Kony and Patrick's Indian American Fusion Wedding at Caffe Luna!

Kony, Patrick and I met in January to plan their fusion wedding ceremony which took place on March 17th, 2019 at Caffe Luna in downtown Raleigh. They wanted to blend together the American wedding traditions with the Indian traditions of Kony's heritage.

Their photographer with Complete Weddings took them on a First Look and when they came back I had done a sound check and guests were arriving.

Kony was worried about her parents because they were late arriving. However, due to construction on Moore's Square, the parking situation was challenging and time consuming. They arrived shortly thereafter.

Kelly Kennedy of Teacup Florals was their florist and had the ceremony space ready with flowers on the chairs and flower petals lining the aisle.

The reception area was ready as well. 

The mothers! Julia on the left is Patrick's mom and Ruby on the right is Kony's. They had gotten to know each other during the courtship of Kony and Patrick who are very close to their parents. They had vacationed together several times and enjoyed each other's company. Kony's parents live in India.

It is time to begin the processional. I motioned the couple and their parents to get lined up on the sidewalk at the rear door of the restaurant.

Billy Ezzell with Complete Weddings was our DJ. Billy and I have worked together at weddings for 20+ years. He was stationed right by the back door and I cued him for the music.

I entered first to anchor the ceremony space as the couple and their parents joined me. 

Patrick and his parents entered first then Kony and her parents. 

The guests were standing in their honor. 

We began with a warm welcome to all and thanked them for being with them on this special occasion. 

Kony and Patrick wanted to thank and honor their parents during the ceremony and so they each wrote a paragraph printed in my book to read to their parents during the ceremony. Kony went first (tearfully) then Patrick. So sweet.

Then I got to tell the guests the story of how Kony and Patrick met in 2017. It was on line but not a dating site. They were both on Reddit at the same time and struck up a conversation that intrigued both of them and they decided to meet in person. The attraction was instant and mutual. The date ended up being 5 hours as they walked around downtown Raleigh. One thing led to another and they soon became inseparable. And as they say, the rest is history! 

After the story they each got to hear what the other had told me in confidence about what they love about each other, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage.

Kony is hearing what Patrick told me in confidence! 

Then it was time for a few words of wisdom and advice about marriage then they exchanged vows and rings. 

I asked them each a series of questions to which they said "I do" and put the ring on their partner's finger. Patrick is pushing the ring onto Kony's finger!

Then Kony put Patrick's ring on.

Next came the Garland Exchange. The jaimala is an ancient Hindu wedding tradition that can be dated back to the Vedas – sacred Hindu scriptures that can be dated back to 1700 BC. The act of exchanging garlands signifies that the bride and groom are no longer separate individuals but are now united into a single family as equal partners. Given they are now one, they may share garlands, as they will everything else in life. Their mothers gave them a garland which they placed on their partner. 

Next came the Sindoor Ceremony. Sindoor, a vermillion powder applied in the parting of the bride’s hair by the groom holds importance in Indian society, and is considered auspicious in Hindu astrology. Mesha Rashi or the House of Aries is on the forehead, with Lord of Mesha – Mars, represented by the color red.  This is why red sindoor is applied at the forehead and at the parting of the hair. Both are signs of good fortune. Sindoor is also considered to be the symbol of the female energy of Goddesses Parvati and Sati. 

I opened the little tin of red powder and Patrick dipped his finger in it then placed the powder in the part of Kony's hair to signify their union as husband and wife.

Next was a closing blessing.

I placed my hand on theirs and pronounced them husband and wife! 

Their first married kiss! 

I introduced the newlywed couple and invited the guests to join me in congratulating them!

And away they go!!

I stayed behind long enough to invite the guests to go into the room next door for refreshments.

Kony and Patrick! What a wonderful wedding ceremony you designed. It fit you perfectly and was so fun and meaningful. Thank you for choosing me to join you in marriage and for your wonderful words and 5-Star reviews (below)!! I wish you the best always! 

Wonderful, professional and kind! 

Without Kayelily we wouldn't have been married - and I don't just mean it literally. She helped create an amazing story about how we met, what made us fall in love, and our journey together. She made the day so special and important, and even the guests commented on how beautiful the ceremony was.
Moreover, we were both kind of scared about saying things out loud, so she said our vows for us and that was so helpful! Neither of us are religious and she took that into account to still make the most beautiful ceremony ever. I also have to say that I find her voice so pleasing to hear, and that was great during the ceremony too. She also coordinated her outfit with us which looked beautiful.
Thank you again Kayelily, you're absolutely wonderful.