Virpal & Gaganjot - Punjabi Wedding in Sacramento (Gandhi Meets Washington)

 The wedding day preparations are well underway when the first sun rays hit Sacramento, California:

 Virpal is almost ready and she couldn't look any happier:

 2 hours south from there I begin my day with Gagan and his family, in Fremont:

 The Sehrabandi is the ritual where the groom's sisters and sister cousins tie the sehra to his forehead:

 For reasons that still elude me after 6 years of photographing Sikh weddings, it's always a complicated process:

 And requires heavy assistance from all the ladies in the family:

 The result is worth every effort, though:

 Gagan is eager to leave to get married.

 Or maybe he just wants to ride fly this beast all the way to Sacramento:

 The raagis play shabad in front of the West Sacramento Gurdwara. This is the first custom I see here that doesn't happen in Canada:

 Another unusual (for me) thing is the fact that the negotiations between the two families take place before the Anand Karaj. Basically, the groom has to pay his way inside the temple. It makes more sense like this, instead of going through this after he's already married:

 His first offer of an entire dollar is not well received:

 He needs more than that, if he wants to go home with a wife today:

 Things change when Gandhi shows up. He's very well known for his nonviolent ways to deal with obstacles:

 Eventually, Gagan and his family are allowed inside the gurdwara:

 Here comes the bride and I'm talking about Virpal, of course, not the little girl:

 In the third lama of the marriage ceremony, the mind is filled with Divine Love. It's written pretty clear, so everyone can understand:

Everyone present stands up for the final ardaas:

 This is a very special ring:

 Probably the most original I've seen so far.

 'It brings light', if you know what I mean:

 Among many ingredients, the shagun includes a decorated coconut:

 A lot of love:

 And the traditional selfies:

 We're back at Virpal's house waiting for the bride to pack.

 This masterpiece is called 'Punjabi ladies drinking chai':

 There's tea for the guys, as well:

 In a ritual that I haven't witness before, the groom gets some mehndi done while waiting for his wife:

 In the same time, outside, his cousins seem to have a little more fun:

 The bride shows up:

 And Gagan takes her away:

 But not before she says goodbye to her despairing family:

 On the way to Fremont, we stop in Old Sac train station for a few pictures:

 Fresh colours are worn for the reception, next day:

 Kara is a metal bracelet that any Khalsa Sikh has to wear at all times:

 And this is a Punjabi hanger:

 But seriously now, isn't this the most awesome purse?

 The newlyweds are ready for the conclusion of an amazing week:

 And they make their entrance at The Golden Peakock banquet hall:

 First things, first:

 Mr. Right and Mrs. Alway Right:

 First dance reminds me of the San Francisco fog:

  Washington never misses these parties:

Pretty impressive for a dead guy, he's all over the dance floor:

The elusive blond Punjabi:

 Personally, I'm having flashbacks and am extremely surprised in a good way, to see again, thousands of miles away from Edmonton, Paul's cousin. It is indeed a small world:

 Congratulations, Virpal and Gaganjot! Thank you so much for being my 100th Indian couple!

love.more.cosmin

Vendors 'n' Things:

Ceremony Venue - Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento
Reception Venue - The Golden Peacock
Makeup & Hair - Jaspreet Hundal
Decor - AS Decorations, Amarjit Thanda
Music - DeeJay PDS
Video - The most friendly Jesse Johal and his crew
Second Shooter in Sacramento - Sophak Pann
Photo - California Punjabi Wedding Photographer