A Floral Fusion of Marigold and Lavender at Blithewold Mansion

By Kevin Harson21 May 2025

Orange, Yellow, Pink, Purple and Red

To flow from our Sangeet to the reception, our excellent vendor team had to execute an incredible tent flip between the two events. We started with cocktail height tables, a coffee cart, and bright florals to match the high-energy celebratory sangeet. During our wedding ceremony in the flower garden, our team had to flip the entire tent to set up for dinner, dancing, and build us a beautiful marigold and orange lily flanked head table. Our floral inspo drew heavily on orange marigolds, which are a traditional Indian wedding flower. We chose lavender to complement the orange as a nod to New England hydrangeas. Our florals perfectly matched the fusion of our two cultures and were perfectly appropriate for a summer garden party wedding.

Saagar surprised Jillian with a trip to London, where he proposed at the top of the Shard building. The surprise continued when both our families and best friends showed up to toast with us and enjoy London after the proposal. We celebrated with a group dinner at Dishoom, our favorite Indian restaurant in London, and a long weekend of shopping and seeing the sights. London was a special location choice because it sits halfway between Jillian’s home near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Hyderabad, India, where Saagar’s family is from.

My gown was Rivini by Rita Vinieris. I was immediately drawn to the floral jacquard fabric, which felt unique, timeless, and perfect for our venue. I knew we’d be getting married in a flower garden mid-summer in full bloom, so the subtle floral print was the perfect complement. The venue is a historically preserved Gilded Age mansion, so I wanted a dress that borrowed the period’s drama and extravagance with a full train, corseted bodice, pearl buttons, complemented by a cathedral-length veil.

Dessy Group

GROOM’S SUIT: Saagar, a men’s fashion aficionado, had custom white tie and tails made by Steed Bespoke Tailors in London. He was excited about his wedding tuxedo and spent a lot of time designing it to fit the Gilded Age period.

We served amazing Indian passed hors d’oeuvres at the Sangeet, including mini spoons of butter chicken and saag paneer. Our seated dinner included lobster, mashed potatoes, and locally caught cod.

When designing the florals for Jillian & Saagar, it was all about personality & 100% intentional. This was such an inspirational & meaningful design to us. Celebrating both their families’ cultures sang through the florals like telling a story. From Sangeet to Ceremony, Cocktail hour & Reception – Every area of the design had its moment, complementing together entirely. We worked hand in hand with our Bride & Nightingale Events to take something out of Jillian’s dreams to share with everyone on their wedding day. The colors through the ceremony were bursting, scalloped garlands dressed the aisle while romantic blooms danced behind. Sunset glowed on freckled lilies & warm fragrant marigolds in reception, a table to truly celebrate. Unforgettable.

Jillian’s paternal grandparents, who have been married for 62 years, officiated our ceremony. They’re a true testament to strength in marriage through good times and bad, which made them the perfect officiants.

The most unique and special choice we made for our wedding was to include a “mini-sangeet” before our wedding ceremony. We’d held a traditional Hindu ceremony in India the summer prior with all four of Saagar’s grandparents, so we incorporated Saagar’s heritage in our American wedding with a quick dance party to kick off the day. We had eight choreographed dances performed by both our parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen, friends, and cousins. Saagar’s aunt teaches traditional Hindu dance and opened the Sangeet with a dedication to Ganesha. All of our family members, even some of Jillian’s more rhythmically challenged, leaned in and did an amazing job. It was the perfect opening to a day of fun, family, and leaning into our different cultures.