Saya and Chandans Indian Wedding Part 3 of 3

Well I think its apparent why I have given so much exposure to this wedding. Not only were Saya and Chandan just awesome, but their wedding was such an amazing experience for me that I have to share. Again a huge thank you to Ryan Estes for coming out with me. It was fun watching him prance around like a kid in a candy store, I think we both were actually. Go check out his blog for some more amazing eye candy. Once I get through editing all these images I will make an awesome slideshow and post it.

Back to the images!

Saya getting prepped for the ceremony.

Chandan making a striking entrance.

I love that the bride is carried in on a Doli. Amazing.

Very sweet moment between Saya and Chandan during the ceremony.

Chandan’s mother presents Saya with a mangalsutra, welcoming her to the family.

I just liked this little detail of Chandan fidgiting.

Chandan putting toe rings on Saya.

Talambralu (Rice Shower)- Saya and Chandan welcome each other into their lives by showering rice on each others heads, as a symbol of fertility and prosperity.
It started by then gently showering each other with handfuls of rice, but it ended with each of them dumping the whole bowl on each other.
Ryan actually captured some awesome shots of Saya getting dumped on, check his blog.

Love catching the guests flash when the bride and groom leave! You can never plan for it.
Its just luck when it happens.

A quick outfit change and weather change and we were outside for more portraits.

They just keep getting better looking.

The evening turned out some amazing light! We really got lucky.

A happily married couple.

Saya should really be a model, but she makes a good doctor too.
Brains and beauty.

I loved this dress. Saya doing a little walk for us.

One last quick portrait, the light was too awesome to pass up.

Suji Productions not only did a fantastic job as DJ both days but they also did an amazing job with the lighting.

Saya and her dad surprised everyone during the father daughter dance.
They had it all planned out and busted into a choreographed performance.
It was awesome.

Curious to know what 325 people on the dance floor looks like?

Saya's dad being lifted by the crowd. This was seriously an awesome party group.

Chandan, two thumbs up, here's looking at you!

To end the night with a nice little moment of Saya and Chandan dancing.

I am a little sad its over! This wedding was amazing and is up at the top of my list for all time favorites. Wish your family well Saya, it was such a pleasure.

Saya and Chandans Indian Wedding Part 2 of 3

Here we go with Part 2. I have one more post coming up tomorrow. These images will take us up through the Baraat Swaagat, which is the welcoming of Chandan's family. There are so many fantastic traditions that its really hard to just breeze through it all.

We started off meeting up with Saya getting the finishing touches.

I am still so amazed by all the awesome jewelry.

Saya and Chandan did a first meet before all the ceremonies began and we were able to get some awesoeme portraits.

Saya is so gorgeous.

I think her henna is some of the most beautiful I have ever seen.

Their presense all day was so calm, I think this image really depicts that.

The first part of the day was a steady rain so we found some nice spots inside.

This image is staight out of camera, just some sharpening for the web.
The colors were truely this rich, no need for enhancement.

I love this one.

Chandan, handsome and reserved.

On to the baraat. It was raining so the plans for him entering on the horse were changed slightly but we still got some amazing images under the canopy.

I absolutely love this image of all the ladies welcoming Chandan.

Lots of celebrating. Try and imagine the beat of a drum to all these images.

Saya's dad joining in.

The Toran, which Chandan had to touch as a symbolic gesture that he "won" Saya.

Saya's mom waiting with the Toran.

Chandan had to make his way through all of Saya's bridesmaids.

almost there!

Presenting of the Toran, Chandan anticipating what was to come next.

Now I am still not sure, maybe Saya and Chandan can clarify, what the meaning behind Saya's mom grabbing Chandan's nose was. I love this moment though, she got him good!

I will have part 3 up tomorrow which will include the ceremony, another portrait session and some reception. Ryan Estes guest shot with me on Saturday and a big thank you goes to him. I say guest shot instead of second shot because he was so much more than a second shooter. He will have some images up on his blog tomorrow as well. I do plan on putting together one large slideshow with a lot of our images combined to cover the day fully. I have a ton of images to go through yet, its so exciting!

Stay tuned...

Saya and Chandans Indian Wedding Part 1

All I can really say is Wow. I had the most amazing experience this past weekend photographing my first Indian wedding. I loved it, I love Saya and Chandan, their families and all the festivities. I felt very welcome all weekend and the celebrations, love and support that was around Saya and Chandan was inspiring to say the least. There is no way to pull both days I was there into one post. This is going to be multiple post coverage, so to not miss anything.

Friday was the Sangeet. Family and friends all contributed Song and Dance performances for Saya and Chandan. It was wonderful to experience. Lets get on to some images shall we?

Meet Saya and Chandan.

They were so adorable.

I love these next two.

I don't think they could be more perfect for each other.

This was such a funny moment.
Saya's mom was gettting the grandparents together, putting grandpa's arm around grandma and they were so giggly and bashful, like they were school kids again. I love it.

I was in color love.

One of the first perfomances. This little girl did an awesome job all by herself in front of everyone.

A little detail of grandmas henna.

Grandma was very excited to get up and dance. She was bouncing up and down, it was fantastic.

Saya's dad and a few of his friends surprised Saya with a performance. They weren't supposed to do one. I love his "don't stop the rock" t-shirt.

Saya had a few suprises herself.
Her girl friends were doing their performance and Saya jumped up to join them. It was great.

Saya's brother and his performing group. He also sang to her, what an amazing family.

Another grandma. Striking a pose for me. I love this and am really happy I captured some great images of her, she was not there on Saturday.

At the end of the night was the stick dance.
It was awesome to watch. I loved the expression on this little girl.

Saya during the stick dance.

Two more of this little girl, who really warmed up to me by the end of the night. She was very serious most of the night, but at the same time very expressive.

Her little "awe" moment.

Loved this experience. I want to experience more Indian weddings. Stay tuned for more images from the wedding coming up.