A Hindu Wedding in Atlanta Filled With Bright Blooms

2022-05-27 18:52:51 By : Mr. Tengyue Tao

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Sparks flew when Rohini Reddy and Chad Lucy locked eyes at a bar in Atlanta during May of 2018. The two hit it off so well, in fact, that Chad popped the question just two years after they met. “We had just moved to Phoenix and decided to drive to Sedona on a whim,” Rohini recalls. “We packed our telescope and drove to a secluded area where we spent the night lying on top of the car, stargazing, and just talking. That’s when he proposed!” 

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Since the duo got engaged during the pandemic, their wedding planning process was plagued with uncertainty. “The hardest part was having to make last-minute changes due to COVID,” Rohini admits. Even though executing their dream wedding required a lot of hard work, the couple actually found it to be an overall enjoyable experience.

What motivated them to persevere despite the obstacles was a strong vision. “We wanted our wedding to be more of a love language to our family and friends, so we kept them in mind at every step along the way, from the décor to the food, music, and dancing,” Rohini shares. “The most important thing was making sure they had a good time.”

On August 27, 2021, the pair said “I do” in front of 135 friends and family members at the Atlanta History Center. Keep reading to see how their special day unfolded, as planned by Chancey Charm and photographed by Glorious Moments Photography.

The couple set the tone of their simple, elegant, and natural wedding with minimalist invitations that featured a vine illustration. For their color palette, they settled on ivory, green, and gold with pops of orange, peach, pink, and magenta to capture the shades of summer. 

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

For the ceremony, Rohini rocked a champagne and ivory one-shoulder sari with gold and pearl detailing from Tarun Tahiliani. “I wanted something that was simple but elegant. It ended up fitting perfectly,” the bride illuminates. After Rohini chose the design, her grandmother gifted the garment to her.

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Rohini accessorized with sentimental pieces passed down from her family members. “A lot of my family was not able to be there because of travel restrictions due to COVID, so in a way, the jewelry represented little pieces of them that were with me on my wedding day,” the bride notes. She donned gold chandelier earrings with pearls and green gemstones— the same pair her cousin wore on her wedding day—along with a matching necklace.

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Rohini also slipped on gold and green bangles from her mother’s collection, which enhanced her intricate henna designs. A gold belt, made from one of her mother’s necklaces, completed her sari. To highlight her sparkling diamond ring, Rohini selected a simple French manicure.

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

For her makeup, the bride wanted a glowing and natural look that accentuated her features. Rohini also decided to wear her hair down in loose waves to elevate her everyday style. “I wanted to feel like myself but less messy. Most of the time, I wear my hair down, so that’s what I did–just a bit more elegant and put together,” Rohini explains. She topped off her hair with an understated tikka, which was made using a pendant from another one of her mother’s necklaces. 

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Chad also dressed himself in traditional Indian attire for their Hindu ceremony. He sported a green kurta with a paisley pattern on the cuffs and cream pants.

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Before the ceremony, the couple snuck away to the garden outside of Atlanta History Center to have a private first look and snap a few photos.

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Being able to have the ceremony outdoors surrounded by nature was a way to feel connected to them.

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

When touring wedding venues, Rohini fell in love with the gardens and greenery at Atlanta History Center because the natural setting conjured up fond memories from her childhood. “I grew up in the Northeast surrounded by woods, and one of my favorite pastimes with my father was going for walks in those woods,” Rohini reminisces. “Chad and I both lost our fathers a couple of years apart, and being able to have the ceremony outdoors surrounded by nature was a way to feel connected to them.”

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

The duo wanted to swap vows outside, so they selected lush decorations to complement the surrounding nature. Colorful floral arrangements lined the grassy aisle and led to a wooden mandap covered in bright marigolds, roses, ranunculus, hydrangea, and greenery. On each seat was an ivory fan to ward off the summer heat and a satchel of rose petals to toss during the recessional.

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

The mandap included a special shrine with photos of the bride and groom’s fathers, who both have passed. The photos served as a reminder that their fathers were with the couple in spirit.

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

To kick off the ceremony, Chad walked down the aisle with his family members in tow. Next, Rohini glided down the aisle surrounded by her brother, uncles, and cousins. "It represented the strength of my family,” she says. South Indian music played while they made their way to the mandap.

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Before the ceremony, Rohini’s cousins and friends placed clay lamps on the mandap. “The lamps represented the light they brought with them when they entered my life, which I would now carry into my marriage with Chad,” Rohini explains. 

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Rohini’s brother translated the Hindu ceremony from Sanskrit to English, so guests could follow along. Although the couple didn’t write their own vows, they participated in Hindu rituals that Chad’s stepfather conducted.

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

During the jai mala, the couple exchanged flower garlands to signify the blending of their two families. It took Rohini’s friends several hours to hand-make the white and pink rose garlands that the duo wore. 

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

After Rohini and Chad were pronounced husband and wife, rain started to fall. “This was my mom’s favorite memory because she believed it symbolized our fathers showering us with blessings from above,” the bride shares.

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Before the festivities began, the newlyweds changed into party-ready attire. For the reception, Chad sported a custom black tuxedo lined with a skull pattern. He paired it with black velvet shoes and a bow tie. The bride dressed herself in a long-sleeve pink lehenga with beaded accents and gold jewelry.

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Guests gathered around the garden to mingle and celebrate the newly married couple during cocktail hour. Chad enlisted his friend, who is a flamenco guitarist, to play throughout the event and during dinner.

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Since Rohini and Chad wanted their friends and family to be the focus of their wedding day, they went with minimal decorations at the reception. “We kept it simple with lots of greenery, candles, and small flower arrangements,” Rohini notes. The duo dined at a sweetheart table adorned with greenery, hydrangea, votive candles, and floating candles. 

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

One of the couple’s favorite memories from the evening was watching some of their loved ones perform choreographed dances. “We had my friends and family perform several dance numbers just before we opened the dance floor, which was a lot of fun,” Rohini reflects. 

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

The couple couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join in! Chad twirled Rohini around the dance floor while the DJ, another one of Chad’s friends, played Indian and Latin dance music. 

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

Photo by Glorious Moments Photography

To end the night with a bang, the pair played “Purple Rain” by Prince. “When Chad and I were dating, we had gone to see the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra perform a tribute to Prince,” Rohini says. “It is still one of my favorite memories.”

Looking back, the newlyweds were so pleased with how their wedding played out. Instead of worrying about perfecting every detail, the couple planned a day that highlighted their love for one another and their guests. They advise that other couples do the same. “Try to be present and really enjoy your wedding day,” Rohini recommends. “It goes by so quickly, so don’t worry about the little things!”

Bridal Gown Designer Tarun Tahiliani

Bride’s Shoes Jimmy Choo

Bride’s Hair & Makeup Katie Gurley Artistry

Bride’s Henna Ankita Shah of Horizon Henna 

Bride’s Reception Attire Astha Narang

Groom’s Attire Brother’s Tailors & Clothing

Floral Design Bold Catering & Design

Music DJ Sky; Jean Pierre Verbist

Catering Bold Catering & Design

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