Hi lovelies! Today we have a stunning Indian fusion wedding out of our very favorite state: California! We love California weddings because they always contain tons of style and often incorporate the gorgeous Cali sunshine. Natasha and Chuck’s union at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay was no exception, and we’re loving the blend of two different cultures, beliefs, and families within this special celebration. The morning of the wedding ceremony, M-Sutra Bride showed up bright and early to dazzle this bride up. They used their magic brushes to create a mysterious smokey eye, ruby red lips, and a side swept, Hollywood glam ‘do. Simply sensational! Natasha donned a traditional gold and red lehenga with tons of bold embroidery work and fashion forward kundan jewels. She was a vision as she posed with her bridesmaids alongside the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Before she knew it, it was time to walk down the aisle to greet her elated beau. We’re so excited to share all the breezy and chic deets of Natasha and Chuck’s outdoor affair planned by They So Loved Events. But until then, you can let all the beauty wash over you in our full gallery captured by Rachel Blackwell Photography. And scroll below for our fun interview with Natasha!
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Chuck and I met at our MBA program at UT Austin - McCombs School of Business. We first met when we were randomly assigned to work on a business simulation together. I saw that he was very intense, smart, driven and a bit intimidating. After getting to know him he turned out to be very sweet, caring, funny and easy to talk to. There wasn't a moment that I knew he was "the one." I just followed my gut (and my heart)!
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We knew we were planning on getting married, but I didn't know when he was planning on proposing. While walking along the pier in San Francisco, we were taking some pictures. While I was looking out at the water, he was behind me getting down on one knee. When I turned around, I found him holding out a gorgeous ring. A photographer caught the moment so we will have it forever.
Tell us how you went about planning your wedding, and your overall experience with the Venues, Hair & Makeup, Outfits, Decor Theme, and all of the other important details.
My mom and our wedding planner, Stacy Wichelhaus of They So Loved Events, did the bulk of the work in planning the wedding. Chuck and I were both busy with school and laid-back about the whole process. Mom is a great planner and very organized. Stacy was also great at finding high-quality vendors, design of the spaces, and keeping us on schedule. She was a pleasure to work with!
Chuck and I are fast decision-makers. We chose our theme, Starry Nights, after browsing wedding themes on Pinterest for twenty minutes one night. We didn't even know we were supposed to have a theme before Stacy mentioned it! Chuck's favorite color is navy blue and I love anything sparkly (like gold) so it was perfect for us.
The venue, Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay, was gorgeous. We got great shots with the drone filming the event. All the food the Ritz catered was great - we had a Spanish-themes mehendi and an Asian-themed welcome dinner.
I was a huge fan of our DJ's from Wicked Entertainment. They were on top of things and played a fun mix of Indian and American pop/hip-hop. The dance floor was packed! The lighting they provided set a nice ambiance as well.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
We went with my family to Mumbai to shop for all our wedding outfits. I considered pink, blue, and coral but decided to stay traditional with red and gold. Chuck, Mom and Grandma were all with me while I tried on dresses. It was frustrating at first having multiple opinions at one time, and tiring shopping while we were jet-lagged. But after trying on maybe ten dresses at a few different stores I found the one I loved and that we all agreed on. It had some red but was mostly gold (again, my favorite color!)
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Looking for wedding dress ideas on Pinterest and shopping in Mumbai! I love to dress up, and my wedding was the one time I could get away with wearing something very sparkly. Choosing outfits was a lot of fun.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
The guests really enjoyed the venue. It was a very nice hotel on the coastline with a bike path, so between events they could bike or walk along the path and enjoy the scenery. There is also a fire pit they could hang out and mingle at. They also enjoyed all the dancing at the mehendhi and reception.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
Our first look was very emotional for me, which surprised me because I usually don't get very emotional. Chuck was waiting with his back to me by the cliff overlooking the ocean, and it was overcast. It was a very romantic atmosphere. That was the moment it dawned on me that we were actually getting married that day.
For events other than your ceremony, please tell us as much as you would like about the decor, style, dances, and all the special details.
We had a Spanish-themed mehendi party, to mix things up. Spanish tapas are my favorite food and I thought it would be a fun theme. We had some great appetizers like croquettes, patatas bravas, and crab-stuffed peppers, as well as larger entrees. I was so wired I didn't really eat though. We went with pink, red and orange decor and lighting to go with the Spanish theme.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Get a great wedding planner with a strong reputation, usually through word-of-mouth. Stacy ensured that everything ran smoothly for us on our wedding day, and there were many moving parts. Do your research for all the vendors. Most of our vendors were great, but there were one or two I was disappointed with who were not on-schedule and behaved unprofessionally. Be sure to find a stellar photographer and videographer - we loved ours, Rachel Blackwell and Robles Video Productions - because at the end of the day having those memories is what really matters.
Gorg ceremony deets up next!
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