Lush Florals, Rich Jewel Tones, and Personalized Touches Shine in This Luxurious Hindu Wedding

Soma and Arya celebrated their marriage in a luxurious multi-event Hindu wedding in The Woodlands, Texas.

The couple first connected on Hinge in 2021. Though discouraged by past dating experiences, Soma took a leap of faith and decided to meet Arya in person. Immediately enamored with one another, the couple’s first date at a Mexican restaurant in San Francisco soon led to a picture-perfect first kiss under the city’s streetlights.

Arya proposed on Bow Bridge after a romantic carriage ride through Central Park. Getting down on one knee as the sun set, Arya moved Soma to tears with a heartfelt speech, sharing his excitement for their future together.

Two years after meeting, the couple tied the knot in late October 2023 in The Woodlands, Texas.

The weekend kicked off with the Sangeet, a traditional pre-wedding ceremony that brings the bride and groom’s loved ones together for an evening of music and dancing. The next day brought the couple’s wedding ceremony, followed by a reception in the evening. Characterized by extravagant floral arrangements, meticulously chosen color palettes, and opulent fashion, each event contributed to the weekend’s lavish, elegant feel.

The bride and groom found several ways to make their celebrations uniquely their own. Using her knowledge of graphic design and with help from AI, Soma created custom invitations that perfectly captured the warm and welcoming feel the couple hoped to cultivate throughout their festivities. The bride and groom also poured themselves into the menu, working with Chef Jassi Bindra at Amrina to curate every offering served to their guests.

Read on for more details on the couple’s luxurious Hindu wedding celebrations!

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• Couple: Soma Mathur Reddy & Arya Reddy
• Wedding date: October 20 and 21, 2023
• Wedding location: The Woodlands, TX

How did you meet?

Soma and Arya were both living in San Francisco, CA, in 2021. That May, both were on the lookout for true love on Hinge. Arya eagerly matched with her, while Soma, skeptical after disappointing dates, was nudged by her mom to give Arya a chance.

Soma and Arya chatted back and forth for a few days until Arya asked Soma on a date to Nick’s Crispy Tacos on Polk St the Friday right before the Memorial Day long weekend. As soon as Arya saw Soma walking down the street, his jaw dropped, and he knew that she was the one.

Arya won Soma over with a charming smile, funny stories, and, most of all, his kind eyes.

They felt their hearts pounding as they carried on to the next trendy bar, smitten with how the other spoke of their families and their life’s dreams. Just like in the movies, Arya whisked away Soma for their first kiss under the streetlights of Polk and Broadway St. After two years of romantic dinner dates, fearless trips, and family bonding, they eagerly anticipated celebrating their journey with loved ones.

Tell us about the proposal.

Soma and Arya’s special evening began with a lovely carriage ride through Central Park. The setting sun cast a warm glow as their horse-drawn carriage made its way along the tree-lined paths. The crisp air carried the scent of flowers and the gentle sound of rustling leaves. As they neared Bow Bridge, Arya asked the driver to stop and guided Soma down the steps.

On the bridge, with the quiet river and a glimpse of the city skyline behind them, Arya took Soma’s hands and dropped to one knee. Soma was stunned, her breath catching as Arya began a heartfelt speech about their journey together and their future. Filled with love and devotion, Arya’s words brought tears of happiness to Soma’s eyes. Overwhelmed by the beautiful proposal, Soma said yes, marking the start of their new chapter together.

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?

It was a traditional Hindu wedding mixed with aspects of Western weddings. Although we are both Hindu, we managed to balance the bride’s Mathur customs from Delhi with the Groom’s Gujarati and Telegu customs. It was a little challenging, but we had a wonderful pandit, Visheshji, who helped harmonize both cultures. We also exchanged wedding bands which isn’t usually done in a Hindu wedding.

The Sangeet…

For the Sangeet, the vision was an opulent display of jewel tones and a touch of Bollywood. The entire décor adhered to a rich color scheme of deep purples, blues, and gold, evoking a sense of regal splendor. Smaller décor pieces mirrored the lavish aesthetics of a grand Bollywood mansion, featuring ornate golden candlelights adorned with intricate traditional patterns.

The centerpieces were elegant floral arrangements encircling Indian classical tablas to add a touch of cultural authenticity. Small, plush sofas lining the room offered comfortable seating for guests to enjoy the performances while feeling like royalty. The glass walls of the venue allowed the natural beauty of the resort to enhance the setting, with a serene waterfall in the background adding a touch of tranquility to an already luxurious atmosphere.

Soma opted for a mauve lehenga with light green and teal flower-shaped sequins and beading accessorized with custom-made jewelry from Gehna. Arya pulled colors from the lehenga’s flowers to create his custom sherwani for the event.

The Ceremony…

As opposed to the previous night, the focus of the décor was to enhance the natural beauty of the resort’s outdoor gazebo with fall colors, transforming it into a floral fantasy. We lined the gazebo with lush floral arrangements. We added pink and white roses with yellow and red accents that complemented the light wooden floors, leaving a romantic feel in the air.

The ceremony was a time for peace in nature to bring two people in love as one. I grew up with a golf course as my backyard, so it was important that our wedding ceremony took place in a similar setting, surrounded by lush greenery and open skies. At the entrance, we had an all-white Ganesh statue that was delicately adorned in the same jewel-like tones as the Sangeet, adding a touch of elegance and cultural significance to the setting.

Soma donned a classic red lehenga (inspired by Sabyasachi X Shyamal and Bhumika) for a timeless look.

The outfit was shopped for and sent overseas from India at a boutique shop in Mumbai through her uncle and aunt, who searched through tens of stores four hours away from home until they found the style we all were looking for. Soma accessorized the garment with a gold necklace that her mother wore at her own wedding. Arya complemented her look with a royal-inspired red velvet dupatta.

The Reception…

For the final event, the dream was a Cinderella-esque ball. The bride wore a signature light blue gown, and her groom looked every bit like Prince Charming. The venue was illuminated by a golden backdrop with chandeliers, casting a warm glow on top of the dark navy backlights. We added the illusion of lots of open space with a white stage, sofas, and dance floor, complemented by white dangling floral arrangements featuring pink accents and lush greenery.

The room felt like the perfect mix of an intimate candlelight dinner and a grand ball with golden floating candles and vine-centric floral arrangements as the centerpieces. We added an overlay of a special monogram design to the dance floor just for our reception, designed by the bride.

It was a small touch that felt so grand and really made the night feel like it was just for us.

– Soma (The Bride)

What are your best memories from your wedding?

It’s already a privilege to have your grandparents at your wedding, and the moments we shared with them were priceless. My 90-year-old grandpa, who I had never seen dance before, was busting it down the whole night on the dance floor. We felt so honored that the stoic man we know decided to let loose. You haven’t lived until your grandpa dances to Soulja Boy with you at your wedding. Even Arya’s grandmother was dancing that weekend! She danced her heart out with Arya at the Baraat. The smile it brought to Arya’s face was the same one you’d have as a little boy when your grandmother surprises you with your favorite sweets. That’s the kind of happiness and love you want at your wedding.

There was a communal space outside of the bride’s suite where all of our friends and family would congregate in any spare time.

It was essentially a 24/7 party the whole weekend with them right outside our door. Having your loved ones in such close proximity really helped ground us and take in the moment with the people who care for us the most.

During the Sangeet, the energy from the dance performances from family, friends, and the bride and groom kicked off the entire wedding weekend. Mathur/Reddy guests know how to get the party started!

During the ceremony procession before the bride entered, each individual/group had a special, meaningful song that represented their relationship with the bride and groom that they walked down to. Even if I (the bride) wasn’t down yet, I could hear the songs playing from the balcony where I was sitting and was holding back tears.

One of the most special moments of our wedding ceremony was the Kanyadan.

In this deeply meaningful tradition, Soma’s parents officially gave her hand in marriage to Arya, symbolizing the entrustment of their beloved daughter into the care of her husband. This heartfelt moment was filled with love, blessings, and the promise of a new beginning. Cue more tears!

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?

Get a wedding planner who understands your vision and will make sure it happens, from planning to execution. They really do help you immerse yourself in your day, and they are your advocates above all.

Wedding planning is a stressful, intense, and emotionally taxing process, no matter what anyone says. During these times, it’s important to remind yourself that it’s you and your partner working with each other, not against each other. It’s easy to get lost in it all. You are a team. This will make a world of difference which will continue throughout your marriage.

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Vendors:

• Planning & Coordination: SB Events Co.
• Photography & Videography: Always Us Photography
• Venue: The Woodlands Resort
• Catering: Amrina
• DJ: Dhol Beat Int.
• Décor: Dreams Décor Design
• Photo Booth: Pixel Memories Photo Booth
• Officiant/Priest: Vishweshji
• Transportation: Houston Wedding Horses
• Bridal Hair and Makeup: Sk Artistry
• Family Hair and Makeup: Beauty With Saira
• Bridal Henna Artist: Paisleys and Swirls
• Family Henna Artist: Henna by Nafisa
• Sangeet Dress: Fashion Queen
• Sangeet Jewelry: GEHENA
• Shoes: Nina Shoes
• Sangeet Sherwani: Nazranaa
• Ceremony Lehenga: Raas
• Wedding Band: Ken & Dana Design
• Groom’s Attire: Kajal’s Couture
• Shoes: Kavith Sainaani Store
• Reception Dress: Amrut Fashion
• Reception Jewelry: Tanishq
• Reception Tuxedo: Hugo Boss
• Reception Shirt: Brooks Brothers