Ashley Dodgen-McCormick, designer of jewelry and accessories label Asha by Ashley McCormick, and Naveen Nirgudkar decided on an Indo-Cuban theme for their September Connecticut wedding, as a nod to their multi-cultural backgrounds—her family is Cuban and Naveen is Indian and Filipino. “We had gorgeous Rajasthani tents, from Pavillion Tent Company, decorated with hydrangeas, ferns, and seasonal blooms by Winston Flowers…Marcia Selden Catering served chicken tikka masala and Cuban churrasco and we had a Cuban band from Miami which created a most lively atmosphere—a fun and unexpected twist with the Indian tents and New England setting,” the bride explains.
The couple had instant chemistry when they first met at a summer dinner party, hosted by Ashley’s childhood best friend. After a year-and-a-half together, he proposed in St. Barths after dinner at Bonito.
Even though it was her second wedding, Ashley knew she wanted to wear white and chose a Monique Lhuillier gown for the ceremony. On the morning-of, she got ready with Warren Tricomi, who gave the bride a natural, glowing look. And to pair with her wedding dress, she held a mother-of-pearl clutch she designed and wore sparkly Aquazzura heels. Half-way through the reception, Ashley made a quick change into another Monique Lhuillier design—a beaded mini dress.
To complement the bride, Ashley’s sister and maid of honor wore a white lace Jonathan Simkhai tea-length dress. Ashley’s daughter, step-daughter, and nieces were the flower girls and wore custom-made Los Encajeros dresses with pink sashes.
On September 18, 2021, the ceremony was attended by family at Round Hill Community Church in Greenwich. “It was perfectly intimate and love-filled,” Ashley remembers.
At the reception, the couple had an upbeat first dance to “La Vida es un Carnaval” by Celia Cruz. They then invited everyone to join them on the dance floor to get the party started with Jose Conde and his Cuban band and DJ April Larkin.
After their magical wedding, the newlyweds jetted off to Italy for a week, where they explored Il Pellicano and Capri, followed by a trip to Paris for Ashley’s birthday. She exclaims, “The cherry on top!”
