Melanie & Vihar

Indian-American Wedding

Melanie and Vihar both attended the University of Virginia where their worlds never collided until after graduation. Upon meeting at a holiday party, the two felt an instant connection over deep conversation and their mutual admiration for food, culture, and tradition; little did they know, their relationship and passion for culture would carry them all over the map! Melanie pursued her graduate degree in Paris, and then a postgraduate diploma in India, and Vihar pursued his MBA in France. Despite timezones and living on opposite sides of the world for extended lengths of time, Melanie and Vihar made their relationship work, and after their respective studies abroad, settled in New York City where they began planning their destination wedding in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Nearly two hundred guests began to trickle in at the start of the July Fourth weekend, and their wedding rehearsal was followed by cocktails and dinner at UVA's Colonnade Club. Friday's traditional wedding ceremony took place at the University Chapel, and a live soundtrack was provided by the talented harpist, Virginia Schweninger. After the two tied the knot, guests ventured up to James Monroe's Highland for an outdoor cocktail hour featuring specialty his-and-hers drinks and French rosé, compliments of the bride's dear friend's vineyard in France, where she spent many summers as an au pair. Family and friends feasted on a fusion of BBQ and French cuisine before kicking off a night of dancing under the stars!

Saturday's celebration was full of color, energy, lively music, and nods to Vihar's Indian culture. Complete with a traditional barat on a beautiful horse, guests gathered at the steps of the Rotunda Plaza and processed into one of the pavilion gardens where Melanie and Vihar's Indian ceremony took place under a styled mandap. The wedding party led the way from the garden to their reception venue, where guests feasted on a spread of Indian cuisine, while Vihar's cousins and friends choreographed a series of specialty dances. These pictures so effortlessly capture Melanie and Vihar's genuine happiness throughout their weekend-long celebration, and I can't wait to see the decades of joy and exotic travels their marriage and lifetime brings them!

Congratulations, Melanie and Vihar!