When Fiona and Sneh got engaged, they knew they wanted to include Indian wedding traditions from Sneh’s family along with Christian traditions from Fiona’s family. They ambitiously decided to pack it all into an epic, joyful series of events over a long weekend. It couldn’t have been more amazing. These film wedding photos show what a wonderful job Fiona and Sneh did of intertwining what mattered most from each of their cultures.
A Multicultural Indian Wedding in Philadelphia
An Indian wedding has more traditions leading up to it than your typical Western wedding. Combining traditions from Fiona and Sneh’s family made for a very busy but beautiful weekend. These are some of the highlights.
Mehndi
As is typical for an Indian wedding, Fiona and Sneh’s multi-day celebration started with a mehndi party. Family and wedding party members joined Fiona and Sneh in their Philadelphia apartment to have a henna artist paint elaborate designs on their hands. I loved documenting this artistic process as well as the relaxed, joyful atmosphere in the apartment.
The henna designs decorating Fiona’s hands and feet were stunning. Sneh got in on the fun, too. One artist painted an ornate heart on his palm with Fiona’s name inside.
Christian Ceremony at Gloria Dei
This multicultural wedding included a marriage ceremony at Gloria Dei. This church building is over 200 years old. Betsy Ross actually got married here. The eighteenth-century architecture and stained glass windows make this church a gem of the Queen’s Village neighborhood.
I love the portraits from this portion of Fiona and Sneh’s celebration. They’re so at ease with each other, and their joy is palpable in their photos. It was a beautiful way to kick off the first full day of events.
Sangeet
After the ceremony at Gloria Dei, everyone got ready for the sangeet. A sangeet is an Indian wedding tradition that takes place before the actual wedding. It’s a celebration of the wedding to come.
At the sangeet, family members and friends perform choreographed dances. Everyone enjoys good food and music. Fiona took to it like a fish to water. She spun gracefully in her blue and silver sari.
Fiona and Sneh’s dog Chewy also made an appearance at the sangeet. They got him the cutest outfit to coordinate with theirs. With how jampacked the weekend was, it was nice to see them take a moment to melt over their pup.
Baraat
Next up was the baraat! A baraat is an Indian wedding parade with lots of music and dancing. Sneh and Fiona kicked it off in Center City with the skyscrapers towering over them. The morning sun shone so brightly on the jewel-bright fabrics of everyone’s outfits. They contrasted beautifully with the neutrals of the city around them.
I documented this entire wedding on a mix of digital and 35mm film photography. I couldn’t choose a favorite set of film images from all the weekend’s events, but I do love the images from the baraat. They’re candid, fun, and energetic.
Hindu Ceremony
Fiona and Sneh held their Hindu wedding ceremony at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. Finding a Philadelphia venue for an Indian wedding can be surprisingly tricky. A Hindu ceremony includes a fire, which many venues don’t allow. Luckily, everything came together in the Loews ballroom.
Like everything else with this multicultural wedding, the Hindu ceremony was so colorful. Rich shades of reds and golds covered everything from Fiona and Sneh’s attire to the mandap. Still, Fiona and Sneh’s smiles shine brighter than all the decor.
During this part of Fiona and Sneh’s Indian wedding, you got a real sense of the strong community they’ve built. They welcomed small children into their space and didn’t mind when they got antsy during the long Hindu ceremony. It created a cozy counterpoint to the ritual unfolding.
Philadelphia City Hall Wedding Photos
What’s a wedding in Center City without portraits in front of City Hall? After the Hindu ceremony, I popped over to City Hall with Fiona and Sneh. They twirled, laughed, and kissed on the neutral ground. Their Indian wedding clothes pop against the historic architecture of Center City. I could see these portraits hanging on their wall or being passed around at family gatherings many years from now.
Bartram’s Garden Reception
Fiona and Sneh held their Western reception at Bartram’s Garden. Bartram’s Garden is one of my favorite gardens in Philadelphia. (And I have lots of opinions about gardens. Degree in environmental science and a past in landscaping over here.) It’s lush, well-established, and intentional without losing that whimsical wildflower feeling.
We took advantage of the opportunity for another portrait session with Chewy before wandering the gardens. Fiona and Sneh looked like an editorial from a wedding magazine, but that didn’t stop them from having a few laughs. While we explored the grounds, we took a break for Fiona to push Sneh on the swing.
Film Wedding Photography for Fiona and Sneh
I absolutely loved photographing Fiona and Sneh’s wedding on film. Each of the weekend’s events held charm and significance that’s rooted in generations of tradition. I can imagine their portraits displayed alongside those of their family members from generations before. Film connects the present to the past and future in a tangible way.
An Indian wedding also just looks so good on film! The colors are so vibrant and lively. Film lets those colors shine without altering them. It does justice to all the artistry in the clothing, jewelry, henna, and decor involved. That craftsmanship deserves to be preserved as it truly is.
Digital photography will always have a place in my work for lots of reasons. It’s the film that feels like home, though. The beauty of these film photos is that they feel so true to Fiona and Sneh’s personalities. You get a strong sense of who they are as individuals and a couple. That’s pretty magical.
Would you like me to photograph your wedding? I’m a Philadelphia wedding photographer specializing in film. I’d love to document your celebration with photos with forever in mind. Inquire with me here!
Vendors
Photographer: Theo Nash Photography
Planner/Coordinator: Elegant Events
Catering: Rasoi Catering for Sangeet; Jamie Hollander for Reception
DJ/Band: DJ Sunny for Sangeet; Philly’s Finest for Reception
Florist: Poppy Flowers
Rentals: Philly Wedding Lighting and Backdrops and Beyond
Hair/Makeup: Bella Angel Beauty
Bridal Henna Artists: Henna By Nayalesh
Fiona’s Wedding Attire: Scout Bridal (white dress)
