially wanted to wear red, as many Indian brides do, but I looked at thousands of red lehengas that I did not fall in love with. During a Facetime consultation with a sales associate at the Sabyasachi boutique in Hyderabad, India, she showed me a pink pastel lehenga with intricate gold embroidery. I fell in love instantly but was hesitant to say yes because I never envisioned myself in pink. After a few weeks of going back and forth, I committed to the dress without ever seeing it in person – and it was one of the best decisions I made! I wore gold jewelry picked out by my mother and added white roses to my hair for a delicate, romantic touch.”
The atmosphere surrounding Sruthi’s wedding morning was magical. The blend of excitement, anticipation, and pure happiness filled the air, creating a truly unforgettable ambiance. Laughter and cheerful conversations set the perfect mood for a celebration of love.
Yash eagerly got ready for the big day, excited before seeing his beautiful bride. His family and friends supported him, ensuring every detail was in place. Together, they created a warm, encouraging atmosphere filled with laughter and cherished moments.
After the groom was ready for his big day, he embarked on a joyous journey toward the marriage venue. It was time for the grand procession known as Baraat, a celebration filled with energy and excitement. Yash, accompanied by his family members, groomsmen, and friends, made his way to the venue amidst festive music, dancing, and jubilant cheers. The air was filled with anticipation and happiness as the Baraat procession created a vibrant spectacle.
As Yash looked at his stunning bride Sruthi, he was left speechless. Seeing her in her exquisite pink lehenga took his breath away. She looked absolutely radiant, a vision of beauty. At that moment, time stood still as Yash was captivated by her enchanting presence. All the moments were beautifully captured by a talented photographer Jenny Smith & Co.
During their wedding day, the couple radiated an incredible amount of love and looked absolutely stunning, captivating everyone around them with their beauty and affectionate glow.
Before the ceremony began, the wedding party came together for a joyful pre-wedding celebration. They laughed, danced, and had a wonderful time. Bridesmaids and groomsmen danced together happily, making beautiful memories and setting the scene for an unforgettable day of festivities.
Their wedding ceremony had a classic, romantic, and pastel theme and took place in Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. The couple wanted to create a light and airy atmosphere, taking advantage of the beautiful beach and lighthouse location. The bride and her parents envisioned the mandap, an altar for Indian weddings, as the focal point of the ceremony. It was adorned with abundant pink floral decorations by Kismet Event Design that perfectly matched the bride’s wedding lehenga. To ensure the comfort of their guests, white paper umbrellas were placed on the seats, providing much-needed shade and protection from direct sunlight. They were delighted with how everything turned out and highly recommended using umbrellas for outdoor wedding ceremonies.
The all wedding events for Yash and Sruthi and their ceremony, in particular, were a stunning display of Indian traditions, meticulously planned to perfection by the talented team of Orange Blossom Special Events. From the vibrant decor to the intricate rituals, every detail was thoughtfully curated, showcasing the beauty of Indian customs. The planner’s attention to detail and expertise shone through as they flawlessly executed a grand Indian wedding. Vibrant colors, ornate mandap, and exquisite floral arrangements created an enchanting ambiance. Orange Blossom Special Events seamlessly combined cultural authenticity with modern elegance, ensuring that every moment of the celebration was awe-inspiring. Their dedication and creativity in bringing the couple’s vision to life made this wedding an unforgettable experience for every guest.
The bride about the look for the reception: “I grew up watching “Say Yes to the Dress” with my dad and sister every Saturday. It was a no-brainer that I wanted to wear white to one of my events, but since it’s usually not a favored color to wear during a Hindu ceremony, I opted for a white lehenga for the reception.”
Their reception was completely different from their ceremony, with a stunning dark and moody atmosphere beautifully enhanced by the colors gold, black, and red. The decorators they worked with were incredibly talented and effortlessly found the perfect shade of antique gold that perfectly matched the couple’s vision. The lighting design played a crucial role in setting the desired mood, adding an extra touch that made the evening unforgettable, enchanting, and alluring.
Sruthi about the wedding celebration: “One thing we did differently was center our whole wedding around the guest experience. From there, we incorporated elements and moments to make it special for us as a bride and groom rather than the other way around. This was 100% key in ensuring a successful event which I think is not often done, but I feel is so critical. When you shift your focus to the guest experience, you are making sure everyone is going to have a good time which will, in turn, make the vibes of the event so fun for you as a couple.”
Yash and Sruthi’s wedding was truly a night to remember. As the music began to play, an irresistible rhythm filled the air, captivating everyone in its spell. The beats of Indian music reverberated throughout the venue, igniting a sense of joy and celebration in every heart. The dance floor became a magnet, attracting guests with an irresistible allure. Laughter, smiles, and vibrant energy permeated the atmosphere as friends and family came together to create unforgettable memories. It was a night where love, happiness, and the magic of music intertwined, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all present.
• Advice from the couple:
Delegate everything! Everything from steaming clothes, setting up detail shots, coordinating bridal party, etc., should be delegated to close family and friends. As the bride and groom, the only thing you should be responsible for is showing up and having a great time! There will be things that happen that will be out of your control, so just remember to have a great attitude and be mentally present as much as you can.
PLANNER Orange Blossom Special Events | PHOTOGRAPHER Jenny Smith & Co. | VIDEOGRAPHERS White Rose Production | RECEPTION VENUE Hyatt Huntington Beach | FLORIST Kismet Event Design | CATERING Manohar’s Delhi Palace | DJ M4U Events | DRESSES Sabyasachi, Seema Gujral | MUAH Lulu Nguyen | HENNA Gopi Henna |
