Sapna and Giri Shivaram July 12, 2008

It was several casual encounters and a birthday party that brought Sapna Cheryan and Giri Chivaram together. While busy pursuing graduate studies at Stanford University, good friends finally brought the pair together. When they met, the couple says, "Something just clicked."

With similar Midwestern backgrounds, personal interests, and outlooks on life, the duo were compatible from the start, Giri says. Their combined interest in international travel, cooking and outdoor activities provided many opportunities to discover on e another while dating and over the course of the next four years, the couple knew they were right for one another.

It was during a May 2007 trip to Turkey and Italy with friends that Giri surprised Sapna with a proposal. After carrying the ring with him for over 6,000 miles, Giri and Sapna basked in the beauty of a remote Tuscan hill town. Here, Giri pulled the ring out of his picket and proposed. Sapna was stunned, wondering, "How did he make this happen without me finding out?"

After recovering from the surprise, Sapna happily accepted his proposal and the couple emailed friends and family back home. Upon their return to the States, celebrations ensued and wedding planning began.

Although the couple had moved to Seattle, Washington for their respective jobs, they decided to host their traditional modern Hindu wedding in Milwaukee. It was an optimal location for friends and family to reach, and both sets of parents had a deep connection to the community.

Traditional Hindu weddings can last serveral days, but Sapna and Giri opted for a shorter version while still featuring many of the important rituals. The July 12th morning ceremony was held at the Intercontinental Hotel under a shimmering hold canopy graced with cheerful flowers in bright pinks, oranges, mixed with crisp greenery.

Sitting on stage with the bride and groom were both sets of parents, and because Hindu weddings have a festive air about them, quiet conversations is welcomed. Sapna recalls, "It was realling meaningful to have out parents involved int he rituals and be able to talk to them about what a special day it was."

In Hindu weddings, the necklace exchange or "tying the knot" has the same significance as wedding rings. The necklaces are representatives of the different regions in India with each one being unique. Sapna and Giri chose to do the exchange twice, using one necklace from each of their family regions. In this way, "We were able to honor both sides," Sapna explains.

Also throughout the ceremony, the couple few a small fire with butter, honey, and yogurt in keeping with Indian traditions to start them on a "sweet, healthy" married life. While the priest, a close family friend facilitated the rituals combining two lives as one.

As is customary, at the conclusion of the ceremony, Giri and Sapna remained on stage to partake of their first meal as a married couple. Meanwhile, guests approached with congratulations and gift offerings, the casual setting was ideal for greeting friends and family, Giri says.

Friends created another wonderful remembrance by using a Polaroid camera to take informal pictures of the guests and the celebration. The images were then included in the guest sign-in book, making a memorable keepsake for the newlyweds.

Soon it was time for cocktails and Sapna changed from her red brocade traditional sari into a cream, delicately patterned sari while Giri changed in a black tuxedo. Adding to the elegance, the bridesmaids wore soft pastel saris in green, orange, and pink while the men sported black suits.

For dinner, guests enjoyed a traditional Indian meal including spinach curry, mixed vegetables, naan and dahl, while mingling and catching up. Dessert was a classic Simma's cheesecake coated in while chocolate, them drizzled in dark, as well a gulab jamun, a traditional Indian sweet. The meal reflected the couple's own tastes, a true blend of traditional and contemporary.

It was an international affair as guests traveled from England, Saudi Arabia, Australia, India, and across the United States to celebrate with Giri and Sapna. Honored to have extended family and dear friends in one place to celebrate, Giri offers, "It was special to be married in Milwaukee, surrounded by fond memories, many close fiends and family and to share where we came from with them.