namrata+ravin // married // the mehndi ceremony

This is the first of many posts to come featuring Namrata+Ravin’s wedding (Nimi+Rav) earlier this month.  The wedding was a three day celebration and this is day one, the Mehndi ceremony.  Because this was my first Hindu (Indian) wedding, I actually had a lot of help from the bride in gathering information of their rituals and culture and the meaning of them.  The Mehndi ceremony, also known as the henna ceremony, was a pre-wedding ritual that was held at the bride’s aunt’s home.  The henna is a fabulous and intricate design that lasts for about a week.  The bride told me that the darker it turns, the more the groom loves you.  ;)    The rooms were flooded with the warm light of the sunset and the rich colors of the drapes and the gorgeous saris worn by the ladies.  Everyone was hugging, laughing, smiling – I loved being in the mist of all of that joy, happiness and love.  The bride’s mother and family wanted a few classic traditional photos, and I took a few fine art photos that the bride and I love with different light and poses for the hands, feet and arms to show her henna.  Here are a few of my favorite photos from day one.  ;)