Joy Rovaris
to
Muneesh Sharma
11.11.16+11.19.16
MERGING CULTURES A Palette of Love
Photographer: Eleonora Barna Written by: Starlight Williams
J
oy thought she was attending a celebration for her
Surrounded by all their friends and family, including
uncle and cousin winning seats in the Louisiana Senate
those Face Timing from California, Joy says she could
and House of Representatives, respectively, but so much
not have asked for a better proposal because it was so
more was in store that evening.
perfectly her.
After thanking his family, her uncle asked everyone to go
Soon after the proposal, Joy immediately knew that she
around and say what he or she was thankful for. To Joy’s
wanted to have two weddings, one that celebrated her
shock, her uncle called on her boyfriend, Muneesh, first.
New Orleans culture and family’s traditions and another
At last minute, Joy decided to wear her mother’s veil with her dress and both she and her mother were ecstatic with the choice.
to pay tribute to Muneesh’s culture and family. Joy’s shock turned into confusion when instead of nervously answering the question, he walked calmly
“I just needed to learn as much as I could about
to the center of the room and began speaking with
traditional Indian weddings,” Joy says. “And thanks to the
confidence. Her confusion was quickly wiped away,
glorious and elaborate colorfulness that Indian weddings
however, when Muneesh reached into his pocket and
are, my childhood vision of a multicolored wedding
took out a ring!
theme, fit so perfectly.” Joy says that Terrance Osborne’s, her favorite artist, work
happened next but her happiness got the best of her.
and color palette inspired her wedding theme of bright colors against a white and gold base. Her bridesmaids
“I blacked out!” Joy says. “I literally came back to
wore Osborne’s signature colors and Joy chose the same
consciousness with my hand shaking as he's putting a
colors for her bridesmaids’ saris for the Indian wedding
ring on it. I was so excited that I jumped, hugged and
to tie the two events together.
Is that a yes?’ And I shrieked "Oh, my gosh, yes."
46 | N.O.W | theNOWBride.com
118 REAL WEDDING | NEW ORLEANS WEDDINGS MAGAZINE
officiate our union,” Joy says. “Having my grandmother officiate our wedding couldn't have been more special to us. She's been Muneesh's only grandmother figure in the states and they're crazy over each other, so it was an all
Joy would like to say she could tell you exactly what
kissed him before getting my ‘yes’ out. So, he says ‘Well?
“I grew this intense desire to have my grandmother
around win for us." Combining their love and cultures, Joy and Muneesh were ready to begin their happily ever after. “We were really so blessed to have so many special moments,” shares Joy.
See additional photos from this wedding on our blog at TheNOWBride.com