Namita Bisaria & Max Jan 09.04.11 LOVE STory: Max and Namita met at Princeton University where they were both working in the laboratory of Coleen Murphy studying the biology of the aging process. They were lab-mates and good friends for a year until Max, a year ahead in school, graduated and went to Stanford to start his PhD in Cancer Biology. Namita finished her final year at Princeton, travelled around the world for a year, and met Max at Stanford again to start her PhD in Biochemistry. Again, as friends, the two of them were roommates that fall until Max moved out and subsequently asked Namita out the following Spring. Having such a strong foundation as great friends, they were fast to fall in love and were engaged the following September and married a year after that. the big day: We awoke to the weather reports predicting rain for most of the late afternoon and evening, so we signaled our vendor All Occasions to put up a tent over the ceremony area. Both Max and Namita were dressed separately, Namita’s finery taking ten times longer to put together as the Indian wedding lengha is quite heavy an complicated and requires 2-3 aunties and a team of hair people to arrange things perfectly. Maryville, TN certainly had horses, and for the path from Maryville College to RT lodge, Max rode a bedecked steed while his and Namita’s friends and family danced and sang to traditional baraat music. When he arrived, Namita’s family greeted and blessed him at the entrance to the ceremony venue, while Namita looked on secretly from a room where Max couldn’t see her. Finally the wedding ceremony commenced with the traditional Ganesh prayer, followed by garlanding of the bride and groom by each other, and the traditional Mangalfera, or walking around a fire four times with their shawls tied together. Finally they were married, signified by taking seven steps together and Max giving Namita her Mangalsutra or necklace that signifies Namita as a married woman. Max and Namita left with flowers and rice thrown at them, and reappeared for the reception and speeches. The dinner was a delicious southern style meal prepared by the chef at the RT lodge. Since Max and Namita love to dance, as does their friends and family, the rest of the night was filled with dancing! Whether it was around RT lodge firepit or the rock in the middle of RT lodge’s pond, the evening was magical and honestly the best party the bride and groom had ever been to. the details: The wedding and reception were done at RT Lodge in Maryville. It was RT Lodge’s first Indian wedding and they did an amazing job hosting an (enormous) Indian wedding. The ceremony took place at the outdoor wedding location on the premises. Since there was light rain, the ceremony was conducted under a tent. Indian wedding are done under a mandap, a covered structure with four pillars. The priest, the bride and groom and their parents all sit under the mandap.
Behind the Story Ceremony and Reception Location, Caterer RT Lodge, Wedding Planner Alex Hansen, RT Lodge, Photographer and Videographer Waldorf Photographic Art, Florist Abhilasha Events, Invitations & Calligraphy Parekh Cards, Bridal Shop and Formalwear Swati Coture, Bridal Party Attire Mirage Sari Shop, Transportation Gentry Trailways, Music/Entertainment DJ jazz, Rentals and Decor All Occasion Party Rentals and Abhilasha Events, Officiant/ Minister Shri Parmannand Mauni