To Honor Both of Their Cultures, This Couple Held Two Ceremonies in One Day

One couple, two weddings, and plenty of love to go around.


Photo by Mark Spooner

THE STORY

The only thing better than getting married once? Saying “I do” twice in the same day. That’s exactly the move Clare Klemmer and Mayur Pillay made this September. Eager to walk down the aisle seven years into their relationship, the pair tied the knot with a Hindu ceremony at Stonover Farm in Lenox, followed by a civil ceremony at Chesterwood estate in Stockbridge, and later, a 23-guest reception back at Stonover. Although they’d originally planned to celebrate with a much larger crowd, the couple say they have zero regrets about getting married in the midst of COVID-19. “It felt intimate and magical that we were so present with our friends and family,” the bride says.

THE DETAILS

Photo by Mark Spooner

VENUE
The pair chose to host their wedding festivities at the midway point between their families in New York and Massachusetts, booking two Berkshires venues to make sure each ceremony felt distinct.

Photo by Mark Spooner

FOOD
“The best part of a tiny wedding was that we were able to actually sit down and eat,” Klemmer says with a laugh. The couple’s feast included turmeric margaritas—crafted by Mezze as a nod to Indian flavors—and a vanilla buttercream cake with layers of chocolate and yellow sponge.

Photo by Mark Spooner

ALTAR
A shady area beneath a towering tree at Stonover Farm doubled as the bride and groom’s mandap, or wedding altar. Taking a cue from a color palette popular at many traditional Indian weddings, the couple decorated it with bright pink and marigold floral garlands.

CEREMONY
A Hindu priest officiated the first ceremony with an assist from the couple’s parents.

Photo by Mark Spooner

DÉCOR
“Stonover’s barn was already so beautiful, so I just wanted very simple and in-season flowers, which meant lots of dahlias,” Klemmer says of the couple’s reception décor, which included string lights and tables adorned with bud vases.

THE FILE

Bride’s Dress Sarah Seven, Ceremony
Bride’s Lehenga Nazranaa
Cake Austin Bayliss Cakes
Caterer/Planner Mezze Catering and Events
Flowers and Event Design Crocus Hale Flowers
Groom’s Suit Boglioli Milano
Lighting and Audio Encore Audio
Officiant Grace Ceremonies
Rentals Classical Tents and Party Goods

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