AK Sandhu Wedding Photographer Blog

Chapter 1 | The Couple To Be

aksandhu — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:32:43 +0000

Once upon a time, in the city of Udaipur, a wedding was set to take place. While it was the groom who chose to run far, far away from their hometown in Bombay, it was the bride who was enchanted by the majestic history, palaces and lakes of Udaipur. They made a plan to whisk away all their family & friends to join them for 2 days…

And then, on the eve of the celebrations, the mothers-in-law-to-be squealed, for the bride and groom were nowhere to be seen. They later heaved a sigh of relief, when their soldiers discovered the couple had just run away to the palace on the shores of Lake Pichola, to enjoy the final moments of their singledom in peace.

Chapter 2 | The Family Celebrates

aksandhu — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:31:35 +0000

‘Twas then the night before the wedding celebrations commenced. The bride and groom decided, before getting their beauty rest, a party was in order to celebrate another event – the wedding anniversary of their parents dearest!

And so to Chunda Palace the family went, to raise a toast and cut a cake, and enjoy the beautiful views of Udaipur and its lakes.

Chapter 3 | The Guests Get There

aksandhu — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:29:23 +0000

On a crisp October morning, the guests to the Sheraton Palace began to arrive. They were greeted by a Rajasthani dancer, accompanied by her very own Ektaara. And so to the tunes of this music, many of the guests began to sway, with some even deciding to start dancing right away!

But little did they know, what the bride’s sister had in store…. For as soon as they picked up their goodies and grabbed a bite to eat, she whisked them away, for a rehearsal was underway and made them dance galore!

This photo was take by the Groom’s sister, Seema Mirpuri on her favorite Nikon

Chapter 4 | The Magical Mehndi

aksandhu — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:26:49 +0000

And on the white palace terraces, as the sun began to set, the mehndiwalas from Ahmedabad began to cast their spell. To the song of Rajasthani folk singers, they decorated the bride, with garlands and dolis and elephants, and set the groom a test – to find his name (written in Japanese, would you believe) on the hand of his betrothed.

And soon the guests were also caught up in the mood. They sang a song, and danced along and had some vodka golguppas too.

Chapter 5 | The Swinging Sangeet

aksandhu — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:25:53 +0000

Then when night fell, to the Ballroom they went, for a show was set to take place. The groom’s gang swung to ‘Dhinka Chika’ and the bride’s brigade sashayed to ‘Ainvayi’ as they entered in a procession. The dances took place, with ‘Chamak Challo’ setting the pace, till the bride and groom finally took centrestage….

Then everyone joined in, the music kicked in, and there was many a dance move on display…

Chapter 6 | The Beach Style Brunch

aksandhu — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:24:23 +0000

The next day the wedding party rose late, and to the brunch they went straight. They all came dressed in their sunrise-coloured best… the Paraguayans played the harp by the pool and the ice cream bar helped them stay cool.

Chapter 7 | The Bride & Groom At Their Best

aksandhu — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:02:40 +0000

And then it was time! The bride & groom had to look fine, so they spent many an hour (well, the bride spent a few more for sure) to make sure they looked like a real prince and princess.

A Neeta Lulla design for the bride, with a Rajasthani touch. The groom’s turban was especially tied, by the Maharaja’s very own turban-man. The family fussed over them, their friends flocked around, ensuring they looked at their very best now!

Chapter 8 | The Baraat Sets Off

aksandhu — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:58:53 +0000

The turbans were a field of colour, the band started off with a bang, the groom set off on foot, with his very own guard of twelve Rajasthani men. The dhols rang out, the groom’s gang danced, and then the boys blocked the way – until the bride’s sister gave them water, on the ground they insisted they’d stay!

Chapter 9 | Sunset Wedding at Fatehgarh Fort

aksandhu — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:57:09 +0000

Then as the sun was setting, the bride came to meet her groom. High above Udaipur, on the terraces of Fatehgarh Fort, with four rounds of the Holy Book they finally tied the knot.

The bride’s sister then (with much difficulty) stole the groom’s shoes. And as the garlands were being exchanged, the bride’s brothers lifted her, high above the ground, out of the reach of the groom. The groom, in turn, spilt the Sindoor, all over his bride’s fair face. But eventually they ended it all with a kiss and an embrace.

Then the celebrations began, with a speech and a song. The folk dancers took over, with sky lanterns disappearing into the horizon before too long.

Chapter 10 | The AfterParty

aksandhu — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:55:30 +0000

And then the deed was done, but there was still more partying to come! Back at the palace, an afterparty was underway…..the guests shod their wedding finery for beach dresses and flipflops, they raised a toast, smoked hookahs with the hosts and many a smoke ring they blew.

The mood that night was relaxed and everyone just laid back. From Tequila to Patron, more than a few shots were had. And so they danced away, till night turned into day, and with rather sore feet the next day, departed for Bombay.