Having developed their love over a three-year, long-distance relationship, it’s safe to say distance was no match for Shruti and Arun. The two met in Philadelphia at a dinner hosted by a mutual friend, and even though Shruti took a job in Chicago that same week, the two understood their chemistry was too special not to pursue.

When it came time to tie the knot, the couple envisioned a destination wedding as special as their bond; which is exactly what they found in Point Clear, Alabama. The bride is from New Orleans and had some ties to the Gulf Shore area from spending summer vacations there as a girl, so the location just made sense. “We also wanted somewhere warm,” the two admitted.

The duo wanted their 250 guests to think of their wedding weekend as a vacation. So, they leaned on their wedding designer and planner, Ali Phillips of Engaging Events by Ali, to elevate their traditional Indian celebration to new heights.

“We have both been to a number of weddings in the cities we lived in and are from, so we wanted something a little different,” Shruti and Arun explained.

Their unique event quickly became a weekend-long affair with a welcome party on Friday night that had a fun, Southern theme to tie-in the bride’s New Orleans roots.

The wedding day started at 10 a.m. with the Baraat where the groom was led to the wedding venue in an elaborate procession. The ceremony and a lavish luncheon followed where guests enjoyed quality time with one another, which Shruti loved. 

“My favorite moments were spending quality time with the people I love,” the bride reminisced, “Like doing nails with my four and six-year-old nieces Friday morning before most people had arrived and chatting with my girlfriends in the bridal suite while getting my hair and makeup done.”

With the warm sun shining down on a perfect union of Southern flare and Indian tradition, the couple left distance in the dust, hand-in-hand surrounded by family and friends. 

Vendors: Photographer: averyhouse, Wedding Designer & Planner: Ali Phillips with Engaging Events by Ali, Venue: Grand Hotel Resort, Videographer: Aria Films, Flowers: Wildflowers Floral Design, Draping: Southern Sounds, Chivari Chairs: Gulf Coast Events & Rentals, Stationery: Indian Wedding Card and Clementine Ink, Linens: BBJ Linens, Hair and Makeup: H20 Salon, DJ: Shivas Gilotra with One2 Entertainment & Band: D Play Band.