While we had planned many South Asian weddings, we had not worked with a client of Nepali descent. We learned a lot about the Nepali culture in the process. We also had a lot of fun designing this wedding at the Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg Virginia, trying to incorporate the bride’s obsession with all things Harry Potter, the meaningful symbolism of the moon and the number 13 to the couple. Check out their feature on Maharani Weddings. All photos by Regeti’s
Our sweet couple, with the bride in a red saree and the groom in a traditional Nepali Daura Suruwal.
Traditional Nepali wedding outfits including the dubo ko mala grass garlands.
The wedding party.
The groom on the back of the Mustang convertible with his Mom for the Janti, the Nepali version of the baraat.
In lieu of traditional music, the Best Man led the Janti with an acoustic guitar medley.
The groomsmen in their Daura Suruwal outfits.
The ceremony aisle was lined with white boxes that gave us the opportunity for a few design decisions. Here, there are 13 objects on each box, a significant number in their relationship.
To honor the couple’s first date where they went on a poetry walk, the front of the white boxes had saying representing love.
The beginning of the aisle featured a floral elephant and tiger, the couple’s favorite animals.
Since the couple met at UVA, they wanted a mandap with a dome representing the one at the university.
The couple exchange the dubo ko mala grass garlands in addition to jaimalas floral garlands you often see in other South Asian wedding.
Married!
We had several hours in between the ceremony and reception so the couple had arranged for games to be available for guests to play, like this foosball table where even the priest had some fun!
The bride’s Mom had some extra sarees that she no longer wore and gave them to us to use as toppers for the cocktail tables. What a beautiful addition!
A box for gift cards with a nod to the bride’s love of all things Harry Potter.
One of my favorite fun design details are custom cocktail napkins from For Your Party where we had 7 different designs with fun facts about the couple.
The bridal bouquet featured orange poppies that represented California where the bride grew up.
Harry Potter book charms that adorned the bride’s bouquet handle.
Changed and ready for the evening festivities! There was enough fabric from the groom’s Daura Suruwal that he was able to get a tie made from the same fabric.
The moon has strong importance to our couple so we wanted the reception design to be inspired by the night sky. You will see on the right of the stage is a GOBO light of a half moon with the couple’s name.
More Harry Potter inspiration: the Mandap was transformed for the evening with some suspended candles. It turned out so cool!
Candelabras on the kings tables – another nod to Harry Potter.
We used two different tablecloths from DC Rental: the Travertine Platinum tablecloth looked like moonscape and paired with a burgundy napkin; the more modern Rabanne Blue tablecloth paired with a silver napkin.
Three different centerpiece designs.
Each dinner table was numbered and named after a moon phase.
The gorgeous wedding cake with silver moon phases was a perfect complement. The table was dressed in Silver Gossamer Sheer Overlay from DC Rental which lend a sparkly feel.
Everyone had a great time!
Event Partners
Venue & Wedding Cake: Lansdowne Resort, Leesburg, VA
Wedding Planner: Vicky Choy, Event Accomplished
Catering: IndAroma
Photography: Regeti’s
Video: Bowen Films
Decorator/Flowers: Prabha Bhambri (Nivanjoli)
Hair and Makeup: Bridal Artistry
DJ/Lighting: Dynasty Entertainment
Photobooth: Funshotz Photobooth
Linen & Chair Rentals: DC Rental
Officiant: Pandit Satyanaraya Marathe
Invitations: Lettering by Lynne
Programs: LBC Design Co, with drawings by the groom
Custom cocktail napkins: For Your Party
Outfits: Traditional Outfits for Bridal Party, Groom’s and Groomsmen Daura Suruwal, Bride’s Saree, and Bride’s Lehenga all made in Nepal.
What a fun fusion wedding with so many personalized details. Check out our other weddings at Lansdowne Resort.
