Planning a multi-day South Indian Kannada & American wedding at the Ruins of Sassafras, New York
Deanna and Raghava first met at a work happy hour, and their wedding weekend reflected the same effortless blend of personalities that brought them together. Set in the Berkshire hills, they envisioned a celebration that combined the romance of an English countryside garden with the richness of South Asian traditions.
The planner’s perspective
Planning a wedding of this scale felt like building something entirely from the ground up. Over three days, eight events unfolded across the Ruins at Sassafras, each one transforming this historic space into a cultural environment. As a raw venue, everything had to be brought in, from custom glassware to structural furniture, each curated to match the tone of the moment. Planning with and coordinating twenty-five vendors to move as one across three days was the whole job. We wanted guests to feel they were traveling to a new destination with every event, despite staying on the same estate.
Venue
The Ruins at Sassafras, The Berkshires, New York
Design
English countryside meets South Asian traditions
Vendors
25
Guests
220
Bazaar Sangeet
The journey into the weekend began with an immersive Sangeet that functioned as a sensory portal. Guests were welcomed to an Indian bazaar stretching from the estate entrance to the Chair Factory with stalls of bangles and trinkets, the aroma of fresh chai, and live henna artists at work. The experience set a festive tone, less like a traditional event and more like stepping into a lively marketplace, bringing a sense of India to the Berkshires.
The Berkshire Baraat and The Rose Garden Ceremony
With the Berkshires at the backdrop, the Baraat unfolded with the groom arriving on horseback, a rickshaw weaving through the crowd and guests dancing their way to the ceremony.
For the Indian ceremony, the couple honored Raghava’s heritage with a traditional South Indian ceremony held in the garden before the estate’s historic stone house.
The Communal Assembly Lunch
The lunch featured a curated South Indian thali dining experience with more than 15 traditional dishes, presented as a seated meal. Guests were served directly at their tables while gathered around long rustic estate tables layered with brass details and vibrant cultural elements, blending the communal spirit of South Indian dining with the relaxed elegance of the Berkshire countryside.
A Serene American Ceremony and Cocktail at the Candlelit Ruins
As the day unfolded, Deanna changed into a Pnina Tornai gown for a second, American-style ceremony by the estate’s pond. The setting was intentionally minimal, allowing the natural landscape and water to create a quiet, romantic backdrop.
As the sun set, guests moved into the Ruins, where the historic stone walls were lined with over 200 flickering candles. The warm glow transformed the space and marked a gentle shift from ceremony to evening celebration
Under the Glass Garden & Moroccan After Party
The weekend culminated under a clear-top tent on the lawn, bringing the outdoors into the reception. Overhead greenery installations and layered place settings creating a “secret garden” aesthetic.
As the night continued, guests were led to the estate’s Moroccan bar for the after-party, where the atmosphere shifted to a lounge-like feel, an exotic finish to the weekend.
