Honoring Love Through All Traditions at the Box House

For their wedding, Clare + Uday wanted to make sure both of their cultures were represented. To do that, they planned a full day of wedding festivities in two parts – a Hindu ceremony in the morning followed by a Western civil ceremony in the evening. During their venue search, they came across the Box House Hotel which turned out to be the best venue to make all of their wedding dreams come to life. 

When it comes to wedding planning, the Box House Hotel is so welcoming of all cultures and traditions. In fact, just a quick peek at their events page will show you a variety of different and beautiful wedding traditions scattered across their feed from Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese, and more. As soon as Clare + Uday saw what the Box House coordinators could do, they knew this was the right venue for them. 

Located right off the East River in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the Box House Hotel is more than just a stunning rooftop venue overlooking the Manhattan skyline. It’s a full-service experience that makes wedding planning a breeze. Throughout the entire process, Clare + Uday worked with on-staff planners and coordinators to make sure their wedding came to life exactly as they had imagined. Not only did the hotel provide everything they needed from delicious in-house catering, premium bar service, on-staff serving teams, furniture, decorations, and glass- and flatware, they also provided a personalized room block that made it easy for their out-of-town guests to find a place to stay. 

With its perfect blend of style, convenience, and personalized service, the Box House Hotel truly made Clare and Uday’s wedding day an unforgettable experience for both them and their guests.

Starting the Festivities with the Baraat

Clare + Uday began their wedding day bright and early. Clare and her bridesmaids arrived at the hotel and got comfortable in the luxurious penthouse suite. The ladies got their hair and makeup done by the talented Abby of Abby Lauren Makeup before Uday’s aunt stepped in to help them into their traditional Hindu garments. Red is the traditional color of Hindu brides with the color representing passion, love, prosperity, and new beginnings. When she was ready, Clare’s parents helped her into her red and gold sari and adorned her with beautiful jewelry that complemented the intricate details of her traditional attire. 

Meanwhile, in another suite in the hotel, Uday and his groomsmen were also getting ready. Once they were all dressed, they headed outside to prepare for the first ceremony of the day – the baraat. 

The baraat is the grand entrance of the groom that marks the official start of the wedding celebration. Traditionally, the baraat is the meeting of the bride and groom’s families. It’s filled with music and dancing as the groom processes in on a horse (or for modern couples, sometimes a sports car!), and is greeted by the bride’s family and greets the guests. It’s a really fun and energetic way to start the day. 

Uday’s baraat ceremony kicked off in a grand fashion on Manhattan Avenue. Family and friends cheered and danced as Uday rounded the corner on horseback, greeting everyone with waves. Upon arrival, he dismounted and danced with everyone to lively music. Afterward, Clare’s parents met him at the doors to the Box House and Clare’s mother applied the ceremonial tilak on Uday’s forehead, symbolizing spiritual connection and blessing their union.

A Traditional Hindu Wedding Ceremony

After the baraat, everyone filtered into the Box House and made their way up to the rooftop terrace where the wedding ceremony would take place. Hotel staff did a wonderful job at preparing the area for the ceremony. All the chairs were set up in a semi-circle around the mandap – the altar and focal point of the wedding ceremony signifying a fruitful married life. The mandap for Clare + Uday’s ceremony was beautifully decorated with warm, jewel toned flowers with sheer pink curtains running down each of the structure’s four pillars. The altar beneath the mandap was filled with platters of fruit, candles, and oil, representing fertility and abundance.

The wedding party followed by Uday and his parents entered the ceremony first. The three of them took three of the seats beneath the mandap. The ceremony began with the pundit or Hindu priest lighting the sacred flame on the altar. He then anointed Uday and his parents with oil and began the initial ceremonial blessings. Then, a veil was lifted to cover Uday and his parents as Clare holding a coconut – as a divine offering for the altar for a blessed marriage – and her parents entered and walked down the aisle. 

Clare and her parents sat in the seats facing the veil separating her from Uday. The pundit anointed them with oil just as he did to Uday and his parents before proceeding with the bridal blessings. Then, with help from family members, gold thread was tied to both Clare + Uday’s heads for protection throughout life’s challenges. Each of them were then given betel leaves with a cumin seed and brown sugar paste to hold in their palms. The veil was lifted slightly so Clare could place her hand over Uday’s as they were reminded of both the sweetness and bitterness they would face in their journey together.

Finally, the pundit gestured for Clare + Uday to stand and the veil was lowered so they could see each other. They placed their leaves on each other’s heads and the pundit sprinkled them with turmeric-covered rice to represent sustenance in their marriage. As they retook their seats, the pundit placed a mangalsutra onto the altar. A mangalsutra translated to “auspicious thread” and is a symbol of dignity and the promise to always be together. After performing a blessing over the mangalsutra, Uday stood and placed the necklace around Clare’s neck. 

As part of the ceremony’s joyful conclusion, Clare + Uday took part in playful rituals, including pouring handfuls of yellow rice over each other’s heads, a South Indian custom symbolizing fertility and happiness. They also adorned one another with floral garlands, a gesture representing their acceptance into each other’s families. Then, sitting beside one another, their garments were tied together in the granthibandan ritual and they walked the seven sacred steps around the holy fire, solidifying their union in the eyes of both their families and their faith. The ceremony concluded with a receiving line, where family members and guests sprinkled rice on the newlyweds as a blessing for their future.

Getting Ready, Part 2!

After the beautiful Hindu ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed a break for lunch as the Box House Hotel staff transformed the ceremony space. The chairs were replaced with family-style tables and a buffet featuring both traditional Indian and American cuisine for everyone to enjoy. Following lunch, Clare + Uday, still dressed in their vibrant Hindu wedding attire, gathered with family and the wedding party on the terrace for portraits. The Brooklyn skyline provided a stunning backdrop complementing the vibrant colors of their traditional wedding garments.

Once the family photos were complete, Clare + Uday took newlywed portraits throughout the hotel, showcasing the modern industrial and artsy atmosphere of the venue. They then parted ways to prepare for the second half of their celebration. Clare returned to the penthouse with her bridesmaids, where they toasted with tiny bottles of champagne. She quickly had her hair re-styled into an elegant updo then slipped into her stunning white wedding dress. In a sentimental moment, her mom came in to help her with the finishing touches, placing a delicate pearl necklace around her. Afterward, Clare + Uday reunited for their first look on the terrace, taking gorgeous bride and groom photos in the bright sunshine before wrapping up their portrait session with a playful moment in the hotel’s iconic yellow taxicab.

Western Wedding Ceremony on the Rooftop

Before heading to the next part of their day, Clare + Uday met with their officiant to sign their marriage license. With their brothers as witnesses, they marked the official start to the next chapter of their journey together. Then, it was time for their second wedding ceremony of the day. 

Box House staff had worked quickly to reset the rooftop once more for their traditional American ceremony. The mandap was replaced with tall floral arrangements that framed the space, perfectly accentuating the Brooklyn skyline in the background. With the retractable roof pulled back, sunlight poured into the venue, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere for their sweet and simple Western ceremony.

Clare’s father led her down the aisle to Uday where the couple stood beautifully framed by the tall windows. Although a civic ceremony, they incorporated a few Bible passages to honor Clare’s Catholic background before they recited their heartfelt vows. In a memorable moment, a sudden gust of wind playfully blew Clare’s veil off, adding a fun and lighthearted touch that had everyone laughing. Finally, as they shared their first kiss, the setting sun bathed the scene in a golden glow, creating the perfect end to their romantic ceremony.

Ending the Night with a Lively Rooftop Reception

After the final ceremony of the day, the Box House staff performed yet another impressive transformation. They seamlessly transitioned the rooftop from a ceremony space to a chic cocktail and reception space. The Box House staff were truly the backbone of the day. They worked so quickly and effortlessly all day long from start to finish, managing every scene change with ease.  

Guests sipped drinks and mingled during cocktail hour while Clare + Uday took fresh family portraits in their Western wedding attire, followed by fun shots with their wedding party. As the evening set in, the staff closed the retractable roof to keep the cool night air at bay and turned on twinkling string lights making it seem as if the ceiling was lined with stars. 

Clare + Uday’s reception kicked off with the wedding party’s grand entrance. Then, Clare + Uday shared a sweet first dance followed by lovely dances with their parents. Afterward, as guests found their seats, Clare + Uday’s parents delivered heartfelt speeches in honor of their children and their union. The newlyweds took the mic next to thank their guests. As they were planning their wedding, they knew that attending both ceremonies would be hard for some. So, as they delivered their sincere thanks, they made sure that everyone knew that what mattered most was spending time together on their special day.

As the night went on, Clare + Uday shared a delicious dinner served by the Box House’s in-house catering team, cut their cake, and finally, hit the dance floor. Clare changed into an adorable white mini dress, and they spent the rest of the night dancing and celebrating with their loved ones all around them. They even took a special moment to take a group photo on the dance floor with the Tulane flag as a sweet little nod to where their love story began.

Clare + Uday’s wedding was a true celebration of love and culture, and I was honored to be a small part of it. If you’re planning a blended wedding, I’d love to be there to capture it!

Hey y’all! I’m Rachael Crowe of OkCrowe Photography. I’m a wedding photographer based in New York City, but I’m also more than ready to travel to you! Having been in the wedding business for over 8 years, I’ve shot hundreds of weddings including those from different cultures. No matter how you celebrate, I will make sure every significant and special moment of your day is documented and remembered forever. Ready to get started? Just reach out through my contact form!