Cessie and Rohan: One Day, Two Celebrations

Photo courtesy Sweet Julep Photograhpy

During my henna career, I've noticed a distinct trend: Many people from cultures with a mehndi tradition are marrying outside of their cultures, which creates unique opportunities to blend traditions, ceremonies and celebrations!

The May wedding of Cessie and Rohan was no exception.

Cessie, of Filipino descent adopted into a Caucasian family, celebrated her May nuptials to Rohan, whose family is from a district of southern India called Coorg. One distinct aspect of Coorgy culture is the unique way women wrap their saris. (Check the ladies out below!)

Cessie's wedding day called for a Catholic ceremony in the evening preceded by a Hindu ceremony in the morning, so full-tilt bridal mehndi was a must! Cessie wanted fairly traditional designs on hands and feet, so I recruited my friend and fellow artist, Adrianne Hogan of Birmingham Henna, to assist.

One side of one hand done!

With the two of us working together, the entire process took about four hours. Cessie was a true sport. We whiled away the time chatting about her life and the unique love story of her and Rohan. The two met at Grissom High School in Huntsville, Alabama. But the romance didn't ignite until eight years later when both were in East Africa: Cessie in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Rohan in Lusaka, Zambia.

Then eventually met up in Dar es Salaam and, well, the two Huntsville natives began their romance on the other side of the world.

I'd like to thank Sweet Julep Photography for sharing the wedding day photographs! Scroll down to view.

Adrianne hard at work on Cessie's foot

Hands and tops of feet done. Yay!

These two are destined to have gorgeous children. Am I right?

Cessie looks radiant in a hot pink sari with gold jewelry.