Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/322785
FROM CLASSIC, NEVER-OUT-OF-STYLE WEDDING TRADITIONS TO FRESHENED-UP I-DO DETAILS, OUR FIVE TIMELESS COUPLES SET THE SCENE WITH GROOMS ON HORSEBACK, A BOLLYWOOD QUARTETTE, LASSOED NEWLYWEDS AND A GLAMOROUS NEW YEAR'S EVE CONFETTI DROP. SCENES FROM A Date: December 8, 2012. Venue: Irving Convention Center, Las Colinas. Coordinator: KI Weddings. Bride's ensemble: Designed in India, the colorful garb was purchased at Frontier Boutique, New Delhi. Event design: Prashe Decor. Date: September 7, 2013. Church Venue: First Presbyterian Church. Reception Venue: The Belmont Hotel. Decor: Bow & Arrows (Alicia and Adam Rico). Bride's reception outfit: Raf Simons Dior creation (Dogan surprised his bride with this dress on the anniversary of their auspicious Art Ball meeting). Bride's shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti. Groom's attire: Tom Ford and Isaia. The Couple: ASHIMA BATRA & NEILESH VERMA The Couple: LAURA NOBLE & DOGAN PERESE • The couple met online through indiandating.com. Living in San Antonio at the time, Neilesh flew to Dallas to take Ashima to dinner for their first date. • Up in the air: While en route to San Antonio to visit Neilesh, the bride was surprised when the pilot, at 10,000 feet, read a poem Neilesh had written over the intercom. Before she knew it, Neilesh was kneeling in front of her to propose (he had been hiding several rows back). • The engagement jewelry and outfit were gifts from Ashima's mother-in-law. • Balancing act: The bridal outfit consisted of maroon and silver embroidery with Swarovski crystals — and weighed around 40 pounds. • The groom's outfit matched Ashima's: off-white with a maroon scarf. • Per tradition, the wedding lasted four days. Day 1 consisted of the Mendhi, a lady's festival held at the home of the bride's parents. Day 2 was the Sangeet, an intimate ceremony with bright colors of the two families joining together for song and dance. Day 3 was the Haldi for Neilesh and Ashima, held privately by each family. Day 4 was the wedding ceremony and reception. • In the family: Ashima's aunt was the pundit (priest) who performed the ceremony. • Knight in shining armor: Neilesh greeted his bride on horseback. • For the cocktail hour prior to the reception, a Bollywood string quartette entertained. • The first dance was "Save Room" by John Legend. Afterwards, fireworks ensued. • The reception was action-packed with choreographed dances from family and friends. • Honeymoon: The adventurous couple traveled to New Zealand, then Tahiti. • The couple met at the Dallas Museum of Art's Art Ball. Love at first sight would definitely sum it up. • Dating in Marfa: As the result of a dare, the two traveled to Marfa for their first date — a trip that didn't exactly go according to plan. A microburst rainstorm interrupted their dinner, and the only meal they ended up having for the duration of the trip was grilled cheese. • A nomadic courtship: All in six months, the couple traveled around seven countries, 21 cities and 43 flights — making them realize they were a perfect match. • While Laura was visiting Dogan in NYC, he popped the question by reading a poem from his travel journal that summed up their adventures together, ending with a sweet proposal. • The engagement ring: Designed by Dogan — an emerald-cut solitaire with platinum band dipped in black rhodium. • Family tradition: Dogan's maternal grandmother suggested they carry out the "lasso tradition" of their Hispanic heritage. Dogan's aunt and uncle lassoed the newlyweds at the end of the ceremony — literally tying the knot with a stunning silver heirloom. • After a mariachi band livened up the crowd, guests danced to the Beatles cover band Hard Day's Night. • The bride's and groom's "naked cakes" were from Cakewalk Bakery. • Setting the scene: The cake presentation backdrop was a neon sign with an anagram of Laura and Dogan's names ("An Aura Gold") designed by The Color Condition, overlooking the Dallas skyline. • Honeymoon: Las Ventanas in Cabo San Lucas Mexico — although the couple did take a pre-honeymoon to St. Barts for a week before the wedding to decompress. DIVINE DETAILS DIVINE DETAILS WEDDING BY JANE ROZELLE ERIK CLAUSEN NATALIE SHELTON OF N. BARRETT PHOTOGRAPHY Laura and Dogan Perese Henna art on the groom's hand Ashima and Neilesh Verma