I cannot stress enough how important it is for a bride to give herself (and the photographer..hehe) enough time. Sahar is the time QUEEN. I got nearly 2 hours to shoot her getting ready and her portraits as well as a full hour to photograph Sahar and Samad together. Perfection.

The ceremony was held at the Deerwood Country Club. As soon as we walked in and I saw this room- I knew exactly what would come of it.

Elegant and timeless portraits, of course.

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Sahar and Samad opted for the “First Look”, where the bride and groom choose to break tradition see each other before the ceremony. This is great for calming nerves.. ANDDDDD awesome picture taking!!!!!!

The country club had a gorgeous lawn out back-complete with a pond and willow tree (when Sahar told me this I screamed.. for real).

OH, beautiful details

Naturals in front of the camera? Check and mark!

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I love photographing people in love. For a few hours I can forget about the troubles of the world and just let myself be swallowed by happy feelings (you can barf now)

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I’m thinking the right picture would make a gorgeous, HUGE canvas.
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Pure loveliness.

We were greeted by Sahar’s friends and family when we made it back inside.
I pretty much refuse to use my flash unless it is absolutely necessary-I do not like the BAM-FLASH-IN-YOUR-FACE effect-I do like blending in to get a more “natural” feel. Embrace the grain!!!

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Sahar went upstairs to hide before the Baraat (not sure if I am using that in the correct context) and I captured this shot.

The Baraat is procession of family, relatives, and friends of groom that accompany the groom to the wedding ceremony. Traditionally the Groom makes his way to the ceremony on a richly decked horse or in a car and “baraat” follows in different vehicles. The Groom is given warm welcome by the bride’s family with flower garlands and rose petals.

Another instance where I embrace the grain-Before the nikah there was a religious ceremony.

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Finally, Sahar’s mother and father walk her down the aisle.

I wasn’t allowed to shoot during the actual nikah cermony, but this one was taken right before. Nikah is purely Islamic official wedding ceremony. Nikah is attended by close family members, relatives, and friends of groom and bride.

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Samad’s family showered Sahar with jewels.

A quiet moment I caught, while everyone headed for the food!

Ladies first.

Um, can we say-YUM! From the top-starting with the Naan (a flat bread), mixed curried vegetables, chickpeas, chicken tikka, goat korma, chicken biryani and salad. I also had the most DELICIOUS dessert called ras malai. It is a scrumptious dish made of sugary, balls of paneer soaked in clotted cream.

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When you see something like this-you should probably turn around….

Because, in this case, it was cake time!

Somewhere, in someone’s home video- is me. I’m sure they are thrilled.

And that’s all folks!
Off to Bowl America the Bride and Groom went…;)

I absolutely love the Naem family-so hospitable and friendly. Thank you for allowing me into your home to capture Sahar’s getting ready process.

The process actually started 4 days before the wedding when Sahar went to have her Mehndi (or Henna) done.

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Then, the big day..

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I just love the extra dimension that the henna adds to all the pictures

Sahar’s sister, Saman, touches up her make-up

LOVE!!!

Many more of these shots, but Sahar removed her head scarf to finish getting ready and I agreed not to share those.

Elegant-right?

Mom helps pin the scarf

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Sana and Saman finish the job.

Timeless

GAH! So beautiful!!!

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The infamous ring shot

Before we left, Sahar’s mother copied down a prayer to ward of nazar (or the evil eye).

Come back soon for the actual nikah photos!