Jessica & Jat - Punjabi Wedding Rituals From Edmonton to Hawaii

 Everybody knows by now that Jess and Jat got married in the fantastic Waikiki Beach, Hawaii and it was simply awesome. But the wedding rituals start in a different country and a whole different world, the frozen tundra of Canada.

 The celebrations kick off with the mehndi party in the Royal Ballroom at the Delta Edmonton South:

 No matter how cold outside, Punjabis know how to stay warm:

 Only a few nights later, the scenery changes dramatically. For two unforgettable days, the last idyllic hotel on Waikiki Beach, the Royal Hawaiian will be the host of the party of the year:

 We start with some dhol and spoon beats, tuning in for the double maiya ceremony:

 No, the backdrop is not a canvas. It's Waikiki Beach and the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean.

 This is just like when you have lipstick on your teeth, but instead of lipstick, it's vatna that your friends and family lovingly shove it in your mouth:

 There is only one way the morning rituals were going to end and it's called bhangra:

 We're still at the Royal Hawaiian in the evening for the aloha jaago:

 But before that, the chunni ritual will take place:

 And before that, there's a little cocktail hour and just basking in the ambiance, really:

 The night is coming soon, so we'll be needing these, just to make it easier to find each other.

 Narcis, my brother and wedding photographer for 10 years, came all the way from Romania to help out. Mahalo!

 You can tell how the evening is going to go down only by looking at the happy couple making their entrance:

 The chunni is quickly placed according to tradition:

 In fact, I always have two cameras, plus the many occasional tourists around me, for back up:

 Once again, enter the jaago:

 After a short speech, made possible by DJ Palay's phone light, the party continues:

 Meena, the queen of selfies, also part of team CosminMosmin:

 Well, this is just the beginning. You can dream about Hawaii for a while. The wedding day will come soon.

aloha.more.cosmin

You like? You want? Say Aloha: cosmindanilaphoto@gmail.com