Multicultural Mather Redwood Grove + Berkeley City Club Wedding » Berkeley, California

Mikaela and Sugan's wedding was a beautiful celebration that wove together Jewish and Indian traditions, honoring both of their heritages in the most thoughtful and meaningful ways. The day began at the stunning Berkeley City Club, where Mikaela got ready and made sure to share a first look with her father before meeting Sugan in the lush inner courtyard for their own emotional first look. We took advantage of the Berkeley City Club's incredible Julia Morgan architecture, capturing portraits throughout the hotel including at the breathtaking 1920s swimming pool set beneath its original vaulted ceiling with gorgeous period tilework. From there, we made our way to the Mather Redwood Grove at the UC Botanical Garden, where the couple exchanged vows beneath a beautiful floral chuppah surrounded by towering redwood trees. In a touching full-circle moment, their ceremony was officiated by Mikaela's Hebrew school teacher who had led her bat mitzvah years earlier. Mikaela had designed their ketubah herself, drawing the pattern in the shape of a Hindu temple around the traditional text as a perfect artistic representation of the two different religions they're excited to blend as they move through life together. Guests returned to the Berkeley City Club for a delicious dinner and celebration that included first dances including a surprised choreographed dance between Mikaela and her father. The traditional horah also brought everyone together in joyful dance. One of the most moving moments of the evening was Sugan's mother-son dance as his mother had traveled from India for the wedding, her first time ever in the United States. In Southern Indian culture there is traditionally very little dancing, making this the first time she had ever danced publically in her life. As guests left the celebration, they received wedding favors that perfectly encapsulated Sugan's heritage: jars of fresh turmeric that had been harvested, dried, and ground in Erode, Sugan's native place in southern India and the turmeric capital of the country, which his mother had lovingly brought with her all the way from India. Mikaela and Sugan's wedding was a beautiful testament to how two cultures, two families, and two traditions can come together to create something entirely new and deeply meaningful.

Accommodations + Reception Venue + Catering: Berkeley City Club // Ceremony Venue: UC Botanical Garden // Wedding Planner: Something Lovely Weddings // Floral Design: Blooms Bay // Hair + Makeup: Gina B // Mikaela’s Outfit: Watters + Rothys // Sugan’s Outfit: Andreas Gorge Tailoring // Rings: Derco + Thorum // Desserts: Butter& // Rentals: The Vessel Rental Co. + Trend Event Collections // Ceremony Musician: Laurel Thomsen // DJ: DJ Jeremy Productions