Alumni Center shines as dream wedding venue for California couple

Finding the perfect wedding venue is one of the most important parts of the wedding planning process. When Rosina Poudel and Nima Sahami stumbled upon the Alumni Center, they knew they’d found the best spot for their special day.

Poudel and Sahami both met during their medical residencies in Houma, Louisiana. Poudel, who grew up in Lafayette, has always had a special connection to the state. “I spent a huge portion of my life in Louisiana. I was really able to plant my roots here,” Poudel said. 

After finishing their training, the couple relocated to Los Angeles for their careers and eventually got engaged. Poudel immediately dove into the wedding planning process and was searching for the perfect venue for the couple. “We wanted something romantic with an elegant vibe, but also wanted to be considerate of the cost of the venue to stay within our budget,” she said.

When she couldn’t find the right venue in California, she turned to her Louisiana roots for inspiration. “I found out that you could have a wedding at the Alumni Center while searching online,” she said. Poudel’s father, a professor at UL Lafayette, looked into the Alumni Center and sent her pictures and videos of the facility. When she saw how charming the outside and inside of the space were, she knew she’d found the venue for them.

Poudel and Sahami were able to honor their Hindu and Persian cultures during their wedding weekend. They held their ceremony outside in the gardens at the Alumni Center, and their reception was held inside the facility. “The setup was truly better than what I envisioned. It was absolutely stunning. There is just something special about getting married under the oak trees in nature that is simply beautiful,” she said.

What really sold Poudel was the option to use the indoor and outdoor spaces at the venue. “It’s so great that there are multiple locations in case you need to make a quick change for your wedding. You can create your dream wedding there,” she said. The Alumni Association staff also accommodated her on her special day. “The staff was great, and they were willing to make any changes they could for us to help bring our vision to life,” she said. 

The couple could not have asked for a better wedding day, and they’re so glad they decided to marry at the Alumni Center. If you’re interested in hosting a wedding or special event at the Alumni Center, fill out this form or contact John Claude Arceneaux at johnclaude.arceneaux@louisiana.edu.

Main Photo Caption: Rosina Poudel and Nima Sahami honor their Hindu and Persian cultures at their wedding. (Submitted) Story Photo Captions – Top Left: Poudel and her bridesmaids take a photo on the Alumni Center grand staircase. (Submitted) Top Right: The Alumni Center grounds are turned into Poudel and Sahami's dream wedding venue. (Submitted) Bottom: Poudel and Sahami take a photo in the Alumni Center gardens during their celebrations. (Submitted)