The wedding industry was put to the ultimate test in 2020. In particular, South Asian Weddings and the traditions surrounding wedding preparation all the way to the celebration experienced an extra layer of complexity due to international accessibility and capacity limitations. Given these obstacles and the consequential learning, many couples and wedding pros since have been breaking the mold and going a more intimate route. Many believe that some of these new trends are here to stay. Grand celebrations have returned but a new wave in the South Asian wedding marketplace has given couples freedom to go beyond the traditional ways of celebrating.

This was our inspiration behind a photoshoot at the Nobu Chicago. We wanted to dive into this realm giving couples intimate beauty while still feeling grandiose. Our goal was to showcase gorgeous wedding details that inspire intimacy, elegance and style. With a penchant towards celebrating cultural weddings, were honored to work on this special editorial with the talented wedding professionals listed below.

Aayka wedding reception lehenga at Nobu Chicago

The Setting

We suggest amping up the intimate experience and moving forward in unique ways. Choose a venue and bring in a team that will provide you with EXPERT, luxury service, quality touches, A+ culinary cuisine and high-end amenities. Nobu in Chicago’s West Loop boasts lavish suites with every creature comfort including teak soaking tubs, hotel highlights such as its gorgeous rooftop with sweeping city views, 1st floor sushi bar, sultry indoor pool, and Kawa an H-shaped ballroom where we made our ceremony backdrop center stage. We love the draping, ceremony, reception and organic floral details provided by Shari Khakham of Yanni Design Studio

Bridging Fashion

With the surge in accessibility to South Asian designers, couples have resorted to domestic shopping solutions instead of taking the traditional fashion trip overseas, often considered to be a rite of passage shopping for wedding lehengas, wedding jewelry, bridesmaids saris and beyond. Some are utilizing family connections in metro cities abroad but communication can be troublesome, especially given the intricacy of the design process. Integral in cultural attire is the knowledge of garment construction, heavy patterns, beadwork all the way to proper fit.

Brides have relied heavily on scheduling appointments in US offshoots of traditional designers like Anita Dongre in NYC and are flooding a range of boutiques in large cities. What becomes difficult is many brides do not wish to buy off the rack and prefer quality, custom attire. A solution has been working with companies like Aayka who have direct lines of communication with dressmakers, jewelry designers, fabric houses and tailors. Aayka is an online fashion platform connecting consumers in the United States to highly skilled artisans in South Asia. Its innovative e-commerce experience allows consumers to buy made-to-measure South Asian styles or create custom looks within their budget while reflecting their own style.

No matter which route you decide to go with your wedding, a knowledgeable, meticulous team of professionals is absolutely essential. The vendors who we brought together for this experience have deep expertise in this industry. Ensure that the vendors you hire have the highest level of understanding and care for your wedding and special events. Thank you to the fabulous wedding professionals who came together to showcase a glimpse of intimate South Asian Weddings inspiration.