Puja & Neel | A walk through the wedding day

It’s 7am. We arrive at the Chicago Marriott O’Hare and head to the Starbucks for a desperate coffee fix groom’s room for our first stop in capturing the day’s story as it unfurls. We inevitably walk into this:

Ok, not really… we placed everyone in position, but once they were in the right spot, we get a natural conversation going to get our ‘candid’ moment.

We found this gorgeous light around the mirror that we just had to use. The effect is similar to that of a ring flash and I just love the shape of the catchlights in the eye. The double vanity was perfect for a father and son getting ready moment.

At the bride’s room, we used the same mirror lights here, from a different angle, and used the frosted glass bathroom door as the background. The light peeking through adds a bit of texture and creates some separation between the bride and the background.

I loved the decor of the bridal suite, especially the reflective surface of the table. We tried to maintain symmetry in the scene by moving as much as we could out of the way. In the shot on the left, Puja was positioned so that her head fell perfectly in the reflection of the mirror. The idea of the glow around her head inspired from the depictions of Lord Krishna.

Before the baraat, we typically get in the wedding hall and admire the decor get the decor images (done by Dream Occasions) before anyone else is in.

Then, off to the baraat and wedding ceremonies with music provided by MWFinest DJ Summit.

The vidaai – time to send off the couple to their new home and life together.

Of course, not before the bridesmaids get their share of the spoils for letting go off their sister and friend…

Then the portraits with the couple and the friends and family in their wedding and reception attire.

Sometimes the available light is so good, you don’t need to add any extra.

During cocktail hour, we enter the reception hall to get the detail and decor shots.

Then finally, the entrances, cake cutting, first dances, speeches and performances and eventually ending the night with everyone on the dance floor!

Makeup/Hair: Appease (Carla)
Mehndi: Kamini
Floral & Decor: Dream Occasions
Wedding and reception venue: Chicago Marriott O’Hare
Wedding Music: MWFinest Djs (DJ Summit)
Reception DJ: DJ Raja
MC: Shawn Kay
Cake: Oak Mill Bakery
Horse: Maharaja Farms
Catering: Saffron
Photobooth: BoothStruck
Wedding Photography: Rahul Rana Photography