Manisha & Raman’s wedding celebrations happened all over Alberta! Celebrations happened in Calgary and Edmonton throughout the week. Manisha looked amazing at every event, and Raman had plenty of opportunity to showcase his dance skills. Thanks to Bruce and Carmen for making the road trip for this wedding to shoot with Michael!
Decor: Urban Affairs
Makeup (reception): Sonia Sajnani
Videographer: Vigor Media
What can I say about Rupa & Shawn… Well, let me put it to you this way: it was the first wedding that I came out of with a nickname. It’s too embarrassing to explain. I wrote on Rupa’s Facebook (and I meant it) that I’ve never said after a multi-day wedding that I wished I could have stayed for more of the reception, but I wished I could have stayed at theirs. I had so much fun over two days with Rupa, Shawn, their bridal party, and families, as well as the entire entourage of photographers and videographers (thanks Carla & Chrystal!) working hard at the wedding.
Rupa’s laugh is infectious. And hearing speeches at the reception it was easy to understand that Shawn and Rupa are a team, getting married in their own time and on their own terms after many years of hard work. They love each other to pieces. They are an incredible couple, and have wonderful parents to model their marriage after.
Please enjoy these images from Rupa & Shawn’s amazing wedding.
Florist: Grower’s Direct
Cake: Cakes By Candace
Makeup: Anita Gill & Sunita Sumaru, Susan Gill also did makeup for the bridesmaids
Hair: Kyro Hair Studio
Decor: Ashna Decor & Special Event Rentals
Day of Coordinator: Brenda from Making Memories Weddings
Videographer: A Love Story
Shawn arrived to the wedding ceremony in style – yes, that’s a Maserati!
This gorgeous mandap was brought back by Rupa’s family from India.
Rupa & Shawn had their reception the following day.
I love this image Carla captured of the tie in motion.
Rupa gets all of the credit for these shoes. She glued every last rhinestone onto the shoes herself.
Rupa performed a surprise dance for her new husband!
And the groomsmen had a surprise in store as well – actually they were amazing singers!
Omar & Anum were married in Pakistan, but they had a wedding reception in Edmonton to celebrate with their friends and family. And neighbours! We happen to live next door to Omar’s parents, and have been happy to work with their family in the past for Meshal & Sara’s wedding.
I adored Anum from the first time I met her. Her enthusiasm for photography and style is contagious, and while specific in the type of photos she wanted from her wedding, she was very receptive to our ideas and was an amazing model for us. We also share a passion for TV shows but that’s a whole other story… She and Omar make a wonderful couple.
Anum & Omar were introduced through cousins/friends. Anum studied law in Pakistan, and Omar studied engineering here in Edmonton. Their guests came from India, USA, Holland, and Pakistan – a very international crowd!
We’ve known Meshal for a few years now, he lives just down the street, and his aunt and uncle are our neighbours. Needless to say he was well aware that we are wedding photographers when he got engaged to Sara! We helped them celebrate a small ceremony and reception at the Mirage Banquet Hall in Edmonton.
Meshal’s parents are in India, so the whole event was shared over the web so that they could be a part of it.
Michael traveled to Vancouver and back for Varinder & Andeep’s wedding and reception. A few ceremonies led up to the big day. Special thanks to Gurm Sohal from Vancouver for second shooting for Michael during the events there!
Jetlag got the best of this young man – he had traveled all the way from England for the wedding.
Andeep’s engagement ring is uniquely beautiful.
Varinder’s nickname is Honey. Andeep wore in on her wedding chura.
Andeep was stunning on her big day.
Gurm spent the morning with Varinder.
Varinder enjoyed the games at the door where his family helped welcome Andeep.
The reception at Mirage Banquet Hall in Edmonton was pulled together by a fantastic team! Planner: Weddings By Priya. Decor: Urban Affairs (formerly Special Occasions). Cake: Whimsical Cake Studio. Dance Performance: 3rd Street Beat.
This is one of the most stunning head tables we have seen! Wanda and her crew really blew us away.
Some of Andeep’s friends from Vancouver surprised her by coming to the reception in Edmonton.
Congratulations Varinder and Andeep!!
Ready?
I don’t use the word ‘epic’ very often, but this wedding certainly was. What I loved so much about Poonam & Deepak’s wedding is that although it was packed with guests, had many many days of events, and a team of vendors involved along the way, the wedding actually felt very intimate. It was all about Poonam & Deepak and their families, and ensuring all of the guests had a fantastic, glamorous time.
We’ll start with the week of pre-wedding events. Poonam’s family hosted a sangeet/mixer party at the Maharaja Banquet Hall.
Guests were wowed by the dance moves of Harman B!
Deepak’s side also had a small mixer party at their gorgeous house.
Poonam had several ceremonies prior to the wedding, including maiyan (turmeric paste), mehndi, and chura (wedding bangles).
During the chura ceremony, the priest explained that this was the last ceremony that Poonam would have with her family, and that from that moment on she would begin to be a part of Deepak’s family. It was really emotional, and very obvious how much Poonam loves her family.
I love this sweetness between Poonam and her Dad.
From all of the Vatna ceremonies we’ve seen, we know that it’s tradition for the groom’s family and friends to take advantage of the groom a bit – take Deepak’s brother-in-law, who spread a bunch of the cold paste down under his shirt, and the groomsmen…well…you can see what they got up to.
Edmonton makeup artist Sonia Sajnani helped Poonam look flawless on her wedding day.
Is Michael considering a career change? We have a lot of experience with Indian weddings and he’s becoming an expert on attaching the sehra. According to one of the guests at the wedding, since Michael attached the sehra he is now Deepak’s brother…
I think he did a pretty good job!
The Hindu ceremony was full of laughs, these two are super cute together.
So here’s a tip for all of our couples. Ummm…remember to get your marriage licence before the wedding. But if you forget, you can always go get one on the day. Just remember to bring along your photographer, and a good friend who can pay for it if you forget to bring your wallet.
And back to the Mandir where Deepak pays to get his shoes back.
Some alone time.
In the last few ceremonies of the wedding day, Poonam leaves her family home and joins Deepak’s family. Not too sure what’s going on here…that’s Poonam’s brother so I think Deepak might want to get his eyesight checked.
After this game at Deepak’s house, I think Poonam wears the pants now.
I’m so excited about this set of portraits, the light was beautiful, Deepak & Poonam were so relaxed and happy. A perfect way to start the reception.
The reception at the Mirage was stunning, and their lighting on the dance floor made all the difference.
This is just a sneak peek at the reception – you can find more crazy party pictures on the Shandro Photo Facebook Page!
Deepak & Poonam – thank you for bringing us along for your romance, from the proposal to the wedding day. We’d enjoyed having you get to know our family, and being so terrific to work with.