Unique Chairs Set Apart This Indian Wedding at Cranbrook Art Museum in Michigan
Priya Chatterjee (32 and a healthcare consultant) and Debmallo Shayon Ghosh (32 and a lawyer) honored both their family values and their Bengali heritages by throwing a culturally-focused celebration steeped in tradition and sentimentality. “Indian weddings put a heavy emphasis on two families coming together,” the duo says. The day started with a traditional Bengali ceremony, finishing with a blue and orange-hued reception at the art school where Priya was once a student. “We created the atmosphere of an elegant dinner party in the tent,” Priya says of the reception decor. “We wanted our guests to walk in and instantly feel happy, warm and welcome.” Vibrant centerpieces, gold candles and patterned linens mixed with rectangular wood tables brought a natural and tasteful look to the tented reception space. An assortment of marigolds, ranunculus, Queen Anne’s lace, stock flower, blue thistle and greenery added a pop of color to the reception tables. The pair chose “Lady Stardust” by David Bowie for their first dance because Priya used to reference the lyrics when describing Shayon, calling him “the boy in the bright blue jeans” who was “really quite out of sight.” The duo served a four-tiered Mexican chocolate cake wrapped in light blue fondant and topped with fresh orange nasturtiums. Signature cocktail napkins in the wedding’s bright and cheery color palette made an appearance. “I remember looking around and taking in the fact that people from every part of our life were together in one place,” Priya says. “It was a remarkable and humbling experience.”