Jessica + Abhishek’s

Multicultural Chicago Wedding: Chinese Tea Ceremony, Mehendi, Haldi, Phere, & Chinese Bouquet

Jessica and Abhi’s wedding weekend in Chicago, IL and Naperville, IL was full of culture, love, family and seamless timing! When they reached out to us with an overwhelming amount of logistics, it was a beautiful vision that needed to be sorted through. Their Chinese-Indian fusion wedding naturally comes with many expectations from both side of the family and the challenge of blending each request and element perfectly. On the Chinese cultural side, there was a hair combing ceremony, a tea ceremony at the bride’s home and a big traditional Chinese bouquet with a 10 course meal! This was to blend perfectly with a Mehendi/Sangeet, Haldi, Baraat and a Phere ceremony. Their wedding ended up being a multicultural wedding with their own personal flair!

Day 1: Western Ceremony + Mehendi

The first day started with hair and makeup at Jessica’s childhood home with her sisters and mom. She had a gorgeous updo with framing pieces in front! From there, she travelled to the Crawford in Naperville to change and head to her first look. The couple had their first look at the Morton Arboretum before their western ceremony. Dressed in a tux and a white dress, these two said their vows and is officially married!

They decided to have an Indian catering company, Anmol to serve their cocktail hour and reception meal. During the end of dinner, they used their cocktail hour space to have their mehendi. There were desserts, hendi artists, bangles and fun attires! Jessica and Abhi changed into their first cultural attire and had a great night with their guest on the dance floor.

Day 2: Bar & Chill

After a long day of celebrations, Jessica and Abhi took the day to themselves. They met family and friends at a bar in downtown Naperville and had the best in between day before their next big day!

Day 3: Chinese Tea Ceremony, Haldi, Phere and Chinese banquet

For their third day, they started back at Jessica’s childhood home for a tea ceremony. Jessica started with hair and makeup bright and early in the morning as Abhi and his family travel from Naperville to Chicago. Abhi was met at their door with door games organized by Jessica’s sisters and cousins! Door games are challenges set by the bridal party before claiming his bride. After many games and red envelopes, he was able to find Jessica in her room. From there, they started the Chinese tea ceremony to pay their respects to their parents. They poured tea to each set of parents and older siblings. After the tea ceremony, Jessica was escorted to the car by her aunt with a red umbrella to shield her from negative energy as she leaves her family’s house.

As they made their way to the Marriott Chicago in Naperville, a Haldi ceremony was ready for them as they changed into their attire. The couple was blessed by their families to ward off energy and cleanse the skin before the wedding. Right after the Phere, the couple changed into their ceremony attire and the guests went outside to start the Baraat from the main entrance’s circle drive to the side entrance. The groom was driven by the bride’s cousin and Jessica met them halfway to join in on the dancing and fun in the sun. As the Phere started, Jessica’s uncles and brother walked her down the aisle while all the guest enjoys their catered Indian luncheon.

Following the ceremony, all of the guest travelled back to Chicago to have their Chinese reception at the end of the night. New Furama in Chicago hosted their communal dinner with over 300 guest! They started their dinner with Chinese Lion dancing for protection and blessings. All guests enjoyed a full 10 course meal, where every dish, ingredient, and number of courses carries deep symbolic meaning. They had speeches, toasts, Chinese dances and belly dancing!

It was a beautiful weekend of celebrations in Chicago and Naperville that tied their relationship together!