As promised last week, here are photos from the rest of Manisha & Ashwin’s weekend. The entire day was lovely with the venues serving perfectly for what the couple wanted…an elegant outdoor wedding and a raging party at night! The wedding was at the lovely Bella Montagna Estate which had a beautiful view of the Santa Clara valley. The evening fun was at the Doubletree in San Jose. It’s a place we always love since the staff (and Daljit in particular) do a kick-ass job and help everything run more smoothly.
We started the day off at Manisha’s house where she along with all her friends & close family were getting ready. It was sort of the mad-house with so many mulling about, but Manisha was particularly enjoying the lead up to her wedding.
Manisha had a pretty sweet antique Stutz limo to take her to the wedding…
In the meantime, Ashwin was getting ready amidst a bunch of activity as well. Since Ashwin comes from a Punjabi family, the morning of the wedding was quite busy for them with Pagri tying (Turban), Sehra Bandhi (Tying of the tassles on his turban by his sisters), etc, etc.
The baraat was a short one, but check out this little captain! He rode along on the horse with Ashwin till near the end where he walked and danced out the rest of the baraat.
A moment I just love from weddings is when the bride & groom see each other for the first time in their wedding outfits. For Hindu weddings, this is generally on the mandap right after the anterpath is drawn down to present the couple to one another. Manisha had a particularly great reaction which was just the start of the fun for the day.
Now, if you’ve followed this blog, you know that the Kanyadaan (which the bride’s parents give her away) usually has photos of hands joined together, etc. In this case, Manisha’s father had some fun and stole her away from her groom!
Just some other details & moments which Asad and I loved from this outdoor ceremony.
We had a bit of extra time for some creative portraits…just one of the shots from the afternoon…
As a new father, I can’t help but put myself in the shoes of the bride’s father during the vidaii (when the bride traditionally says goodbye to her family and goes to her groom’s family). It’s a touchy time since tears are flowing so we try to be pretty low key while taking photos. I just love this shot of Manisha’s father as Manisha looks on in the background.
Moving on the party at night….we were presented with a Vegas theme. Since Manisha & Ashwin met through mutual friends while partying in Vegas, what’s more appropriate?!
The night was complete with flower filled martini centerpieces…
Decks of cards for everyone…
And a yummy looking cupcake cake!
And judging from the fun they had throughout the day, Manisha & Ashwin weren’t about to let up on the fun…they entered the hall with their first dance, then proceeded to knock everyone’s socks off with a choreographed number.
No, it wasn’t a ballroom number…
They went onto wowing the crowd with a bunch of different dances including some bhangra, garba, and….
The Soulja Boy!
I’ve never heard a crowd roar so loud as when the steel drums from the song started up and both Manisha & Ashwin started with some dips. Can you tell we love it when a couple has fun with their day?!
Just love this shot becuase of Manisha’s look…see her crouching down there?
Cheers to a great couple! Thanks for having us at your events and congrats to you and your families!
