As a wedding photographer, I have always loved Indian weddings, since the first one that I photographed several years ago; shall I count the ways?

I love color, and Indian weddings are awash with bright, vibrant, colorful clothing, adorned by bride, groom, and guests.

 

I love being immersed in other cultures. Since my time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa to my pre-wedding photographer years working in international development, foreign cultures have always fascinated me. I’ve often thought that I would have enjoyed being an anthropologist or a linguist, and Indian wedding ceremonies are nothing if not full of ritual and tradition.

 

Indian weddings are high in energy, from baraat (the pre-ceremony processional of the groom’s family escorting the groom to meet the bride’s family) to ceremony to reception, which often include traditional Indian song and dance performances by friends and family.

And so I loved photographing Devaki & Hari’s Indian wedding, held beneath the tall Atrium of Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia.

It was Hari’s brother, Pardha, who originally found us through Angie’s List.

“I’ve done some amateur photography,” Pardha said. “I was looking at wedding photographers‘ portfolios, and your composition and lighting were very appealing.“

And when I met Pardha and Hari & Devaki and learned that the wedding photography for his little brother’s wedding was Pardha’s wedding gift to them, I thought how sweet and supportive that was. Hari & Devaki had met online on an Indian dating website. They excitedly spoke of their plans for the wedding, and I was easily caught up in their excitement. And then finally, the summer months arrived and soon, their wedding day!

The event design team of Nivanjoli, under the guiding eye of Prabha Bhambri, assembled the beautiful pink, yellow, and orange-draped mandap upon which the Hindu wedding ceremony would take place. Outdoors, lines of origami birds lovingly folded by the bride and boasting the name and table designation of each guest peacefully waved in the summer breeze. After the cocktail hour, when the bride & groom reappeared in their reception attire, rows of guests stood by to welcome them, throwing yellow flower petals as they re-entered the Atrium. And soon, the Atrium filled with melodies of Indian music performed by talented singers, and then, the energy rose yet more with a circle of dancers. After loving (and humorous) toasts, a delectable buffet by Fairfax’s Bollywood Bistro opened, followed by the mother of the bride taking the stage to announce the opening of the dance floor to the crowd. Seconds later, 50 people were on the dance floor, moving rhythmically to the beats of Bialek’s Music’s DJ David Grimm, who even strapped his drum across his shoulder (as he did during the baraat) to add his own deep beats to the music. It was a day and night to remember, full of happiness and love. Congratulations to this newlywed couple!

Searching for a wedding photographer experienced with Indian weddings?