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CHITRA + PETER
DESTINATION WEDDING // MEXICO // HARING PHOTOGRAPHY
Wedding Planner: Mary Bradley Events
Location & Flowers: Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta
Invitations & Stationery: Chitra P Design (chitrap.etsy.com – the bride’s business!)
Dance floor & mandap: Eventos del Pacifico
DJ: DJ USA (Sharad Bhavnani)
White Dress: Reem Acra
Necklace & Earrings: Kate Spade; Fascinator: handmade by bride
Indian Ceremony, Reception & Mendhi Dresses: Season’s India
Henna & 24k Gold Henna: Henna by Heather
How we met….It’s kind of a funny story actually. My older sister was having her engagement party the day before her birthday so we went out that night to celebrate. Naturally, the groom’s brother was in town for the party and decided to join us for her birthday celebration, and well, that’s how two brothers ended up marrying two sisters.
Our destination wedding…We love to travel, but don’t often take “leisurely” vacations. When we finally took a trip to Puerto Vallarta the spring break after our engagement we fell madly in love and decided on the venue during our stay. We had two ceremonies, three days of events, 80 guests, and 1 detail oriented bride so there was a lot of planning involved! With the help of the my parents, we actually flew out for a tasting a few months before the wedding, taking bags of traditional Indian décor, spices, and raw food materials with us. The Westin was absolutely amazing and accommodating and helped us pull off an incredible fusion affair, with delicious authentic Indian food to boot.
We kicked off on Wednesday with a photo shoot in downtown Puerto Vallarta, ending the day with bridal Mendhi and releasing baby turtles into the ocean. Thursday we held the Mendhi & Sangeet party at an outdoor space in the Westin hotel; and with lots of dancing, food and drinks it was arguably more fun than the wedding! On Friday, we enjoyed a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, Victor’s Tacuba, and our guests from all over the world got a chance to mingle. Saturday morning began early, with the Hindu ceremony, followed by lunch. At sunset, we exchanged vows during our spiritual ceremony which was officiated by Chitra’s brother. When the cocktail hour began, the DJ couldn’t believe that every single guest was on the dance floor instead of eating and drinking. It was looked like so much fun, Chitra decided to skip the hair and make up change and the new couple made their firework accompanied entrance early.
It was, without a doubt, the perfect way to celebrate our love and begin our journey as a married couple. Having a destination wedding was perfect, as it foreshadowed exactly what marriage would be like: serious hard work, compromises, lots of joy and laughter!
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