There was a moment that really stood out to me during this wedding that really made me happy. Neha, my bride, had changed from her white wedding dress into a traditional, Indian saree along with her new husband, Sean, who was now wearing a kurta. Neha’s mom assumed Neha would be wearing her white dress all day, she didn’t know there was a secret dress change occurring. Neha called her mom to come help her with jewelry, but to her mom’s surprise, Neha were now wearing traditional Indian wedding attire. Upon seeing Neha and Sean, Neha’s mom looks at them both and said: “you don’t know how happy you have made me.”
This wedding, hosted entirely by Shadow Creek in Virginia, was special because it shows that love has no boundaries and is the ultimate celebration of unity between two individuals and often times, two cultures. Couples are embracing the beauty of diversity by incorporating elements of their history and culture into their weddings. Traditions, customs and rituals from around the world are finding their way into weddings happening throughout Washington, DC. I’ve said it somewhere before, maybe on a post for my socials or maybe in another blog but your heritage and history are important because if you don’t know where your’re from, you wont know where you’re going. Our history ties us and guides us throughout life, lessons and the journeys we take. The mixing of cultures in weddings allows couples to celebrate their past while celebrating their future at the same time.
In addition to traditional attire, Neha and Sean also spiced up their celebration by serving their favorite Indian dishes to their guests, had a multi-day celebration and had Indian-pop played to get both families dancing. Mixed-cultural weddings showcase the beauty that emerges when diversity is embraced and celebrated. As we witness these unions, we are reminded that love knows no borders and that, in the end, we are all connected by the universal language of love. Cheers to the couples who dare to defy convention, and cheers to Neha and Sean!
