This Cross-Cultural Wedding Took Place in Front of a 137-Year-Old Backdrop

Created in partnership with our friends at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows.
 

Set along Santa Monica’s stunning coastline, there’s a meandering urban resort with lots of gardens, charming bungalows and spectacular terraces overlooking the Pacific. Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows sets the scene for many a weekend getaway, quiet retreat and the occasional wedding within its Baja-style 1947 cottage or its ballrooms. Today, we’re sharing a recent wedding on the property that used color, texture and ritual to create something that perfectly reflected the couple in celebration.

We interviewed event planner Callista Osborn of Callista & Co. to get all the details behind this couple’s cross-cultural wedding ceremony in front of an epic 137-year-old Moreton Bay fig tree on the grounds. We love the creative, thoughtful approach the couple took to incorporating Hindu, Catholic and Jewish customs into their ceremony. Read on for more, straight from the source.

Photography by Brooke Borough





Tell us a little about David and Shivani!

David and Shivani are kind, hard-working, and close to their families. They wanted to feature traditions important to their relationship and to their families, but they were okay omitting less-meaningful wedding customs. While I always educate my couples on classic wedding etiquette, I encourage my clients to pick and choose traditions with the most personal meaning. For example, Shivani and David featured marriage rituals from Hinduism, Catholicism, and Judaism in their ceremony, but decided against a traditional wedding cake, and opted out of having bridesmaids and groomsmen. Instead, they were surrounded by their closest friends and family on their wedding day, without using traditional wedding party titles. 





What was the main inspiration for this wedding?

Shivani and David have unique cultural backgrounds and successfully incorporated marriage rituals from Hinduism, Catholicism, and Judaism into their wedding ceremony. 

Shivani and David’s wedding was officiated by Shivani’s brother, Vishal. Their Hindu ceremony featured Ganesh Sthapana (Ganesh Prayer - requesting the removal of all obstacles from the couple’s life and to shield the couple from evil), Mala Arpan (Exchanging Garlands - signifying the couple’s acceptance of one another as life-long partners), Hasta Melap (Joining Hands - vowing to protect and love one another), Mangal Fera (Circles Around the Fire - signifying the four goals of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha). 

David’s mother, Mary, lead a reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, and David’s father, Alan, lead the breaking of the glass, a traditional conclusion to a Jewish ceremony.





Why did they choose Fairmont Miramar? How was working at this venue? 

The Fairmont Miramar is like a second home, and working there is always a great pleasure. 





Were any important or special aspects/items an incorporated/focal point of this wedding?

Shivani’s beautiful gown and the gorgeous purple flowers from The Little Branch really stole the show. Shivani’s mehndi was a special touch as well. 

The eight-foot-tall guest seating chart was a beautiful focal point at the cocktail hour. It featured custom, laser-cut, acrylic lettering and individually placed escort cards for guests to view under the fig tree. 





What is your top tip(s) for other couples looking to book this venue? 

Embrace the historic Moreton Bay Fig Tree on the front drive and conceptualize unique ways to work with the natural surroundings.


Book your next event at Fairmont Miramar →

 

Credits

Venue: Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows | Planning: Callista & Co. | Photography: Brooke Borough Photography | Floral Design: The Little Branch | Stationery: Copper Willow Paper Studio | Hair & Makeup: Kacee Geoffroy | Lighting: Pacific Event Lighting | Linens: La Tavola | Mehndi: Karishma Beauty | Music: RedShoe Productions