Getting Ready at The Courtyard by Marriott Round 1
Colleen and Shreyas started off their wedding morning bright and early at Springfield Country Club. Colleen and her girls got glammed up before getting into their first outfit of the day. The women in Shreyas family gathered in the girls’ getting ready room to help Colleen and her bridesmaids into their vibrantly colored saris. The room filled with smiles and laughter as two cultures and traditions came together with their families. Colleen’s delicate details glossed as she and her closest girls decorated Colleen in gold and jewels. We captured her gorgeous glow in a few bridal portraits while Shreyas had a more eventful start to the day.
The Baraat at Springfield Country Club
Following Indian wedding tradition, Shreyas arrived at the ceremony with a bang, (actually, with several bangs of a drum). Hoping to impress his soon-to-be wife and her family, Shreyas was paraded around the parking lot in a lavish BMW convertible while their guests formed a lively parade hopping with music, dancing, and celebrating all the way to Springfield Country Club. As the Baraat ended, Shreyas was greeted by Colleen’s parents and escorted to the ceremony.
Traditional Indian Wedding Ceremony
The traditional Indian wedding ceremony has many significant parts involving both the bride and groom, their parents, prayer, and rituals. When Colleen walks down the aisle with her brothers and is brought on to the Mandap after Shreyas receives high praise from her parents, they are separated by a cloth. When the cloth is lowered, Colleen decides that Shreyas is still worthy of her love and marriage, and they are adorned with garlands around their necks. To show Colleen how beautiful she is, her future mother in law holds up a mirror for them to look in. The bride and groom give offerings to the fire god, and Colleen’s brothers twist on Shreyas’ ears to remind him to treat their sister well, or else. Next Colleen walks over the seven mounds of rice to provide food, strength, prosperity, happiness, friendship, children, and the best life together. Then hand in hand, Shreyas and Colleen walk around the fire three times to show that he is responsible for her well being. They are now married in Indian tradition and pay respects to their parents, priest, and others, and receive their blessings for a wonderful married life. The rice is thrown and the celebration begins!
Couples Portraits at Springfield Country Club
While guests enjoyed a conventional (and delicious smelling) Indian lunch, we snuck off with Colleen and Shreyas for a few minutes for some portraits in their Indian attire. Colleen’s vibrancy was beautifully contrasted with the grounds at Springfield Country Club. The bride and groom cozied up and wandered around the course for a quiet minute before heading to the hotel for an outfit change and pivot in the day to celebrate Colleen’s Catholic traditions.
Getting Ready Round 2
Back at the Marriott, the girls got into their comfy matching pajamas while they touched up Colleen’s hair and makeup and we captured more of her lovely western wedding details. Colleen’s mother assisted in the wardrobe change, helping her into her ballgown. Adorned in her delicate bow and pearl details, Colleen added the final touches with some classic jewelry before heading over to the St. Thomas the Apostle ceremony.
Shreyas suited up in his classic black tuxedo and bowtie ahead of their second ceremony of the day. The guys loaded up on the party bus and headed off to get these two married!
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Wedding Ceremony
Shreyas’ eyes beamed down the aisle as Colleen and her father waltzed toward the alter. In the traditional Catholic ceremony, scriptures were read by close family and friends, prayers were made, and songs were sung as Colleen and Shreyas became a family. They exchanged time-honored vows and wedding rings before saying ‘I do’, and finally shared a kiss as husband and wife.
Wedding Party & Newlywed Photos on the Course
Back at Springfield Country Club, cocktail hour bustled as we hung out in the courtyard with the wedding party. We popped some bubbly, shared some laughs, and captured a lot of love for the newly married couple. Chauffeured by a ‘Just Married’ golf cart, Shreyas and Colleen headed out further onto the course for a few private moments in front of the lens. Colleen’s long train and cascading veil looked majestic walking across the greens on Springfield Country Club’s back 9. Shreyas paraded his new wife along the pond, stopping for an occasional loving kiss. They celebrated with a bit more bubbly before heading off to the reception.
Reception at Springfield Country Club Ballroom
As Colleen and Shreyas entered the ballroom, they were introduced for the first time as husband and wife before sharing their first dance. They were then each joined by their parents and shared a special moment with them on the dance floor. Back on the even more lavishly adorned Mandap, the newlyweds listened attentively as their closest friends and family made toasts, speeches, and prayers in their honor. The Western Wedding traditions continued throughout the evening with dinner, dancing, and the cutting of the three-tiered wedding cake. It also included an on-theme grooms cake featuring the bride and groom kissing on the golf course. We ended the night on the dance floor with lots of great dance moves, both Indian and American, and lots of beautiful images.
Colleen & Shreyas’ wedding was a beautiful day filled with significant moments that blended two families, cultures, and traditions together. Thank you for letting us be a part of this special day and capturing all of those gorgeous details and loving memories.
