Although Sneha “Snee” and Kyle Dismang went to the same high school, their paths never crossed. But while both were attending college in Beebe, Snee and Kyle were introduced by a mutual friend and quickly fell in love. To Snee’s elation, Kyle proposed eight years later on Mother’s Day in front of her entire family, including her grandmother who was visiting from India. Their wedding two months later (July 25, 2010) was more than just a ceremony – it was a union of two cultures and families, a beautiful blending of East and West.
How They Customized
The attire. To incorporate the bride’s Indian culture, the bridesmaids wore vibrantly-colored saris chosen in India by Snee’s aunt, and their hands were decorated with henna tattoos, their wrists with bangles.
Sweet-smelling favors. The bride’s aunt also chose colorful gift bags from India that were later filled with rose petals and placed on guests’ seats.
Creative cakes. Inspired by a cake she saw in Martha Stewart’s “Real Weddings,” the bride’s three-tiered confection featured a red henna motif and two bluebirds, one wearing a top hat and one a red flower in its hair. Because Kyle is an avid Nike Jordan collector, Blue Cake Company created a replica of one of his favorite pairs for the groom’s cake.
Custom jewelry. “We have each other’s birthstones in our rings,” Snee said. Kyle’s birthstone is a ruby, which Snee had received as a Christmas gift in India in 2009. “This was the last Christmas before my last grandfather passed, so it was sentimental,” she said. Kyle’s gold band is accented with Snee’s birthstone, sapphire. The gorgeous emerald and diamond necklace and earring set Snee wore were a gift from her mother’s family when her brother wed.
Indian Tradition
In Indian weddings, Snee said it is traditional for the bride’s maternal uncle to give her away. “I had my two uncles walk me half-way, where I met my dad, and he walked me the rest of the way to my husband-to-be.”
Ways They Saved
Family-prepared food. Snee and Kyle incorporated more Indian flavor into their reception (and saved money) by letting her family do the cooking. “It was authentic Indian food and super delicious – made with love and served with love,” she said.
Cutting shipping costs. The couple saved money on the bridesmaids’ saris by having them custom-made and by having Snee’s aunt bring them with her from India.
Free little luxuries. One of Kyle’s aunts is a massage therapist, and she gave the bride and bridesmaids mini massages as they got their hair done. It was a nice way for everyone to relax on the wedding day, and it didn’t cost a dime.
Q: What detail truly made the wedding yours?
“I walked [down the aisle] to Led Zeppelin’s “All of My Love,” which was special to me and Kyle. And the song we walked out to was The Beatles’ “And He Loves Her,” my song for us. If anything, this may have been the most special touch that was just me and him.”The Details
- Photographer: Jamie Fender l Photographer
- Wedding coordinator/florist: A Perfect Bloom, Beebe
- Stationery: Freddie’s Printing & Stationery, Little Rock
- Cakes: Blue Cake Company, Little Rock
- DJ: DJ Hollywood, Benton
- Rings: Kyle-Rochelle Jewelers, Little Rock
- Groom/groomsmen attire: Evolve, Little Rock
- Venue: Park on the River, Maumelle
