Indian Wedding in Northern Virginia

I first met Rishi and Sapna nearly a year and a half ago in 2019 at a wedding expo in Northern Virginia. A few months later, we had their fall engagement session. Everything was leading up to their April 2020 wedding. It was going to be big, bright, lush Indian wedding full of people. But, as is the story this year, they were forced to adapt due to COVID.

Although they ended up postponing their large event to 2021, Rishi and Sapna still wanted to be married this year. They opted to have a simple gathering with their immediate family and hold a wedding ceremony at Sapna’s childhood home. Even thought this wasn’t the original plan, it was still an extremely beautiful and significant day in their lives that I was blessed to be able to document.

I started that morning at Sapna’s home as she was finishing her makeup. It was beautiful to see the love between Sapna, her sister and mother as they helped her into her dress. Because this is the home she grew up in, I felt like each image held even more story than normal.

Rishi arrived with him family and we immediately went into their first look together. Seeing each other for the first time on your wedding day is always emotional, but since COVID forced them to wait and change plans, you could see their excitement and joy pouring out.

After a few family photos we transitioned into the basement for the formal ceremony. Distant family and friends watched remotely as the priest guided them through their wedding experience, all while I stood back and documented the moments as they unfolded. I loved getting close to make it feel like you were right there with them. A highlight during the ceremony for me was when they played the ring game, where each of them is trying to pull a ring out of a bowl of water before the other. It led to some pretty great expressions and fun photos between them!

Following the ceremony, Rishi and Sapna invited me to stay to enjoy an authentic Indian meal with them, served on a real banana leaf. It was some of the best food I’ve had, and by far the best Indian meal I’ve had!

Thank you Rishi, Sapna, and your whole family for inviting me in to document this incredible day. I can’t wait for the big party next year! If you enjoyed this, check out more wedding stories on the blog!