Photos from Roopali and Shayan’s intimate Hindu ceremony at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills and their Western wedding at The Beverly Hills Hotel. After capturing all the rituals of their traditional Hindu celebrations, I documented the couple getting ready in separate suites at the high-end Beverly Hills Hotel and their romantic first look, followed by a garden wedding ceremony with their closest family and friends.
I first heard from Roopali and Shayan and a few months ago about capturing their two-day Indian wedding celebrations. They were planning a traditional Hindu ceremony the Friday before Christmas at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – a gorgeous temple in Chino Hills – followed by a glamorous Western wedding at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
I had the pleasure of getting to know the couple better during their engagement session in Downtown LA and at Venice Beach a few weeks ago but was excited to reconnect to capture their special day. Both ceremonies were going to be quite intimate occasions, with just their closest family and friends, and the couple had put a high priority on photography which I always appreciate.
Roopali and Shayan hold hands on the steps of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir during their Chino Hills wedding portrait session.
Pre-ceremony portraits at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir:
My assistant and I met up with Roopali, Shayan and their immediate family members at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and I was immediately blown away by its beauty. It reminded me of being at the Taj Mahal in India, with marbled rooms and intricate carvings on the exterior of the temple. Roopali was wearing a gorgeous orange anarkali and Shayan in a golden sherwani, which perfectly complemented the setting.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir has quite strict rules about photography but there were still plenty of places for us to utilize for couple portraits, including the sweeping staircase that leads to the entrance of the temple. I captured intimate portraits of Roopali and Shayan embracing in front of the gilded doors and walking between the ornately carved columns, as well as getting some low vantage shots to make the most of the soaring spires above.
Capturing an intimate moment between the bride and groom in front of an ornately carved wooden door at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.Roopali and Shayan stand in an open doorway at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir during their Indian wedding portrait session.Roopali and Shayan smile at one another while walking between intricately carved columns at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.A wide-angle portrait of Roopali and Shayan standing in front of the stunning BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills.Shayan affectionately kisses Roopali’s hand during their Indian wedding portrait session at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.Capturing a tender moment between the bride and groom incorporating the gorgeous architecture of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.A creative portrait of Roopali and Shayan embracing at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills.A low-vantage shot of Roopali and Shayan holding hands at the top of a staircase at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.Capturing an intimate embrace between the couple in front of the exquisite exterior of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.Roopali leads Shayan along the exterior of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir during their Indian wedding portrait session.Roopali and Shayan look lovingly into one another’s eyes outside BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills.The bride and groom walk down the stairs of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir during their Indian wedding portrait session in Chino Hills.Roopali blows a kiss to Shayan during their wedding portrait session at a Hindu temple in Chino Hills.The bride and groom embrace in an ochre-colored temple structure at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills.
Hindu wedding ceremony photos at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir:
It was then time for the Hindu wedding proceedings to get underway, beginning with a water ritual as Roopali, Shayan and their family members poured water over a golden statue. They then moved to an ochre-colored structure that would serve as their mandap stage, with a variety of traditional rituals carried out during the ceremony.
Roopali’s mom greeted Shayan with a bindi on his forehead and a playful pulling of his nose before the bride was officially escorted in by her dad. I captured candid shots of both the couple and their family members as they offered blessings and exchanged garlands before Roopali and Shayan circled the central fire and fed one another sweets. The ceremony ended with female family members whispering advice into Roopali’s ear and both moms planting proud kisses on their new son and daughter in laws.
Roopali and Shayan pour water over a statue of a deity during their Hindu wedding celebrations in Chino Hills.An elevated view of the couple and their families performing a Hindu water ritual at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.Roopali and Shayan beside a gold Hindu deity at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills.Roopali and Shayan’s families watch on during the traditional Hindu wedding ceremony at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.Capturing Roopali’s reaction during her Hindu wedding ceremony at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.A candid photo of Roopali’s parents performing a Hindu ritual during the ceremony at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.Roopali and Shayan watch on during their traditional Hindu wedding ceremony at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.A creative shot of Roopali’s parent paused in prayer during the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu wedding ceremony.Roopali’s mom greets Shayan and puts a bindi on his forehead at the start of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir wedding ceremony.A playful shot of Roopali’s mom pulling Shayan’s nose in what is a traditional Hindu wedding ritual.A candid photo of Shayan breaking a red object with his foot at the start of his BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu wedding ceremony.A candid photo of Roopali smiling during her Hindu wedding ceremony at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.Roopali’s father escorts her into the Hindu wedding ceremony at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills.Shayan is “revealed” to Roopali during their traditional Hindu wedding ceremony in Chino Hills.A candid photo of Roopali placing a garland around Shayan’s neck at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.Shayan places a flower garland around Roopali’s neck in what is a Hindu wedding tradition.Roopali and Shayan show respect to their family as part of their Hindu wedding at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.The bride and groom participate in a traditional Hindu wedding ritual with Roopali’s dad at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.A creative shot incorporating the exquisite architecture of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills.A candid photo of Roopali and Shayan during their Indian wedding ceremony at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.Roopali and Shayan circle a fire on their mandap stage at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills.Roopali and Shayan smile lovingly at one another while seated on opulent gold chairs at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.The couple perform a Hindu wedding ritual during their traditional ceremony at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.A candid photo of Shayan feeding Roopali a sweet during their Hindu wedding at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.Roopali feeds Shayan something sweet in what is a Hindu wedding tradition at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.Roopali’s mom kisses Shayan affectionately during the intimate family wedding ceremony in Chino Hills.A family member whispers into Roopali’s ear in what is an Indian wedding tradition at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.Shayan’s mom kisses Roopali affectionately on the forehead during the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir ceremony.A creative shot of Roopali and Shayan at the end of their Hindu ceremony, with BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in the background.
Getting ready photos at The Beverly Hills Hotel:
The following day we met up with the couple again, but this time at the luxurious Beverly Hills Hotel where they were getting ready in separate suites. While my second photographer was with Shayan and his friends, I was with Roopali who had opted to get ready alone. This gave us plenty of space (and time) to capture candid shots as she made her final preparations and portraits of the beautiful bride.
I photographed Roopali opening a surprise gift from her groom and gazing out her suite window, as well as getting up-close for some sharply focused shots of the bride sitting on a glamorous red sofa. I then captured a bird’s eye photo of the bride walking down the sweeping staircase of The Beverly Hills Hotel and a shot incorporating the elegant balcony.
A candid photo of Roopali putting on her wedding shoes in a luxurious suite at The Beverly Hills Hotel.Roopali place a bracelet around her wrist as she prepared for her intimate wedding ceremony at The Beverly Hills Hotel.A shot of Roopali adjusting her earrings in front of a brightly illuminated window at The Beverly Hills Hotel in California.A close-up shot of Roopali securing one of her earrings while getting ready for her wedding at The Beverly Hills Hotel.A candid photo of Roopali opening a white gift box from her groom in a glamorous suite at The Beverly Hills Hotel.A portrait of Roopali showcasing the stunning back of her wedding dress in a luxury suite at The Beverly Hills Hotel.A portrait of Roopali looking out her suite window as she prepared for the intimate wedding at The Beverly Hills Hotel.A close-up portrait of Roopali looking gorgeous on her wedding day at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Southern California.Roopali stands at her suite window while holding a beautiful bouquet at The Beverly Hills Hotel.A portrait of Roopali in her lace wedding dress seated on an elegant red sofa at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
Pre-ceremony portraits at The Beverly Hills Hotel:
It was then time for the couple’s first look session, which we also held on the staircase of The Beverly Hills Hotel. I photographed Roopali walking downstairs towards her groom, then their reactions at seeing one another for the first time that day. We used the time available for portraits of the couple both on the staircase and in the opulent lobby of The Beverly Hills Hotel, which had been beautifully decorated for the festive season.
We also headed outdoors for a garden wedding portrait session, incorporating the couple’s stunning courtyard ceremony site. I captured shots of them walking along a leafy garden pathway and embracing with Roopali’s bouquet before it was time for the wedding ceremony to get started.
A bird’s eye view of Roopali walking down a circular staircase at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Southern California.Roopali holds her bouquet while standing beside an ornate, wrought iron balcony at The Beverly Hills Hotel.A sophisticated portrait of Shayan beside an ornate balcony during his wedding photo session at The Beverly Hills Hotel.Shayan checks his watch while waiting for his bride in a hallway of The Beverly Hills Hotel.Roopali walks down a circular staircase towards Shayan during their first look session at The Beverly Hills Hotel.Roopali walks up behind Shayan during their first look session at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Southern California.Capturing the reactions of the bride and groom during their romantic first look session at The Beverly Hills Hotel.Roopali and Shayan embrace during their intimate first look session on a staircase landing at The Beverly Hills Hotel.An elevated view of Roopali and Shayan walking hand-in-hand down the staircase of The Beverly Hills Hotel.A creative shot of the bride and groom enjoying a special moment together in the lead up to their wedding ceremony at The Beverly Hills Hotel.Roopali and Shayan embrace in front of a stunning light feature at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Southern California.Roopali and Shayan share a special moment during their glamorous wedding portrait session at The Beverly Hills Hotel.A bird’s eye view of Roopali and Shayan embracing on a staircase at The Beverly Hills Hotel.Roopali and Shayan look lovingly at one another while walking up a staircase at The Beverly Hills Hotel.Capturing an intimate moment between the bride and groom on a staircase landing at The Beverly Hills Hotel.A portrait of Roopali looking radiant at her outdoor courtyard wedding ceremony site at The Beverly Hills Hotel.Shayan kisses Roopali affectionately on the cheek during their garden wedding portrait session at The Beverly Hills Hotel.A portrait of the couple incorporating the Christmas-themed lobby of The Beverly Hills Hotel in Southern California.Roopali embraces Shayan during their garden wedding portrait session at The Beverly Hills Hotel.Roopali and Shayan walk hand-in-hand through the beautifully decorated lobby of The Beverly Hills Hotel.Roopali and Shayan walk along a leafy garden pathway at The Beverly Hills Hotel during their wedding portrait session.
Ceremony photos at The Beverly Hills Hotel:
Roopali was escorted down the aisle by her father for the start of her courtyard wedding ceremony at The Beverly Hills Hotel and I captured Shayan’s reaction looking proudly on. After the handoff, the couple exchanged vows in front of their closest family and friends in what was a really intimate but gorgeous setting.
I captured candid shots of their parents watching on and the couple sharing a laugh, then the moment they exchanged rings with each other. After being pronounced “husband and wife”, Roopali and Shayan made their recessional walk down the aisle and sealed the event with a kiss, ready to celebrate during a lavish dinner reception with those closest to them.
Capturing Shayan’s reaction as he watched his bride walk down the aisle during their wedding at The Beverly Hills Hotel.Roopali’s father escorts her down the aisle at the start of her garden wedding ceremony at The Beverly Hills Hotel.Roopali’s father gives her away to Shayan during their courtyard wedding ceremony at The Beverly Hills Hotel.Looking across Roopali and Shayan’s intimate garden wedding ceremony site at The Beverly Hills Hotel.Capturing Roopali’s reaction as she exchanged vows with Shayan in the gardens of The Beverly Hills Hotel.A candid photo of Roopali’s parents watching on during the intimate wedding ceremony at The Beverly Hills Hotel.The bride and groom share a laugh during their garden courtyard wedding ceremony at The Beverly Hills Hotel.A candid photo of Shayan’s mom filming a video on her cell phone during The Beverly Hills Hotel wedding ceremony.Roopali places a ring on her groom’s finger during their intimate wedding ceremony at The Beverly Hills Hotel.The newly married couple make their recessional walk down the aisle in the gardens of The Beverly Hills Hotel.Capturing a kiss between the newlyweds following their garden wedding ceremony at The Beverly Hills Hotel.A portrait of Roopali and Shayan standing beneath their beautifully decorated bridal arch at The Beverly Hills Hotel.Roopali and Shayan share a laugh while walking through their white-themed wedding ceremony venue at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
Wedding photos at The Beverly Hills Hotel:
Roopali and Shayan’s wedding at The Beverly Hills Hotel was my last wedding of 2018 and such an incredible way to end the year. I can’t thank them enough for selecting Aevitas Weddings to capture their special day and for being such a wonderful couple to work with. I wish them all the happiness as they celebrate the festive season as husband and wife.
