Aruna and True's Indian fusion wedding featured a combination of lush flora and rich textures, from the cranberry satin linens to the abundance of red and white roses accented with romantic candlelight. The bride and groom wed at the same hotel where True had proposed during a surprise vacation.
“We had a Hindu wedding ceremony which has a lot of colorful and rich aspects, and red is a very important color for the ceremony so we went with a burgundy, ivory, and green scheme to blend the Indian ceremony and the reception together,” the bride shared.
The Tampa couple prioritized their wedding photography as one of the most important aspects of their special day.Aruna and True wanted a photography team who would naturally capture all of the events as the day unfolded, but who would also take the time to plan the special shots that would forever preserve their wedding day memories.
“We wanted great quality and detailed photos. After looking atLifelong Photography Studios‘ website, we knew they would capture the best moments of our wedding and take the time to get the kind of photos we would cherish forever. They did such a wonderful job!” the bride raved. “Working with Emily was so comfortable during our engagement shoot, and she always went above and beyond, along with her assistant Eden, to make sure we got beautiful photos from the wedding.”
The couple incorporated both of their heritages throughout their vibrant March celebration, from their attire selections to their cake flavor choices.
“It was a fusion wedding reflecting our American and Guyanese cultures,” the bride revealed. “For the Hindu ceremony,True's outfit is not a traditional Indian outfit, he loves wearing suits so we had a custom-made outfit that incorporated a suit in an Indian style. My bridal Indian outfit, ‘lehenga' had a ‘duppatta' (a big shawl) that had the same designs as my husband’s duppatta because they join together in a knot during the ceremony.”
Aruna and True injected their personalities into their wedding cake, choosing unusual flavors that reflected each of their tastes. The sophisticated design featured delicate gold detailing and a cluster of fresh roses.
“We wanted a three-layered cake and liked a classy look. Our planner recommended The Artistic Whisk, and they had so many unique flavors,” Aruna recalled. “Our cake selections were also unique; Coconut Rum Pineapple (I grew up in the Virgin Islands so we picked this tropical flavor) and Raspberry Basil Jam (my husband loves anything with basil!)”
Looking back on their celebration, there were two special moments between Aruna and True that the bride attributes as the most treasured memories of the day, when they were joined together as husband and wife during their wedding ceremony and when they shared their first dance at the reception.
“Our choreographed first dance and the Hindu ceremony were the most memorable parts,” Aruna reminisced.
The Proposal:
True told me to pack my bag for the weekend because he was taking me somewhere (which ended up being the Grand Hyatt), and he took me to Armani’s for dinner and proposed outside overlooking the bay.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Due to COVID, we went to Key West.
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We wanted great quality and detailed photos. After looking atLifelong Photography Studios‘ website, we knew they would capture the best moments of our wedding and take the time to get the kind of photos we would cherish forever.
They did such a wonderful job! Working with Emily was so comfortable during our engagement shoot and she always went above and beyond, along with her assistant Eden, to make sure we got beautiful photos from the wedding.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
It was a fusion wedding reflecting our American and Guyanese cultures. We had a Hindu wedding ceremony which has a lot of colorful and rich aspects, and red is a very important color for the ceremony so we went with a burgundy, ivory, and green scheme to blend the Indian ceremony and the reception together.
What was your wedding cake inspiration?
We knew we wanted a three-layered cake and liked a classy look. Our planner recommended The Artistic Whisk, and they had so many unique flavors. Our cake selections were also unique; Coconut Rum Pineapple (I grew up in the Virgin Islands so we picked this tropical flavor) and Raspberry Basil Jam (my husband loves anything with basil!)
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Hire a planner! Even if you want to do everything on your own, consult with a planner because they introduce you to so many ideas and can answer some concerns you may have just because they have so much experience. However, do your research online first (planners, venues, photographers, entertainment) so you have an idea of what you want and how you can find the vendors to give you that. Also, remember to breathe and enjoy this experience.
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
*Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pros are highly respected by our local wedding community and have been personally vetted by our editor.
