Another Chicago Hindu Indian Wedding!
While taking photos at Sheetal + Birju’s Hindu Wedding, I found myself reflecting upon all the Hindu weddings I’ve come to photograph in Chicago these past few years. And I remember how unsure I felt at my first Hindu wedding, but thanks to a great couple, I was immediately at ease. There are so many beautiful traditions in an Indian wedding and I am thankful to be a favorite amongst the Indian brides in Chicago.
Before we jump into the wedding photos…a couple of shout outs for some great vendors I connected with during this multi-day Indian wedding!
Flowers and room decor: Dream Occasions
Videographers: Hakim Sons Films from Dallas, TX
Here are three of my favorite photos from Birju + Sheetal’s Chicago Hindu Wedding…and then you can scroll down for more!
Gorgeous work by Dream Occasions. I’ll talk more about their reception room below. But can you believe this is the Westin Chicago Northwest (Itasca)?!
A sneak peek at the gorgeous bride!
My favorite creative photo from the day
Sangeet: Medinah Banquets
Most people know that Indian weddings are a multi-day event. The bride and groom held their “Sangeet” at Medinah Banquets in Addison, IL. It is a continual quest for the newly engaged Indian bride to find venues that can accommodate the large number of guests for all of their events! Medinah Banquets was a perfect choice for their Sangeet!
We took a moment before all the skits and performances to grab some creative photos outside! The setting sun was amazing! And I love Sheetal’s smile!
A little bit of a creative composition…this photo makes ME smile!
Here’s one photo from their Sangeet performances. This kid could DANCE! ***Note there will be more Sangeet and wedding photos posted on my facebook page later this week- so stay tuned there!***
Westin Chicago Northwest (Itasca) : Wedding Ceremony + Reception Photography!
The day following their Sangeet, we headed out to the Westin Chicago Northwest located in Itasca. Some getting ready photos of Sheetal- I absolutely love this photo of her. There is like nothing done to this photo (no photoshop). Almost straight out of camera. Pure beauty-
A photo of something that all Indian brides do…carefully looking at the order of the bangles.
A photo of the two of them before all the wedding fun begins!
The groom’s family was all outside for the “baraat” ceremony! The Westin Chicago Northwest has more than enough space to accommodate all the dancing and the horse + carriage!
Birju w/his entourage…
Possibly one of my favorite ‘baraat’ photos ever!
Mom got his nose! So glad to have captured this moment in a photo! There are so many things happening at once during an Indian wedding!
The grand ballroom at the Westin in Itasca set up for the wedding ceremony
The bride about to make her entrance- In Hindu wedding ceremonies, the groom is hidden behind a cloth-
Love this photo capturing the rice being tossed on Birju! What a photo!
Tight detail photos during the ceremony-
We took a brief moment to take some portraits before they changed outfits- I love these photos of them! Very little photoshop done…just quality photography-
A beautiful wedding photo
He makes her smile and laugh…
Some detail photos of the groom
And then back to the Grand Ballroom! Dream Occasions did a ridiculous job flipping the room from the ceremony to this reception! You cannot tell this is the Westin! Those white starts…are CUSTOM ordered drapery JUST FOR THIS WEDDING! They had to be imported from London! Birju went all out for his bride! It totally set the mood and the ambiance-
They also had Pyrotechniq Fire Performance Troupe from Chicago help them enter the room w/torches!
Pyrotechniq continued w/their black light performance-
And if a fire dance troupe wasn’t enough to entertain the guests…Indian Comedian Dan Nainan stepped out to perform! So yea, if you were wanting something fun and different for your Indian wedding…you can contact Dan Nainan to see his availability!
A first dance amongst the stars
We stepped outside for a few more creative photos!
In case you didn’t know…don’t mess w/Birju
Love this photo
And we took some photos w/sparklers!
What a ridiculously fabulous wedding! Way to pull it off Birju + Sheetal! So many wonderful moments and memories! Thank you for having me as your wedding photographer and I’m so glad to have been apart of your celebration! Best wishes as you guys begin this new chapter in your lives together!
with love,
Kenny
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