Even 8 Inches of Rain Couldn't Put a Damper on This Joyous California Wedding

Though Ellie and Kalyn have known each other since their sophomore AP history class in 2009, they were just friends for years—it wasn't until they were both in college in New England that they started dating. A decade after that history class, Kalyn presented Ellie with an engagement ring while the couple were in Kennebunkport, Maine. "Maine is special to us," says the couple. "A lot of our best memories dating were camping and staying in cabins in the forests of Maine and New Hampshire."

After Claiborne & Lime planned the couple's engagement party, Ellie and Kalyn knew they would rely on them for their wedding, too—though they ended up pausing their planning until social distancing restrictions eased in 2022. Ellie and Kalyn love spending their spare time outdoors, so the 10,000-acre Alisal Ranch in Santa Ynez, California, was a natural fit. "They love hiking and camping and were immediately drawn to the rustic cabins, Alisal Lake, the horses and cattle on the property, and the overall summer camp vibe at Alisal," say the planners.

The couple planned a multi-day celebration full of personal touches for 250 guests on December 10, 2022: a welcome dinner with wood-fired pizza and s'mores, a day on the lake with archery, paddle boats, and capture the flag, and traditional Indian elements, including a mehndi party, sangeet, and made-to-order attire. "The wedding was a fusion of Indian and Western influence," say the planners. A massive clear-topped tent, constructed in a secluded sycamore grove on the property, became a blank slate that the couple filled with a caramel, blue, and sage color palette; professional dancers, drummers, and sitar players; and an after-party that kicked off with surprise confetti canyons.

However, even years of planning for every detail couldn't stop the weather from its own plans: With 8 inches of rain accumulating on the wedding day, the couple was forced to shift their timeline to take advantage of any dry moments. "Flooding before the reception and subsequent delays led to some special moments with friends," says the couple. "Navigating the flooding and mudslide to get to the reception up a dirt road in the forest was certainly memorable!" 

But as they exchanged vows and joined their friends and family to celebrate, Ellie and Kalyn could feel their relationship come full circle. "We walked into the reception to the sitar player playing 'Such Great Heights' by The Postal Service, and it took us back to high school, where we met," they say.

Perfectly Matched

For their sangeet, held the night before the wedding, Ellie wore an aqua lehenga from Cherie D decorated with red and pink flowers, while Kalyn donned a kurta in the same color palette from Manshaa. "This was my favorite outfit!" says the bride. "I had a shoulder cape instead of a traditional dupatta so that I could dance."

Authentic Style

Inside the tent, the couple’s planners used pink and yellow block-print pillows, oil lamps, draping floral garlands, and containers of brightly colored spices to create a traditional Indian market atmosphere. A menu of small-plate Indian food—including the groom’s favorite, lamb chops with green chutney—and bite-sized desserts fit the theme.

Ready to Celebrate

The evening’s entertainment began with a performance from Joya Kazi, which was followed by choreographed routines from the couple’s friends and family—including, say the couple, "the bride’s reluctant parents."

Practice Makes Perfect

Ellie and Kalyn also took to the dance floor to perform a routine choreographed by Kazi. "We are not natural dancers," says the couple. "We were very relieved to get through our dance—major shout out to Joya for the lessons!"

Her Custom Gowns

Ellie worked with Shernia Soni of Cherie D to create three wedding weekend looks: her mehndi gown, sangeet lehenga, and ceremony lehenga. "We looked through hundreds of fabric samples," says Ellie. "It was a very quick process—under two hours. I chose fabrics for the three outfits, we quickly discussed silhouettes, and five months later, my outfits were ready. I trusted Sherina completely!" She wore her ceremony attire, a tulle skirt with hand-embroidered pearls and crystals and a matching dupatta, with white heels from Loeffler Randall.

Petite Bouquets

Ellie's bridesmaids, who wore sage-colored dresses, carried smaller versions of the bride's sweet pea bouquet from Brit Floral.

All in the Details

Kalyn also wore a custom outfit from Cheri D, choosing a hand-embroidered silk sherwani and handmade white and gold shoes. One of the groom's close friends tied his silk turban just before the ceremony; a gold-plated silver jewel with German crystals and a fluorite bead necklace completed his look.

Making an Entrance

Ellie and Kalyn included a traditional barat in their wedding ceremony: After waiting for a break in the rain, Kalyn entered on a white horse and joined the couple's guests for festive dancing before the bride arrived.

Tucked Away

One of the most challenging technical elements of the couple's wedding weekend was setting up the expansive glass structure in a remote sycamore grove on the property. Maui Tentworks created the space for the couple's sangeet and ceremony—even as rain hindered the installation.

East Meets West

Ellie and Kalyn made a point of including Western traditions alongside Indian elements. "It was important to me to have both my mom and dad walk me down the aisle," says Ellie, who asked keyboardist Rick VanderKleijn to play an instrumental version of Coldplay's "Yellow" for the moment. "My best friend and one of my co-maids of honor took my shoes off before I stepped onto the mandap."

Traditional Elements

With the bride's and groom's families seated around them on the mandap, Dharmasetu Das led the couple through the first part of their ceremony, which followed Hindu traditions. "Components of this ceremony included the sacred fire, around which the couple walked seven times hand in hand, with each round representing a major goal in life. The couple also exchanged jasmine garlands, and the bride received a traditional mangalsutra (necklace)," says the couple.

Joined Together

During the mendhi night held before the sangeet, henna artist Neha Assar spent four hours applying intricate designs to the bride's hands and feet (she included the groom's name, hidden among the patterns).

With This Ring

After the Hindu ceremony, a friend of the couple led Ellie and Kalyn through a non-denominational Western ceremony, including exchanging rings and sharing a first kiss.

So Happy Together

Though the couple cherished the time they spent with friends and family who traveled to celebrate the start of their marriage, they say their first few private moments as husband and wife—when they snuck behind the stage for hot dogs and Champagne—were especially memorable.

Going Green

The lively blue of the couple's mandap coordinated with other blue tones on the invitation and block-printed aisle. Bridesmaids and groomsmen in matching sage attire complemented the couple's gold and white wardrobe. The groomsmen wore made-to-order shoes designed in India. "All the sizes were custom, as many groomsmen shoe sizes were too big for standard Indian shoe sizes," say the couple's planners.

Song and Dance

Joya Kazi and her dancers returned to perform during the couple's cocktail hour, where guests sipped two custom cocktails—a gin, lemon, and honey blend called Bee's Knees and a passionfruit mezcal margarita. The menu included fig and herb goat cheese crostini, bacon-wrapped dates, and ceviche tostadas.

Sitar player Ronobir Lahiri also performed. "Ronabir was a hit!" says the couple. "He played amazing covers of 'Sorry' by Justin Bieber and 'Such Great Heights' by the Postal Service, among others. Paul Nanuwa, our drummer, accompanied Rohnabir, and it was so cool!"

Outside, In

Inside the tent, the couple's planners used a custom block-printed dance floor from Trejo Dance Floors, elaborate lighting from High Voltage Lighting, and plush banquette seating to create a personalized and intimate atmosphere. Green Set added 12-foot-tall oak trees that connected the indoor space to the outdoor landscape.

Mix and Match

The light wood tables were left bare and topped with naturally arranged florals, woven chargers, and mix-and-match plates with varying blue, white, and brown floral patterns.

Navy Flair

Ellie and Kalyn chose menus in the same navy and white color scheme they used for their invitations. A custom monogram—and personalized seating assignments—provided an elegant, tailored accent.

Patterns at Play

The couple's vanilla Chantilly creme cake from Maison De La Fork was decorated to match the individual plate motifs.

Sweet Moments

The bakery also provided the couple with a dessert station that included macaron and madeleine towers, mini fruit tarts, and other decadent pastries.

Cheers!

For the reception, Ellie changed into a sequined, floor-length Jenny Yoo gown, and Kalyn opted for a Ralph Lauren tuxedo. The couple shared a choreographed dance to "How Long Will I Love You" by Ellie Goulding, a singer they had "bonded over" before they started dating.

So in Love

At the end of the official reception, the couple's lighting team included one unexpected—and memorable—treat: An explosion of white confetti that marked the start of the after-party. As the couple celebrated with their loved ones, they were able to embrace their advice for other engaged couples. "Let the small things go," they say. "In a year, wedding planning will be a fond memory."

Vendors

• Photographer: Laura Murray Photography 
• Ceremony and reception site: Alisal Ranch
• Coordinator and designer: Claiborne & Lime   
• Videographer: Robert Michael Films
• Flowers/Florist: Brit Floral
• Invitations: Paper Mint Press
• Other paper products: Amber Moon Design
• Officiant: Dharmasetu Das
• Bridal gown: Cherie D
• Reception gown: Jenny Yoo
• Bridal Shoes: Loeffler Randall
• Jewelry: Manshaa
• Hair and makeup: Samara Beauty
• Bridesmaids' dresses: Manshaa
• Groom's tuxedo: Ralph Lauren
• Groomsmen's attire: Manshaa
• Bride’s wedding band: Mejuri
• Music: DJ Dharam; Paul Nanuwa (drummer); Rick VanderKleijn; Ronobir Lahiri Music (sitar player)
• Catering: Alisal Ranch; Chef Shachi Mehra of Adya; The Jolly Sheep
• Cake: Maison De La Fork
• Rentals: The Ark Rentals; Found Rental Co.; Mindy Rice Design; Studio D Decor; Town & Country Event Rentals
• Transportation: Best VIP
• Lighting: High Voltage Lighting
• Custom trees: Green Set
• Tenting: Joe Summerlin of Maui Tentworks
• Draping: Michael Shauger of Designing Life
• Sommelier: Stephane Colling
• Custom Dance Floor: Trejo Dance Floors
• Mehndi/Henna artist: Neha Assar 
• Dancers: Joya Kazi