I recently had the opportunity to photograph Sheetal and Hamenth’s engagement party in Beuamont, TX.  They will be getting married in late May in Detroit but had a party here for all the friends and family to enjoy their union.

I will let the images tell the story.  Oh, you may also notice that I am abandoning the border on the images for the blog.  This gives me a bit larger images to post!

It all took place at the Holiday Inn in Beaumont - with the cocktail hour in the atrium with magnificent flags hanging overhead.

 The event was decorated by Decor to Remember - who always do a terrific job.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 After the ceremony, the program started.

 

Entertainment was provided by the incredible Michael Blanco and Jessica Cubeli of The Rhythm of Magic.   Michael and Jessica are national competitive ballroom dancers and combined the beauty of their dancing with some great magic for everyone’s enjoyment.

 

 

 There were several dances by friends and family.

 Sheetal and Hemanth enjoyed their first dance of the evening and were proptly joined by their guests for a night of dancing.

 

 

 

 

 Thank you Sheetal and Hamenth for the opportunity to work with you.  I wish you two the very best.

What a stunning and fun event!  Rubi and Vab were married at the Embassy Suites hotel in Irving and the staff there, lead by Clara, did a great job.  Coordinating was handled by Suman Pai of Elegant Affair.

Let’s start with the first night’s event and let the pictures tell the story.

Rubi and Vab looked great!

Vab and the boys performed for Rubi.

Which she seemed to enjoy.

Guests, including the young ones, had their henna work done.

Vab was up to the challenge of finding his name in Rubi’s intricate and beautiful henna work.  He did ask - and received - some help!

Then the dancing started!

 

 

The next day, after a short sleep, the wedding day arrived. 

 

The ceremony was in the large atrium with the “gazebo” serving as the mandap - and it was great.

 

Rubi got ready…

 

 

 

 

Vab got ready also and then it was on to the celebration!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vab is welcomed by Rubi’s family.

 

And on to the marriage ceremony.

 

Rubi works her way to the ceremony.

 

And the ceremony…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At this point, when the ceremony was over, Vab found himself as most grooms do in this situation:  shoe less!  What can he do but negotiate to get them back so he can go on with the rest of the day.

 

Once he got his shoes back, we made our way to our extended portrait session.  I am so grateful to both Rubi and Vab for allocating as much time as they did.  This is something I always ask my couples to do - and the results can be great.  Here’s a fine example of what we were able to get done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following the portrait session, it was on to the reception - and a great party.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And so the night came to an end.  A great party celebrating two individuals - and families - coming together.  Thank you, Rubi and Vab for allowing me to share in your special day.  I wish you two the very best!

You know what I really love about this business?  Besides the couples that I get to work with, it’s the friendships, mutual respect, and willingness to help each other that springs up among photographers.  One such friend of mine is Humza Yasim in Dallas.  Late last year, Humza heard that I was a bit under the weather and had a big three day wedding to photograph.  He offered to fly down and help me - no questions asked.  While I didn’t need his help, it was certainly appreciated and we agreed we’d help each other out in times of need.

One such time recently came up for him.  He needed another photographer to help with a wedding and I was fortunate enough to be able to help him.  I say fortunate because Roshani and Rupesh were an amazing couple. 

I wanted to share some of those images - a lot more than I usually do - but it really was an amazing event at a gorgeous venue (the Omni Hotel at Las Collinas in the Dallas area.)

First, I have been so lucky lately.  My last two brides have chosen “different” shoes.  You may remember that Vivien wore pink shoes, well, Roshani wore red shoes!

After everyone got ready, Rupesh enjoyed the baraat and was welcomed by Roshani’s family.

He made his way to the ceremony and waited for Roshani to make her entrance.

Now, pay careful attention as this is your first hint that both Roshani and Rupesh are Longhorns - as were a large number of the guests.  You’ll see this again later on!

Roshani looked amazing and listened intently to some of the readings and prayers.

It was a gorgeous day, though admittedly it was warm AND sunny.  With plenty of bottled water making its rounds, the ceremony went on as planned.

 

The flower girls’ basket was full of red and yellow rose petals.

After the ceremony was completed, it was time to go and get some portraits done.  While the guests went indoor to enjoy the cocktail hour, we proceeded to get some couple photos. 

Humza focused in on the main portraits while I looked for touching moments and details.

Of course, I did get a few portraits in myself.

Then it was on to the reception where they had a lovely stack of cupcakes awaiting the guests.

Roshani and Rupesh made their grand entrance…

There were several speeches - and “roasts” - but the best of all was a special gift for Rupesh:  the bar tab from his bachelor party!

 

They then enjoyed their first dance as husband and wife.

And the party started!

Finally, at the end of the night, Rupesh (and Roshani) did a Longhorn rap!

And so the night ended.  I want to thank my good friend Humza for asking me to help him out.  I sure look forward to the next time.  I also want to thank Roshani and Rupesh for being as great as they were.

I had the great pleasure of going out to Austin to photograph Rinku and Himanshu’s wedding.  It started out with a mehndi and sangeet at the Austin Country Club on Friday evening.

During this time, Rinku had her henna completed.

Himanshu, of course, had to find his name in the intricate and beautiful henna.

He did find it - with a bit of extra light!

After this, it was time for a great meal and an even better party!

The next day was at the Renaissance at the Austin Arboretum. 

 

We started early with a  for Himanshu.

When all was done, Himashu was ready…

Next, it was Rinku’s turn.  She started with hair and makeup and looked absolutely radiant.

Then, it was Himanshu’s turn as he enjoyed his barat.

The start of the ceremony with Rinku’s family welcoming Himanshu.

Rinku made her entrance.

Himanshu looked on.

And the ceremony was underway.

 

We then took some time before the reception to do some portraits.

Then on to the reception in the beautiful Glass Oaks ballroom.

Things got started with the speeches and programs.

Rinku and Himanshu then enjoyed their first dance together.

A very emotional father-daughter dance.

A bit of cake cutting.

…and party!

Finally, it was time to call it a night.

I want to thank Rinku and Himanshu for allowing me the opportunity to share with them on their very special day.  I wish you both the very best.

I recently had the pleasure of photographing Leena and Asim’s wedding ceremony - and let me tell you, it was fantastic.  The events started with the Raas Garba where everyone had a great time with the live music provided by Surbhi. 

So, here are some photos…

 

The next day, it was the ceremony at the Marriott Westchase Houston (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/houwm-houston-marriott-westchase/).  The day started with Leena getting ready.

As she was getting ready, her mother walked in.

I asked Leena to show me where Asim’s name was hidden in the henna.

Makeup was BEAUTIFULLY done by Jeannie Tran of Blush Makeup Artistry (http://www.blushandco.com/).

Then on to the baraat where Asim rode in in style!

Leena’s mother welcomed him warmly.

Asim then patiently waited for Leena to make her grand entrance to start the marriage ceremony.

And there she was…

They exchanged garlands.

And the ceremony went on.

The beautiful madap was provided by Affair to Remember (www.eventscatered.com) and it truly was a thing of beauty - fully lit up with revolving columns!

Hands always tell so much of the story!

Then it was on to the reception.  Again, the decorations were provided by Affair to Remember (www.eventscatered.com) and the beautiful complementary accent lights AND GREAT MUSIC by DJ Yogi G (www.yogi-g.com) who always gets the party going.

The couple made their way in.

And enjoyed the program and speeches.

They then cut the cake.

Had their first dance as husband and wife.

And then the party started!

And the night came to an end…

 

My thanks to Leena and Asim for giving me the opportunity to share on their wedding day.  You two are great together!