A selection of photos from the multi-day Indian wedding of Supreeta and Jay, including a lavish beach ceremony and ballroom reception at Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego. We captured all the rites and rituals of their traditional Sikh ceremony at the San Diego Sikh Gurdwara in Poway, as well as a colorful Sangeet filled with dancing at the San Diego Zoo's Zoofari Party Area.
After capturing Supreeta and Jay’s e-session in San Diego a few months back, I was really excited to reconnect with them again over their three day Indian wedding weekend. It was starting with a Sikh ceremony to honor Supreeta’s beliefs on the Thursday morning at the Sikh Gurdwara Temple in Poway, followed by a lively Musical Night/Sangeet with all their family and friends at the Zoofari Party Area of the San Diego Zoo on the Friday evening.
Then the celebrations finished with a beachfront Hindu wedding at Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego on the Saturday to reflect Jay and his family’s religion, followed by a reception party in their glamorous ballroom.
Capturing an intimate embrace between Supreeta and Jay during their Indian wedding celebrations in San Diego.
Sikh ceremony photos at San Diego Sikh Gurdwara:
My second photographer and I drove down from Los Angeles early on Wednesday and got settled into our San Diego/Poway area hotel. We were staying in the same place as family and friends from Supreeta’s side of the family who had flown in from Chicago.
Then on Thursday morning, we headed over to where Supreeta was preparing with her entourage and waiting for the horse and carriage to arrive that was going to transport her to the Sikh Gurdwara Temple. I photographed some last minute preparations as her uncles gave her bangles and covered their heads in orange cloths, as well as a portrait of Supreeta looking gorgeous in her pink sari as she sat in the carriage.
Supreeta’s family then made their way through the streets singing and dancing in a Baraat procession to meet Jay’s family, with her dad and brothers leading the way. There was so much color to capture, with everyone dressed beautifully in traditional Indian attire. Supreeta’s brothers then lifted her down from the carriage for her to dance her final steps into the Sikh Gurdwara Temple.
According to Sikh beliefs, everyone must have their head covered (even photographers!) before entering a temple and remove their shoes. So we followed suit as we went indoors to capture the Sikh wedding rites and rituals, with lots of prayers and recitations taking place. Supreeta and Jay sat on the floor at the front of the temple with their guests behind them, with the men seated on one side and the women on the other.
After the official proceedings were complete, I grabbed a couple of portraits of the newly weds outside the Sikh Gurdwara Temple, including one of Jay twirling Supreeta in her stunning sari. The Sikh ceremony was being followed by a casual lunch, marking the end of the first day, which was going to be the shortest of the three.
Supreeta’s uncles offer her bangles at the start of her Indian wedding celebrations at the Sikh Gurdwara Temple in Poway.Supreeta’s mom covers her father’s head at the start of the ceremony at the Sikh Gurdwara Temple in Poway.A portrait of Supreeta looking absolutely radiant as she prepared for her Sikh wedding ceremony in Poway, San Diego.Supreeta’s horse-drawn carriage transports her through the streets of Poway to the Sikh Gurdwara Temple.Supreeta with her sister-in-law and nephew in the horse-drawn carriage as they prepared for the Sikh wedding ceremony.Supreeta’s family dancing in the streets of Poway during the Baraat as they arrived at the Sikh Gurdwara Temple.Supreeta’s family and friends walk through the streets of Poway towards the Sikh Gurdwara Temple.Capturing all the color as Supreeta’s family walked towards the Sikh Gurdwara Temple in Poway.Supreeta’s dad leads the Baraat procession through the streets of Poway towards the Sikh Gurdwara Temple.Supreeta’s brothers carry her through the streets of Poway during all the color and festivity of the Baraat.Supreeta dancing through the streets at the beginning of her three-day Indian wedding celebrations in San Diego.Male friends and family seated inside the Sikh Gurdwara Temple in Poway for the start of Supreeta and Jay’s wedding.Supreeta is escorted by her female family and friends into the Sikh Gurdwara Temple for the start of her Indian wedding ceremony.Capturing the first look between Supreeta and Jay at the start of their Sikh wedding ceremony in San Diego.A Granthi leads Supreeta and Jay in prayer during their traditional Sikh wedding ceremony in San Diego.A wide angle shot looking across the family and friends gathered for Supreeta and Jay’s wedding at the Sikh Gurdwara Temple in Poway.Supreeta and Jay’s Sikh wedding ceremony was an explosion of color with the women dressed in beautiful saris.Supreeta’s brothers and brother-in-law watch on during the wedding ceremony at the Sikh Gurdwara Temple.Supreeta’s mom lays a sash around Jay in what is a traditional Indian wedding ritual at the Sikh Gurdwara Temple.A candid shot of the bride and groom deep in prayer during their Sikh wedding at San Diego’s Gurdwara Temple.Men young and old watch on during Supreeta and Jay’s wedding at the Sikh Gurdwara Temple in Poway.Capturing Supreeta and Jay’s reactions during their Sikh wedding at a temple in San Diego.Supreeta and Jay look lovingly into each other’s eyes after their Sikh wedding ceremony in San Diego.Jay twirls his bride outside the Sikh Gurdwara Temple in Poway following their traditional wedding ceremony.
Musical Night/Sangeet photos at San Diego Zoo:
I met up with Supreeta and Jay in the late afternoon of Day 2 to capture some portraits of them in and around the Zoofari Party Area of San Diego Zoo before their Musical Night/Sangeet began. I captured one of them seated at their traditional Indian sweetheart table and in front of the flamingo enclosure, as well as some of them embracing within the lush palm groves.
The greenery behind really made the colors in their wedding attire “pop”, with Supreeta in a pale blue sari and Jay wearing a peach and yellow sherwani. As part of their package, the San Diego Zoo had some of their animals on display for Supreeta and Jay’s guests to meet, with the children particularly inquisitive. There was also face painting going on in what was a really warm, family vibe.
But the main event was the Musical Night itself, beginning with a grand entrance by Jay and his groomsmen as they danced their way into the Zoofari Party Area, followed by Supreeta and her bridesmaids. The evening kicked off with speeches and toasts from family and friends, before the dancing performances began.
Jay and his family performed an energetic dance for Supreeta, before she responded with her own, followed by a traditional Hawaiian hula performance by the team at San Diego Zoo. They even got some of the men up to try their skills in characteristic Hawaiian dress.
There were then a series of cultural dances from different regions of India, including a stick dance that involved everyone’s participation. The wedding guests lined up to hit their sticks against their partner’s, before it was a free-for-all on the dance floor!
I tried to capture all the movement and energy of Supreeta and Jay’s Musical Night, with an explosion of color against the green turf floor. Then the wedding guests made a long archway with their sticks for Supreeta and Jay to make a grand exit, marking the end of Day 2.
Supreeta and Jay sit together at their traditional Indian sweetheart table within the Zoofari Party Area of San Diego Zoo.Capturing a romantic portrait of the couple in front of the flamingo enclosure at the San Diego Zoo.Supreeta and Jay embrace in front of a bamboo grove in the lush gardens of the San Diego Zoo.Jay kisses Supreeta affectionately during their wedding portrait session at the San Diego Zoo.Supreeta dances along a walking trail at the San Diego Zoo in her gorgeous, pale-blue sari.A portrait of Jay in his lavish sherwani during his Indian wedding photo session at the San Diego Zoo.Capturing an intimate moment between Supreeta and Jay in their stunning Indian wedding attire.Supreeta and Jay kiss in front of a bamboo grove during their San Diego Zoo wedding celebrations.Supreeta and Jay walk hand-in-hand along a trail during their San Diego Zoo wedding portrait session.A young wedding guests playing with the sticks that would later be used in a traditional Indian stick dance.Supreeta and Jay pat one of the animals at the San Diego Zoo during their Indian wedding celebrations.A young wedding guest looks inquisitively at one of the zoo animals on display during Supreeta and Jay’s party.Jay and his ten groomsmen arrive at the Musical Night within San Diego Zoo’s Zoofari Party Area.Jay dancing with his groomsmen as they arrived at the Musical Night ceremony at the San Diego Zoo.Supreeta arrives with her bridesmaids at the Musical Night Ceremony within the Zoofari Party Area of the San Diego Zoo.Supreeta’s parents make a toast at the start of the Musical Night celebrations at San Diego Zoo.Capturing Supreeta and Jay’s reactions as speeches and toasts are made during their traditional Indian Musical Night.Friends toast to the newly married couple during their traditional Indian Musical Night celebrations in San Diego.A creative shot capturing Supreeta and Jay’s reactions as a speech is made during their Musical Night ceremony.Jay’s family perform a traditional dance for the couple at the San Diego Zoo’s Zoofari Party Area.Capturing Supreeta’s reaction as Jay dances for her during the Musical Night ceremony in San Diego.Capturing all the movement of Jay’s dance performance during the Musical Night ceremony in San Diego.Jay’s female family perform in their colorful safaris at San Diego Zoo’s Zoofari Party Area.upreeta and Jay share a laugh as family members perform for them during their Indian Musical Night ceremony.Supreeta performs a dance for her family and friends during the San Diego Zoo wedding party.Friends toast to the newly married couple during their Musical Night celebrations at San Diego Zoo.Supreeta and Jay make a “thank you” speech for their wedding guests at the Zoofari Party Area of San Diego Zoo.A young wedding guest watches on during a Hawaiian dance performance at the Zoofari Party Area.A dancer performs a traditional Hawaiian hula dance during Supreeta and Jay’s San Diego Zoo Musical Night party.Family and friends participating in a traditional Hawaiian dance at the Zoofari Party Area of San Diego Zoo.Supreeta and Jay dance for their wedding guests during the traditional Indian Musical Night party in San Diego.Young wedding guests dance across the Zoofari Party Area during Supreeta and Jay’s Musical Night.A wide angle shot looking across the Indian Musical Night celebrations at the Zoofari Party Area of San Diego Zoo.Wedding guests perform a traditional Indian stick dance during Supreeta and Jay’s Musical Night.A creative shot looking across the lines of wedding guests stick dancing during Supreeta and Jay’s Indian Musical Night.Jay stick fighting with one of his wedding guests at the Zoofari Party Area reception in San Diego.An action shot of Supreeta stick fighting with a wedding guest during her Indian Musical Night in San Diego.Supreeta’s dad and brother-in-law stick fighting in what is a traditional Indian wedding ritual.Supreeta on the dance floor of the Zoofari Party Area during her colorful Indian Musical Night ceremony.Supreeta’s brother and wife dance in the middle of a group of wedding guests during the lively Indian Musical Night ceremony.Jay enjoying the dance floor with his wedding guests at the Zoofari Party Area of San Diego Zoo.Jay letting loose on the dance floor during his Musical Night party as part of the three day Indian wedding celebration.Supreeta’s brothers and their wives dancing in the middle of a group of wedding guests during the Musical Night ceremony.A young wedding guest enjoying the dance floor at the Zoofari Safari Area of San Diego Zoo.Capturing all the color and action of Supreeta and Jay’s Musical Night ceremony at the San Diego Zoo.An action shot of Supreeta on the dance floor on day two of her three day Indian wedding celebrations.Supreeta and Jay make their grand exit through an arch made by their wedding guests at the end of the Musical Night.
Getting ready photos at Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego:
We started the final day early to capture Supreeta and Jay getting ready for the Hindu wedding at Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego. I photographed Supreeta as she made her final preparations, with her bridesmaids assisting with her gorgeous red sari and jewelry, then captured a first look with her obviously very proud dad.
After a few portraits of the bride in her suite at Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego, including a creative, reflective shot against the window, we headed downstairs to the gardens where the first look with Jay was going to take place.
Supreeta helping her bridesmaids to fit their saris outside the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.A candid shot of Supreeta’s father in a suite at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego, with her bridal sari hanging in the window.A silhouette of Supreeta’s sister-in-law helping to fit her bridal sari at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.A candid shot of Supreeta getting ready with her bridesmaids in a suite at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.A close-up candid shot of Supreeta’s bridesmaids helping to secure her bridal sari in a suite at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta’s maid-of-honor helps to secure her bangles as they prepared for the Hindu ceremony.Capturing the first look between Supreeta and her dad in a suite at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta’s father embraces her during their first look in a suite at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.A creative, reflective portrait of Supreeta in a window at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.A close-up portrait of Supreeta looking radiant as she prepared for her Hindu wedding ceremony in San Diego.
Pre-Hindu ceremony portraits at Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego:
I photographed Supreeta as she walked up to her groom, who was also dressed spectacularly in traditional Indian bridal attire, and captured his reaction at seeing her looking so amazing. Then I grabbed some romantic portraits as they walked hand-in-hand along the garden walking trails, with the green of the palms being a perfect backdrop against the red in their outfits.
Supreeta walking towards Jay during their first look in the gardens of the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Jay turns around to see his beautiful bride during their first look at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Capturing Jay’s reaction during his first look with Supreeta in the gardens of the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta was all smiles during her first look with Jay in the lush greenery of the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Capturing a tender moment between Supreeta and Jay on one of the palm-lined walkways of the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta and Jay walking hand-in-hand along one of the lush garden trails of the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta embraces Jay warmly during their wedding portrait session at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.A bridal party portrait of Supreeta, Jay and their ten bridesmaids and groomsmen at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.
Hindu ceremony at Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego:
After some bridal party portraits with their ten bridesmaids and groomsmen, it was time for the Baraat ceremony to begin. Jay rode on horseback along the beachfront of the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego, accompanied by his family and friends, with curious onlookers soaking up this colorful sight. There was plenty of dancing and Indian traditions taking place, with friends and family diving to get Jay’s shoes and Supreeta’s mom playfully trying to pinch his nose.
Supreeta and Jay’s Hindu wedding at Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego was being held right on the sands, with the mandap stage backed by the Pacific Ocean. We were actually quite lucky with the weather, with cloudy skies resulting in even diffuse lighting that allowed the colors to stand out.
Jay was covered by a cloth as his bride made her way down the aisle, carried on a palanquin by her brothers. They were then revealed to one another and the priest led the proceedings, with a lot of jokes and humor thrown in. I captured both close-up shots and reactions as the Hindu rites and rituals took place, as well as a wide-angle shot looking across the ceremony site. I photographed as female relatives came up to whisper things in Supreeta’s ear and the row of groomsmen watching on proudly, as well as the reactions of both sets of parents as they witnessed their children getting married.
After the dads embraced to mark the end of the ceremony, Supreeta and Jay made their joyous recessional walk down the aisle as “husband and wife”. While this marked the end of the official proceedings, the newly married couple, their parents and priest then went into a small conference room for some quiet prayers.
Meanwhile, Supreeta and Jay’s guests were boarding a three story boat for lunch, which was docked right near the ceremony site. After the newly weds had finished their prayers, they too jumped aboard a speedboat and waved goodbye to their guests as they sped out across the water.
Jay arrives on horseback to his Hindu wedding ceremony at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Jay’s parents lead the procession of dancers through the street during the Baraat at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Onlookers watch on at the color and festivity of Supreeta and Jay’s Hindu wedding in San Diego.Jay arrives on a beautifully decorated horse for the start of his Hindu wedding at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Jay’s family and friends dancing along the beachfront of San Diego towards the Bahia Resort Hotel.A young boy joins Jay on his horse in what is a traditional Hindu wedding ritual.Supreeta’s family welcome Jay’s during the Baraat ceremony at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.A bird’s eye view looking down on Jay as he dances in the middle of family and friends during the Baraat ceremony.Friends and family dive to grab Jay’s shoes in what is a traditional Indian wedding ritual.Jay’s friends and family fight over his shoes in what is a playful Indian wedding tradition.Supreeta and Jay’s moms dance between the groomsmen and bridesmaids during the Indian Baraat ceremony.Supreeta’s mom tries to pinch Jay’s nose in a playful Indian wedding tradition.Family and friends crowd around Jay at the start of his Hindu wedding ceremony at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta’s mom embraces Jay in the middle of the crowd at the start of his Hindu wedding ceremony.The Hindu priest places a bindi on Jay’s forehead to begin the official Hindu wedding proceedings.A cloth is placed in front of Jay to shield his vision of Supreeta as she arrives at the Hindu wedding ceremony.Supreeta’s brothers carry her in on a palanquin at the start of her Hindu wedding in San Diego.Jay catches his first glimpse of Supreeta at the beginning of their Hindu wedding at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Capturing the joy and laughter of Supreeta and Jay’s Hindu wedding at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta and Jay look lovingly into each other’s eyes during their Indian wedding in Southern California.Supreeta and Jay perform a traditional Hindu ritual on the mandap stage during their beach wedding in San Diego.A wide-angle shot looking down the flower-strewn aisle during Supreeta and Jay’s wedding.Supreeta and Jay share a laugh during their lively Indian wedding ceremony at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Jay’s parents watch on as their son weds during a beach ceremony at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta and Jay sit on a traditional mandap stage, overlooking the waters of the Pacific Ocean.Supreeta and Jay feed each other sweets during their beachside Hindu wedding in San Diego.Capturing Supreeta’s parents reactions during the Hindu wedding ceremony at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.One of Supreeta’s female relatives whispers into her ear in what is a traditional Indian wedding ritual.Jay’s groomsmen watch on during the Hindu wedding ceremony at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Capturing a playful moment between the bride and groom during their traditional Indian wedding ceremony.Supreeta and Jay seated on their mandap stage, together with both sets of parents and the Hindu priest.Supreeta’s sister-in-law whispers into her ear during the Hindu wedding rituals at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta, Jay and their parents stand up to pray on the mandap stage during their Hindu wedding ceremony.Supreeta and Jay’s parents embrace after their children wed at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta and Jay make a joyous recessional walk down the aisle following their Hindu wedding ceremony.The newly married couple have a quiet moment to reflect and pray after their Hindu wedding ceremony.Jay’s parents pray at a traditional Hindu shrine following the official wedding ceremony in San Diego.Jay ties a bracelet around Supreeta’s wrist following their Hindu ceremony on the beach in San Diego.Supreeta and Jay’s wedding guests celebrate as they board a boat for lunch at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta and Jay wave goodbye to their wedding guests as they depart the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego by speedboat.Supreeta and Jay wave goodbye as they depart their Hindu wedding ceremony on a speedboat.
Post-Hindu ceremony portraits at Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego:
Everyone had a couple of hours to relax, before we met up with Supreeta and Jay at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego for some more portraits before their reception began. They had both changed outfits, with Supreeta in an elegant navy blue sari and Jay in a classy white jacket and black pants. I captured portraits in the gardens of the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego and down on the beach overlooking the marina where their wedding ceremony had taken place.
Capturing an intimate moment between Supreeta and Jay during their wedding portrait session at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Jay kisses Supreeta’s hand affectionately on the beach at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Jay twirls Supreeta in her gorgeous wedding sari during their Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego portrait session.Supreeta and Jay embrace in the lush gardens of the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta and Jay share a laugh on the beach alongside the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.The newly married couple walking through the gardens of the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta playfully blows a kiss to Jay during their wedding portrait session in San Diego.Supreeta kisses Jay affectionately following their beachside wedding at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.
Reception photos at Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego:
Then the couple danced their way into the reception, which was being held in the grand ballroom of the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego. Their first dance was followed by speeches and toasts from Supreeta’s parents before a father-daughter dance while Jay watched on from his sweetheart lounge.
Then it was Jay’s family’s turn, with speeches and toasts followed by the mother-son dance. In Sangeet-style, there were also a few dance performances by family and friends, before Supreeta and Jay surprised their guests with a song. Towards the end of the evening, clouds of balloons were released from the ceiling onto the dance floor and everyone let loose. Glow sticks illuminated this party, which was a fitting way to end what had been an incredible three days.
Supreeta and Jay make their grand entrance into the reception ballroom at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta and Jay perform their first dance during their glamorous ballroom reception at the Bahia Resort.A wide-angle shot looking across the dance floor and Supreeta and Jay’s sweetheart lounge during their first dance.Supreeta’s parents make a toast during the reception celebrations for Supreeta and Jay’s wedding.Capturing Supreeta and Jay’s reactions as they listened to speeches and toasts on their sweetheart lounge.Supreeta and her dad perform their father-daughter dance while Jay watches on from the sweetheart lounge.A speech from one of the brothers during Supreeta and Jay’s ballroom reception at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.A black and white shot of Supreeta’s parents reactions as speeches and toasts were being made.Jay’s parents make a speech during the wedding reception at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta and Jay watch on as their friends and family make speeches during the Bahia Resort reception.Supreeta watches on as Jay and his mom perform their mother-son dance in the ballroom at Bahia Resort.Wedding guests perform a stick dance in the ballroom of the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.A black and white candid shot of Jay’s mom watching on during a reception dance performance.Supreeta is embraced by Jay’s sister after her toast during their Bahia Resort ballroom reception.Family members dance for Supreeta and Jay during their Indian wedding party at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Male family and friends perform a choreographed dance during Supreeta and Jay’s reception.Supreeta and Jay share a laugh during their Indian wedding party at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta and her family perform an energetic Indian dance routine in the ballroom at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Jay joins Supreeta and their wedding guests on the ballroom dance floor at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Supreeta and Jay surprise their wedding guests with a song during their glamorous ballroom reception.A close-up shot of Supreeta and Jay as they performed a song for their wedding guests at the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego.Balloons fall from the ceiling during Supreeta and Jay’s lavish wedding reception in San Diego.Wedding guests let loose on the dance floor, surrounded by balloons, during Supreeta and Jay’s reception.Wedding guests enjoying the dance floor to end Supreeta and Jay’s three-day wedding celebrations.Glow sticks illuminate the dance floor of the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego during Supreeta and Jay’s wedding reception.
Wedding photos at Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego:
I really can’t thank Supreeta and Jay enough for selecting Aevitas to capture their wedding at Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego. It was such a privilege to spend time with their families and friends and witness the traditional wedding rituals from their Sikh and Hindu faiths. I know that they are off to Bali for their honeymoon and wish them an incredible time and all the happiness in their married life together.
