Caroline and Manik’s Biltmore wedding was a beautiful representation of two cultures merging together in the name of love. The Bride’s family is Vietnamese and the Groom’s family is Indian, which made for an incredible display of culture throughout the weekend as Caroline and Manik joined together as husband and wife. The wedding festivities began on Friday with the Vietnamese Tea Ceremony, wearing traditional Vietnamese dress, on the rooftop of Highland Brewery in Asheville, North Carolina. Following the ceremony, guests dined on the delicious food before the Bride was able to get her Henna tattoos for Saturday’s Indian celebration. After the Bride got her Henna, Manik’s mother and aunt blessed Caroline and placed a headcovering on her as they welcomed her into their family. The henna artist was open to guests as well, so everyone got a chance to be a part of this cultural experience.

Saturday began early at the Biltmore Inn Hotel, where the Bride and Groom began getting ready for the traditional Indian wedding festivities. While Caroline began getting hair and makeup done, Manik was having his Turban tied by his father, a very important tradition in Indian culture. Once they were ready, we captured some shots of the couple in their beautiful traditional dress on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate, finally ending up in front of the Estate itself for some breathtaking dancing photos. As is tradition in Indian culture, the ceremony began with the groom’s family at the bottom of the hill, while the Bride’s family awaited them at the top to greet each other and celebrate the combining of two families. The groom rode towards the Bride and her family on a white horse with his family dancing and celebrating around him to live music until the two families met at the ceremony site, The Dianna, overlooking the Biltmore Estate for the Hindu Ceremony.

Saturday evening, Manik and Caroline donned more traditional American wedding attire for their celebration at the Taylor Farm in Asheville. With Manik in a red velvet suit and Caroline in a white gown, the newlyweds danced the night away with their friends and family. Caroline surprised her groom with a traditional Vietnamese Dragon dance, which captivated the guests and was really fun to watch. Speeches about Manik and Caroline and how perfect of a match they are finished out the night before the couple made their grand exit on a white horse and carriage.

Getting to witness and photograph such a beautiful display of love and the merging of cultures was humbling and such an honor. Caroline and Manik’s wedding was a dream to capture and I feel so lucky to have been a part of it and to have learned so much about each culture. Caroline and Manik are an amazing couple and their wedding celebration was a reflection of the love and respect they have for each other and each other’s cultures. I wish Caroline and Manik so much happiness and am so thankful to have been a part of their celebration.