Photos Courtesy: Fine Art Productions www.fineartproductions.net

Nirmal and Hemali were enjoying a romantic evening at the Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City. The iconic Manhattan skyline offered the perfect backdrop. Nirmal started with a speech, but his words were ruthlessly subdued by the noise of a train passing by. The noisy scene ended as Nirmal offered a ring. Hemali did not hear a single word, but standing amidst a silence, she realized that Nirmal officially proposed to her.

Just eight months earlier, Nirmal Bhakta and Hemali Patel were strangers and two students at the New York University College of Dentistry. A mutual friend introduced the two. Now, after many days spent together and hours of chatting, they both know they were made for each other.

Now the real challenge was to sketch a perfect wedding plan. Adding to the complexity was a wish from Hemali’s parents – a wedding near their home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Though the newly engaged couple resides in Dallas, Texas, Hemali agreed to the wish. After all, nothing supersedes parents’ wishes!

Sangeet The theme for the sangeet was Moroccan infused with an ethnic tradition ambience. As the tradition goes, the bride was offered gifts by her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Her gifts included an array of beautiful sarees, lehngas, and jewelry. The mehndi night was organized in a purely traditional Indian style with decorations of paisley design panels and lighting décor.

Wedding Ceremony The wedding was initially to take place outdoors overlooking a golf course, but due to weather conditions, it was moved indoors at the last minute. The priests performing the ceremony hailed from Chicago, Illinois. The stunning bride’s two mamas (mom’s brothers) walked her down the aisle. A natural mandap was lushly decorated with exotic flowers. The structure was custom-made by the decorator Prashe.

Hemali drew from an ethnic look, as portrayed in Indian epic tales, as inspiration for her make-up and hair. Her maroon and rusty orange colored saree with zardosi threaded embroidery and Swarovski crystals gave her a royal look for the ceremony. Her jewelry was from Udaipur, Rajasthan, and the custom detailed lehnga and saree was custom-made from Seasons India. She wore her hair up in large curls with ornaments and white orchids enhancing her poise.

Her six nieces were the flower girls, and they wore similar lehngas which were custom made at Sequence in Baroda. Interestingly, while Hemali was having her reception make-up done she fell asleep and started sleep talking to her make-up artist. She has a genuine piece of advice for all brides-to-be, “Stay well rested before the event.”

Reception Large, tall centerpieces were eye-catching as the guests made their way into the reception hall. The high ceiling of the venue offered enough space for the centerpieces to rise with beautifully arranged bunches of hydrangeas, orchids, and roses in large vases. All the flowers used were flown in from South America. Two ice sculpture bars with the couple’s initials were also the center of attraction.

During the wedding lunch, chefs offered fresh dosas to the guests. For cocktail hour, grilled vegetables, paneer tikka, manchurian, and Indo-Chinese were available. For the main course, the menu featured traditional Punjabi fare. Andy’s Passage to India provided the catering. Dessert was provided by Cupcakes from Blushing Bakery and Pinkberry, a frozen yogurt franchise based out of NYC, where Nirmal and Hemali went on their first date. The wedding cake was made up of 300 small cupcakes beautifully decorated with edible orchids matching the real orchids used for the decor.

Nirmal’s cousin Vishal sang his toast, which he pre-recorded using an iPhone app to imitate rapper T-Pain.

DJ Smarty kept spirits up throughout the evening. The couple walked in to Souja Boy, since Nirmal enjoys rap music, and the duo’s first dance was to the “Empire State of Mind part 2” by Alicia Keys. During the dance, a video clip of the two filmed in New York City played in the background. Hemali’s father-daughter dance was to the song “Yaadein,” which was memorable and heartfelt.

The royal looking couple made an equally royal getaway in a Rolls Royce.

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The Beginning It all started with casual phone conversations. Nazreen would ring her friend Nida. Every time, Nida’s cousin Sharjeel would receive the call. The phone would eventually reach Nida, but not before Sharjeel flirted (decorously though) with Nazreen for a while. Over time, the casual flirting morphed into serious discussions. Many dates and discussions later, the couple decided to marry. Planning for an equally amazing d

A Taj Wedding

ay to solemnize the beautiful seven-year long relationship took another seven long months.

Now began the first real-life test for the couple. With what appeared to be a simple task until now, they soon realized would be quite the project. The two families from two neighboring countries brought out long lists of traditions, almost doubling the civilities, and so the complications. When the two began looking for a venue, they realized that seven months was not too early to begin. Since most couples book their venues a year ahead, they were late. Moreover, venues that were available could not accommodate Indian caters or were not big enough to hold the estimated number of guests. As luck would have it, the couple came across the Inverness Hall of Innisbrook in Tampa. The venue could not only accommodate all guests, but also offered Indian catering. What was the icing on the cake? A pastry chef who accepted the challenge of carving the couple’s dream cake, the Taj Mahal.

Since Nazreen’s family lives in Tampa, it was an ideal location. For Sharjeel, having a destination wedding was a dream come true. His family flew in from many different locales, and he rented a big place for a week where more than 150 relatives gathered to enjoy his special day.

The festivities began with a ‘packing’ event, which was followed by the mehndi and the pithi. Special attraction of the ceremony was the dance floor. On the four corners of the floor, Rimal – the decorator placed umbrella like embellishments with traditional linen flowing around. That day, all guys wore black shalwar kameez. The event set a perfect tempo for the big day celebration.

Wedding civilities were performed at Jamat Khana, the Ismaili prayer place. Adding to the grandeur was the Rolls Royce Limo which the couple rented for the ceremony and reception.

Trousseau

Nazreen went to India to shop for all of her wedding outfits, including her reception lehnga which Sharjeel wanted to buy for her. She knew that she would find her extraordinary outfits for the occasion only in India. And she did. From a boutique in Mumbai, she found a mermaid style maroon lehnga with Swarovski crystals thickly embedded all over. She wore a veil on her head during the nikah and had the dupatta on her shoulder for the reception.

For the nikah, she had her hair in an up-do and wore a tika with subtle make-up. For the reception, she underwent a total transformation. She removed the tika, changed her hair, and went with bold make-up. Complementing her angelic Indian beauty was an exquisite svorovski crystal clutch, which was a gift from Sharjeel’s sister from Pakistan. It goes without saying that Nazreen looked like an angel on earth.

The Taj

Nazreen always wanted a Taj Mahal themed wedding, and her favorite color purple provided the shade for each of the ceremonies. The couple was sure they wanted a cake in the design of the Taj Mahal. Despite asking every baker in town, the two were unable to find anyone willing to take on the daunting task. Finally, the couple’s steadfast view of the symbol of love convinced the chef at Innisbrook to accept the dare. At the reception, a five-foot, intricately carved, amazing white Taj Mahal cake stood in the middle of the dance floor. Made of three different flavors, and adorned with lights, it was a magical sight.

The theme colors were white and purple. Purple LED lights lighted the entire room, and the vases were pin spotted. The colors changed throughout the night. The chairs were silver chivalri and linens were eggplant purple. The tables, which were squares and rectangles, were decorated with crystals and candles. Decorator Remmal from Shangri-la came to the rescue when deciding the backdrop of the stage. A giant 10-foot Taj Mahal ice sculpture set in between two crystal columns adorned the stage. Placed in the reception hall were four different kinds of centerpieces. Two were tall vases that lit up in different colors to coordinate with the colors on the backdrop of the stage. The entire hall was surrounded by LED lights, which changed colors throughout the night.

While enjoying the festivities, Sharjeel’s mind drifted towards the future – dreams of a beautiful and memorable honeymoon in Hawaii and many happy years to follow!

Article Photographs Courtesy: Fineart Productions www.fineartproductions.net

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Once they met, it didn’t take them long to discover how well they got along. The couple clicked instantly as if they were each other’s soulmates. Mital chose Aditi’s birthday to profess his love and went down on his knees, which took Aditi by surprise. She considers it to be her best birthday to date.

For the wedding planner, Aditi didn’t have to look far. Her younger sister, Parita, showcased her event management skills with the brilliant decor at ceremonial events. To add a royal touch to their wedding, the couple chose the Ajit Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Rose and Rajnichanda flowers adorned the stage of the ring ceremony. Around 1000 guests arrived to taste over 100 culinary delights. Chickeen Masala, a Mumbai-based band, were invited to the Mehndi ceremony as entertainers, and the entire event exuded Rajasthani flair in decor of pink, white and gold hues. For the vidhi and haldi, the highlight was the Gujarati Bandhani theme decor and a sitting stage amidst the pool where Aditi and Mital were seated. It was a delight to watch their grandparents dance along with the rest of the family. The aura was filled with laughter, smiles, and happiness.

For the wedding ceremony, a royal-themed mandap was decorated with an abundance of red roses spiraling up the pillars, out into the open sky. Mital made a statement with his royal entry in a 1930 neon orange and white vintage car Pontiac from the King’s collection. Aditi walking down the aisle in a heavenly ‘Phoolon ki chadar’ held by her brothers and uncles. The wedding was so dreamy and gorgeous, everyone was mesmerized as the lovely bride entered. The four day event brought both sides of the family closer, and everyone swears by the fun and entertainment they had.

The reception was held at Suncity Resorts and Club in Vadodara, Gujarat, with over 700 guests in attendance. Music from Bollywood to Hip Hop filled the air. Aditi, being a skilled dancer, performed three dances, for her parents, Mital and her in-laws. And just like that, Aditi and Mital became two halves of the same soul together on their journey ahead.

BANQUET HALLS Ajit Bhawan Palace | BEAUTICIANS-COSMETICIAN Safa Malim  | CAKE The Bakers Den | DECORATOR Eventika Entertainment +91 909-963-4269 | EVENT PLANNER Parita Amin 823-823-8382 | INVITATIONS Akanksha Negi Invitations | MUSICIAN Chickeen Masala | PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHY Fine Art Production

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On December 22, 2018, Ami and Vikas tied the knot at the breathtaking Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay Hotel. While they did hire an event planner to help them get in touch with vendors and ensure all the pieces fell smoothly into place all the way through the wedding day, Vikas and Ami took care of planning smaller details themselves.

BANQUET HALLS Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay 813-207-6635 | BEAUTICIANS / COSMETICIAN Jigna Patel’s Asian Bridal Service 813-493-0625 | CAKE Bakery Boutique 813-368-9735 | CATERING Cafe Bombay 404-320-0229 | DECORATOR Ritti Couture Weddings & Events 813-728-6274 | DISC JOCKEY Infinite Soundz Entertainment 862-686-8283 | EVENT PLANNER Two Ladies and Events 727-772-3491 | FLORIST Shriji Creations 941-962-3453 | HORSE CARRIAGE Wind Chase Farm 772-285-3480 | INVITATIONS Inspire Animations and Infoway 982-501-2325 | MEHNDI Alpa Mandaliya 813-298-9139 | PHOTOGRAPHER / VIDEOGRAPHY Fine Art Productions 407-979-4749 | PRIEST Rajan Bhat 813-900-0190 |

The couple chose to have a traditional wedding filled with the usual ceremonies. Their wedding celebrations began with separately held mehndi ceremonies. While Vikas’ mehendi night was held at the Grand Hyatt, Ami’s mehndi and maameru function was organized at her parent’s home in Tampa Bay. All the decorations at Ami’s mehndi night were handmade by her family.

The next morning, Ami and Vikas held their individual Manglik Prasango ceremonies at the hotel, followed by garba and raas in the evening. For the colorful cultural night that was filled with dancing and singing, the couple chose a peacock garden theme.

The wedding ceremony was decorated in simple yet elegant décor of rich ivory, peach and rose gold colors. The entrance of the venue was adorned with two large white and gold elephants to welcome guests. The aisle to the mandap was lined with rose petals, candles and miniature ivory, and gold elephants.

Both Ami and Vikas’ entry to their wedding venue was quite regal and royal. Vikas made his way on a horse carriage along with his baraat. Ami entered the venue in a doli carried by her maternal uncles and cousins, with her brother dancing to the song “Meri Pyari Behaniya Banegi Dulhaniya.”

The reception followed a similar color them to the wedding. The hall was decorated with vases filled with flowers and candles, and tables were donned with shimmery rose gold tablecloths. They went with soft, dim lighting to end their wedding celebrations with a romantic ambiance.

Posted on: 02-25-2019 by: Deshvidesh

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The wedding date was set two years after the engagement with arrangements beginning a year before the wedding. The Sheraton Tampa River walk Hotel in Florida was chosen as the wedding venue. Since Anjali and Anil were in Chicago busy with their residencies, they hired wedding planner Hameant Raghubir. He turned out to be extremely compatible with the couple’s ideas.

The sangeet/mehndi ceremony, held the night before the wedding, was a beautiful occasion. The venue was decorated in blue and green décor with LED lights with an Indian swing placed at the center of the stage, Moroccan centerpieces on the table, umbrellas on either sides of the stage, and lanterns with multicolored LED lights all around.

The Sheraton Riverview Room, where the wedding took place, is a glass enclosed waterfront room overlooking Hills borough River. Anil and his family arrived in a boat since water surrounds the hotel. Red and white were the wedding décor colors. The round mandap was a four pillar Palazzo lit with white light. Crystal curtains reflected red accent drapes at its back. Red rose petals, votive candles, fresh floral bouquet and vase with a crystal ball globe accessorized the mandap. The four page long wedding program included the couple’s photos on the cover, names of the bridal party, description of the ceremony, and special thanks to family and guests. DJ Raj Narain played “Aaj Mera Jee Karda” from Monsoon Wedding as Anil entered the wedding venue, “Tum Jo Aaye” for the bridesmaids’ entry, and “Latika’s Theme” from Slumdog Millionaire for Anjali.

The reception took place in the beautiful waterfront ballroom at the same hotel. Colors for the reception were purple and gold. The hall featured a crystal ball globe and a wreath of fresh violet hydrangeas, roses and hypericum. Numerous tables were arranged for guests and each guest had an assigned place. The highlight of the décor was a photo of the bride and groom with the quote “You don’t marry the person you can live with; you marry the person you cannot live without.” An A-shaped ice sculpture served as a dispenser for alychee martini named Anitini. The lovely venue was made even more spectacular with two textured gobos and LED lights.

Indian and American music played throughout the night. The couple attended ballroom dance classes to perfect their moves to “A Thousand Years-Part Two” by Christina Perri. They exited the reception between two lines of guests holding sparklers. They stepped into a boat and floated off into the romantic moonlit Tampa Bay Harbor. Anjali and Anil advise people to begin preparing early for their wedding so they can enjoy the whole process.

BEAUTICIANS/COSMETICIAN Beauty By Jayshree 407-430-8536 WEDDING SERVICES Kisna Weddings 813-569-9052  BANQUET HALLS Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel 813-226-4411  CAKE Publix GreenWise Market at Hyde Park 813-250-0529 CRUISES Tampa Water Taxi Company 888-665-8687 FLORIST Vivek Flowers 732-589-5143  ICE SCULPTURE Martini Ice Luge / Maku Ice Sculpting 321-363-6312  LIGHTING  AVRC Lighting Company 407-802-6449  MEHNDI Bridal Henna Artist 516-545-1361 PHOTOGRAPHER/ VIDEOGRAPHER Fine Art Productions  407-979-4749 Krishna Video & Photo Image 863-651-8899  PRIEST/ WORSHIP SERVICES Pt Eshwar Persaud 561-8097677  RESTAURANT/CATERING  Memories of India 407-804-0920 WEDDING SERVICES Shivpriya Event Management 407-473-8852

Two years after physicians Arjun and Ronica met in medical school, they realized they had much in common, including a love for the Florida Gators, hatred for libraries, and similar tastes in food. Once the realization hit home, they knew they were meant for one another.

Arjun coordinated a heartfelt proposal during a vacation trip to Orlando. Knowing that swimming with dolphins was a dream of Ronica’s, Arjun arranged for the couple to do so at Discovery Cove. After a group swim with dolphin Yoko, Ronica was given a buoy by the very same dolphin. On the buoy were the words, “Will you marry me?” Though initially speechless, Ronica managed to squeeze out a yes!

Arjun and Ronica married in December 2013. They couple chose the Orlando World Center Marriot for its beautiful ambiance and spacious ballrooms. An added bonus what the convenience of having the family, bridal party, and guests stay at the hotel to eliminate the need for additional transport.

Pre-wedding functions epitomized charm, creativity and brilliance. The Sangeet’s theme was “lotus” since the flower signifies purity and love. Tables were decorated with lotus centerpieces and mini tablas, while lotus fountains were used around the venue. Various food stations were arranged in a bazaar theme and served traditional and fusion dishes. Dessert included sugar cookies in lotus colors. Family and friends entertained with dramas, songs, dances and quawalis. Ronica and her sister performed a special dance, with the ceremony ending with a solo dance performance by Ronica.

Aqua and red served as wedding day colors. The wedding dais was encrusted with crystals, flowers and soft pink swags, making it look romantic and calming. Along the sides of the mandap, crystal globes, flowers and candles placed on a raised aisle.

Ceremony programs were handmade. Aqua and red ribbons threaded through heart shaped punch holes held the pages together. All wedding stationary, including the welcome bags and packages, featured the couple’s monogram! The music, played by a DJ, was inspired by Bollywood. Ronica entered in a dholi to the song “Heer” from Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Her sister welcomed the groom with a dance to the song “Aao Padharo.” The songs aptly set the mood for the ceremony.

The reception, also held at the hotel, featured a white dance floor embedded with the couple’s monogram as the center of attraction. Close friends and relatives were seated around the dance floor, and tables were decorated with floral bouquets and tall crystal centerpieces lit with LED lights or a stream of candles and crystal orbs filled with real petals. The dinner was an array of dishes, but the highlight were two lounges created exclusively for desserts. Smartly done textured lighting highlighted the space making it look and feel warm and inviting.

The four sided acrylic bar was sleek and stylish and embellished with LED lights, crystals and candles. Drinks were served through Albert and Alberta ice luges. Albert and Alberta is the mascot of the couple’s alma-mater, the University of Florida. Signature drinks such as the “Rowdy Reptile” and “Mr. Two Bits” were served too. The cake was a sapphire blue beauty with gold accents to match the dress of the bride. The linen at the venue was also done in the same colors.

An Indian jazz saxophonist entertained guests during the cocktail hour. At the reception, the bride’s sister and groom’s sister joined forces and sang the couple’s first dance song, “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys. Friends performed dances, and ultimately, Arjun serenaded his new wife with “Treasure” by Bruno Mars, with friends and Ronica’s bridesmaids performing a background dance.

The couple advises would-be brides and grooms to leave no arrangements for last week before the ceremony and enjoy the celebrations without being too stressed.

By Rina Shah, CEO and founder of The Arpan Group

Once couples and their families settle on a venue and choose a wedding date, the next important item on the list of wedding-to-dos is often choosing a photographer. You found a gorgeous backdrop for your dream wedding, now the focus shifts to finding the right person or team to capture memories to last a lifetime.

Most experts agree that style is the most important consideration when narrowing your list of top photographers. With Facebook and Instagram feeds full of images from friends’ and families’ engagement photo shoots and weddings, chances are you are already drawn to a certain look and feel. Peter Nguyen of Peter Nguyen Photography believes, “style is the most important factor couples should consider … I highly recommend couples take time to look through the photographer’s recent works. Create a private Pinterest board for wedding photo samples and inspirations, and share it with your photographer.”

From the style of photography to the nitty-gritty details of budgets, proofs, and prints, choosing a photographer can seem like a daunting task. No one wants to look through their wedding album years from now and be disappointed with the images. Though you may “ooh” and “aah” over artistic images and creative, out-of-this-world poses, there are many factors to consider (both practical and your own wants and needs) as well as questions to ask potential photographers. Factors to Consider
Moments from your wedding events will be cherished not only today and tomorrow, but also for many years to come so the task of choosing a photographer may feel like a weighty decision. Personality, budget, experience, and photography styles rank among the most important factors to consider when choosing a wedding photographer. Niulka and Luis LaBoy of NSPG Media believe that “ultimately, it all depends on the couple’s wants, needs and desires coupled with a budget. Also consider their quality of work, personality, and experience. No matter how much you love someone’s work make sure your personalities click and that they have experience in the type of wedding you’ll be having.”

Personality
Most photographers agree, it comes down to personality, personality, personality! Stephana Ferrell of Sona Photography stresses, “You have a vision for your day, and you’ll need someone behind the lens that can capture it for you the way you want it. Just as there are painters with different techniques to paint the same media/subject, your photographer and cinematographer will have a unique way of “seeing” your event. Likewise, personalities need to click as this will be a day with some hiccups and time management concerns- make sure all of your vendors will support you through your day and not add to the stress.For some couples, you may need to experience the photographer in action, so consider using your Engagement Photo Session as a trial run. Soham Patel of Soham Photography adds that doing an Engagement Photo Shoot help the photographer to “understand the bride and groom and their personality.” Your photographer is one vendor who is truly going to be with you every step of the way, so the connection you feel with him or her is not one to be taken lightly.

Budget
Budget is always an important consideration for any vendor that you choose. Most photographers agree though, that budget alone should not influence your choice until you have narrowed down your list. Factor in the photographer’s ability to capture stunning images in the style you want. Also, be sure to compare apples to apples; in other words, prices do not always reflect the same time commitment or printing/album choices.

Experience
Photographers with many years of experience have not only fine-tuned their skills, they have also developed relationships with other vendors and are familiar with most venues. Seema Samji of Zamana Lifestyles adds, “Photographers who have been in the game for a while will be more comfortable with the shoot, rather than be overwhelmed with the size and complexity of the Indian weddings!” Being fully prepared also comes with experience as noted by Altaf Khan of Shennai Art Studio. “We don’t want to miss any key moments, so we bring multiple cameras, and use as many as five cameras.”

Wedding Photography Styles
Your chosen photographer should reflect the style you envision for your wedding memories. Traditional or classic photographers will work from a shot list you provide and are more comfortable with formal, posed shots. Photographers who embrace a candid or photojournalistic style are more likely to step back and capture moments as they happen. Some photographers place more emphasis on an artistic or creative style. These images tend to feature unique poses, incorporate different angles and scenery, and focus on details like clothing and décor. Most modern wedding photographers use a blend of styles, so looking through portfolios is an important way of gauging where a photographer’s style falls. Ashok Pancholi of Digital Dream Studio emphasizes the importance of looking at portfolios and asks clients “to really look through past work in detail.” Portfolios will reflect how a photographer maintains their creative and professional integrity while also capturing the shots clients want.

Prepare for Your First Meeting

Once the list of photographers has been narrowed, focus on gathering the right information at each of your meetings. Kimberly Romano of Kimberly Photography reminds couples to approach their first meeting with an “open mind. Come prepared with what you want to know from your photographer. Let us walk you through the process and ask questions, even if you’re unsure about the question.”
In addition to technical questions about the contract, fees, and equipment, here are a few more to keep in mind during the first meeting:

• What style do you specialize in? (Styles discussed in the section above.)
• How would you describe your working style? (Do you want your photographer to orchestrate moments or capture candid shots?)
• Who will be photographing my wedding? (Be sure to meet with not only the owner, but also anyone who will be a part of your team.)
• Have you shot at my venue(s) before? (Understanding the lighting and knowing great spots for photos is a huge advantage.)
• Have you ever worked alongside any of my vendors? (Most wedding vendors develop strong relationships, which makes for seamless flow throughout all your events.)
• Are you shooting in digital or film format or both? (Most photographers shoot digital now, but always good to ask!)
• Can I give you a list of specific shots we would like? (Some photographers prefer to stay true to creativity, while others understand you need some posed photos.)
• How many pictures do you take? (Most photographers take 500 pictures.)
• Will the photos be retouched and color balanced? (Will this be done before you see the proofs?)
• How long after the wedding do we get to see the photos?

In reflecting on the role of a photographer, Amish Thakkar of Fine Art Productions states, “We don’t simply click and process pictures, we preserve the exact emotion you had during your wedding, and pack it into one beautiful remembrance of a wedding portrait.” So as you narrow your choices, consider how your first meetings went. Did you feel at ease with the photographer? Was there a connection, and did he/she understand your expectations? Will your emotions be captured to live on in beautiful portraits? Listening to your own intuition is just as important as considering budget and style.

Favorite Wedding Moments

The experts share their favorite wedding moments.

Altaf (Shennai Art Studio): To be honest, every wedding moment is my favorite moment!

Ashok (Digital Dream Studio): Covering the entire Wedding! Especially capturing all the sentimental moments.

Kimberly (Kimberly Photography): After the ceremony…. for most, the ceremony is one of the most nerve-wracking, stressful parts of the wedding. Making sure everything starts on time, being in front of all your family and friends. Once it’s over, you see the stress go away and couples are in complete love and bliss.

Niulka and Luis (NSPG Media): My favorite moment of a wedding is the reception. It’s like the finale to a fireworks show saving all of the sparkle and excitement until the end!

Peter (Peter Nguyen Photography): The bride’s entrance is by far my most favorite wedding moment. I love capturing the groom’s look when he sees his bride for the first time in her wedding dress.

Seema (Zamana Lifestyles): I love that the weddings in the Indian culture involve all the families, friends, relatives, acquaintances, work colleagues… everyone comes to celebrate with the couple. There is so much love, joy and happiness…so many priceless moments to capture!

Soham (Soham Photography): When the clients and family/friends are having fun during all moments of the wedding … especially because pictures always come out great when people are happy!

Stephana (Sona Photography): My favorite moment is when the Bride and Groom see each other for the first time! In most cases, we are there with them prior to this moment, and the preparation and anticipation for that first gaze just makes for such amazing energy and emotion […] It is such a special moment, and I feel so honored when a couple entrusts us to capture it. Photographers Special thanks to the photographers who contributed their thoughts and advice to this article. Digital Dream Studio
Tel: 407-791-6064
www.digitaldreamstudio.com Fine Art Productions
Tel: 732-662-5555
www.fineartproductions.net Kimberly Photography
Tel: 727-543-9723
www.kimberly-photography.com NSPG Media
Tel: 407-301-8648
www.nspgmedia.com Peter Nguyen Photography
Tel: 678-428-2521
www.peternguyenphoto.com Shennai Art Studio
Tel: 678-485-0486
www.shehnaiproduction.com Soham Photography
Tel: 678-852-8525
www.sohamphotography.com Sona Photography
Tel: 646-250-6337
www.sonaphotography.com Zamana Lifestyles
Tel: 678-860-2921
www.zamanaphoto.com

About the Author
Rina Shah is the CEO and founder of The Arpan Group, a boutique ad agency and public relations firm that specializes in capturing untouched ethnic markets. From press releases and media kits to marketing materials and by-line articles, The Arpan Group customizes solutions based on the client’s needs.

For more information, visit www.thearpangroup.com or call (703) 651-6670.

Article appeared in June 2015 Desh-Videsh.