Neal and Pratima’s vibrant Indian wedding and reception took place in two Georgia cities and was an absolute pleasure to shoot. We began our day at the Umiya Mataji hindu temple in Macon and then traveled to Atlanta’s Marriott Marquis for the reception. Their unique reception complete with comedian Rasika Mathur was a blast! Mathur had everyone laughing and ready to have a good time. And of course when the groom owns his own DJ company, Prime DJs, it’s hard for guests not to enjoy themselves.
Reception: Marriott Marquis
Event planner: Reve.ology Events
Decor: Mandap World
Comedian: Rasika Mathur
DJ: Prime DJs
Living in the south we are blessed with the occasional sunny and warm winter day, even in January. This was the case on Avani and Michael’s wedding day. And to top it off my lovely easy going Chicago couple were beaming with love and made my job a breeze.
Avani’s family is Indian and Michael’s Jewish so not only was our day bursting with color and joy it was also filled with a fusion of traditions and various ceremonies. So without further ado enjoy the images shot by myself and my assistant Laura Stone and please try not to drool when you see the pretty gold Kate Spade shoes.
The couple is kept hidden from view from one another, separated by veil, during the beginning of the wedding ceremony. I always love the moment when the veil is dropped and the couple sees each other.
After Avani and Michael’s wedding ceremony we took advantage of the sunny January weather to do a portrait session. I was so thrilled with the images!
Later during their evening reception we were pleased to capture many lovely moments in a ball room full of happy hearts and guests ready to dance.
I arrived at Avani’s family home bright and early on the Friday before her wedding to document the Grah Shanti and Pithi ceremonies as well as the Varadh. During the Grah Shanti Lord Ganesh is invited to remove all obstacles and to provide the newlywed couple with prosperity and happiness. Then during the Pithi a paste made of chickpea flour, tumeric and rose water is rubbed on the bride and grooms skin as a cleansing and beautification process.
Michael and Avani:
Michael watches as the prayer ceremony unfolds in the living room of Avani’s family home.
Over the three days I had the pleasure of working with Avani and her now husband Michael I was completely captivated by the joy, rituals, and vibrant color that I was surrounded by. A week or so before the wedding events began I went to Avani’s family home where we discussed last minute details and her mother fed me a delicious meal (always the way to my heart). So when the Mehndi began I felt like family and so happy to be shooting the joining of two lives.
The images in this post are from Avani’s Mehndi during which close friends and family had the opportunity to eat, be merry, and most importantly celebrate this lovely couple. Oh, and how could I forget the beautiful henna designs. Enjoy!
Avani’s husband Michael
An offering for the Hindu god Ganesha, the god of beginnings and obstacles
Avani’s cousin dances for the couple
I truly love shooting weddings but it’s always extra special when you have the opportunity to work with someone you know. Khalil and I went to the same middle and high school way back when and I hadn’t spoken to him in years when he contacted me to shoot his and Meghna’s wedding. I’m happy to say the smart and handsome groom with a serious talent for the violin hasn’t lost his laughter and easy going personality… And to top it all off he found an amazing bride in Meghna…. she’s smart, beautiful, thoughtful, friendly and a doctor to boot. I really enjoyed working with these two and their wonderful families on a day that while brutally cold outside was warm and vibrant, filled with love, laughter, and dancing.
Their wedding, a mix of both Indian and American customs, was planned with the help of Daria McGregor of Circle of Love Weddings, and took place at the Holiday Inn in Decatur. I had the opportunity to work with their florist and event designer Shushil of Utopian Events, on past weddings so I knew their event would be truly vibrant and gorgeous. And I wasn’t disappointed.
Boys can never seem to figure out those pesky kerchiefs.
A little robot action before the wedding.
The photos below are from Khalil and Meghna’s Mehendi and Pithi Ceremony which took place the day before the wedding.
The Mehendi is a gathering of the brides friends and relatives to bless the bride. The bride’s henna is also applied and the ceremony often takes place with the sangeet where the women sing and dance traditional songs.
The Pithi ceremony as I was told at the wedding originated as a way to anoint the groom so that he smelled good for the bride. Online sources say that the ceremony entails rubbing a paste (made from chickpea flour, turmeric, rose water and other ingredients) onto the bride and grooms skin. But at this particular Pithi I’m pretty sure it was a free for all to smear Khalil with all sorts of goo including eggs and mustard… and he did not smell good 
Love that in the midst of all of the fun and ritual this little boy is playing a video game.
I can’t say enough nice things about this amazing couple. They were so easy to work with and their wedding was a vibrant beautiful delight. Reena mentioned on the morning of her wedding that the darker the mehndi (henna) dries on the bride’s hands the more in love the couple. Something about that is very poetic to me… And I must mention that Reena’s elaborate mehndi designs were very dark. Just thinking of that through out the day made me happy. I really am honored to have been apart of this wedding.
I love the faces of children at weddings! They are always so curious about the new traditions surrounding them.
Sapan got to wear a turban and arrive to his wedding on horse back… I’m totally jealous!
Reena’s mother
Reena was just exquisite, like a serene goddess!
A veil separates the bride and groom from seeing one another until the big moment.
Aside from having individuals dance especially for them at their wedding, Reena and Sapan’s frends and family choreographed a dance routine, a la Bollywood, which eventually involved the couple and happily mesmerized their guests with excitement!
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