Indian Wedding at Garre Winery in Northern California

REEMA + TEJAS

Let me just start by saying this was the first Indian wedding I had ever been to and I was just absolutlely SHOOK at how amazing it was. I had no idea what to even expect because I hadn't really heard anything about their traditions or how the day flows. Every single detail was so beautiful and intricate. There's so much intention and tradition and it's so fascinating to watch and learn and have the honor to capture.

When I got to the venue, I was already wowed by the views. Garre Winery is tucked out in the middle of nowhere in Livermore, California but it's surrounded by tons of beautiful vineyards and open skies. I went inside to meet with David because I was second shooting for David N Sachs Photography. He then brought me to meet the bride, Reema. Her hands had a beautiful henna and her GORGEOUS wedding sari was hanging on the wall. Her sari had so many little details and it was so heavy! Props to her for wearing it all day and dancing in it during the sangeet! It had to have been a good workout for sure!

As the second photographer, I get to hangout the guys and take photos of them before the ceremony - or in this case, before the baraat! At this point, I had no idea what a baraat was but I was in for an exciting surprise. I took the usual getting ready pictures and then got to watch them practice their dance. I also had no idea what a sangeet was nor did I know there was going to be lots of dancing throughout the day so I was very intrigued.

At the start of the baraat, the groom mounts the horse and then the make their way towards the ceremony lead by someone playing on a double-headed dohl drum set while his friends and family dance around him. At some point, the groom gets off the horse and joins in on the dancing. The baraat is one of my favorite parts of an Indian wedding because everyone is just dancing their way to the ceremony, having a blast and basking in happiness. There are no rituals to be followed, no choreography to be memorized. Everyone is just straight vibin'. This particular baraat ended in a choreographed dance with the groom and groomsmen and it was so fun to watch and I finally understood what they had been practicing while they were getting ready!

Each Indian wedding ceremony is different they can be very difficult to understand what's going to happen next but over the last year or so, I've slowly picked up on many of their traditions and can understand the general flow of the ceremony. Although I couldn't really understand anything, the ceremony was so beautiful and it was such a nice day for an outdoor wedding! Garre Winery was the perfect venue for Reema and Tejas' wedding.

The fun isn't over just yet! After the wedding ceremony and cocktail hour, there was the sangeet. The bride and groom's friends and family danced and sang for them and it was so much fun! There was also a reception the following evening with more dancing. SO MUCH DANCING, I LOVE IT!

I can't wait to continue shooting Indian weddings and learning more about their traditions and culture :)