Jessica & Chintan
We were delighted when we received the real wedding story of Jessica and Chintan, from Adorn Invitations, accompanied by their gorgeous wedding photography from Powers Photography Studio. The couple married in an intimate civil ceremony in Portland, Oregon, this being just one of “three weddings” Jessica and Chintan had (the first in the groom’s home town of Mumbai, India).
Jessica looked stunning in her custom made bridal gown matched with a gold pair of Christian Louboutins for the ceremony and a sparkly pair of converse trainers for the reception. World renowned for their craftsmanship, passion and for creating quality wedding stationery, Adorn Invitations managed to beautifully tie in the couples wedding invitation with Jessica’s gorgeous look.
From: USA / India
Style: Chic / Casual
How We Met…
We met seven years ago at a nightclub in Portland which no longer exists. Fittingly enough, by chance we had our photo taken the night we met. During the pedicab tour after our American wedding, we re-created the same pose and photo from seven years prior.
The Proposal…
A few weeks after returning from India where I met his family, it was nearly Valentine’s Day. He had his brother send the ingredients for my favorite Indian food, street-style pizza. In India, you often have to offer bribes to get what you want. He said the pizza ingredients was my “bribe” if I’d let him be my husband. (Technically, I was proposed to with Amul cheese—although there was a ring, too)!
My Wedding Gown…
I initially wanted something short and simple. However, in my husband’s community, all-white is reserved for widows. The choice to have a couture gown custom made was a process of elimination. There were no dresses I liked, particularly with accent colours. I’m a big fan of Zuhair Murad’s designs, but nothing was available that was “just right.” Going with a custom gown from Embellish Designs was the only way to get what I wanted, although “what I wanted” drastically changed in the year-long process.
Accessories and Bridal Bouquet…
I wore a custom 24k necklace and earring set from Mumbai. The gold bracelet was my “something borrowed and something old” and was lent from my best friend Erin Smith (it was her mother’s, and her mother wore it at her own wedding 40 years ago). I chose a brooch bouquet which was custom made from Secret Garden Bouquets.
Our Civil Ceremony in Portland…
For our American wedding, just a few weeks following the large Indian wedding, we wanted something small and simple with just friends. Since neither of us are Christian, the idea of a church wedding was already out. There’s always been something sweet and romantic about the notion of getting married at the courthouse, so we chose to have a civil ceremony in Portland. The day was informal, fun, and simple, which is just what we needed after spending a month in India.
The Decor…
I am not a DIYer, but many of the details were from Etsy designers and shops. I also surprised my husband by having a brick placed in downtown Portland’s Pioneer Square. You can purchase a permanent brick in what’s dubbed Portland’s livingroom. It read “J+C 4.1.16.”
Advice for Brides to Be…
Prioritize making time to spend with just your husband on your wedding day! After all, that’s what it’s really about.
Our Favourite Moment…
For an hour in between the ceremony and reception, we took a pedicab tour around downtown Portland. It was time where we could just spend it together before hosting the party at home. We also got married again (our third time after India and the courthouse!) at Voodoo Doughnuts where legal ceremonies are performed with blessings from the “Voodoo gods.”
Find Destination Wedding Suppliers
I hope you have found Jessica’s story of their civil ceremony in Portland useful for planning your own destination weddings. I would highly recommend you employ the services of a Wedding Planner or Destination Travel Specialist to help you plan your wedding abroad. To make things a little quicker, click on one of the boxes below, tell me what you’re looking for…and the suppliers will then get in touch with you…simple and easy!
The Perfect Partners
Wedding Stationery: Adorn Invitations // Photographer: Powers Photography Studio // Bridal Gown: Custom couture from Embellish Designs // Hair & Makeup: Melanie Lindsey of Picasso Artistic Salon // Ceremony Shoes: Christian Louboutin // Reception Shoes: Gold sequin Converse // Grooms Suit: Custom made in Mumbai // Cake: Dream Cakes // Food: Display from Voodoo Doughnuts and two food trucks for catering on site (PBJs Grilled and Koi Fusion) // Flowers: Brooch Bouquet custom made from Secret Garden Bouquets // Civil Ceremony in Portland Venue: Multnomah County Courthouse (Portland, Oregon) // Reception Venue:Our custom built home (we moved in four days prior to the wedding)