Photography: Myranda Randle Photography |
Arhita + Billy
Little Rock // 10.22.22
Both growing up in Little Rock, Arhita Dasgupta and Billy Hupp met at a party Billy’s brother hosted during high school. The two dated for seven years before Billy planned a New Year’s Eve proposal in 2020. “He wanted to propose then because I was graduating from med school and he was graduating from law school; he wanted it to be a big year for us,” Arhita recalls.
The couple were immediately drawn to the idea of a fall wedding. “Our birthdays are in the spring, so we wanted to spread the celebratory love and thought having an anniversary six months later would be nice. Also, who doesn’t love Arkansas in October?” Arhita says.
It was important to the bride to incorporate her Indian heritage into the day. “In India, a daughter’s wedding is a very big deal, so it was as much for me as it was for my parents,” Arhita explains. They knew they would need a sizable venue to accommodate all their guests and also wanted to be married outdoors. This led them to Grandeur House, a site that checked all the boxes on their list and allowed for customization of the big day.
A blend of bohemian and classic style flowed throughout the celebration with vivid hues accenting the elements of the day. In Indian culture, weddings typically last three days. Arhita wanted to distill this into an hourlong ceremony while still incorporating numerous traditions. A few of these included walking around the fire seven times, exchanging garlands, and breaking clay pots together, which is a symbol of overcoming hardship as a couple. “It was a bespoke ceremony created just for us, and we absolutely loved every minute of it,” Arhita says. She also credits planner Leslie Carter of Bella Baxter Special Events for making their dreams a reality.
Guests dined on traditional Indian food before taking to the dance floor. Following a tour of Japan during cherry blossom season, they are now at home in Kansas City, Missouri, where Arhita is completing her residency.
Fiery Florals
Arhita envisioned warm yet classic colors in the floral design. “Tipton & Hurst brought my vision to life,” she says. The florist used a mix of roses, dahlias, mums, marigolds, and greenery to convey an inviting fall feel throughout the ceremony and reception.
Grandeur House was the backdrop for Arhita and Billy’s big day.
“Billy really embraced my culture; he wanted to understand the traditions so he could relay all the intricacies and symbolism to his family and friends so they felt a part of it.”
—Arhita
“I was excited to wear a traditional red sari and then change into something more fun for the reception,” Arhita says of her wedding day wardrobe.
“We wanted our guests to know how much they meant to us and how much we appreciated them celebrating with us.”
—Arhita
Tables adorned with the event’s orange florals are where guests dined on an array of Indian fare.
Local Resources
Cake Sweet Lavender Bake Shop Catering Saffron Indian Cuisine Entertainment DJ Dominique, Central Arkansas Entertainment Floral design Tipton & Hurst Hair And makeup Lavonne Beauty Photography Myranda Randle Photography Planning and design Leslie Carter, Bella Baxter Special Events Rentals Eventology Transportation Arkansas Destinations Venue Grandeur House
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