Hunter Valley Wedding Photographer – Nikita & Ankur’s Indian Wedding

I met Nikita & Ankur at a wedding expo and immediately started to beg for the opportunity to photograph their day – or days. That’s right, I don’t mind begging. It’s been a dream of mine to photograph an Indian Wedding since well before starting my business, and the experience certainly delivered.

First of all, I need to confess that my favourite thing about being a wedding photographer is not taking pictures. My favourite thing, by far, is the people I meet and the families I get to experience, in the most incredible of ways. The prospect of photographing Nikita and Ankur’s day brought not only the gift of interacting with incredible people but also photographing the most amazing colours and moments. Two days in a row.

As if the incredible outfits, decor, sounds, dancing and amazing food weren’t enough, Nikita and Ankur are also the most wonderful couple. They are beautiful, joyful and amazing to photograph.

To describe the event is probably silly (I will make mistakes) but I will try: Day 1 was Nikita and Ankur’s formal engagement, at which family and friends gathered to witness Nikita’s acceptance into Ankur’s family and Ankur’s acceptance into Nikita’s. They exchanged rings and celebrated first with traditional singing (courtesy of Ankur’s Mum) and then with traditional dancing by a series of brilliantly talented family and friends. While everyone was entertained by these dances I swear were professionally choreographed (apparently not), food stations served traditional Indian fare. Every sense was covered.

Day 2 saw a change of decor; Nikita preparing with her family and Ankur with his. A series of traditions that I didn’t understand but cherished watching nonetheless, not the least of which was Ankur’s procession to the ceremony site complete with dancing and drums and all the energy in the world. Ankur was greeted by Nikita’s family and then he took his place to await his Bride who arrived accompanied by her Uncles. I’m not sure why, but this moment made me really choke up – watching her with her Uncles.

The ceremony included many traditions that were explained in detail by the celebrant (and by any guest I asked, possibly the friendliest wedding I’ve ever had the pleasure of being part of). The couple took their first steps as Husband and Wife and they were wed! We negotiated a few photos with Nikita and Ankur before they went for yet another wardrobe change (each one at least as good as the last) before their official party began. If anyone was feeling a bit tired they were quickly woken with the energy of the Bride and Groom’s entry to their reception, complete with drums and fireworks.

I could never express how wonderful this experience was for me, and I could never thank Nikita and Ankur enough for allowing me to be part of it. Every moment had several wonderful moments in between that and the next one. It was as though every second was more full than the last, and I was absolutely filled with gratitude to be there living in it.

To live and love and experience these moments is the gift of my life. To be given the opportunity to get lost in the whirlwind of this excitement is something I will always be grateful for – thank you so much Nikita and Ankur, and all of your friends and family who were so very welcoming of me. If I could do it all again tomorrow I absolutely would!

Shout out to Stephen and Amelie at Hipshot films – I am grateful that we had each other to look at one another occasionally and say ‘can you believe this?!?!’

Much love,

Jen

Hair/Makeup: Emma All Made Up

Music/DJ: Vijay Bhasin Music Sydney

Venue: Moravia Park

Decor: Shagun Events

Saxophone: DJ N Sax

Videographer: Hipshot Films

Custom Lighting: @skyfullofstarz_