As much as The Sari-Clad bride loves to bring you fun and sometimes kitschy ideas for your wedding, sometimes we just have to get real with you guys. Silly rituals are a built-in feature in most weddings but we feel that the following traditions are definitely worth avoiding.

Discloser: At the same time, it is YOUR wedding, so if any of these traditions are near and dear you, all the more power to you!

Having a bridal shower AND bachelorette party. Pick one event and save your bridal party’s sanity and wallets.

Bridesmaid uniforms. We know the idea of all your bridesmaids wearing the same sari/lehenga/salwar kameez/gown is nice in theory—but it’s horrid for the girls themselves. Give them a color scheme or particular dress style instead—everyone will be much happier.

Matron/Maid of Honor. What if your best friend happens to be a guy? You can definitely have a ‘Best Man’ or skip the tradition all together and keep all of your besties on equal footing.

The bouquet toss. We’re convinced that these two were invented to make single people feel awful. Believe it or not, most of the single ladies at your wedding have no desire to get onto the dance floor while you shove your ‘Ha, I’m married and you’re not!’ memorabilia onto them.

Eating old cake. We think that the idea behind saving the top tier of your wedding cake for your one-year anniversary is sweet, but the thought of consuming it is icky. Have your baker make you a fresh version of the top layer of your wedding cake for your anniversary.

Skipping nooky before the wedding. Wedding-night sex will be special no matter what, because it will be the first time you’ll be together as husband and wife, so don’t starve yourselves beforehand! Unless your opting for an arranged marriage and have never been intimate together–in that case, good luck!

An immediate honeymoon. Don’t skimp on your travel plans because the wedding ate up your honeymoon budget. Take a few months or even a year to plan a full-scale honeymoon and go on a smaller getaway right after the wedding.

Niki:

Hello, I am writing you from Vancouver, Canada. I just recently got engaged to a man from France. We are planning a Hindu ceremony for this summer close to his hometown in the south of France. I am finding many obstacles in arranging a Hindu ceremony from so far away and in an area that does not have a large Indian population. The first hurdle that we have encountered is trying to find a Pundit (Hindu Priest) to perform the ceremony. So far, the only Pundit that we have found lives in Germany. Do you have any ideas? Thank you for your time and any assistance you can give!

Dear Niki,

First of all, Congratulations!! The Sari-Clad Bride is always excited to hear about new couples tying the knot! Thank you for contacting us and we would definitely like to help you jump over those hurdles of planning a wedding from so far away. We do have some ideas that may help you. First of all, we would like to inform you about the Hindu temple in Paris listed below:

This is one of the larger temples in Paris. Please contact the temple for their Pundit availability. I am sure it will be cheaper for them to travel within France rather than bringing someone from outside the country.

Since the distance and expenses are usually the big issues with planning a destination wedding, the Sari-Clad Bride also suggests you contact local wedding planners in France to help you with finding a pundit as well as other necessities locally. Remember, a planner provides all types of service and you can pick and choose what you need – you don’t have to spend a lot of money on having a planner plan your whole wedding but he/she can help you with planning certain aspects of the wedding. Some planners we recommend are:

Additionally, if you need to fly someone in and flights are cheaper from England to France than from Germany, below is the information of a great priest from UK who does travel for weddings depending on availibility:

Keep checking us out as we will soon bring you vendor spotlights on some of these contacts that may help you make a wiser choice!

Recently one of you asked the following:

Where can I find Gujarati singing groups for a wedding on the East Coast (US)? Please help. Thanks. Looking for a group of live singers and musicians for a Gujarati Hindu wedding — a group that performs traditional Gujarati geet (songs) and Gujarati garba and Hindi film songs. Please post groups, website links, and contact information if possible. Thanks.

Let me start off by saying how happy we are that you asked us to inquire into this. Too many people are used to DJs at weddings. While a DJ/MC is necessary for the after party of the wedding to be official, we seldom appreciate the fun and joy a live wedding band or singer can bring to the wedding. Not to mention it makes the experience even more unique. So below please find two very well-known and very professional wedding singers/bands based on US East Coast who not only specialize in traditional Gujrati geet and garba, but Hindi film and pop music as well:

Natwar Thakkar

999 Enterprises Inc.

58 Hillcrest Avenue

Iselin NJ 08830

732-404-1098 / 732-283-0256

info@999enterprises.com / natwarthakkar@hotmail.com / kaushal_n_t@yahoo.com

Ritesh Rathod / Rupali Acharya

Medley Entertainment Inc

291 Pinelli Drive

Piscataway, NJ 08854

347-385-8587 / 732-356-1204 / 347-724-5202 / 718-205-2016

1-866-9MEDLEY

party@medleyentertainmentinc.com

We would like to thank our awesome friend the world-renowned DJ Magic Mike from Magic Sound for providing us with all the information! Thanks Mike!

There are many parts that go into creating the perfect wedding such as the venue location, the dress, the catering services and decorations that cost a lot of money, but one part that should not be forgotten is spending big money on an impeccable wedding photographer. While it is partly true that anyone can pick up a digital camera and shoot away because of how accessible photography has become in this day and age, it is still not the same as hiring an actual photographer who has the experience, passion and eye to create the lasting moments that a client deserves. Below are five points we at AA Creation Photography believe why it is important to spend the big money on hiring a good wedding photographer versus hiring a relatively cheap photographer or a family member that owns a digital camera.

1. The low rate photographer versus the high rate photographer- A good photographer will have the eye or vision for creating images that a person just owning a digital camera or  a low rate photographer will not have. The low rate photographer will likely only own one camera and lens while standing in the same position for the entire wedding ceremony and reception and essentially doing the bare minimum. The high rate photographer although pricey will give you lasting memories through the photographs created. A high rate photographer compared to the low rate photographer will have several cameras and lenses such as a fisheye or wide-angle lens to give a whole new perspective. The high rate photographer will also offer new angles from high and low and ultimately be well worth the money spent.

2. Established Trust- Being able to trust in the photographer hired for your wedding is very important. There have been too many instances where a bride has hired a low rate photographer and they have either been disappointed in the images or even worse the photographer failed to show up. There are also the feared questions of “Will their personality work with my event?”, “Will there be an album and if so, will it even look well put together and presentable?” and “Will they nickel and dime me?”. These are important questions to consider when selecting a photographer for your wedding/event. Typically when spending the money for a high rate photographer there will be no issue about trust because these photographers have insurance and know the proper protocol when being hired as your photographer.

3. Photographer with 40 weddings a year versus Photographer with 120 events a year- While it may seem that the photographer with more events has more experience and even may have the better portfolio as a result of having more jobs, the truth is that the photographer with less work is the better photographer and the one you should hire for your event. A photographer that has more 2 or 3 more jobs at a time or more events a year, treats your special day as nothing more than a job where they come to shoot and then go home.  You want someone who is passionate about their art and style and only books one event per weekend.  You want someone who is running around and wants to stay longer, so he or she can capture more moments and emotion to tell a story.

4. Labor Costs- While most think that a photographer’s job is done once the event is over, it actually is not. Their work continues once they return home to post-process countless amounts of images, so you can get a wide array of shots, angles and edits to tell a story of your special day. The difference between the low rate and high rate photographer in this circumstance is that with a low rate photographer you are lucky if they even own the latest adobe editing software such as Photoshop CS4 and Adobe Lightroom much less even use these programs to full enhance your best images. With the high rate photographer you are guaranteed they have the latest editing software, are skilled in their craft or have a photo editor on their staff that knows how to use Photoshop and Lightroom as well as their job is to only edit photos. In the end it is worth spending more money to ensure your photographs are the best of the best.

5. Know how to work equipment- Generally a low rate photographer is a photographer that is just beginning and ultimately that can a lot of times mean they do not know how to work their equipment. Now is that someone you want to trust to photograph your special day? I do not think so. Out of focus and sloppy images are not even worth $500. The high rate photographer will undoubtedly have the best equipment and will have had either some sort of technical training through classes of how to work their equipment or they have served as a second shooter in the past gaining knowledge through experience.

In the end paying the pricey rate for the top of the line photographer is beyond well worth it because your special day only happens once and to have it ruined because you wanted to save some money will leave you disappointed and full of regrets.

A little tip to remember is that the general rule of thumb of deciding how much to spend on your photography is to reserve 10% of your budget on the photographer. For example, if your budget is $35,000 then the budget for the photographer should be $3500. Don’t be surprised if you cannot get the kind of photographer you are looking for when all you have is a $800 budget.

Click here to contact us about your wedding and event photography

DIY Centerpieces and Stages seem like a tough task at first, but when you choose simple designs and easily accessible flowers–the task at hand becomes a lot easier.  I would suggest  that as a bride you do not do it all yourself, but if you have a creative bridesmaid, cousin, aunt, friend–give her the task of giving you a great visual display at your wedding!

When it came to the centerpieces, I wanted to use flowers that were the same color my sister-in-law would be wearing at the reception and when I found out it was a salmon–that as my the color of my flowers.  My mother and I loved traditional roses and they actually are a lot cheaper than other flowers such as hydrangeas, orchids, etc.  When we had our decision made, we headed straight to the Flower Mart in Downtown, Los Angeles.  Buying flowers wholesale in bulk can save you lots of money.   Also, to avoid costs always buy domestic flowers instead of imported flowers.  Domestic roses, I learned, have a scent and are cheaper while imported roses do not even have a scent and cost much more! My total cost ended up being $10 for two dozen roses–what a bargain!!

Ordering the flowers was the easy part… next came the vase.  Should we do taller centerpieces? Square vases? Circular vases? Shorter vases?  My mom and I wanted to keep it simple and chose a shorter vase that looked very clean and elegant  The centerpiece was quite easy–I suggest you have helpers that can assist you in de-leafing flowers.  We cut the flowers at a length that was perfect for the vase,  tied them with plastic ties (you can purchase these at your local Home Depot, or use flower ties–I find plastic ties easier and they stay tighter), and placed them in the vase.  Also, add Sprite or carbonated water to make your flowers last longer.  Lastly, add a special touch that makes your centerpiece stand out.  I had bought gold glitter sticks from Wal-Mart and cut them and placed them in the centerpiece.

And Viola! The final product of the centerpieces:

The centerpieces were the easy part, but I had set my heart on using manzanita trees, which have become increasingly popular in the wedding industry, for the stage.  Manzanita trees are hard to come by (if you’re not already a decorator), but I had found them again in the Flower District in Downtown, Los Angeles–purely by chance.  They are usually very expensive at stores, but you can get a great deal if you find a wholesaler.  I bought the base, the trees themselves, and sponge balls to put my flowers in.  I also bought beads from a local craft store to put on my tree.  This tedious process produced the most beautiful trees!  I also rented two simple white columns to place the trees on and created a very simple, yet elegant stage!

My total budget for the decor, the flower, and rentals for the reception added to approximately $350!! That is certainly a lot less than what you would have to pay an arm and a leg for a decorator to do!

Stay tuned for DIY Decor Ideas for your Sangeet/Dholki/Mehendi/Holud!

A special thank you to Ahmed at AA Creation Photography for these fabulous images!

And the final product for the stage & manzanita trees:

mintphotography.com

As we all know, photography is a very important element of all great weddings. After all, your wedding pictures will be the memories of your union which you will reminisce over at old age and share with your grandchildren someday. You want to make sure you capture the moments that made your day all so special. The recent press release from Tina of Tina Shah Doshi Photography provides great insider information as to what goes into beautiful wedding photography. She explains that, it is not only about choosing the right photographer but the little things the couple should do which are essential to create lasting memories. The Sari-Clad Bride is very excited to share her tips with you! So read on ladies!

· A few months before the wedding, schedule a couple shoot or studio sitting. According to wedding photographer, Tina Shah Doshi, “sessions prior to your wedding are a great way for your photographer to learn your personality and style.” It’s also a great way for you build additional rapport with your photographer, and get more comfortable in front of the camera lens. Most couples really have not worked with a photographer since their school pictures. Not only will a pre-wedding session get you more comfortable, but it will also prepare you for how the photographer will give you direction on your big day.

· Know your style. Tina Shah Doshi knows how to work with all styles including the traditional, candid, and photojournalistic. Let your photographer know in advance if you have a preference towards one or the other. Keep in mind that great wedding pictures are made up of a combination of all styles. Its important to capture those special emotions and glances that no one else may see, but its important to have a selection of formal and group shots as well.

· Plan enough time for group pictures. Your wedding is a special time for all of your friends and family to come together. Many of them have probably traveled quite a bit to be apart of your celebration. It’s important to schedule enough time during the wedding for group pictures. If group pictures are not planned for accordingly, they may delay your actual wedding day itinerary significantly. Plan for at least 5 minutes for each group picture, and be sure to delegate a family member to gather all of the groups. Since your photographer will not who is who, a family member assisting with the group session will make sure the shots go a lot smoother.

· Plan enough time to get ready. When you, your sisters, your mom, and all of your bridesmaids are getting ready in the morning, this can take a significant amount time. A delay with your stylist can set you behind for your entire day. The last thing you want to feel on your wedding day is rushed. Be sure to schedule enough time to get ready. Plan your day with a few time buffers. Therefore, even if you are running late, everything should work out fine. “You may want to also consider having your photographer there while you are getting ready,” recommends photographer Tina Shah Doshi. Getting ready shots are great part of the story telling aspect of your day.

· Include time for just the two of you. Schedule at least 30 minutes with just you and your photographer. You will want to make sure you get those romantic shots that everyone loves. This session should be a closed session in order to truly capture those intimate moments. No other guests or family members of the couple should be present. This will allow you the opportunity to be more relaxed and comfortable with each other. According to Tina Shah Doshi, “I find many times that these are the most favorite pictures chosen by couples. It’s usually after the ceremony, and they can be the most relaxed if they have a few moments to themselves.” Be sure that your photographer can really take advantage of the location of your event.

· Be comfortable. If you know you have a preference for wearing your hair and make-up a certain way, why deviate significantly on your wedding day? The best photographs are when you look natural and comfortable. Be sure your style on wedding day is who you are. When a Bride is uncomfortable, it will show in the pictures. The more relaxed and comfortable you are, the better your photographs will be.

· Know that nothing goes perfect. “Some of the best photographs I have taken are when the Bride and Groom are smiling and laughing all day,” say Tina Shah Doshi. Don’t let a small mishap with your florist, caterer, DJ, any vendor, or even a guest ruin your special day. “I think because some brides put so much pressure on themselves to make sure every detail is just right, they can get easily disappointed if something goes wrong,” says Tina Shah Doshi. Just know in advance some details may not go exactly as planned, and as long as you set on going with the flow of that day – there is no reason why you shouldn’t be wearing a smile all day long. No matter how artistic a photograph may look through angles, composition, or lighting – a Bride will always look at how she looks in that photograph first. If she is smiling and happy, she is bound to love that photograph that much more.

· Be mindful of how much you drink. Weddings are celebrations. If you want to enjoy a few drinks, just keep in mind your tolerance level. Remember you will be photographed and possibly even videotaped all day. You won’t want to look back at photographs where you appear to have had one too many. Be sure to keep your energy levels up, and have a great time with all your guests. Stay hydrated.

· Be sure your photographer knows your wedding day itinerary in advance. When your photographer knows your itinerary in advance, this will help them to plan better key and creative shots. It will also let them know when they have sufficient time to recharge their equipment if necessary.

· Have a great time. Smile. Nothing is more important than having a great time on your special day. “I tell every one of my couple’s that I am there for them on there special day,” says photographer Tina Shah Doshi. They shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Just be sure to delegate any special tasks, and everything will fall into place. Enjoy your day.

Zoya Couture Invitation Suite

Who are you?
Arti Anand
ZOYA Couture
1-866-611-ZOYA (9692)
zoyacouture.com

What do you do?
Wedding Invitations (Custom Design and Ready to Order), Event Stationery (Place cards, table numbers, Menus, Programs, Signage), Marketing Collateral.

Where are you based?
Washington, DC – but we often work with brides around the nation. Samples are mailed, design and proofs discussed over phone and e-mail, and final orders sent via FedEx.

When and How did you get started in the South Asian wedding industry?
I grew up around weddings! My parents owned a South Asian wedding decor company and I spent my weekends helping them with the creative design and set-up. I had been doing freelance graphic and web design for several years before I decided to apply it to the wedding invitation industry.

Why do you do what you do?
I love weddings – there’s something magical about them. While South Asian weddings in particular are so glamorous, most couples in the States have a hard time selecting invitations that marry their South Asian heritage with their modern, chic lifestyle. I love working with couples to find their individual styles and translating that to invitations that they have envisioned.

Do you work exclusively on South Asian weddings?
Not exclusively, but a majority of our brides are of South Asian descent.

What are some mistakes you see most South Asian brides (and families) make?
Playing by the rules. Throw the rule book out! Brides and families begin their discussions with how they’ve seen other people do it, or how things have been done for generations. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try things differently. Create a wedding that’s beautiful to you, as its yours to experience and remember.

Do you only cater to certain budgets only?
We try our best to work with all budgets, but find that most of our brides are generally looking for exclusive, luxurious invitations that no one else has seen or done before. From silk folios to engraved coins – our creative brides always find unique ways to make their invitations stand out!

Describe a particularly memorable wedding you’ve worked on.
The invitation suite captured in the attached image (captured by Regetis Photography) is for a South Asian destination wedding in Puerto Rico in early 2010. It has been so much fun working with the extremely creative couple and their wedding planner. They have great style and will be reflecting this design theme throughout their wedding day materials. We’re excited to see how the events come together!

What’s your number one wedding tip?
Enjoy every minute of it. Wedding planning can get stressful – but don’t let little setbacks bring you down. Remember that at the end of the day, the purpose of the day is to be united with the one you love! Best wishes with your wedding planning!

Gaye holud written in Bangla

Gaye holud or haldi also known as a  turmeric ceremony, is a traditional preparatory celebration, which takes place before the wedding. It is the tradition of applying holud or haldi (turmeric paste) on the bride and groom’s skin in order to beautify them for their wedding. Holud is an antiseptic which not only kills germs and bacteria, but also has a yellow hue which gives skin a unique color and glow.

A pre-wedding ritual involving the application of turmeric to the bride and groom is a wide-spread tradition throughout South Asia and in West Indian culture,  it is a very important custom particular to Bengali weddings and sparks a huge celebration by Bengali Muslims, Hindus and Christians. This is also known as the henna/mehndi night in Northern parts of India and in Pakistan. To West Indians, it is known as dig dutty, matti khor, or simply dye rubbing. However, henna/mehndi night itself is also a preparatory celebration in South Asian weddings, where henna/mehndi is used to decorate the bride’s hands and feet as well as the rest of the female guests. This usually occurs only for the bride and usually attended, only by women. However, some do choose to combine the gaye holud and mehndi night together into one ceremony.

Traditionally, the bride and the groom has a separate gaye holud each at his/her respectable home, where the family members from one side attend the celebration at the opposite side. The bride and groom themselves do not participate in each other’s ceremony. The bride’s gaye holud occurs first, usually during noon. The bride wears yellow/orange outfit, adorned with flowers and is seated on a decorative dais (or piri) on a stage. The bride’s family and friends welcome the groom’s family with flowers and sweets as they enter the household bringing gifts and sweets, laying them in front of the sat bride. Everyone puts holud on the bride’s face and body and feeds her sweets, after which they enjoy a feast prepared by the bride’s family. There is always some form of entertainment as women sing and dance for the occasion.

Fruits and sweets for gaye holud ceremony

The groom’s gaye holud occurs right after, often on the night of the same day, since it is usually the day before the wedding. This time the bride’s family brings gifts and sweets, welcomed the same way by the groom’s family and friends. The gifts are laid in front of the sat groom and everyone puts holud on the groom and feeds him sweets, after which they enjoy a feast prepared by the groom’s family. Everyone dresses in yellow, orange and reddish outfits, especially the bride’s side of the family and friends who sometimes wear matching outfits just as bridesmaids do for American weddings.

However, nowadays, gaye holud is often celebrated together, and may occur at a venue rather than the homes of the couple. It can take place the day before the wedding or a few days earlier or even a week beforehand. A lot of brides choose to celebrate gaye holud and a henna/mehndi night back to back. The mehndi night is done before the gaye holud in most cases. In keeping with the tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other at this ceremony, some couples choose to do the ceremony side by side with a partition in the middle.

Gifts are a big part of the gaye holud ceremony. Everything is packed in decorative cane or bamboo trays, baskets and supdas (also known as kula). For the bride’s ceremony, the groom’s family usually brings the following:

Bridal outfit: the sari or lehenga to be worn for the wedding is usually given from by the groom’s family. It is folded decoratively in a tray, sometimes wrapped around a doll. The shoes and bangles can also be given together with the outfit.

Bridal saree

Bridal trousseau: these may include several trays and baskets of items such as perfume, lotion, shampoo, spa items, makeup, hair accessories, etc.

Gifts for the bride’s side of the family: these may include outfits for the bride’s immediate family members such as parents, siblings, aunts and cousins. Often so many gifts are being given that it is not possible to wrap all items in trays and baskets. As a result, some are done as so for show and others are packed in a red suitcase which is sent over to the bride’s home beforehand. The red suitcase is a ceremonial symbol of marriage which is used to pack up the bride’s belongings when leaving her home for the groom.

Gifts for the bride and her family

Sweets: sweets are a must-have for gaye holud. These are a symbol of happiness and celebration as traditionally sweets are used to celebrate any occasion and used for “muk misti”, which means feeding sweets. The family members often choose to bring homemade traditional desserts known as pithe or pitha.

Sweets and pitha

Fruits: bringing fruits is also part of the tradition. Elaborate fruit baskets made from real fruits such as watermelons are a common practice.

Hilsa (ilish) fish dressed as a couple (courtesy of Wikipedia - Arman Aziz)

Fish: Bangladesh is known for its rivers and streams which is why fish is a major part of the diet of Bengali people. As a result, giving fish to the bride’s family is a customary. Usually two large fishes are given – dressed as a wedding couple. One is wrapped in a sari or lehenga and may have a nose ring or earrings attached, representing the bride, while the other is wrapped in men’s clothing such as a Punjabi set or fotua and lungi, the traditional Bengali men’s attire, representing the groom. Nowadays, actual fish is usually replaced with sweets molded as fish.

Sweets molded in fish shapes

Paan: Paan or betel leaf, which is a palate cleanser and a breath freshener, is offered by the groom’s family as a sign of hospitality. This is offered at the gaye holud to the bride’s family, which is served by the bride’s mother to everyone on the wedding day. It is served with supari (areca nut), chuun (a lime paste), and mukhwas (a mix of seeds, nuts and candies).

Hould, mehndi, upton paste: The groom’s family brings the Holud paste to apply on the bride in a decorative bowl or basket as well. The holud paste is a mixture of turmeric and either mustard oil, milk or water. Mehndi is also provided for decorating the bride’s hands and feet. Some women prefer not to apply the holud and therefore a substitute is used such as upton mix or sandalwood.

Supda (kula)

Rakhi: The groom’s mother brings a rakhi to tie on the bride’s wrist as a symbol of a new relationship formed.

DIY Rakhi

For the groom’s ceremony, the bride’s family usually brings the following:

Groom’s wedding outfit: similarly, the groom’s outfit is usually a gift from the bride’s family. It is wrapped nicely as well along with the shoes and brought in a decorative tray.

Groom’s trousseau: these may include several trays and baskets of items such as cologne, grooming items, ties, shirts, accessories, etc.

Gifts for the groom’s side of the family: these may include outfits for the groom’s immediate family members such as parents, siblings, aunts and cousins. As with the brid’s gifts, so many gifts are being given that some are decoratively packed and brought in during the ceremony for show and others are packed ahead and sent over to the groom’s home beforehand.

Gifts for the groom and his family

Sweets: again, sweets are brought by the bride’s family which sometimes include homemade traditional desserts known as pithe or pitha.

Sweets and pitha

Fruits: elaborate fruit baskets made from real fruits such as watermelons are brought as well.

Hould, mehndi, upton paste: The bride’s family also brings the holud paste to apply on the groom in a decorative bowl or basket. This may be substituted by upton mix or sandalwood.

Supda (kula) with mehndi

Supda (kula) with holud and upton mix

Rakhi: The bride’s’s mother brings a rakhi to tie on the groom’s wrist as a symbol of a new relationship formed.

Fruits and sweets for gaye holud ceremony

Courtesy of S2S Photography

Who are you?

Saad Syed

S2S Photography, LLC.

919-413-5220

www.s2sphotography.com

What do you do?

I am a wedding photographer. I consider myself in a business of documenting love, connection, and the human experience.

Where are you based?

I reside in Raleigh, North Carolina. But I get commissioned for weddings all over. I have shot and/or will be shooting weddings in Delaware, Florida, Ohio, New York, Virginia, Georgia, and North Carolina.

When and How did you get started in the South Asian wedding industry?

I have a Southeast Asian background and it was extremely easy for me to get into the industry. Due to my understanding of the culture and the expectations that come along with it, I am able to provide a very different type of photography and a unique approach to how I deal with weddings.

Courtesy of S2S Photography

Why do you do what you do?

I love photography and I love “the moment”.

Do you work exclusively on South Asian weddings?

I work with all types of clients and have experience with many cultures. However, the majority of my clients tend to be South Asian.

Describe some of your inspirations.

My inspirations are some of the best photographers in the market – Ed Pingol for lighting, Joe Buissink and Jeff Ascough for journalism, and Jim Garner for style. 

Courtesy of S2S Photography

What are some mistakes you see most South Asian brides (and families) make?

Lack of crowd control. A lot of rituals and a lot of family formals sessions get overwhelmed with guests who are photo-enthusiasts. Guests need to know that the professional photographer is there to do a job and that the couple have paid a commission. When people jump in the way of the photographer or interrupt the photo sessions, they hinder the quality of compositions and/or waste the photographers time the couple has paid for. A good DJ, planner/coordinator, or family overseer goes a long way in regards to organization of the crowds that develop at South Asian events.

Do you only cater to certain budgets only?

Due to the quality of work I put out and the amount of effort that goes behind it, I cater to middle and high end budgets.

Courtesy of S2S Photography

Tell us about your strongest area.

My strongest area is lighting and framing. I’m not a photographer who “machine guns” the shutter release and takes thousands of mindless pictures in the hopes that a few come out epic. I paint with light. I compose. I see the scene in front of me and try to decipher what it can become. To this end, I use various different varieties of light and framing techniques.

Tell us about your weakest area.

I am my own worst critic. With my photography, I am a perfectionist and a romantic. Even if a composition comes out fabulous, I still try to make it better. This isn’t necessarily a “weak area”, however, it’s good to be reminded to just relax sometimes.

Courtesy of S2S Photography

How would you describe your working style?

I consider myself a journalist and the one thing I love documenting is the essence of the human experience. Each marriage signifies a beautiful story and within the hours of the wedding events, there are key moments that define the couple, the event, and the story. I make it my responsibility to capture these moments in a manner that is romantic and timeless.

My post-wedding workflow is also extremely efficient. I process all the pictures that come out useable and have the final products – be it albums or DVD of images – ready within 2-4 weeks of the wedding. I have had clients come back from a ten day honeymoon to find everything completed and all products in their mail. My clients don’t have to sit there and waste time proofing and nor do they have to wait for months to see their products. Everything is produced and delivered exceptionally fast.

Courtesy of S2S Photography

Describe a particularly memorable wedding you’ve worked in.

One of my most memorable weddings is actually one of my latest – Rabia and Naeman. It can be viewed on my blog here!

It was a higher end wedding held in Miami with the reception in New York. One of the high points of the event was the bhangra – something I capture in a very dynamic way. Miami and New York provide for some gorgeous scenery and I absolutely love the contrasting atmospheres. One thing I try to incorporate is wide-angle field of views during the dances and the rituals. 

What’s your number one wedding tip?

Relax. What is the best way to relax? Hire a team of vendors who will come through for you like family.

Hi there! My question is regarding Indian themed wedding furniture (bride and groom’s chair/swings, etc). Do you guys have any insight on that? On google, there are list of vendors and rental places that seem to be either outside of the U.S or in New Jersey. Any suggestions of places closer to home (NY)? Thanks in advance!

Well dear reader, there are so many ideas to choose from, where shall we begin?! Back in the day, it used to be that there simply was a stage with some pillows for the bride and groom to sit on, along with a hundred of the bride’s sahelis (girlfriends) . Today’s wedding planners and decorators can offer you so much more than that. From simple sitting arrangements such as a ‘dais’ or ‘piri’ for the gayer holud/mehndi ceremony to just two  royal thrones for a wedding stage to more elegant arrangements such as a swing or a curved wedding throne or love seat – the choices are endless. Although most of the time, the  venue of the ceremony most certainly will be able to provide the furniture required, bringing in a wedding planner or decorator for this particular service just might be worth it!

Borrow some ideas from the following examples to create your own special wedding stage.

traditional bengali gayer holud stage

another take on a bengali gaye holud stage

mehndi stage

bengali gaye holud stage with swing

wedding stage

A non-traditional color-schemed reception stage

wedding stage (photo: contemporary creations)

wedding stage for a hindu ceremony (photo: contemporary creations)

moguel-era inspired wedding stage (photo: 2create designs)

contemporary reception stage (photo: 2create designs)

floral-themed wedding stage (photo: 2create designs)

We have recently covered some wedding planners/decorators under our vendor spotlight such as 2CreateDesigns, Contemporary Creations, and Planning Elegance, who are exceptional at mandap/stage setup as well at providing the necessary furniture. We will soon bring you more vendor spotlights within the New York Tristate area. So stay tuned!