VanLeeuwen Chowdhry Brandi Welles Photographer 104961 20120610katieandgautam low

A multicultural destination wedding in the mountains

At a Glance

Katie and Gautam traveled from Washington DC to Twin Peaks, California for a destination wedding in the mountains (AND planned it all sight-unseen!). This pair successfully combined his Indian wedding traditions with her American traditions, including gorgeous saris, a flower crown, a candle-lighting ceremony, a tearful father/daughter dance (just try not to choke up!), and a rockin’ dance party with an iPod DJ!

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104961_20120610katieandgautam_low

Katie and Gautam traveled from Washington DC to Twin Peaks, California, for a destination wedding in the mountains (AND planned it all sight-unseen!). The first time they saw their venue, Pine Rose Cabins, was on the wedding day itself. Thankfully, their photographer, Brandi Welles, had her wedding there in 2010 and could totally vouch for its awesomeness. This pair successfully combined his Indian wedding traditions with her American traditions, including gorgeous saris, a flower crown, a candle-lighting ceremony, a tearful father/daughter dance (just try not to choke up!), and a rockin’ dance party with an iPod DJ!

Oh, and wait until you hear about where the bride got her dress…

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104927_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104928_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104941_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104944_20120610katieandgautam_low

The bride told us: My dress is made from material from my mom and aunt’s wedding dresses, and another aunt’s veil. An artist on Etsy made the first attempt at it, but it had to be completely remade by an incredible seamstress in Washington DC: Diana’s Couture and Bridal.

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104946_20120610katieandgautam_low

Everyone has LOTS of questions about the bride’s dress, and here’s her answer:

My dress is made from material from my mom and aunt’s wedding dresses, and another aunt’s veil. An artist on Etsy made the first attempt at it, but it had to be completely remade by an incredible seamstress in Georgetown, Diana’s Couture and Bridal.

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104948_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104950_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104954_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104977_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104979_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104980_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104981_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104985_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104988_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104990_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104993_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104994_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_104996_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_105000_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_105002_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_105003_20120610katieandgautam_low

VanLeeuwen_Chowdhry_Brandi_Welles_Photographer_105004_20120610katieandgautam_low

Vendors who made it all come together:

Find Your Vendor Team

Our Offbeat Wed Vendor Collective features wedding professionals identifying as neurodivergent, BIPOC, disabled, and more. Explore wedding pros who get you.