About the Couple
Ashni, a Gujarati was born and raised in NJ. She is a Hospital Sales Consultant for Glaxosmithkline Pharmaceuticals. Chris sells advertising for a company called Lot 44. The couple chose New York City for their Hindu and Irish-Catholic nuptials.

Ceremony locations
Utsav Festive India and St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, New York City
Reception location
Puck Building, New York City

Heart in hand
The first night, nearly 100 guests attended a henna hand-painting party at Ashni’s family’s house. Although it’s not typical for men, Chris surprised his bride by having his right hand painted with a shamrock that had 'Ashni' written inside. She surprised him by having her new last name, Hunter, painted on her back. Most of the guests had their hands painted. "Tons of our Catholic guests wanted to be painted, which is amazing since the henna stays on for two weeks," says Ashni.

Foot-washing Fete
The next afternoon, a Hindu ceremony was held at Utsav, a large Indian restaurant in midtown Manhattan. Family and friends clapped and danced as Chris was carried in on guests' shoulders for rituals that included a foot-washing by Ashni’s parents, who were seated under the mandap. Ashni had her feet washed, and the couple circled a small fire after reciting each vow. Ashni wore a stunning Indian ensemble purchased from India and altered at Edison, NJ. One of the bracelets she wore was worn both by her mother and grandmother when they were brides. Many of Chris’s relatives also donned Indian clothes they’d borrowed from Ashni’s mother and her relatives.

Dressed in traditional Indian attire, Ashni clasped the hand of her older sister, Sonali, before the Hindu ceremony. Many of Chris’s relatives also donned Indian clothes they’d borrowed from Ashni’s mother and her relatives.	The bride wore a tikka, a piece of traditional formal jewelry, on her forehead.
One of Ashni's bracelets was worn by both her mother and grandmother when they were brides.	The couple's arms were covered with a sheet to symbolize their unity.

Irish-Catholic Roots
The following day, the Catholic ceremony took place at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Soho; the traditional feel imparted by St. Patrick's Old Cathedral allowed Chris to honor his Irish-Catholic roots. Ashni's gown for the Catholic wedding was embellished with Swarovski crystals. Her father escorted her down the aisle of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in Soho. While the bridesmaids wore wine-colored gowns and carried white roses with garnet calla lilies peeking out, the bride carried the reverse, garnet roses with white calla lilies.

The traditional feel imparted by St. Patrick's Old Cathedral allowed Chris to honor his Irish-Catholic roots.	Just before the Catholic ceremony, Ashni's sister-in-law and bridesmaid, Renee, prepared her two daughters, Erin and Ryan, for their roles as flower girls.
While the bridesmaids wore wine-colored gowns and carried white roses with garnet calla lilies peeking out, the bride carried the reverse, garnet roses with white calla lilies.	Before walking his bride to the reception at the Puck Building, only one block from the ceremony, the groom pretended to hail a cab.
Ashni's gown for the Catholic wedding was embellished with Swarowski crystals.	Garnet roses, matching the bride's bouquet, dotted the reception tables.
The couple's square, three-tiered wedding cake, resembling a stack of gifts, featured fondant icing, chocolate-mousse filling and three cake flavors--chocolate, vanilla and lemon.	At the reception, the bride and groom were hoisted into air and showered with confetti.

Later a bagpiper led guests one block to the reception at the Puck Building. Tables were named after spots the newlyweds had frequented in college. Garnet roses, matching the bride's bouquet, dotted the reception tables. The couple's square, three-tiered wedding cake, resembling a stack of gifts, featured fondant icing, chocolate-mousse filling and three cake flavors--chocolate, vanilla and lemon.

Puppy Love
Since the couple’s boxer, Brady, couldn’t attend, Ashni and Chris included her picture at the bottom of the table markers and topped their cake with a “doggie bride and groom.” Following the newlyweds' first dance, first Chris and then Ashni were hoisted into air while the DJ let loose with colorful confetti. "This part was a total suprise to both of us!" Ashni laughs. "We loved it. I wanted everything to be about us, since it was our day. As corny as we got, what people remember most about our wedding is that we celebrated our heritages, how we met, even our love for our dog.”