Sonia and Vivek's Wedding

Sonia and Vivek

Sonia and Vivek are modern and sophisticated professionals.
But they are also proud of their heritage as they proved in their magnificent Punjabi Hindu Wedding Ceremony in Charlotte Sunday.
I hadn't had the opportunity to photograph an Indian wedding, but I knew my 20-plus years as a photojournalist had prepared me for just about anything.
Company photographer Laura Mueller is also a seasoned journalist who has traveled the world and I felt secure having her on the job.
There were many facets to the day and I was struck by the joy and enthusiasm displayed by both families throughout. It was a true melding of families.
Photographing for more than 12 hours and having Laura on duty for six hours, along with an incredibly colorful, visual event, generated the most images I've ever produced at a wedding.
Virtually the same team of vendors, planner Samantha Slapnik of Emma Grace Designs, Eric Weiner from The Westin, videographer Prashant Shah of Prashant Video, Katen from Elegant Designz and floral designer Carolyn Shepard did a great job throughout the weekend. Sonia brought Bollywood makeup artist Kapil Bhalla from India for the weekend and his work spoke for itself.
The Westin is a classy, modern structure with large windows and views of the skyline. Truly a great wedding venue.
The day started on the messy side with Haldi ceremonies for both the bride and the groom. Vivek was at the Holiday Inn Center City while Sonia stayed at The Westin, site of the wedding and reception.
The Haldi involves people rubbing Haldi paste on the bride and groom and it had some fun moments.
Vivek, the groomsmen and members of his family then held the Baraat procession where Vivek rode to the Westin on a horse.
After a few more traditional ceremonies, the wedding took place in one of the ballrooms at The Westin.
Elegant Designz transformed the room with an elegant Mandap (altar) and other decor.
Everyone took a bit of a break following the ceremony and moved on to a cocktail party prior to the reception.
Elegant Designz quickly removed the Madap and Katen and Carolyn Shepard created an entire different set-up for the reception.
The entire weekend was impressive culminating with the couple's exit in a stretch limo as they headed to an after-party.
I felt fortunate to get a chance to play a part in such a beautiful and unique event.
Congratulations to Sonia and Vivek and their families.

Vivek's Haldi gets a little crazy

Sonia gets a similar treatment

More ceremony

Getting ready for the Baraat

This little guy rode the horse with Vivek

Vivek heads to the ceremony

The Baraat

Sonia does some texting during makeup

Looking awesome (Makeup by Kapil Bhalla)

Gorgeous bride

Sonia's mom with bridesmaids in their magnificent Saris

Sonia's mom with her new son-in-law

Sonia's dad, left, and Vivek's dad celebrate

Vivek's sisters Monica, left, and Deepti lead him to the wedding

Sonia's brother Sharad escorts her to the ceremony

After the ceremony

Cocktails

Wedding Cakes By Jill

Table decor by Carolyn Shepard

Entering the reception

First dance

Funny speeches

Amazing dancers

Sonia's mom enjoys the party

Sonia gets carried away

Sonia and Vivek head out to the after-party

The Sangeet (Sonia and Vivek)

Sonia and Vivek's Sangeet ceremony at The Westin Saturday night was a colorful, festive event filled with music and dancing.
The Sangeet is typically more of a ladies function where all the ladies and unmarried girls from both sides congregate to dance and sing traditional wedding songs.
But the men were involved too with speeches and dancing.
The team of Samantha Slapnik and her assistant Rachel Hamm of Emma Grace Designs did a stellar job of keeping everything on track through the action-packed weekend.
Charlotte's Carolyn Shepard handled the linens, flowers and decor and teamed with Katen from Elegant Designz in Raleigh team to create beautiful settings for the Sangeet, wedding and reception.
I want to thank Prashant Shah of Prashant Video in Raleigh. He was incredibly helpful explaining different aspects of the ceremonies and pointing out key elements.
Sonia brought in makeup artist Kapil Bhalla from India and he did magnificent work. He spends much of his time working with Bollywood actresses and Sonia looked ready to walk onto a movie set.
Next up: the wedding. Check back for more images.

At the Sangeet

Kapil Bhalla helps Sonia get ready

A happy moment before the Sangeet

Beautiful henna decorations

One of many gorgeous outfits

Beautiful

A hookah lounge by Katen of Elegant Designz

Elegant work from Carolyn Shepard

Vivek's friend Sunkul talks about some of their adventures

Sonia's dad did a little singing

The women dance

Vivek's sister Monica

Sonia and Vivek dance with their niece

Celebration