Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Tips on Organizing Your Home

      Tips on Organizing Your Home

      From the kitchen and bathroom to the bedroom and laundry room, here are 40 ways to simplify, streamline, and banish clutter throughout the house. Read More
    • These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      Upgrade your spaces with new—and old—classics. Read More
    • 39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      These classic recipes will help you get a head start on the festivities. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    Express your love with handmade Valentine's crafts like paper cards, gift ideas, and decorations.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Secure your role as the host with the absolute most.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    Amp up your home décor with perfectly placed frames.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Don't let your varieties fall victim to the perils of poor cold-weather maintenance.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    Our easy tips will make this cleaning task a lot less daunting.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Ready, set, go! Our no-nonsense guide will help you learn how to plan your wedding like a pro.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Take a multi-pronged approach if you're experiencing excess dryness.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Weddings
  3. Real Weddings
  4. Judy and Prem's Multicultural Austin Wedding
Martha Stewart Weddings

Judy and Prem's Multicultural Austin Wedding

Skip gallery slides
Pin
wd111100-prem-judy-wedding-504.jpg

The bride and groom drew on inspiration from India, Taiwan, Paris, and Texas when planning this vibrant celebration.

Start Slideshow

1 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Couple

wd111100-prem-judy-wedding-504.jpg

While many couples liken their relationship to classic romances such as When Harry Met Sally, Prem Nainani summons The Godfather to paint a picture of his falling for Judy Wu at first sight: "That scene when Michael Corleone describes meeting his true love as being struck by a thunderbolt—that was me when I met Judy." As recent grads from the University of Texas in Austin, the two were introduced by a mutual friend in the fall of 2004. Eight years later, Prem, who works for a hedge fund, popped the question. Throwing convention out the window, he got down on one knee and presented Judy with a box of cookies from a local bakery during the screening of a surprisingly unromantic art film. "They were the same kind he gave me as a gift when we first started dating," explains Judy. The ring? That would come a month later at a large family party.

The proposal may have been thoroughly modern and unconventional, but in planning the wedding, the Austin-based couple let their love of family traditions take over. Prem, who is of Indian origin, was born in Paris and immigrated to Dallas with his family when he was 2 years old. Judy, who works at Google as a project manager, was born in Taiwan, and at age 5, moved to Houston. "We wanted to reflect all those cultures," she says. To that end, their worldly affair was held on October 19, 2013, at Brazos Hall, a converted warehouse in Austin.

1 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Red-y to Wed

prem-judy-wedding-056-s111100.jpg
Credit: James Moes

Save-the-dates from Paperless Post previewed the wedding's auspicious red-and-orange color scheme.

2 of 22

3 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Invitation Suite

prem-judy-wedding-054-s111100.jpg
Credit: James Moes

The invitations, designed by a friend of the couple's and printed by Ladybug Press, featured both the Chinese double happiness symbol and the Hindu god Ganesh. 

3 of 22

Advertisement

4 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Grand Arrival

prem-judy-wedding-263-s111100.jpg
Credit: James Moes

In keeping with Indian wedding customs, Prem arrived at the ceremony riding a white horse in a baraat, a traditional groom's procession, surrounded by musicians, family, and friends.

4 of 22

5 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Fashions

wd111100-prem-judy-wedding-504.jpg

Judy and Prem wore traditional Indian wedding attire in shades of red, burgundy, and orange. "And no shoes!" says Judy, who slipped into a pair of Jimmy Choos postceremony.

5 of 22

6 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Ceremony Program

prem-judy-wedding-061-s111100.jpg
Credit: James Moes

The rituals of the traditional Hindu wedding ceremony were outlined in this program, which, in a nod to Judy's Taiwanese heritage, was adorned on the front with the double happiness symbol.

6 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Ceremony

prem-judy-wedding-417-s111100.jpg
Credit: James Moes

The Hindu ceremony took place on a stage known as a mandap, where the bride and groom are surrounded by their families and take part in the wedding rites, including exchanging coconuts to symbolize agreeing to the marriage contract. Known as "God's fruit," a coconut is a common offering in many Hindu rituals besides marriage. 

7 of 22

8 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Elements of Tradition

prem-judy-wedding-335-s111100.jpg
Credit: James Moes

Items used in Hindu wedding rituals (and displayed here on the mandap prior to the ceremony) include rose petals for tossing; auspicious liquids, such as milk, honey, and ghee (clarified butter); puffed rice to be offered to the gods through the sacred fire; coconuts; and an image of the deity Ganesh. 

8 of 22

9 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Ceremony Altar

prem-judy-wedding-339-s111100.jpg
Credit: James Moes

Garlands are used both for rituals and for décor in Indian weddings. The Nouveau Romantics (who planned and designed the celebration and created the floral elements) adorned Prem and Judy's mandap with these, made of white carnations.

9 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Bridal Party

wd111100-prem-judy-wedding-132.jpg

Bridesmaids wore strapless gowns by LuLu's in a standout red and Kate Spade earrings, and carried single peonies.

10 of 22

11 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Painted Ladies

prem-judy-wedding-148-s111100.jpg
Credit: James Moes

Following Indian tradition, Judy and the women closest to her had their hands covered in mehndi, intricate henna patterns, prior to the wedding; the bride's design is always the most ornate.

11 of 22

12 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Boutonnieres

prem-judy-wedding-012-s111100.jpg
Credit: James Moes

The groomsmen's boutonnieres included red spray roses, rose hips, gomphrena, pistache foliage, and red ranunculus.

12 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Bridal Bouquet

wd111100-prem-judy-day-after-portraits-01.jpg

The bride's bouquet: 'Red Charm' peonies, garden roses, ranunculus, zinnias, oak leaves, and dahlias.

13 of 22

14 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cocktail Hour

prem-judy-wedding-580-s111100.jpg
Credit: James Moes

Passed hors d'oeuvres included potato and sweet pea samosas with spiced tomato chutney and curried shrimp on mini popadam to reflect Prem's Indian heritage, and steamed rice with savory-sweet red Taiwanese sausage and Taiwanese spring rolls to honor Judy's cultural background.

14 of 22

15 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Reception

wd111100-prem-judy-wedding-015.jpg

After the vows, 160 guests dined on Indian curry and Taiwanese snapper and sipped local beers at tables set with centerpieces of garden roses, dahlias, and clementines. "Red is meaningful in our cultures, and it's my favorite color," says Judy.

15 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Menus

prem-judy-wedding-031-s111100.jpg
Credit: James Moes

Red paper menus printed in gold metallic ink featured the Chinese symbol for double happiness. 

16 of 22

17 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Signature Sippers

wd111100-prem-judy-wedding-069.jpg

Champagne cocktails reflected Prem's family's love of France. "Plus, they're festive," says the bride.

17 of 22

18 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Drinks

prem-judy-wedding-066-s111100.jpg
Credit: James Moes

Like the guests, the drinks came from near and far; local Texas beers were served with dinner, but there was also an imported whiskey bar on offer during the reception.

18 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The First Dance

wd111100-prem-judy-wedding-693-bw.jpg

For the reception, off came the traditional garb and on came a white Reem Acra gown and a Burberry suit—and the hip-hop. "Honoring our pasts was important, but so was making the wedding our own," says Judy. "We wanted to celebrate where we came from, and where we're headed." But first, Harry Connick Jr.'s "A Wink and a Smile" played for the newlyweds' official first dance.

19 of 22

20 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sweet Endings

wd111100-prem-judy-wedding-044.jpg

Later in the evening, everyone sampled a dessert buffet of French pastries (a nod to Prem's birthplace). Macarons, cream puffs, and mini éclairs sprinkled with gold luster dust flanked a chocolate­ and­ almond cake.

20 of 22

21 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Thank-You Treats

wd111100-prem-judy-wedding-086.jpg

Guests took home bags filled with traditional dragées and Taiwanese milk candy.

21 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sources

prem-judy-wedding-417-s111100.jpg
Credit: James Moes

Location: Brazos Hall

Event Planning and Design, Florals, and Stationery: The Nouveau Romantics

Catering: Kurant Events

Photography: James Moes

Officiant: Sripada-Ji

Save-the-Dates: Paperless Post

Calligraphy: Crown and Clover

Cake and Dessert Buffet: Coco Paloma Desserts

Music: IndoRaja Entertainment

Rentals: Loot Vintage Rentals; La Tavola Fine Linen; Premiere Events

Lighting: Ilios Lighting Design

Hair and Makeup: Brittany Jones Hair and Makeup (bride's); M. Thuy Bui (bridesmaids')

Transportation: Angeli Carriages

Henna Artist: Henna Arts

22 of 22

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    `
    Martha Stewart Weddings
    View All
    • How to Ensure Guests Attend Your Post-Wedding Brunch
    • A Colorful Fall Wedding in Aspen, Colorado
    • What Should You Wear to a Low-Key Bridal Shower?
    • Brooklyn Beckham Just Revealed How He Felt the Moment He Saw Nicola Peltz in Her Wedding Dress
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 22 The Couple
    2 of 22 Red-y to Wed
    3 of 22 The Invitation Suite
    4 of 22 The Grand Arrival
    5 of 22 The Fashions
    6 of 22 The Ceremony Program
    7 of 22 The Ceremony
    8 of 22 Elements of Tradition
    9 of 22 The Ceremony Altar
    10 of 22 The Bridal Party
    11 of 22 Painted Ladies
    12 of 22 The Boutonnieres
    13 of 22 The Bridal Bouquet
    14 of 22 Cocktail Hour
    15 of 22 The Reception
    16 of 22 The Menus
    17 of 22 Signature Sippers
    18 of 22 The Drinks
    19 of 22 The First Dance
    20 of 22 Sweet Endings
    21 of 22 Thank-You Treats
    22 of 22 Sources

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Judy and Prem's Multicultural Austin Wedding
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.