Sonia and Eric's Indian Wedding at Hartford Marriott Downtown and Hartford City Hall

Sonia and Eric picked August 19 because it gave them a summer wedding on a day of good luck on the Indian calendar. They both come from big families, so they invited everyone: about 400 guests filled the grand ballroom at Hartford Marriott Downtown for a traditional Indian ceremony and a reception that did not stop until the last song.

Between the ceremony and the party, we took the wedding party up Main Street to Hartford City Hall. One of those portraits, the two of them standing in a tall arched window, became their favorite photo of the entire day.

About Hartford Marriott Downtown

Hartford Marriott Downtown sits at 200 Columbus Boulevard on the Connecticut River waterfront, connected directly to the Connecticut Convention Center. It is a 409 room hotel, which matters for a wedding this size: out of town family can check in once and stay for the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception and next morning brunch without ever getting in a car.

The Marriott Ballroom is the largest hotel ballroom in Hartford at 8,311 square feet, and Marriott lists it for up to about 550 wedding guests. That room can be set for the ceremony, then flipped for dinner and dancing, which is exactly how Sonia and Eric used it.

The Hartford Marriott is also used to cultural weddings. A multi day Indian wedding needs space for a mandap, room for a big family, flexible catering and a team that understands the timeline. Here, it all lives under one roof.

Why we love Hartford City Hall for wedding portraits

Hartford's Municipal Building, which everyone calls City Hall, was completed in 1915 at 550 Main Street. It is a Beaux Arts landmark faced in white granite, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and its centerpiece is a three story atrium about 150 feet long, lit from above by a skylight running the length of the building.

For a photographer, that combination is rare: soft overhead daylight, arched windows, repeating columns and old world stone, all a short drive from the hotel. It gives a downtown wedding the feel of a European palace without leaving Hartford.

Sonia and Eric had a blast taking pictures there with their wedding party and closest family. If you are getting married downtown, ask us about building a City Hall portrait session into your timeline.

The ceremony: a traditional Indian wedding

Sonia and Eric's ceremony followed the rituals of a traditional Indian wedding. It opened with the exchange of flower garlands, the moment a couple places garlands around each other's necks to mark the start of the ceremony. Later they walked together around the sacred fire, the vows at the heart of a Hindu wedding.

Indian weddings move quickly and fill every inch of the room with color, family and ritual. We plan these ceremonies with the couple and their family ahead of time so we know where to stand for the garland exchange, when the fire is lit, and which elders should be in which portraits.

Sonia and Eric's wedding, in their words

Why did you choose your wedding date?

We wanted to have a summer wedding that also coincided with a day of good luck on the Indian calendar.

What was the weather like?

It was a bright and beautiful sunny summer day with the expected August humidity.

What is your most vivid memory of the day?

Our first look and first dance together as a married couple.

How many guests did you have?

We had about 400 guests. We both come from very big families and we wanted all of our loved ones to share our special day with us.

What do you remember most about the ceremony?

The beginning of the ceremony where we put flower garlands around each other symbolizing the start of the ceremony. Walking around the fire as part of a traditional Indian wedding ritual.

What was the most memorable part of your photography experience with Veils and Cufflinks?

Jerome getting Eric's crying nephew to look into the camera and smile. We absolutely love those pictures of him. We had a blast taking pictures in City Hall with our wedding party and close family members.

What was your favorite photo?

Standing in the window sill at City Hall.

How did you make the reception your own?

The colors and details were what we always envisioned. For our wedding gifts to our guests we gave out an om candle holder; the symbol is special to us.

What part of the day would you do all over again?

The whole thing! Especially the great time we had dancing the night away with family and friends.

What was the funniest moment?

Sonia dancing on a chair with all of her bridesmaids to "Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus.

Where did you find your wedding attire?

Sia Sarees in Vadodara, India for the ceremony dress. Shaker's Sarees for the reception gown. The guys got their tuxes at Oscar's Tux in West Hartford, CT.

Where did you honeymoon?

We took a Celebrity Cruise out of Rome to Southern Italy and Greece. We then spent a few days on the Amalfi Coast and Capri. It was fantastic. The sights were breathtaking. The food was incredible and we can't wait to make another trip back that way!

Any advice for couples planning their wedding?

Enjoy the moments and try not to stress out because it will be one of the greatest times of your life. Wine also helps!

Planning a large Indian wedding in Hartford? Five tips from Sonia, Eric and us

1. Pick a hotel that can hold the whole weekend. With 400 guests, having rooms, ballroom and brunch in one building takes the transportation problem off the table.
2. Schedule the portrait session off site. A 20 minute stop at Hartford City Hall gave Sonia and Eric their favorite photo of the day.
3. Share the ritual order with your photographer. Send us the ceremony sequence in advance so the garland exchange and the walk around the fire are covered from the best angles.
4. Plan family photos like a project. Big families mean big groupings. A written list with names and a family helper to gather people saves an hour.
5. Give guests something with meaning. Their om candle holders are a favor people actually keep.

Sonia and Eric's Hartford wedding vendors

• Ceremony and reception: Grand ballroom, Hartford Marriott Downtown
• Portrait location: Hartford City Hall (Municipal Building)
• Photography: Veils and Cufflinks (Jerome and Jen)
• Videography: JF3 Productions
• Hair: Tonya Valentin, Salon Naomi
• Makeup: Naomi Martinez, Salon Naomi
• Florist: Red and Black Roses, New Britain, CT
• Entertainment: Rishi Bawa and Rajan Patel, SILK EVENTS
• Ceremony attire: Sia Sarees, Vadodara, India
• Reception gown: Shaker's Sarees
• Tuxedos: Oscar's Tux, West Hartford, CT
• Rings: Manfred Gerstung
• Honeymoon: Celebrity Cruises, Rome to Southern Italy and Greece, then the Amalfi Coast and Capri

Hartford Marriott Downtown wedding FAQ

Where is Hartford Marriott Downtown?

Hartford Marriott Downtown is at 200 Columbus Boulevard in Hartford, Connecticut, on the riverfront and connected to the Connecticut Convention Center.

How many wedding guests can Hartford Marriott Downtown hold?

The Marriott Ballroom is 8,311 square feet, the largest hotel ballroom in Hartford, and is listed for up to about 550 wedding guests. Sonia and Eric hosted about 400.

Can you have an Indian or Hindu wedding at Hartford Marriott Downtown?

Yes. Sonia and Eric held both their traditional Indian ceremony and their reception in the grand ballroom.

Can you take wedding photos at Hartford City Hall?

Sonia and Eric's portraits inside Hartford City Hall were their favorites of the day. The building is a working government office, so plan timing and access ahead with your photographer.

What is special about Hartford City Hall?

It is a 1915 Beaux Arts building at 550 Main Street, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with a three story skylit atrium about 150 feet long.

More Connecticut city weddings

See Kim and Matt's art deco Gershon Fox Ballroom wedding a few blocks up Main Street, or Anna and Nikolas' Society Room and CT River cruise wedding.

Planning your own Hartford wedding? Check our availability and tell us about your day.