A Rustic-Glam Hindu Wedding at Berkley Church in Toronto, Canada

For their late summer wedding in Toronto, Rubina Sobhee and Arjun Basu planned a fun-filled Hindu fete laced with tradition and glamour.

“We wanted our wedding to be in a unique space to complement our urban lifestyle, but also respect our Indian roots and heritage,” Rubina says. “When we saw the Berkley Church for the first time, we immediately knew it was the one.” The historic church’s stained-glass windows, original accents and high ceilings perfectly showcased the couple’s color palette of blush, gold and white.

A traditional Hindu ceremony unfolded under a custom wood mandap draped in sheer white fabric and an 8-foot-long floral garland. Baby’s breath spilling from glass orbs and blush roses dotted the ceremony stage, and strands of twinkle lights cast a warm glow over the expansive space.

After the “I dos” and a quick costume change, the festivities kicked into full gear. Drinks and India-inspired snacks were served on the mezzanine during cocktail hour, followed by dinner on the main floor, where guests were treated to decadent fusion dishes. Wood crates filled with blush and white flowers and glitter-flecked mason jars decorated the tables, infusing the décor with a rustic-glam feel. “The name cards were one of my favorite touches,” Rubina says of the custom laser-cut wood cards that sat atop a simple white napkin.

Once the plates were cleared, the couple brought in both an inflatable photo booth where guests could strike a pose and a snow cone company. “The snow cones were made with 100 percent natural ingredients and were a hit,” Rubina says. The couple also served up a late night snack of poutine and boneless chicken bites to keep the dance party fueled.

Rubina and Arjun’s best advice for to-be-weds: “Spreadsheets, lists, spreadsheets and lists! We didn’t have a wedding planner, so we had to organize ourselves down to a T. We had a list for everything and made sure that we crossed things off and tracked things appropriately. If you’re a fairly organized person, you can definitely do it on your own. It’s challenging, but well worth the work after you see it all come together.”