Tanya & Tushar | Riverside on the Potomac Indian wedding | Leesburg, VA

Tanya and Tushar got all kinds of married out at Riverside on the Potomac. One ceremony couldn't contain their massive amount of awesome, so they had two. This thing was boisterous, joyous and mad, mad fun. In addition, we had all the weathers and a crazy beautiful country setting with actual barn for partying. In short, it was really great. Tanya and Tushar: riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-85riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-30 (Preface: I am posting way, way, way too many photos. But there was so much going on! And everything was so colorful and pretty! And these two and their friends and families had so much fun! Forgive me. There was a lot to photograph.) They started long before me, but I joined the fun the night before for their amazing Sangeet. So many of their friends and family participated in an outpouring of talent and love. They filled the Dulles Airport Marriott with purple and laughter. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-1riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-2riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-3riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-4riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-5riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-6 Tanya's college roommates put together an amazing dance number from Romy and Michele's High School Reunion. It was breathtaking. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-8riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-9riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-10riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-11 Tushar's entire family choreographed a dance for them. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-12riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-13riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-14riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-15riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-16riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-17riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-18 These people had packed-to-the-gills dance floors at least two nights in a row. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-19 Preliminaries completed, the wedding party assembled the next day to get ready for the big event. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-20riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-23riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-26 Shunning traditional "first looks", Tanya and Tushar backed up into each other for an egalitarian moment. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-27riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-28riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-29 We did pretty stuff, cars, trees, etc. and then I took them over to the actual barn area, where they promptly climbed into the hay bales. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-32riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-33riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-34 Tushar had a massive, awesome processional from behind the reception barn down to the ceremony site. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-35riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-38riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-39 And he had a horse! riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-40riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-41 It was really, really hot but everybody kept dancing for Tushar. Including Tushar. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-42riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-43riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-44riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-48-copyriverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-49riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-50riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-51riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-52riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-53 I don't know if anyone has ever had a better time at their wedding ceremony. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-54riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-55riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-56riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-58riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-59riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-60 You can see the sky getting dark behind them as they circle the fire... riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-61 As the storm blew in, it literally knocked their mandap over. While they were taking their seven steps. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-62 Um, so I made this gif of it. mundap-falling They didn't seem to mind that much. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-63riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-64riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-65riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-66riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-67riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-68riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-69riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-70 The commotion died down as they wrapped up the Indian ceremony and transitioned to a brief Western one, under the tent, as it had begun to dump rain. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-71riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-72riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-73riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-74riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-75riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-76 But it cleared just in time for recessional. The weather was quirky and delightful like that all day - rainy and dramatic sporadically, but not during any critically important parts. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-77 It even cleared for a second set of portraits by the pond in outfits #2. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-79riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-80riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-81riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-78 Receptions at Riverside on the Potomac are held in this massively pretty barn. Christine with Engaging Affairs did a beautiful job planning and putting everything together. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-82riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-83riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-84riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-86riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-87 A quick get-your-dance-on before dinner. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-90riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-91riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-92riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-93riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-94riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-95riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-97riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-98riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-99riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-100riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-101riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-105riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-106 Rollicking. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-107-copyriverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-112riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-113riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-114-copyriverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-115riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-116riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-118riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-119 And a sparkler sendoff, with only the tiniest of raindrops, to end the night. riverside-on-the-potomac-indian-wedding-120 Congratulations you guys! Tanya and Tushar's vendor team: Planning and coordination: Christine with Engaging Affairs Sangeet and Getting-ready venue: Dulles Airport Marriott Ceremony and reception venue: Riverside on the Potomac Catering: IndAroma (who did a lovely job with an all-vegetarian menu) Florist: Holly Chapple Flowers Videography: Peter Staubs DJ: Daryl with DJ D-Mac and Associates Officiant: Pandit Ramesh babu Mandap decor: Manju Mehta with Shagun Weddings Hair & Makeup: Mala Amin Transportation: Chariots for Hire Staffing: Capital Restaurant Resources Horse: Marriage Carriage & More Dohl player: Dave Gupta Tanya's clothing: Edison, NJ stores, including: Maharani, NZK Tushar's clothing: Indian sherwani - Sheetal in Edison, NJ / Suit - Enzo Custom Clothiers

Rachel & Tim | Raspberry Plain wedding | Leesburg, VA

Going way back again, this time to a wedding I helped the wonderful Erin Lassahn photograph more than a year ago (I know, bad me blogging so late). These two were so much fun and their Raspberry Plain wedding was beautiful, even if it did get a little rained out. raspberry plain wedding photography Nothing like snagging a few frames of the groom shaving. groom shaving before the wedding groom tying his shoelaces before his wedding little boy making a phone call before the wedding Raspberry Plain has a whole cottage for the bride and her ladies to get ready in. The poor gentlemen are squirrelled away in this tiny side room. Poor Tim and his guys had to wait nervously for the ladies to finish getting ready. groomsmen laughing with the groom It was worth it. bride comes to greet her groom bride and groom at their first look Okay so the second photographer doesn't always get the full story... but I take it these guys are big wrestling fans. groom getting his wwf belt Like... big wrestling fans. groomsmen destroying each other like on wwf bridesmaids laughing on the porch of raspberry plain portrait of a beautiful bride at raspberry plain bride and groom portraits at raspberry plain silhouetted portrait at raspberry plain room details at raspberry plain wedding korean mothers in pink and blue dresses for the wedding The moms in matching dresses are seriously giving the "here comes the bride" kids a run for their money. here comes the bride sign at a wedding bride and groom during the ring exchange at raspberry plain bridal party entrance at raspberry plain first dance at raspberry plain wedding mother of the groom dance bride dancing with her mother at raspberry plain wedding laughing during toasts at raspberry plain wedding dance party at raspberry plain wedding in leesburg, va When it's your wedding, you gotta lead the conga line. groom leads the conga line at raspberry plain wedding raspberry plain wedding bride throwing the bouquet at raspberry plain wedding bouquet toss and garter toss winners at raspberry plain wedding Many (belated) congratulations, Rachel and Tim! And thanks again to Erin for having me out!

Weekend Getaway, Day Three

After our big events on Saturday, Sunday was a very chill day as we headed back home.  We grabbed our complimentary coffee from the bizarre espresso-dispensing machine at the Aloft (because I am a *gold* preferred guest - I could play it off like I'm better than you, but I'm pretty sure I earned that status as part of a promotion) and drove off into morning headed for apple orchards! After a bit of backtracking, we came upon Hartland Orchards.  Apparently our super-hot summer was not easy on the apples and so there was no u-picking to be done.  Nevertheless, we loaded up on a half-peck of apples, cider and local honey.  YUM. It was a very nice trip and lovely to be away for just a little bit.  I think I will take more mini vacations.  They cost slightly less than regular vacations and the trip home is easy-peasy. hartland apple orchard virginia hartland apple orchard virginia hartland apple orchard virginia hartland apple orchard virginia