Standing in the valleys beneath the hills of Chattanooga, under the commanding presence of Lookout Mountain, it’s easy for one to feel small. As your vision skates up their slope, bounding through the thick skin of trees, the formidable landscape takes on the character of a cradle. While you might be minuscule in comparison, you are protected, shielded by benevolent giants on all sides.
On the morning of Mackenzie and Yogesh’s wedding day, the peaks seemed to lift the low hanging blanket of morning clouds. Nestled in the valley stands The Venue Chattanooga— in pristine white form, welcoming visitors in with warmth and light. This was a unique day, a special occasion upon a special circumstance. A multicultural wedding, the unification of two unique traditions, backgrounds, and two cultures. At the center of it all were two people who fell in love.
Mackenzie and Yogesh were faced with a difficult and beautiful task. How do you unite two rich wedding traditions for one couple, let alone in one day? The rites of marriage are a sacred practice, one weaved throughout the pages of history in both of their cultures. So what were they each bringing to the table?
Mackenzie comes from a traditional American upbringing, Western Christian roots that many residents and locals of Tennessee are familiar with. Think of the white dress, suits and ties, the chapel, exchanging of vows and rings, and the ever infamous “you may now kiss the bride.” Yogesh comes from a Hindu upbringing, traditions and rites rooted in the culture of India. Think of the striking red wedding sari with gold trim, the groom’s Kurta, Henna tattoos, and rose petals flying at the bride and groom.
While each of these ceremonies in practice diverge in style, they are undeniably united in beauty and significance. Just as Mackenzie and Yogesh made the choice to unite their lives as wife and husband, they wanted their wedding day to reflect their choice. They wished to share everything together— their past, present and future. So as finally built the vision for their dream wedding, they chose to have a dual ceremony wedding day. This consisted of one ceremony celebrated in traditional Indian style, and one celebrated in traditional American style.
This is what Mackenzie had to say about this decision in her vows:
“When we decided to get married I knew that I wanted us to have two ceremonies: one to honor the culture that raised you and one to honor the culture that raised me. I never doubted that decision for a million reasons. The big one is that, one day, when our kids look at photos and videos from today, they will see a love that spans oceans, cultures and languages. They'll feel connected to both sides of their Heritage, because that's the life we're building for them starting today.”
To hear more of their vows, check out their wedding video below. Be aware, smiles and tears are known to be caused by watching this wedding film.
Alright, this sounds amazing, but two wedding ceremonies in one day? One is already tough to coordinate, how could they pull off two unique wedding ceremonies? Let’s answer this by taking a look at the order of events for the Gawandes’ wedding day to see how the threads of two ceremonies can weave so delicately, and thoughtfully, together.
How To Structure a Dual-Ceremony Wedding Day
As one approaches this type of wedding day, there are a few vital factors that come into account for photography. In a typical, single-ceremony wedding day we can expect a standard flow of preparation, unification, and celebration. In familiar terms: ‘getting-ready’ shots, ceremony coverage, and lastly the reception. In a dual-ceremony multicultural wedding day, of course, you’ll have double the ceremony. This also necessitates double the getting ready for each ceremony’s unique, traditional fashion. This provides double the opportunities for family portraits, as well as two chances for photos of the couple in their separate attire. So where do we fit in all of this time for pictures while still leaving room for all of the day’s events. Below is a framework that worked beautifully for Mackenzie and Yogesh:
Getting Ready
First Look
Couple’s Portraits
Family Portraits
Indian/Hindu Ceremony
*Post-Ceremony Portraits
Getting Ready
American/Christian Ceremony
Family Portraits
Couple’s Portraits
Reception
*Optional, but provided a nice moment for some close family & friends to pose with the couple to celebrate after their first ceremony.
This structure provided a wonderful balance for the day. The first look in traditional Indian attire worked smoothly into portraits of the couple and then with family preceding the first ceremony. Our couple was then able to have their first look down the aisle of the second ceremony proceeding out to the day’s second round of portraits.
We encountered a slight hiccup when moving out of the first ceremony, hosted inside. The second ceremony was planned to be outside at the Venue’s gorgeous, outdoor seating area. The sudden rainfall had other plans. Guests were huddled under the covered-porch of the Bridal getting-ready house— hoping to outlast the rain. Yogesh, our groom on a mission of saving this day, was sequestered in a small bathroom in the house. His bride (& bride-to-be), Mackenzie stood nearby, separated by one wall. Giggling maids and matrons held back our knight in gray formal armor, desperate to rescue his damsel from the very elements seeking to thwart their romantic plans. Thanks to the coordinated flexibility and fine efforts of the team at the Venue Chattanooga, we were able to pivot to a second, lovely ceremony inside.
A beautiful little detail of note: with the importance and finality of the kiss in the traditional American ceremony, our couple decided to save this intimate, physical moment to be their first kiss of the day. Then all that was left to do was enjoy double the party!
What do you get when you mix an Indian-American and Italian-American menu? My answer would be nothing short of a buffet straight out of heaven! Bathed in candlelight, smiles and laughter were in healthy supply at the long, elegant tables lining the same space where both of their ceremonies took place. This once chapel, now reception hall, was filled with merry dancing and a joy rooted in deepest love. Thousands of years of history, made manifest in this man and woman, clashed in a brilliant display of warmth and adoration.
A marriage is the story of two people, two histories united in one path forward. There’s no need to be intimidated by a dual-ceremony wedding day, it is more than attainable— it can be something great.
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