This day was perfect and due to the volume of talent, photographs, and vendors, and endless amounts of fun - we have broken this blog post up into two segments. We're also doing a double post on our blog to keep all of you inside and happy during these trying times! We hope you are social distancing and enjoying the community that a wedding creates, even if you can only enjoy it from your couch right now. :)
Anu and Andy had a wedding so big and beautiful that it had two ceremonies: a Hindu ceremony in the morning, a break for lunch, a complete outfit change, portraits around the city, followed by an intimate American ceremony where they exchanged vows right before their reception party kick off! Typically an Indian wedding lasts several days, but these two did it all in one! They had their Sangeet (pre-party) and Mendhi (henna painting of feet and hands) leading up to the wedding day.
It is custom tradition in a Hindu wedding for both the Groom and Bride to have separate processions. The Baraat is when a groom travels to the wedding ceremony typically by horse, but in the city of Chicago, that isn't an option. Andy loves the finer things in life, so he rented a Lamborghini and drove into his procession in style. Accompanied by family and friends, the guests dance their way to the doors of the venue.
The ceremony begins without the bride, while Anu was in the bridal room upstairs doing her bride's ceremony. The bride is ushered down the aisle by her family to the Mandap and the bridesmaids follow. The Mandap is where the ceremony takes place. It holds the traditions, customs, and colors, and everything needed for the full ceremony. Roses and carnations, marigolds and orchids are often used to create the garlands. The flowers represent happiness and beauty. The two exchange garlands, representing vows. They are blessed with fertility by both their family and friends, they shower them with rice and well wishes. The tying of the Mangalsutra symbolizes lifelong protection, you'll notice in the second segment that the bride and groom are still wearing their gold string. It is custom to wear it until they fall off.
They then take the Seven Steps, each is a prayer for the couple: food and nourishment, strength, prosperity, family, progeny, health, and lifelong friendship. The ceremony was spoken in Sanskrit with an interpreter. Even without knowing the language, it was one of the most thoughtful, beautiful, and meaningful ceremonies - and the day was just beginning!
Vendors:
C&A Photographers: Jade Hull (lead) + Gina Garbero (assistant)
C&A DJs: Michael Rodriquez (ceremony) + Justin Ferranti (reception)
Venue: Artifact Events
Wedding Planners: The Simply Elegant Group – Ashley Carpenter + Emily Davis
Florist: Trablume Floral Studio – Melissa Owen
Design/Lighting: Art of Imagination
Mandap Furniture: Bandhan Rentals
Linens: F&S Linens
Baraat Lamborghini : DS Luxury Chicago
Bridal Braid: Circle Salon – Crystal
Hair + Makeup: Kate Johnson Artistry (Bride) + Be Glammed (Bridesmaids)
Bridal Jewelry: Glimour
Bride + Bridesmaid Saree: Nalli
Henna: Henna Moments
Henna Makeup/Hair: Arch Apothecary
Henna Outfit: Viva Luxe
Caterer: Mantra
Videographer: Our Wedding Movie
Jennifer and Kristin are just the most adorable, fun loving, joy-to-be-around couple. They had a quiet morning getting ready together with a quick visit from their moms. The only thing better than one bride is two brides! They adventured around the city with matching bouquets and sandals, but they each wore their own gorgeous wedding dress that encapsulated who they are as individuals.
They had their wedding at Greenhouse Loft on September 7, 2018. The beautiful floral arrangements and decor throughout the entire space served for both their ceremony and reception. They choreographed their first dance, had a doughnut wall for their guests, and shared a macaroon on the dance floor.
These two were just so in love and their main goal was to have fun on their wedding day. We don't have to tell our readers that Jennifer and Kristin are best friends and a perfect match for one another, it is so apparent through these photographs.
C&A Photographers: Hadassah Brand + Kristin Parra
Venue: Greenhouse Loft
Vanessa and Bastian became husband and wife on October 28, 2019. Their story began with grabbing tacos and beer at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. They both love the beach, so after dinner they spent hours talking on lifeguard tower in Capitola. Their first kiss happened on their second date, after chowing down on some pizza. Basti dragged Vanessa back to Capitola and proposed on the beach near the spot they shared their first date - how romantic!
They had an intimate ceremony with 50 guests and took portraits in the breathtaking San Francisco City Hall. It's not your typical city hall, no waiting line or stiff office rooms, this building is gorgeous! It was built in 1913 with steel, granite, and four floors of white marble interior, in addition to the gilt exterior detailing, a sweeping grand staircase, and the massive dome - which is 307-feet tall and 42-feet taller than the dome of our nation's capital.
In the heart of the building they shared their vows beneath that dome. After taking more portraits near the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, the newlyweds boarded their cruise ship for their reception. Yup - that's right, they had their reception on a BOAT! As the sun was setting and the party was kicking off, the boat toured around the Bay Bridge, the skyline, and off into the sea toward the Golden Gate Bridge.
The two have traveled the world together, so it makes sense that they would have an adventurous wedding day! Vanessa and Bastian said "Our wedding day is about friends and family, celebrating our love." My oh my, did they do it well!
C&A Photographer: Shelley Anderson
Ceremony Venue: San Francisco City Hall
Reception Venue: Hornblower Cruises - San Francisco
You only wear your wedding dress once, usually. Most brides are torn between keeping their wedding dress clean throughout the day and being adventurous and daring with their white gowns for photos. What if you didn't have to choose?
Holly and Gordon had a beautiful wedding at The River Roast. It was a full day with love and laughs and polished photos. They ventured around the city for photos before spending the rest of the night on the river surrounded by twinkly lights. Her dress was preserved and looked perfect all night on the dance floor. Holly knew she would want to wear that dress again - and who could blame her! So we planned a morning-after session. We'll call it a 'dirty-the-dress' photoshoot, not trash-the-dress, because who could ever damage a gown as beautiful as this one?
Gordon and Holly got up early the morning after their wedding, changed back into their wedding attire with beautiful, messy, second-day hair and headed to the beach. It was 6:00am and the sun was rising with precipitation. I'm sure they were exhausted (and maybe even a little hungover), but you would have never known. They looked so alive and in love!
First they ran around the beach with umbrellas, embracing the wind whipping their hair, then threw the umbrellas aside because they were already married. They stood in puddles, climbed hills, and walked through meadows. Holly didn't care what happened to this dress - she just wanted to have fun with her husband.
We LOVE this idea and we hope this inspires you to plan an additional photo session where your dress can have its own story too.
C&A Photographer: Hanna Walkowaik
