The morning of the wedding day finds me in Lathrop, at Navneet's home, where everyone is fascinated with the bride-to-be:
I am, too, but there's a lot going on in the house:
Not only that Navneet is ready on time, but we have a few minutes to go outside and enjoy the first rays of sunshine:
In the same time, Ella, my second shooter, is in Fremont, with Kanwar:
He's tying his own turban and it looks like he's not doing it for the first time:
After a quick sehra bandi, everyone is on the way to the San Jose gurdwara:
The milni ceremony ends with sweets being offered by the bride's family to the groom and his family:
Now we can all go inside the langar for breakfast. Or can we:
Even though food is free in all the gurdwaras in the world, the groom is special and Navneet's sisters demand payment for his entrance.
It's all fun and games, but if they want to eat, this time they have to pay:
After plenty of gulab jamuns, we have an anand karaj to go to:
Due to the special makeup, royal outfits and rich jewelries, Indian girls look very different on their wedding day. That's why it takes Kanwar a second to recognize his wife-to-be:
The silent ardas is followed by the palla rasam, where the father of the bride is giving her away to her husband:
The ragis play shabad during the four parikramas performed by the couple.
Somebody is practising well in advance for when their big day comes:
After more than 100 Sikh weddings, I still don't know everything. Couldn't find out what this ceremony is about at the very end of Anand Karaj. Orange pallas are placed by the granthi on the newlyweds' shoulders:
With minimal exceptions, the closing speech is well received:
Navneet's mom realizes her daughter is a married woman:
After lunch, we could go for a photo shoot in San Francisco, but Kanwar needs his juttis:
Unless those coins are made of gold, he's going to walk barefoot out of here:
The paper improves his chances exponentially:
Unlike in Canada, in USA, the doli makes more sense, as it takes place right after the wedding, at the temple.
The bride says goodbye to her family and coins are cast over the limo as the couple departs:
Kanwar brings his new wife home:
A new twist in the pani varna ritual, the groom's mother places coins under their feet before they are allowed inside. I don't know the significance, but probably it's about good fortune:
Once inside, the bride's new brother in law jumps on her lap and doesn't leave without a handful of cash. This is probably payback for his brother's juttis.
All his cousins recognize immediately a profitable opportunity and follow suit:
This beautiful day is almost over, so we go to a close by park to catch the last rays of sun:
The next day, outfits are changed for the reception. No more jutti problems for Kanwar:
Paradise Ballroom in Fremont is a great place to party and have a good time:
The cake looks delicious and the newlyweds stop to check it out as soon as they walk in.
It's gotta be good cake, because they start dancing not long after that:
Their cheerful disposition spreads immediately:
And before you know it, we're having a wild bhangra party.
Just realized that 'wild bhangra party' may be a pleonasm, because bhangra parties are wild by default.
All that money goes to a noble cause:
Congratulations one more time, Navneet and Kanwar! Thank you so much for inviting me to California to party with you and your families!
love.more.cosmin
Vendors 'n' Things:
Sikh Wedding Ceremony - San Jose Gurdwara
Reception Venue - Paradise Ballrooms, Fremont, CA
Ladies' Sangeet Venues - Bombay Garden, Newark & Sakoon Restaurant, Fremont
Bridal Makeup and Hair - Glitz and Glamour Studio, Tracy, CA
Mehndi - Meri Sakhi Creations
Decor - R&R Event Rentals
Limo - Elegant Journey Limousine, Santa Clara, CA
Cake - The Cakery, Burlingame, California
Music - DJ Gagan
Video - VDO Production
Second Shooter & Assistant - Ella Anderson
Bay Area Wedding Photographer - San Jose Sikh Marriage Photography
You like? You want? Let's talk about it:
cosmindanilaphoto@gmail.com
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