INDIAN WEDDING | India 2008-2015

INDIAN WEDDING AND MEHANDI (HENNA) CELEBRATIONS OCT 13-14 2015 RISHIKESH

October 21, 2015

INDIAN WEDDING AND MEHANDI (HENNA) CELEBRATIONS-OCT 13-14 2015 RISHIKESH

HAPPY COUPLE

PROUD FATHER

BEAMING MOM

HAPPY PARENTS

These are just a very few of the many photos I shot at this joyous Indian wedding celebration and the Mehandi (henna) the day before, for Manish, the youngest son of my dear friends Dr. Arora and his lovely wife Manju. Hope this gives you some idea of the scope, energy, joy and amazing colors…(see link below for full album)

COLORS COLORS COLORS

This was an amazing two day celebration and and the photos don’t do justice the the joy and great celebration that is an Indian wedding. I have a few videos and have also posted links below to give you a little more feel for what was going on… The thing that most stands out, in my mind, are the colors! Please open the link below to see the amazing array of colors, and energy, which is an Indian family celebration. The Mehandi (henna), day before the marriage ceremony, was particularly lovely and I was privileged to be an invited guest to the intimate family celebration at the home of the groom’s parents. I was lovingly accepted and joined in all the fun, including having my hands hennad and dancing.

HENNA BEING APPLIED

HENNA BEING APPLIED TO MY HAND

FINISHED HAND

FINAL RESULTS THE FOLLOWING MORNING

But there was no place for me in the beautiful, traditional Punjabi dances the women did. Dressed in traditional Punjabi clothing and jewelry, with their hair done up with braided extensions ending in feathers…the photos truly don’t do justice.

TRADITIONAL PUNJABI DANCING

Thought to give you some of idea of how an Indian wedding works…food is available the entire time, no sit down dinner…people eat when they want, dance when they want, everyone goes to sit with the bride and groom on the dais to have their photos taken, others sit in the arranged seating to just watch…it is really lovely. And goes on until about 5 in the morning when the final puja is celebrated. I did not stay for the actually ceremony…I had a ride and was actually relieved to be able to go home early….at midnight!!!!!