Ceremonies ~ Catholic Ceremony

Catholic Church ~ St. Patrick Catholic Church, Miami Beach

St. Patrick is just a gorgeous, inspiring church.  Photographers and videographers I've spoken to  LOVE this church because of the lighting.  My cousin Julie was married here in January 2009, and we enjoyed working with the staff. 

But NOTE to self:  Tell the bridesmaids and groomsmen to NOT kneel on the altar steps during the Mass.  Ouch and double-ouch!

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Photo by Alain Martinez

Post-Wedding Pics

The Indian Catholic Ceremony was beautiful...and long.  The mass was done in the traditional rites of the Indian Catholic Church, but our programs were very thorough in their translations.  We had a mix of Eastern and Western traditions, and even a mix of Eastern and Western vows.  No weddings are without hitches, and ours was no exception.  I dropped the Unity Candle(my tapered one)!  Luckily nothing(i.e., my dress) caught fire, and it's something we can laugh about now.  Here are just a few pics.

Photography by Alain Martinez

Ceremonies ~ Hindu Ceremony

Groom's Procession- Baraat

Photo Credit: TC Event Design Blog

We tossed around the idea of Dhru riding in on an elephant, but a) It was crazy expensive, b) I wasn't so sure about promoting any elephants in captivity, even if treated well!, and c) the City of Coral Gables eventually negged the idea.  Ultimately, we found a company with gorgeous, majestic, well-treated horses.

Post-Wedding Pics

Photography by Alain Martinez

Hindu Ceremony Location ~ The Westin Colonnade Merrick Ballroom

This is one of my favorite ballrooms in The Westin Colonnade.  The colors are warm and rich, the lighting fixtures and chandeliers are traditional and romantic, and the room overall is very beautiful!  

At the front of the room we'll have the traditional Hindu ceremony staging or mandap set up, and rows of chairs on either side of the aisle. 

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Hindu Ceremony Mandap

 The altar/stage usually used for Hindu weddings is known as a mandap.   Our mandap is called the Rajasthani Cutwork Mandap and I love it!  It has crystals and lighting inside the columns, and a crystal border trim as well.  Not to mention a beautifully detailed fabric backdrop.

Photography by Alain Martinez

Our mandap package includes all the elements under the mandap for the ceremony including ornate bride and groom chairs we're going to transfer to the reception, an aisle runner and pedestals for my manzanita branches,  the doli used to carry the bride into the hall, and an entrance Ganesh statue.
~Post-Wedding Update~
We loved the mandap and backdrop...so detailed and beautiful.  Also loved the the chairs, fire pit, etc.  I didn't love the doli, and the fact that the pipes were exposed in areas..but it was still better than all the other options I saw.  I hated the aisle runner!  It was the only negative decor element that really caught my eye on wedding day.  More on this in my reviews!

Post-Wedding Pics

Photography by Alain Martinez