Gujrati Wedding in Mombasa, Kenya

Gujrati Wedding in Mombasa, Kenya

Gujrati Wedding in Mombasa, Kenya

 

From Friendzone to the Endzone: Naiya and Darshan’s Desi Beach Wedding in Kenya

What would you say if your brother prophesizes your wedding with the girl you had just met? This is the magical story of the lovely couple Darshan and Naiya, both NRIs residing in Uganda & Kenya respectively, who met at their friend’s wedding in 2014 and parted ways. A chance meeting brought them together again, where they became friends and stayed friends for a long time (much to Darshan’s dismay), before finally transforming into a couple (much to Darshan & Naiya’s joy), who decided to spend eternity together. We were so happy to be a part of their beautiful beach wedding when called by the duo, who wanted the Best Wedding photographers in India to capture their wedding held at  Nyali Resorts, Mombasa, Kenya.

Naiya, a hotelier from Nairobi and Darshan, an industrialist from Uganda, are both Gujratis settled in the Pardes, with shudh desi hearts, something that shone through all the ceremonies they held, be it the Sangeet, the Mehendi, or the Holi Pool Party – which made for great fun and some amazing photos!

The wedding festivities kicked off with an African themed-party. Balancing their African roots with their Indian heritage, the event had enthralling performances showcased by the African dancers. It was a true delight to capture the two love birds, who were decked up in traditional jazzy African attires, having an absolute blast with friends and family, as they shimmied the night away.

If Day One was a rocker, Day Two was nothing less of Rockfest! What started as a Haldi-applying ceremony, soon saw many more colors thrown in. We reached the pool to find the air lit up with an array of colors, as people drenched each other in water and played Holi to their heart’s content. True to their party animal spirits, the merriment continued throughout the day, into the evening, with the Sangeet ceremony, followed by yet another round of, you guessed it, a DJ party!

D-day arrived and saw the handsome couple turn up in color coordinating outfits as they walked down the wedding Mandap. The Palatial look of the Venue, with the attires worn by the guests, gave us major #Royaltyfeels. With the Var Malas exchanged and Vows said, Naiya officially became Darshan’s wife! The Vidai, as she rightly puts it, should be seen as an happy affair, for although you are moving away from your family, you are also moving towards the life of your dreams, with the person you love. The photos we captured are the testimony of that love. Naiya was extremely overjoyed when she saw these photos & the film and stated “KnotsbyAMP – Best Choice Ever”. We wish you two nothing but a lifetime of happiness and abundance. Look on! 

Before you  head down to see the photos, have a look at the short film we made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gujrati Wedding at Sun-n-Sand Hotel, Juhu

Gujrati Wedding at Sun-n-Sand Hotel, Juhu

Gujrati Wedding at Sun-n-Sand Hotel, Juhu

A wedding is a day when old stories are relived and very new ones are made, which becomes a milestone for the couple in their lives & personal history for them, the legacy of which remains for generations to come. That’s exactly how it happened for Jimit & Vidhi, who had a beautiful gujju wedding culminating their love story into forever vows by the beach.

Yes, who said you cannot have a beach wedding in Mumbai! Check-out this beautiful photo-set of Jimit & Vidhi’s beach wedding at Sun-n-Sand Hotel, Juhu.

Important Wedding Makers :
1. Wedding Planner : WeddingsbyJanvidave
2. Bride’s Outfit : Anita Dongre

Gujrati Wedding in Taj Mahal Palace

Gujrati Wedding in Taj Mahal Palace

Gujrati Wedding in Taj Mahal Palace

If you have been following our instagram you would have definitely come across the hashtag : #Salgotpunked. Saloni & Pankil’s story is the classic case of “opposites attract each other”.

For their wedding celebrations in Mumbai they chose to host different functions in different venues across South-Mumbai spread over multiple days. But the highlight was the Sangeet and Wedding functions in Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai and Palace halls at NSCI. What resulted was a celebration which people will remember for many years to come. The festivities were conducted as per Gujrati rituals. It started with card-writing ceremony and picked steam from their cocktail function. 

Before you dive into the photos here is their wedding film – 

The festivities and celebrations as #salgotpunked –

  • CocktailAqaba in Parel : Set in this modern pub against the backdrop of Mumbai’s glittering skyline visible through glass wall on the west it was a perfect location for friends to revel in the celebration of the night with a free flowing bar counter. Beer ping-pong, DJ and subtle decoration of orchids made the setting even more joyful. But the highlight of the day was Pankil’s heartfelt speech for Saloni. While Saloni looked stunning in a purple  gown, Pankil looked dapper in his tux and a bow-tie. This was an event exclusively for Saloni and Pankil’s friends. 
  • SangeetThe Taj Mahal Palace: Well choreographed performances by the family, a magnificent entry under the spot-light  in a tall and packed ballroom of the Taj-Palace hotel lined with grand & shimmering chandeliers it was a sight to behold. The decoration of the lamps at the entrance and the backdrop of the stage was stunning. Saloni’s lavender lehanga for the day won many hearts while Pankil wore a navy blue Jodhpuri on white Kurta and Pyjama. 
  • Haldi – Birla Kreeda Kendra, Girgaon : Saloni went unconventional in her choice of her Haldi outfit. She wore a mustard Punjabi Ghagra and totally rocked the look. Pankil, on the other hand wore the classic kurta & Pyjama. 
  • Wedding & ReceptionNSCI, Mumbai : NSCI Palace Halls hosted their beautiful wedding. As expected Saloni stole the show with her red bridal lehanga and Pankil looked cute in a cream sherwani. Wedding was solemnised through Gujrati traditions in a open mandap which was followed by a reception.

The excitement of the Parekh & Botadra families was over the moon, as they left no stones unturned to make the wedding grand and memorable. We let the photographs to do all the talking now and share Pankil & Saloni’s happiness from their best day!

 

Gujrati Wedding in Mumbai

Gujrati Wedding in Mumbai

Gujrati Wedding in Mumbai

Kaushik and Priyanka fondly known as PeeKay, evident from their wedding hashtag, are two fun loving people who live life to the fullest. 8 years ago when they first met in college, no one knew they would be married one day. Their friendship stood the test of times of long-distances and they eventually realised was love. Partners in crime, their love flourished on lots of food and fun. When it finally came to getting down on his knees to propose, Kaushik actually forgot his lines but fortunately she said Yes, albeit reluctantly. Their wedding was a 4 day grand extravaganza spread across some of the finest locations in Mumbai – Tote at Mumbai Racecourse, Blue Sea at Worli, Escobar in Bandra, The Club in Andheri, Mayfair in Worli and Thacker’s on Marine Drive. And a total celebration of a crazy & beautiful love story!

 

 

 

Gujrati Wedding in Taj President Mumbai

Gujrati Wedding in Taj President Mumbai

Gujrati Wedding in Taj President Mumbai

“KnotsbyAMP are a team of excellent photographers especially with candid shots. They are very professional, accommodating and creative. They cater to your requirements with an eye to capture the best moments. Would highly recommend!”

For a couple, who value detailed little things and the intricacies that go behind it, choosing a photographer to capture their wedding had to be thoughtfully done. The groom, a hobbyist photographer himself understands the nuances of photography. Initially, they were planning to hire a photographer from NY itself. But when they saw our work on Facebook, they were particularly impressed by the candid timing of the pictures, the details we captured at the weddings, and our creative lighting setups. So after a series of calls, e-mails and meetings, we were booked and all eyes were set on 28th May, 2015; when the handsome groom and the exuberant bride were tying the knot. Our experience of covering this wedding was totally remarkable as there was so much love and energy spread throughout the 2 and 1/2 days. 

The marriage function kick-started with groom’s haldi on one side and Natasha’s mehendi on the other. Groom’s haldi was a fun-filled event, where the groom-to-be was pampered with yellow hues all over his face by his family members and relatives. On the other hand, Natasha’s Mehendi ceremony was spectacularly beautiful. She adorned herself in a baby pink lehanga with a stellar white earring set, jhoomka on her forehead and a long neck-piece set. It is interesting to mention here that Natasha’s entire ensemble for her wedding was designed with a lot of love by her own mother. 

Post the haldi and mehendi functions, we headed to cover the most happening cocktail party at the NSCI club (National Sports Club of India). The sangeet and the cocktail functions were clubbed together, and the fun we saw is too hard to describe here. The couple   conceptualized a Bollywood theme which was executed flawlessly with the help of their friends; the highlight being cameos by Govinda and Amitabh Bachchan look-a-likes. The function saw the presence of a star-studded guest list and the happening crowd of South Bombay. So, there were lights, props, photo-booths, a magnificent stage, a bunch of crazy friends and last but not the least, alcohol. The night saw some sexy and killer moves and grooves of the friends, and the stars of the night who were dressed in Indo-western fusion attire. New friendships were made, old ones were relived, crazy antics were done and new stories came to life on this memorable night. Cocktail-parties surely loosens  up everyone as they plunge into dancing, singing and sharing the joys of their hearts with their near and dear ones.

After back-to-back eventful functions, all of us were eager to capture the D-day. The wedding was to be solemnized as per Arya Samaj rituals at Taj Vivanta (The President Hotel), Cuffe Parade, Mumbai. Natasha looked stunning in her beige and golden lehenga. Credits again to her mom. For jewellery, she chose a heavy Kundan work neck-piece set, coupling them with matching sets in her ears and forehead. Her make-up was flawless and aesthetically done to suit it with her bridal wear and accessories. Her striking look totally set her apart, so much that we received a lot of queries from our friends and clients, asking details about her ensemble, make-up and jewellery, when we posted the wedding pictures on Facebook. The groom chose a white sherwani topping it with a golden pagdi and a shining green neck-piece set and looked dapper in every way. Natasha wearing kaleera in her hands, was escorted to the mandap by her father and loved ones under the cover of a red chunri. As he was waiting eagerly for his bride and when their eyes met, he was totally in awe and bowled over. 

As he also mentioned in the wedding film –

“When we were sitting in the mandap getting married, exchanging vows in front of our parents, our friends; it was a bit scary and made me realize — this is legit, this is real; this is two people coming together and committing to spend the rest of their lives together through thick and through thin; and it was a very serious and deep moment, but a meaningful one”

After the traditional rituals took place, there were a flurry of friends and relatives who were eagerly waiting to wish the couple, followed by a cake cutting. And that is how, they got one step closer and each picture brings out the essence of this fun-filled ceremonies and the charming chemistry of the couple 🙂

Also checkout the beautiful short film we made on their wedding. It beautifully captures their journey and the essence of their story and wedding. 

P.S. The groom’s name is not mentioned at his request. 

 

 

Raghav & Shreya : Gujrati Marwari wedding at The Retreat, Madh Island

Raghav & Shreya : Gujrati Marwari wedding at The Retreat, Madh Island

Raghav & Shreya : Gujrati Marwari wedding at The Retreat, Madh Island

It was last year, Anupam met Raghav and Shreya at StarBucks, BKC for the first time to discuss about their wedding photography. It became very clear to him that they were putting a lot of efforts and carefully planning their wedding and they wouldn’t settle for anything less than perfect. Both of them had very strong tastes and preferences and they were specifically impressed with our recent work.  For a couple whose romance started in their college and they have been together ever since, they were at very much ease with each other and it was all evident. They wanted to have all their wedding functions at one location, have a grand celebration at a destination which was close to Mumbai and yet beautiful enough for their big fat wedding.

 

The Retreat Hotel and Convention Centre at Madh Island in Mumbai was the perfect place. With a beautiful property located on the beach, a big pool, lovely gardens with dense palm trees, a big Convention Centre, and the luxury to have baraat inside the hotel gates made it the most coveted location. As of now, most 5 star hotels and clubs often don’t allow Baraat to take place in their compound. It was the dream venue to get married and also for us to shoot at the same time. We had done a pre-visit to the destination before their actual wedding in February 2016  so that our excution becomes easier.

The wedding celebrations spread across 2 full days. The first day was marked with Myra and Mehandi and the second day started with Haldi function of the bride and groom and then a great pool party in the afternoon. We had a great time in covering some great shots of the splash, plunge and the unlimited fun at the pool. After the pool party the groom and bride got ready and Baraat started at 5 PM. While Shreya was getting ready she could feel the excitement of the Baraat with every phone call and friends walking in through the door bringing the progress of the Baraat. They exchanged Jai maal on the stage amidst pyro fireworks and then moved to a smaller lawn with an open sky mandap for the wedding ceremonies.The Baraat and jaimaal took place in early evening, which gave us the perfect natural sunlight to capture photos with great color and light.

However during the wedding rituals the lighting was very dim. For such situations we carried  Halogen Porta lights and also multiple flashes. As there was no power supply with sockets in the open lawn, we quickly set up off camera flashes on Bluetooth triggers. We are always prepared for any kind of lighting and having a team helps to deal with such situations. Here are the captures from those eventful days.

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