Jay and Rupal's wedding reception at the Radisson Celebrity Ballroom featured traditional Indian wear right along side some modern customs such as driving a convertible Porsche onto the dance floor for their entrance. It was a fun night in Merrillville and one of the most unique celebrations I have photographed.
While the wedding planner was hard at work putting the finishing touches on the decorations inside the main ballroom, the happy couple and I stepped outside for some bride and groom formal pictures. We had the golden light from a sunset and were able to capture the bride's beautiful eyes and henna decorated on her hands.
Jay and Rupal had already gotten married a month earlier in Atlanta, Georgia and were now having their celebration here in Merrillville for their Northwest Indiana family. You can see the happiness in her eyes as she gazes at her new husband in the glow of the sunset.
The lobby of the Merrillville Radisson can make for a scenic background and we captured some wedding photos in there as well...
The wedding planner decorated the Celebrity Ballroom impeccably. Everything was top of the line, from the gorgeous purple and blue wedding cake to the wall of candles behind the wedding party's head table.
A separate night club style lounge was set up in another ballroom and had it's own bar. We also used this area for family pictures as well...
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The wedding guests had no idea that the bride and groom would enter in a Porsche convertible right onto the dance floor!! To get them warmed up, parents of the groom Dr. Kansal and his wife Sadhna danced for the crowd during their introduction....
All family members took a spin on the white floor with the women showcasing their Indian dresses....
Start your engines!! The bride and groom have arrived.....
The bride and groom were then seated at the head of the ballroom dance floor to watch dance routines from family members. It was quite the show!!
You will notice in many of these reception photos that the wedding coordinator was casting Indian symbols along with changing light patterns onto the walls of the Radisson reception hall. Colors were changing all night as family and friends began to party....
It certainly wouldn't be a celebration without running children!!
I finally got her to slow for this shot with her red rose...
Jay and Rupal were the center of attention for the traditional first bridal dance...
I made sure to take time to get some close up shots of the bride's henna decorated hands and of course the wedding ring too...
The groom's brother gave a great speech with much humor and love. Here he is with his new sister in law...
One more look at the incredible dresses shown off here by the mother of the groom with her family and friends...
It was an incredibly fun night at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville with a wedding reception like no other. I'm sure the bride and groom can drink to that...
