Liz and Ashwin, with the help of their brilliant planners A. Dominick Events, threw the prettiest, most atmospheric wedding I have had the opportunity to document. They and their families infused the day with warmth and laughter, while honoring both Hindu and Jewish traditions. The National Museum for Women in the Arts provided a truly spectacular setting for quite a day.

wedding photojournalist amber wilkie

They got started at their impressive suite at the Sofitel.

hindu preparation at the sofitel in washington dc auntie with the sari for the bride mother in law and bangles at hindu wedding ceremony bride gets ready at the sofitel in washington dc

I love how putting on a wedding sari and accessories is a big family affair.

bride puts on bangles for hindu wedding bride's auntie helps her get ready bride gets ready with stepmother mother in law helps bride get ready for hindu wedding little girl watches bride put on her makeup auntie and bride holding hands

They we scooted to the National Museum for Women in the Arts for family pictures and some quick bride and groom photos.

wedding portraits at national museum for women in the arts

With some awesome art. NMWA keeps their weird art in one tiny room, apparently, but fortunately for me, it was also the only spot with a window. Also fortunately for me, Liz and Ashwin were keen to have their photos taken in front of this sweet/weird thing.

weird portraits at national museum for women in the arts

Portrait work done, it was go-time!

photojournalism at hindu wedding in washington dc bride and her father share a moment before the wedding ceremony groom waiting for his bride at hindu wedding

Told you it was atmospheric. The lighting people did a beautiful job of isolating the mundap and bringing a beautiful red glow to the rest of the regal venue.

national museum for women in the arts wedding photography fathers hugging at hindu wedding at national museum for women in the arts mother of the groom cuts the garland at nmwa hindu wedding national museum for women in the arts wedding photojournalism holding a coconut at nmwa wedding hindu wedding ceremony at national museum for women in the arts laughing during hindu wedding at nmwa in washington, dc garland exchange at national museum for women in the arts wedding national museum for women in the arts wedding photography praying at the hindu wedding ceremony at national museum for women in the arts garland exchange at national museum for women in the arts wedding sari tied to groom at national museum for women in the arts wedding walking around the coals at national museum for women in the arts wedding national museum for women in the arts wedding photography wedding photography at nmwa in washington, dc mundap at hindu wedding at national museum for women in the arts

Part of a Hindu ceremony involves blessing the couple by throwing rice – always a fun moment to photograph.

rice for blessings at national museum for women in the arts national museum for women in the arts wedding with rice blessing

Big thanks to Ayesha for coming out to help me with this wedding. It’s always great to have a talented photojournalist to provide a second set of moments and angles.

father and daughter holding hands during wedding ceremony

Liz and Ashwin honored both their religious traditions, with her father giving a Jewish blessing, and Ashwin breaking a glass at the end of the ceremony.

recitation of Jewish blessings at national museum for women in the arts wedding

Also, what can I say? Cocktail hour in an art gallery trumps cocktail hour just about anywhere else.

cocktail hour in art gallery at national museum for women in the arts wedding guests with art at national museum for women in the arts wedding decor at national museum for women in the arts bride and groom dancing at national museum for women in the arts hora at national museum for women in the arts wedding bride and groom during the hora at national museum for women in the arts wedding father of the bride during the hora at nmwa wedding

Have you ever seen a dad more excited about the hora?

fathers of the wedding couple at nmwa wedding laughing during speeches at nmwa wedding brother of the groom gives a speech at nmwa wedding guests dancing at national museum for women in the arts wedding wide angle hug photo at national museum for women in the arts wedding dance party at national museum for women in the arts wedding nmwa wedding dancing - lots of hands atmospheric imagery from nmwa wedding speeches and guests laughing at nmwa wedding bride and groom speaking at national museum for women in the arts wedding friend signing to bride and groom at nmwa wedding bride's parents dancing at nmwa wedding lots of dancing at nmwa wedding national museum for women in the arts wedding photos dancing at the national museum for women in the arts wedding bride and groom at national museum for women in the arts dance party

There’s nothing quite like wedding guests in crutches partying down.

lots of dance photos from nmwa wedding bride and groom dancing at the end of the night at nmwa wedding

Congratulations guys!

Liz & Ashwin’s rockin’ vendor team:

Planners: A. Dominick Events
Ceremony & reception venue: National Museum for Women in the Arts
Catering: Susan Gage Caterers & Rasika
Florist: Sidra Forman
DJ: DJ Blue of Bluebeat Productions
Officiant: Sree Aswath
Videographer: Liz of Dolce Studio Films
Furniture rental & additional decor: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Hair: George at Four Seasons Salon
Makeup: Carola Meyers


facebook comments:

5 Comments

Tina Tabibi · May 7, 2013 at 11:44 am

Wow girlie! These are phenomenal. Gorgeous! Well done.

Abby Grace · May 8, 2013 at 10:17 am

I shot here back in April and LOVED IT! The NWMA is an incredible gem. I really love the lighting set-up for your ceremony- beautiful, beautiful work Amber!

stefanie · May 8, 2013 at 10:58 am

wow! gorgeous wedding and gorgeous couple! i love the venue and colors. beautiful job.

Bobbie Reichert Rose · May 8, 2013 at 1:56 pm

Absolutely beautiful! Congratulations, Liz and Ashwin!

Dale Lempa · May 10, 2013 at 6:07 pm

Beautiful documentary and portraiture.

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