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You’ve been asking for our wedding photos and how we picked our details so we’ve decided to post details from our own wedding this past October.

Our ceremony and reception took place at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly VA. From the moment I first stepped foot into this gorgeous hotel I knew it was where I wanted to get married. It’s traditional glamour and elegance drew me in. We picked the sunset terrace for our ceremony location. Taking full advantage of the beautiful colors of the autumn leaves we picked an open, airy mandap. Our signature colors were red, gold and purple. I love flowers (which girl doesn’t) so we included fresh roses, hydrangeas and orchids in various shades of red and purple. We ensured that our bridal party was dressed in clothes that matched the overall theme of the day as well. We took all of our family photos prior to the baraat and our ceremony to ensure that our schedule allowed plenty of flex time to get ready and relax.

We kicked off our day’s festivities with the baraat which took place up brick walkway to our hotel. From a coordinated “broken shopping cart” dance to raging bhangra, Sunny’s family and friends had a blast! The baraat lead our day directly to the ceremony. We included both American and Indian customs including a processional with a ring bear and flower girl, exchange of garlands, rings and vows which we said in Hindi.  After an hour long ceremony, it was official, we were married!

Our vidiah took place directly after the ceremony. We walked through the hotel back to the front entrance where our horse and carriage was waiting to whisk us away. During our short trip around the block our two hour cocktail began. Hookahs, signature drinks, a photobooth and scrumptious food kept our guest entertained.

Our reception décor was very modern. We kept the color theme from the morning but tripled the flower effect and added kissing balls and crystals everywhere. The lighting in our room was a warm and welcoming lavender. We color coordinated everything from the colors in our double ice luge to the candy on our candy table, mithai bar and cake. We ensured that we had personal elements where ever possible, to make the wedding ours.

We can easily say that we had the best weekend of our lives and we worked with the best vendors in the industry. We had a lot of loving support from our friends and family to make it all possible.

A special thank you to Zach and Jody Gray for our beautiful wedding images!

You’ve spent a year planning the wedding of your dreams. Stressed over every single detail from the perfect shade of purple to your cake flavors. Now it’s finally time to relax-on your honeymoon!

Consider a mini-moon

If your wedding schedule was anything like ours then a mini-moon may be the best option for you. Having already taken three weeks off from work to spend time with family and finish planning last minute details, we did not have any more time off of work to take an extended honeymoon. We did the next best thing and took a short 4 day long mini-moon to a warm island not far away and began saving our time off for a more extended, exotic honeymoon later in the year. If your finances or schedules don’t allow for you to leave on your honeymoon immediately after your wedding, consider taking one or two days in a close-by location for a ‘mini-moon’. After your wedding, you’ll need a little decompression time and a mini-moon can be a cost-effective solution.

Don’t keep quiet about being honeymooners.

Tell the world you’re on your honeymoon. Stand up on every chair, on every rock and shout, “We’re on our honeymoon!” Everyone from strangers to airlines to hotels will take notice and cheerfully offer you such special treatment such as complimentary champagne in-flight or a gift basket in your room. Go ahead, it’s your honeymoon.

Set a realistic budget, and set it early

If you’ll be paying for your wedding and your honeymoon out of the same checkbook, you’ll want to keep your finances in mind as you’re planning your wedding. Don’t count on wedding gifts as a way to finance your honeymoon.

Put everything in your maiden name

It may seem cute to purchase your plane ticket in your new married name, but don’t forget, if you’re leaving right after the wedding, you won’t have time to legally change your name. If your Passport and driver’s license have different last names, make sure to bring along a copy of your marriage license to explain the difference.

Book activities, bring reading material

For the past six months your every conversation has been taken up with wedding talk. You and your fiancé may need a little time to remember what else it is you like to discuss.

Enjoy the night

Go out, have fun as a married couple. Partying, dancing and going out married is a little different but loads of fun. Enjoy; with of course a night cap