Akansha and Shaun, The Hilton Portland & Executive Tower, Portland, US
Akansha and Shaun got married in Portland and their celebrations were resplendent with beautiful floral decor, picture-perfect ethnic ensembles and close-knit bonhomie.
Akansha and Shaun both work in the medical field and lead fast-paced lives. Their charming wedding celebrations in the US slowed down the precious moments and transformed them into lasting memories. Here, bride Akansha shares some highlights of their journey together.
How We Met
“My mother and Shaun’s father introduced us to each other. They found us on Shaadi.com. It seems that most people are meeting online these days because of their fast-paced lives. It is hard to meet someone that matches your values and personality, but it’s even harder if you are in the field of medicine. Shaun practices cosmetic dermatology and I am currently applying for residencies in family medicine. Shaun flew me down to Miami where we had our first date. We both have stubborn personalities and clashed a lot at the beginning but slowly started to see the good in each other. Shaun is a caring and kind gentleman. He is a hard worker and knows what he wants. I really loved how honest he was about everything and that honesty extended to his relationships. Our families got along really well and over time, we really fell in love.”
Proposal
“Shaun bought the wedding ring after about three months of meeting me and proposed eight months after our first date. He popped the question on the balcony of his apartment that we both had moved into. We got legally married and followed this up with an engagement function. After this, our families started planning our wedding.”
Wedding Venue
“We decided to host our wedding at The Hilton Portland & Executive Tower in downtown Portland, Oregon, since my sister lives there. Portland is absolutely gorgeous, and our nuptials venue was beautiful. Our wedding coordinator Bee Talmadge was extremely helpful in the planning process.”
Wedding Functions
Mehndi
The mehndi celebration was an intimate ceremony with just close family members and friends in attendance. The exterior of the house was decorated with fresh floral arrangements. A talented mehndi artist applied beautiful mehndi designs on guests’ hands. The day was filled with traditional ceremonies which resulted in memorable moments for all.
Haldi
The haldi ceremony took place right after the mehndi function, and this too was an intimate function with traditional rituals. Since it was a prelude to the upcoming wedding, the couple wanted their guests to enjoy and experience the various rituals.
Sangeet
Akansha and Shaun had an indoor sangeet function with colorful lighting. The tastefully decorated hall had a stage for the couple to sit on as well as a dance floor. The night was heady with hours of live music, dancing, and great food. DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid and Dholi Adam McCallum totally rocked the party and kept the guests entertained on the dance floor.
Wedding
The beautiful setup at the wedding included a pink, red and gold palette with fresh floral decor which made the venue look like a picture straight out of a fairy tale. The mandap was akin to a colorful fiesta with an orange, pink and beige draped canopy. While the bride looked beautiful in a powder pink lehenga paired with bespoke jewellery, Shaun looked every bit of a royal groom in his gold Sabyasachi outfit. This ceremony was followed by an outdoor photo shoot with the lush greenery making for a spectacular backdrop.
Reception
The wedding transitioned into a glamorous reception party at The Hilton Portland & Executive Tower. The gold chairs and the exquisite lighting made for a glitzy decor setup. The stage setup for the couple and floral backdrop gave the entire interior of the ballroom quite an ethereal setting. While Akansha dazzled in a mustard and gold lehenga with beautiful jewellery, Shaun looked dapper in a black tuxedo.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: The Hilton Portland & Executive Tower, Portland, US
Wedding Planner: Bee Talmadge
Decor: Geranium Lake
Caterers: Maharaja catering
Wedding Cake: Beaverton Bakery
Makeup Artist: Korina from Blossom and Beauty
Entertainment: DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid, Dholi Adam McCallum
Brides Outfit: Frontier Raas
Grooms Outfit: Sabyasachi, Zenia
Photography/Videography: Ryan Ao Media
