{logo design above} betsywhite {photography} michael riddell {reception site} hildene

swanton, vermont{logo design above} betsywhite.com {photography} landwehrle {reception site} private residence

{8.13.2010}

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After dating for two years and falling deeply in love, Avita Bansee and Tyler Ellis discussed the question of marriage and agreed it was the right decision for them. Knowing the proposal was coming but not sure exactly when it would happen, Avita was nevertheless excited at the prospect of being engaged. One evening, as the couple made plans to go apartment hunting over the weekend, Tyler suggested that instead of taking the subway from Manhattan to Brooklyn, they instead walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Known since childhood for her ability to see through any attempt to surprise her, Avita blurted out, “Are you going to propose on the bridge?” but instantly felt guilty when she saw Tyler’s crestfallen expression. His plan for that weekend was foiled, but the next week, Tyler made the suggestion again. As they walked across the bridge, Avita didn’t know what to expect. When they crossed over to Brooklyn, however, Tyler managed to surprise her — for real this time — by getting down on one knee and proposing. The moment not only perfectly captured their move from Manhattan to Brooklyn but was also a nod to Tyler’s great-grandfather, who had himself popped the question on the bridge many decades earlier.

The couple had first met in 2008 at a friend’s Christmas party in Brooklyn, but didn’t begin dating until they ran into each other again in the summer of 2009. Avita was out celebrating the birthday of her best friend when Tyler presented her friend with a cute gift — a toy dinosaur tied with a bow. “This struck a chord with me,” says Avita. “I thought it was so thoughtful of him to bring a cute little gift.” Though Avita didn’t find out until later, Tyler had actually brought her a dinosaur of her own but decided not to take attention away from the birthday girl by giving it to her. Today, “My dinosaur is proudly displayed in our apartment in New York and is one of my most cherished mementos from our two years of dating,” says Avita.

Descended from Trinidadian immigrants and eager to celebrate her family’s Indo-Caribbean culture, Avita knew there could be no better place for the wedding than her family’s home in Swanton, Vermont. “This was important for me, because I wanted a traditional Hindu ceremony, where being married in the bride’s parent’s house allows her family to welcome the groom and his family into their home,” says Avita. The celebration was a mix of traditions, with Hindu ceremonies on Thursday and Friday and a black-tie ceremony on Sunday.

The wedding weekend was full of brighT, bold colors and beauTiful TradiTional décor.

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The wedding weekend was full of bright, bold colors and beautiful traditional décor. During the Friday ceremonies, Avita wore two different outfits: first, a sari in light rose and purple, in which the groom does not usually see his bride; and second, a red wedding gown. “The color red is significant because red is the token color of a married Hindu woman,” says Avita. During the ceremony, a red powder was applied to the middle part of Avita’s hair, which she will reapply every day of her married life, and is meant to symbolize their marriage and assure the health and longevity of her husband. On Saturday, the couple kicked off the festivities with a lively steel-drum band, Trinidad’s national music. The incorporation of Avita’s culture was a great experience for both the bride and groom — Tyler and his family had the chance to learn more about Avita’s Trinidadian and Hindu cultures, something both Avita and Tyler found very rewarding.

After three days of celebrations, the newlyweds were sure that nothing could have made their wedding more joyful — and, unlike their engagement story, everything had gone just as planned.

wedding professionalsfeatured

avita & tyler’s

Advice

while planning, remember to end

each day on a high note. if

planning is stressing you out

& causing disagreements , try to

forgive all by the end of the day.1

No.

if you are having a big family

wedding , allow your parents to

have some input. compromise with

them ~ it will make the planning

smoother & so much more fun.2No.

cake: Vermont cake studioVermontcakestudio.com

catering: dishdishcateringVt.com

coordination: nJoy eVent PlanningnJoyeVent.com

event rentals: dark star lighting | darkstarlighting.com the linen shoP at occasions | occasionsVt.com, rain or shine tent & eVents | rainorshineVt.com

Floral design: Flowers in seasonFlowersinseasonVt.com

invitations: By inVitation onlygoByinVitationonly.com

PhotograPhy: landwehrle PhotograPhyllPhoto.com

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