Contemporary Indian Wedding

A mutual friend introduced Jessica and Aleem at a Halloween party. Although they each attended the party with a group of friends, the two ended up talking the whole night! Shortly thereafter, Aleem took Jessica on a date and they have been inseparable ever since.

The Proposal

When the time came to propose, Aleem’s elaborate plan took Jessica by surprise. He whisked her away on an adventure filled vacation to Seattle where he got down on one knee at the top of a majestic mountain in front of a grand waterfall.

The Big Day

In planning their dream wedding, the couple aimed to pay homage to their traditional East Indian roots while also incorporating their modern style. “The new Edmonton Airport Renaissance Hotel was the perfect venue to achieve this goal,” says Jessica, “every detail of the hotel was very cosmopolitan and we were excited to be the first wedding!”

Jessica and Aleem created a unique and edgy atmosphere by blending traditional elements with contemporary flair. The interfaith ceremony included time-honored practices from each religion juxtaposed by a harpist playing modern songs such as “Titanium” and “Marry Me”, while traditional Indian hors d’oeuvres and a live Instagram feed on big screens were reception components.

Favourite Moments

1. “One of our good friends was able to perform our first dance song live with an acoustic guitar. It added a special touch that added a unique experience for us.”

2. “Traditionally, the harp is a classical instrument, but walking down the aisle to songs you hear on the radio today added a special feeling that we were taken away to a magical place.”

3. “We were able to incorporate traditional ceremonies from both of our religions which made the ceremony unique and different.”

Engagement Ring Cut

Square

First Dance

‘Spectrum’ – Zedd feat Matthew Koma performed by a friend.

Advice from the Newlyweds

“Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks. At first, we felt that we needed to do everything ourselves. We started to give tasks to our family and friends, because there was so much to do. In fact, many people had contacts and talents which ended up being very helpful in the end. Giving your friends and family tasks makes the whole process easier.”

Looking Forward to Most Now Being Married

“Since we never lived together prior to getting married, we are in the process of getting to know each other on a completely different level. Whether it’s living together, buying household items, or going on vacation; it’s all new and exciting – and we get to do it all together. Now our adventure begins.”

Honeymoon

Hong Kong