Shyama and Shiv, The Fox Theatre, Atlanta
An open-concept mandap and signature cocktails created to represent three stages of their relationship were some of the highlights of Shiv and Shyama's wedding in the US.
After a surprise proposal on a bridge in Paris, Shiv and Shyama hosted a beautiful wedding in iconic venues in Atlanta. Here, bride Shyama shares details of the various ceremonies that featured beautiful decor, interesting elements such as a playbill agenda and striking ensembles.
How We Met
“Shyama and I met at a Model United Nations conference, where Shyama kicked my butt in the Economics and Finance committee. We got to know each other better through mutual friends and school functions. Fortunately, I went to the University of Georgia which was close to Shyama who was studying at Emory University, so I was able to pursue the woman of my dreams”, shares Shiv.
Proposal
“Last December, Shyama was visiting a friend in Paris. I visited her by surprise and scheduled a photographer to shoot ‘couples pictures’ of us. We were running late, as I told Shyama that we needed to meet the photographer in her office at 10:30 am. We got out of the Uber at the beginning of the Pont Alexandre III bridge because our friend told Shyama that there would be too much traffic on the bridge and that walking would be faster. She stopped to snap a few pics as we walked across the bridge while our friend distracted her with a history lesson on the background of Pont Alexandre III. All of a sudden, we passed by a violinist who started playing ‘All of Me’ by John Legend, which is one of our favorite songs. Shyama turned around, and I was already down on one knee, ready to ask the most amazing woman to be my wife.”
Wedding Venue
“After a long search, we selected the Biltmore Ballrooms for our Sangeet and The Fox Theater in Atlanta for our wedding and reception. We also decided to stay at the historic Georgian Terrace hotel and hosted a pre-wedding brunch at Mary Mac’s Tearoom.”
Wedding Functions
Sangeet and Welcome Dinner
Shyama shares, “Shiv and I began our wedding weekend with the sangeet and welcome dinner in the grand Imperial Ballrooms of the Biltmore Ballrooms. Our guests were also greeted with some great appetizers and three signature cocktails designed by Shiv and me in honour of our relationship and wedding story: The Parisian Proposal (to represent our engagement), Doctor’s Orders (to represent our second love, Medicine), and the Bora Bora punch (in honour of our honeymoon). Guests sat around tables decorated with romantic Parisian-themed centerpieces such as gold baroque framed mirrors, bell-jars, Eiffel Towers models, and lovely arrangements of rhododendron. Our sisters then commenced the show, in which bridesmaids, groomsmen, family, and friends put on a multicultural program full of dancing, instrumental performances, and more for Shiv and I. At the end of the night, our family members distributed organza bags which we had stuffed with bindis, bangles and handmade earrings to our guests. The thread earrings were handmade by a teacher from a school where I volunteer when I travel to India, and the proceeds were used to sponsor educational needs of the children who attend the school, who live in the slums of Hyderabad.”
Wedding
“After Shiv finished his baraat and entered The Fox Theatre, guests also followed and were greeted with fresh jasmine to pin in their hair, leaves with packs of haldi and kumkum attached, and custom playbill programs with our photo printed on the front. We wanted to do something unique with our mandap that would include more than just us and our parents while increasing visibility for our entire audience. Thus, we worked with our decorator to create a fabulous open-concept mandap, which was made up of columns of various heights hosting palm fronds, candelabras, and jewel-toned flowers. A blend of North Indian and South Indian traditions – our wedding ceremony details were outlined in Playbills which we designed.”
Reception
“After our grand entrances and first dance which were followed by the father-daughter and mother-son dances, it was time for a lovely Indian dinner served by Cafe Bombay. We sat on our royal stage in white leather chairs with gold embellishments, surrounded by palm fronds and lanterns, with my white orchid bouquet spilling over our gold sequined table. After a series of emotional speeches from our sisters, parents, and friends, it was time to cut the cake! We had a small cutting cake on the bottom, topped by a pyramid of red velvet cake balls with white icing and our initials on top. Shiv wore a bespoke navy suit prepared in Phipps Plaza. I custom ordered an emerald green Gaurav Gupta gown, as I fell in love with the elegant and flattering silhouette, structured pleats, and tasteful beading and embroidery. We then went downstairs, where our guests had lined up on the red carpet with cones full of confetti, which they were eager to douse us with as we ran through!”
The Wedding Makers
Venues: The Fox Theatre Atlanta (Wedding and Reception), The Biltmore Ballrooms (Sangeet), US
Decor: Perfect Petals Design Group
Catering: Proof of the Pudding, Cafe Bombay Catering Co.
Bride’s Outfits: Jayanti Reddy Label (Sangeet), Gaurav Gupta Couture (Reception)
Groom’s Outfit: De Louice Phipps Plaza (Reception)
Hair & Make-Up: Makeup Artistry by Sweta
Wedding Invitations: Gampa Brothers
Entertainment: DJ Jogy Jose with Divinity Audio Visuals
Cake: TK Cake Pops
Mehndi Artists: Archana Brambhatt (Bridal), BeautyUDeserve (Guests)
Photography: Yellow Bird Visuals
Videography: Wedding Film Pros
