It's been many years since I stopped associating summer with vacations, but that doesn't mean I stopped enjoying it. Quite the opposite. Every week I have the lucky chance to be welcomed in the lives of beautiful couples that are in love.
Part of that weekly wonderful package is makeup artist Sunita Sumaru with her new personalized eyelashes.
And specially, as a wedding photographer, it doesn't get any better than capturing everything an Indian wedding has to offer, from the most vivid colors to the yummiest food, which I usually capture with my mouth. From ancient ceremonies and fabulous outfits to wild parties and rituals so old that nobody really knows what they symbolize anymore. After more than 120 South Asian weddings, I'm still fascinated and humbled by the fact that I'm the one who gets to photograph all this.
Kamal: "
The proposal: The ring was being custom made and the wedding was basically all planned. When the ring was ready, I got the call instead of Sneil. I called him and told him that it was ready and that we had to pick it up ASAP. We went out on the Friday night and I was trying to see if he had the ring with him.. I wasn't nearly as sneaky as I thought. He told me he didn't have it and that he'd give it to me later. I was not impressed but fine. We went to order Chinese food and he suggested we go for a walk while we waited. He started walking slower and I turned around only to see him with the ring out and asked if I'd marry him.. trick question... the wedding was already planned."The sehra bandi is the last thing Sneil sees before he leaves his home:
The meeting of the two families in front of Nanaksar gurdwara is such a joyous occasion, that men start to dance. Or, at least, it looks like they are dancing with each other. In fact, they are trying to pick each other off the ground in an effort to show who's family is stronger:
The sehra comes off before the bride walks in the main diwan hall:
The Anand Karaj begins and ends with an ardaas.
It's summer in Edmonton and that means it rains all the time.
But we can get creative while hiding from the rain:
And when the rain stops, we make it rain again with the traditional champagne shower:
Sneil comes to Kamal's house to take her away.
He brings lots of friends and money which is absolutely necessary in situations like this.
Once inside, there are more drinks and food for everyone. My fascination with food shouldn't be a surprise anymore. I'm patiently waiting for a healthy dessert called jalebi, which consists basically of deep fried flour and sugar:
And this is definitely no food wastage. Casting the rice over the bride's shoulders signifies that she leaves her family in prosperity, prior to joining her new husband:
There's a river of tears and money during the doli:
Paani Varna takes place at the groom's house where the newlyweds are welcomed by Sneil's mom.
Thus, Kamal brings prosperity to her new family:
The last day of celebrations finds us enjoying one more makeup session with Sunita:
Sneil:
"People say opposites always attract and I guess they were right. When we first met 10 years ago, marriage was the last thing on my mind. I never thought I'd meet someone who would deal with all my partying and stupidity. As years passed and we got closer I started to realize how important she was to me, and probably the only one who would ever put up with me. When people asked me if I was gonna do some crazy proposal and maybe take her to Vegas (my favorite place) I said I was trying to get married, not divorced." The reception mood is already in effect at the Maharaja Banquet hall:
I think Greg is a professional MC by now. Feel free to to contact him for your party needs:
Exclusive Entertainment is pretty ... exclusive:
I mean drums:
And awesome lights:
Congratulations one more time, Kamal & Sneil! Thank you so much for being on time the whole week. It was nothing short of a miracle!
love.more.cosmin
Vendors 'N' Things:
Anand Karaj (Sikh Wedding Ceremony) - Nanaksar Gurdwara, Edmonton
Reception Venue - Maharaja Banquet Hall, Edmonton
Decor - BASH Events by Tina Gill
Makeup & Hair - Sunita, Sen Studios
Mehndi Artist - Simi Henna Elegance
Catering - Dil-E-Punjab
Limo - Apex & Blue Sky
Cake - A Cake Affair
DJ & Awesome Lights - Exclusive Entertainment
MC - Greg Gandoke
Video - PM Videography
Second Shooter - Karl & Ella
Edmonton Wedding Photographer - Indian Marriage Photography
You like? You want? Let's talk:
cosmindanilaphoto@gmail.com
Comments
Post a Comment