The brides walk hand in hand, adorned in their wedding dresses, against the backdrop of an urban landscape.

An Indian-American Lesbian Wedding

Alissa and Aveena decided to inject both their American and Indian cultures into a beautiful and emotional wedding ceremony in Seattle. After a short engagement (you can find their engagement story here), they let their wedding planners take the reins on their modern meets romantic, Indian-American wedding day.

For Aveena, the proposal was the scariest but happiest moment of her life. She calls it “the moment you realize there is someone else in the world who will always love and care for you.”
READ THEIR ENGAGEMENT STORY

Photography by Carley Jayne Photography

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Planning a Wedding With a Short Engagement

After wanting a short engagement, there was a certain point, we both told our excellent wedding planners that they don’t need to run anything by us. Just do it.

Our amazing wedding planners, Bright Events, did so many DIY projects leading up to the wedding. From designing signs to assembly bridesmaid bouquets. They really did a stellar job in making all our visions come to life.

We wanted our wedding to feel modern and romantic, with touches of Aveena’s Indian culture. The venue is industrial-inspired with wood textures and high, exposed beam ceilings. We added plenty of flowers and candles to ensure the space felt intimate and warm.

Hosting a Mehndi Henna Party as a Lesbian Couple

Two days before the wedding, we held a Mehndi (henna) party and invited all the women. We both wore lehenga, and our guests were so excited to participate in some of the traditional aspects of Indian weddings. Including henna, authentic Indian food, etc.

Traditional Indian wedding attire, richly embellished with gold, hangs elegantly before a window, awaiting the celebration of love and cultural union.
The intimate moment of a bride reading a letter, her hands adorned with intricate henna designs, symbolizing the joyful anticipation of her wedding day.
A touching scene captures a bride wiping away tears, enveloped in the warmth of a floral robe, reflecting the emotional depth of her special day.
A bride's hands delicately open a box revealing a thoughtful note, the simplicity of the moment contrasted with the complexity of her floral robe.
A tender moment as a bride receives help with her hair, the floral pattern of her robe mirroring the blossoming of a new chapter in her life.
A wedding dress, a beacon of elegance and simplicity, hangs against the cityscape, symbolizing the quiet before the vibrant celebration begins.
A close-up of wedding bands, one with a dark gemstone, nestled on an embroidered fabric, symbolizing the unique and precious bond of the couple.
A juxtaposition of glittering heels and casual sneakers by the window hints at the blend of tradition and modernity in a same-sex wedding.
A bride is being assisted into her golden wedding attire, surrounded by love and support, marking the fusion of two cultures and the start of a shared life journey.
A bride in a lace white gown stands with her back to the camera, looking towards another bride in the distance wearing a golden embroidered dress, symbolizing a blend of Western and Indian wedding attire.
Two brides, just before their first look; one in a white lace gown and the other in a golden lehenga with a veil, their contrasting wedding outfits reflecting a beautiful cultural union.
The brides, one in a white wedding gown and the other in a traditional Indian lehenga, stand side by side, their smiles expressing the happiness of their special day.
A candid moment captures one bride in a white gown smiling at her partner in a golden lehenga, who looks away playfully, framed by the modern architecture of the venue.
A tender embrace between the two brides on a modern balcony, one dressed in a classic white gown and the other in a golden lehenga, showcases the love and connection they share.
A tender embrace between the two brides on a modern balcony, one dressed in a classic white gown and the other in a golden lehenga, showcases the love and connection they share.
A tender embrace between the two brides on a modern balcony, one dressed in a classic white gown and the other in a golden lehenga, showcases the love and connection they share.
A tender embrace between the two brides on a modern balcony, one dressed in a classic white gown and the other in a golden lehenga, showcases the love and connection they share.
A close-up of one bride's hands, adorned with henna and golden jewelry, gently holding her lehenga, highlighting the intricate details of her traditional Indian wedding attire.

Finding the Perfect Lehenga  

Alissa fell in love with the third dress she tried on the first time she went shopping. She decided to hold off on making a decision before trying a couple of other shops. But ultimately came back to that first dress at Lovely Bride in Seattle. It helped that Alissa’s mom and sister teared up both times she tried it on.

Aveena originally ordered a lehenga from India, and when it arrived, it was perfectly nice but didn’t make her feel too excited. On a trip home to Minneapolis a few months before the wedding, she randomly found a lehenga in an Indian shop. It really grabbed her eye and brought her to tears. She ended up buying it, and had it shipped out to Seattle. 

The morning of the wedding, when Aveena was getting dressed and putting on her wedding lehenga, Ashley (Aveena’s maid of honor and older sister) found out at that moment that Aveena had not tried her wedding lehenga on, ever. Aveena had it in her possession for months and had never actually tried it on. Ashley, being a good maid of honor, had insisted Aveena try it on before the actual wedding day to make sure it fits. A pretty reasonable request, but it had just never happened. The beautiful pictures that our photographer captured of Ashley helping Aveena in her lehenga were combined feelings of happiness, joy, and loving older sister frustrations.

An Indian American Lesbian Wedding

Our wedding day was beautiful from beginning to end. We were very intentional about how we wanted to spend our time and what we wanted our wedding to look like. It came together better than we could have ever expected.

Alissa’s favorite moment was really the entirety of the ceremony. She was so nervous walking down the aisle and could barely look at Aveena for more than a few seconds at a time because she was worried about crying (and she really can’t talk when she’s crying, which would make the vows hard). All the same, when we locked eyes, it was such an intense, intimate feeling despite being surrounded by so many people.

Our officiant did an incredible job capturing our unique personalities and what brought us together. As well as touching on the fact that marriage equality is still relatively new in the United States, making our wedding even more momentous.

We both wrote wonderful vows, including a bit of humor and a lot of sincerity that reflected how deeply honored we felt to be loved by the other and how excited we were to have a future together.

Aveena’s favorite moment was when our officiant pronounced us married, and we kissed as wives with everyone cheering. She describes it as a moment of resolve following all the oppression she felt growing up as an LGBTQ+ person in a conservative community. As the judgment and homophobia from people in our lives only intensified leading up to our wedding. It was beautiful to feel like that fight was over, and we could celebrate our new family with joy.

Seated close together on a bench, the brides, one in a white lace gown and the other in a richly adorned golden lehenga, lean in for an intimate moment, their faces touching softly.
Surrounded by guests on the dance floor, one bride in traditional Indian attire smiles down at a child while dancing, with another bride looking on warmly.
The brides are dancing, with one bride whispering into the other's ear, as the lights streak across the photo, creating a dynamic and celebratory mood.
One bride in a white gown leads the other bride in a gold Indian dress in a dance, surrounded by blurred lights and a festive atmosphere.
A group of bridesmaids in navy dresses and two brides, one in a white gown and the other in a gold Indian dress, pose joyfully on a city sidewalk.
Six individuals show their hands decorated with intricate henna designs, with the brides in the center, showcasing a blend of cultural traditions.
The two brides, closely holding bouquets, walk down the aisle with beaming smiles as guests stand and cheer on both sides.
Guests are applauding as the two brides, one in a white gown and the other in gold Indian dress, joyfully walk down the aisle together after the ceremony.
The brides in their wedding attire share a tender kiss at the altar, with a wooden backdrop and floral arrangements, as their officiant smiles behind them.
Two brides, one in a lace gown and the other in a traditional Indian saree and veil, stand hand-in-hand, exchanging smiles with a man speaking at the podium.
A bride in a lace gown walks down the aisle with an older man in a suit, both smiling amidst warmly lit surroundings and guests.
The bride in a golden Indian outfit smiles brightly as she proceeds down the aisle, passing by rows of seated guests.
A stunning bouquet featuring a mix of deep reds, purples, and whites, rich with diverse textures and nestled on a wooden surface.
A welcoming sign stands on a copper frame announcing 'Alissa & Aveena's' wedding, with rows of chairs in the background ready for guests.
A long, elegant floral arrangement stretches across a bar, with glowing candles enhancing the romantic ambiance.
A close-up of a wooden sign with the inscription "love never fails" next to candles and a pink flower, creating a serene setting.
The brides walk hand in hand, adorned in their wedding dresses, against the backdrop of an urban landscape.
An intimate embrace between the brides on a city street, their wedding attire blending American and Indian bridal styles.
The couple, one in a golden Indian attire and the other in a white wedding gown, sharing a joyful moment while cutting their wedding cake.
A minimalist wedding cake with a rustic 'Mr & Mrs Mathews' topper, complemented by white candles and fresh floral arrangements on a round table.
A vibrant display of assorted donuts on decorative gold stands, with a playful "donuts" sign adding a sweet touch to the wedding.
Captured in a candid embrace, the brides share a kiss at the dining table, surrounded by the ambient glow and the company of loved ones.
The brides share a serene moment seated at a dining table, surrounded by friends and family, basking in the warmth of the celebrations.
A custom wedding activity sheet with the names "Aveena & Alissa" awaits guests, offering a personal touch to the couple's wedding festivities.
The reception venue is set with a long wooden table adorned with candles and greenery, ready to welcome guests to celebrate the couple's union.
In a romantic setting, the two brides walk hand-in-hand down a candle-lit staircase, one in a white lace gown and the other in a golden lehenga, creating an intimate end-of-evening scene.
Standing side by side, one bride in a golden lehenga looks down with a smile while her partner in a white lace gown looks on, their body language expressing comfort and closeness.
The hands of one bride in a golden lehenga with henna designs are gently clasped by her partner's, showcasing both the traditional Indian jewelry and a modern engagement ring.
A bride in a golden lehenga, hands adorned with henna, smiles radiantly as she adjusts her veil with help from her partner, creating a warm and intimate preparation moment.
With a red wall as their backdrop, one bride in a golden lehenga shares a laugh with her partner in a white gown, their close embrace filled with joy.

Incorporating Christian Traditions into a Queer Wedding

Alissa isn’t religious, and Aveena is Christian, so we wanted the wedding to incorporate some words and rituals that reflected each of our beliefs. For example, our officiant, Chris, led the two of us through communion during the ceremony. Chris provided some context of this ritual for people who weren’t familiar with it. He encouraged attendees to use that time to do whatever felt meaningful to them. Whether praying, sending us good energy, or simply being mindful. We stepped aside to take a moment to take communion, which was a lovely break and allowed Chris to check in with us. Let us know we were doing great, and then the three of us took part in communion and prayed together.

Stand Out Vendor

Our photographer, Carley Jayne Photography, was amazing from the start! We took engagement photos with her, and she put us at ease. Having those engagement photos helped us feel more relaxed on the day, we’re really glad we did those.

Expressing excitement for our wedding and giving us ideas for other vendors who ended up being awesome and affirming, too.

Photography by Carley Jayne Photography

Bridal Boutique Lovely Bride
Cake Topper Happily Ever Etched Inc
Catering Purple Wine Bar & Café
Event Planner & Stylist Bright Events
Florist Colibri Blooms
Gown Designer Emmy Mae
H&MU LiSun Goh Beauty
Photo Booth The Snap Bar
Rings La More Design, Ben Bridge, Mejuri
Venue Cast Iron Studios

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