Special shout out to Kacie and Eric for capturing our day and working so smoothly with Varun and I and our wedding party. You both had so much energy even after working a 14 + day with us. Thank you.

Married: March 19, 2022
Bridal Prep: Family Home
Ceremony: Family Home
Reception: Family Home
Band / DJ: One 2 Entertainment – Shivas
Florist: Billy Heroman’s
Hair/Makeup: Verde Beauty
Brides Gown Designer: Essence of Australia
Bridesmaid Gown designer: Azazie
Bridal Boutique: Bliss Bridal
Tuxedo Store: Bustle Bridal Baton Rouge
Rentals: Doug Olinde
Bakery: Gambino’s

How did you meet?
Varun and I met at a bar in downtown Baton Rouge Dec 2013. I was working as a bartender and he came in to hang out with one of his good friends Matt (the barback I was working with). I hinted to the barback that “that guy over there is cute” (Varun). Matt told this to Varun and told him “dude, the bartender thinks you are hot, go talk to her.” The rest is history.

Include a little bit about yourselves. What do you do?
Jasmine works as a Physician Assistant in the Emergency Department at the New Olreans VA hospital. Varun work as a FS coordinator/specialist for PosiGen Solar Energy co in New Orleans.

How did the proposal go? Who proposed to who, were you surprised?
Varun purposed to me 5/27/21.

Where was your ceremony held and why did you pick this site?
All events were held at the groom’s family home in the backyard.
His sister had her large wedding there 5 years prior and was beautiful. His parents built the mandhap/alter permanently in their back yard for hopes that Varun and I would also wed there.
When deciding on wedding venues, we kept going back to how sentimental a home wedding would be for our day of events of honoring two cultures.
The backyard setting with the trees and open space for chairs leading to the alter was picturesque. The front yard was large enough to host a very large tent and tenting lights for our reception and DJ stage and dance floor.
Having a home outdoor wedding was unique and sentimental.

What unique or special things did you do at the reception?
Our day consisted of incorporating both cultures with celebrating a traditional south indian ceremony and then a western christian ceremony.
At our reception we had cajun food and indian food. We also had several party favors that represented each of our backgrounds:
personalized miniature Tabasco bottles and tony chachere seasoning packets from the Olivier family
and Indian desserts and steel mortar and pestle from the Chalasani family.
Our guests also participated in a 360 video booth instead of the traditional photo booth.
During the reception, LSU Tiger Girl almuni guests performed LSU pre-game dance with Jasmine (former LSU Tiger Girl).

Pick one moment in the day that was your favorite thing?
Varun and I both loved being able to walk with each other back down the aisle hand in hand after we changed into our cream/gold Indian attire to complete the Hindu ceremony.

Did it rally go by as quickly as everyone says?
it went by so quickly!!!

What was the inspiration behind picking the color palette and decor that you picked?
Jasmine loves pink and purples so that was the color scheme.

Who was your baker, what was the flavor of your cake? Was it delicious?!
Gambino’s Bakery in Baton Rouge.
3 layered tier cake with traditional white cake with Chantilly filling for our bottom and top layer and chocolate cake with nutella filing for middle layer.
It was delicious, wish we ate more!

Did you do a first look? If so, how did you feel about it? If not, do you wish you had?

We did do a first look. It was nice to get to see each other before our ceremony and have more intimate pictures with each other.

Did you have a coordinator or did you plan everything yourself? If you didn’t have a coordinator any advice for brides planning their own wedding?
Christie with Southern Approach- 90 days before coordination
Highly recommend her and her team’s wedding coordination and planning services.

What was your first dance song? Why this song?
Stand by Me by Ben E. King.
Standing by each other and with each other through our life and journey during the good times and bad times is something we value.

Band or DJ? Did they rock it?
DJ Shivy with One2 Entertainment. He kept us dancing the whole night.

We want to hear YOUR advice for future brides.
It is YOUR DAY. No matter how many opinions and/or family feedback, remember to plan things that YOU want and can afford. Be respectful of everyone’s advice but plan according to you and your spouse’s desires.
The day goes by very fast no matter how early you begin or end- drink water and try to eat throughout the day as much as possible.
Spending a large amount of money on a dress is pointless- it will be dirty by the end of the night 😉
Don’t worry about the small details, because honestly, no one notices or cares. Your guests do not have the same high expectations that you have and will not notice if the table clothes do not match the chairs, etc.
Hire at least a day of wedding coordinator to save yourself the unnecessary stress. They are professionals and plan/coordinate events for a reason. Highly recommend Southern Approach wedding planning/coordinating services.
Do the first look photos.
Try to be as on time as possible with getting ready so that photos with your wedding party are not rushed especially if you have to still travel to your destination. Designate a wedding party member to be in charge with making sure the other girls/guys are ready.
Ask your caterer to box or tray any left over food instead of throwing away.

We work really hard to help come up with a timeline and plan for the portrait list to make sure you are getting the most out of your day. How useful was this for you?
Extremely useful. Kacie and Eric also jumped in and was very accommodating in last minute receiving line photos/blessings that we had not originally planned to do. They also helped direct the couple and others in the shot for the poses and positioning very well.

Anything else you want to say?
Special shout out to Kacie and Eric for capturing our day and working so smoothly with Varun and I and our wedding party. You both had so much energy even after working a 14 + day with us. Thank you.