March 8, 2013 was a rare rainy day in Arizona for Gayle and Rajesh to be married. The clouds could not ruin this couple’s bright and beautiful future. The couple met at Arizona State University during their college years. Because of the couple’s different religious backgrounds they chose to marry in both a traditional Indian ceremony as well as a Christian ceremony. In between the two was a break for teak and mango Iassi. The Christian ceremony ended with a butterfly release.
For the Indian ceremony Gayle wore an Indian wrap in pinks and oranges with a red and white floral lei. Rajesh wore a traditional outfit that included a long ivory jacket with crimson turban and a lei of red and white flowers. They then changed clothing. Gayle wore an ivory gown with some beaded detailing and thin straps while Rajesh wore a tuxedo. The bridesmaids wore pink dresses and the groomsmen wore tuxedos although the best man stood by his friend in traditional Indian clothing for the first part of the ceremony.
For a first dance, the couple brought smiles to the guests as they danced to Jason Mraz’s Lucky. Gayle and her father then danced to My Girl by the Temptations before Rajesh and his mother danced to Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Afterwards everyone celebrated. The father of the groom talked about Rajesh’s love for cars and his maturity. When he was six, his father felt he was going on sixteen. He then thanked the bride’s parents for raising a wonderful daughter before welcoming their first daughter into the family. The father of the bride thanked everyone for coming and said he couldn’t have picked better in-laws if he had picked them himself.
Favors were chocolates in a bag with a butterfly on it, while a sweet cake was served for guests. The cake had four tiers wrapped in pink and orange ribbon with fresh gerbera daisies and butterflies adorning it.
Congratulations Gayle and Rajesh. We wish you happiness, a healthy life and much laughter.
Photography by: SJA Studios