In the heart of Boca Raton, under the Florida sun, Sue & Andrew’s wedding unfolded like a beautiful tale of cultural harmony and shared passions. Their love story, rooted in a mutual fondness for beer and travel, blossomed into a remarkable fusion of Indian and Western traditions, culminating in a vibrant and heartfelt celebration.
Their journey began in Houston, where they met as colleagues at Anheuser Busch. Over shared beers and common interests, what started as a casual drink after work soon transformed into a deep connection. Their relationship grew alongside their numerous adventures and moves, cementing their bond in shared experiences and values despite their diverse cultural backgrounds.
Planning their wedding amidst a move from St. Louis to New Jersey, Sue & Andrew entrusted Gina Marie Wedding & Event Planner, with the intricate details of their destination wedding. This decision allowed them to focus on their new beginnings while their wedding planner flawlessly executed their vision. The selection of the venue, decor, and all the minute details were meticulously chosen to reflect their unique story and love for tropical beauty.
Sue’s bridal lengha, a striking ensemble from Shyamal and Bhumika, mirrored the lush landscapes of South Florida. The dark emerald green skirt adorned with bright florals was a nod to Andrew's childhood memories and the vibrant natural surroundings. Finding the perfect piece in an unconventional color was a challenge, but it paid off, beautifully encapsulating the essence of their union.
The seamless blend of cultures enamored the guests. They experienced the vibrancy of a traditional Hindu wedding and the relaxed ambiance of a Western reception. The outdoor venue, adorned with majestic banyan trees, created an intimate and inviting atmosphere, allowing the guests to feel deeply connected to every moment of the ceremony.
A poignant memory for Sue was her walk down the aisle, flanked by her brothers. As she approached the Mandap, the emotional bond with Andrew was palpable, even through the cloth that momentarily veiled their view. This moment, filled with overwhelming love and joy from their families and friends, remains etched in her heart as a testament to their beautiful, blended journey.
Congratulations Sue & Andrew!
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Andrew and I met at work 7 years ago in Houston, TX. We worked together closely for about 3 years before I finally built up the courage to ask him to grab a drink after work. What was initially just two co-workers sharing a beer formed into the beginning of our love story? From that moment, we both knew that there was something special worth exploring. Our relationship was bound by our shared love of traveling, eating, and beer (which is the industry we work in). Although we were raised in different cultures, our family values were the same, and our biggest differences were actually our biggest similarities. Now 7 years later we are happily married and excited to see where our journey will go!
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.
Andrew and I were in the middle of moving from St. Louis to New Jersey in the midst of our wedding planning and knew that we needed a planner that could help us plan our destination wedding. After several phone calls, it was clear that Gina and her team would not only help bring our vision to life but also stay organized and on top of all of the planning while we focused on moving and starting our new jobs. Our wedding planner made the experience smooth, and we could not have pulled the event off without her! It was a blast traveling down to Florida to pick out the venue, finalize the decor, and do the hair and makeup trials!
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I knew I wanted to do a tropical wedding that incorporated the natural beauty of South Florida. I wanted to bring elements from my Husband's childhood home, like the palm trees and bright flowers growing in the backyard. This was also my inspiration for my wedding lengha, which is why I went with a dark emerald green skirt and bright pink, orange, and gold flowers. It was a little difficult finding the right lengha since green isn't the most popular color, but I'm so happy I found the perfect piece at Shyamal and Bhumika. Their customer service and customization options made it easy to mix and match elements to create the perfect look for the wedding ceremony.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Our guests loved that we truly combined both cultures in our wedding festivities. Andrew's family was able to experience the excitement of a mehndi and haldi event followed by the traditional Hindu wedding, while my family got to experience an elevated backyard barbecue-style event welcoming everyone the night before. During the wedding ceremony, our guests loved our airy outdoor venue and the beautiful banyan trees that shaded the courtyard. We wanted the guests to feel like they were truly a part of our wedding ceremony by engaging and involving everyone in the process.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
The one moment that sticks out to me the most was when I was walking down the aisle with my brothers. Although I couldn’t see Andrew at the moment, I could feel the connection between us when I was walking to the Mandap. I was completely overcome with emotion and could see my parents, my in-laws, and my new brothers-in-law tearing up as they were holding the cloth that separated the two of us. I felt the love, joy, and emotion of our friends and family that came out to celebrate our marriage.
