Era and Roger were married on October 24, 2015, with their ceremony at a Sikh temple in Rensselaer and their reception at the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga. These two contacted me 6 months before their big day to help them stay on track with their planning and to be there with them to coordinate wedding day itself. Era is a sensitive woman who snacked on carrots in my office and focused on making sure that all of their guests would have a good time, and Roger is a project manager who lived comfortably in the world of spreadsheets, timelines, and RSVP tracking. Their blended Indian-American wedding was so fun to plan with them - and came together so beautifully!
This wedding was a little trickier than most to plan because there were a lot of moving parts. To celebrate Era's heritage the ceremony followed traditional Indian elements which began early that morning with the the groom's parade (Baraat). Roger rode in on a white horse and his friends and family followed a dhol player through neighborhood streets to reach the temple. After they danced and celebrated the families participated in the Milni where they exchanged flower garlands signifying that their acceptance of the marriage. The guests were treated to lunch before heading inside the temple so the wedding ceremony could begin. Era and her closest friend remained inside and hidden away through the morning, but once all of the guests made their way inside the ceremony room Era's brother escorted her in. For Sikh ceremonies the men and women sit on opposite sides of the room and everyone inside the temple has to wear a head covering. I have experienced several Indian weddings but this was my first Sikh ceremony. It was wonderful to learn a new set of traditions!
After the ceremony everyone moved outside to a tent for lunch catered by Flavors of India. Then shuttle buses took guests to Saratoga in anticipation of the reception which was to be held that night. Era and Roger stopped for a few photos before going to their hotel to change into their reception garb. Era had a hair and makeup refresh, the two were able to get a few more photos taken, and then it was time for them to party!
The reception was held under a tent in the back courtyard of the Dance Museum. Roger is an avid curler and member of the Albany Curling Club and it was a perfect fit for them to be introduced into the reception tent to the sounds of bag pipes and Roger's curling friends stomping their brooms to the beat. Era and Roger gave a heart felt thank you speech to their guests, danced their first dance, and then DJ Adam Conway got their party started! Guests enjoyed a mix of Indian and traditional American music, as well as a delicious buffet of Indian food made by New World Catering. It was such a fun wedding for me and so amazing to see Era and Roger enjoying themselves at each stage of the day!
I am happy to give credit to a long list of amazing vendors who all worked so hard to make this wedding special. First I have to give a shout out to Katie Anello from Clark + Walker who is the talent behind all of these gorgeous photos. Thanks for your fun energy Katie! Also a thank you to Steve Powers, associate videographer with Bigler Productions. For the morning's events I worked with the Sikh Temple of Rensselaer, Loon Farms (Baraat horse), DJs Samrin and Janspreet (DJ and dhol player), Flavors of India (breakfast and lunch buffet), and Brookside Nursery for renting mums to decorate the outside of the temple. Transportation was provided by Advantage Transportation Group. And for the reception I worked with Jo Ambrosio from the National Museum of Dance, Mary Jacobs and her team at New World Catering, DJ Adam Conway from Piano Man DJs, Kris Ann Elario at Fleurtacious Designs (who also made the beautiful flower garlands), Kyle Garcia (hair and makeup), and all of the rentals for both venues were provided by Rain or Shine.
Also don't miss Era and Roger's wedding trailer video produced by Steve Powers, associate videographer with Dave Bigler Photo and Video. It's at the end of this post!
This is an extra long blog entry because it was an extra special day! Thank you Era and Roger for choosing me as your wedding planner. It was an absolute pleasure to work with you, meet your wonderful families, and play a small part in your big day. I hope to continue this friendship with you for years to come!
xoxo,
Shannon
This wedding was a little trickier than most to plan because there were a lot of moving parts. To celebrate Era's heritage the ceremony followed traditional Indian elements which began early that morning with the the groom's parade (Baraat). Roger rode in on a white horse and his friends and family followed a dhol player through neighborhood streets to reach the temple. After they danced and celebrated the families participated in the Milni where they exchanged flower garlands signifying that their acceptance of the marriage. The guests were treated to lunch before heading inside the temple so the wedding ceremony could begin. Era and her closest friend remained inside and hidden away through the morning, but once all of the guests made their way inside the ceremony room Era's brother escorted her in. For Sikh ceremonies the men and women sit on opposite sides of the room and everyone inside the temple has to wear a head covering. I have experienced several Indian weddings but this was my first Sikh ceremony. It was wonderful to learn a new set of traditions!
After the ceremony everyone moved outside to a tent for lunch catered by Flavors of India. Then shuttle buses took guests to Saratoga in anticipation of the reception which was to be held that night. Era and Roger stopped for a few photos before going to their hotel to change into their reception garb. Era had a hair and makeup refresh, the two were able to get a few more photos taken, and then it was time for them to party!
The reception was held under a tent in the back courtyard of the Dance Museum. Roger is an avid curler and member of the Albany Curling Club and it was a perfect fit for them to be introduced into the reception tent to the sounds of bag pipes and Roger's curling friends stomping their brooms to the beat. Era and Roger gave a heart felt thank you speech to their guests, danced their first dance, and then DJ Adam Conway got their party started! Guests enjoyed a mix of Indian and traditional American music, as well as a delicious buffet of Indian food made by New World Catering. It was such a fun wedding for me and so amazing to see Era and Roger enjoying themselves at each stage of the day!
I am happy to give credit to a long list of amazing vendors who all worked so hard to make this wedding special. First I have to give a shout out to Katie Anello from Clark + Walker who is the talent behind all of these gorgeous photos. Thanks for your fun energy Katie! Also a thank you to Steve Powers, associate videographer with Bigler Productions. For the morning's events I worked with the Sikh Temple of Rensselaer, Loon Farms (Baraat horse), DJs Samrin and Janspreet (DJ and dhol player), Flavors of India (breakfast and lunch buffet), and Brookside Nursery for renting mums to decorate the outside of the temple. Transportation was provided by Advantage Transportation Group. And for the reception I worked with Jo Ambrosio from the National Museum of Dance, Mary Jacobs and her team at New World Catering, DJ Adam Conway from Piano Man DJs, Kris Ann Elario at Fleurtacious Designs (who also made the beautiful flower garlands), Kyle Garcia (hair and makeup), and all of the rentals for both venues were provided by Rain or Shine.
Also don't miss Era and Roger's wedding trailer video produced by Steve Powers, associate videographer with Dave Bigler Photo and Video. It's at the end of this post!
This is an extra long blog entry because it was an extra special day! Thank you Era and Roger for choosing me as your wedding planner. It was an absolute pleasure to work with you, meet your wonderful families, and play a small part in your big day. I hope to continue this friendship with you for years to come!
xoxo,
Shannon
