Neha + Sandeep

Her Big Day Team
Jan 13, 2016
3 min read

Bride: Neha Giridharan Groom: Sandeep Anne

Bride’s family: T. Giridharan (dad), Beenu Govind Rao (mom), Kavya Giridharan (sister), Hari Kandadai (stepdad), Hema Balakrishna (stepmom)

Groom’s family: Laxman Rao Anne (dad), Volga Anne (mom), Swetha Anne (sister), Shruti Anne (sister) Location: Tempe, Arizona Wedding Date: 12.13.14 Venue: Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Phoenix-Tempe Number of Guests: 450 Culture Represented: Indian, Hindu

Description or Theme of wedding: Multi-day wedding.

Thursday night - Mehendi Party (Aladdin-themed).
Friday - Hindu rituals performed throughout the day.
Saturday morning - Wedding Ceremony.
Saturday evening - Wedding Reception.
Two weeks later in Hyderabad India - India Wedding Reception with ~1,000 guests!

The most memorable part of your wedding:

Marrying the love of my life while being surrounded by my family and friends!

Did you do anything unique, crazy or fun:

It’s just a crazy thought that two kids who met completely randomly on an AOL instant messaging chat room would end up meeting in person 7 years later, and then end up marrying each other another 5 years later. The happy craziness of our wedding weekend definitely matched up to our crazy “how did you two meet” story.

What was the most difficult part about planning your wedding:

Planning an Arizona wedding from out of state (I live in San Francisco now)

What was the easiest part about planning your wedding:

Having the help of my amazing mom. She is an artist/designer, and has an eye for all things beautiful.

Any words of wisdom to the couple planning their wedding:

Don’t get too caught up in the details! A decision you spend hours making may not even be noticed ;). Delegate tasks whenever possible. Have fun food/cake tasting. And don’t forget that at the end of the day, you’re marrying the love of your life!

Vendors

Bride's attire:

Mehendi Party - Ghagra Choli designed by my mom, made in India.
Wedding Ceremony - red Sari chosen by my mom in India, white Sari chosen by my mother-in-law in India.
Wedding Reception - Ghagra Choli designed by my mom, made in India.

Makeup:

Mehendi Party - Kavya, my sister.
Wedding Ceremony - Makeup Artist from MAC Cosmetics.
Reception - Chanel Warwick.

Hair:

Mehendi Party - International Academy of Hair Design.
Wedding Ceremony - My Aunties.
Reception - Chanel Warwick.

Groom's attire:

Wedding Ceremony - Kurta chosen by my mother-in-law, Kurta chosen by my mom
Reception - Kurta from BharatPlaza.com

Photographer: Light Rain Images

Videographer: Ludwig Productions

Wedding Planner: My mom and me

Wedding Ceremony Emcee: My stepdad, who explained the wedding ceremony to guests as the rituals were happening on stage

Wedding Ceremony Priest: Kiran from Sri Venkata Krishna Kshetra

Wedding Decorator:

Mehendi Party - My mom.
Wedding Ceremony - My mom designed. Execution from 50+ amazing family members and friends.
Reception - Butterfly Events.

Invitations: My aunt, Renu Rao

Florist: Cactus Flower Florist (Bride’s bouquet), www.vivekflowers.com

Cake: Honey Moon Sweets

Wedding Cake Topper: Keren Becker’s Mudcards Etsy shop

Catering:

Wedding Ceremony Breakfast: Woodlands
Wedding Reception Appetizers & Dinner: India Palace

Lighting: Butterfly Events

Transportation: Family, Friends

Reception Entertainment:

Overall Entertainment organizer: Kavya Giridharan, my sister
Emcee: Kavya Giridharan, my sister
15-minute and 40+ people dance production organizer/choreographer complete with bride and groom on a magic carpet as the finale: Kavya Giridharan, my sister
First dance singers: Sanjay Krishnamurthy, Sonia Patel, Jaime Zarraga
First dance choreographer: Me
Photos/Video slideshow editor: Me
Guitar/Singing: Rajeev Atluri (Groom’s cousin)
Music: Hyper Productions