Real Couples // Intercultural Interfaith Wedding Mash-Up: Noreen + Pritesh
/For anyone who has met Noreen and Pritesh, it is instantly obvious they only have eyes for each other. They met in the UK at Saïd Business School and recently relocated to New York City, where they decided to get married at The Foundry in Long Island City. Staying true to their diverse backgrounds, the couple incorporated their Christian and Hindu family traditions to represent their union—which came together in a very ambitious wedding timeline!
The festivities started off with a Baraat, a traditional Indian groom’s procession, where Pritesh, who was handsomely outfitted in traditional dress, friends and family approached the venue and processed down the aisle to take their seats and places. Noreen made her entrance down the staircase in a beautiful red sari, expertly styled by Pritesh's mother, and joined her dad to walk down the aisle. The first half of the ceremony felt beautiful and intimate, with 120 of their closest family and friends in attendance.
Following the Indian ceremony, Noreen and Pritesh were whisked away to prepare for the next part of the ceremony while their guests enjoyed a British-themed afternoon tea—a nod to where they met. Once the couple was ready, guests were invited into the courtyard for their Christian ceremony, which was presided over by Noreen's childhood pastor. The excitement between them to get married (again!) was palpable and touching.
Cocktails in the main Foundry were followed by a romantic, intimate dinner party in the courtyard, and post-dinner the couple and their guests worked the dance floor until after midnight. It was an honor to help bring this couple’s wedding vision to life, let them relax, and enjoy their wedding!
Words by Tall & Small Events, Photos by ein photography and design
Vendors:
Month-of Wedding Planner: Tall & Small Events
Venue: The Foundry
Catering: Marcey Brownstein Catering
Florist: Melarosa
Lighting: Universal Light & Sound
DJ: 74 Events
Hindu Priest: Himanshu. D. Jani
Christian Pastor: James Barnum from Bellmore Presbyterian Church
Cake: Bonelle Bakery, Forrest Hills Queens
Dhol musician: Rajpal Daffu
Sitar player: Shaadi Ki Shehnai
String Quartet: Venus Ensembles
Photo booth: We love photobooth
Hindu ceremony outfits (both): an Indian shop in Wembley, United Kingdom, no designer
Christian ceremony dress: Enzoani
Christian ceremony suit: Suit Supply
Jewelery: Etsy & borrowed
Invitations, programs & place cards: created & printed by bride
Elephant Place Card holders: Kate Aspen
Meet Tall & Small Events: Australian-born, but New York adopted, Elodie has spent the last several years cultivating her wedding and event planning skills and earning a Masters in Business and Event Management. She has worked with dozens of couples and alongside some of the most talented planners in New York City. Through her work at Tall & Small Events, Elodie is working toward exploding the Jennifer Lopez wedding planner stereotype and be the kind of down-to-earth wedding planner you could meet in a bar. Tall & Small Event's goal is to help all couples have personalized, authentic weddings that speak to their story. No cookie cutter in site! Check out Tall & Small's work on Instagram @tallandsmallevents
Meet ein photography + design: When Tim had his first encounter with a DSLR camera he was so fascinated he couldn’t put it away. He soon understood it was so much more than a toy. Not long after he decided to make this new passion his profession. In the next couple of years he received a great deal of training from top photographers learning what weddings were all about. It’s at that time that his eyes opened up to what the real meaning of being a wedding photographer was. He has been working hard to make each and every wedding a sparkling day to be remembered for decades!
