Planning a multi-day South Indian Telugu & Jewish wedding in Tarrytown, New York
Maneesha and Max first met while studying at Georgetown University. Maneesha comes from a South Indian family, while Max was raised in a Jewish household with deep ties to the entertainment world through his parents’ work as television producers. For their wedding, rather than blending traditions into a single day, they chose to honor each culture fully, giving each its own moment across a three-day, seven-event celebration.
The planner’s perspective
Managing a weekend of this scale, seven distinct events across three days with a team of 28 vendors, requires more than just coordination; it requires a deep understanding of two very different liturgical and cultural flows. From ensuring the Tish was as authentic as the Pellikutru, to managing high-end couture changes and estate logistics, this Indian and Jewish multicultural wedding was a testament to what is possible when heritage is treated with the level of luxury.
Venue
The Castle Hotel & Spa, Tarrytown, New York
Design
Royal Reverie
Vendors
28
Guests
350
Sun drenched Haldi & Pellikutru
We kicked off the weekend at the Castle Hotel & Spa in Tarrytown, NY. We transformed the castle lawns for the morning Haldi and Pellikutru ceremonies into a vibrant sea of yellows, sunflowers, and lavender. The standout detail was the walkway from the stone castle to the lawn; custom wooden arches draped in flowing yellow fabric and tassels.
To complete the morning's sensory experience, a curated masala tea chai cart served spiced chai to guests adding an authentic touch with the Kullad (clay) cups.
Mehndi Sundowner
The celebration transitioned into a Mehndi Sundowner at the Great Hall of Castle Hotel & Spa. The ballroom’s dark wood architecture and vaulted ceilings provided a stately, Old-World anchor for the South Asian color palette of yellows, purples, and soft pastels.
The suspended Indian parasols and brass elements added an antique glow to the wooden surrounding. The experience was designed to reflect the energy of an Indian street fair, featuring a curated bazaar cart a live henna station, and elevated Indian street food stations.
By blending the castle’s regal wood aesthetic with South Asian textures of a traditional mela, the Mehndi Sundowner served as the perfect vibrant bridge between the morning rituals and the celestial night ahead.
Celestial dreams Sangeet
As the sun set, the mood shifted for the Sangeet to a "Celestial" theme. The ballroom featured a custom-built crescent moon crafted from blue pampas grass and accented with gold accents.
For their entrance, Maneesha and Max traded the traditional formal announcement for a high-octane choreographed duet. The couple and their bridal party entered to the beats of a vibrant Bollywood track in a "His vs. Hers" style dance-off instantly igniting the evening’s program.
The heritage estate wedding
The second day moved to Max’s family estate in West Harrison, NY (a property with its own storied history in the arts). The front lawn was transformed for a traditional Telugu ceremony, draped in deep reds and gold temple accents. Maneesha was a vision in a Sabyasachi wedding saree, bringing the grandeur of Indian couture to the New York countryside.
The ceremony rituals were performed by a Vedic priest who was flown in from Silicon Valley temple.
Sabyasachi style wedding
Inspired by the moody, antique elegance of a Sabyasachi showroom, the reception was a blend of heritage and storytelling, featuring a curated photo lounge designed with Indian tapestries, handcrafted lampshades, and sepia-toned family photos. Maneesha & Max both wore a Sabyasachi ensemble for the evening's celebrations.
The Chuppah and the Solarium
The final day was dedicated to Max’s Jewish heritage, beginning with simultaneous Tish ceremonies. Maneesha & Max, surrounded by their respective bridal parties, each enjoyed a spirited session of toasts, and lighthearted banter.
Under the Chuppah, the couple was then married by a female Rabbi to the soulful sounds of live Sephardic instruments. Their Ketubah, a stunning piece of custom art, was written in both Yiddish and Telugu, symbolizing the union of the two families.
In a beautiful twist on the traditional Yichud (seclusion), the couple shared their private moment in the estate’s glass solarium. Accompanied by the Sephardic music, they shared a "private first dance”.
The Secret Garden & Sephardic serenades
Following the Jewish ceremony, the celebration transitioned into the estate’s Secret Garden for a relaxed cocktail hour. To maintain the soulful, historic thread of the day, live musicians continued to play Sephardic Ladino music as guests enjoyed the estate's airy natural beauty.
As the evening fell, guests gathered for a formal sit-down dinner inspired by an Enchanted Garden theme. The tablescapes featured thoughtfully layered textures, including lush moss arrangements as centerpieces and Armenian ceramic-style dinnerware that added an artisanal touch to each setting. Each rental piece was carefully chosen to complement the soft candlelight, creating an intimate and elevated atmosphere to close their seven-event celebration.
