Indian Wedding in Skokie, Illinois: Mehndi and Sangeet
Bride and groom own the stage at Skokie Banquet & Conference Center.
Day 1 - Mehndi Party
Ahsan and Molly’s wedding was a traditional 4 day celebration which began with covering the Mehndi Party at the parent’s of the bride while associate photographer Jaime was with groom and his family at another nearby home. This is Part 1 covering Day 1 and Day 2. To view highlights from Day 3 and Day 4, please follow this link here.
Henna artist were on hand at both locations and lots of well wishes, good food and laughter were on display.
Henna and make up are applied at the Mehndi Party for the bride.
The bride displays her henna art for the camera.
The groom preps for his wedding.
The Mehndi Party is a pre-celebration and was our shortest day of coverage. It was wonderful to meet everyone involved and we all hit it off really well. I knew we were in for a terrific next 3 days of intense celebration. Many thanks to Raag and Isha of Paraagon Films for being so welcoming as we worked together.
Day 2 - Sangeet
I love music so I was looking forward to the Sangeet taking place at the Skokie Banquet & Conference Center. Friends and family would be performing later in the evening but first we captured the colorful decor of the room before the bride and groom’s pithy (good luck ritual) and the “egging of the groom” which lead to a break in the festivities for a changing of clothes. Let’s just say this was one time where the groom was probably going to take a little longer than the bride to get ready!! See below…
Colorful decorations at the Sangeet celebration.
The groom was brought in first…
The groom’s pithi ceremony at Skokie Banquet & Conference Center.
Now, I had been told of the “egging of the groom” but I had not anticipated the level at which the groomsmen would take this ritual. Let’s just say, when Ahsan becomes a groomsman for one of these guys - look out, I think revenge will be off the charts!! Vinegar, salmon, flour, ketchup are just a few of the ingredients seen below. Even the bride did a cake smash on her husband to be.
If you have a groom to be who isn’t carrying his weight with wedding planning, just show him these next set of images to set him straight!! haha
The “egging of the groom” with a healthy showering of white vinegar.
Pithi ceremony for the bride.
After a pause for a changing of clothes for Ahsan and Molly, the Sangeet music party began with introductions and performances. I was able to snag the bride and groom for a few portraits after dinner before round 2 of the musical celebration began.
Introduction of the bride and groom with musical performances from friends and family.
The bride and groom on their colorful stage.
Happy moments for the bride and groom during their Sangeet celebration.
Molly looked exquisite during some quick portraits in between musical performances.
The performances came from children, family members, friends, members of the wedding party and finally the bride and groom themselves took to the floor. Then they invited guests up as the room engulfed with sound.
Music and dance performances from friends and family and the bride and groom.
The dance floor opens up to guests for the finale of the Sangeet.
I hope you are enjoying Day 1 and Day 2 of Ahsan and Molly’s traditional Indian wedding at Skokie Banquet & Conference Center. To view Day 3 and Day 4, please follow this link.
To inquire about wedding photography, please fill out the Contact form right here.