Akta And Neal’s Resplendent Indian Wedding
A fine celebration of love, the pure desi way
When Akta and Neal decided to get married in their home away from home – Chicago, the heavens above showered their blessings to make it the most heartwarming Indian celebration the windy city ever witnessed. Set at Chicago Marriott Schaumburg, the ceremony, tagged #heNealedforAkta, was so magical that the picture of the couple tying the knot will forever be etched in the fondest memories of all who attended.
Planned to the dot with glorious precision and attention to detail by J2R Events, and captured in HD by the Indian wedding photography team – Shan Photography, the event was the epitome of elegance and quintessential Indianness. While Poonam Creations elevated the already chic venue into the most opulent regal setting, combining hues of white, red, and gold, the Indian wedding photographer left no stone unturned when it came to capturing the intricate little details.
Here’s everything that made the wedding story a grand and memorable event.
Grahshanti And Haldi
Akta and Neal first had their Grahshanti and Haldi ceremonies; Akta at her home and Neal at the YDS Chicago Temple.
Per tradition, the Grahshanti is a ritual conducted in the Hindu culture to seek blessings from the Gods and the nine planets, as indicated by the word “grah”, and invite them to the wedding. It is believed that these celestial bodies influence the lives of the couple, and conducting a pooja ceremony to please them will help mitigate any negative planetary influences, in turn allowing the couple to live a happy life.
The Haldi is a more fun-filled ceremony conducted to cleanse the body and soul of the couple and prepare them for a divine unison. Akta and Neal had a splendid Haldi celebration with friends and family, vibrant and energetic with music, dance, and delicious food.
Mehendi
Customary as it is for the bride and her entourage to decorate their arms and legs with henna a few days before the wedding, Akta had her endearing Mehendi ceremony just in time to begin celebrations too. Designed by the most talented Anisha Talati and Unnati Shah, Akta’s arms became the most gorgeous canvas of ethnic motifs a day before the wedding. The incredible details were, needless to say, captured to perfection by the Indian wedding photography team that’s always on their feet – Shan Photography.
Garba and Raas
The Garba and Raas events were held on the same day at the YDS Chicago Temple in the evening. Being two of the most colourful and high-spirited Indian events, the venue turned into the most vibrant gathering of Gujarati men and women that night, clad in stunning cholis and kurta pajamas. Per tradition, friends and family dance to authentic, upbeat Garba and Dandiya music during these events. For Akta and Neal’s Garba event, the supremely talented team of Orchestra Saregama kept the party going with their unique concoction of music.
The pictures taken by the Indian wedding photographer for the event speak volumes about the sheer fun that went down at the event.
The Grand Ceremony – Akta And Neal’s Moment of Truth
On the day of the wedding, the entire gathering of friends and family members was as excited as the soon-to-be-wed couple. To officially hold hands and welcome each other into their lives, Akta and Neal chose a matching combination of outfits in off-white and maroon. The combination made an unmistakable case for regal charm. While Akta dazzled in an elegant embroidered lehenga choli set, Neal opted for a dapper sherwani set with delicate ethnic motifs.
The day started with the ever-so-energetic baraat. Neal’s entourage, clad in uniform hues of pink, danced their way into the mandap with Neal seated in a vehicle arranged by Maharaja Farm. Setting the tone for the rest of the event, the baraat was the epitome of togetherness and cheer, adding colour and life to the wedding. The Indian wedding photography team used drones, HD lenses, and genius colour-grading techniques to capture the vibrancy of the event.
While the baraat was on its way, the venue at Chicago Marriott Schaumburg, decorated and transformed into something of a palace by Poonam Creations, was ready to welcome them. After the Indian wedding photographer took more stunning green room shots of the bride getting ready with help from makeup artists Hiral Vyas and Anisha Talati, Akta arrived at the mandap too, and all that was left was to declare them man and wife.
The moment of truth couldn’t have arrived sooner. As Pandit Krishnaji recited those sacred lines from the scriptures, the entire gathering fell silent, overwhelmed with emotions. Akta and Neal exchanged their varamalas, took their vows, and circled the divine fire, filled with joy, and the Indian wedding photographer made sure not to miss a single priceless moment.
The ceremony ended with the emotional vidaai, where teary-eyed Akta bid farewell to her family. She rode off with her prince charming, Neal, as the crowd watched the couple embark on their journey together. Shan Photography’s team froze these precious emotional moments in time so vividly that the pictures make the eyes of everyone flipping the pages unknowingly fill with tears.
The Reception
Last on the list of wedding celebrations was the grand reception. For their official first appearance as husband and wife, the couple chose striking navy-coloured outfits. While Akta donned a glamorous glitter skirt and blouse, Neal chose a stunning deep navy-blue tux. The entire gathering gleefully sang and danced to upbeat music. The couple also had special performances prepared, including a romantic first dance. Ending with the grand buffet prepared by India House catering, the night was one to remember. The Indian wedding photography team, hard at work, did not fail to capture the joyful moments in HD.
A Candid Series of Priceless Emotions Captured by Shan Photography
To document an Indian wedding in all its glory and vibrancy takes immense dynamism and attention to detail. Filled with countless defining moments that not only exhibit the richness of Indian culture but also reveal the many emotions that enrich the celebration, an Indian wedding is the epitome of a wholesome union.
It takes an expert Indian wedding photography team – one that has extensive knowledge of the culture, and possesses high-quality candid skills to think on the fly, blend with the background, and capture the moments without disrupting their natural flow. This is where Shan Photography shines!
Some of the unmissable moments captured by the team were:
- First look filled with anticipation
- Energetic baraat celebrations
- The special moments of emotional exchange in the green rooms
- Bride & groom’s happiness throughout the ceremonies
- Farewell hugs and tears during vidaai
Cinematic Wedding Videography
In addition to authentic Indian wedding photography, Shan Kapoor’s team is also skilled in the art of creating wonderfully immersive wedding video stories.
Akta and Neal’s regal Indian wedding was transformed into the most vibrant and emotionally compelling wedding story by Shan Photography’s tactical storytelling skills. By using strategic up-close and wide-angle shots, aerial views, detail shots, background music, and effects, the wedding video became a value-packed keepsake for the couple and their family. A look through the video is guaranteed to help anyone relive the entire celebration once again.
Some of the core highlights of the wedding film created by Shan Photography are:
- Wedding teaser + highlight film
- Fully edited and perfected ceremony and reception videos
- Seamless and emotion-evoking storytelling throughout the film
Why Choose Shan Photography
Shan Photography is an authentic team of Indian wedding photographers in Chicago, specialising in the art of culture-bound wedding storytelling. We provide the most immersive, high-precision documentation of an Indian wedding, letting couples like Akta and Neal get a real and vivid collection of memories from their big day. Led by heart and vision, we strive to capture unique love stories blended with the richness of Indian culture. In turn, we allow Indian couples in the US to get a taste of home when they get married.
Why couples love us:
- Deep and extensive knowledge of wedding rituals
- Experts in vibrant and cinematic storytelling
- Candid + posed perfection in every album
- Seamless coordination with planners and vendors
Final Thoughts – Another Milestone For Our Indian Wedding Photography Team
Thank You, Akta & Neal —Your Wedding Was a delight to document
From the colourful garba and raas events to the sparkling first dance, your love story was an amalgamation of endearing moments. Thank you for choosing Shan Photography to be part of your unforgettable journey.
📩 Book your Indian wedding photography package today with Shan Photography