Greensboro Indian Wedding at the Grandover Resort

Kalyani and Colten’s Three-Day Indian Wedding Celebration Took Place At the Grandover Resort In Greensboro

We had the distinct honor of capturing the multi-day festivities for Kalyani and Colten’s Indian wedding at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro. This traditional Indian wedding spanned three days. It incorporated rich South Asian customs alongside American influences, making it a deeply meaningful and unforgettable experience. We have documented milestones for this family before, including their engagement party. Just like the others, we knew this would be a celebration filled with love, laughter, and cultural richness.

Day 1: Mehndi & Bridal Shower

The celebration began with Kalyani’s Mehndi and Bridal Shower, a beautiful gathering with her closest friends and family. Henna artist Neena Jain crafted intricate henna designs for Kalyani, her bridesmaids, and female family members. This tradition not only added beauty but symbolized love and prosperity for the bride’s new journey. The joy and excitement in the air set the perfect tone for the weekend ahead.

Day 2: Gaye Holud at A Private Residence

Kalyani’s family hosted her Gaye Holud on Friday morning. Kalyani’s family made a special paste of turmeric during the Gaye Holud. The turmeric, known for its healing and beautifying properties, was gently rubbed on Kalyani’s face, arms, and legs. Her family did this to prepare her for the wedding day. Her family then poured water over her to wash away the turmeric. This act symbolizes blessings and purification—a tradition rich in meaning and love.

Sangeet at the Grandover Resort

That evening, the focus shifted to the Sangeet at the Grandover Resort. This is a vibrant celebration that unites both families with music, dancing, and joy. Bombay Grille catered an incredible South Asian feast. Kalyani and Colten’s loved ones performed special dances to honor the couple. Speeches from Kalyani’s parents added a heartfelt touch to the evening, making it a beautiful prelude to the wedding day.

Day 3: Indian Wedding Ceremony at the Grandover in Greensboro

Saturday marked the pinnacle of the celebrations. A day full of South Asian wedding traditions showcased the beauty of Indian culture. We began with Kalyani in her bridal suite at the Grandover. Wardahs Makeovers created her soft-glam bridal look, perfectly complementing the elegance of her wedding attire.

The Bride’s Attire & Family Traditions

Kalyani’s first outfit was a pink Kanjeevaram saree, a traditional South Indian weave. She chose this design because it was like the sarees worn by her mother and grandmother at their weddings. Her jewelry held deep sentimental value: her necklace was a gift her father gave her mother on their 10th wedding anniversary, her earrings belonged to her mother, and her headpiece was worn by her mom on her wedding day. It was truly touching to see Kalyani’s mother, grandmother, aunties, and cousins help her dress—a moment filled with love, history, and connection.

The Groom’s Attire & Baraat

Colten and the groomsmen wore traditional Indian outfits from Maya’s Desi Boutique. They chose shades of gold and green—colors chosen to honor Colten’s alma mater, Baylor University. Colten’s Baraat—the groom’s joyous procession—was one of the highlights of the day. The Groomsmen decorated one of the golf carts from the venue. Colten was accompanied by his family and groomsmen as they danced their way into the venue. The energy was contagious, and at the end of the procession, Kalyani’s family welcomed Colten with traditional sweets. Feeding the sweets to his family symbolized the union of the two families.

The Wedding Ceremony Traditions

The wedding ceremony took place under a beautifully decorated mandap adorned with white floral arrangements by Randy McManus Designs. The ceremony was filled with sacred rituals that are deeply rooted in South Asian culture. Each one more meaningful than the last!

Indian Traditions at the Wedding Ceremony:

• Ganesh Puja: The ceremony began with a prayer to Ganesh, the remover of obstacles. It sought his blessings to ensure a smooth and happy married life for Kalyani and Colten.
• Antarpat: As Kalyani approached the mandap, she and Colten remained separated by the antarpat, a cloth that shields the bride and groom from seeing each other. This signified that they are still individuals before they are joined in marriage.
• Shakochar: One of the most meaningful moments was the Shakochar. This is where Kalyani and Colten sought blessings from their ancestors, invoking their presence and guidance in the sacred union.
• Hasta Milan: The bride and groom then entered the sacred covenant of marriage through Hasta Milan. This is the joining of their hands as a symbol of unity and partnership. Kalyani’s brother tied their garments together to show their unity.
• Fire Witness: A traditional Indian wedding cannot be complete without the Agni, or sacred fire. Kalyani and Colten solemnized their union by circling the fire in the Mangal Phera. The fire serves as a witness to the vows the couple exchanged. It symbolized purity and the eternal flame of their love.
• Saptapadi: One of the most beautiful traditions, Saptapadi, or the seven steps, is where the bride and groom take their first steps together as husband and wife. Each step represents a vow they make to one another, from providing for each other to nurturing a strong and loving marriage.
• Mangalsutra & Ring Exchange: After completing the Saptapadi, Colten placed a Mangalsutra (a sacred necklace) around Kalyani’s neck, marking her as a married woman. The couple then exchanged rings as a sign of their eternal commitment.

After these sacred rituals, the couple participated in a playful tradition. The Vasanthotsavam, is a garme where they search for their rings in a bowl of rice. This lighthearted moment brought smiles to everyone’s faces before they were officially pronounced husband and wife.

As they walked down the aisle as a married couple, Kalyani and Colten’s guests showered them with flower petals. This was a beautiful conclusion to their traditional Indian wedding ceremony.

Post-Ceremony Celebration & Reception

Following the ceremony, Kalyani and Colten changed into black-tie outfits for a champagne pop before heading into the Grandover ballroom for their reception. We also captured a few more portraits in the sunset. Keisha and her team decorated the ballroom with more stunning florals. The couple shared their first dance as husband and wife, followed by heartfelt dances with their parents.

Family and friends filled the reception with laughter and kind words for the couple. They flooded the dance floor as Kalyani and Colten celebrated with their loved ones late into the night. It truly blended the vibrancy of South Asian traditions with modern elegance.

A Heartfelt Thank You

This wedding was not only an honor to capture, but also a deeply enriching experience. We learned so much about South Asian wedding traditions during this process. The incredible bond that Kalyani and Colten share with their families was inspiring. A special thank you to Uma and Ravi, Kalyani’s wonderful parents for sharing so much of their culture with us. Also appreciation to their talented wedding planner, Keisha Scott, for making every part of this three-day celebration flow so smoothly.

This Greensboro Indian wedding at the Grandover was a perfect blend of culture, love, and joy. We’re so grateful to have been part of it.