Did you do any DIY Projects or create any handmade items for your wedding?
We handmade the thank you cards and painted our dogs’ collars to match our bouquets.
What creative or personal aspects did you include in your wedding?
We included locally sourced gifts in the gift boxes.
We also incorporated clothing from my culture and rituals from my wife’s culture into the ceremony.
What is the most memorable moment of your day?
The most memorable moment was being able to marry my best friend in a super intimate ceremony surrounded by our immediate family in a beautiful setting.
What was the biggest thing you did to save money?
Eloping was the biggest thing we did to save money.
What was your biggest splurge?
We got a really nice Airbnb for us and our family. We also did some activities like ATV-ing!
What was your favorite detail?
Personally, I liked being able to wear comfortable shoes that showcased my style under my very elaborate lehenga.
I also loved how everyone’s colors ended up working together.
What’s the best advice you have for planning your wedding now that you’re on the other side?
It all boils down to the moment where you’re making a commitment to your partner. Everything else is gravy. As long as you can have a beautiful moment and are present in that moment, you will have a great wedding day.
A special note from Sarah, the photographer:
Vanessa and Harini reached out to me less than a month before their wedding day. We immediately got to work to find a beautiful location in Southern Utah where they could exchange their vows and have enough time to get approval for the required permit. They decided to have their ceremony at Sand Hollow State Park.
Vanessa and Harini wanted a fun and memorable day with their closest family members surrounding them, and that’s exactly what they had. The ceremony took place along the water’s edge and featured elements from Harini’s Indian culture, and from Vanessa’s Filipino culture. Everyone celebrated after the ceremony by renting ATVs and riding around to explore the area and watch the sunset.
Vanessa and Harini’s inspiration for the ATVing portion of the day was M.I.A.’s Bad Girls music video (and they brought the bad girl attitude necessary to pull off the inspiration). Family and the happy couple ended the evening back at their Airbnb with homemade food, cake, and roasting marshmallows around a campfire while watching the stars as the full moon rose above the horizon.
