Private Ranch Wedding | New York meets West Texas Wedding | Meredith & Abhinav

November 28, 2023 Shannon Ducker

The Design Process

Upon meeting Meredith and Abhinav, a lovely couple based in New York, I immediately sensed the potential for a truly distinctive wedding celebration. My vision for their special day was to seamlessly blend Abhinav's rich Indian heritage, their shared affection for New York City, and the rustic charm of their family ranch in Texas. (Easy right!?!)

As a result I wanted to create a harmonious fusion of these diverse elements, paying homage to both the vibrancy of Indian culture and the timeless beauty of the Texan landscape, while staying true to the essence of ranch in every detail.

As I began the design process, my initial focus was on the color palette, aiming for a bold yet contemporary New York vibe. As I delved into getting to know the couple's , I found myself captivated by their admiration for a particular intricate and vibrant backdrop showcased in a Dior fashion show. Drawing inspiration from this, I envisioned it as the ideal muse for our color scheme. Additionally, the couple's cherished New York restaurant, Union Square Cafe (Seen right image in the image below), became a key source of inspiration, and I was eager to recreate its essence at the picturesque ranch setting.

(Scroll to the Bottom of the Post to See the Full Wedding Gallery or click the button below)

Wedding Invitations

When it came to the wedding invitations, we aimed to blend the Indian and modern New York aesthetics. To achieve this, we chose to incorporate minimal, modern Indian-inspired patterns within the pocket and border of the invitation suite.

However, for the welcome card, we wanted to infuse a fusion of Western and Indian elements, particularly highlighting the Paisley motif to symbolize the blend of both cultures at the welcome party. This pattern was also used in the cake design, creating a cohesive and unique feature that tied the elements of the wedding celebration together seamlessly.

Ceremony

For the Ceremony instead of concealing the ranch's background, we embraced it wholeheartedly. Opting for a semi-circle floral arrangement bursting with vibrant orange marigolds at the alter that showed off instead of concealing the ranch views.

As we began planning the wedding, the one item Meredith really wanted was to feel as if she was showered by petals as they walked out the aisle, which was also a nod to Indian tradition. But rather than typical rose petals, we opted for guest to toss marigolds as they strolled down the aisle

At the back of the aisle to enhance the ambiance, we crafted a lavish floral backdrop featuring a Ganesh statue, paying homage to another Indian tradition that we wished to incorporate into the ceremony.

Reception | UNion Cafe (Inspiration)

One of the central design elements I aimed to incorporate was a tribute to the couple's beloved New York restaurant, Union Café. To achieve this, we implemented a couple of creative touches. Firstly, we deviated from the usual choices of wood, vinyl, or carpet for the tent floor, opting instead for a custom tile floor reminiscent of the café's flooring.

The Bar

Another significant aspect where we integrated influences from Union Café was the bar setup. Right from the start, I understood the client's strong desire for the bar to serve as a central focal point, a standout feature offering unique cocktails that make a statement.

To set it apart from other ranch weddings and infuse a modern touch, we chose to customize the entire bar. We aimed to create a sophisticated atmosphere reminiscent of New York, featuring upscale cocktails and a design that exuded a contemporary urban vibe.

Photos & Ceiling Install

Getting to know the couple, I discovered their passion for travel, which inspired me to incorporate this theme into the wedding design. Drawing further inspiration from the interiors of their favorite New York restaurant, we transformed the attached barn space by creating a draped area. Leaving one wall open and adorning it with large photos illuminated by sconces, we aimed to recreate the ambiance found in New York restaurants. Additionally, we installed a fence in the ceiling to enhance the overall transformation of the barn, creating a unique and memorable atmosphere for the celebration.

Tablescapes

In designing the tablescapes, we opted for a modern aesthetic with sleek lines, incorporating a mixed layout of square and rectangular tables. To enhance the dining experience, I aimed to evoke the ambiance of a contemporary restaurant. The menus were designed to reflect this concept, featuring the guests' names on one side alongside an inspired pattern that echoed the motif seen in the invitations and matchboxes. Flipping the menu over revealed the evening's dining selections, completing the modern dining experience.

The Seating Chart

To personalize the seating chart, I sought to capture the essence of the couple and one of their shared hobbies. Through our collaboration, I discovered their penchant for collecting matchboxes from various restaurants and locations they visited. Drawing inspiration from this, I devised a unique seating chart where each guest received a personalized matchbox bearing the couple's monogram. Additionally, I included a custom Indian inspired pattern that harmonized with the same border seen in the invitations, adding a thoughtful touch to the wedding design.

Love of Poetry

Meredith's profound love for poetry was delicately woven into various aspects of the wedding, infusing the event with poetic touches. For instance, her post-ceremony jacket featured exquisite embroidery showcasing poetry quotes that held special meaning to her. Moreover, custom coasters adorned the bar area, each bearing one of Meredith's beloved poetry quotes on the back. This thoughtful detail allowed each guest to take home a piece of her cherished literary inspirations as a token of the celebration.

Cake

When it came to the cake, Meredith had a clear vision of wanting something colorful and distinctive that leaned towards a more intricate design rather than a grand scale. To bring this vision to life, we opted to incorporate the paisley pattern featured on the event invitations and her veil into the cake design. By overlaying this pattern with floral accents, we aimed to create a textured and almost sculptural piece that would serve as a creative highlight of the wedding celebration.

See this content in the original post