Real Bride Fran: Indian and Western wedding inspiration at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire

Fran and Ronit’s beautiful Ragley Hall wedding is full of Indian and Western wedding inspiration, blending two cultures, unforgettable food and deeply personal traditions into one incredible celebration. From a joyful Baraat to two meaningful ceremonies, their day perfectly balanced modern romance with family traditions.

Their Ragley Hall wedding blended heartfelt traditions, incredible food and lovely personal touches, set against an elegant backdrop. So, if you’re searching for multicultural wedding inspiration or planning your own Indian Western fusion wedding, Fran’s story is full of great ideas to help you on your own wedding journey.

Wedding highlights

• A beautiful example of Indian and Western wedding inspiration, seamlessly blending two cultures.
• A romantic and adventurous proposal during golden hour in Malta.
• The bride’s dream wed2b gown, Jana, was the very first one she tried on.
• This unforgettable wedding included both a Hindu and Western ceremony at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire.
• The day featured a vibrant Baraat horse procession, live music and incredible multicultural food.
• There were also meaningful DIY and family-made touches throughout.

How Fran and Ronit met

Like many modern love stories, Fran and Ronit met online, matching on Hinge in 2021. But it wasn’t your typical first conversation, “Our first chat was about meal deals and kitchen utensils!” says Fran. 

Their first date was at the cosy Kaz Bar in Oxford, where they shared a relaxed meal of tapas and cocktails, the perfect beginning to their relationship.

A proposal with a view in Malta

Fast forward to January 2024, and Ronit had planned a proposal to remember in Malta. The idea was a romantic sunset walk leading to a cliff overlooking the sea at golden hour. 

And, while the setting absolutely delivered on the romance, there was one small problem. Ronit hadn’t realised how challenging the walk would be. “He'd told me to wear a nice outfit, so I was in a dress and heels while hikers in boots and walking poles powered past us,” Fran laughs, 

Despite the mix up, the moment itself was breathtaking. “The setting was absolutely stunning,” says Fran. “We looked slightly out of place but it makes the memory even better!”

Finding the dress at wed2b Camberley

When it came to finding her dress, Fran already had a clear idea of where she wanted to go. After visiting wed2b the year before with her best friend, and loving the experience, she knew she wanted the same magic for herself and the Camberley store didn’t disappoint. 

Her Bridal Expert Casey quickly became her biggest cheerleader, creating a relaxed and exciting atmosphere. “Casey was such a hype queen and really made me feel beautiful and confident,” says Fran. “She pulled out dresses that she thought would look good on me and suit my style.”

“The first dress I tried on was Jana and I immediately knew it was ‘The One’.” Although she tried on a few more gowns, nothing compared to that very first dress.

The dress: Jana

Fran chose the stunning Jana gown by Aaliyah Quinn, a glamorous beaded A-line that perfectly balanced classic elegance with modern romance. With its flattering silhouette and timeless beauty, Jana is a popular choice for brides looking for a romantic A-line wedding dress with modern detailing.

“I fell in love with her,” says Fran. “I loved the neckline, the A-line style but also the glitter and appliqué flowers. It felt unique and special but also classic and beautiful.”

To personalise her look further, Fran added tulle Mina sleeves, instead of the original puff sleeves, creating a softer, more ethereal style for her big day. The result was a gown that felt completely unique to her and a perfect example of real bride wed2b style.

Read more: When to buy your wedding dress - expert wed2b advice

A multicultural wedding at Ragley Hall

Planning a multicultural wedding in the UK comes with its own unique considerations and, for Fran and Ronit, finding the right venue was key.

With around 200 guests and a vision for an Indian Western fusion wedding, they needed a space that could accommodate both their traditions and their love of food. Catering flexibility was especially important, as they wanted to serve Indian cuisine throughout the day, which led them to focus on dry-hire venues.

They initially came across Ragley Hall, a stately Palladian mansion near Stratford-Upon-Avon, early in their search. However, it wasn’t until later, after exploring countless options, that they visited and saw its potential.

“It instantly clicked,” Fran recalls. “We fell in love immediately and even cried when we booked it.” With its grand architecture, large grounds and flexibility, the venue was the perfect setting and an ideal choice for couples looking for multicultural wedding ideas.

Read more: Discover more manor house weddings

The Baraat and celebrations

A highlight of the day and a key part of any Indian Western fusion wedding was the Baraat. This traditional Indian procession is a joyful way to welcome the groom to the wedding.

While Fran got ready with friends and family, Ronit made his entrance in style, arriving on horseback as a live band played and guests danced through Ragley Hall's gardens. Set against the venue’s stunning grounds, the Baraat brought energy, colour and fun to the start of the day.

Two ceremonies, one unforgettable day

Bringing both cultures together was always the heart of Fran and Ronit’s wedding vision. “We wanted to bring together both of our cultures and all the traditions we grew up watching or wishing for,” explains Fran. “We wanted a day that felt personal, and a celebration of us and our worlds coming together. Our mission was to fit that all into one day - a Baraat, confetti and enough food to keep everyone energetic enough to dance the night away!”

In the morning, they held a traditional Hindu ceremony, with Fran’s brother walking her down the aisle. Then, later in the day, Fran changed into her wed2b wedding dress for a Western-style ceremony hosted by her celebrant friend, Sarah. This time, her mum walked her down the aisle, adding another emotional moment to the celebration.

A wedding built around incredible food

For the couple, it was essential that food was also at the heart of the day. “We're massive foodies, so our entire day was built around amazing food,” says Fran.

The day began with breakfast bites, like pakoras and samosas, setting the tone for what was to come. Guests then enjoyed a vibrant outdoor lunch featuring live food stations, including Indian street food favourites, Mexican tacos and even a fresh jalebi station where desserts were made on the spot.

In the evening, a three-course Indian feast brought everyone together, with dishes like masala fish, malai chicken and murgh malai tikka delighting guests.

Personal touches throughout the day

What made this multicultural wedding truly special were the personal details woven into every moment. Fran embraced DIY wherever possible, creating thoughtful elements like a welcome mirror, a mirrored table plan, wedding newspapers and personalised menus. Family and friends played a huge role too, supplying everything from handmade bouquets and buttonholes to the wedding cake.

Guests were also treated to carefully curated extras, including toiletry baskets and bespoke gift bags for pregnant guests and children. For younger guests, activity packs with bubbles, books and bracelet kits ensured everyone felt included.

A favourite moment to remember

Among so many unforgettable moments, a charming, 'imperfect' one really stood out. The couple’s flower girl - Ronit’s little cousin - wore the same dress Fran had worn as a child at her own mum’s wedding. But, when it was time to walk down the aisle, things didn’t go quite as planned!

Fresh from a nap and not in the mood, she ran down the aisle shouting and doing her own thing. “It was hilarious but so cute,” Fran says. "It's those unplanned moments that make a wedding feel personal and real. She won't be that age forever and we'll always treasure the little memory of who she was on that day.”

Advice for future brides

Fran’s advice is simple, “The best bit of advice we got was to really soak up every moment,” she says. “Take a pause during dinner and look around the room. You may never have all the people you love together in one place again.”

Warwickshire wedding suppliers

Photographer: Simon & Kiana

Venue: Ragley Hall

Videographer: Baker Avenue

DJ & Sax: Nicholas James Brown

Hair: Individual Glamour

Makeup: Lucie Maughan

Catering: Mahirs

Inspired by Fran’s bridal style?

Inspired by this real bride wed2b story? Finding your own dream dress at wed2b is easier than you think. Whether you’re planning a traditional ceremony or searching for multicultural wedding ideas, wed2b has something to suit every bride.

Drop in and discover: 

• A unique walk-in service. 
• Hundreds of styles in sizes 06 to 30, all ready to try on. 
• Every dress available to take home the same day.
• Affordable wedding dresses priced from £599 to £1199.

FAQs

What is an Indian and Western fusion wedding?

A multicultural celebration blends traditions from both cultures, often including ceremonies, food and celebrations from each.

What is a Baraat in a wedding?

A Baraat is a traditional Indian procession welcoming the groom to the wedding, often accompanied by music, dancing and celebration.

Can you have two wedding ceremonies in one day?

Yes. Many multicultural weddings include separate ceremonies to honour both traditions.

What type of venue works for multicultural weddings?

Large venues or dry-hire venues often work well because they allow flexibility with catering, traditions and guest numbers.

We’d love to hear from you! If you would like us to feature your big day, like this multicultural wedding, then please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch. For more fusion wedding inspiration, explore our other stunning real wedding stories UK. And if you’re still searching for your dream dress, click here for your local store and here for what to expect when you visit.