Mother of: Lily
Venue: The Marq Legions Hall in Southlake, Texas
Vibe: Fusion of cultures and traditions
Dresses: Embroidered Lehenga from Lashkaraa for the ceremony; Xscape Evenings off-shoulder glitter knit gown for reception
When Lily got engaged to Aum, the bride-to-be's mother, Sherri, knew the wedding would be a lively, multi-part affair, blending cultures and traditions. And that meant more than one dress.
Mother of the groom, Neeta, guided Sherri on what to wear for the Indian wedding ceremony. She steered her toward Lhenga Choli, a ceremonial three-piece outfit made up of a skirt, a fitted blouse and wrap, which can be draped over the shoulders or head. Sherri shopped for one in Dallas, and on Devon Street in Chicago, but ultimately, she found the one she wore on Lashkaraa, an online retailer specializing in Indian dress that bridges traditional and contemporary style. She was able to provide measurements and have the embroidered net Lehnga made to fit.
Another first for Sherri: Henna, a paste applied in intricate design on the hands of the bride, and often, her wedding party, as a symbol of good health and prosperity. “It adorned my hands beautifully,” Sherri says, “just as another accessory would.”
Following the Indian ceremony, the wedding party switched into Western dress clothes for the evening reception. Sherri chose an off-the-shoulder glitter ballgown by Xscape with a sweetheart neck and short sleeves. She paired it with vintage jewelry that belonged to her mother. “It felt like she was with us in some small way.”
And for the Friday night welcome party, Sherri wore an Adrianna Papell A-line flutter sleeve wrap dress. She found both dresses on a shopping trip with her daughter to Dillard’s. “They carried many of the petite dress lines I had viewed online.”
Beyond petite sizing, Sherri targeted flowy dresses that would allow for movement. “I knew dancing would be a big part of these days.” Indian weddings are extremely colorful, but Sherri intentionally went for a subtle blush. “I wanted all eyes on the bride.”
Lily and Aum met in optometry school in Houston, and the groom managed to work a reference into his vows, Sherri says. “He said that his world was blurry when they first met, but now together, it’s clearer than ever.”
| Photography by Elizalde Photography