Alison and Ashwin Hoover
March 20, 2016
A LOVE STORY
In true twenty-first-century style, Alison and Ashwin met through a dating app in 2013 while they both were living in New York City. Alison was finishing up graduate school at Yale when she met Ashwin, who is originally from India and was working for American Express at the time. In a city of over eight million people, they each found the one they were looking for. “Ashwin proposed by taking me on a scavenger hunt throughout NYC that ended at a helipad,” Alison shares. She said yes during their romantic helicopter tour above the city.
The Venue – Rosemary Beach, Florida
The couple already had plans to say their vows along the beaches of Northwest Florida’s Scenic Highway 30-A area, but finding the perfect spot proved to be a little more challenging. With eight unique coastal communities to choose from, 30-A offered an array of options that Ashwin and Alison had to consider. “I knew I wanted to get married in Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seaside, Seagrove Beach, WaterColor, or WaterSound, as I have been visiting the area since the time I was a baby and it is like a second home to me,” says Alison. “The Town Hall at Rosemary Beach seemed like an ideal venue and allowed us to create the feel we were looking for.”
The Wedding Day
“We hired It’s a Shore Thing to help with the planning, and I’m really glad we did,” Alison says. “Planning a wedding from California, where we now live, would have been very challenging otherwise! Despite the distance, we were very involved in the planning process.”
Taking inspiration from Ashwin’s home country, the wedding decor included a beautiful altar adorned in flowing fabrics and red, pink, and white carnations on the beach, along with an elaborate chandelier and hanging lanterns during the reception at the Town Hall. “We wanted our wedding to feel like a seamless blending of cultures, and I think we managed to accomplish that,” Alison shared. “I was so happy with the way it turned out. It felt beachy and laid-back, while also incorporating several Indian traditions and design elements.” Ashwin’s mother even brought a suitcase full of scarves and bangles from India for guests to adorn themselves. “Color was very important to us—we wanted vibrant red, pink, orange, and gold tones that also felt soft and romantic. I loved the idea of black tie on the beach. It’s so counterintuitive—but awesome!”
Surrounded by family and friends, Alison and Ashwin said “I do” on the white sands of Rosemary Beach, with sunset photos on the beach and dinner and much dancing following at the Town Hall. And the celebration is not over yet! The newlyweds plan to hold a huge reception this November in India with the rest of Ashwin’s friends and family.
The couple will no doubt enjoy a well traveled and exciting life together, celebrating their love and remembering a wedding that was crafted specially for them.
Special Thanks
Photography – Alena Bakutis Wedding Planning and Coordination – It’s a Shore Thing Florist/Decor – Events by Nouveau Catering – Townsend Catering Cake – La Loba’s Bakery DJ – B-Boy Productions Ceremony Music – Top Hat Live Videography – Josh Kidd Films Makeup – The Perfect Makeup Hair – Hair Designs by Jessica Stationery – Emily O. Holmes Bride’s Dress – Vera Wang Groom’s Tux – Hugo Boss Bridesmaids’ Dresses – BCBG
