Simple & Serene Wedding in Cochin
BY The WMG Bride | 01 May, 2016 | 4057 views | 4 min read
When the bride says that they did not want a videographer at the wedding because she wanted the pictures to talk to them, you know you have a bride who knows her photography . Smriti and Rytis' cosy destination wedding in Cochin was a simple affair but it had so much drama. The beauty of Kerala and the romance of these two were captured beautifully by Coffee Stains Coffee Stains Photography.
Meet Smriti & Rytis
"During my Masters I worked as a Student Worker at the Genetics lab where Rytis Juras (Mr. Husband) worked as a Scientist. We instantly hit it off and found that we were so comfortable talking to each other. We found that we had a lot in common - similar tastes in music, TV shows, movies, traveling, food and even a shared love for biology. Since we both are breaking boundaries with our relationship, we thought race, religion and the age difference (he is 8.5 years older than I am) would be an issue. We both knew that we liked each other (the chemistry was very obvious and palpable) but I was very scared of how our relationship would see a future. We both actually professed our "love" to each other even before we started dating. LOL!!! We call it "Lab Romance"," explains Smriti.
"His family was so happy he "finally" found someone like me. Though, my family thought he was very kind and genuine, my "fauji" Indian father said he didn’t understand this “dating shating” and asked him if he wanted to marry me. Rytis said hell-yeah!!! Although my mother did have some concerns about how the elders in the family would react to this, it was very short-lived. In just a few days both my parents fell in love with Rytis (and his goofball nature) and fully supported our relationship. After my parents gave him the "GO" for marriage, he made a little picnic lunch, took me to a park and proposed by the Research Park Pond (yes, we are nerdy and super proud of it). :)" explains Smriti.
From The Bride:"I've been following every wedding blog you can imagine since 2013 for DIY inspiration, created so many Pinterest boards and watched every episode of Band Baajaa Bride. . Even though I am a Tamil Brahmin girl from Chennai, my parents have settled down in Kochi, Kerala. My parents made a decision to conduct the wedding in Kerala so that it is easier for them in terms of planning and also it serves as a destination wedding for us and the guests.
The wedding coincided with the infamous "Chennai Floods" where most of my family and friends were traveling from. We lost our family home to the floods and more than 30 of my closest family and my best friends were unable to attend due to the flight and train cancellations. We were very close to postponing the wedding celebrations but things came together. Finally, when everyone came to Bangalore, we got everything back on track" says Smriti.
" My advice to brides is simple - the wedding you imagine and the wedding you'll get will be completely different - things will go wrong. The secret is - enjoy the stress and craziness. Remember to smile through your wedding. Even though candid is super "in" right now, no one said you can't be natural and smile in your pictures" advises Smriti.
As for my outfits, I did do a bit of DIY for my Mehndi. I picked up a green skirt in the US at Chicwish. They have gorgeous midi and full length skirts that can be worn as a lehenga for a bride that loves DIYs and a modern chic spin to an Indian lehenga. I designed a "blinged-out" crop-top like Choli to pair with the skirt made by "Aakara" (a boutique owned by a friend in Kochi). My beautiful mango yellow anarkali gown at the Sangeet was custom-designed by a friend who owns the label "Sahasra Couture". My wedding saris were from Nallis and all blouses were custom-made at Aakara. All my gold, diamond and precious stone jewellery were ancestral pieces from my mother and grandmothers" adds Smriti.
Vendors: Venues & Catering: Mehendi at Crowne Plaza; Sangeet and Wedding at Ramada Plaza Beach Resort |Decorator:Wedding by EvenTree Wedding Planners; Mehendi and Vratham by family |Bridal Outfits: Vratham Saree from Nalli Silks ; Mehendi Emerald Green Skirt from Chicwish; Sangeet outfit by Sahasra Couture; Wedding sari by Nalli Silks , Blouse by Aakara |Groom's Outfits:
Mehendi outfit by Fab India ; Sangeet Sherwani from Pehnava, Mumbai; Wedding Silk Dhoti from Nalli Silks i |Invitations: Valavi Cards, Kochi |Jewellery: Ancestral Jewellery; Goodwill Collections |Photographer: Coffee Stains Coffee Stains |Make-Up Artist: Rubywoo
