From Vision to Reality: A Puerto Rican–South Indian Wedding at Waveny House

Martine Dardignac
Jun 24
2 min read

Modern romance, cultural celebration, and a very good dog.

When Candice first reached out, she had a clear vision: elegant but joyful, colorful but cohesive, fun but not chaotic. She wanted her wedding day to feel intentional without feeling stiff: a celebration of her Puerto Rican-American heritage, her love for her partner Kranthi, and the joining of two families from different worlds.

Waveny House outdoor wedding ceremony with the triumphant couple during the recessional

What she didn’t want? Chaos.

Let’s just say... after the previous day’s traditional Hindu ceremony (which I didn’t plan), she made it very clear how happy she was to have me running the show on wedding day.

Mood Board Dreams vs. Wedding Day Reality

Candice envisioned soft, sunset-toned warmth, modern romance, and vibrant energy without floral triggers. Instead of traditional florals, we created towering trees with suspended candles to keep the look organic and dramatic without overwhelming her allergies.

wedding mood board vision vs reality for Puerto Rican-Indian-American wedding

The final aesthetic was elegant, warm, and deeply personal. Fans (used in place of bouquets) were both beautiful and meaningful, and they reappeared as inspiration on their wedding cake. Lighting from EZ Occasions elevated the space for the ceremony, especially with shifting weather.

The Cultural Fusion: Elegant Meets Easygoing

Candice and Kranthi chose a non-religious ceremony officiated by the mutual friend who introduced them, a full-circle moment that brought real emotion and laughter to the day. Their dog (Pixie) made a proud and adorable appearance, made possible by Pawfect for You.

Waveny House couple with their dog before the ceremony

Though the Hindu ceremony took place the day before, the main celebration still wove in cultural elements: Kranthi wore a traditional Indian outfit, and dinner featured Indian cuisine from Dhabewala Indian Shack. The result was a beautiful reflection of both of their backgrounds without ever feeling forced.

Why Waveny House Worked

Waveny House gave us the grandeur and layout we needed. With its covered ceremony space, flexible reception layout, and stately rooms, we could build an event that flowed naturally from moment to moment.

Guests moved from a cozy, light-filled ceremony into a celebratory reception with a buzzing bar (Wheels on the Rocks), a late-night photo booth from Strike a Pose Photo Booth, and a dance floor that stayed full all night long.

What Went Wrong (and How We Handled It) There were some timing tweaks, last-minute adjustments, and lighting challenges, but nothing the vendor team couldn’t handle. We built buffers into the timeline, had an airtight communication plan, and collaborated closely with every pro on the list.

That meant Candice and Kranthi could relax, celebrate, and stay fully present.