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On Saturday, Mr. Jasmine and I had our second reception at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn. The second reception is called a valima and it’s thrown by the groom’s parents as a celebration of the newlywed couple. Valimas are typically just as formal and grand as the wedding itself and my mother-in-law did an amazing job planning a beautiful celebration. Since I had no hand in planning the valima, all the decor and details were a surprise to me as well.
Here are some non-professional photos of our second reception:
The beautiful centerpieces:
The incredible stage:
Mr. Jasmine and I with my aunts. The outfit and jewelry I’m wearing were a gift from my in-laws:
It was a wonderful evening, but I’m exhausted! Having two weddings takes a lot out of a girl! Did any of you have a second reception?
We are going to in a way… But they are well 16 months appart…
We had a simple civil wedding with a small party/reception thrown by my husband’s cousin. In November we will have a bigger wedding with more family and friends and a more wedding like reception after.
I can’t imagine having it all withing days though…
You look absolutely gorgeous!!! The valima looks awesome too!
Wow. Your second reception looks so grant, even more grand than some wedding. It looks lovely.
Your outfit is gorgeous! The valima looks fab as well. Love the pomander ball!
Ditto Miss Lovebird, absolutely GORGEOUS! and your MIL did a wonderful job w/ your dress and jewelry.
GORGEOUS! I am also having a second reception the week after the first- a question though- how did your mendhi hold up through the minimoon? were you careful with it? my FMIL suggested that i have it refreashed just before the 2nd ceremony (that is have somone trace the lines) but i’m hoping not to have to do that…. thoughts? i love that outfit too and especially that it’s so different from your first!
@abby: Hi abby! Thank you for the kind words. I was very ill the night before my mehndi (a story I will definitely tell), so I didn’t keep my mehndi on terribly long. It was nice and dark for the wedding, but it started fading fairly quickly, especially because I wasn’t careful on my minimoon. Washing my hair definitely made it fade quickly. As a result, the design wasn’t very dark for the valima. It was pretty faded on my palms, but you could still see the design on the backs of my hands and feet. You might have better luck than me if you (1) keep the mehndi on longer in the first place and (2) you’re extra careful during the minimoon. I thought briefly about refreshing it before the valima, but I was just too lazy for that! 
gorgeous valima outfit! i love the color - it suits you and is very unique.
also this isn’t related to this post specifically but i love the way you placed your tikka on your wedding day. i never thought of placing it under the part and thought i was stuck with a center part. thanks for the inspiration!
Maybe it’s because I’m a short lady married to a tall guy, as well, but I just love the pictures of you and Mr. Jasmine… he looks like he’s the perfect hugging height for you.
Both of your parties looked beautiful. I can’t wait to see more pictures of both!
the valima looks awesome!
we had a 2nd reception and it was so much fun we were ready for day 3.
@Charmi: Thank you! I hate how I look with a middle part, so I had my hair/makeup people do that instead. I really liked the way it looked and it was super secure all night- even through the dancing!
@mhb: Ahh, you’re so cute! Mr. J is about a foot taller than I am and I really do think he is the perfect hugging height. I can give him great big bear hugs right around the belly
Oh Jas, you look stuuuning!!! And what an awesome 2nd reception! I had back-to-back receptions, so that was definitely exhausting!
The colors and beadwork on your gown (sari?) is just exquisite.
u look gor-geous!
[...] May, Mr. Jasmine and I met our valima photographer, Laurie Tennent, in Millenium Park. My mother-in-law wanted to create a photo [...]
We are having a second reception up north at my parents this weekend for all our church friends that could not make the 400mile distance to the wedding.
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Mrs. Jasmine, Chicago/LA Age and Occupation: 25, Attorney Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Attorney Engagement Date: March 24, 2007 Wedding Date: June 7, 2008 Blogging Since: September 20, 2007 Venue: Hotel on the westside of Los Angeles About Me: I'm a happy-go-lucky, imaginative spirit trapped in the body of a lawyer. I love reading, shopping, dining out, and exploring my beloved adopted city of Chicago with my fiance. We're planning the wedding of our dreams in my hometown of Los Angeles and we're excited to incorporate our cherished Indian/Pakistani customs and traditions.
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